Rep. Erica Schwartz

Maddy summaryHF 3453 amends Minnesota Statutes section 152.027 to raise the legal age for possessing kratom from 18 to 21 years. It makes it a gross misdemeanor to sell kratom to anyone under 21 and a misdemeanor for anyone under 21 to possess it. The bill directly affects minors under 21 and businesses selling kratom, prohibiting sales to this age group and restricting their possession. The change applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026. This is a substantive policy change altering age restrictions under Minnesota's controlled substances law.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill requires large social media platforms to implement specific protections for children under 18, including restrictions on addictive design features like infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and personalized feeds. The law applies to platforms that earn at least $1 billion in annual advertising revenue and defines "addictive interface features" in detail, such as push notifications and metrics showing likes or follower counts. Parents of children under 15 must receive clear notifications about their child's online activity, and platforms must provide tools for parents to manage their child's account settings. The bill also establishes enforcement mechanisms and sets up a new chapter in Minnesota statutes to govern these requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3586 establishes a $10 million annual grant program for regional food banks and Minnesota Tribal governments in Minnesota, funded through the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2029. The program distributes funds based on poverty and unemployment data in each area, requiring grantees to use money for purchasing, transporting, and distributing food and hygiene products (like diapers) at no cost to recipients. Funds cannot cover staff salaries or other ineligible expenses, and grantees must report spending and maintain records for oversight. This bill directly supports food banks serving low-income individuals and families by expanding access to essential food and hygiene supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota counties to create official lists of agricultural lands that should be protected from electric power facility development. Counties can designate parcels as agricultural priority land if they have high crop productivity ratings or have been classified as prime farmland by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Once a county submits its list to the state Public Utilities Commission, the commission cannot issue site permits for large power plants on those designated lands unless the county board specifically approves an exception. Landowners have the right to opt out of having their property included on the list before the county submits it to the state. The new rules would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the requirements for marriage and family therapists to obtain a Minnesota license through reciprocity with other states. It allows the state licensing board to issue licenses to out-of-state therapists who meet specific criteria, including holding a valid license in good standing elsewhere, passing a Minnesota jurisprudence exam, and having no criminal convictions or disciplinary actions. The changes streamline the application process by clearly outlining five conditions that applicants must satisfy, such as completing the required application and fees. Therapists seeking to practice in Minnesota from other jurisdictions would need to demonstrate their qualifications meet these new standards before receiving a state license.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a felony to force or coerce a pregnant minor under 18 into seeking or obtaining an abortion, defining coercion broadly to include threats, isolation, financial pressure, and exploiting vulnerabilities. It requires hospitals and other facilities to screen and report suspected cases of human trafficking involving minors. Additionally, the law adds wrongful death as a cause of action for deaths resulting from abortions and mandates the creation of specific rules by the state health commissioner.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the local sales tax for the city of St. Peter, allowing it to collect a 0.5% tax on purchases to fund specific municipal projects. The updated tax revenue will be used to pay for a new fire station, park improvements, and any debt service on bonds issued to finance these construction costs. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum amount of bonds the city can issue from $9.121 million to $11.85 million and sets a 40-year expiration date for the tax unless the projects are completed sooner. These changes require approval from the city's governing body and are effective once the city complies with state administrative procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for prosecuting certain theft and fraud crimes in Minnesota, particularly those involving public funds and medical assistance fraud. It directly affects prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and individuals accused of these offenses by allowing more time to file charges. The key change increases the statute of limitations for theft of public money to ten years and adjusts timeframes for other financial crimes based on the amount stolen or number of victims. The bill also adds provisions that pause the clock if a defendant participates in pretrial diversion programs or if DNA evidence is being analyzed. These changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Minnesota Public Safety Radio Communications Funding and Interoperability Act, removes the requirement for Minnesota counties to pay for the expansion and maintenance of the ARMER public safety radio network. Instead, the legislation creates a new state-funded account to cover these costs, ensuring that local governments are not forced to use property taxes for this infrastructure. The law also establishes a voluntary program where the state and local jurisdictions can share project costs on an equal basis, with the state covering at least 75 percent of any such expenses. Additionally, the bill sets up a framework to improve interoperability, allowing different law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical agencies to communicate effectively across jurisdictional lines. A new reporting requirement mandates that the commissioner of public safety annually update the legislature on how the funds are being used and the progress of the network.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota School Safety Center to create and distribute evidence-based model safety plans for K-12 schools, requiring districts to adopt similar plans by May 2028. It establishes strict criteria for what counts as "evidence-based," mandating that safety strategies be backed by strong research or well-designed studies before they are implemented. The legislation also enables anonymous threat reporting systems in schools and requires the safety center to consult with licensed mental health professionals when developing these plans. Additionally, the bill modifies grant programs for school buildings and cybersecurity while increasing funding for safe schools initiatives.