Rep. Steve Jacob

Maddy summaryHF 3130, the "Minnesota Stand Your Ground Act," eliminates the requirement to retreat when using self-defense outside one's home and expands the definition of "dwelling" to include temporary living spaces like hotels, tents, and vehicles. It creates a legal presumption that a person using force in self-defense reasonably believed it was necessary, shifting the burden to prosecutors to prove otherwise. The bill affects all Minnesotans using self-defense in public or non-home settings and amends Minnesota Statutes sections 609.06 and 609.065. It takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 8 streamlines Minnesota's environmental permitting process to improve efficiency and transparency. It sets specific timeframes (90 days for simpler permits, 150 days for complex ones), requires the Pollution Control Agency to issue separate construction and operation permits for certain facilities, and mandates that petitioners for environmental assessments must live in affected or neighboring counties. The bill also eliminates preliminary environmental assessment steps for projects requiring full environmental impact statements and requires the agency to publish annual reports tracking permitting progress. These changes directly affect developers, landowners, and the Pollution Control Agency in processing environmental permits.

Maddy summaryHF 2654 amends Minnesota Statutes section 273.13, subdivision 23, to modify the definition of "agricultural land" used in classifying property for tax purposes. Currently, agricultural land is defined as contiguous acreage of ten acres or more used for agricultural purposes, or land used for intensive livestock operations (excluding grazing). The context provided does not specify the exact changes to this definition, so the precise policy impact cannot be detailed. This bill directly affects property tax classification for agricultural landowners in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 1249 adds a specific parcel of land in Wabasha County to Carley State Park. The bill describes the exact boundaries of the new park area using standard survey terms (e.g., "North 15-1/2 degrees East") and excludes two small portions: land already owned by the state and a parcel owned by A.M. Christenson. This procedural bill directly affects Carley State Park's physical boundaries and land ownership, with no new policies or regulations created. The addition becomes effective the day after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHF 19 establishes education savings accounts (ESAs) for Minnesota students from low-income households, defined as families earning no more than four times the income threshold for free school meals. The bill allows parents to use state funds to pay for qualifying education expenses - including tuition at eligible nonpublic schools, tutoring, approved curriculum, and school supplies - at participating schools or providers. Participation is capped at 5% of public school enrollment in the first year, increasing by 3% annually, with priority given to kindergarten students and those who attended public school full-time the prior year. The program directly affects eligible students (ages 18 and under) and their families, with funds restricted to approved educational services and materials.

Maddy summaryHF 363 establishes a $5 per acre property tax credit for agricultural land certified under Minnesota's agricultural water quality program in specific counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona). This credit directly affects farmers who have land certified by the Department of Agriculture under the water quality program in those counties. The credit reduces property taxes payable to local governments, with the state reimbursing counties and school districts through annual appropriations from the general fund. Payments for the credit will begin for property taxes due in 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2878 allows commercial feed businesses in Minnesota to directly hire licensed veterinarians without needing to form a separate professional firm under state law. This change removes a requirement from the Minnesota Professional Firms Act (Chapter 319B) for businesses holding commercial feed licenses. The bill specifically permits veterinarians employed by these feed companies to provide veterinary services directly to the feed business's customers. It affects commercial feed licensees and their veterinary staff by simplifying employment arrangements. (Procedural bill; summary limited to key policy change.)

Maddy summaryHF 2548 creates the Outdoor School for All grant program to fund immersive, multiday outdoor educational experiences for Minnesota students in grades 4-8. The program provides grants to accredited overnight outdoor schools and nonprofit learning centers meeting specific criteria, including research-based curricula, integration with school standards, skill development (like leadership and critical thinking), and accessibility for underserved students. It appropriates $2.5 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund. The bill directly affects public school students and providers offering equitable outdoor education, aiming to address declining outdoor engagement and access disparities.

Maddy summaryHF 2683 establishes Minnesota's Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Program to help farmers reduce nitrogen-based fertilizer use and improve water quality. The program provides annual per-acre payments of at least $5 to eligible Minnesota farmers who verify a 15% reduction or 30 pounds per acre less in commercial nitrogen fertilizer use through qualifying biofertilizers (like nitrogen-fixing products or soil amendments) in their crop plans. Farmers must operate at least 40 acres in Minnesota and submit documented crop nutrient management plans. The bill appropriates $1.5 million for the program in fiscal year 2026, with the Agriculture Commissioner required to review and adjust payment rates annually based on inflation and new technologies.

Maddy summaryHF 2063 designates July 2 each year as "1st Minnesota Day" to honor the 262 men of the 1st Minnesota Regiment who fought for the Union at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation, encourages schools to teach about the regiment's Civil War role, and mandates that the Minnesota Historical Society's replica regimental flag be flown at the State Capitol on July 2. It directly affects state government officials, public schools, and Capitol operations through these ceremonial requirements. The bill establishes a recurring observance without creating new taxes, regulations, or funding.