Rep. Matt Norris

Maddy summaryHF 1842 authorizes sports betting and fantasy contests in Minnesota while establishing licensing requirements for operators and prohibiting local governments from banning these activities. The bill creates a tax system for sports betting and fantasy contests, requires operators to obtain state licenses, and includes specific rules for mobile betting applications and in-game wagers. It clarifies that standard fantasy sports contests (based on real athlete performance) are permitted, but esports events must meet additional criteria. The legislation also updates tax rates for pari-mutuel horse racing and requires reports on gambling revenue, affecting operators, tribal casinos, and residents aged 21+ who place bets.

Maddy summaryHF 1605 limits rent increases for senior housing projects in Minnesota that receive federal low-income housing tax credits. It applies to units restricted to seniors under Minnesota law and receiving tax credits under federal Section 42. The bill restricts annual rent increases to the greater of: (1) the previous year's Social Security COLA minus 1%, or (2) zero percent. This directly affects low-income senior tenants in these specific federally subsidized housing projects by capping rent hikes. The law amends Minnesota Statutes section 462A.222 to add this rent limitation provision.

Maddy summaryHF 1095 requires Minnesota's human services commissioner to amend state waiver plans by December 2025 to allow providers of individualized home supports to bill for specific indirect services. These services include coordinating transportation, health care appointments, legal support, employment maintenance, basic needs access, independent living arrangements, and crisis management - without requiring direct recipient contact. The bill directly affects home support providers serving individuals who need assistance with daily living. It takes effect July 1, 2025, pending federal approval of the waiver plan changes.

Maddy summaryHF 1727 modifies Minnesota's requirements for providing cause of death information when medical examiners or coroners decline jurisdiction for deaths deemed natural. It specifies that physicians present at death, those who treated the deceased, or physicians with direct knowledge and medical records access must provide this information. If no such physician is available, a treating physician has 72 hours to complete the requirement after notification. The bill also allows medical examiners/coroners to provide the information themselves if physicians refuse or miss the deadline, and recover associated costs from the refusing physician or their employer. This directly affects medical examiners, coroners, physicians, and healthcare facilities handling death certifications.

Maddy summaryHF 1006 allows Minnesota local governments to grant property tax abatements (temporary tax reductions) specifically for land bank organizations holding vacant, blighted, or foreclosed properties. It directly affects land banks - defined as nonprofits or affiliated LLCs managing such properties for future development - by adding "allowing the property to be held by a land bank organization for future development" as a valid reason for tax abatements under state law. The bill amends tax statutes to require that abatements for land bank properties last no longer than five years. This change aims to support land banks in stabilizing neighborhoods and preparing properties for redevelopment without long-term tax revenue loss for communities.

Maddy summaryHF 1359 increases funding for solid waste management by changing how fees collected from waste management are allocated. Starting in 2026, 7% of these fees will go to a resource management account (rising to 20% in 2027 and 30% after 2028), instead of the general fund. The funds must be distributed to counties for waste management programs under state law. This directly affects counties receiving these allocations and changes the percentage of fees dedicated to environmental resource management over time. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1632 creates a tax subtraction for Minnesota taxpayers who receive pension income from U.S. Foreign Service retirement (under federal law). It directly affects Minnesota residents who served in the U.S. Foreign Service and now receive federal pension payments. The bill allows these taxpayers to reduce their Minnesota taxable income by a percentage calculated as (years of foreign service ÷ total civil service years) multiplied by their pension amount. This change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 981 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Commissioner of Health. This funding is directed to the nonprofit organization "Change the Outcome" to implement opioid prevention and education programs. The bill requires these programs to provide data-driven school and community education on opioid dangers, prevention strategies, overdose recognition, emerging drug trends (like fentanyl and xylazine), and access to substance use disorder support resources. The primary beneficiaries are Minnesota middle and high school students, communities, and individuals struggling with substance use disorders.

Maddy summaryHF 504 requires Minnesota's commissioner of health to establish a school-based telehealth program providing mental and physical health care to students through remote visits. The program will be run by a single telehealth provider selected via competitive bidding, with participating school districts (public and charter schools) required to offer services free of charge to all enrolled students, including waiving costs for uninsured students. Funding includes up to $22 per student annually, one-time setup costs, and program evaluation, with school districts prohibited from using the service to replace existing school health staff like nurses or counselors. The program mandates annual reports on student access to health care, starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 1566 requires landlords in Minnesota to make reasonable safety modifications for tenants with children who have autism, specifically when hazards like lakes, rivers, or other water bodies are near rental properties. Tenants must request these accommodations, and landlords can ask for documentation unless the child's condition is obvious. Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants making such requests and must adjust policies or property features to protect the child, unless the change would fundamentally alter the property. This bill directly affects tenants with autistic children and their landlords in rental housing.