Rep. Harry Niska

Maddy summaryHF 25 establishes a state grant program administered by Minnesota's Department of Health to fund nonprofit women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The program provides financial support for services like housing, medical care, parenting education, and mental health resources to help pregnant women and new mothers - particularly those facing homelessness or crisis - carry pregnancies to term and care for their children. Eligible organizations must be nonprofits offering free or low-cost services without promoting abortion, providing abortion care, or referring women to abortion providers. Grant funds cannot be used for abortion-related activities, and strict privacy rules require written consent before sharing personal information about clients. The bill appropriates state funds for this program while reducing other health-related appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts electricity generated outside Minnesota from the state's carbon-free energy requirements for utilities. It modifies Minnesota Statutes section 216B.1691 by adding that the carbon-free standard (requiring 80% by 2030 for public utilities, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040) does not apply to electricity generated outside the state. Electric utilities serving Minnesota customers will no longer need to count out-of-state carbon-free electricity toward their mandated renewable energy targets. The change directly affects all Minnesota electric utilities subject to the carbon-free standard.

Maddy summaryHF 24 amends Minnesota Statutes section 145.423 to require that infants born alive during an abortion be immediately recognized as human persons under the law and receive medical care. The bill mandates that medical personnel take "all reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice" to preserve the life and health of such infants, including compiling appropriate medical records. It directly affects healthcare providers performing abortions in Minnesota by establishing specific medical care obligations for infants born alive. The proposed changes would have taken effect the day after enactment, though the bill was not passed.

Maddy summaryHF 1768 amends Minnesota Statutes section 181.988 to allow non-compete agreements to be enforced for employees earning $120,000+ annually if their work involves research, development, or confidential information (like trade secrets), or for any employee earning $500,000+ regardless of job duties. It preserves existing rules permitting non-competes in business sales or dissolutions, and adds that employees winning enforcement cases can recover reasonable attorney fees. The bill affects only high-earning workers in specific roles, not most employees. This changes the legal standard for enforceable non-competes under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 2220 prohibits Minnesota state agencies from charging parking fees to state employees at facilities owned or operated by the state. It directly affects all state employees who park on state property, whether working or with manager approval for personal use. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes (sections 16B.04 and 16B.58) to require free parking, removing all fees, fines, or penalties for eligible employees. This change applies to all state parking lots managed under the Department of Administration, ensuring employees receive a free parking permit.

Maddy summaryHF 11 delays the implementation of Minnesota's Paid Leave Law from 2026 to 2027, affecting employers, employees, and state agencies responsible for administering the program. The bill amends multiple statute sections to adjust key dates, including the start of employer premium payments (now January 1, 2027) and administrative requirements like public outreach and annual reporting. This one-year delay provides additional time for businesses to prepare for the new paid leave program without changing the law's core requirements. The law's substance - such as premium rates and fund management - remains unchanged, only the rollout timeline is extended.

Maddy summaryHF 2080 appropriates $8 million from state bond proceeds to fund the design and construction of new municipal water mains in Andover’s Red Oaks neighborhood. This directly affects residents in that area whose private drinking water wells have tested positive for contamination. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $8 million, with funds directed through the Pollution Control Agency to the city for Phase II of the contamination mitigation project. The measure focuses on replacing infrastructure to address water quality concerns, as specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 116.16.

Maddy summaryHF 1022 modifies Minnesota's definitions for "moist snuff" and "tobacco products" in tax law. It defines "moist snuff" as finely cut, ground, or powdered smokeless tobacco containing nicotine intended for mouth placement (section 1.7-1.9). The bill explicitly includes nicotine solution products and moist snuff under "tobacco products" while excluding FDA-approved cessation products marketed solely for medical use (section 1.12-1.22). These changes, effective July 1, 2025, directly affect tobacco manufacturers, retailers, and consumers by clarifying which products fall under state tobacco taxation and regulation.

Maddy summaryHF 3 requires Minnesota's legislative auditor to annually report to the legislature by February 1 on whether state agencies have implemented audit recommendations from the prior five years. The bill mandates that agencies' commissioners must also submit detailed reports by September 1 each year, specifically itemizing unaddressed recommendations and explaining why they weren't implemented. This directly affects all state agencies subject to legislative auditor reviews and their commissioners, who must now document progress on audit findings. The law creates a structured process for tracking accountability without altering agency funding or creating new programs.

Maddy summaryHF 22, titled "Parent's Bill of Rights," establishes specific rights for parents of minor children (under 18) in Minnesota. It requires schools and healthcare institutions to respect parental authority over education, access to school/medical records, moral/religious training, and consent for medical procedures or recordings of minors. The bill prohibits employees from coercing children to withhold information from parents or discriminating against parents who exercise these rights. It explicitly states these rights do not override child abuse laws or court orders, and does not limit other existing parental rights. This bill directly affects parents, schools, and healthcare providers serving minors.