Rep. Andy Smith

Maddy summaryHF 3148 allows cities of the first class (like Minneapolis and St. Paul) to issue "social district licenses" that permit public consumption of alcohol in designated outdoor areas contiguous to licensed venues, but not sales. It requires strict rules: alcohol must be in non-glass containers (max 16 oz) with specific labeling, districts must have clear signage showing hours/days, and licensees must follow container requirements. The city must maintain safety plans online, post boundaries, and report to the legislature within 24 months on community impact, challenges, and public safety. This directly affects cities, licensed businesses, and residents/businesses near designated social districts.

Maddy summaryHF 2171 is a symbolic resolution, not a law. It asks Congress to recognize Minnesota's historical ratification of the Child Labor Amendment (ratified by Minnesota in 1933), which would authorize federal regulation of child labor for those under 18. The resolution has no legal effect, as the amendment remains unratified nationally (requiring 38 states, but only 27 have ratified) and federal child labor laws are already in place following the 1941 Supreme Court case *United States v. Darby Lumber Co.*

Maddy summaryHF 3154 appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide grants to the Rural Policy and Development Center. The funds are allocated through the commissioner of agriculture under Minnesota Statutes section 116J.421. This bill directly affects the Rural Policy and Development Center by providing dedicated funding for its operations and grant programs in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 847 appropriates $2.7 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to provide community action grants under Minnesota Statutes sections 142F.30 to 142F.302. The funding directly supports community action agencies that serve low-income residents with services like housing assistance, job training, and nutrition programs. This bill allocates specific state funds to maintain ongoing grant programs without changing existing eligibility rules or creating new requirements. The appropriation is a routine funding measure for established community-based services.

Maddy summaryHF 667 clarifies when Minnesota's medical assistance program must cover prescription drug costs for individuals with commercial insurance. It requires coverage of copays/coinsurance for drugs approved by a commercial insurer, even if the quantity exceeds a 34-day supply or the drug isn't on the insurer's preferred list, without needing prior approval from the commissioner. This applies specifically when the commercial insurance coverage is deemed "cost-effective" by the commissioner. The bill removes administrative barriers for providers and beneficiaries in these scenarios, streamlining access to covered medications.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of a "debt buyer" to clarify that businesses purchasing charged-off medical debts for collection purposes are considered debt buyers, while excluding nonprofits buying for charitable reasons. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to relieve medical debt for eligible residents who couldn't pay after hospitals completed reasonable collection efforts. The grant must be used by June 30, 2028, and Undue Medical Debt must report recipient demographics to state agencies. The bill directly affects low-income Minnesotans with unpaid medical bills and hospitals that previously pursued collections.

Maddy summaryHF 2966 requires landlords in Minnesota to register basic information about their rental properties - including owner names, addresses, rental rates, and license details - into a free, publicly searchable statewide database. Landlords must submit this information before renting a unit or within 60 days of renting, and update it annually. Tenants who cannot find a landlord in the database can report it, triggering a 61-day notice period before tenants may sue for up to $5,000 in penalties for repeated violations. The bill directly affects all landlords renting residential properties in Minnesota and provides tenants with legal remedies for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHF 2147 exempts hot tubs or whirlpools on houseboats and single-unit rental properties from most public pool safety requirements in Minnesota. It requires property owners to ensure water temperature stays below 106°F, test chlorine/bromine, pH, and alkalinity before each rental, and provide renters with a specific notice about the exemption. The bill mandates a posted warning: "NOTICE: This spa is exempt from certain state and local sanitary requirements... USE AT YOUR OWN RISK." It directly affects rental property owners, resorts, and renters of these properties, while prohibiting local governments from adding extra requirements for qualifying hot water pools.

Maddy summaryHF 3007 establishes a preapplication evaluation process for projects requiring large water use (over 100 million gallons per year or 250,000 gallons per day), requiring applicants to consult with the state commissioner early in development and share details about water use, location, and source. The commissioner evaluates water availability at potential sites and responds in writing, with early communications kept confidential until a formal permit application is submitted. The bill also adds requirements for water permits to promote conservation and address conflicts, and mandates environmental impact statements for data centers expanding by 100 megawatts or more.

Maddy summaryHF 3158 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both the Minnesota House and Senate to authorize public funding for the design, construction, or renovation of a professional sports facility. Currently, a simple majority vote suffices for such funding. The amendment must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election, where they will decide whether to adopt the two-thirds requirement. If approved by voters, this change would become part of the Minnesota Constitution, affecting future legislative decisions on sports facility funding.