Maddy summaryHF 3802 amends Minnesota's energy certificate of need exemptions, removing the requirement for certain energy projects to seek state approval. The bill specifically exempts projects like wind/solar facilities (including repowering projects that don't exceed capacity limits), transmission line upgrades (e.g., converting to natural gas or increasing efficiency by ≤10%), and energy storage systems from the standard review process. It also clarifies exemptions for small transmission lines (≤1 mile) and upgrades using existing rights-of-way. These changes directly affect energy developers and utilities building or modifying infrastructure, streamlining approval for projects that align with existing state energy policies. The bill focuses on updating technical definitions and scope rather than creating new regulatory requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHF 2799 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to establish the Minnesota Age in Place Network through a grant to Age Well at Home. This funding directly supports low- to moderate-income older homeowners by covering home modifications and safety renovations (like grab bars or ramps) at their owner-occupied properties, with each project capped at $20,000. Up to 10% of the grant can cover administrative costs for the network’s setup and maintenance. The bill provides concrete funding for specific home safety improvements, targeting vulnerable older residents in Minnesota.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the wage calculation framework for staff working in family residential services in Minnesota, directly affecting service providers and employees in this sector. It establishes specific formulas for determining base wages for various staff roles, such as supervisors, nurses, and direct care workers, by tying their pay to median wages for comparable occupations. The legislation also introduces a temporary lower wage rate for asleep-overnight staff that applies until 2027 or federal approval, while other staff categories receive wage calculations based on weighted percentages of median wages for related job classifications.
Maddy summaryHF 2646 converts the "Governor's Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota" into the "Age-Friendly Minnesota Council" to coordinate state efforts for older adults. The bill establishes a 15-member council including state agency representatives and public members to address disparities affecting older Minnesotans in greater Minnesota, communities of color, and Indigenous communities. Key provisions require the council to review grants, identify barriers to age-friendly services, promote equity, and make policy recommendations to state agencies and the legislature. The bill also codifies existing grant mechanisms and appropriates funds to support these coordinated efforts across state government, communities, and businesses.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota election laws to formally recognize mobile voting technology and allow voters to use it in jurisdictions that have authorized it. Under the new rules, eligible voters could request their ballots, instructions, and eligibility certificates be sent to them via a secure app on a mobile device, which they would then use to submit their votes. The legislation defines mobile voting technology as an encrypted application on a mobile device and sets minimum security requirements, including multifactor authentication and encryption for data transmission. Additionally, the bill updates the legal definition of an electronic voting system to include mobile voting technology and clarifies how voting rules and instructions must be made available to voters using this method.
Maddy summaryHF 3516 updates Minnesota's dental licensure rules to modernize definitions and requirements. It replaces terms like "school of dentistry" with "dental education program" and clarifies that foreign-trained dentists cannot be denied exams solely based on training if equivalent to U.S. standards. The bill directly affects dentists, dental students, and dental education programs by modifying practice definitions (e.g., what constitutes "dentistry"), scope of practice exemptions for students, and disciplinary standards. Key changes include aligning licensing with current accreditation standards and ensuring foreign-trained dentists are evaluated fairly.
Maddy summaryHF 3716 adds a new provision (Minnesota Statutes § 103I.2091) allowing variances from standard water well isolation distance rules for submerged closed loop heat exchanger systems used in heating/cooling. It directly affects applicants seeking to install these geothermal systems near water supply wells, by requiring the commissioner to consider variance requests if strict compliance would create an undue burden. The bill specifies that variances must be evaluated based on factors critical to system efficiency, such as optimal well spacing for thermal performance and minimizing piping lengths to reduce energy loss. This change streamlines the approval process for these energy-efficient systems while maintaining water supply well protection standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends a previous state appropriation to allocate $11.5 million to the Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System for capital projects. The funds are designated for specific improvements, including $4 million for water source and treatment upgrades to reduce nitrates and other contaminants, $2.5 million for facility enhancements in Fortier Township, and $5 million for acquiring property and building new water storage and distribution infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation extends the deadline for spending these funds until December 31, 2028. The changes take effect immediately upon final enactment of the bill.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Commissioner of Management and Budget to list specific costs for each medical assistance service in the state's annual financial forecast. It also mandates that the commissioner, working with the commissioner of human services, submit a detailed report to key legislative committee leaders identifying which covered services are required by federal law. These changes aim to provide lawmakers with a clearer breakdown of healthcare spending and federal mandates within the state budget. The legislation directly affects state budget officials and the legislative committees responsible for overseeing medical assistance programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases reimbursement rates for mental health services provided by psychologists and other masters-prepared professionals under Minnesota's medical assistance program. Starting in 2027, the state will pay 100 percent of the Medicare rate for neuropsychological assessments, testing, and psychological testing, matching the higher rates previously paid to doctoral-level professionals. The law also requires managed care organizations and county purchasing plans to reimburse providers at least as much as the fee-for-service rate, with provisions to adjust capitation payments if federal approval is delayed. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing statute that previously set lower payment rates for masters-prepared mental health professionals.