Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Maddy summaryHF 2548 creates the Outdoor School for All grant program to fund immersive, multiday outdoor educational experiences for Minnesota students in grades 4-8. The program provides grants to accredited overnight outdoor schools and nonprofit learning centers meeting specific criteria, including research-based curricula, integration with school standards, skill development (like leadership and critical thinking), and accessibility for underserved students. It appropriates $2.5 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund. The bill directly affects public school students and providers offering equitable outdoor education, aiming to address declining outdoor engagement and access disparities.

Maddy summaryHF 1489 appropriates $100 million from state bond proceeds to rehabilitate public housing for low-income residents in Minnesota. The funds, administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, will cover costs for preserving publicly owned, federally financed housing units. Key provisions require prioritizing health, safety, and energy improvements in rehabilitation projects while maximizing federal or local funding. The state will issue up to $100 million in bonds to finance this appropriation, effective upon enactment. This directly supports public housing providers and residents in maintaining safe, affordable housing.

Maddy summaryHF 2060 extends funding for Minnesota's supported-decision-making programs, which help people with disabilities make their own choices with support instead of relying on guardianship. The bill requires the state commissioner to submit an interim report by December 2024 and a final report by December 2026, detailing grant usage, how programs increased supported decision-making, and reduced reliance on more restrictive options like guardianship. It reallocates unspent funds from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2026 for these programs. The bill directly affects organizations providing these services and the people with disabilities who use them.

Maddy summaryHF 2618 requires Minnesota condo associations and homeowners associations (HOAs) to provide plain-language explanations of governing laws to unit owners upon request. The bill mandates that board members review these explanations when elected and share them with owners seeking help understanding their rights or responsibilities. It appropriates funding to create a statewide guide explaining laws governing common interest communities, including key provisions in Minnesota Statutes sections 515B.4-102, 515B.4-1021, and 515B.4-107. The requirements become effective August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2366 appropriates $3.5 million from Minnesota's renewable development account for the city of St. Cloud to fund its Green Hydrogen Project. The funds are specifically designated for integrating a battery system and renewable energy components into the project during fiscal year 2026. This is a one-time payment, not a new policy or ongoing funding mechanism. The bill directly affects St. Cloud's project implementation by providing targeted financial support from existing renewable energy funds.

Maddy summaryHF 2061 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide student loan debt counseling services in Minnesota. The funds are allocated to the Office of Higher Education to implement Minnesota Statutes section 136A.1788, which establishes counseling programs for residents with student loan debt. The bill permits up to 3% of the total appropriation to cover program administration costs. This legislation directly affects Minnesota residents seeking assistance managing their student loan obligations.

Maddy summaryHF 683 allows Minnesota cities and counties to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections, such as mayoral or city council races. It establishes rules for how RCV would work, including counting votes by voter preferences and reallocating votes when candidates are eliminated. The bill permits local jurisdictions to use electronic voting systems that automatically handle vote reallocation, and it appropriates funds for implementation. This bill directly affects local governments choosing to implement RCV and voters in those jurisdictions participating in local elections. It does not change state or federal election rules.

Maddy summaryHF 2707 appropriates $11.125 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to support sexually exploited youth or youth at risk of sexual exploitation under Minnesota Statutes §256K.47. At least $9 million annually must fund street outreach, emergency shelter, regional navigators, and housing services for these youth. The bill directly affects vulnerable youth in Minnesota by providing dedicated funding for critical safe harbor resources and housing support. It establishes concrete funding mechanisms without altering existing statutes or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2520 allocates $9 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the state general fund to the University of Minnesota's Natural Resources Research Institute. The funding supports the "Minnesota Green Iron Initiative," which aims to advance industrial decarbonization through hydrogen technology, renewable energy resources, infrastructure development, and community engagement. This bill directly affects the University of Minnesota's research operations and the state's industrial decarbonization efforts. The appropriation is a concrete budget allocation with no additional policy changes beyond the funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHF 2576 prohibits burning pesticide containers in Minnesota, directly affecting farmers, agricultural workers, and anyone handling pesticide containers. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 18B.07, adding a specific prohibition against disposing of pesticide containers by burning, while requiring disposal to follow existing environmental and federal (FIFRA) guidelines. This law becomes effective January 1, 2026, replacing the previous allowance for burning containers under disposal rules. The change creates a clear legal requirement to avoid burning, aiming to prevent environmental harm from toxic fumes.