Rep. Matt Norris

Maddy summaryHF 51 authorizes Minnesota school districts to use state education funds for roof repairs and replacements costing $100,000 or more per site as part of the long-term facilities maintenance program. School districts must develop a ten-year facility plan that includes a roof maintenance schedule, health and safety measures (like indoor air quality management), and provisions for gender-neutral restrooms at each school. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to explicitly include roof projects in eligible uses of the funding, effective for fiscal year 2027 and later. This legislation expands the types of maintenance projects that can be funded under the existing education finance program without changing the overall funding formula.

Maddy summaryHF 3193 allows Minnesota municipalities to halt tax increment financing (TIF) payments to developers, contractors, or subcontractors who violate state or local labor laws. The bill requires municipalities to hold a public hearing with prior notice before stopping payments, including specific details about the alleged violation. Developers or contractors affected can challenge the decision in court within 30 days, with courts required to rule in their favor if proper procedures weren't followed or no violation occurred. This policy directly affects development projects using TIF funding and aims to enforce labor law compliance through financial consequences.

Maddy summaryHF 2228 establishes a 13-member task force to address insurance affordability issues affecting homeowners, renters in multifamily housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, and small businesses. The task force will review topics like risk mitigation, liability laws, reinsurance markets, and climate-related claim costs, then submit recommendations by February 2026. The bill appropriates $200,000 from the general fund to cover the task force’s operational costs through June 2026. It does not make immediate policy changes but requires a final report with findings and draft legislation to strengthen Minnesota’s property insurance system.

Maddy summaryHF 3156 restricts local governments from blocking affordable housing developments by religious organizations on their own land. It requires cities to permit such projects as a "permitted use" in specific zones: up to three units on most residential lots, up to eight units outside single-family districts, and up to 12 units in mixed-use or commercial areas. The bill defines "affordable housing" as developments where 20-40% of units are for households earning ≤50-60% of area median income, and sets minimum density requirements (e.g., 1.25x existing density). This directly affects religious organizations seeking to build housing, cities with zoning codes that previously restricted such projects, and low-income residents in communities where these developments may be constructed.

Maddy summaryHF 3164 establishes a Minnesota state program providing $10,000 relocation grants to veterans who were involuntarily terminated from federal jobs on or after January 20, 2025, and establish Minnesota residency before January 1, 2027, while beginning at least 20 hours/week of work in the state before that date. The program, funded by a $6 million appropriation from the workforce development fund for fiscal year 2026 (including $50,000 for outreach), requires applicants to apply through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The commissioner must report on the program’s implementation to legislative committees by March 1, 2027. This policy directly supports eligible veterans transitioning to Minnesota employment and aims to strengthen the state’s workforce.

Maddy summaryHF 2462 appropriates $20 million from Minnesota's general fund to the housing development fund for fiscal year 2026, with an additional $20 million transferred to the Housing Finance Agency. This one-time funding supports the agency's workforce housing development program under Minnesota Statutes §462A.39, directly aiding housing developers focused on creating affordable homes for essential workers. The bill provides concrete financial resources for housing projects targeting workforce housing needs without altering existing program requirements. It affects the Housing Finance Agency, developers participating in the program, and Minnesotans seeking affordable housing options.

Maddy summaryHF 2134 strengthens protections for Minnesota's wild rice waters by requiring a "wild rice risk justification" before certain pesticide permits are issued. It prohibits watercraft operations that threaten uncultivated wild rice beds and mandates the commissioner of natural resources to maintain current maps of wild rice waters. The bill appropriates funds to support these measures, including enforcement and map upkeep. These changes directly affect pesticide permit applicants, watercraft operators in wild rice areas, and state agencies managing natural resources.

Maddy summaryHF 2152 increases state funding for Minnesota's adult basic education programs. It raises the annual state total aid from $52.76 million to $65.17 million for fiscal year 2026, raises the per-contact-hour aid limit from $30 to $36, and fully covers (100%) the cost of commissioner-selected high school equivalency tests (like the GED) for eligible individuals, up to $40 per test. The bill appropriates $375,000 annually for test costs through 2027. These changes directly affect adult education programs statewide and individuals seeking high school equivalency credentials.

Maddy summaryHF 2764 requires Minnesota public schools (including charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program) to offer at least one plant-based meal option daily starting with the 2026-2027 school year. A "plant-based meal" is defined as one without any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish), and schools must provide this option within four weeks of a student's written request. Schools must also make the request process clear to students and parents, comply with federal nutrition standards, and report annually on implementation to the Department of Education. The bill applies to all public schools serving lunches through the National School Lunch Program.

Maddy summaryHF 2489 modifies Minnesota school policies for epinephrine access, directly affecting students with severe allergies and school staff. The bill requires annual written authorization from parents and prescribing doctors for students to possess epinephrine auto-injectors or for schools to store them for immediate use. It mandates individualized health plans developed by parents, school staff, and medical professionals at the start of each school year, specifying whether a student can carry the device or needs it kept nearby during the instructional day. Schools must also keep additional epinephrine in first aid kits and define "instructional day" for implementation, while providing liability protection for good-faith actions.