Rep. Peggy Scott

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 1436 modifies Minnesota's student discipline laws to reduce exclusions, particularly for young children. It prohibits schools from dismissing students in preschool/prekindergarten or kindergarten through grade 3 (except for short-term removals or safety threats), and requires schools to first try non-exclusionary approaches before considering dismissal. School boards must establish clear policies emphasizing prevention, provide adequate alternative educational services for students during disciplinary periods, and ensure progress toward graduation standards. These changes, effective July 1, 2025, apply to all public schools and school districts in Minnesota.

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 276 reduces the annual fishing license fee for Minnesota residents aged 65 and older from $25 to $15, directly affecting seniors who purchase fishing licenses. The bill requires the commissioner of natural resources to report annual license sales data for this age group to the commissioner of management and budget. Based on this data, the general fund must transfer money to the game and fish fund each year to cover the lost revenue from the reduced fee. This ensures the state fully offsets the cost of the fee reduction without impacting existing conservation funding. The change takes effect July 1, 2025.

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 1986 repeals a Minnesota law that previously prevented courts from considering whether seat belts were used in personal injury or property damage lawsuits involving vehicle accidents. This bill removes the restriction on using seat belt use as evidence in court cases. It directly affects individuals involved in motor vehicle accident lawsuits where seat belt usage might be relevant to determining liability. The key change is simply allowing courts to admit evidence about seat belt use, which was previously prohibited under Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.685, subdivision 4.

Maddy summaryHF 1904 provides $10.5 million in state bond funding to connect East Bethel Elementary School and Cedar Creek Elementary School to the city's water and sewer systems. The bill appropriates money for planning, building, and equipping new infrastructure, including a water tower, treatment facility, wells, and associated pipes. This funding will be raised through state bonds issued under Minnesota law, with the Public Facilities Authority managing the grant to East Bethel. The project directly affects the two elementary schools and the city's infrastructure by replacing outdated systems with citywide utilities.

Maddy summaryHF 360 makes technical updates to Minnesota's trust and probate laws, primarily clarifying time limits for trust interests and powers of appointment. It specifies that nonvested trust interests must vest or terminate within 21 years after the death of a living person or 500 years for trusts created after the bill's effective date (replacing a prior 90-year limit). These changes affect trusts, estates, and beneficiaries by ensuring legal clarity in how trust terms are interpreted under Minnesota law, without altering core trust creation rules. The bill focuses on aligning statutes with the Uniform Trust Code and resolving minor inconsistencies in existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's renewable energy standards by expanding which hydroelectric projects count toward clean energy goals (including facilities over 100 megawatts if operating since 2023). It allows electric utilities to request delays in meeting renewable, solar, or carbon-free energy requirements if the commission determines it serves the public interest, considering factors like cost impacts and system reliability. The bill also expands sales tax exemptions for residential heating fuels and electricity, and prohibits demolition of fossil-fuel power plants under specific conditions. Additional provisions include supporting carbon capture technology and removing barriers to new nuclear power plants.