Rep. John Burkel

Maddy summaryHF 1359 increases funding for solid waste management by changing how fees collected from waste management are allocated. Starting in 2026, 7% of these fees will go to a resource management account (rising to 20% in 2027 and 30% after 2028), instead of the general fund. The funds must be distributed to counties for waste management programs under state law. This directly affects counties receiving these allocations and changes the percentage of fees dedicated to environmental resource management over time. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1444 amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.06, to clarify that individuals legally permitted to use force in self-defense under specific circumstances (as defined in existing law) are not required to retreat before making a reasonable threat to use force. The bill directly affects Minnesotans claiming self-defense in situations where they could potentially retreat but choose to issue a threat. It adds a new provision stating that no duty to retreat exists in these cases, even if retreat is possible. This change modifies the legal standard for self-defense threats but does not alter when force may be used. The law takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 1497 appropriates $60,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $60,000 for fiscal year 2027 to provide grants to the Northern Crops Institute. These funds are specifically authorized for the Institute to purchase equipment. The bill directly affects the Northern Crops Institute by providing dedicated funding for equipment acquisition, with no additional policy changes or new requirements for other entities. It is a straightforward funding allocation bill.

Maddy summaryHF 1259 appropriates $350,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota FFA. The funding directly supports FFA members participating in art- and history-related activities, including creating a history book and video series to commemorate 100 years of FFA work, and covering costs for events like FFA band/choir, talent competitions, and fair displays. Up to $125,000 annually must be used for historical documentation, with remaining funds allocated to other qualifying art and history activities. The commissioner of agriculture will develop grant criteria in consultation with the Minnesota FFA.

Maddy summaryHF 1457 prohibits the construction of new public and charter schools within one-quarter mile of specific contaminated sites, including closed landfills listed by Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency or identified dump sites from historical records. The bill directly affects school districts and developers planning new educational facilities by requiring them to avoid these locations. Key provisions define "closed landfill" as sites on the Pollution Control Agency's contamination list and "dump site" as unpermitted waste disposal areas documented in a 2001 study or identified by county officials. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, aiming to prevent new schools from being built on potentially hazardous land.

Maddy summaryHF 753 allows licensed veterans organizations in Minnesota to use gross profits from lawful gambling for repairing, maintaining, or improving their buildings. Specifically, it amends Minnesota law to permit these organizations to cover costs like water, fuel, electricity, and sewer expenses for their primary headquarters buildings. This change directly affects veterans groups operating legal gambling activities under state licensing. The policy expands their allowable uses of gambling revenue beyond previous restrictions, focusing on facility upkeep rather than other community programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1402 modifies Minnesota's compensation programs for livestock losses due to wolves and crop/fence damage caused by elk. It requires site inspections with photographs by approved agents (like sheriff's deputies or Agriculture Department staff) to verify wildlife damage before payments are made. The bill maintains a $100 minimum claim value and $20,000 annual cap for wolf-related livestock claims, while adding specific evidence criteria (like elk tracks or sightings) for elk crop/fence damage claims. It also repeals outdated sections of law and appropriates funds for these programs. These changes directly affect livestock owners and agricultural producers who experience wildlife-related losses.

Maddy summaryHF 1409 amends Minnesota Statutes to expand the definition of "qualified relatives" eligible for agricultural homestead property tax benefits. The bill adds grandparents, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces to the list of family members who can qualify as "actively farming" relatives under existing tax rules. This change directly affects Minnesota farmers who own agricultural land and have qualifying family members living with them or farming the property. Under the amendment, these additional relatives can now meet the criteria for classifying agricultural property as a homestead (class 2a), reducing property tax burdens. The policy modifies Section 273.124, subdivision 14(b)(2) of Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's sales tax exemption to include additional baby products, directly affecting parents and caregivers who purchase these items. It adds baby wipes, cribs and bassinets (including mattresses and sheets), changing tables and pads, strollers, car seats and bases, baby swings, bottle sterilizers, and infant eating utensils to the list of tax-exempt items. The exemption applies to sales and purchases made after June 30, 2025. This change removes sales tax from these specific baby products, aligning with the existing exemption for items like breast pumps and baby bottles.

Maddy summaryHF 1423 amends Minnesota Statutes section 273.124, subdivision 8, to increase the maximum number of shareholders, members, or partners allowed for certain agricultural entities to qualify for homestead property tax treatment from 12 to 18. This change directly affects family farm corporations, joint farm ventures, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships operating farms, allowing them to have up to 18 qualifying members while still qualifying for class 1b or class 2a property tax classifications. The bill does not alter tax rates but expands eligibility for existing homestead tax benefits by raising the shareholder cap. It takes effect for homestead applications filed in 2025 and later.