Rep. Keith Allen

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to research autonomous mower technology for use on state-owned properties like rest areas, highway rights-of-way, and other public spaces. It requires MnDOT to study safety, cost-benefit, worker impact, and commercial availability, with a focus on Minnesota-based companies for any equipment purchases. The bill appropriates $150,000 in fiscal year 2026 for this research and mandates a detailed report by February 15, 2027, covering pilot project plans, cost analyses, and safety evaluations. The research directly affects MnDOT operations and could influence future roadside maintenance practices.

Maddy summaryHF 1865 amends Minnesota law to exclude loans meeting the federal "qualified mortgage" points and fees threshold from being classified as "conventional loans." This change directly affects Minnesota mortgage lenders and borrowers by removing certain federally compliant loans from the state's conventional loan definition. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes § 47.20 by adding a new exclusion (subdivision 2, paragraph 3(b)) that removes loans where borrower points and fees do not exceed the federal threshold under 12 C.F.R. § 1026.43(e)(3). As a result, these specific loans will no longer be subject to Minnesota's conventional loan regulations and requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2378 expands the list of people ineligible for earned incentive release credit under Minnesota's Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act. The bill adds specific offenses to the existing ineligibility criteria, including crimes resulting in death, first/second-degree criminal sexual conduct, sexual conduct with minors under 16, child pornography/exploitation, violent crimes involving weapons, and crimes with mandatory minimum sentences. These changes directly affect incarcerated individuals convicted of these specific offenses who would otherwise qualify for the credit. The law amends Minnesota Statutes sections 244.45 (ineligibility) and 244.46 (applicability) to include these additional categories.

Maddy summaryHF 4 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Minnesota to return budget surplus funds to taxpayers. If approved, it would create a "Minnesota tax relief account" funded by revenue exceeding 105% of projected spending, using those funds to refund or reduce property and income taxes. Taxpayers would receive direct refunds or tax reductions, but only up to the amount they owe in taxes, with the account funded annually from the state's general fund surplus. The amendment must be voted on by voters in the 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHF 2390 appropriates $275,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $275,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to provide a grant to Workforce Development, Inc., for the Southeast Minnesota Workforce Development Area #8. The grant funds career training, education, and wraparound support services (including childcare, transportation, and housing assistance) for individuals with employment barriers in Steele County, aiming to address local worker shortages and help families move out of poverty. Up to 5% of the funds may cover administrative costs, and the grant is available until June 30, 2027, with unspent funds from year one carrying over to year two. The commissioner must report annually by January 15 to legislative committees on how the funds were used, including administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryHF 26, titled the "Never Again Act," shifts emergency declaration authority from the governor to the Minnesota legislature. It repeals the governor's power to declare emergencies and establish a new process requiring legislative approval for emergency declarations and extensions. The bill also prohibits the governor from issuing emergency orders with the "full force and effect of law" and explicitly protects citizens' rights, including free speech, religious freedom, assembly, travel, gun rights, and the ability to operate businesses. These changes amend multiple sections of Minnesota Statutes to clarify that only the legislature may enact emergency measures with legal force during crises.

Maddy summaryHF 23 amends Minnesota Statutes section 181.932 to strengthen whistleblower protections for public employees. It expands the list of protected disclosures to include reporting gross mismanagement or waste of public funds (subsection 7), clarifies protections for health care quality concerns (subsection 4), and adds specific scenarios like reporting truthful scientific studies (subsection 5) or classified service communications about state services (subsection 6). These changes directly affect state and local government employees who report violations of law, safety risks, or financial misconduct. The bill modifies existing anti-retaliation language to explicitly cover these new disclosure types while maintaining that protected disclosures cannot override other legal data protections.

Maddy summaryHF 1845 expands Minnesota's definition of "veteran" to include two specific groups: (1) Hmong veterans naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000, and (2) individuals who served honorably with secret guerrilla units or irregular forces operating from Laos in support of U.S. forces between February 28, 1961, and May 14, 1975. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 197.447 to add these categories to the existing definition, ensuring these veterans qualify for state benefits. It also creates an advisory task force of veterans, experts, and community members to help determine eligibility under the new definition. This change directly affects Hmong veterans and Laotian-based veterans who previously may not have met Minnesota's veteran criteria.

Maddy summaryHF 2332 appropriates $680,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $680,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to Rethos, a nonprofit organization. The funds will support Rethos' work expanding Minnesota's Main Street America program through outreach, training, education, and reducing financial barriers for participants. Specifically, $230,000 must be distributed as technical assistance grants to local Main Street organizations using criteria developed by Rethos. This bill directly affects Rethos and local Main Street organizations participating in the program.

Maddy summaryHF 25 establishes a state grant program administered by Minnesota's Department of Health to fund nonprofit women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The program provides financial support for services like housing, medical care, parenting education, and mental health resources to help pregnant women and new mothers - particularly those facing homelessness or crisis - carry pregnancies to term and care for their children. Eligible organizations must be nonprofits offering free or low-cost services without promoting abortion, providing abortion care, or referring women to abortion providers. Grant funds cannot be used for abortion-related activities, and strict privacy rules require written consent before sharing personal information about clients. The bill appropriates state funds for this program while reducing other health-related appropriations.