Rep. Duane Quam

Maddy summaryHF 2670 removes a current ban that prevents the state from approving new nuclear power plants. The bill amends Minnesota law to eliminate a prohibition requiring the commission to deny a certificate of need (a required state approval) for new nuclear plant construction. This change would allow the state commission to issue such approvals for new nuclear facilities. The bill directly affects the process for developing new nuclear energy projects in Minnesota by removing a legal barrier to their construction.

Maddy summaryHF 2669 withdraws Minnesota from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), which would have allocated the state's presidential electors based on the national popular vote. The bill amends Minnesota election law to revert to the traditional state-based system for selecting presidential electors, removing references to the NPVIC in voting procedures. It repeals two existing sections (208.051 and 208.052) that implemented the compact and updates certification rules to reflect that electors will be chosen based on Minnesota's vote totals within congressional districts and statewide, rather than national popular vote totals. This change affects how Minnesota's presidential electors are selected and certified for the Electoral College.

Maddy summaryHF 2636 requires Minnesota's Attorney General to submit an annual report by July 15 each year to legislative committees overseeing judiciary, civil law, or criminal law. The report must detail all legal cases challenging the constitutionality of state statutes, including the challenged statute, defense efforts, case status, staff time, and costs incurred during the prior fiscal year. This bill directly affects the Attorney General's office (which must prepare the report) and the specified legislative committees (which receive the report). The law creates no new policy but mandates transparency about how the office handles constitutional challenges to state laws.

Maddy summaryMinnesota House File 2668 withdraws the state from the "Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote." The bill repeals Minnesota statutes that implemented the agreement (sections 208.051 and 208.052) and amends election law to remove requirements for following the agreement when certifying presidential electors. This change means Minnesota will no longer participate in the interstate compact, which would have directed the state's electoral votes to the national popular vote winner. The bill directly affects Minnesota's election procedures for selecting presidential electors, ending its legal commitment to the national popular vote plan.

Maddy summaryHF 2671 repeals a requirement that the term "incumbent" be printed next to the name of a judicial candidate running for re-election on ballots. This change affects candidates for judicial offices in Minnesota, including chief justices, associate justices, and other judges seeking to continue their current term. The bill removes Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.36, subdivision 5, which previously mandated this labeling on ballots. The policy change solely modifies ballot design without altering voting procedures or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHF 93 establishes a state grant program to help ambulance services train and hire emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Licensed ambulance services that had at least 50% of their staff as EMTs in the prior year can apply for grants to cover specific costs, including EMT program tuition, certification fees, background checks, and up to $26 per hour in wages during training. The program appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund. Grants must be used solely for these defined training and staffing expenses, with applicants required to detail planned hires and training hours. This directly supports ambulance services in addressing staffing shortages by reducing training costs.

Maddy summaryHF 1168 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Revenue to create an online system for individuals to claim refunds on political contributions. It modifies the existing refund program to allow electronic data sharing between the Campaign Finance Board and the Department of Revenue, including contributor names, contribution amounts, and unique receipt validation numbers. All shared data is classified as nonpublic, protecting contributor privacy while enabling streamlined refund processing. This change affects political contributors seeking refunds, political parties/candidates issuing refund receipts, and the agencies managing campaign finance data, replacing paper-based processes with digital systems effective January 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 1239 requires state employees, University of Minnesota staff, and other covered officials to report suspected theft, embezzlement, or misuse of public funds to law enforcement immediately. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.456, subdivision 2, to mandate written reports to the legislative auditor within the same timeframe, unless reporting would interfere with an active criminal investigation. The bill directly affects public sector employees handling public funds. This creates a clear reporting pathway for financial misconduct, ensuring such cases are directed to law enforcement rather than internal resolution alone.

Maddy summaryHF 2538 amends Minnesota law to strengthen restrictions on current state legislators working for lobbying or government relations firms. The bill prohibits legislators from accepting employment or compensation from businesses primarily engaged in lobbying, government relations, or government affairs services - including those facilitating such services between third parties or employing lobbyists - if their role involves related consulting, advice, or support. The prohibition applies regardless of where the business operates or its clients are located, and requires the House and Senate to establish enforcement rules. This directly affects sitting legislators seeking post-office employment in government affairs sectors.

Maddy summaryHF 1240 amends Minnesota's laws governing the Legislative Auditor's office to clarify staff requirements and reporting duties. It requires Financial Audit deputies to hold active CPA licenses, prohibits all auditor staff from running for partisan elected office, and mandates that senior state agency officials (like chief executives and finance officers) must notify the auditor about suspected misuse of public funds or unauthorized access to classified government data. These changes directly affect the Legislative Auditor's staff and senior leaders at state agencies subject to audit. The bill defines clearer protocols for conducting audits and investigations while reinforcing the auditor's independence.