Rep. Bryan Lawrence

Maddy summaryHF 636 removes the requirement for a permit to carry a firearm in public places for eligible Minnesotans, while creating an optional permit system. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 624.714 to state that anyone not prohibited by state or federal law (and at least 21 years old) may carry a firearm without a permit in public places - defined as government-owned property or private property open to the public, excluding homes, businesses, gun shops, and hunting areas. An optional permit, which requires proof of pistol safety training and background checks for disqualifying offenses, remains available for those who choose it. This change directly affects eligible residents who currently need permits to carry firearms in public, eliminating that barrier while preserving the option for a permit.

Maddy summaryHF 476 requires the Minnesota Attorney General to reimburse Mille Lacs County $7.8 million for legal costs incurred before 2024 in defending a specific lawsuit (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe v. County of Mille Lacs). The payment must be made by June 30, 2026, using funds appropriated from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026. This bill directly affects Mille Lacs County (as the recipient of reimbursement) and the Attorney General's office (as the payer). The law is a one-time reimbursement for past litigation costs, not a new policy affecting future cases.

Maddy summaryHF 524 allocates $2.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund the construction of an interchange at U.S. Highway 10 and Sherburne County State-Aid Highway 11 in Becker Township. The bill directs $2.5 million to Sherburne County for local road work (property acquisition, environmental studies, and engineering) and another $2.5 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the state highway portions. It authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $2.5 million for each portion to cover these costs, with bond proceeds deposited into specific transportation funds. This funding directly affects Sherburne County and state transportation planning for this specific interchange project.

Maddy summaryHF 646 appropriates $634,000 for fiscal year 2026 and another $634,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to continue Minnesota's dairy development programs. The funding supports the dairy development and profitability enhancement programs, including dairy business planning grants, as specified in Minnesota Statutes section 32D.30. This directly benefits Minnesota dairy farmers and businesses by providing financial assistance for planning and improving their operations. The bill makes no changes to existing laws but ensures ongoing funding for these specific support services.

Maddy summaryHF 56 creates a new "safe schools aid" program to fund school safety initiatives in Minnesota, replacing the previous "student support personnel aid" program. It provides funding calculated as either $40,000 per school district or the safe schools allowance ($48.73 per adjusted pupil unit) multiplied by enrollment, with smaller amounts for charter schools and cooperatives. The funds must be used for specific safety purposes like hiring school safety personnel, drug prevention programs, security upgrades, mental health support, and cybersecurity measures, as outlined in the bill. The program becomes effective for fiscal year 2026, with appropriations starting in 2026, and repeals the prior section 124D.901.