Rep. Matt Norris

Maddy summaryHF 1348 modifies Minnesota's Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program to change how support workers qualify for an enhanced pay rate. It requires support workers providing services to participants needing 10+ hours daily to meet specific training standards: either complete Medicare-certified home health aide/nursing assistant training, use state-approved alternatives, or receive individualized training from a participant's healthcare provider or responsible party. This change affects CFSS support workers directly, as their eligibility for higher pay rates depends on meeting these updated training requirements. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, or after federal approval, whichever is later.

Maddy summaryHF 1251 appropriates $16.5 million from state bonds to fund construction improvements at the intersection of Trunk Highway 65 and Bunker Lake Boulevard Northeast in Ham Lake, Minnesota. The funding covers engineering, design, land acquisition, and construction of the interchange and associated roads within the state highway system. It requires no local funding contribution and authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $16.5 million to cover these costs. The bill directly affects transportation infrastructure in Ham Lake and Anoka County.

Maddy summaryHF 1142 prohibits landlords and tenant screening services from using software that sets rent based on nonpublic data from competing landlords, such as rent prices or occupancy rates. It also bans tenant screening software that discriminates against protected groups, including race, religion, or gender. Violations can lead to civil lawsuits seeking at least $1,000 per incident, and the law takes effect on August 1, 2025. The bill targets specific software practices while allowing standard rental tools like aggregate market reports.

Maddy summaryHF 1415 increases funding for Minnesota's school unemployment aid program, which provides financial support to hourly school employees who face unemployment between academic terms. The bill appropriates specific additional funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This directly affects hourly school workers, such as those in maintenance or summer programs, who qualify for unemployment aid under existing rules. The change simply adds more money to an existing account without altering eligibility or program structure.

Maddy summaryHF 1177 would remove political party designations from ballots for Minnesota state legislative elections. The bill amends election statutes to require that candidates for state senator and state representative be listed without party labels on both primary and general election ballots. This change applies to all candidates for these offices, meaning voters would see candidate names without party affiliations. The bill takes effect for elections held on or after August 1, 2026. It does not alter voting procedures or party registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 1248 modifies Minnesota's sales tax rules to expand exemptions for construction materials purchased by contractors working on projects for specific public and nonprofit entities. It adds a new exemption category (section 297A.71, subdivision 55) covering materials used in buildings or facilities owned by school districts, local governments, hospitals/nursing homes operated by political subdivisions, public libraries, nonprofits, and certain healthcare providers. Contractors must pay sales tax upfront on these materials but will receive a refund under existing procedures (section 297A.75), effectively eliminating the tax burden for these qualifying projects. The bill takes effect for sales after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 497 appropriates $2.2 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund a statewide housing mediation program run by Community Mediation Minnesota. The program directly serves renters, residential property owners, and homeowners facing housing disputes, including eviction threats. Key provisions require the program to provide free dispute resolution services (like eviction prevention and mediation), increase access for seniors and renters with disabilities, partner with culturally specific organizations, and integrate with legal and resource services. The funding also mandates expanding mediator diversity and evaluating program effectiveness. This bill creates a structured state-funded system to resolve housing conflicts before they reach court.

Maddy summaryHF 776 appropriates $1.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's Family Assets for Independence program. The funding is directed to the commissioner of children, youth, and families to implement the initiative under section 142F.20. This bill provides ongoing financial support for the program but does not change eligibility or program structure. It directly affects the state's administration of the Family Assets for Independence initiative.

Maddy summaryHF 773 prohibits health insurance companies in Minnesota from requiring cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for specific short office visits for infants, children, and adolescents. The bill applies when visits are under 15 minutes and focus on evidence-based preventive care aligned with federal Health Resources and Services Administration guidelines. It also requires insurers to allow providers to bill separately for preventive services delivered during these visits. This directly affects health insurers, pediatric providers, and families seeking routine preventive care for young patients. The law amends Minnesota Statutes section 62Q.46 to add these protections.

Maddy summaryHF 712 modifies Minnesota's transportation efficiency rules by changing how the Department of Transportation (DOT) uses savings from operational efficiencies. It requires that savings generated under Section 174.53 (15% of trunk highway fund appropriations above base amounts) must be redirected to fund trunk highway construction, maintenance, or rehabilitation projects. These funds are specifically directed toward the "corridors of commerce program" outlined in Section 161.088. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to funds reallocated after that date.