Rep. Steve Gander

Maddy summaryHF 1593 allows counties and municipalities in Minnesota to delay compliance with certain state mandates until funding is provided. It specifically exempts local governments from mandates that affect daily operations, change resource allocation, or alter spending priorities - unless the required funding is minor relative to the local budget. Exceptions include mandates for financial audits, public safety, and health protections, which must still be followed. The law applies to state mandates effective after June 30, 2025, and modifies Minnesota Statutes sections 373.52 (for counties) and 471.343 (for municipalities).

Maddy summaryHF 13 would amend Minnesota Statutes section 609.06 to eliminate the requirement that individuals must attempt to retreat before using reasonable force in self-defense or defense of others. The bill specifically removes the "duty to retreat" provision, allowing people to use force without first trying to avoid confrontation if they reasonably believe it is necessary. This change would directly affect Minnesotans using force to defend themselves or others in situations where they perceive an immediate threat. The bill was introduced but not passed, as it was laid on the table during the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota's medical assistance program from covering prescription drugs that are used solely for weight loss. It directly affects Medicaid enrollees in Minnesota by removing weight-loss-only medications from the state's approved drug list. The law amends existing statutes to explicitly exclude such drugs from the drug formulary, which is the official list of medications covered by the program. This change takes effect on January 1, 2027, or later if federal approval is required. The bill also includes requirements for the state to report on formulary changes and their impact on enrollees.

Maddy summaryHF 3788 expands Minnesota's agriculture special license plates to include "farm trucks" alongside existing eligible vehicles like passenger cars, one-ton pickup trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. To qualify, applicants must pay standard registration fees, contribute $20 annually to the Minnesota Agriculture Account, and meet all other vehicle registration requirements. This bill directly affects Minnesota farmers who operate eligible farm trucks by providing them a new option for special license plates. The change modifies Minnesota Statutes section 168.1285 to explicitly list "farm truck" as an eligible vehicle class for these plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called disruption of worship services in Minnesota, targeting individuals who enter religious buildings with the intent to disrupt scheduled services by committing a crime. The law defines a religious establishment as a building used for worship that is clearly marked with a sign or other identifier. First-time offenders face gross misdemeanor charges, while repeat offenders could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both. The provisions take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 3562 modifies Minnesota's motor vehicle registration tax for passenger cars and hearses. It reduces the tax rate from 1.54-1.575% to 1.25-1.285% of a vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), depending on whether the vehicle was first registered in Minnesota before or on/after November 16, 2020. The tax amount decreases each year based on the vehicle's age (e.g., 100% of MSRP in year one, dropping to 10% in year ten), then becomes a flat $20 annually after the 10th year. This bill directly affects Minnesota vehicle owners paying registration fees for passenger cars and hearses, effective for registrations starting January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 275 modifies Minnesota's trapping regulations by changing how often certain traps must be checked. It allows body-gripping traps and snares (that can't drown animals) to be tended only once every third calendar day, instead of daily. The bill also permits foot-encapsulating traps within 50 feet of water without special permits during mink and muskrat season, while maintaining other restrictions. These changes replace an existing rule requiring daily snare checks (Minnesota Rules 6234.2400, subpart 10), directly affecting fur trappers and wildlife management practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funding for school-linked behavioral health grants to the commissioner of human services for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The money will support mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for families of children who receive care through school-linked behavioral health providers. The bill takes effect the day after it is enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHF 7 modifies multiple public safety laws in Minnesota. It requires law enforcement agencies to make bail/bond information public and mandates county attorneys to publicly report reasons for dismissing charges. The bill establishes mandatory minimum sentences for certain sex trafficking offenses and requires individuals subject to stays in sexual conduct cases to register as predatory offenders. It also increases penalties for assaulting police officers, obstructing highway/airport traffic, and expands law enforcement's use of tracking devices on fleeing vehicles. These changes apply directly to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals involved in criminal cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's "Read Act" to require literacy instruction based on "science of reading" research, emphasizing evidence-based methods like phonics and decoding while explicitly excluding the three-cueing system. It establishes a new Office of Achievement and Innovation within the Department of Education to support literacy implementation and creates a statewide school performance reporting system. The bill also allows school boards to opt out of complying with certain recently enacted state education laws or rules and authorizes fund transfers for education programs through fiscal year 2029. These changes directly affect all Minnesota public school districts, educators, and students by reshaping literacy instruction requirements and school accountability systems.