Rep. Joe McDonald

Maddy summaryHF 22, titled "Parent's Bill of Rights," establishes specific rights for parents of minor children (under 18) in Minnesota. It requires schools and healthcare institutions to respect parental authority over education, access to school/medical records, moral/religious training, and consent for medical procedures or recordings of minors. The bill prohibits employees from coercing children to withhold information from parents or discriminating against parents who exercise these rights. It explicitly states these rights do not override child abuse laws or court orders, and does not limit other existing parental rights. This bill directly affects parents, schools, and healthcare providers serving minors.

Maddy summaryHF 10 prohibits Minnesota state-funded financial assistance, including health coverage and college scholarships, for undocumented noncitizens. The bill explicitly excludes undocumented noncitizens (defined as those residing without U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approval) from MinnesotaCare (state health insurance) and the North Star Promise scholarship program. It amends state statutes to require that these programs deny eligibility to individuals without lawful immigration status. The policy change takes effect upon final enactment, with scholarship eligibility applying to awards beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summaryHF 1888 modifies disclosure requirements for subsurface sewage treatment systems (septic systems) in Minnesota and mandates new rulemaking by the Pollution Control Agency. The bill directly affects homeowners selling properties with septic systems, local governments enforcing regulations, and septic system professionals (installers, inspectors, maintainers). Key provisions require the agency to develop new rules about what information must be disclosed to buyers regarding a system's condition and compliance, repealing outdated disclosure language in current law. The bill does not set specific disclosure rules but requires the agency to create them through formal rulemaking.

Maddy summaryHF 1890 establishes a process for filling legislative vacancies in Minnesota when a seat becomes vacant due to a successful election contest based on candidate misconduct. If a contest results in a vacancy, the second-place candidate from the most recent general election for that office automatically takes the seat after three days, provided no election contest is filed within two business days of the vacancy notification. This eliminates the need for a special election in these specific circumstances. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 209.10 and 351.02 to implement this rule, affecting House and Senate vacancies caused by contested election results. It directly impacts legislative offices and the candidates who received the second-highest votes in the prior general election.

Maddy summaryHF 269 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council to seek federal approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) before discontinuing the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which runs between Minneapolis and Big Lake. The bill mandates that the state explicitly state it will not reimburse federal funds spent on this service and requires a report to legislative committees within seven days of receiving the FTA's response. If the FTA approves discontinuation, the agencies must submit a termination plan to the same committees within 90 days. The law applies to the Northstar line's operating counties and directly affects the continuation of this specific commuter rail service.

Maddy summaryHF 1893 shortens the period during which criminal investigations remain active from 30 years to 20 years after a crime is committed, meaning investigative data collected by law enforcement will become public sooner for cases not closed earlier. This change applies only when investigations aren’t closed sooner by a decision not to pursue charges or by the expiration of the time limit for filing charges. The bill preserves existing rules requiring data to stay confidential during active investigations and allowing courts to order disclosure if public benefit outweighs potential harm. It also maintains the current requirement that offensive images or recordings in inactive files remain nonpublic (though their existence must be disclosed to requesters).

Maddy summaryHF 17 amends Minnesota's handgun permit law to create lifetime permits for carrying concealed handguns, replacing the previous temporary permits. It also reduces the application fee for these permits, capping it at $100 or the actual processing cost (whichever is lower), with $10 of each fee deposited into the general fund. The bill maintains existing requirements, including proof of firearm safety training (via certified courses or peace officer employment) and in-person application submissions with specific documents like training certificates and photo ID. This directly affects Minnesotans seeking or renewing concealed carry permits, streamlining the process by eliminating renewal fees and duration limits.

Maddy summaryHF 1786 amends Minnesota law to allow cities to issue on-sale liquor licenses to licensed cosmetology salons. This change directly affects cosmetology salons that already hold valid state licenses under section 155A.29, enabling them to serve alcohol on-site. The bill adds cosmetology salons to the list of approved establishments (previously including hotels, restaurants, and clubs) eligible for such licenses. The amendment modifies Minnesota Statutes section 340A.404, subdivision 1, and takes effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's renewable energy standards by expanding which hydroelectric projects count toward clean energy goals (including facilities over 100 megawatts if operating since 2023). It allows electric utilities to request delays in meeting renewable, solar, or carbon-free energy requirements if the commission determines it serves the public interest, considering factors like cost impacts and system reliability. The bill also expands sales tax exemptions for residential heating fuels and electricity, and prohibits demolition of fossil-fuel power plants under specific conditions. Additional provisions include supporting carbon capture technology and removing barriers to new nuclear power plants.

Maddy summaryHF 1590 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals who maliciously punish children, specifically targeting cases involving severe physical injury. It affects parents, legal guardians, or caretakers who cause substantial or great bodily harm to children, with penalties increasing based on the child's age (under 4) and the injury's severity. For example, causing head/neck injuries to a child under 4 mandates at least one year in prison, while causing great bodily harm requires a minimum two-year sentence. The bill amends Minnesota Statute 609.377 and takes effect August 1, 2025.