Rep. Erica Schwartz

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota calculates family responsibility amounts for state grant awards, directly affecting students and their families receiving financial aid. It establishes a new rule where any negative parental or student contribution is treated as zero rather than the previous threshold of negative $1,500, while also adjusting percentage calculations for dependent and independent students. The legislation applies to state grant awards beginning in the summer 2026 academic term and includes provisions for adjusting living expense allowances when grant funds exceed projected demand.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all property insurance policies in Minnesota to include a formal appraisal process for determining damage amounts when the insurer and policyholder cannot agree. It mandates that both parties select independent appraisers within 20 days of a written demand, who must then choose an impartial umpire to resolve any disagreements on the loss value. The legislation also establishes a two-year statute of limitations for filing lawsuits related to property claims, extending the current one-year deadline for hail insurance cases. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2027, and apply to losses occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 3541 clarifies and strengthens the responsibilities of Minnesota's Division of Capitol Security. It requires the division to provide security and emergency escorts throughout the Capitol Area (until July 2026) when requested by state constitutional officers, establish an emergency manager role for security planning and training, and maintain at least one state trooper on duty at the Capitol complex 24/7 with specific investigative training. The bill designates the division as the lead agency for criminal investigations occurring in the Capitol Area, with provisions allowing other agencies to take over only through written agreement. These changes directly affect Capitol Security staff, state constitutional officers, and all individuals accessing the Capitol complex for public or official business.

Maddy summaryHF 3651 establishes safety standards for fuel-dispensing equipment handling alcohol-blended fuels with over 10% ethanol in Minnesota. The bill requires such equipment (including dispensers, hoses, nozzles, and pumps) to have both a third-party safety certification (like UL) for the ethanol concentration range and a manufacturer's written certification for the specific blend being used. These standards ensure equipment meets existing fire and life safety requirements under the State Fire Code without altering other safety provisions like electrical classifications or emergency shutoff systems. The law directly affects fuel retailers and equipment manufacturers operating in Minnesota with ethanol-blended fuel systems.

Maddy summaryHF 3436 requires drivers approaching a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights to stop at least 20 feet away. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 169.444 to mandate this stop until the bus retracts its stop arm and turns off the red lights. It also adds a new provision requiring drivers to prepare to stop within 20 feet when a bus shows prewarning amber lights, signaling red lights are about to activate. This law directly affects all drivers operating vehicles near school buses in Minnesota, aiming to improve safety for children boarding or exiting buses. The bill takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 1323 prohibits undocumented noncitizens (students without legal U.S. immigration status) from receiving state-funded financial aid for higher education in Minnesota. The bill amends state law to explicitly state that undocumented students cannot receive any state tax revenue-funded aid, including grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, or other financial assistance from public colleges or the state. This applies to all state financial aid programs, excluding federal aid or private scholarships. The policy takes effect for fall 2025-2026 academic year aid awards.

Maddy summaryHF 2062 modifies Minnesota's sales tax payment rules for retailers. It requires large retailers (with $250,000+ annual tax liability) to pay 84.5% of estimated June tax by June 30 and the remainder by August 20, while smaller retailers pay monthly. The bill also creates a "vendor allowance," allowing retailers to retain a portion of collected sales tax (at least $10 or 1% of eligible taxes) to offset collection costs, provided taxes are reported and paid on time. This directly affects most Minnesota retailers, particularly construction material sellers (defined in the bill), and takes effect for sales after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates state funding to the Minnesota health professional education loan forgiveness program specifically for physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology who practice in designated rural areas. The funds, appropriated for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, will be used to repay education loans for eligible OB/GYN physicians working in rural communities. If there are not enough qualified OB/GYN applicants to use all the allocated money, any unused funds will be carried over to the next biennium and distributed among other eligible medical professions. The legislation modifies existing state distribution rules to prioritize this specific specialty group in rural settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new felony crime in Minnesota for providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations or those engaged in terrorist activity. It directly affects individuals who might offer money, training, weapons, shelter, or other assistance to such groups, while explicitly excluding medical and religious materials from the definition. The law sets tiered penalties based on harm caused, ranging from up to ten years in prison for basic violations to up to forty years if the support results in death. The legislation will take effect on August 1, 2026, and applies only to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 238 modifies the interest rate applied to unpaid special assessments in Minnesota, which are fees for local improvements like roads or sewers. It requires municipalities to refund interest payments made under the previous rate if they were overcharged. The bill directly affects property owners who pay these assessments and may owe interest on unpaid amounts. Key changes include setting a new interest accrual rate and mandating refunds for overpayments, as specified in the amended Minnesota Statutes section 429.061.