Rep. Paul Novotny

Maddy summaryHF 2378 expands the list of people ineligible for earned incentive release credit under Minnesota's Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act. The bill adds specific offenses to the existing ineligibility criteria, including crimes resulting in death, first/second-degree criminal sexual conduct, sexual conduct with minors under 16, child pornography/exploitation, violent crimes involving weapons, and crimes with mandatory minimum sentences. These changes directly affect incarcerated individuals convicted of these specific offenses who would otherwise qualify for the credit. The law amends Minnesota Statutes sections 244.45 (ineligibility) and 244.46 (applicability) to include these additional categories.

Maddy summaryHF 492 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to fund mental health services and outdoor recreational activities for currently serving military personnel and veterans in Minnesota. The funds are directed to Hometown Hero Outdoors, a Stillwater-based nonprofit, to support programs promoting mental wellness, community interaction with professionals, and quality of life through outdoor engagement. This bill specifically provides dedicated funding for an existing nonprofit's established services rather than creating new state programs. It directly affects military members and veterans by expanding access to mental health support and outdoor activities through this designated organization. The appropriation is limited to these specific fiscal years and services as outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHF 167 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax system by removing limits on subtracting Social Security benefits, allowing taxpayers to subtract all their Social Security income without phaseout thresholds or maximums. It also updates income tax brackets, raising the first tax bracket threshold to $47,620 for married couples filing jointly and $47,620 for single filers (from $38,770 and $26,520, respectively). The bill additionally modifies property tax refund rules, though specific changes aren't detailed in the provided text. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 558 authorizes law enforcement and licensing agencies to include arrest and investigative records (not convictions) in criminal history background checks. This affects job applicants, particularly for public safety positions or roles requiring background checks, as it expands the information considered beyond final convictions. The bill adds a specific provision to Minnesota Statutes (chapter 299C) allowing background checks to include records of arrests that did not result in criminal charges. It does not change existing requirements for background checks but explicitly permits the inclusion of this additional information.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's legislature has passed a resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution asks for proposed amendments to impose budget rules on federal spending, reduce federal government authority over states, and limit terms for federal officials and members of Congress. This is a procedural step - Minnesota is formally petitioning Congress, not creating new laws. The resolution serves as Minnesota's ongoing application for such a convention, pending similar actions by two-thirds of states.

Maddy summaryHF 914 allows Minnesota school districts hiring a teacher currently employed by another district to request access to that teacher's personnel file. The hiring district can inspect the file, but the teacher's current district must provide it, inform the teacher of the request, and the hiring district cannot cancel a scheduled interview based on the file contents. This bill directly affects school districts seeking new teachers and the teachers themselves who are considering job changes. It creates a new procedure for accessing personnel files while adding protections for teachers regarding interview processes. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 122A.40 and 122A.41 to establish these specific access rules.

Maddy summaryHF 1257 eliminates Minnesota's Public Safety Advisory Council by repealing the statute that established it (Minnesota Statutes §626.8435). The bill amends another statute (§626.8457) to remove all references to the council, including provisions requiring law enforcement agencies to submit data to it for evaluating officer conduct. This change removes the council's role in analyzing law enforcement data and identifying patterns of officer behavior. The bill does not create new reporting requirements but ends an existing entity and its associated duties.

Maddy summaryHF 2173 makes it a crime to approach or remain within 25 feet of police officers, firefighters, or ambulance personnel while they are performing emergency duties after receiving a verbal warning and with intent to interfere. The bill directly affects first responders by adding specific legal protection against obstruction during active emergencies. Key provisions require the person to know the individual's status as a first responder, have been warned verbally to stay back, and intend to hinder their work. This amendment to Minnesota Statutes section 609.50, effective August 1, 2025, criminalizes such behavior with penalties outlined in the statute.

Maddy summaryHF 2179 appropriates $14.5 million for a State Patrol helicopter, $2.3 million for a Cirrus airplane, and $1.7 million annually for pilot staff and equipment costs, all from the trunk highway fund. These funds, available until June 2027, directly support the Minnesota State Patrol’s aircraft procurement and operational expenses. The bill provides specific, one-time funding for aircraft purchases and ongoing costs for pilot operations. It does not change laws or policies but allocates existing transportation funds for aviation needs. (Bill: HF 2179, Title: State Patrol aircraft purchases and operations funding provided, and money appropriated.)

Maddy summaryHF 2038 modifies Minnesota's Waiver Reimagine program, which provides community-based services for people with disabilities under 65. It establishes a new Legislative Task Force on Waiver Reimagine (including legislators, waiver recipients, disability advocates, and agency staff) that must review and approve the commissioner's plan before federal submission. The bill requires the commissioner to submit a detailed report by December 2026 on Phase II plans, including individual budget adjustments based on need (not location), and mandates a six-month public input period for waiver recipients. This directly affects people receiving waiver services, their case managers, and county social services administrators by restructuring the approval process and transition to a needs-based budget system.