Rep. John Burkel

Maddy summaryHF 723 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of natural resources. This funding supports the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission in carrying out its duties under Minnesota Statutes section 85.536. The bill directly affects the commission and its ability to manage regional parks and trails across Greater Minnesota. It provides specific, concrete funding amounts for two consecutive budget years without altering existing park policies or programs.

Maddy summaryHF 67 repeals Minnesota's automatic voter registration system, which previously added eligible residents to voter rolls when they applied for or renewed a driver's license or state ID. The bill removes provisions requiring DMV staff to offer automatic registration and eliminates related requirements in statutes governing voter registration (Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 13.607 and 201.161). It also amends related laws to adjust processes for voter preregistration and application forms. This change directly affects voters who would have been automatically registered through DMV interactions, requiring them to proactively register instead.

Maddy summaryHF 1677 appropriates a specific amount from the general fund for Minnesota's Developing Markets for Continuous-Living Cover Crops Program. The bill directs the Commissioner of Agriculture to use these funds to support market development for soil-protecting cover crops (plants grown to prevent erosion and improve soil health) and requires two annual reports detailing fund usage and program achievements by February 1, 2026, and 2027. The funding is a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2028, with up to 6.5% allowed for administrative costs. This bill directly affects the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, which administers the program, and supports farmers adopting continuous-living cover crop practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's wildlife commissioner to establish an annual open season for wolf hunting after wolves are delisted from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. It directly affects state wildlife managers, hunters, and livestock owners by creating a mandatory yearly process for setting hunting seasons. Key provisions include requiring the commissioner to consult with the agriculture commissioner and USDA's animal health agency before determining seasons, and to review data on wolf attacks on livestock and human conflicts. The bill mandates public comment opportunities for all proposed seasons, ensuring transparency in the annual decision-making process.

Maddy summaryHF 2447 establishes a dedicated account for financial assurance funds collected from gas development permits. It requires the commissioner of natural resources to deposit these funds into an account managed by the State Board of Investment, with earnings credited back to the account. The funds can only be used for financial assurance purposes related to specific gas permits under chapters 93 and 103I of Minnesota Statutes. This bill directly affects gas development permit applicants and the commissioner's office, creating a new mechanism for handling and investing these required funds.

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 274 appropriates $25,000 from the all-terrain vehicle account to update the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail Master Plan, specifically allowing ATV use on portions of the trail within Cook and Lake Counties. The bill requires the commissioner of natural resources to complete this plan update by February 1, 2026, and submit a report to relevant legislative committees. This funding change directly affects the management of the trail in those counties by modifying its designated uses. The provision is a procedural update to the trail's master plan, not a new regulatory standard.

Maddy summaryHF 167 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax system by removing limits on subtracting Social Security benefits, allowing taxpayers to subtract all their Social Security income without phaseout thresholds or maximums. It also updates income tax brackets, raising the first tax bracket threshold to $47,620 for married couples filing jointly and $47,620 for single filers (from $38,770 and $26,520, respectively). The bill additionally modifies property tax refund rules, though specific changes aren't detailed in the provided text. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 278 increases fees for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) registrations and nonresident trail passes in Minnesota. It adds a $45 surcharge to all ATV registration fees (raising public-use fees from $6 to $20 annually) and increases the nonresident trail pass fee from $30 to $45 per year. The surcharge and higher pass fees fund grant-in-aid programs under Minnesota Statutes 84.927, specifically for constructing and maintaining ATV trails and use areas in counties and municipalities. This directly affects ATV owners (residents and nonresidents) who must pay these updated fees to operate on state or grant-in-aid trails.

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.