Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Maddy summaryHF 3614 amends Minnesota's Human Rights Act to address discriminatory effects in practices, not just intentional discrimination. It establishes that policies causing a "disparate impact" on protected groups (like race or gender) are prohibited, even without intent. Key changes include allowing claims based on group-level effects without identifying specific policies, and explicitly covering AI systems that produce discriminatory outcomes. This directly affects employers, housing providers, and organizations using AI in decision-making. The bill shifts focus to measurable impacts rather than proving discriminatory intent.

Maddy summaryHF 3635 establishes Minnesota's participation in an interstate compact to simplify teacher licensure across state lines. The bill creates a framework allowing teachers from member states to more easily obtain licensure in Minnesota, directly affecting educators seeking to relocate and military spouses needing to move with service members. Key provisions include sharing licensure and disciplinary information between states, removing barriers to employment, and maintaining state-specific licensing authority. This compact does not change Minnesota's current licensure rules but provides a standardized process for out-of-state teachers to gain authorization to teach in Minnesota public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill reenacts Minnesota's 2024 law making it a crime to transfer firearms to ineligible people (such as those with certain criminal records or protective orders) and removes a legal defense that previously allowed family or household members to avoid charges if they transferred under threat. It specifically repeals Minnesota Statutes §624.7141, subdivision 4, which had permitted a defense based on coercion by family members. The law applies to all firearm transfers to prohibited individuals, eliminating the exception for family/household member transfers. The changes take effect after enactment but apply retroactively to August 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 3362 requires property managers of apartment buildings, dorms, nursing homes, and similar multiple-unit housing to grant access to current elected officials and candidates for office who meet specific campaign filing requirements (e.g., organized committees, filed financial reports, or candidacy affidavits). Access is limited to the official’s district or the candidate’s target election area, must occur between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and is restricted to campaign or official work (not general visits). Exceptions include denying entry to individual units, requiring ID, health-related restrictions in nursing homes, and limiting visits to reasonable hours or numbers. Property owners are encouraged to notify residents when officials or candidates plan to visit.

Maddy summaryHF 3628 appropriates $30 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at the Minnesota Zoo. The Minnesota Zoological Board will use these funds for asset preservation, including replacing outdated buildings, renovating trails and roads, and upgrading animal exhibits to meet modern welfare standards and safety requirements. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $30 million in bonds under Minnesota statutes to cover these costs, with funds to be spent per specific guidelines in Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.307. This legislation directly affects the zoo's infrastructure and operations, focusing on physical facility upgrades rather than operational funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords from including minor children's names in rental agreements or eviction lawsuits. It directly affects families renting housing, ensuring children's personal information isn't listed as tenants or defendants. Landlords cannot list minor children as lease parties or eviction defendants unless the minor is the sole renter. Violations allow tenants to recover treble damages (up to three times actual costs) or $1,000, plus legal fees. The law takes effect August 1, 2026, for new or renewed leases.

Maddy summaryHF 3660 establishes a Teacher Microcredential Task Force to study how specialized teaching certifications (microcredentials) could support educators and address workforce needs, particularly in special education. The task force, composed of teachers, education leaders, and board representatives, must review current licensure processes, identify implementation needs, and submit recommendations to the legislature by February 1, 2027. The bill appropriates funds to cover the task force’s operations, with meetings scheduled to begin by October 2026. It directly affects Minnesota teachers, school districts, and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board by setting a framework for evaluating microcredentials as a potential tool for professional development and staffing. The legislation focuses on factual processes, not outcomes, and expires upon report submission or February 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3430 imposes new annual registration surcharges on all-electric vehicles ($100 starting in 2027) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ($50 starting in 2027), replacing previous calculation methods. It also creates a weight-based surcharge for passenger vehicles: 7% for vehicles weighing 5,000-5,999 pounds and 10% for heavier vehicles (6,000+ pounds), applied to existing registration taxes. These surcharges apply to registrations beginning January 1, 2027, and revenue must fund highway maintenance. The bill directly affects owners of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and heavier passenger vehicles through updated registration costs.

Maddy summaryHF 1816 establishes the Office of Animal Protection within Minnesota's Department of Public Safety to address animal cruelty more systematically. The office will coordinate investigations, prosecutions, forensic veterinary services, and public education on animal cruelty, while collecting statewide data on such cases. It also expands Minnesota's definition of "crime of violence" to include animal cruelty offenses. The bill appropriates funding for the office and requires an annual report on its operations to the legislature. This affects state agencies, law enforcement, and communities by creating a centralized approach to animal cruelty prevention and enforcement.

Maddy summaryHF 2016 modifies Minnesota's general education funding to include safe schools aid for charter schools. The bill adds $36 per adjusted pupil unit for charter schools, calculated annually, to be reserved exclusively for school safety purposes defined in state law (section 126C.44, subdivision 4). This funding is integrated into the existing general education revenue calculation for charter schools, which previously received funding as though they were school districts. The change directly affects all public charter schools operating in Minnesota by providing dedicated safety funding aligned with district-level practices. It does not alter overall funding formulas but specifies a new, targeted use for a portion of existing revenue.