Rep. Matt Norris

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's property tax refund program for taxes payable in 2026. It requires the refund calculation to use an eight percent threshold instead of the current twelve percent threshold, which would increase refund amounts for eligible property owners. The change applies only to property taxes due in 2026 and does not affect refunds for other tax years. The legislation is limited to a one-time expansion and does not create permanent changes to the refund system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers of emotional support dogs to provide written notice to buyers stating that the dog is not a service animal and does not have the special training required for service dogs. The notice must be printed in bold 12-point type and included on the purchase receipt or a separate document, informing buyers that the dog is not entitled to the legal rights and privileges granted to service animals. Additionally, the bill increases criminal penalties for intentionally misrepresenting an emotional support dog as a service dog, raising the offense from a petty misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor for repeat violations. These changes apply to all sales of emotional support dogs and take effect on August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2590 establishes a new licensure requirement for clinical art therapists in Minnesota, requiring them to meet specific education and training standards to practice. The bill modifies the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy by adding five licensed clinical art therapists to its 18-member board and sets annual fees for licensure, with civil penalties for violations. It also appropriates funding to support the board's operations and includes definitions for clinical art therapy, which uses art-based techniques to address mental health needs like trauma, emotional disorders, and cognitive challenges. This bill directly affects clinical art therapists seeking licensure, the board overseeing the profession, and their clients who receive these services.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill creates a temporary income tax credit for residents and businesses that purchase and install solar energy systems, such as photovoltaic panels or solar water heaters. The credit allows taxpayers to reduce their state income tax liability by a percentage of their system's cost, with the percentage decreasing from 15% to 11% between 2025 and 2029, and caps the credit at $2,500 for homes and $15,000 for businesses. If the credit exceeds a taxpayer's tax bill, the state will refund the difference using funds from the general fund. The program is set to expire on January 1, 2029, and applies to systems installed during specific taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires emergency restoration professionals and companies in Minnesota to obtain state licenses starting January 1, 2028, to perform work related to water, fire, smoke, or other sudden building damage. Licensed individuals must hold current certifications from recognized organizations like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification and follow industry standards for water and fire damage restoration. The bill also establishes licensing fees, creates enforcement mechanisms, and allows the state health commissioner to set rules, while exempting employees working under direct supervision of licensed professionals and those performing routine construction or cleaning unrelated to disaster damage.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits how much healthcare providers can charge patients when a health insurance company denies coverage for a service that should be covered under the patient's plan. Under the new rule, providers can only charge patients up to the agreed-upon negotiated rate plus an additional 20 percent for these denied services. Any amount patients pay toward these charges will count toward their insurance deductible. The bill does not require health plans to cover out-of-network providers or services not included in their plan, and it defines the negotiated rate as the amount providers and insurance companies have already agreed to in their contracts.

Maddy summaryHF 3657 establishes a task force to study property tax relief for primary homes (homestead properties) in Minnesota. The task force, composed of legislators, local government representatives, and tax officials, must analyze how current tax policies affect homeowners, compare tax burdens over time, and explore options for reducing property taxes with minimal impact on state funding. It will focus specifically on residential properties classified as homesteads under state law, including homes and adjacent land. The task force must submit its recommendations to the legislature by February 1, 2027, but cannot directly change tax rates. This is a study bill, not a tax law change.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Minnesota's Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, raising the annual appropriation from $10.27 million to $45.27 million. The additional funds will be used to reduce homelessness risks and improve program effectiveness, with a portion designated for the housing development fund. The legislation also grants agencies flexibility in awarding grants to existing grantees and allows new grantees in certain areas to work with advisory committees or local care systems without meeting specific statutory requirements. These changes take effect immediately and establish a future funding base of $10.72 million starting in fiscal year 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new legal right in Minnesota allowing individuals to sue if their name, likeness, or voice is used for commercial purposes without their permission. It defines likeness as any recognizable image of a person and voice as any sound that identifies a specific individual, covering both recorded and computer-generated versions. The law permits people to sell or license these rights and allows lawsuits to continue for up to 70 years after death if the person's identity was used commercially during that time. Courts can award damages for financial losses, profits made from the unauthorized use, and attorney fees, with triple damages available if the misuse was intentional. The bill includes exceptions for news reporting, criticism, satire, and other First Amendment-protected uses, ensuring free speech rights remain intact.

Maddy summaryHF 3697 modifies Minnesota's tax refund filing deadline, shortening the standard window from 3.5 years to 2 years for most taxpayers. The bill requires claims for overpaid state taxes to be filed within two years of when the tax, penalties, or interest was paid, instead of the previous 3.5-year period. This change directly affects individual and business taxpayers seeking refunds for overpaid Minnesota state taxes, limiting the refund amount to taxes paid within the two-year period preceding the claim. The amendment applies to all refund claims filed on or after the bill's effective date.