Rep. Zack Stephenson

Maddy summaryHF 398 requires Minnesota government entities handling non-public data to maintain detailed audit trails tracking all actions involving that data. Specifically, it mandates recording the date, identity of users, sources of received data, and recipients of shared data. The audit trails must match the data's classification level and be retained for at least ten years or until the underlying data is destroyed per records policies. This applies to all government entities creating, accessing, changing, or sharing non-public data, effective August 1, 2025. The bill does not override existing audit requirements for specific data types.

Maddy summaryHF 182 appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund planning and construction of an interchange at the intersection of Trunk Highway 610 and East River Road in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The bill authorizes the sale of up to $10 million in state bonds to cover costs for final design, right-of-way acquisition, and the interchange construction itself. This funding directly affects the city of Coon Rapids by enabling improvements to this specific transportation corridor. The legislation specifies that unused funds after the initial planning phase may be redirected to construction with proper notification.

Maddy summaryHF 181 appropriates $10 million in state bond funds for the final design, construction, and improvements of a new interchange at Trunk Highway 610 and East River Road (Anoka County State-Aid Highway 1) in Coon Rapids. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $10 million in bonds to cover these costs, drawing from the trunk highway fund. This funding specifically supports the Coon Rapids interchange project, which directly affects local residents, commuters, and businesses using that highway corridor. The appropriation is in addition to prior funding for the same project approved in 2020 and 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 139) increases annual cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in Minnesota's Public Employees Police and Fire Retirement Plan and State Patrol Retirement Plan. It raises the standard adjustment from 1% to up to 1.5% annually (based on federal Social Security COLA), and shortens the required waiting period from 36 months to 12 months for full benefits. Retirees receiving benefits for less than 12 months will now get a pro-rated increase based on months served. The changes take effect for adjustments starting January 1, 2026, and apply automatically unless retirees opt out in writing.

Maddy summaryHF 248 standardizes local election timing in Minnesota by requiring most cities, towns, and school districts to hold general elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years. Cities of the first class (larger cities) may instead choose to hold elections in either odd- or even-numbered years, but must adopt a transition plan to adjust term lengths for officials during the switch. The bill amends election statutes to clarify these timing rules, mandate orderly transitions for cities changing election years, and requires notification to county auditors and the secretary of state when election dates change. This directly affects local governments and voters in Minnesota communities holding municipal or school board elections.

Maddy summaryHF 266 amends Minnesota law to require the executive director of the Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design to publicly disclose when they initiate or submit a complaint against a licensee. The bill mandates that the board and the person being complained about must be explicitly informed that the complaint originated from the executive director, and all related documents must be shared with the subject of the complaint. This applies to all complaints filed on or after the bill's effective date. The change affects the board, its executive director, and licensed professionals facing complaints.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for landlords in Minnesota who use shared meters to bill tenants for electricity and natural gas in residential buildings. It requires that all submeters installed on or after January 1, 2025, meet specific accuracy standards set by the American National Standards Institute. The law also mandates that landlords must investigate tenant complaints about inaccurate meters and refund any overcharges, while allowing landlords to collect undercharges only for the previous six months. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants for the costs of installing, maintaining, or repairing these meters unless the damage was caused by the tenant's willful or negligent actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for ticket sales in Minnesota to increase transparency and prevent deceptive practices. It requires ticket sellers and online marketplaces to clearly display the total price, including all fees, and to provide buyers with proof of purchase and refund policies within 24 hours. The legislation also prohibits specific behaviors such as selling duplicate tickets, using unauthorized domain names, or bypassing online security measures to buy multiple tickets. The commissioner of commerce is given the authority to request data on how violations occur and to enforce these rules, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis law requires Minnesota to rewrite the written portion of the driver's knowledge test and the driver's manual using clear, plain language by February 1, 2025. The new materials must follow specific writing rules, such as using simple sentences, active voice, and direct address to help test-takers understand traffic laws more easily. A state committee must oversee the creation of these new exams, and the Department of Public Safety is authorized to hire outside experts to help draft the content. By February 1, 2026, officials must submit a report to the legislature detailing the costs, staffing needs, and results of this implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits licensed racetracks in Minnesota from conducting historical horse racing, which is defined as betting on horse races that have already concluded with final results. It amends state statutes to clarify that traditional horse racing involves live or simulcast events with human riders, while explicitly excluding past races and games of chance like slot machines from the definition of legal betting. The law also restricts the state's regulatory commission from using its rulemaking power to approve or expand any form of gambling not expressly authorized for racetracks. Additionally, the bill sets specific limits on card club operations, such as capping the number of tables and wager amounts, and ensures these facilities cannot offer historical horse racing or other unauthorized gambling devices.