Rep. Bjorn Olson

Maddy summaryHF 1532 increases reimbursement limits for property owners who obtain appraisals during eminent domain proceedings in Minnesota. It raises the maximum reimbursement to $3,000 for single-family and two-family residential properties and minimum damage acquisitions, and $10,000 for other property types. Owners must submit appraisal copies at least five days before a hearing to receive reimbursement, which must be paid within 30 days by the government agency initiating the taking. This directly affects property owners facing eminent domain actions who need to cover appraisal costs.

Maddy summaryHF 881 expands Minnesota's sales and use tax exemption for precious metal bullion to include coins and other forms of currency made of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. This change directly affects buyers and sellers of these items, removing sales tax on transactions involving such coins or currency (e.g., commemorative coins or bullion coins), while maintaining tax exemptions for existing bullion bars and rounds. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 297A.67 to redefine "bullion" to explicitly include coins and currency, ensuring consistent tax treatment for these assets compared to other investments like ETFs or bonds. It excludes jewelry, art, and scrap metal from the exemption, effective for sales after June 30, 2025.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's restrictions on lead and cadmium in consumer products by specifically removing the prohibition on artist paint containing cadmium. It amends the definition of "covered product" to exclude cadmium-containing paint and pastels from the ban, which previously applied to art supplies. The change directly affects manufacturers and sellers of art supplies, particularly those producing traditional cadmium-based paints used by artists. The bill maintains existing restrictions on cadmium and lead in other products like toys, jewelry, and children's items.

Maddy summaryHF 1443 increases the maximum bonded indebtedness limit for the State Armory Building Commission from $15 million to $45 million under Minnesota Statutes section 193.143. This bill directly affects the State Armory Building Commission, which manages military armory construction and maintenance projects across Minnesota. The key provision amends the statutory limit on bonds the commission can issue to fund armory-related costs, including construction, equipment, and upkeep. This change allows the commission to borrow more funds for these projects without requiring additional legislative approval for each financing step. The bill does not alter the commission's responsibilities or create new programs, only adjusting its borrowing capacity.

Maddy summaryHF 2107 establishes a new type of license plate specifically for rental motor vehicles in Minnesota. Auto rental companies that rent at least 50 vehicles must apply to get these plates, which display "RENTAL MOTOR VEHICLE" and cost a set fee. The plates are valid for seven years, can be transferred between vehicles within the same company for a $5 fee, and exempt rental vehicles from needing standard registration stickers. This bill directly affects larger rental companies and streamlines their vehicle registration process under Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryHF 2010 raises Minnesota's age of consent for criminal sexual conduct from 16 to 18 years old in cases where the offender is 22 or older. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 609.344 and 609.345 to remove consent as a defense and criminalize sexual contact between minors aged 16-17 and partners 22+ years old. It specifically targets situations where the age gap exceeds 36 months (3 years) and the offender holds authority over the minor. The law takes effect August 1, 2025, imposing criminal penalties for violations that previously might have been treated as consensual.

Maddy summaryHF 2605 establishes a new "full-service provider account" to receive specific portions of vehicle registration and transaction fees in Minnesota. For vehicle registration renewals (excluding pro-rate transactions), $4.00 of the $8 fee goes to this account, and for other transactions ($12 fee), $4.25 goes there. This directly affects full-service providers like dealerships that handle vehicle registrations, as funds in this account will support their operations. The bill modifies existing fee distribution rules without changing the base fee amounts, redirecting portions of collected fees to this new account instead of the general fund or other existing accounts.

Maddy summaryHF 1360 establishes the "Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Program" to provide infrastructure project support to small local governments. It appropriates $2.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2.5 million for fiscal year 2027 to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The program assists communities with populations under 15,000 (or collaborative groups of such communities) that lack capacity to develop infrastructure projects or apply for grants. It funds project analysis, planning, and development through university partnerships, requiring consideration of sustainability, climate resilience, and coordinated infrastructure investments.

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes Minnesota's historic state flag (described as a blue flag with a central emblem featuring 19 stars, the word "MINNESOTA," and scenes from the Great Seal) and grants all Minnesotans the right to display it. It requires the lieutenant governor to set standards for its display on state property, mandating it be shown during specified holidays and on Capitol grounds during legislative sessions. The bill also allows the historic flag to be displayed on other public property for ceremonial purposes, while requiring it to be placed beneath the official state flag when both are displayed together. It directly affects all Minnesotans who display the flag and government entities managing public property.