Rep. Max Rymer

Maddy summaryHF 3490 authorizes Minnesota to participate in a federal tax credit program by establishing rules for scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs). These SGOs must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits that spend at least 90% of funds on student scholarships, verify household income, prioritize returning students/siblings, and avoid targeting specific students. Organizations must report annually to the Minnesota Department of Education, which will post a public list of approved SGOs. The bill clarifies it does not grant schools additional control over nonpublic schools or their students.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the reconstruction of Marked U.S. Highway 8 in Minnesota, directing funds to the state Department of Transportation and Chisago County for engineering, design, and construction work. The legislation allocates $24 million from trunk highway bonds and $15 million from general obligation bonds to expand the road to four lanes, build frontage roads, and improve pedestrian and bike trails. Money from these bond sales will be used only after non-state funding sources are confirmed, and any previously planned resurfacing funds for this highway will be redirected to support the reconstruction project.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of up to $4 million in state bonds to fund an interchange at Interstate Highway 35 and 400th Street in North Branch. The funds will be used for project planning, design work, and acquiring the land needed to build the interchange. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will receive the money to carry out these tasks, while the commissioner of management and budget handles the bond issuance process.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new regulatory framework for short-term rental platforms in Minnesota, requiring companies like Airbnb to offer financial protection for property damage claims. It mandates that these platforms purchase insurance policies that cover their guarantee obligations if they fail to pay customers, while also requiring annual registration fees and staff training on handling claims. The legislation clarifies that these guarantees are not insurance contracts themselves but must be backed by actual insurance policies to ensure customer compensation. Platform operators must display clear disclosures stating that their guarantees are not insurance and must make their terms publicly available on their websites.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Chisago County in Minnesota to impose a local sales and use tax of 0.5% to fund specific county projects and administrative costs. The tax would be collected and administered according to existing state tax laws, with revenues used for tax collection expenses, approved projects, and bond-related costs. The legislation also grants the county bonding authority to finance these projects without requiring a separate voter election or being subject to standard debt limits. Chisago County officials would need to follow state procedures to activate the tax, and the county retains the ability to end the tax through a new ordinance.

Maddy summaryHF 1333 requires Minnesota to issue at least two moose hunting licenses annually through a public lottery and two through a public auction, with all applicants paying a $25 nonrefundable fee. The bill creates a "moose research account" funded by license fees and auction revenue, which must be used to study moose mortality, calf survival, disease, and habitat needs. It restricts lottery eligibility to Minnesota residents who haven't held a moose license since 1991, while auctions are open to all eligible applicants. The legislation amends existing statutes to implement these license distribution methods and direct funds toward specific moose conservation research goals. This directly affects residents seeking moose hunting permits and funds state wildlife management efforts.

Maddy summaryHF 1788 appropriates $4 million from the general fund for the city of North Branch to fund predesign, design, and land acquisition for a new interchange at Interstate Highway 35 and 400th Street. The funding is conditional on nonstate resources being secured and is a one-time appropriation available until the project is completed or abandoned. This bill directly affects the city of North Branch by providing state funds for a specific infrastructure project, with no broader policy changes beyond the funding allocation.

Maddy summaryHF 5070 creates a grant program to help Minnesota communities and organizations transition away from using unlined landfills for construction and demolition waste. The bill establishes two funding accounts, one in the bond proceeds fund and another in the general fund, to provide financial assistance for building new infrastructure that processes, recycles, or safely closes these waste sites. Eligible recipients include cities, counties, and other local governments, as well as private entities, with grants covering up to 75 percent of project costs for new facilities and up to 50 percent for closing existing unlined landfills. Preference is given to projects that serve environmental justice areas, reduce waste disposal, and protect human health and the environment. To finance this initiative, the state will issue bonds and appropriate $118 million from both the general fund and bond proceeds for fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 482 establishes "Choose Life" special license plates for Minnesota motor vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, applicants must pay a $25 initial fee and $25 annual contribution to a dedicated "Choose Life account," in addition to standard registration fees. Funds collected are deposited into this account and distributed by Choose Life Minnesota, Inc., to non-profit agencies within each county that assist pregnant women making adoption plans - excluding any agencies involved in abortion services or charging fees for services. The bill also specifies plate design requirements (featuring the "Choose Life" logo and inscription) and limits administrative costs for the program to 15% of funds. The program becomes effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $200,000 from the state general fund to support the construction of a regional veterans memorial in North Branch. The funds are provided as a one-time grant to the city through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The money remains available for the project until it is finished or the project is abandoned. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final enactment.