Rep. Matt Norris

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's homestead credit refund program by excluding scholarships, dependent flexible spending accounts, and health flexible spending accounts from the income calculation used to determine eligibility and benefit amounts. The change directly affects Minnesota residents who receive these specific types of payments, as they will no longer count toward their income when calculating their tax credit refund. By removing these items from the income definition, the legislation adjusts how the state determines the amount of refundable tax credit available to qualifying homeowners. The bill amends existing state statutes to align the program's income rules with current federal tax treatment of these financial assistance types.

Maddy summaryHF 3258 repeals two Minnesota statutes (3.226 and 16C.053) that previously prohibited state agencies and the legislature from entering contracts with vendors who discriminate against Israel or businesses operating in Israel. The bill removes the requirement to avoid such vendors, allowing state government to contract with any vendor regardless of their position on Israel-related business practices. This change applies to new contracts published or entered on or after the effective date, which is the day after enactment. The repeal affects all state procurement decisions involving vendors, eliminating the prior restrictions and exemptions for small contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a licensing system for independent verification organizations in Minnesota that assess artificial intelligence systems for safety and risk prevention. It establishes an advisory council and authorizes the Commerce Department to develop rules for how these organizations operate and report their findings. The legislation defines key terms like developers, deployers, and security vendors to clarify who is regulated under the new framework. Organizations seeking to verify AI models must submit detailed plans outlining how they will measure and mitigate risks to prevent harm to people and property.

Maddy summaryHF 3773 establishes Minnesota's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (MNSNAP), a state-funded program to provide food assistance to Minnesotans who would lose federal SNAP benefits due to upcoming federal restrictions. It directly affects vulnerable groups including veterans, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, foster youth aging out of care, new Americans, and working parents who lost jobs. The bill requires counties to conduct face-to-face assessments within 30 days of enrollment to determine eligibility for federal exemptions or support for meeting federal SNAP requirements. Funding of $X for fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to operate MNSNAP, with a moratorium on benefit terminations for those lacking medical or behavioral health assessments after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2461 transfers $10 million from Minnesota's general fund to the housing development fund for one-time use in FY2026. It appropriates $5 million to fund a manufactured home down payment assistance program administered by NeighborWorks Home Partners, helping buyers cover down payments for manufactured homes. Another $5 million funds a program to convert manufactured home parks to cooperative ownership, managed by Northcountry Cooperative Foundation through loans, grants, or subsidies. All converted parks must remain as manufactured home parks for 30 years under a land covenant. The bill directly affects manufactured home buyers and park owners seeking affordable housing options.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's HF 1269 requires health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications for treating dementia, including diagnostic tests to assess treatment effectiveness. It also prohibits health plans from using "step therapy" (requiring patients to try cheaper drugs first) for dementia treatments. The bill modifies prior authorization rules for certain medications, ensuring automatic 60-day coverage for brand-name mental health drugs when generics become available, and streamlines approval for oral liquid drugs used with feeding tubes. These changes apply to health plans offered in Minnesota starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1417 provides $15 million annually in state funding for infrastructure improvements in manufactured home parks across Minnesota, starting in fiscal year 2026. The bill directs the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to offer grants and loans to park owners (including private, cooperative, and municipal operators) for essential infrastructure like water, sewer, and roads. Park owners must apply for these funds under existing law (Minnesota Statutes § 462A.2035), with the agency required to report annually by January 15 on fund usage, including breakdowns by ownership type, average grant/loan amounts, and loan terms. This funding aims to address aging infrastructure in manufactured home communities without altering eligibility or creating new requirements for park residents.

Maddy summaryHF 2372 creates a voluntary "Minnesota Civic Seal" designation for high school students who complete specific civics requirements. To earn the seal, students must complete approved civics coursework, complete a project-based civic assessment, participate in at least one civic activity outside class (like voting in student elections or community service), and demonstrate civic dispositions. School districts may choose to participate but cannot charge students fees, must provide information about the program to all students, and must affix the seal to diplomas and transcripts for qualifying graduates. The program begins for students graduating in 2027 or later, with the Department of Education developing the insignia and guidelines to ensure equitable access for all students.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $2 million from the state's general fund to the Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program for fiscal year 2027, providing additional funding to support loans for new business owners in Minnesota. The legislation allows the commissioner of employment and economic development to allocate up to four percent of these funds for administrative and monitoring costs. This is a one-time transfer intended to expand the program's capacity to offer financial assistance to entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits drug manufacturers from advertising prescription drugs directly to consumers on television. It applies to companies licensed to manufacture prescription medications in Minnesota and prevents them from using TV commercials to promote the sale of these drugs to the public. The law would be enforced by the state attorney general, who could take action against any manufacturer that violates this advertising ban. This measure aims to restrict how prescription medications are marketed through television media without changing other aspects of drug regulation.