Rep. Bjorn Olson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary sales tax holiday for the entire month of July 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. It directly affects Minnesota retailers and consumers by exempting the sale of most tangible personal property from state sales tax during this period. The exemption applies to all retail sales from July 1 through July 31, 2026, but excludes alcohol, taxable cannabis products, and motor vehicles. The bill takes effect the day after it is finalized and signed into law.

Maddy summaryHF 495 creates a new tax subtraction for Minnesota individual income taxpayers who pay for licensed child care. It allows taxpayers to subtract day care costs paid to licensed programs (like centers or family child care) from their taxable income, but only for amounts exceeding any dependent care benefits they already excluded from federal income tax. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and directly affects Minnesota taxpayers with qualifying child care expenses. The bill does not change existing federal tax rules but adds a state-level benefit for eligible costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $300,000 from state bond proceeds to Martin County for renovating an existing county-owned building in Fairmont to create new office space for the University of Minnesota Extension/4-H and Veterans Services offices. The legislation authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $300,000 to fund this project and directs the commissioner of employment and economic development to provide the grant to Martin County. The bill takes effect the day after it is enacted and follows standard state procedures for bond sales and capital investment.

Maddy summaryHF 2372 creates a voluntary "Minnesota Civic Seal" designation for high school students who complete specific civics requirements. To earn the seal, students must complete approved civics coursework, complete a project-based civic assessment, participate in at least one civic activity outside class (like voting in student elections or community service), and demonstrate civic dispositions. School districts may choose to participate but cannot charge students fees, must provide information about the program to all students, and must affix the seal to diplomas and transcripts for qualifying graduates. The program begins for students graduating in 2027 or later, with the Department of Education developing the insignia and guidelines to ensure equitable access for all students.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sales tax exemption for preowned motor vehicles in Minnesota, meaning buyers would not pay the standard sales tax when purchasing a used car. The legislation defines a preowned vehicle as any motor vehicle that has been previously sold, titled, registered, or transferred to someone else and operated before the current sale. The exemption applies to sales and purchases made after June 30, 2026, and would directly affect private individuals and businesses buying used vehicles in the state. The bill amends existing tax statutes to add this new exemption category alongside other existing tax exemptions for specific groups and vehicle types.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how deferred vested members in Minnesota's public retirement system can choose their retirement annuity. It allows members who stopped teaching before June 30, 2025, to elect a retirement calculation method based on rules effective July 1, 2025, without needing to return to work. The change also clarifies that members returning to service after that date must earn at least six months of service to qualify for improved benefits from later law changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota to use electronic signatures for motor vehicle registration and title transfers, enabling the Department of Public Safety to accept digital signatures on forms and documents. It defines electronic signatures as digital symbols or processes that indicate a person's intent to sign and requires the state to accept them whether submitted electronically or printed on paper. The law mandates that systems capturing these signatures must verify user identity and securely store access logs and user information for five years. It also prohibits requiring electronic signature vendors to be state-certified and prevents the need to convert electronic documents back to paper format unless physical submission is specifically required.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's social studies standards to include information about the dangers and perils of communism and socialism, specifically during the 2030-2031 review and revision of state academic standards. The legislation mandates that the state commissioner incorporate details about estimated lives lost and negative outcomes associated with these ideologies into the updated curriculum. It directly affects Minnesota public school systems by setting a specific requirement for future social studies education content. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not change current curriculum requirements but establishes a mandate for future revisions.

Maddy summaryHF 3603 directs Minnesota's Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to request a federal waiver by January 1, 2027, to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from purchasing candy, energy drinks, and soda. The bill defines "candy" as sugar-based products like chocolate bars, "energy drinks" as caffeinated beverages marketed for energy (excluding coffee/tea), and "soda" as carbonated sugary drinks (excluding low-sugar options). If approved, this waiver would restrict SNAP recipients in Minnesota from using benefits for these specific items. The bill does not change current SNAP rules but seeks federal permission for this targeted restriction.

Maddy summaryHF 194 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities by raising the exclusion amount for their homesteads. It raises the exclusion from $150,000 to $200,000 for veterans with a 70%+ disability rating, and from $300,000 to $400,000 for veterans with a total (100%) permanent disability. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans who died while serving or with a total disability also gain eligibility for the higher $400,000 exclusion if they continue living in the home. This directly affects veterans with VA-certified disabilities and their eligible spouses, reducing their property tax burden on their primary residence. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 273.13, subdivision 34.