Rep. Paul Novotny

Maddy summaryHF 3642 prohibits the placement or operation of virtual currency kiosks in Minnesota, directly affecting businesses that provide physical kiosks for exchanging virtual currency (like Bitcoin) for cash or vice versa. The bill's key provision bans these kiosks outright, replacing prior regulations that had defined terms like "new customer" and set transaction limits. It repeals all existing statutes (53B.69 to 53B.75) that previously governed virtual currency kiosk operations, removing the legal framework that allowed such kiosks to function under specific conditions. As a result, no virtual currency kiosks may legally operate within the state under this law.

Maddy summaryHF 3762 allows Minnesota chiefs of police and sheriffs to access certain expunged criminal records (those sealed after January 1, 2015) specifically to determine if a person is eligible to purchase, receive, or carry a firearm. This exception applies only during firearm background checks under Minnesota Statutes § 609A.037, not for general law enforcement purposes. The bill amends existing expungement law to permit this limited access while requiring law enforcement to handle these records carefully and restrict their use solely to firearm eligibility determinations. It directly affects individuals with expunged records who apply for firearms and law enforcement agencies conducting background checks.

Maddy summaryHF 962 prevents state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies from disciplining or threatening to discipline peace officers solely because they are listed on a "Brady-Giglio list" (a prosecutor's designation for officers who failed to disclose exculpatory evidence in a case). The bill creates a task force composed of law enforcement representatives, prosecutors, judges, and court officials to examine how these lists are used and recommend improvements. The task force must report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2025. This bill directly affects Minnesota peace officers and aims to clarify due process protections around these disciplinary lists.

Maddy summaryHF 3496 requires inmates to pay all court-ordered restitution before becoming eligible for "supervision abatement status," which allows them to transition off active supervision. This change directly affects individuals on supervised release or conditional release terms who have earned compliance credits through good behavior. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 244.46 to add that restitution payment is a mandatory prerequisite for eligibility, overriding previous rules that allowed placement based solely on earned credits and time served. It does not alter existing safety risk assessments but adds payment as a strict eligibility condition. The bill is currently in the introduction stage, having been referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands health insurance coverage in Minnesota for peace officers and firefighters who are disabled in the line of duty, even if they do not qualify for traditional disability benefits. It requires employers to continue paying their share of health insurance premiums for these individuals and their dependents until they turn 65 or pass away, regardless of whether their specific disability benefits have ended. The legislation also clarifies the process for requesting coverage and outlines how disputes over eligibility are handled through administrative hearings. Additionally, it updates rules for claims filed after May 24, 2025, to include those with disabilities not solely based on psychological conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.75 million from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to help develop and implement a unified 911 center awareness platform. The money will be given to the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board to create a system that enables 911 centers to communicate and coordinate emergency responses across different jurisdictional boundaries in real time. The grant also covers two years of maintenance costs for the platform. This legislation directly affects public safety officials and emergency response centers by providing funding for improved communication infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time property tax refund program for Minnesota property owners who paid eligible taxes in 2026, affecting residential, agricultural, and commercial property classifications. The program allocates $4 billion from the state general fund to provide refunds based on a percentage calculated by the Department of Revenue, with applications accepted between July 15 and September 15, 2026. Any unclaimed refund amounts will automatically be converted into property tax credits for 2027 on the properties where no refund was requested. The legislation defines specific property categories eligible for the refund and sets clear deadlines for application processing and payment distribution.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for falsely impersonating a peace officer in Minnesota by upgrading the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony and adding new crimes for impersonating while possessing a firearm or using marked law enforcement vehicles. It also establishes enhanced sentencing when someone commits other crimes while pretending to be an officer, including extending maximum jail time for serious offenses. Additionally, the law requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves by name, agency, and identification number when interacting with the public. These changes directly affect individuals who falsely claim to be police officers and law enforcement personnel who must follow new identification requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows law enforcement chiefs to give away old or retired police badges for free to former officers or the families of deceased officers. It specifically permits chiefs to provide these surplus badges to current or retired officers who were originally issued the badge, as well as to the spouses or children of peace officers who have died. The law defines a surplus badge as one bearing a seal before May 11, 2026, or a badge from a retired officer. This measure creates a new exception to existing rules that typically restrict the transfer of law enforcement identification.

Maddy summaryHF 2113 exempts small Minnesota employers with 50 or fewer employees from the state's paid leave requirement. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 268B.01, to explicitly exclude such employers from the paid leave mandate. Small businesses that currently meet the 50-employee threshold will no longer be required to provide paid leave under this law. Employers with 50 or fewer employees may still choose to opt into the paid leave program if they wish. The bill directly affects small business owners and their employees in Minnesota.