Rep. Max Rymer

Maddy summaryHF 2949 prohibits Minnesota legislators and executive branch appointees (including commissioners and deputy commissioners) from receiving compensation from any nonprofit organization that receives state grant funding. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add this restriction to existing rules governing private employment for public officials, explicitly covering both current officeholders and former commissioners within one year of leaving their position. Key provisions include banning compensation from nonprofits receiving state grants, regardless of where the work is performed, and requiring legislative committees to enforce these rules. This directly affects state lawmakers and executive appointees who might otherwise work for or receive payment from nonprofits receiving state grants. The policy change aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest between public office and nonprofit grant recipients.

Maddy summaryHF 2936 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Corrections to seek legislative approval before implementing certain new or amended rules that would cost over $25,000 annually for any jail, lockup, or workhouse to comply with. If the commissioner determines compliance costs exceed this threshold, or if an administrative law judge disapproves that determination, the affected facility can request a temporary exemption until the legislature approves the rule. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add this requirement for legislative review prior to implementation of high-cost correctional rules. This directly affects local correctional facilities by delaying rule implementation until legislative approval is obtained.

Maddy summaryHF 2794 exempts dietary supplements from Minnesota's sales and use tax, which previously applied to them as taxable food items. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 297A.61 to specifically add dietary supplements to the list of items excluded from taxation under the "taxable food" definition. This change directly affects dietary supplement manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who purchase these products. The key mechanism is a targeted tax code amendment that removes dietary supplements from the taxable food category, aligning Minnesota's policy with similar exemptions for other health-related products.

Maddy summaryHF 987 modifies Minnesota's annexation election rules to prevent immediate re-attempts after a referendum defeat. It requires that if an annexation vote fails, no new annexation proceeding for the same area can be started within two years - unless initiated by a majority of property owners in that area and supported by neighboring townships or municipalities. This change directly affects cities, townships, and property owners involved in annexation disputes, altering the process for restarting such proceedings. The bill focuses on procedural clarity, ensuring annexation efforts cannot be repeatedly pushed without broader local consensus.

Maddy summaryHF 1522 modifies Minnesota's definition of "agricultural land" for property tax classification purposes. It specifies that agricultural land must consist of either contiguous acreage of 10+ acres used for farming last year, or land used for intensive livestock/poultry confinement (excluding grazing-only land). This change affects farmers and landowners who qualify for lower tax rates on agricultural property, ensuring only land meeting these criteria receives the reduced 0.5% or 1% classification rate. The bill clarifies how mixed-use parcels (like land with windbreaks or timber) are classified under existing tax categories.

Maddy summaryHF 2791 allocates $47 million in state bond funds for road improvements on Interstate 35 and two county highways in Chisago County. Specifically, it provides $30 million for projects on I-35 and Chisago County State-Aid Highway 19 in the city of Stacy, and $17 million for I-35 and CSAH 22 in the city of Wyoming. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover these costs, with funds designated for environmental analysis, design, engineering, and construction. This legislation directly affects road infrastructure in Stacy and Wyoming by providing dedicated funding for corridor improvements.

Maddy summaryHF 2795 appropriates $18 million from the trunk highway fund's bond proceeds account to fund roundabout construction at four specific intersections in Chisago County: Shafer (U.S. Highway 8 & County Highway 21), Almelund (U.S. Highway 95 & County Highway 12), Sunrise (U.S. Highway 95 & County Highway 9), and North Branch (U.S. Highway 95 & County Road 67). The funding covers environmental analysis, design, engineering, and construction for these projects. The state will issue up to $18 million in bonds to provide the necessary capital, with bond proceeds deposited back into the trunk highway fund. This bill directly affects traffic safety and infrastructure at these four locations in Chisago County.

Maddy summaryHF 2752 establishes a legal framework for peer-to-peer car sharing in Minnesota by creating the "Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing Program Act" (sections 65B.91-65B.95). The bill defines key terms like "car sharing period," "car sharing program agreement," and clarifies that peer-to-peer sharing (e.g., through apps connecting car owners with drivers) is not considered a rental or lease under Minnesota law for short-term use (under 28 days). It directly affects car owners who share vehicles via platforms, drivers using those platforms, and the platforms themselves, by exempting them from certain rental/lease regulations. The bill repeals outdated language (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 65B.49, subdivision 5a) to finalize this distinction.

Maddy summaryHF 837 requires Minnesota's commissioner of commerce to apply to the federal government by December 31, 2026, for a waiver continuation under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 18052). This waiver is needed to keep Minnesota's premium security health insurance plan operating after 2027, as its future depends on federal approval. The bill also directs a one-time transfer of $413 million from the state general fund to the premium security plan account in fiscal year 2026. This funding supports the state's health insurance program for qualifying residents. The bill directly affects Minnesota's health insurance program and state budget management.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to research autonomous mower technology for use on state-owned properties like rest areas, highway rights-of-way, and other public spaces. It requires MnDOT to study safety, cost-benefit, worker impact, and commercial availability, with a focus on Minnesota-based companies for any equipment purchases. The bill appropriates $150,000 in fiscal year 2026 for this research and mandates a detailed report by February 15, 2027, covering pilot project plans, cost analyses, and safety evaluations. The research directly affects MnDOT operations and could influence future roadside maintenance practices.