Rep. Max Rymer

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for using funds allocated to reconstruct U.S. Highway 8 in Chisago County, pushing the expiration date from the original term to December 31, 2029. It directly affects Chisago County, which received the grant for planning, designing, and constructing the highway project. The key mechanism redirects funds originally planned for routine resurfacing (per MnDOT's 2020-2029 plan) toward the reconstruction effort, supplementing existing appropriations. The project includes expanding segments to four lanes, adding frontage/backage roads, and creating pedestrian/bike trails along the highway corridor.

Maddy summaryHF 1439 appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to the Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation. The funds support the "Carts to Careers" initiative, which provides job skills training, outreach, and scholarships for students pursuing careers in the food retail industry. The program aims to strengthen the workforce pipeline in Minnesota's food sector by covering training, certifications, and related development costs. This one-time appropriation directly benefits food industry workers and students seeking careers in grocery retail.

Maddy summaryHF 1582 modifies Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) benefits for educators. It allows teachers with 30 years of service to retire at age 60 without reduced annuity payments (previously requiring 35 years), adjusts early retirement penalties, and increases postretirement cost-of-living adjustments. The bill also raises employer contribution rates for school districts (from 13.3% to 17.3% for basic members) and increases pension adjustment revenue rates for school districts starting in 2026. These changes directly affect current and future TRA members, school districts funding retirement costs, and the state's retirement system budget.

Maddy summaryHF 1253 modifies Minnesota's absentee ballot procedures for certain voters. It shortens the timeline for mailing absentee ballots from 46 days to 28 days before elections (Minnesota Statutes 2024, § 203B.06, subd. 3) and moves the deadline for returning ballots from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on election day (§ 203B.08, subd. 1). The bill also prohibits correctional facilities from receiving absentee ballots, requiring county auditors to reject applications with correctional facility addresses (§ 203B.06, subd. 2). These changes directly affect absentee voters, election officials managing ballot distribution, and correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 2069 creates new Minnesota license plates specifically for veterans of each U.S. military branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine). Eligible veterans who meet existing criteria (including having discharge papers) can apply for a free plate featuring "VETERAN" and their branch's emblem. The plates must be the same size as standard plates for the vehicle type (e.g., motorcycle) and can be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same veteran for a $5 fee. This bill, effective January 1, 2026, expands Minnesota’s existing veterans' plate program by adding branch-specific designs.

Maddy summaryHF 11 delays the implementation of Minnesota's Paid Leave Law from 2026 to 2027, affecting employers, employees, and state agencies responsible for administering the program. The bill amends multiple statute sections to adjust key dates, including the start of employer premium payments (now January 1, 2027) and administrative requirements like public outreach and annual reporting. This one-year delay provides additional time for businesses to prepare for the new paid leave program without changing the law's core requirements. The law's substance - such as premium rates and fund management - remains unchanged, only the rollout timeline is extended.

Maddy summaryHF 877 amends Minnesota's Read Act to define "evidence-based" reading instruction as science-based, explicitly excluding the three-cueing system. It requires school districts to use approved literacy screeners and intervention models, and mandates the Department of Education to develop a literacy plan template and approve evidence-based intervention models by June 2025. The bill also cancels specific appropriations related to Read Act implementation. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting Minnesota public schools, educators, and literacy programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1022 modifies Minnesota's definitions for "moist snuff" and "tobacco products" in tax law. It defines "moist snuff" as finely cut, ground, or powdered smokeless tobacco containing nicotine intended for mouth placement (section 1.7-1.9). The bill explicitly includes nicotine solution products and moist snuff under "tobacco products" while excluding FDA-approved cessation products marketed solely for medical use (section 1.12-1.22). These changes, effective July 1, 2025, directly affect tobacco manufacturers, retailers, and consumers by clarifying which products fall under state tobacco taxation and regulation.

Maddy summaryHF 3 requires Minnesota's legislative auditor to annually report to the legislature by February 1 on whether state agencies have implemented audit recommendations from the prior five years. The bill mandates that agencies' commissioners must also submit detailed reports by September 1 each year, specifically itemizing unaddressed recommendations and explaining why they weren't implemented. This directly affects all state agencies subject to legislative auditor reviews and their commissioners, who must now document progress on audit findings. The law creates a structured process for tracking accountability without altering agency funding or creating new programs.

Maddy summaryHF 893 clarifies and strengthens Minnesota's self-defense laws by eliminating the requirement to retreat before using force when defending one's home or person. It expands the definition of "dwelling" to include occupied vehicles, porches, decks, and adjacent structures, and creates a legal presumption that someone entering a dwelling by stealth or force poses an imminent threat. The bill allows individuals to use deadly force without retreating in certain situations, such as when preventing a forcible felony or imminent harm to themselves or others. This directly affects Minnesotans using self-defense, particularly in home or vehicle defense scenarios.