Rep. Harry Niska

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's "Read Act" to require literacy instruction based on "science of reading" research, emphasizing evidence-based methods like phonics and decoding while explicitly excluding the three-cueing system. It establishes a new Office of Achievement and Innovation within the Department of Education to support literacy implementation and creates a statewide school performance reporting system. The bill also allows school boards to opt out of complying with certain recently enacted state education laws or rules and authorizes fund transfers for education programs through fiscal year 2029. These changes directly affect all Minnesota public school districts, educators, and students by reshaping literacy instruction requirements and school accountability systems.

Maddy summaryHF 2219 regulates surrogacy in Minnesota by making traditional surrogacy arrangements invalid (meaning parental rights automatically remain with the birth mother unless she voluntarily terminates them) and establishing enforceable rules for gestational surrogacy. It requires gestational surrogacy contracts to be in writing, signed by all parties including the surrogate's spouse, notarized, and accompanied by separate legal counsel for all parties and written acknowledgment of rights/obligations. The bill also creates a new criminal offense for operating a for-profit surrogacy agency (defined as entities connecting intended parents with surrogates, excluding licensed attorneys handling contracts). This directly affects intended parents, gestational surrogates, and surrogacy agencies seeking to facilitate such arrangements in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 21 would require a three-fifths supermajority vote in both the Minnesota House and Senate to extend a peacetime emergency declaration beyond 14 days. Currently, such extensions beyond 14 days could be approved by the Executive Council, but this bill would shift that authority to the legislature. The bill directly affects governors seeking to prolong emergency powers and the legislative process for reviewing those requests. It does not change the initial 14-day emergency declaration period or the governor's authority to declare emergencies under existing criteria. Note: This bill was introduced but not passed during the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryHF 1791 allows Minnesota school districts to use surplus funds from career and technical education (CTE) programs to provide postsecondary scholarships or grants to eligible students. Specifically, districts may allocate net proceeds (revenue exceeding program costs) to cover tuition, certificate programs, apprenticeships, or career supplies for students who complete a CTE course, apply during their senior year, and graduate from a Minnesota high school. The bill requires districts to report program finances to the Department of Education and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects Minnesota school districts with CTE programs and their graduating students pursuing further education or career training.

Maddy summaryHF 2809 establishes a new crime for protesting directly in front of or about a person's home (excluding homes used as businesses). It makes this a misdemeanor, escalating to a gross misdemeanor if the person has a prior conviction under this law or ignores court orders like protection orders. The bill specifically allows peaceful protests about community meetings or assemblies held at locations commonly used for public discussion. This law applies to residential properties only and takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1 establishes a centralized Office of Inspector General (OIG) for Minnesota state government, replacing existing agency-specific inspector general offices. The OIG will oversee state spending, require agencies to halt payments when fraud is suspected, and mandate a fraud reporting hotline for employees and contractors. It directly affects all state agencies and recipients of state funds (such as contractors and organizations administering state programs) by requiring them to report suspected fraud and prohibiting retaliation against whistleblowers. The bill also specifies the OIG must coordinate with the legislative auditor and amends statutes related to fraud detection, waste prevention, and oversight.

Maddy summaryHF 2517 restricts MinnesotaCare (the state's Medicaid program) from using public funds to cover abortions, except in three specific cases: when the pregnancy endangers the patient's life, causes substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function, or results from rape or incest. This directly affects MinnesotaCare enrollees who might seek abortion coverage, limiting public funding to those narrow exceptions. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 256L.03 to clarify that public funds cannot cover abortions outside these circumstances. The change applies to all MinnesotaCare-covered health services, excluding the listed exceptions.

Maddy summaryHF 15, the "Safe Haven In Every Local District (SHIELD) Act," requires all Minnesota public school districts and charter schools to include specific student and staff safety measures in their long-term facility plans by August 2025. The bill creates new grants to fund comprehensive security systems, including features like bullet-resistant doors, emergency alert systems, and staff training, with priority given to schools serving the most students. School districts must apply for these grants through the Minnesota School Safety Center, which will rank applicants and provide lists of approved vendors. The law appropriates funds from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to support these security upgrades and plan updates.

Maddy summaryHF 1052 modifies Minnesota's student discipline laws to protect younger students. It prohibits school dismissals (including suspensions) for preschool/pre-K programs and kindergarten through grade 3 students, limiting K-3 dismissals to no more than three school days. The bill requires schools to first use alternative disciplinary approaches and provide educational services before considering dismissal, and mandates districts to track student progress during any dismissal period. These changes apply to all Minnesota public schools and take effect July 1, 2025. The bill repeals outdated sections related to student discipline (121A.425 subd. 2 and 121A.611).

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, but the provided context does not specify the exact changes made to the law. Without details on the specific provisions or amendments, it is not possible to describe who is directly affected, key mechanisms, or concrete policy changes. The bill passed in April 2025 and became law on August 1, 2025, but the summary requires substantive content about the modifications that is not included in the given information. To provide an accurate summary, the specific changes to the Act would need to be detailed.