Rep. Nolan West

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $23,740,000 in bonds to fund asset preservation projects at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The money raised from these bonds will be given to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission specifically for maintaining and improving facilities at the sports center. Once passed, the state will immediately begin the process of selling these bonds to raise the necessary funds. This legislation directly affects the National Sports Center by providing financial resources for its upkeep and the state's budget by committing to future debt repayment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for calculating property tax levy limits for local governmental units in Minnesota, taking effect for taxes payable in 2027 and later. It changes how the base amount for these limits is determined by using the final tax levy from the previous year instead of the prior year's levy aid base. Additionally, the bill modifies how the base is adjusted to account for inflation and population changes, removing previous caps on inflation adjustments and eliminating the factor for new construction growth. These changes aim to provide a more flexible framework for local governments to set their future property tax collections.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota handles background checks and maltreatment investigations for child care centers. It requires the state commissioner to notify child care license holders when a background study reveals an individual has been responsible for maltreating a minor, even if the person is not disqualified from working with children. Additionally, the bill makes child care center directors and license holders responsible for systemic maltreatment that occurs over more than one month or in more than two instances, requiring written documentation of these findings. The legislation also clarifies notification procedures for when individuals pose risks of harm, specifying different requirements based on the level of risk and whether continuous supervision is needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Harvey's Law, requires licensed child care centers in Minnesota to install video security cameras in public and shared areas under specific conditions. Centers must have cameras if they are required to post a maltreatment investigation memorandum, with compliance needed within six months and maintained for four years. Additionally, starting in 2027, centers receiving certain state child care funding must also install and maintain these cameras. The law applies to facilities with public access areas and aims to enhance safety oversight through video monitoring requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3615 extends the deadline for hemp businesses to use ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories for testing lower-potency hemp edibles and non-intoxicating hemp products. It changes the current January 1, 2026, deadline to May 31, 2027, for these specific products. This affects hemp businesses selling non-intoxicating hemp edibles and consumer products, requiring them to use accredited labs for safety testing. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes 342.61 to delay the stricter testing requirement while maintaining safety standards. The extension provides additional time for businesses to comply with laboratory accreditation rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies which local government pays for detaining minors in state correctional facilities or approved juvenile facilities. It requires the county where a child is detained to agree to cover the costs before the child can be held at a state correctional institution. The law specifies that if a child is detained in a county other than their home county, the requesting county pays for pre-adjudication costs, while the county of financial responsibility covers care costs after a delinquency finding. These provisions update existing statutes to establish clearer financial responsibilities for juvenile detention across Minnesota counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows cannabis license holders in Minnesota to transport cannabis products and hemp-derived consumer products to testing facilities for quality testing purposes. It directly affects cannabis microbusinesses, mezzobusinesses, cultivators, and manufacturers by adding this transportation activity to their list of authorized actions under state law. The change removes previous restrictions that may have required these businesses to use third-party transport services for delivering products to testing labs. By explicitly permitting this activity, the bill streamlines operations for licensed cannabis businesses while maintaining oversight through existing testing facility requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 495 creates a new tax subtraction for Minnesota individual income taxpayers who pay for licensed child care. It allows taxpayers to subtract day care costs paid to licensed programs (like centers or family child care) from their taxable income, but only for amounts exceeding any dependent care benefits they already excluded from federal income tax. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and directly affects Minnesota taxpayers with qualifying child care expenses. The bill does not change existing federal tax rules but adds a state-level benefit for eligible costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota public agencies to publicly disclose information about child fatalities and near fatalities when criminal charges are filed, a county attorney certifies charges would have occurred but for the person's death, or a child protection investigation finds maltreatment. The law mandates that these disclosures include details such as the cause and circumstances of the incident, the child's age and gender, prior maltreatment reports, investigation results, and actions taken by welfare agencies, while protecting confidential data, private records, and the identities of information providers. Additionally, the bill strengthens local child mortality review teams by requiring them to interview caseworkers without fear of retaliation and establishes timelines for completing joint and local reviews of critical incidents. Local review teams must also include at least one representative from the child's Tribe if the case involves an Indian child, and all review reports must be made available on the Department of Children, Youth, and Families website within 60 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum number of outdoor cannabis plants that microbusinesses in Minnesota can grow from one-half acre to one acre. It applies specifically to licensed cannabis microbusinesses operating outdoor cultivation facilities in the state. The law allows the state office to adjust these limits based on market demand but sets a minimum floor of one acre for outdoor operations. Additionally, the bill clarifies manufacturing limits for cannabis products and confirms that microbusinesses can operate one retail location with proper endorsement.