Rep. Matt Bliss

Maddy summaryHF 3669 reduces Minnesota's watercraft licensing fees for most boat owners and operators. It cuts standard watercraft fees from $59 to $27, rental boat fees from $14 to $9, personal watercraft fees from $85 to $37.50, and dealer license fees from $142 to $67.50, among other reductions. The bill affects recreational boaters, rental businesses, nonprofit safety programs, and boat dealers by lowering their annual licensing costs. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, and repeal an outdated definition of "other commercial operation" in the statutes.

Maddy summaryHF 3607 requires all retail establishments (businesses selling goods or services to the public) to accept physical U.S. cash (paper money or coins) as payment for transactions. The bill defines "cash" and "retail establishment" to clarify the scope of the requirement. This law takes effect on August 1, 2026, applying to all sales occurring on or after that date. It directly affects businesses that currently decline cash payments, mandating acceptance without exception. The policy change is a straightforward consumer protection measure with no additional mechanisms or exemptions specified.

Maddy summaryHF 1567 extends Minnesota's existing personal information protections for judicial officials to peace officers (including police officers). The bill defines protected information as residential addresses, family details, non-work contact information, and children's names/schools attended. It requires peace officers to submit written notification to request protection, which expires after five years unless renewed. The law prohibits government entities and others from publicly sharing this protected information online or through other means, with limited exceptions for news reporting. This directly affects Minnesota peace officers by safeguarding their personal details from public disclosure.

Maddy summarySF 1959 is an omnibus bill that combines multiple veteran policy changes and funding allocations into a single measure. It directly affects veterans in Minnesota and state agencies managing veteran services, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Key provisions include new funding for veteran housing assistance, healthcare access programs, and benefits administration, alongside updates to eligibility rules. The bill became law on May 23, 2025, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3212 appropriates $34.59 million from bond proceeds and $15.72 million from the general fund to support a nine-county regional waste management system in northwest Minnesota. The bill directly funds specific projects for Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Polk, and Red Lake counties, including constructing a new debris landfill in Hubbard County and upgrading 12 existing processing facilities. Key mechanisms include grants for building construction, site improvements, and capital equipment (like compactors and sorting systems) to coordinate waste handling across the region. This funding enables counties to design, build, and equip facilities for managing trash and recyclables, with no new regulations or policies created.

Maddy summaryHF 2444 is a Minnesota state budget bill that allocates funding for military and veterans services. It provides $30 million for Military Affairs (2026) and $33.5 million (2027), plus $141.9 million for Veterans Affairs (2026) and $146.7 million (2027), including $111.3 million for veterans health care. The bill requires new reporting on federal Medicare reimbursements for veterans homes, allocates $550,000 annually for suicide prevention programs, and mandates a memorial plaque for Gold Star and Blue Star families at the State Capitol. These provisions directly affect Minnesota veterans, military families, and state agencies managing veterans' benefits and facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 3008 appropriates $250,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $250,000 for fiscal year 2027. The funds will be provided as a grant to Hometown Hero Outdoors, a Stillwater-based nonprofit, to support outdoor recreational activities and mental health services. These services are directly intended for currently serving military personnel and veterans in Minnesota. The bill aims to improve mental health outcomes and quality of life through structured outdoor engagement and access to mental health professionals.

Maddy summaryHF 2960 appropriates $25,000 from Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 and $25,000 for fiscal year 2027 to provide a grant to "Fishing with Vets," a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The funding will support the organization in organizing and conducting guided fishing trips for veterans across Minnesota. This bill directly affects veterans by enabling access to recreational fishing programs through an existing nonprofit, with no new policy requirements or program changes. The appropriation is limited to the specified amounts and timeframes outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and another $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to fund veteran retreats at Camp Bliss in Walker. It directs the commissioner of administration to issue a grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc., to cover expenses for eligible veterans and their family members. The grant reimburses the organization $850 per eligible veteran or family member per visit (up to two visits yearly) for services like therapy, transportation, and camp maintenance. Eligible veterans include former service members with a DD-214 or current active/reserve members, and family members include spouses, domestic partners, or children.

Maddy summaryHF 3040 requires the Minnesota commissioner to issue timber refunds within 30 days of a person becoming eligible. It directly affects landowners and businesses that pay timber-related fees and are owed refunds under Minnesota law. The bill adds a specific 30-day deadline to Minnesota Statutes section 90.201 for processing and paying refunds. This change standardizes the timeline for refund payments without altering eligibility criteria.