Rep. Josiah Hill

Maddy summaryHF 3244 modifies funding for trail improvements in Dellwood, Washington County, by adding $2 million in new appropriations for trail projects along White Bear Lake. The bill specifically authorizes funds for the city of Dellwood to design, construct, and equip trail segments between Mahtomedi and Washington County's western border, including land acquisition for easements. It extends the deadline for using these funds from December 2026 to December 2028. The bill amends two prior appropriations (from 2020 and 2023) to combine existing and new funding for these trail improvements. This directly affects Dellwood residents and users of the White Bear Lake shoreline trail system.

Maddy summaryHF 2152 increases state funding for Minnesota's adult basic education programs. It raises the annual state total aid from $52.76 million to $65.17 million for fiscal year 2026, raises the per-contact-hour aid limit from $30 to $36, and fully covers (100%) the cost of commissioner-selected high school equivalency tests (like the GED) for eligible individuals, up to $40 per test. The bill appropriates $375,000 annually for test costs through 2027. These changes directly affect adult education programs statewide and individuals seeking high school equivalency credentials.

Maddy summaryHF 2288 authorizes $210,000 in state funds to the University of Minnesota Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement to conduct a 2026 survey of Minnesota principals. The bill requires the Center to post survey results online, file a report with the legislature by January 15, 2027, and provide it to education committee chairs. This funding directly supports gathering data on Minnesota principals' experiences and challenges. The survey is intended to inform future education policy decisions based on principal input.

Maddy summaryHF 2764 requires Minnesota public schools (including charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program) to offer at least one plant-based meal option daily starting with the 2026-2027 school year. A "plant-based meal" is defined as one without any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish), and schools must provide this option within four weeks of a student's written request. Schools must also make the request process clear to students and parents, comply with federal nutrition standards, and report annually on implementation to the Department of Education. The bill applies to all public schools serving lunches through the National School Lunch Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the age threshold for early retirement reductions in Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association from 62 to 60. It directly affects teachers who retire before normal retirement age but want to avoid reduced benefits. Specifically, members retiring before age 60 will now face the early retirement reduction, whereas previously the reduction applied only for retirement before age 62. The bill also clarifies procedures for delaying postretirement adjustments, though the exact mechanism isn't detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHF 1124 allows Minnesota school districts to begin the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years before Labor Day, which is currently prohibited under state law. This temporary change applies only to those two specific school years and does not alter the standard start date requirement for other years. School districts choosing this option must report their start dates to the education commissioner, who will then compile and submit a list of participating districts to legislators by January 5, 2027. The bill directly affects public school districts in Minnesota for those two school years.

Maddy summaryHF 2065 increases annual state funding for library online databases by $2.9 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill appropriates these funds to the Department of Education to maintain statewide licenses for online research databases. These licenses directly benefit school media centers, public libraries, state government agency libraries, and college/university libraries across Minnesota. The funding ensures continued access to digital resources without requiring additional local spending.

Maddy summaryHF 3154 appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide grants to the Rural Policy and Development Center. The funds are allocated through the commissioner of agriculture under Minnesota Statutes section 116J.421. This bill directly affects the Rural Policy and Development Center by providing dedicated funding for its operations and grant programs in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 2362 appropriates $3 million for fiscal year 2026 and $3 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of children, youth, and families. This funding is designated for existing youth intervention programs under Minnesota Statutes section 142A.43. The bill adds these amounts to the base funding for these programs, providing ongoing support. It directly affects state-administered youth intervention services by increasing their available resources.

Maddy summaryHF 3116 extends the expiration date for two specific caregiver support program appropriations from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2028. The bill modifies existing funding for $2 million in caregiver respite services (under Minn. Stat. § 256.9756) and $2.5 million for caregiver support programs (under Minn. Stat. § 256.9755), both originally set to expire in 2027. This extension gives programs more time to use these funds without requiring new legislative action. The change directly affects caregivers of aging or disabled adults and organizations delivering these services in Minnesota. It does not alter program eligibility or create new funding, only extends the deadline for existing appropriations.