Rep. Ripper Repinski

Maddy summaryHF 766 amends Minnesota Statutes section 609.2231 to increase penalties for assaulting police officers during lawful duties. It elevates simple physical assaults on peace officers to a gross misdemeanor felony (with up to 2 years in jail or $4,000 fine), and makes assaults causing bodily harm or involving bodily fluids/feces a felony (up to 3 years or $6,000 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who physically assault officers while they are performing official duties, as defined under Minnesota law. It becomes effective August 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date. The change specifically modifies existing penalty levels without altering the definition of assault.

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 summaryHF 200 appropriates $35 million in state funds for Minnesota towns' road and bridge maintenance, with $25 million specifically for roads and $10 million for bridges. The funds will come from bonds issued by the state under Minnesota law, to be distributed by the commissioner of transportation according to existing rules (Minnesota Statutes §162.081). This bill directly affects Minnesota towns needing infrastructure repairs by providing dedicated funding for local road and bridge projects. The bond sales and fund distribution follow established procedures outlined in Minnesota Statutes and the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHF 1355 requires permit holders harvesting or destroying aquatic plants in Minnesota public waters to use scuba diving equipment safely and establishes safety standards for commercial diving operations. It mandates that applicants provide documentation of a recent third-party safety survey by a qualified professional (like a DLI consultant or insurance underwriter) and ensures divers have valid certification from accredited programs. The bill also requires employers to provide buoyancy control devices for workers using scuba equipment during these activities. These requirements apply directly to commercial entities and contractors seeking permits under Minnesota Statutes §103G.615 for aquatic plant management. The law aims to improve workplace safety for divers working in Minnesota's waterways.

Maddy summaryHF 1354 requires Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to make publicly available, within 30 days of case closure, video footage documenting officer-involved death investigations that is already public under other laws. It specifically limits the scope of video shared to only footage recording actions and circumstances surrounding the incident. The bill also mandates an annual report to state leaders by February 1st detailing investigation statistics, outcomes, and charging decisions. This affects the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the public accessing these records. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 299C.80, subdivision 6.

Maddy summaryHF 733 removes restrictions on handheld electronic devices used for bingo and pull-tab games in Minnesota. The bill amends state law to allow these devices, which must meet specific requirements like a $0.25 minimum ticket price, a limit of 36 bingo faces per game, and no slot machine-style features (e.g., spinning reels or bonus screens). It also requires devices to support visually impaired players and maintain transaction records. This change directly affects bingo and pull-tab operators by enabling new electronic gameplay options while maintaining key safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public employees in Minnesota's police and fire retirement plan who are 55 years or older to receive their full retirement pay without reduction or suspension when they return to government employment. It amends retirement laws to require the retirement plan administrator to pay a normal retirement annuity without cutting it off due to reemployment, provided the retiree has reached age 55. The law also clarifies that continued employment does not change the annuity amount, and neither the member nor their employer must make additional retirement contributions. These changes take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1471 requires local governments in Minnesota (such as cities or towns) to provide renters with a copy of the Attorney General's existing landlord-tenant guide whenever they issue or renew a rental license. This applies whether the license is issued in person (requiring a physical copy) or electronically (requiring a link to the guide online). The bill directly affects landlords who obtain rental licenses and local governments that administer the licensing process. It ensures renters have immediate access to clear information about their rights and responsibilities under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 3046 exempts special event food stands (like those at festivals or temporary fairs) from paying Minnesota's $40 annual statewide hospitality fee. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 157.16, subdivision 3a, which previously required most food service establishments - including special event stands - to pay the fee. The change directly affects temporary food vendors operating at short-term events, removing a cost they currently face. Permanent food businesses, hotels, and other licensed establishments remain subject to the fee under the existing law. The exemption applies only to temporary special event stands, not to year-round food service operations.

Maddy summaryHF 1396 expands Minnesota law enforcement's permitted uses of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). It adds 10 specific scenarios where police may deploy drones, including conducting threat assessments before events, gathering evidence after serious traffic collisions, searching for missing persons, and collecting information with reasonable suspicion of crime. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes section 626.19, subdivision 3, to authorize these uses while requiring written consent for private property use and written requests from other government entities. This directly affects all Minnesota law enforcement agencies operating drones under current statutes. The changes focus on operational safety, evidence preservation, and public safety during specific high-risk situations.