Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Maddy summaryHF 3401 modifies Minnesota law to clarify that firearms are generally prohibited on school property, even for individuals with permits, except for specific authorized groups like active law enforcement or military personnel on duty. The bill establishes new storage requirements for permitted carry, mandating that firearms must be unloaded, secured in a locked container or trunk, and out of plain sight when not actively on duty or participating in authorized activities. These rules apply to school buildings, grounds, buses, and event facilities with posted signs, but exclude active officers and military personnel. The law aims to balance permitted access with safety by ensuring firearms are secured during non-operational periods.

Maddy summaryHF 3480 requires Minnesota to study the economic effects of the federal "Operation Metro Surge" immigration enforcement operation. The bill appropriates funding to contract a nonpartisan entity to quantify impacts on the state, child care providers, businesses, counties, cities, and school districts. The study must be completed and reported to key legislative committees by February 1, 2027. This is a procedural study bill focused on gathering data, not implementing new policy. The bill was introduced in February 2026 with multiple co-authors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota health insurance plans to cover recommended vaccines for routine use without cost-sharing (like deductibles or co-pays) for all patients. It directly affects health insurers, patients seeking routine vaccinations, and healthcare providers administering vaccines. The bill also creates the Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council to develop vaccine schedules for different age groups and recommend updates for school and childcare vaccine requirements. The council will be funded through appropriated state money, and the coverage mandate takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2516 requires Minnesota public school districts and charter schools to adopt cell phone use policies by March 2025, prohibiting phones and smartwatches for K-8 students and restricting them to classrooms for grades 9-12 starting in 2026-2027, with exceptions for medical needs or disability accommodations. The bill appropriates funds for a statewide awareness campaign about screen overuse (2026-2027) and provides one-time grants to schools for implementing the policy, covering only one-time expenses like equipment, not staff salaries. It directly affects all Minnesota K-12 public schools and students, aiming to address concerns about cell phone impacts on behavior and academic performance. The funding mechanisms include specific annual appropriations for campaign costs and school implementation grants.

Maddy summaryHF 3293 creates the Minnesota Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (MCFPB) to enforce consumer financial laws and protect residents from unfair or deceptive practices in banking, lending, and other financial services. The bill establishes a commissioner appointed by the governor to oversee the bureau, which will investigate complaints, monitor financial markets, and enforce anti-discrimination rules in consumer finance. It appropriates funding for the bureau’s operations in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and directs the commissioner to recruit staff with federal CFPB experience. The bureau directly affects Minnesota consumers and financial institutions operating in the state by providing a dedicated enforcement agency for consumer financial protection.

Maddy summaryHF 2500 prohibits health insurance companies (health carriers) in Minnesota from using algorithms or artificial intelligence to approve or deny prior authorization requests for medical treatments. This applies to all health plans offered, sold, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects insurers by requiring human review for these coverage decisions, rather than automated systems. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 62A.59 to explicitly ban AI/algorithm use in this specific process.

Maddy summaryMinnesota bill HF 1855 requires veterans benefits service providers (who charge fees) to be federally accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It prohibits these providers from guaranteeing specific benefits or benefit amounts to veterans or their families. The bill mandates written disclosure statements and fee agreements before services are provided, and establishes civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance. This directly affects veterans seeking assistance with benefits appeals and the service providers offering those services.

Maddy summaryHF 3240 establishes a two-year grant program administered by Minnesota's Department of Health to address outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (like measles) in communities with low vaccination rates. It appropriates funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support community health boards and nonprofit organizations working in these high-risk areas. Grant funds must cover culturally appropriate vaccine education, combating misinformation, and helping individuals access vaccines, with materials provided in primary languages of affected populations. The program directly targets geographic areas or populations experiencing or at risk of outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 2381 establishes new rules for manufactured home parks in Minnesota. It requires park owners to charge uniform rent (with limited exceptions for lot size/location), caps late fees at 8% of rent, and prohibits fees based on family size, home size, or guests. The bill mandates itemized utility billing, requires safety inspections for hazardous trees within 14 days of notice, and requires 60 days' written notice for rent increases. These changes directly affect park residents and owners by standardizing fees, improving transparency, and enhancing safety protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the official title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate" in Minnesota law for licensed professionals. It clarifies that "physician associate," "physician assistant," and "PA" are synonymous terms, with no change to the scope of practice or rights for these professionals. The bill prohibits discrimination in employment, contracts, or healthcare relationships due to this title change and requires state agencies and documents to update all references to the new title. It directly affects licensed physician associates, healthcare facilities, employers, insurers, and government programs that interact with these professionals.