Rep. Paul Novotny

Maddy summaryHF 1016 modifies how the city of Baldwin calculates its local government aid for 2026. It specifies that Baldwin's 2025 aid amount (used to determine 2026 aid) will be calculated by multiplying a specific dollar amount by the city's population. This change applies only to Baldwin's aid calculation under Minnesota Statutes §477A.013, subdivisions 8 and 9, and is effective solely for aid payments due in 2026. The bill directly affects Baldwin's funding formula without creating new statewide policy.

Maddy summaryHF 636 removes the requirement for a permit to carry a firearm in public places for eligible Minnesotans, while creating an optional permit system. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 624.714 to state that anyone not prohibited by state or federal law (and at least 21 years old) may carry a firearm without a permit in public places - defined as government-owned property or private property open to the public, excluding homes, businesses, gun shops, and hunting areas. An optional permit, which requires proof of pistol safety training and background checks for disqualifying offenses, remains available for those who choose it. This change directly affects eligible residents who currently need permits to carry firearms in public, eliminating that barrier while preserving the option for a permit.

Maddy summaryHF 524 allocates $2.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund the construction of an interchange at U.S. Highway 10 and Sherburne County State-Aid Highway 11 in Becker Township. The bill directs $2.5 million to Sherburne County for local road work (property acquisition, environmental studies, and engineering) and another $2.5 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the state highway portions. It authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $2.5 million for each portion to cover these costs, with bond proceeds deposited into specific transportation funds. This funding directly affects Sherburne County and state transportation planning for this specific interchange project.

Maddy summaryHF 173 modifies Minnesota's research credit for income and corporate franchise tax by adding an "alternative simplified credit election." This allows eligible corporations, partnerships, or other taxpayers to calculate their base amount for the credit using 50% of their average qualified Minnesota research expenses from the prior three years, instead of the standard method based on federal definitions. The change applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and affects businesses conducting research within Minnesota that qualify for the credit. The bill does not alter the credit rate or expand eligibility, only offering an alternative calculation method for existing credit participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires voters in Minnesota to present a government-issued photo identification card to register to vote and to cast a ballot in person. To support this requirement, the legislation creates a new state voter identification card and mandates that counties waive fees for certified vital records, such as birth certificates, when those documents are needed to obtain the ID. The bill also establishes a process for provisional ballots for voters who cannot produce the required ID on election day and directs the state to report on the number of records issued and the funds appropriated for this program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Bail Abatement Nonprofit Exclusion (BANE) Act to prohibit nonprofit organizations from using their funds to pay bail on behalf of individuals arrested. Under the new law, nonprofits are barred from organizing or registering specifically to make payments to courts to satisfy bail conditions. The measure directly affects charitable groups and other nonprofit entities by restricting their ability to engage in bail-related financial activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Intellectual Freedom Protection Act, applies to public colleges and universities in Minnesota by prohibiting them from requiring students or faculty to pledge allegiance to or support specific political ideologies, including those related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or patriotism. The law ensures that admissions, hiring, and promotion decisions cannot be based on the viewpoints expressed in any such pledges, while explicitly preserving the ability of institutions to enforce existing laws against discrimination and maintain academic freedom. To increase transparency, the bill mandates that these institutions publicly post all training materials and policies regarding nondiscrimination and bias on their websites. Finally, it creates a private right of action allowing individuals to sue for violations and grants the state attorney general the authority to file lawsuits and impose civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation.