Rep. Andy Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eligibility criteria for the Dairy Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative (DAIRI) program in Minnesota, directly affecting dairy farmers who may qualify for financial assistance. The legislation adjusts funding allocations and program requirements within the existing agricultural support framework, specifically updating provisions related to the DAIRI program under Minnesota statutes. Key changes include revised eligibility standards and updated funding distribution mechanisms to ensure resources reach eligible dairy operations. The bill also maintains existing funding levels for related agricultural research and development programs while implementing these eligibility modifications.

Maddy summaryHF 2021 prohibits landlords in Minnesota from discriminating against tenants or prospective tenants who use government rental assistance, housing choice vouchers, or other public aid to pay rent. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 363A.09 to ban landlords from denying viewings, applications, or rentals based on a tenant's income source, or from advertising they won't rent to voucher users. It directly affects landlords and tenants utilizing federal, state, or local housing assistance programs. The law creates clear, enforceable standards to prevent unfair treatment in housing applications and rentals.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals previous tax exemptions that allowed certain preferred seats and amenities at athletic events to be sold without sales tax. It also provides funding for safe harbor shelter and housing grants to support individuals experiencing homelessness. By removing the exemptions, the legislation ensures that these specific stadium seats and related amenities are now subject to standard sales tax like other retail items. The funding provision aims to allocate state money directly to organizations assisting with shelter and housing needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota school districts and charter schools to complete an annual health insurance survey and submit detailed reports to the Legislative Budget Office. The surveys must include information on employee counts, insurance premiums paid, plan details, prescription costs, and any compensation paid to insurance brokers or agents. The Legislative Budget Office will compile this data into a public report by December each year, making the information available online in a standardized format. The bill also includes provisions for legal action against schools that fail to submit the required information.

Maddy summaryHF 309 amends Minnesota Statutes §84.523 to tighten mining restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) and Rainy River headwaters. The bill requires the commissioner of natural resources to determine that proposed mining (for taconite, sand, gravel, or granite) in the Rainy River headwaters would not harm the BWCA before any permits are issued. This modifies existing law by adding this specific assessment step, directly affecting mining operations seeking approval in these areas. The change maintains the general prohibition on mining without legislative approval but adds a new administrative requirement for the commissioner to evaluate environmental impacts. The bill focuses on protecting the BWCA's wilderness character through stricter permitting conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large food retail stores in Minnesota from using surveillance technology to set personalized prices for individual customers. It bans the use of electronic shelving labels and prevents stores from collecting data on shoppers under 17 years old or using protected class information like race or gender to determine pricing. The law applies to grocery stores over 10,000 square feet or larger stores with significant food sales, while excluding financial institutions and insurance companies from its requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3408 bans retailers from setting personalized prices for goods based on consumer surveillance data like facial recognition, biometric scans, or location tracking. It directly affects stores selling physical items (including retail food stores) by prohibiting the use of electronic surveillance technology to create customized pricing for individual shoppers. The bill defines prohibited data broadly to include biometric information, browsing history, and other personal details collected through surveillance methods. Retailers must now use standard pricing approaches instead of surveillance-based price setting.

Maddy summaryHF 3555 establishes rules for small, portable solar panels (under 1,200 watts) that homeowners can install to offset personal electricity use. The bill exempts these plug-in solar devices from requiring utility connection agreements, net metering rules, and additional fees or approvals. It also clarifies that utilities cannot be held liable for damage caused by these devices. This directly affects residential users seeking simple, low-barrier solar energy solutions without utility bureaucracy. The bill creates specific definitions and exemptions within Minnesota's energy code for these devices.

Maddy summaryHF 2906 establishes Minnesota's first legal framework for the therapeutic use of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) by adults 21+ with qualifying medical conditions. It creates a regulated program where patients must be certified by a licensed healthcare provider, enroll with the state health commissioner, and use psilocybin under supervision from registered facilitators during designated sessions. The bill sets rules for qualifying conditions, limits on cultivators, safety screenings, and requires the commissioner to develop detailed operational rules with input from an advisory committee. It also creates legal protections for participants, establishes fees for registration, and appropriates state funds to support the program. This is strictly a medical program with no recreational use permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Metropolitan Airports Commission to increase transparency regarding flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport that transport detained immigrants. Specifically, it mandates that the airport operator notify the commission whenever U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrives or departs with passengers being held in restraints. The legislation also requires the commission to install a live-streaming camera to record these flights and to submit monthly reports detailing the number of detained individuals, including minors, on each trip. These measures are designed to provide the public and state officials with real-time data and regular updates on immigration-related air traffic at the airport.