Rep. Joe Schomacker

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain workers in transportation occupations from Minnesota's Paid Leave Law. It directly affects employees working for motor freight transportation and warehousing companies, as well as individuals in roles regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation for hours of service. The law adds these two categories to the list of excluded workers in the state's paid leave statute. By removing these workers from the program's coverage, they would not be eligible for paid leave benefits under this specific law. The bill also allows excluded entities to opt into the program if they choose to do so.

Maddy summaryHF 1911 provides $5 million in one-time funding for Minnesota counties to cover costs related to implementing the Department of Human Services' service delivery transformation IT initiatives. It also allocates $40 million for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to improve its social services information systems. The bill funds county IT modernization projects that connect with state systems and encourages collaboration between larger and smaller counties. Counties must apply for grants using a formula based on service population and other factors. This is a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026, with the DCF funding available until June 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 1667 amends Minnesota law to include water and sewer districts formed under Chapter 116A in the legal definition of "municipality." This change directly affects these specific water and sewer districts by granting them the same legal standing as cities or counties for certain purposes. The bill also establishes a maximum financial limit for lawsuits (tort liability) against these districts, capping their potential damages. These provisions apply to lawsuits filed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3738 modifies the due date for a report on Minnesota's pediatric hospital-to-home transition pilot program. It changes the submission deadline from December 15, 2026, to October 15, 2027, for the commissioner of human services. The bill does not alter the program's requirements or funding but delays the reporting timeline. This procedural change affects the human services commissioner and legislative committees overseeing health and human services. (Bill text: Section 47(d) amendment; Recent action: Introduced Feb. 25, 2026)

Maddy summaryHF 3674 repeals Minnesota Statutes section 8.33, which required the Attorney General to represent certain utility customers before the Public Utilities Commission and in federal proceedings. This procedural bill eliminates the state's obligation for the Attorney General to advocate on behalf of residential and small business utility consumers in these specific regulatory contexts. The repeal does not change substantive utility regulations or create new requirements. It is a straightforward statutory correction to remove an existing duty.

Maddy summaryHF 3517 limits annual funding increases for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) central office to 4% per year. This cap applies only during fiscal years when other budget constraints (such as inflation-based limits) are active. The bill does not affect funding for DHS programs that directly serve Minnesotans but specifically controls administrative spending for the central office. It becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3519 (Medical assistance coverage stopped when federal financial participation is temporarily withheld or discontinued) requires Minnesota's medical assistance program to immediately stop covering services if federal funding for those services is paused or discontinued. This directly affects low-income Minnesotans enrolled in medical assistance (like Medicaid) and healthcare providers who serve them, as coverage for affected services ends on the date federal funding is withheld. The bill mandates that the state commissioner cannot pay providers for services delivered after the funding pause begins, effective June 1, 2026. The change aligns Minnesota's program with federal requirements when federal funding is temporarily interrupted.

Maddy summaryHF 3526 redirects fines collected from home care licensing violations into a new grant program to improve care quality. It modifies how these fines are deposited (now funding annual grants instead of general accounts) and establishes a competitive grant process for licensed home care providers to fund projects enhancing client outcomes. The bill also updates membership criteria for the Home Care and Assisted Living Program Advisory Council. These changes affect home care providers who pay fines and those applying for quality improvement grants, with funds specifically targeted at licensed providers meeting eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3546 strengthens oversight of high-risk medical assistance providers in Minnesota by clarifying who qualifies as a "controlling individual" (e.g., owners, officers, compliance officers) and requiring license holders to designate qualified staff for program management and oversight. The bill amends multiple statutes to mandate that designated managers maintain compliance with licensing requirements and ensure proper implementation of oversight duties. It also requires a report on these program integrity measures. The changes directly affect medical assistance providers, particularly those deemed high-risk, to improve accountability and reduce fraud or errors in service delivery.

Maddy summaryHF 3348 establishes a new licensing requirement for certified child life specialists in Minnesota, effective July 1, 2027. It requires individuals providing child life services (like stress mitigation, therapeutic play, and family support for children) to Minnesota residents to hold a state license, directly affecting current and future practitioners seeking independent practice. The bill defines key terms, creates a licensing process through the Board of Social Work, and includes civil/criminal penalties for unauthorized practice. It does not change existing certification standards but adds a state licensing layer for those practicing independently within Minnesota.