Rep. Matt Norris

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to include lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs in their drug lists (formularies) when equivalent options cost less than current choices. It mandates that formulary tiers and structure must prioritize the drug with the lowest out-of-pocket cost for patients (including co-pays and coinsurance), without restricting access to that option. Health plans must immediately add newly approved generic or biosimilar drugs to their formularies if they cost less than existing covered options. This directly affects patients by reducing their medication costs and health plans/carriers by changing how they manage drug coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 689 allows county attorneys to use official orders (administrative subpoenas) to obtain specific records during wage theft investigations. The bill amends Minnesota law to let county attorneys subpoena payroll, banking, and financial records from employers, including documents required under state labor laws. This directly affects employers facing wage theft allegations and county attorneys conducting these investigations. The change takes effect August 1, 2025, and applies only to business records, not private individuals' personal information.

Maddy summaryHF 1010 establishes a new licensure process for certified midwives in Minnesota through the Board of Nursing, creating a specific "Minnesota Certified Midwife Practice Act" (Chapter 148G). It amends health occupation definitions to include "licensed certified midwife," expands Medicaid coverage to include services provided by these licensed midwives, and sets civil/criminal penalties for violations. The bill directly affects certified midwives (requiring national certification plus state licensure) and Medicaid recipients who can now access midwifery care under their coverage. Key provisions define midwifery scope (including pregnancy, birth, and women's primary care) and set licensure terms, moving midwifery from an unregulated status to a licensed profession with expanded coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 2989 appropriates $5 million from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to cover costs for the 2025-2026 World Junior Hockey Championships hosted in Minnesota. The funds, available until June 30, 2027, are directed to Minnesota Sports and Events for event-related expenses. This bill directly affects the state's event management organization and the local economy hosting the international sporting event. The appropriation specifically covers costs associated with the December 2025 and January 2026 tournament dates.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to support a statewide Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate program. It directly affects young writers aged 13-19 through a competitive selection process modeled after the National Youth Poet Laureate program. The funds will be administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center via a grant to a nonprofit organization to operate the program, including awarding the Youth Poet Laureate and promoting the work of young writers across Minnesota. The program aims to celebrate youth literary talent and provide statewide opportunities for recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for the state's Housing Challenge Program to include charter schools, contract alternative schools, and Tribal contract schools as recipients of small grants (under $100,000) for housing projects. It modifies existing law to allow these school types - previously limited to school districts - to access funds for constructing owner-occupied homes. Schools using the grant for home construction must require future occupants to complete homeownership education and counseling under separate law. The change directly affects these specific school entities by broadening their access to housing program funding. The bill does not alter the maximum grant amount or the requirement for homeownership education.

Maddy summaryHF 2557 redirects an existing 1.56% surcharge that Minnesota hospitals pay on patient care revenue to the Health Care Access Fund instead of the Medical Assistance Account. This bill directly affects all Minnesota hospitals (excluding federal Indian Health Service facilities and regional treatment centers) that currently pay this surcharge. The key change is shifting the funding destination for the surcharge, which hospitals already pay based on net patient revenues, to support the Health Care Access Fund. The bill does not change the surcharge rate or the hospitals required to pay it.

Maddy summaryHF 2406 allows people receiving certain disability waiver services in Minnesota to have remote reassessments (via video or phone) instead of in-person meetings under specific conditions. It directly affects individuals enrolled in developmental disabilities, community access, brain injury, or elderly waiver programs. The bill permits remote reassessments to replace up to two consecutive in-person meetings for some programs (followed by an in-person meeting), or one for others, but requires informed consent from the person or their legal representative and verifies ongoing needs, care level, and service plan details. All remote reassessments must follow the same requirements as in-person meetings, including updates to support plans. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, or after federal approval.

Maddy summaryHF 470 appropriates $96.565 million from the general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund Minnesota's early learning scholarships program under Minnesota Statutes section 142D.25. This funding directly supports families with young children by providing financial assistance for early learning services. The bill establishes a specific, dedicated funding stream for the program, adding it to the base budget. It does not change eligibility criteria or program rules, only providing the necessary state funding to operate the existing scholarship program.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to clarify and limit optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer certain drugs. It specifically sets new time limits: oral antivirals may not be prescribed for more than 10 days, oral steroids for more than 14 days (requiring physician consultation), and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for more than seven days. These changes apply directly to licensed optometrists in Minnesota who prescribe medications for eye conditions under the Board of Optometry's rules. The bill maintains existing restrictions on intravenous injections, invasive surgery, and Schedule II/III oral drugs.