Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Maddy summaryHF 3793 requires large groundwater users (those exceeding 100 million gallons annually or 50% of a municipality's current water allocation) to apply for their own water-use permits instead of modifying existing municipal permits. This affects industrial and commercial entities, including data centers, whose water use meets these thresholds. Key provisions include mandatory public comment periods for new permits, potential aquifer testing, and monthly reporting for threshold users - compared to annual reporting for smaller users. The bill aims to strengthen oversight of significant groundwater withdrawals while ensuring public input and watershed protection.

Maddy summaryHF 2380 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in services, programs, or activities receiving state funding in Minnesota. It directly affects public and private entities (like schools, hospitals, and businesses) that receive state money. The bill requires these entities to provide reasonable accommodations and bans exclusion or denial of benefits due to disability. It also specifically prohibits businesses from banning service animals or charging extra fees for them, defining "disability" broadly to include conditions substantially limiting major life activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund in Minnesota to address climate change impacts. It establishes a program that requires fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and 2026 to pay into a dedicated account. The collected funds will be used to finance climate change adaptation projects for state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as for disadvantaged communities. The bill defines specific terms like "responsible party" and "covered greenhouse gas emissions" to determine which companies must contribute and what types of projects can receive funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates thermal energy networks as public improvements and waterworks, allowing municipalities in Minnesota to acquire, construct, and maintain these systems alongside existing utilities like water and sewer infrastructure. The legislation amends state statutes to explicitly include thermal energy networks in the list of authorized municipal projects, enabling local governments to build and operate district heating systems as part of their public works responsibilities. By reclassifying these networks under existing legal frameworks for waterworks and public improvements, the bill provides municipalities with the authority to plan, fund, and manage thermal energy distribution without requiring new legislative approvals for each project.

Maddy summarySF 1750 modifies Minnesota laws governing common interest communities (like homeowners associations). It bans property managers from having financial ties to contractors without written disclosure, prohibits accepting kickbacks from contractors, and stops them from earning fees based on collected fines. The bill also limits automatic contract renewals (requiring 30 days' notice for nonrenewal) and mandates 60 days' notice for termination. These changes directly affect homeowners associations and their property management companies operating under Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a previous requirement that reduced special education funding by $250 million starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The legislation directly affects the state's education finance system and the Department of Education by removing the mandate to cut special education aid appropriations. Under this bill, the commissioner of management and budget will no longer be required to assume the $250 million reduction when preparing state revenue forecasts, and the commissioner of education will not need to adjust the special education cross subsidy aid factor to make up any shortfall. The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, restoring the previous funding structure for special education aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota municipalities from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information about projects funded with public money. It directly affects local governments, including cities, counties, school districts, and other political subdivisions that manage public funds. The law makes any such restrictive contracts automatically unenforceable and requires municipalities to publicly disclose any agreements that violate this rule. The provision specifically covers projects involving land development, economic initiatives, tax revenues, bonds, and other debt obligations.

Maddy summaryHF 3093 requires state agencies to verify that organizations receiving state loans or grants over $50,000 meet specific financial and operational standards before funding is approved. It mandates applicants to submit an oath certifying compliance with minimum requirements (Section 16C.285), and agencies must conduct a risk assessment reviewing past performance, financial documents (like tax returns or Form 990), good standing with the Secretary of State, and certification that principals have no recent felony financial convictions. This applies to both nonprofit and for-profit recipients of state funds exceeding $50,000. The bill adds these verification steps to existing state funding processes without creating new funding or altering eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Department of Transportation to study and implement suicide prevention barriers (like nets or physical structures) for new bridge construction and major reconstructions. It mandates a study by January 2026 to identify high-risk bridges, evaluate barrier options, assess costs, and develop implementation criteria, with input from health, safety, and nonprofit organizations. The department must begin requiring these barriers in bridge projects starting January 2026, report annually on progress, and has $750,000 allocated for study and planning in fiscal year 2026. The policy directly affects all major bridge projects managed by the state transportation department.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover cancer screenings for breast, colorectal, prostate, cervical, and lung cancers in accordance with current American Cancer Society guidelines. The law mandates that these plans provide coverage for all recommended examinations and follow-up tests without imposing any cost-sharing requirements, such as co-pays, deductibles, or coinsurance. Effective January 1, 2027, the provisions will apply to any health plan that is offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.