Rep. Steve Gander

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $7 million from Minnesota's general fund to support the city of Chaska in hosting Professional Golfers' Association of America championship events. The money will be given to the Explore Minnesota director to provide a grant that helps attract and cover costs for at least one men's and one women's PGA championship. This one-time appropriation is intended to boost economic development in Chaska by bringing major golf tournaments to the area. The funds are available until June 30, 2027, and the bill was introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum prison sentence for criminal vehicular homicide from 15 to 25 years and raises the maximum fine from $10,000 to $20,000 for certain offenses, while also allowing up to 30 years and a $30,000 fine for repeat offenders within ten years. It requires driver education programs at public, private, parochial, and commercial schools to include instruction on criminal vehicular homicide penalties. Additionally, the bill appropriates $100,000 to fund public awareness campaigns about the dangers of driving under the influence and the associated legal penalties. These changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to violations committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 21 would require a three-fifths supermajority vote in both the Minnesota House and Senate to extend a peacetime emergency declaration beyond 14 days. Currently, such extensions beyond 14 days could be approved by the Executive Council, but this bill would shift that authority to the legislature. The bill directly affects governors seeking to prolong emergency powers and the legislative process for reviewing those requests. It does not change the initial 14-day emergency declaration period or the governor's authority to declare emergencies under existing criteria. Note: This bill was introduced but not passed during the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryHF 3757 appropriates $6.5 million from state bonds to fund a new education learning center in East Grand Forks for students with autism, cognitive disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and other special needs. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover the full cost, eliminating the need for local matching funds. This center will house a regional Level IV special education program under Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.695. The funding directly supports students requiring specialized educational services in East Grand Forks and surrounding areas.

Maddy summaryHF 3689 lowers the minimum age for candidates running for county, municipal, school district, and special district offices in Minnesota from 21 to 18 years old. The bill amends state law to require that candidates for these positions be at least 18 years old when they take office, while maintaining the 21-year-old requirement for other local offices. This change directly affects 18- to 20-year-olds who would now be eligible to run for these specific local elected positions. The legislation is currently under consideration by the Minnesota legislature.

Maddy summaryHF 3172 provides rebates to resource recovery facilities and waste-to-energy facilities that separate materials from waste streams for recycling, composting, or reuse. Facilities must report annual tonnage of processed materials (e.g., recyclables, compostables, or ash) by February 1 each year, triggering rebates of $30 per ton for recycling/reuse and $20 per ton for ash utilization. The rebates are funded from existing solid waste tax revenues, with $30 million annually allocated for this purpose. The program begins July 1, 2025, and requires facilities to submit detailed reports to the state revenue commissioner.

Maddy summaryHF 3569 appropriates $1.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund a flood hazard mitigation project for the Sand Hill River Watershed District. The funds will replace water-pumping equipment used to manage water levels between two lakes in the district. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $1.5 million to cover this grant, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This legislation directly supports the watershed district's infrastructure to reduce flood risks in the Sand Hill River area.

Maddy summaryHF 3568 expands eligibility for Minnesota's student support personnel aid to include licensed special education teachers specializing in developmental disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, or autism spectrum disorders. School districts using this aid can now fund these teachers' salaries alongside existing support staff like counselors and nurses. The bill adds these specific teacher licenses to the definition of "student support services personnel" in state law, allowing districts to use the aid for their costs. This change directly affects school districts seeking to hire or retain specialized special education staff. The policy takes effect for fiscal year 2027 and later.

Maddy summaryHF 3570 provides $2,093,000 in state funding to renovate and repair the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's potato inspection facility in East Grand Forks. The bill authorizes the sale of state bonds up to this amount to cover design, construction, equipment, and hazardous materials abatement at the facility. This funding is in addition to prior appropriations for the same project. The bill directly affects the facility's operations and the agency responsible for potato quality inspections in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 29 suspends the scheduled 2030-2031 review of Minnesota's social studies academic standards and repeals requirements for schools to include ethnic studies content in their curriculum. It also cancels funding allocated for ethnic studies programs. The bill modifies existing education statutes by removing mandates for schools to integrate ethnic studies or Indigenous education into social studies standards, effectively eliminating these curriculum components. This directly affects Minnesota public schools and students by removing specific educational content requirements and associated funding. The changes take effect upon final enactment.