Rep. Andy Smith

Maddy summaryHF 657 appropriates $250,000 from Minnesota's general fund for the Rochester Area Foundation's Pamoja Women program in fiscal year 2026. The funding must be used to provide after-school enrichment activities and partner with a food bank to stock culturally specific foods. This is a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2027. The bill directly affects the Pamoja Women program, which serves women and girls in Rochester through after-school support and food access. The measure focuses on direct funding allocation with specific program requirements.

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 262 prohibits employers from paying people with disabilities less than the state minimum wage, effective August 1, 2025 for new hires and August 1, 2027 for all current employees, ending the use of federal or state special certificates that allow subminimum wages. It requires providers of home and community-based services to report data on individuals currently paid subminimum wages by August 1, 2027, including personal details and employment metrics. The bill appropriates $38,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2027 to enhance the MnCHOICES system with employment-related resources. These changes directly affect employers, service providers, and people with disabilities working in supported employment programs across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for ticket sales in Minnesota to increase transparency and prevent deceptive practices. It requires ticket sellers and online marketplaces to clearly display the total price, including all fees, and to provide buyers with proof of purchase and refund policies within 24 hours. The legislation also prohibits specific behaviors such as selling duplicate tickets, using unauthorized domain names, or bypassing online security measures to buy multiple tickets. The commissioner of commerce is given the authority to request data on how violations occur and to enforce these rules, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3911 is a supplemental budget bill that provides funding and updates laws for Minnesota's environment and natural resources agencies for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. The legislation appropriates money to various departments, including the Pollution Control Agency, and modifies existing statutes to establish new programs, adjust fees, and set rules for activities like gas exploration, forestry management, and water law enforcement. Specific provisions include creating a Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act, banning certain mercury-containing lights, and establishing a boat wrap product stewardship program. Additionally, the bill creates new accounts and task forces while repealing older sections of state law to align with current environmental and resource management needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution from the Minnesota Legislature that formally asks Congress to overturn the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. It requests that Congress propose a constitutional amendment to clarify that only natural persons, not corporations or other artificial entities, possess rights under the Constitution. The proposed amendment would also state that spending money to influence elections is not protected speech and would allow governments to regulate or limit campaign contributions to ensure equal political access. Additionally, the bill mandates that all permissible campaign spending must be publicly disclosed. Ultimately, the resolution directs state officials to send copies of the text to federal leaders and Minnesota's congressional representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee equal rights and prohibit discrimination for all people. It specifically protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, and sex, with the definition of sex explicitly including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If voters approve the amendment at the 2026 general election, the change will become effective on January 1, 2027. The text also establishes that any state action denying these rights must be the least restrictive way to achieve a very important government goal.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee equality under the law. The amendment would prohibit the state, its cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from denying or abridging rights based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin. If approved by voters at the 2024 general election, the change would take effect on January 1, 2025. The measure is titled the "Equal Rights Amendment" and requires a simple yes or no vote from the public.