Rep. Keith Allen

Maddy summaryHF 51 authorizes Minnesota school districts to use state education funds for roof repairs and replacements costing $100,000 or more per site as part of the long-term facilities maintenance program. School districts must develop a ten-year facility plan that includes a roof maintenance schedule, health and safety measures (like indoor air quality management), and provisions for gender-neutral restrooms at each school. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to explicitly include roof projects in eligible uses of the funding, effective for fiscal year 2027 and later. This legislation expands the types of maintenance projects that can be funded under the existing education finance program without changing the overall funding formula.

Maddy summaryHF 3209 increases criminal penalties for "swatting" in Minnesota, which involves making false emergency calls to trigger police responses to someone's home. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 609.78 to impose harsher punishments: up to life imprisonment if someone dies, up to 15 years for great bodily harm, or up to 3 years for substantial bodily harm. It also adds specific penalties for swatting targeting officials (elected leaders, judges, prosecutors, correctional staff, or police officers), with sentences up to 10 years or $20,000 fines. The changes apply to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025. This directly affects individuals who make false emergency calls, particularly those causing injury or targeting public officials.

Maddy summaryHF 3156 restricts local governments from blocking affordable housing developments by religious organizations on their own land. It requires cities to permit such projects as a "permitted use" in specific zones: up to three units on most residential lots, up to eight units outside single-family districts, and up to 12 units in mixed-use or commercial areas. The bill defines "affordable housing" as developments where 20-40% of units are for households earning ≤50-60% of area median income, and sets minimum density requirements (e.g., 1.25x existing density). This directly affects religious organizations seeking to build housing, cities with zoning codes that previously restricted such projects, and low-income residents in communities where these developments may be constructed.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public employees in Minnesota's police and fire retirement plan who are 55 years or older to receive their full retirement pay without reduction or suspension when they return to government employment. It amends retirement laws to require the retirement plan administrator to pay a normal retirement annuity without cutting it off due to reemployment, provided the retiree has reached age 55. The law also clarifies that continued employment does not change the annuity amount, and neither the member nor their employer must make additional retirement contributions. These changes take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to clarify and restrict optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer certain medications for eye conditions. It specifically prohibits optometrists from administering drugs via IV, IM, or injection (except for anaphylaxis treatment or specific eye injections), performing invasive surgery (including laser procedures), or prescribing Schedule II/III oral drugs. The bill also sets strict time limits: oral antivirals cannot exceed 10 days, steroids require physician consultation after 14 days, and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are limited to 7 days. These changes directly affect licensed optometrists in Minnesota who provide medical eye care.

Maddy summaryHF 985 appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund for Minnesota's Soil Health Financial Assistance Program, administered by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The program provides financial support to agricultural operations implementing soil health practices, with a limit of $50,000 per recipient annually. Funds may also cover up to 6.5% of the appropriation for program administration, and unspent balances from fiscal year 2026 carry over to 2027, with grants encumbered by June 2027 remaining available until June 2029. This bill directly affects farmers and agricultural entities participating in the state's soil health initiative.

Maddy summaryHF 978 exempts grain bins and tractor tires from Minnesota's sales and use tax, directly benefiting farmers and agricultural businesses that purchase these items. The bill adds "grain bins" (defined as fixed structures storing grain to prevent spoilage) and "tractor tires" to the list of tax-exempt farm equipment under Minnesota law. This change modifies existing tax statutes to remove these items from taxable purchases, effective after June 30, 2025. The policy provides a concrete tax relief for agricultural operations purchasing these specific storage and equipment items.

Maddy summaryHF 979 appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund to Minnesota's Board of Animal Health for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill directly affects the Board of Animal Health by providing it with funding to carry out its existing duties under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 35. This is a straightforward funding measure that allocates money for the Board's current operations, with specific dollar amounts not yet determined in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHF 969 exempts farm fencing and related materials from Minnesota's sales and use tax. It adds fencing used directly in agricultural production (such as for crop growing or livestock containment) to the list of tax-exempt items under Minnesota Statutes § 297A.69, subdivision 4. The exemption applies to fencing materials, supplies, and equipment incorporated into fencing construction or repair for farming operations. It becomes effective for sales after June 30, 2025, directly benefiting Minnesota farmers purchasing qualifying fencing.

Maddy summaryHF 3154 appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide grants to the Rural Policy and Development Center. The funds are allocated through the commissioner of agriculture under Minnesota Statutes section 116J.421. This bill directly affects the Rural Policy and Development Center by providing dedicated funding for its operations and grant programs in Minnesota.