Rep. Kim Hicks

Maddy summaryHF 3484 allocates $14.4 million in bond funds to Rochester Community and Technical College for designing, renovating, and equipping space at the Heintz Center specifically for Career and Technical Education programs. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover this cost, following Minnesota's bond procedures. This funding directly affects the college's career training facilities and programs, with no broader policy changes beyond this targeted capital improvement.

Maddy summaryHF 3434 bans the possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons (like AR-15s and AK-47s) and large-capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) in Minnesota. It defines these weapons by specific models (e.g., Colt AR-15, Beretta AR-70) or features (folding stocks, pistol grips, threaded barrels). The bill creates criminal penalties for possessing these banned items and amends state law to clarify prohibited firearms and magazines. It directly affects individuals who own or possess these specific weapons or magazines. The law does not cover all semiautomatic firearms but targets models and features associated with military-style weapons.

Maddy summaryHF 2449 prohibits the sale or transfer of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons in Minnesota, including models like AK-47s, AR-15s, and Uzis, as well as firearms with certain features (e.g., folding stocks, pistol grips). The bill authorizes a state-funded buyback program for these weapons and appropriates money for implementation. It directly affects owners of the defined firearms, requiring them to stop selling or transferring these weapons and offering a process to return them for compensation. The law amends Minnesota Statutes to establish these prohibitions and buyback mechanisms, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 255 establishes Minnesota's Patient-Centered Care program to improve health outcomes and lower costs for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare recipients. The bill shifts payments directly from the state to individual health care providers (not managed care networks) for services, drugs, and vaccines, while ending contracts with existing managed care plans. It also authorizes monthly care coordination fees for primary care providers and community health workers, with higher rates for clinics serving populations facing health disparities. Additionally, the bill funds community outreach through grants to hire staff who connect homeless, mentally ill, or underserved patients to care and help them enroll in health programs.

Maddy summaryHF 3344 creates a new "LGBTQIA2S+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights" in Minnesota. It directly affects residents of long-term care facilities, home care clients, and home and community-based services recipients who are LGBTQIA2S+ or living with HIV. Key provisions require facilities to provide staff training in LGBTQIA2S+ and HIV cultural competency, prohibit specific discriminatory acts (like forcing clothing against gender identity or refusing chosen names/pronouns), mandate clear notices of residents' rights, and allow civil lawsuits if rights are violated. The bill appropriates funds to support these changes, aiming to prevent discrimination in care settings.

Maddy summaryHF 1660 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a statewide assessment of out-of-school youth programs for children and teens under 21. The commissioner must gather data on current programs, funding, and populations served, while engaging youth, families, and community providers to identify barriers and gaps. By February 2026, the commissioner must submit a report with findings and recommendations to legislative committees, including proposals to improve access and quality. The bill appropriates a one-time $ amount in fiscal year 2026 specifically for this assessment and reporting process.

Maddy summaryHF 3291 clarifies Minnesota's anti-discrimination law for public accommodations (like businesses and services open to the public) by specifying prohibited conduct related to disability access. It explicitly requires closed-captioning for television services when provided to others and defines accessible medical equipment (such as adjustable examination tables, transfer boards, and lifts) that must be available for individuals with mobility disabilities. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 363A.11 to clarify that businesses must provide equal access through reasonable modifications and cannot exclude people with disabilities without justification. This directly affects public accommodations that serve customers with disabilities, ensuring they meet specific accessibility standards. The changes focus on concrete policy requirements rather than new prohibitions.

Maddy summaryHF 382 modifies how Minnesota calculates wage rates for staff in disability waiver programs, directly affecting providers serving people with disabilities and their employees. The bill establishes new percentage-based formulas using median wages for specific job titles (e.g., 15% of home health aide wages + 30% of nursing assistant wages for residential direct care staff) instead of previous calculations. It affects 17 staff categories including residential care, employment support, and positive supports roles. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, or after federal approval, and amend Minnesota Statutes 256B.4914.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million ($10 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027) to create regional food bank grants. It directs the commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to distribute funds to regional food banks and federally recognized Minnesota tribes to purchase, transport, and distribute food through federal programs, with optional use for hygiene products like diapers. Recipients must comply with federal food assistance guidelines and report spending to the commissioner. The program aims to increase food availability for individuals and families in need across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 1722 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 63 in Minnesota as the "Officer Jason B. Meyer Memorial Highway." The bill specifies the location as the stretch from the intersection with Trunk Highway 16 to the southerly city limit of Racine. It requires the state commissioner to install appropriate signage marking this highway segment. This is a commemorative measure honoring Officer Jason B. Meyer, with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on constituents beyond the highway designation.