Rep. Duane Quam

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota voter registration forms to include any new requirements mandated by federal law, such as asking voters to provide proof of citizenship. It directs the Secretary of State to ensure all election officials comply with federal election rules and to distribute $5 million in state funds to counties based on their 2024 voter turnout to help cover costs associated with these new federal mandates. The legislation also mandates that the Secretary of State submit annual reports to the legislature confirming that the state and local officials are meeting these federal obligations.

Maddy summaryHF 551 establishes a property tax credit for Minnesota seniors to reduce their local property tax burden. It directly affects homeowners aged 65 or older (or married couples where one spouse is 65+ and the other is 62+) who own and occupy their primary residence as a homestead. The credit equals the difference between a senior’s actual property tax and the median tax for similar homes in their municipality, capped at a set amount. Seniors must apply annually by July 1, and the state reimburses local governments for the credit through the commissioner of revenue, effective for taxes payable in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the SAVE Minnesota Act, which requires voters to present a specific photo identification card to register to vote and to cast their ballots. To obtain this new voter identification card, applicants must provide proof of their U.S. citizenship and may receive certain vital records, such as birth certificates, without a fee. The legislation also creates a new voter identification card program, modifies existing driver's license requirements, and sets up a process for handling provisional ballots. Additionally, the bill includes funding provisions to support the administration of these new election procedures and establishes a children's trust fund.

Maddy summaryHF 3672 requires Minnesota state agencies to implement recommendations from the Legislative Auditor related to grant management, inventory tracking, and debt collection. It mandates annual inventory training for agency staff handling state property (Sec. 4), requires agency commissioners to report annually on implementing auditor recommendations (Sec. 2), and clarifies oversight for state grant programs (Sec. 3). The bill directly affects all executive state agencies managing grants, assets, or debt collection. Key provisions include new penalties for withholding auditor information (Sec. 1), annual training requirements, and annual reporting on unaddressed recommendations. This is a procedural bill focused on strengthening accountability for existing state financial practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the maximum number of election day registration oaths a single person can sign from eight to two, applying to voters who vouch for others' residency at polling places. It directly affects individuals who help register new voters on election day by verifying their residence, limiting how many people one person can vouch for during a single election. The law requires election judges to track these oaths on a standardized form and does not change the existing methods for proving residence through identification documents or vouching by registered voters and facility employees.

Maddy summaryHF 3588 would expand who can request Minnesota's voter registration list by adding the national chair of a major political party to the current list of eligible requesters (registered voters). County auditors and the secretary of state must provide the list within five business days of a complete request with payment for copying, and make it available for free public inspection. The bill maintains restrictions requiring users to limit the list's use to election-related, political, or law enforcement purposes only. This change directly affects national political party leaders seeking voter data for campaign or organizational purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes special license plates for Minnesota food banks, allowing vehicle owners to display them while contributing to food assistance programs. To qualify, applicants must own a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle, pay standard registration fees, and contribute at least $40 annually to a dedicated food bank assistance account. The plates will feature the inscription "Support Food Banks" and can be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same person if it meets the same eligibility requirements. Money collected from the annual contributions will be split between a special revenue fund and the general fund, with the majority distributed to regional food banks and Tribal governments for purchasing and distributing food and hygiene products to those in need. The program is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Office of the Legislative Auditor and the state auditor to review expunged criminal records when evaluating job candidates for employment with these offices. Under the new provisions, these auditors can access sealed criminal history information without needing a court order and may use the records to disqualify applicants based on prior convictions. The change applies specifically to hiring decisions for final candidates and does not affect other state agencies or the general public's access to expunged records. This policy update modifies existing Minnesota statutes to create an exception to expungement rules for these two specific state auditing entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's paid leave law to exclude certain categories of workers from coverage, including seasonal employees, substitute employees, and individuals already covered under a specific retirement plan provision. It also creates new legal definitions for "part-year employment" and "substitute employee" to clarify eligibility rules. The legislation allows excluded employers to voluntarily opt into coverage and establishes that part-year workers can only use accrued paid leave when not actively working for a covered employer. These changes directly affect how various employment types are classified under the state's paid leave system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to report court decisions involving rule validity or interpretation to the legislature within 30 days. It directly affects state agency heads and legislative committees by mandating written reports when rules are challenged in court or when contested case decisions are reviewed. The key provisions establish a formal notification process ensuring lawmakers receive copies of petitions, court rulings, and agency decisions related to administrative rule challenges. This transparency measure allows legislative committees to stay informed about how courts interpret or invalidate agency rules without changing the underlying legal procedures for rulemaking or judicial review.