Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Maddy summaryHF 3375 modifies Minnesota's disability waiver payment system for certain home-based support services. It changes the calculation method for provider payments to include updated ratios for staffing, administration, and programming costs, and replaces daily hour limits with an annual cap of 2,190 hours per year for "individualized home supports with training" and "individualized home supports with family training." The bill clarifies these limits do not restrict other waiver services or apply to individuals receiving residential support services. It directly affects providers of these specific home support services and their clients, ensuring payment rates reflect current operational costs while setting new usage parameters. The changes take effect January 1, 2027, or upon federal approval.

Maddy summaryHF 3748 appropriates $250 million from the general fund for grants to replace lead service lines in municipal water systems. This funding directly helps water utilities and homeowners affected by lead pipes, which pose health risks. The grants are administered by the Public Facilities Authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 446A.077, and are available until June 30, 2034. The bill provides one-time state funding to accelerate the replacement of hazardous lead pipes in drinking water infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHF 1857 prohibits elective declawing of cats in Minnesota, meaning veterinarians cannot perform surgery to remove a cat's claws for cosmetic or convenience reasons. The bill allows exceptions only for medically necessary procedures addressing infections, injuries, or health issues. Violators face civil penalties: $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,500 for third or subsequent violations. This directly affects veterinarians performing the procedure and cat owners seeking it, while prioritizing animal welfare through enforceable standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies reserve funding requirements for common interest communities in Minnesota, such as condominiums and homeowners associations. It updates the rules for calculating annual reserve budgets to include sustainable energy-saving technology and compliance with energy performance standards, while exempting nonresidential communities from these requirements. The legislation also clarifies that surplus funds can be credited to owners or reserves at the board's discretion and specifies that these rules apply to fiscal years beginning before January 1, 2012.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the possession of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines in Minnesota, affecting current owners and potential buyers of these firearms. It defines banned weapons by listing specific models and including any firearms with certain features like pistol grips, folding stocks, or magazines holding more than ten rounds. The legislation establishes criminal penalties for violating these restrictions and amends existing state statutes to incorporate these new prohibitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal law enforcement officers performing duties in Minnesota to meet the same minimum qualifications as state-licensed peace officers. It specifically mandates that these officers hold an associate's or bachelor's degree and comply with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board's licensure standards. The law applies to officers from agencies such as the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, Secret Service, ATF, DHS, and Postal Inspection Service. Violations of these requirements would be classified as misdemeanors, with repeat offenses treated as gross misdemeanors. The bill amends existing Minnesota statutes to clarify and enforce these qualification standards for federal officers operating within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill legalizes and regulates mobile sports betting in Minnesota by establishing a licensing system for operators, platforms, and suppliers while prohibiting local governments from restricting the activity. The state commissioner would oversee the program, setting rules for fair play, responsible gaming measures, advertising restrictions, and financial reporting to ensure transparency and prevent problem gambling. The legislation also creates a tax on sports betting revenue, provides civil and criminal penalties for violations, and allocates funds for grants to support amateur sports programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's Special Education Teacher Pathway Program to also include related services providers such as school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and speech-language pathologists. It allows school districts and other educational entities to apply for grants to support these professionals in obtaining Tier 3 licensure through partnerships with accredited teacher preparation programs or universities. Grant funds can be used for tuition assistance, stipends, mentoring, licensure test preparation, and recruitment, with priority given to helping those with lower-tier licenses advance to Tier 3 status. The program requires annual reporting on participant numbers and fund usage, and it will become effective on July 1, 2026.

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 summaryThis bill establishes a new vehicle weight surcharge and modifies how passenger automobile registration taxes are calculated in Minnesota. It directly affects vehicle owners by requiring additional fees based on vehicle weight and adjusting tax rates based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price. The key provisions include a tiered weight surcharge schedule that charges more for heavier vehicles, a registration tax calculation that uses a percentage of the vehicle's price that decreases over the vehicle's life, and requirements for dealers and registrars to disclose specific pricing information. The bill also appropriates funds and requires a report, with changes taking effect for registration periods starting on or after January 1, 2027.