Rep. Joe McDonald

Maddy summaryHF 2563 appropriates $23,000 in fiscal year 2026 to maintain the Legislative Coordinating Commission's dedicated website for legacy funding. The funds come from four existing Minnesota legacy funds: $7,000 from the outdoor heritage fund, $7,000 from the clean water fund, $5,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and $4,000 from the parks and trails fund. This bill directly affects the Legislative Coordinating Commission, which is required by law to operate this website under Minnesota Statutes section 3.303, subdivision 10. The legislation ensures ongoing maintenance of this resource without creating new programs or altering funding allocation mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHF 3338 appropriates $2,790,000 from state bond proceeds to fund the planning, design, and construction of two roundabouts on Trunk Highway 24 in Wright County, specifically at intersections with Wright County State-Aid Highway 7 and Wright County Road 145 near Clearwater. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $2.79 million in bonds to cover this cost, with bond proceeds deposited into the trunk highway fund. This funding directly affects Wright County residents and drivers using this highway corridor by enabling specific infrastructure improvements. The bill creates a concrete funding mechanism for these intersection upgrades through bond financing.

Maddy summaryHF 3318 requires the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board to create a commemorative work honoring Minnesota's first recorded Italian immigrant on Capitol grounds, with design completion by December 2026 and installation by December 2027. The bill appropriates funds from the general fund for the project, allocating $ for the Board in fiscal year 2026 (available until June 2028) and similar funding for the Department of Administration. This procedural bill directly affects state agencies responsible for Capitol design and funding, recognizing Italian-American contributions through a physical memorial.

Maddy summaryHF 2318 updates Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) system. It increases pension adjustment revenue for school districts (e.g., setting St. Paul's rate at 3.25% for 2026+ and other districts at 2.0% for 2026+), raises employer contribution rates (e.g., requiring 9.5% for coordinated members and 13.5% for basic members by 2025), and provides unreduced retirement annuities for teachers who reach age 62 with 30 years of service. These changes directly affect public school districts (as employers) and TRA members (teachers). The bill appropriates funds to support these adjustments and amends specific sections of Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryHF 1355 requires permit holders harvesting or destroying aquatic plants in Minnesota public waters to use scuba diving equipment safely and establishes safety standards for commercial diving operations. It mandates that applicants provide documentation of a recent third-party safety survey by a qualified professional (like a DLI consultant or insurance underwriter) and ensures divers have valid certification from accredited programs. The bill also requires employers to provide buoyancy control devices for workers using scuba equipment during these activities. These requirements apply directly to commercial entities and contractors seeking permits under Minnesota Statutes §103G.615 for aquatic plant management. The law aims to improve workplace safety for divers working in Minnesota's waterways.

Maddy summaryHF 3265 requires the Pollution Control Agency to update Minnesota Rules (chapters 7080-7083) to explicitly reference existing requirements in Minnesota Statutes §115.55, subdivision 11 regarding straight-pipe systems. This change directly affects inspectors and the agency by ensuring rules align with current statutory obligations for subsurface treatment systems. The bill mandates this rule update using a "good cause exemption" to bypass standard rulemaking timelines, as specified in Minnesota Statutes §14.388, clause (3). It does not create new policy but corrects rule language to match existing law.

Maddy summaryHF 733 removes restrictions on handheld electronic devices used for bingo and pull-tab games in Minnesota. The bill amends state law to allow these devices, which must meet specific requirements like a $0.25 minimum ticket price, a limit of 36 bingo faces per game, and no slot machine-style features (e.g., spinning reels or bonus screens). It also requires devices to support visually impaired players and maintain transaction records. This change directly affects bingo and pull-tab operators by enabling new electronic gameplay options while maintaining key safeguards.

Maddy summaryHF 3205 appropriates $235,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for the 2026 fiscal year to reinstall the Christopher Columbus statue on the State Capitol Mall. The funds are directed to the commissioner of administration, who must work with the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board to complete the reinstallation. This bill is procedural, allocating existing funds for a specific physical display without creating new laws or affecting citizens.

Maddy summaryHF 500 repeals Minnesota's Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board and related statutes (sections 181.211-181.217) that previously established requirements for nursing home staffing and worker protections. This bill directly affects nursing home employers in Minnesota by removing these specific regulatory standards. The key mechanism is the complete repeal of the board and its associated provisions, eliminating the legal framework that required nursing homes to comply with workforce standards and penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHF 1790 appropriates $3 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to support the state's 12 regional library systems. The funding must be used to provide educational programs in Minnesota arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage, including promoting Minnesota authors from diverse backgrounds. Funds will be distributed using a specific formula based on Minnesota Statutes 134.355 (75%) plus an additional 25% distributed proportionally among all qualifying library entities. This bill directly affects regional library systems, public libraries, and community programs partnering with them to deliver these educational opportunities.