Rep. Andy Smith

Maddy summaryHF 3668 establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within Minnesota's Department of Health. The office will coordinate prevention efforts, collect and report statewide data on gun incidents/deaths, conduct research, create public health campaigns, and support victims - working with agencies like Public Safety. It requires an annual report to legislative committees by February 15 each year. The bill appropriates unspecified funding from the general fund for the office's operations in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 1296 requires Minnesota's Board of Animal Health to post specific information online about kennels, dealers, and commercial breeders, including current license statuses, annual inspection records, and reasons for license revocations. It also mandates that all advertising for animal sales must include the seller's current license number or a link to it. The bill clarifies that most breeder data (like addresses and premises locations) remains private, but the Board may disclose it for public health, safety, or law enforcement purposes. These changes directly affect licensed breeders, dealers, and the public seeking transparency about animal facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $4 million in state funding for Minnesota food shelf programs during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directs the state agency overseeing food shelves to use these funds to support community food banks that serve people facing food insecurity. The money comes from the state general fund and is added to existing base funding for these programs. This directly affects food shelves across Minnesota and the families and individuals they serve.

Maddy summaryHF 1357 requires Minnesota taxpayers to include an additional tax for nontaxed capital gains exceeding $1 million on certain inherited assets in their state income tax returns. It directly affects individuals who inherit assets like real estate, stocks, or businesses (excluding specific agricultural land classified as class 2a homestead) after a person’s death. The bill defines "nontaxed capital gains" as the portion of gains calculated as if the asset was sold at its federal estate value, minus $1 million. Taxpayers must report this addition on their returns, with automatic extensions available for filing. The law takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

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 1066 increases annual funding for soil and water conservation districts in Minnesota. It amends state law to raise the annual appropriation from $15 million (for 2023-2024) to $20 million starting in 2025, paid from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue. This funding directly supports local soil and water conservation districts that provide technical assistance and cost-share programs for landowners. The bill takes effect for payments made in 2025 and subsequent years.

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 2779 requires Minnesota health care entities - including hospitals, clinics, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and provider organizations - to report ownership and control details to the commissioner of health annually. These entities must disclose information about their ownership structure, and the commissioner will publish a public report each year summarizing this data. The bill also establishes enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance, with funding appropriated to support these requirements. This law aims to increase transparency about who owns and controls health care organizations operating in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 1335 authorizes Minnesota to issue electronic driver's licenses that comply with national standards (AAMVA and ISO/IEC 18013-5). It affects Minnesota drivers who choose to use electronic credentials and requires the Department of Public Safety (DVS) to develop the system with specific privacy safeguards. Key provisions include mandating secure verification by businesses or law enforcement, prohibiting tracking without consent, and requiring physical licenses to be carried while driving. The bill also allows DVS to charge a separate fee for electronic licenses and sets rules for data handling under existing privacy laws. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

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.