Rep. Matt Norris

Maddy summaryHF 1299 amends Minnesota law to allow emergency shelter facilities as a permitted use in zoning districts designated for multifamily housing, commercial, or industrial development. It defines an "emergency shelter facility" as one providing safe, sanitary shelter for homeless individuals or families, regardless of operating hours. The bill directly affects homeless shelters seeking to operate in these zoning areas by removing a barrier to their establishment where local zoning already permits such uses. It does not require new construction but ensures shelters can operate in specified zones without needing special permits. The change applies to existing zoning regulations in Minnesota communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.8 million from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to support the Taste of Minnesota event. The funds will be provided to the Minneapolis Downtown Council to cover specific operational costs, including infrastructure setup, permits, waste management, staffing, security, equipment rentals, signage, and insurance. It directly affects the Minneapolis Downtown Council as the recipient of the grant and the Taste of Minnesota event as the beneficiary. The bill makes no policy changes beyond allocating existing state funds for this specific annual festival.

Maddy summaryHF 1522 modifies Minnesota's definition of "agricultural land" for property tax classification purposes. It specifies that agricultural land must consist of either contiguous acreage of 10+ acres used for farming last year, or land used for intensive livestock/poultry confinement (excluding grazing-only land). This change affects farmers and landowners who qualify for lower tax rates on agricultural property, ensuring only land meeting these criteria receives the reduced 0.5% or 1% classification rate. The bill clarifies how mixed-use parcels (like land with windbreaks or timber) are classified under existing tax categories.

Maddy summaryHF 856 creates a new position for a Common Interest Community Ombudsperson within Minnesota’s Department of Commerce to help resolve disputes between unit owners (like condo or HOA residents) and community associations. The ombudsperson will provide free dispute resolution services, maintain a public website with resources about rights and rules, and compile complaints - without making legal rulings or decisions. The bill classifies all personal data collected by the office as "private" or "nonpublic," requiring individual consent or court order for release. It appropriates funding for the office starting in fiscal year 2026, with the position effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $30.25 million annually from the general fund to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for its Workforce Homeownership Program. The funding supports low-to-moderate income workers in purchasing homes through down payment assistance and other affordability programs. The money will be allocated starting in fiscal year 2026 and continue each year thereafter. This directly affects qualifying workers seeking homeownership and the agency administering the program.

Maddy summaryHF 2913 establishes a new "Disability Rights and Support" special license plate for Minnesota vehicle owners. To obtain the plate, drivers must pay an annual $30 contribution to a dedicated account, in addition to standard registration fees and the special plate fee. The funds collected go to The Arc Minnesota to support disability community services and direct assistance for individuals with disabilities. The plate design must include the phrase "Disability Rights since 1950" and can be transferred between qualifying vehicles owned by the same person. The program takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2910 appropriates $85,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $85,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to provide free voice mail services through Open Access Connections. The funding directly supports homeless and low-income Minnesotans by giving them reliable communication tools to search for affordable housing and maintain jobs. An additional $15,000 annually must expand access to community voice mail services in rural areas outside the seven-county metro region. This bill creates a concrete funding mechanism for a specific service, targeting communication barriers faced by vulnerable residents.

Maddy summaryHF 2550 establishes a new Local Business Construction Impacts Assistance Program to support businesses affected by highway and street construction projects in Minnesota. It requires transportation authorities to appoint business liaisons and create communication plans for projects expected to cause "substantial business impacts" (like reduced access, parking, or visibility for at least one month). The program provides financial assistance to eligible businesses experiencing "extensive business impacts" (impairment for 60+ days) due to covered projects, such as highway work in cities or counties. This bill directly affects local businesses near construction zones and aims to mitigate economic disruption through proactive communication and financial support.

Maddy summaryHF 1993 modifies Minnesota's requirements for substance use disorder (SUD) assessments and treatment provider qualifications. It specifies that comprehensive SUD assessments must be conducted face-to-face within five days (excluding the service initiation day) by qualified staff like alcohol and drug counselors, certain mental health professionals, or licensed nurses with addiction training. The bill also updates qualifications for treatment coordinators, requiring specific training, education, or certification, plus 2,000 hours of supervised experience working with SUD clients. Additionally, it mandates a study and report on limitations in SUD treatment practices. These changes directly affect SUD treatment providers and the clients receiving services under Minnesota's behavioral health system.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $53.165 million for the Minnesota Attorney General’s office in fiscal year 2026 and $52.225 million in 2027 to fund consumer protection work. It establishes a **Consumer Protection Restitution Account** for undistributed funds from consumer enforcement cases, modifies the **Consumer Litigation Account** (capping its balance at $2 million), and creates a **Proceeds of Litigation or Settlement Account** to track recovered funds. The bill requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report by October 15 detailing account balances, disbursements, and recommendations for adjustments. These changes directly affect how the Attorney General’s office manages and reports consumer protection funds, ensuring transparency and proper handling of restitution for harmed consumers.