Rep. Tina Liebling

Maddy summaryHF 505 appropriates $17.25 million from state bonds to fund Rochester's sanitary sewer infrastructure expansion. The funds will support the city of Rochester in predesigning, designing, and constructing new sewer systems specifically to enable additional housing development in the region. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to this amount under Minnesota's bond laws to provide the necessary capital. This is a direct funding mechanism for infrastructure upgrades, directly affecting Rochester's ability to expand housing capacity through improved sewer services.

Maddy summaryHF 507 appropriates $1 million from state bond proceeds to fund planning and analysis for a carbon capture system at Olmsted County's waste-to-energy facility, along with designing a business incubator for carbon sequestration training. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $1 million in bonds to cover these costs, as outlined in Minnesota bonding statutes. This funding directly supports Olmsted County's efforts to explore carbon capture technology at its existing waste-to-energy facility and develop related workforce training. The bill focuses solely on the initial planning phase, not construction or operational costs.

Maddy summaryHF 352 appropriates $850,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to Olmsted County Historical Society for the rehabilitation of the historic George Stoppel Farmstead. The funding will cover restoring the stone house and barn and building an accessible pathway, as the farmstead is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All work must follow federal standards for historic property preservation. This bill directly provides financial support for the preservation of a specific historic site owned by Olmsted County.

Maddy summaryHF 508 appropriates $3.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund a food waste separation system at Olmsted County's organic materials management facility. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover this cost and directs the Pollution Control Agency to provide a grant to Olmsted County for designing, constructing, and equipping the system. This system will prepare food waste for recycling, directly affecting Olmsted County residents and the county's waste management operations. The funding mechanism relies on state bond issuance under Minnesota law, with the project effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 349 provides a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in a water reclamation plant in Rochester, Minnesota. The exemption applies to materials purchased between August 31, 2024, and June 1, 2026, and covers construction, reconstruction, or upgrades of the facility. Purchasers pay the tax upfront but receive a refund through the same process used for other qualifying projects under state law. This directly affects contractors and the city of Rochester by reducing costs for the water reclamation plant project during the specified timeframe.

Maddy summaryHF 509 allows the city of Rochester to issue an on-sale liquor license to the Historic Chateau Theater at 15 1st Street Southwest. The license permits alcohol sales during performances, exhibitions, or other events at the theater, overriding any conflicting local laws. This bill directly affects the Chateau Theater and requires approval by the Rochester City Council before taking effect. The license operates under Minnesota’s existing liquor laws (Chapter 340A) for this specific venue.

Maddy summaryHF 501 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee equal rights under Minnesota law and prohibit state discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex - including pregnancy decisions, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If approved by voters in 2026, it would add a new section to the Minnesota Constitution requiring state actions to use the least restrictive means to achieve compelling government interests. The amendment would directly apply to all Minnesotans and state agencies, ensuring equal protection in all state laws and programs. It requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the question asking whether the state constitution should include these equal rights protections.

Maddy summaryHF 37 proposes adding a new constitutional guarantee to Minnesota's state constitution, stating that "Elections shall be free, fair, and equal. No civil or military power shall, at any time, interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting all Minnesotans participating in elections by establishing this fundamental principle. The bill specifies the exact wording for the constitutional amendment and the ballot question voters would see. It does not create new election procedures but enshrines this standard into the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it illegal to advertise a price for goods or services while hiding mandatory fees that consumers must pay. It defines these hidden fees as charges that are unavoidable or that a reasonable person would expect to be included in the total cost, though it excludes government taxes. Businesses must clearly show any additional flat fees or percentages before a customer selects items and again on a subtotal page before checkout. The law includes specific exemptions for motor vehicle dealers, utilities regulated by the state, and certain real estate settlement costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota Historical Society for fiscal year 2025. The money is designated to commission and install a bust of former Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun. The sculpture will be placed on the second floor of the State Capitol, outside the chambers of the Minnesota State Supreme Court.