Rep. Bobbie Harder

Maddy summaryHF 1000 would allow Minnesota taxpayers to deduct all Social Security benefits from their state taxable income without income-based phaseouts. Currently, deductions for Social Security benefits decrease or disappear once income exceeds thresholds (e.g., $100,000 for joint filers). This bill removes those phaseout limits, making the deduction "unlimited" for all qualifying taxpayers. It directly affects Minnesota residents receiving Social Security benefits who file state income tax returns. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 1428 requires that if Minnesota's grain indemnity account balance exceeds $15 million on June 30 and no claims have been paid in the previous 24 months, the excess amount must automatically transfer to the agricultural emergency account. This bill directly affects the state's management of agricultural funds, redirecting unused surplus from the grain indemnity account (which compensates farmers for crop losses) to the emergency account. The agricultural emergency account provides immediate financial support to farmers during crises like droughts or market crashes. The change ensures surplus funds are proactively allocated to emergency assistance without requiring new legislative action.

Maddy summaryHF 14 proposed a temporary moratorium on most light rail transit project development spending by the Metropolitan Council in seven Minnesota counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington). The bill prohibited funds for planning, design, environmental analysis, land acquisition, and construction of new light rail projects, but exempted the Southwest Light Rail (Green Line Extension) and prior contractor payments. The moratorium would have expired once the Green Line Extension began revenue operations. The bill was introduced, amended, and ultimately not passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHF 1132 appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to GreenSeam, a state agency, to provide grants for agriculture-related businesses. The grants support business retention, development, creation, talent attraction, and regional branding efforts. GreenSeam must report by December 1 each year on new businesses supported, jobs created, educational partnerships, and promotional activities. This is a one-time funding allocation with specific reporting requirements for the program's outcomes.

Maddy summaryHF 767 increases penalties for arson committed against political organizations or motivated by political reasons. It amends Minnesota Statutes 609.561, 609.563, 609.5631, and 609.5632 to add specific circumstances that elevate penalties. For example, arson targeting a building housing a political organization (under §609.561) carries a maximum 25-year prison sentence, while lesser offenses with political motivation face enhanced fines and jail terms. The law applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals who commit arson against political organizations or for political statements.

Maddy summaryHF 899 modifies Minnesota's prohibition on American Indian mascots in public schools, effective September 1, 2026. It bans schools from using names, symbols, or images depicting American Indian tribes or traditions as mascots, nicknames, or team names - except for schools on tribal reservations with at least 95% American Indian students. The bill requires non-compliant districts to report progress by specific dates and establishes a $2,026,000 fund to reimburse schools for replacing prohibited mascots on uniforms, signage, and facilities. Schools applying for funding can delay compliance until their request is approved, with funds available until July 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 960 modifies the design of Minnesota driver's licenses and identification cards to include specific markings. It requires licenses for people under 21 to be marked "Under-21" and allows those 65+ to request a "senior" marking. The bill also updates REAL ID compliance markings, adding "temporary" for licenses issued to people with temporary legal status and requiring noncompliant licenses to display "not for federal identification" and "not for voting" under certain circumstances. These design changes apply to all new licenses issued on or after October 1, 2025, and directly affect license holders based on age, citizenship status, or compliance with federal ID requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 894 amends Minnesota law to explicitly exclude undocumented noncitizens from eligibility for MinnesotaCare, the state's health insurance program. The bill defines "undocumented noncitizens" as individuals residing in the U.S. without approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This change directly affects noncitizens without legal immigration status who previously qualified for MinnesotaCare, while maintaining eligibility for U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawfully present noncitizens under existing rules. The amendment takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 636 removes the requirement for a permit to carry a firearm in public places for eligible Minnesotans, while creating an optional permit system. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 624.714 to state that anyone not prohibited by state or federal law (and at least 21 years old) may carry a firearm without a permit in public places - defined as government-owned property or private property open to the public, excluding homes, businesses, gun shops, and hunting areas. An optional permit, which requires proof of pistol safety training and background checks for disqualifying offenses, remains available for those who choose it. This change directly affects eligible residents who currently need permits to carry firearms in public, eliminating that barrier while preserving the option for a permit.

Maddy summaryHF 456 provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in two specific Watertown projects: a new water tower (materials purchased April 2024-February 2026) and a wastewater treatment facility (materials purchased February 2022-July 2025). Businesses purchasing eligible materials pay the sales tax upfront but receive a refund later, with refunds unavailable before June 2025. The exemption applies retroactively to purchases made after February 2022, covering the full project timelines. This directly affects contractors and suppliers working on these municipal infrastructure projects in Watertown.