Rep. Shane Mekeland

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota state funds from being used to pay for, reimburse, or facilitate any protests or demonstrations related to political causes or issues. It directly affects state agencies and departments by restricting their ability to allocate money for protest-related expenses, including logistical support or financial assistance to protesters. The legislation would require state officials to ensure no public money supports activities aimed at advocating for or against specific political positions. This change would apply to all state-funded programs and grants, preventing the use of taxpayer money for protest facilitation regardless of the protest's topic or perspective.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's social studies standards to include information about the dangers and perils of communism and socialism, specifically during the 2030-2031 review and revision of state academic standards. The legislation mandates that the state commissioner incorporate details about estimated lives lost and negative outcomes associated with these ideologies into the updated curriculum. It directly affects Minnesota public school systems by setting a specific requirement for future social studies education content. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not change current curriculum requirements but establishes a mandate for future revisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the licensing fees for scrap metal copper dealers in Minnesota, reducing the application and renewal fees from $250 to $100. It requires individuals to obtain a license from the commissioner of commerce to sell scrap metal copper starting January 1, 2025, with the new fee structure taking effect July 1, 2026. The legislation outlines application requirements, including personal information and proof of lawful copper acquisition, while also specifying conditions for license denial, suspension, or revocation. Additionally, the bill allows licensed professionals in related trades to sell scrap metal copper without a separate license if they hold existing certifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires providers, vendors, and individuals applying for public funds to submit proof of recent operational history and financial records as part of their eligibility process. Applicants must demonstrate they have performed similar services over the past three years, provide audited financial statements or nonprofit tax forms from that period, and show good standing with the secretary of state if they are business or nonprofit entities. The law adds new requirements to Minnesota statutes governing financial screening for programs administered by state commissioners. These measures aim to establish clearer standards for verifying the legitimacy and financial stability of entities seeking government money.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota regulates water use, electricity sales, and solar energy standards for data centers. It requires large data centers using over 100 million gallons of water annually to provide detailed information before permits are issued, while exempting certain qualified facilities from this requirement if they meet specific filing or location criteria. The legislation also exempts electricity sales from qualified large-scale data centers when calculating utility solar energy standards and removes sales tax on electricity purchases for these facilities. Additionally, it creates exemptions from certain clean energy tariff requirements for data centers that applied for permits by January 1, 2025, or are located in eligible communities. These changes directly affect data center operators, water management agencies, public utilities, and local governments in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 3810 requires a licensed driver to be physically present in the driver's seat of any commercial motor vehicle using an automated driving system (levels 4-5 automation) while operating on public roads. The bill mandates the person must monitor the vehicle, intervene if unsafe, and be ready to take control. Violations impose penalties: a $2,000 misdemeanor fine for first offenses, escalating to gross misdemeanors with doubled fines for repeat violations by the same owner or lessor. This directly affects commercial trucking and bus operators seeking to deploy fully autonomous systems. The law aims to ensure human oversight during automated operation of commercial vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called disruption of worship services in Minnesota, targeting individuals who enter religious buildings with the intent to disrupt scheduled services by committing a crime. The law defines a religious establishment as a building used for worship that is clearly marked with a sign or other identifier. First-time offenders face gross misdemeanor charges, while repeat offenders could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both. The provisions take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires publicly funded state and local correctional facilities in Minnesota to check the immigration status of certain noncitizens and notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they are housed there. The law applies to individuals in pretrial confinement, those convicted of felonies, and people committed to mental health institutions, mandating that facility officers immediately report nationality, conviction details, commitment duration, citizenship country, and last entry information to federal immigration authorities. Additionally, the bill requires a one-time review of all felony inmates in public facilities by July 1, 2026, to identify any noncitizens and report their status to federal officials. This policy change directly affects correctional facilities, sheriffs, and county officials who manage public institutions, while requiring them to share specific inmate information with U.S. immigration officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of a crime of violence from receiving Minnesota's major public assistance programs, including MFIP, medical assistance, food support, and MinnesotaCare. It achieves this by adding new disqualification clauses to existing state statutes that specifically target those with violent crime convictions, while maintaining eligibility rules for other offenses. The law applies to convictions under Minnesota law or equivalent statutes from other states or the federal government, and it removes a previous provision that allowed certain drug-related benefits to continue under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryHF 3562 modifies Minnesota's motor vehicle registration tax for passenger cars and hearses. It reduces the tax rate from 1.54-1.575% to 1.25-1.285% of a vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), depending on whether the vehicle was first registered in Minnesota before or on/after November 16, 2020. The tax amount decreases each year based on the vehicle's age (e.g., 100% of MSRP in year one, dropping to 10% in year ten), then becomes a flat $20 annually after the 10th year. This bill directly affects Minnesota vehicle owners paying registration fees for passenger cars and hearses, effective for registrations starting January 1, 2027.