Rep. Kim Hicks

Maddy summaryMinnesota's HF 1146 establishes the "Minnesota SNAP Step Up for Seniors" program, which provides a state-funded supplement to federal SNAP benefits for Minnesotans aged 55 or older. The bill ensures that seniors receiving SNAP benefits below $50 per month receive additional state funds to bring their total monthly benefit up to at least $50. The supplement is added to existing SNAP benefits and is not counted as income for other programs. The bill appropriates state funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover this supplemental benefit.

Maddy summaryHF 1831 exempts providers of supportive housing and emergency shelter from background check requirements under Minnesota law. Previously, these housing providers had to conduct background studies on certain staff and volunteers under Chapter 245C; this bill removes that obligation. The change directly affects housing providers operating supportive housing programs and emergency shelters across Minnesota. The law modifies Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256I.04, subdivision 2c, effective upon enactment. This is a specific policy change to reduce administrative requirements for these housing providers.

Maddy summaryHF 1582 modifies Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) benefits for educators. It allows teachers with 30 years of service to retire at age 60 without reduced annuity payments (previously requiring 35 years), adjusts early retirement penalties, and increases postretirement cost-of-living adjustments. The bill also raises employer contribution rates for school districts (from 13.3% to 17.3% for basic members) and increases pension adjustment revenue rates for school districts starting in 2026. These changes directly affect current and future TRA members, school districts funding retirement costs, and the state's retirement system budget.

Maddy summaryHF 1963 modifies key timelines for healthcare billing and service delivery in Minnesota. It extends the standard 6-month deadline for health providers to submit medical claims to 12 months when operational disruptions occur, and adds a further 6-month extension if health plans adjust payments. The bill also requires peer recovery support providers (community organizations helping people with substance use disorders) to create formal closure plans if they stop operating. These changes directly affect hospitals, clinics, health insurance plans, counties managing services, and peer recovery organizations.

Maddy summaryHF 2009 provides $240,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $240,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson. This funding directly supports foster youth in Minnesota by enabling the hiring of additional full-time staff. The key provision allows the Ombudsperson's office to conduct expanded outreach to foster youth. The bill focuses solely on authorizing these specific appropriations for staffing, with no other policy changes.

Maddy summaryHF 1147 amends Minnesota law to allow school-age care programs to serve eligible prekindergarten students. It expands the definition of "eligible children" to include children not yet enrolled in kindergarten who have a disability (per state disability law), are experiencing temporary family issues, or are enrolled in kindergarten through grade 6. The bill does not change existing requirements for school-age care programs, such as adult supervision during school breaks, parental involvement, or partnerships with schools. This change enables school districts to extend existing care services to younger children meeting these specific criteria.

Maddy summaryHF 1961 modifies Minnesota's Supplemental Aid (MSA) program, which provides financial assistance to eligible elderly, blind, or disabled residents. It clarifies eligibility for people denied Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to income or resources by requiring state medical review for blindness/disability (amending Minn. Stat. § 256D.425). The bill tightens reporting rules: recipients must report income changes within 10 days (amending § 256D.405), and failure to submit required monthly reports results in benefit termination. It also adjusts income calculation methods for different recipient groups (amending § 256D.435), ensuring countable income aligns with SSI standards. These changes directly affect MSA applicants and recipients who rely on this program for support.

Maddy summaryHF 1994 establishes standardized daily payment rates for various levels of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services funded through Minnesota’s behavioral health fund. It directly affects treatment providers (such as clinics, residential facilities, and hospitals) that bill this fund for services like outpatient care, residential treatment, and medication-assisted therapy. The bill sets specific rates - for example, $79.84 per day for low-intensity outpatient services and $224.06 per day for high-intensity residential care - while recodifying which providers qualify for payments. It also creates enhanced rates for programs serving parents with children (requiring on-site or documented off-site childcare) and culturally specific SUD services.

Maddy summaryHF 1762 proposes adding a new constitutional amendment to Minnesota's state constitution. If approved by voters, it would guarantee all persons equal rights under state law and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex - including protections for pregnancy decisions, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The amendment would apply to all state actions and agencies, requiring any discriminatory state action to be the "least restrictive means" of achieving a "compelling governmental interest." The proposed amendment must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election, with implementation starting January 1, 2027, if ratified.

Maddy summaryHF 1757 requires anyone who owns, possesses, or controls a firearm to report a loss or theft to local law enforcement within 48 hours. Failure to report can result in escalating penalties, starting with a minor offense for the first violation and increasing to a gross misdemeanor for repeated failures. The bill also provides immunity from prosecution for storage-related offenses if the report is made on time and mandates that law enforcement agencies report lost or stolen firearms to the state commissioner within seven days. Additionally, the bill appropriates $36,000 for a one-time implementation of a reporting system to support these requirements.