Rep. Steve Jacob

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of "income" for calculating property tax refunds. It expands the definition to include specific items like Social Security benefits, certain pensions, workers' compensation, and nontaxable disability payments, while clarifying exclusions for some retirement contributions. The change directly affects homeowners applying for the state's property tax refund program, as it determines eligibility and refund amounts based on a broader income definition. The amendment updates Minnesota Statutes section 290A.03 to align with federal tax code provisions for refund calculations.

Maddy summaryHF 642 permits Minnesotans to make small batches of distilled spirits at home for personal or family use, directly affecting residents who wish to produce alcohol without a license. The bill amends state law to allow home distillation under specific limits: no more than 100 gallons per year, with strict rules prohibiting sales and requiring clear public disclosure at any tastings (e.g., "homemade, not state-inspected"). It repeals a prior law that treated unauthorized stills as automatic evidence of illegal production. This change only applies to non-commercial, personal use and does not alter existing rules for commercial distillers or alcohol sales.

Maddy summaryHF 451 eliminates the dedicated funding source for pollinator habitat work by repealing the statutory requirement to appropriate money to the "pollinator account" (previously established under Minnesota Statutes 103B.101, subd. 19). It also repeals the "Lawns to Legumes" grant program (Minnesota Statutes 103B.104), which provided financial assistance to homeowners and communities for planting native, pollinator-friendly vegetation. These changes end two specific programs administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources that supported habitat restoration for declining pollinators like the rusty patched bumble bee. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 469 requires anyone 16 years or older to carry a valid state trail bicycle pass when riding a bicycle on Minnesota state trails where bicycle use is permitted. The bill establishes an annual pass for $25 and a daily pass for $5, with fees collected by the Department of Natural Resources and deposited into a dedicated trail maintenance account. Passes must be presented for inspection by conservation officers, and the revenue funds repairs and maintenance of state trails open to bicycle use. This applies directly to cyclists using designated state trails across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 644 appropriates $44.8 million from state bond proceeds to fund a new regional wastewater treatment facility in Goodhue County. The funds will support the design, construction, and infrastructure connections for a facility serving the cities of Zumbrota, Goodhue, Pine Island, and Wanamingo, as well as connecting to the Prairie Island Indian Community's Elk Run settlement lands. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $44.8 million under Minnesota's bond laws to cover these costs. This project aims to create a state-of-the-art regional wastewater facility that will replace outdated infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2,894,000 from state bond proceeds to fund the realignment of Trunk Highway 60 in Wabasha, Minnesota, along with related infrastructure improvements. The funds will support design, construction, and upgrades to local roads, sidewalks, utilities (sanitary sewer, water, stormwater), street lighting, and pedestrian safety features within the city. It also directs the funds toward developing workforce housing as part of the project. The money will be provided through state bond sales authorized under Minnesota law, directly benefiting Wabasha City and Wabasha County.

Maddy summaryHF 58 prohibits Minnesota public schools and state universities from teaching or promoting nine specific concepts labeled as "racist or sexist," including ideas that one race or sex is inherently superior, individuals bear responsibility for past actions of their race/sex, or merit-based systems are inherently racist. It directly affects school districts, charter schools, and state colleges/universities by banning them from requiring students to engage with materials promoting these concepts or penalizing students for refusing to adopt them. The bill creates a private right for Minnesota residents to sue schools or universities that violate these provisions, with potential consequences including loss of state funding for the following fiscal year and court-awarded attorney fees. This legislation establishes concrete policy changes to restrict certain classroom content and enables legal action against educational institutions.

Maddy summaryHF 183 repeals a tax on retail delivery services and changes how transportation tax revenue is distributed. It creates a "Transportation Advancement Account" to allocate funds from sales taxes, directing 36% to metropolitan counties, 28% to county highway funds, and smaller shares to city and town road programs. The bill modifies several tax statutes (including sections 297A.94 and 270C.15) to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects how Minnesota distributes transportation funding from sales tax revenues.

Maddy summaryHF 193 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to provide grave markers for veterans' graves upon request from county veterans service officers or congressionally chartered veterans organizations. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 197.23 to change the commissioner's authority from "may" to "shall," making marker provision mandatory within available funds. It appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover this program, which directly affects veterans' families and local veterans service offices in Minnesota. The markers must permanently mark graves of veterans buried within the state, as defined by statute.

Maddy summaryHF 4071 modifies the state appropriation for farm down payment assistance grants by adjusting funding levels for various agricultural organizations and programs. The bill specifically changes the budget amounts for entities such as county agricultural societies, the Minnesota Turf Seed Council, GreenSeam, Second Harvest Heartland, and the Emerging Farmers Office. These changes include increasing or decreasing specific dollar amounts allocated for activities like food bank support, local food promotion, agricultural research, and assistance to emerging farmers. The legislation also updates reporting requirements for some recipients to ensure transparency on how the funds are used and the outcomes achieved.