Rep. Joe Schomacker

Maddy summaryHF 1165 renames the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority to the Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority and authorizes it to finance health care facilities in addition to its existing role supporting higher education. The bill increases the agency's bonding capacity, allowing it to issue more bonds to fund construction and improvements for both health care and educational facilities. This directly affects health care organizations and institutions of higher education in Minnesota by expanding their access to financing for facility projects. The legislation also updates the authority's board composition requirements to include members with expertise in health care, higher education, and finance.

Maddy summaryHF 2954 designates August 19 of each year as Minnesota Aviation Day. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the contributions of Minnesotans in aviation, including early pioneers, mechanics, industry leaders, and future innovators. This ceremonial designation has no funding or policy changes, solely creating an annual observance to honor the state's aviation history and community.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to clarify and limit optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer certain drugs. It specifically sets new time limits: oral antivirals may not be prescribed for more than 10 days, oral steroids for more than 14 days (requiring physician consultation), and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for more than seven days. These changes apply directly to licensed optometrists in Minnesota who prescribe medications for eye conditions under the Board of Optometry's rules. The bill maintains existing restrictions on intravenous injections, invasive surgery, and Schedule II/III oral drugs.

Maddy summaryHF 862 requires all public Minnesota colleges and universities (including the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges) to maintain a supply of naloxone (an opiate antagonist used to reverse overdoses) on every campus building. Specifically, institutions must have at least two doses of nasal naloxone available onsite at each building and follow established protocols for storage and administration. The bill also directs the state health commissioner to provide training resources, including videos, to help campuses implement these emergency response measures. This requirement takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year. The bill does not change who can administer naloxone but ensures campuses are prepared to respond to opioid overdoses.

Maddy summaryHF 1964 appropriates $9.6 million from state bonds to renovate paved state trails established under Minnesota law. The funds, sourced through bonds sold by the state, will be managed by the commissioner of natural resources for trail projects prioritized under existing statutes. This bill directly affects Minnesota's state trail system and the agencies responsible for maintaining it. The legislation creates a specific funding mechanism to support infrastructure improvements on designated paved trails.

Maddy summaryHF 2789 appropriates $700,000 from the general fund for the Center for Rural Policy and Development for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds are directed to the commissioner of employment and economic development to support the Center's operations. This bill provides specific, dedicated funding to the Center for Rural Policy and Development for two consecutive fiscal years. It is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 381 modifies how Minnesota calculates rates for home and community-based waiver services and increases room and board rates for individuals receiving these services. It requires service providers to submit detailed data (like staffing hours, ratios, and transportation miles) to a central rates management system, with lead agencies required to approve rates within 30 business days or pay a 10% late penalty. The bill also creates an exception process for individuals with "exceptional needs" that cannot be met under standard rate formulas, allowing for alternative payment rates. These changes directly affect service providers, lead agencies (like county human services departments), and individuals receiving home and community-based care, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1029 requires Minnesota's health commissioner to add metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) testing to the official list of required medical tests for detecting heritable or congenital disorders. The bill mandates periodic updates to this test list to reflect medical advancements, new testing methods, and factors like test accuracy, treatability of conditions, and disorder severity. This directly affects healthcare providers and patients in Minnesota who rely on these screenings for early detection. The commissioner must follow specific criteria when revising the list, including input from an advisory committee, but revisions are exempt from standard rulemaking procedures.

Maddy summaryHF 2647 amends Minnesota law governing assessments for residents in assisted living facilities. It requires facilities to conduct a nursing assessment by a registered nurse before a resident moves in or signs a contract, with telehealth allowed under specific conditions. The bill sets strict timelines: initial assessments must occur within 14 days of services starting, with ongoing monitoring required no more than 90 days later (or annually for some residents). It also mandates that facilities inform prospective residents about available long-term care consultation services before they commit. This bill directly affects assisted living facilities and their residents across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 2533 expands exemptions from prior authorization requirements for specific mental health medications in Minnesota. It prevents insurance plans from requiring prior approval for certain atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, or antianxiety drugs used to treat mental illness if no generic equivalent exists, the drug was prescribed before July 2003, or it's part of a patient's current treatment. The bill also automatically grants 60 days of prior authorization approval when a generic version becomes available for a drug already in a patient's treatment plan. This directly affects mental health patients prescribed these medications, ensuring continuity of care without extra administrative barriers. The changes apply to all state Medicaid and insurance plans covering these drugs.