Rep. Matt Norris

Maddy summaryHF 2687 restricts corporate ownership of single-family homes in Minnesota by prohibiting corporate owners (including real estate investment trusts and corporations managing pooled investor funds) from owning 50 or more such homes. It increases the deed tax rate to 0.5% on transfers of single-family homes to corporate owners (up from the standard 0.0033%) and dedicates the state portion of this revenue to workforce and affordable homeownership programs. The bill also creates a statewide landlord database to track rental properties. These changes directly affect large corporate landlords and aim to increase housing affordability through targeted tax revenue.

Maddy summaryHF 1816 establishes the Office of Animal Protection within Minnesota's Department of Public Safety to address animal cruelty more systematically. The office will coordinate investigations, prosecutions, forensic veterinary services, and public education on animal cruelty, while collecting statewide data on such cases. It also expands Minnesota's definition of "crime of violence" to include animal cruelty offenses. The bill appropriates funding for the office and requires an annual report on its operations to the legislature. This affects state agencies, law enforcement, and communities by creating a centralized approach to animal cruelty prevention and enforcement.

Maddy summaryHF 387 authorizes the city of Blaine to impose up to a 3% tax on restaurant sales, lodging (for hotels with over 50 rooms), and admission to entertainment venues within the 105th Redevelopment Area. Revenue from these taxes must be used exclusively for capital improvements like infrastructure and facilities in that specific area, including funding bonds for such projects. The taxes are set to remain in effect until 2055 and can be collected by the city with potential state assistance.

Maddy summaryHF 3085 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to Community Mediation Minnesota to run a statewide family mediation pilot program. The program directly serves grandparents and families facing disputes, providing services like mediation, family reconnection coaching, and navigation to legal/court resources. Key provisions require the grant to expand access to dispute resolution, train culturally specific programs, grow the mediator roster, and integrate services with legal assistance. This pilot, active in fiscal year 2026, aims to improve alternatives to court for family conflicts.

Maddy summaryHF 3668 establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within Minnesota's Department of Health. The office will coordinate prevention efforts, collect and report statewide data on gun incidents/deaths, conduct research, create public health campaigns, and support victims - working with agencies like Public Safety. It requires an annual report to legislative committees by February 15 each year. The bill appropriates unspecified funding from the general fund for the office's operations in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3488 expands Minnesota's Medicaid personal care assistance program to cover certain medication injections administered by trained aides. It requires that injections be delegated by a registered nurse, include individualized training for the aide, and involve ongoing supervision by a registered nurse. This change directly affects Medicaid recipients needing routine injections (like insulin) and their personal care providers, who must now follow these new protocols. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify that aides can provide this service under strict nurse oversight, without determining medication doses or times.

Maddy summaryHF 2569 modifies Minnesota's licensing rules for residential care facilities. It requires new assisted living facilities with a capacity of six or fewer residents to maintain a minimum 1,320-foot distance from existing similar facilities or small residential programs (serving six or fewer residents). The bill also mandates that the state commissioner notify local municipalities in writing within 30 days after issuing a license for such small facilities. These changes apply to initial licenses issued on or after August 1, 2025, affecting facility operators and local governments. The bill does not alter funding or care standards, focusing solely on facility location requirements and notification procedures.

Maddy summaryHF 2879 establishes the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crimes Advisory Board in Minnesota to address organized retail theft. The board, composed of law enforcement officials, retail association leaders, tribal representatives, and community members, advises the Public Safety Commissioner on strategies to identify, prevent, and prosecute retail theft networks. Key provisions require the board to analyze trends, connect theft to other crimes like human trafficking, address online retail impacts, and develop statewide protocols. A statewide coordinator will oversee enforcement coordination, training, and business education efforts to combat these theft enterprises. The bill appropriates funding for this initiative but does not create new criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHF 2126 modifies Minnesota's Barber Examiners Board rules and reduces licensing fees. The bill updates board composition requirements (mandating four barber members with specific experience and representation from barber unions/professional organizations, plus one public member) and lowers several fees, including the practical exam fee from $85 to $40 and renewal fees for barbers and shops. It directly affects barbers seeking registration, barber shop owners, barber school operators, and applicants for barbering credentials. The changes aim to streamline board operations and reduce costs for those in the barbering profession while maintaining mandatory registration and safety standards.

Maddy summaryHF 1766 appropriates $800,000 annually to the Minnesota Council on Economic Education to fund teacher training and classroom resources focused on economic and financial literacy. The bill directly supports K-12 teachers (especially those teaching grades 9-12 personal finance) by providing professional development, curricular materials, and direct student programs. It requires the Council to report annually on training participation, program content, and research results to the state education commissioner. This policy change aims to strengthen financial education standards across Minnesota public schools through targeted teacher support and measurable program evaluation.