Rep. Tom Sexton

Maddy summaryHF 195 exempts property owned and operated by congressionally chartered veterans service organizations from Minnesota property taxes. The bill removes the standard property tax classification rate for this specific property and establishes a direct tax exemption. It requires the commissioner of veterans affairs to annually provide a list of qualifying organizations to the commissioner of revenue by January 1. The exemption takes effect for property assessments beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1445 modifies Minnesota's veterans burial laws to clarify eligibility and adjust fees. It specifies that veterans cemeteries must serve service members who died on active duty, veterans meeting federal criteria, and their spouses or dependent children. The bill requires the veterans commissioner to set fees for spouses and children that cover actual interment costs (excluding plot value), while allowing fee waivers for people with limited income. Crucially, it eliminates all burial fees for service members who died on active duty and for eligible veterans themselves.

Maddy summaryHF 1341 designates January 9 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Minnesota, requiring the governor to issue an annual proclamation. It encourages school districts to partner with law enforcement agencies to create middle and high school "explorer" programs about law enforcement careers, which may count as course credit. The bill appropriates $6 million for 2026-2027 to reimburse agencies for peace officer training and $1 million for 2026 to fund pathway-to-policing programs that help recruit diverse candidates through local government grants. These provisions directly affect schools, law enforcement agencies, and local governments by supporting career education and training funding.

Maddy summaryHF 1344 allows volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders, and ambulance crews in Minnesota to use approved red or red-and-white flashing warning lights on their personal vehicles while responding to emergency calls. The bill amends Minnesota law to explicitly permit these lights under existing permit rules (Minnesota Statutes 169.58), requiring lights to be no larger than 3 inches and only activated during emergency responses. It clarifies that these volunteers' vehicles qualify as "authorized emergency vehicles" under traffic law (Minnesota Statutes 169.64), ensuring consistent enforcement. The change directly affects volunteer first responders who use personal vehicles for emergency duties, making their use of warning lights legally clear and consistent with state regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 2248 amends Minnesota Statutes section 216B.2421 to add a new definition for "large energy facility" under subsection (9). The change specifically includes facilities designed to convert materials into combustible fuel with a processing capacity exceeding 75 tons per hour. This definition affects facilities that produce fuel from materials like biomass or waste, requiring them to meet the "large energy facility" threshold under Minnesota law. The bill does not alter existing definitions for power plants, transmission lines, pipelines, or other energy infrastructure categories.

Maddy summaryHF 1342 amends Minnesota child care licensing law to exempt unrelated individuals providing nonresidential care to two separate families (where each family is internally related) from needing a state license. This change adds a specific exemption to existing rules that already cover related caregivers. The bill directly affects informal caregivers - such as neighbors or friends - providing structured care for two distinct families without formal licensing. It does not alter requirements for care provided to unrelated individuals or for residential settings. The policy change simplifies licensing for this specific scenario under current statutory language.

Maddy summaryHF 2529 allocates $7.2 million for fiscal year 2025 and $2.9 million each for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the trunk highway fund to hire additional Minnesota State Patrol troopers. The bill directly affects the State Patrol by providing funding for staff and equipment costs associated with new troopers. It specifies exact annual amounts and the source of funds, with the appropriation effective immediately after enactment. This is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes beyond the budget allocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes Minnesota's historic state flag (described as a blue flag with a central emblem featuring 19 stars, the word "MINNESOTA," and scenes from the Great Seal) and grants all Minnesotans the right to display it. It requires the lieutenant governor to set standards for its display on state property, mandating it be shown during specified holidays and on Capitol grounds during legislative sessions. The bill also allows the historic flag to be displayed on other public property for ceremonial purposes, while requiring it to be placed beneath the official state flag when both are displayed together. It directly affects all Minnesotans who display the flag and government entities managing public property.

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 summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 626.19, subdivision 3, to explicitly authorize law enforcement agencies to use drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) during the lawful pursuit of a fleeing suspect. It directly affects police departments and the public, as it expands drone use for suspect chases beyond existing emergency or disaster scenarios. The key provision adds a specific exception to the list of permitted drone uses, allowing agencies to deploy drones "in risk of, or for purposes of, the lawful pursuit of a fleeing suspect." This change clarifies and formalizes an existing practice under Minnesota law.