Rep. Max Rymer

Maddy summaryHF 3130, the "Minnesota Stand Your Ground Act," eliminates the requirement to retreat when using self-defense outside one's home and expands the definition of "dwelling" to include temporary living spaces like hotels, tents, and vehicles. It creates a legal presumption that a person using force in self-defense reasonably believed it was necessary, shifting the burden to prosecutors to prove otherwise. The bill affects all Minnesotans using self-defense in public or non-home settings and amends Minnesota Statutes sections 609.06 and 609.065. It takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3043 creates a new criminal offense for "illegal remuneration" involving federal health care programs (like Medicare/Medicaid), behavioral health services under Chapter 254B, and family programs under Chapter 142E. It prohibits healthcare providers, social service organizations, and others from intentionally offering or accepting money, goods, services, or other value in exchange for referrals, purchases, or recommendations related to these programs. The law also targets improper conduct in grant applications, such as offering inducements to influence grant awards or providing false information. Violations are punishable as crimes under Minnesota Statutes, with sentencing details outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHF 1376 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support the FATHER Project through a grant to Goodwill Easter Seals Minnesota and its partners. The project operates in Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and surrounding areas to assist fathers in overcoming economic and emotional barriers to supporting their children. It specifically includes programs for fathers reentering communities after confinement. The funding is designated solely for continuing these existing services in the specified regions.

Maddy summaryHF 8 streamlines Minnesota's environmental permitting process to improve efficiency and transparency. It sets specific timeframes (90 days for simpler permits, 150 days for complex ones), requires the Pollution Control Agency to issue separate construction and operation permits for certain facilities, and mandates that petitioners for environmental assessments must live in affected or neighboring counties. The bill also eliminates preliminary environmental assessment steps for projects requiring full environmental impact statements and requires the agency to publish annual reports tracking permitting progress. These changes directly affect developers, landowners, and the Pollution Control Agency in processing environmental permits.

Maddy summaryHF 2242 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to select a single state pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) through a competitive bidding process. This PBM will handle all prescription drug claims for Minnesota's Medicaid (medical assistance) and MinnesotaCare programs, replacing the current system where multiple PBMs might be used. The bill mandates a master contract with this single PBM, specifies rules for drug coverage and reimbursement, and requires the commissioner to report on the program's operation. It also includes strict transparency requirements during procurement, such as disclosing potential conflicts of interest and financial ties between the PBM and pharmacies or drug manufacturers.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $35 million from state bond proceeds specifically for Minnesota town roads and bridges. $25 million is allocated for town roads and $10 million for town bridges, to be distributed by the commissioner of transportation per existing rules (Minnesota Statutes §162.081). The state will issue up to $35 million in bonds to fund this appropriation, following established bond procedures under Minnesota law. The funding directly affects local town governments responsible for maintaining roads and bridges within their jurisdictions. The bill becomes effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 3101, the Intellectual Freedom Protection Act, prohibits Minnesota's public colleges and universities from requiring students or faculty to pledge support for or opposition to political ideologies (including diversity, equity, and inclusion statements) as a condition for admission, employment, or promotion. It creates a private right for individuals to sue institutions for violations, allowing courts to order injunctions, damages, and attorney fees, while also granting the attorney general authority to seek court orders and impose $100,000 civil penalties per violation. The bill explicitly does not restrict academic freedom, faculty teaching on sensitive topics, compliance with antidiscrimination laws, or consideration of professional qualifications. It also mandates that institutions publicly post all diversity-related policies and training materials online. The law applies to all public postsecondary institutions in Minnesota, including the University of Minnesota system.

Maddy summaryHF 3103 provides $1.5 million in state funding for sewer system improvements in Taylor Falls. The bill appropriates money from state bond proceeds to the city for designing, constructing, and equipping its sanitary sewer system. It authorizes the state to issue up to $1.5 million in bonds to cover these costs, following standard state bond procedures. This funding directly supports Taylor Falls' infrastructure upgrades and is effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 19 establishes education savings accounts (ESAs) for Minnesota students from low-income households, defined as families earning no more than four times the income threshold for free school meals. The bill allows parents to use state funds to pay for qualifying education expenses - including tuition at eligible nonpublic schools, tutoring, approved curriculum, and school supplies - at participating schools or providers. Participation is capped at 5% of public school enrollment in the first year, increasing by 3% annually, with priority given to kindergarten students and those who attended public school full-time the prior year. The program directly affects eligible students (ages 18 and under) and their families, with funds restricted to approved educational services and materials.

Maddy summaryHF 2948 eliminates the authority to impose tolls on most Minnesota highways, preventing new toll facilities from being created on standard highway sections. The bill allows user fees to be collected from single-occupant vehicles using dynamic shoulder lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes (so drivers can pay to use these lanes), but prohibits tolls elsewhere. It reallocates revenue from these user fees to fund other transportation projects. This affects transportation authorities and drivers using Minnesota highways, particularly in corridors with dynamic shoulder lanes.