Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1 million one-time program to reimburse low-income homeowners for costs related to treating or removing ash trees infested with the emerald ash borer. Eligible local governments (cities, towns with 10,000+ residents, or Minnesota Tribal governments) will receive funds to reimburse homeowners with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty guideline for eligible tree treatment or removal costs incurred since 2020. The commissioner of revenue will distribute funds via a competitive grant program prioritizing areas with high infestation rates, residents' ability to pay, and population size. The funds are allocated for fiscal year 2026, with the Department of Revenue allowed to retain up to 3% for administrative costs.

Maddy summaryHF 2567 bans "stay-or-pay" provisions in Minnesota employment contracts, which require employees to pay employers if they leave before a set period (e.g., for training costs or recruitment fees). The bill prohibits employers from including these clauses as a condition of hiring, enforcing them, or threatening to enforce them. Violations carry fines of $1,000-$5,000 per instance, and affected employees can sue for $5,000 per violation plus damages. The law applies to all employment contracts signed on or after July 1, 2025, directly protecting Minnesota workers and holding employers accountable.

Maddy summaryHF 422 appropriates $10 million for fiscal year 2026 and $10 million for fiscal year 2027 from state funds to support two existing Minnesota programs. The funding directly supports schools and communities by improving safe walking and biking routes to school (under Minnesota Statutes §174.40) and expanding broader active transportation infrastructure like bike lanes and pedestrian paths (under §174.38). This provides concrete financial resources for local projects that make it safer and easier for students and residents to walk or bike. The bill focuses on implementing specific, measurable infrastructure improvements rather than creating new policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2,000,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The funds will be granted to the event organizers to celebrate Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage during the Games, including designing and building a Special Olympics Cauldron. The bill directly affects the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games organizers by providing dedicated funding for cultural programming. The appropriation is specific to fiscal year 2026 and requires no new policy changes beyond the funding allocation.

Maddy summaryHF 2577 modifies Minnesota's agricultural waste handling rules, primarily affecting farms, fertilizer distributors, and entities handling sewage sludge. The bill requires detailed record retention for all sewage sludge transfers - including date, amount, and parties involved - and mandates these records be available to the Department of Agriculture upon request. It also clarifies the Department's role in regulating PFAS-containing fertilizers and prohibits applying fertilizer or sewage sludge to impervious surfaces like driveways or parking lots. These changes aim to improve tracking of waste materials and prevent environmental contamination from improper handling.

Maddy summaryHF 2504 allocates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide student mental health services at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses. The funding enables the Board of Trustees to contract with independent mental health organizations to offer on-campus services at up to five state colleges. This directly affects students at participating Minnesota State campuses by expanding access to mental health support. The bill establishes a specific funding mechanism to address mental health needs without altering existing statutes.

Maddy summaryHF 2625 defines specific conditions under which a missing person is considered "endangered" (such as abduction risk, medical needs, cognitive impairments, or dangerous circumstances), directly affecting law enforcement agencies that determine when to issue public alerts. The bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Public Safety to develop policies and protocols for issuing public alerts about missing and endangered persons, including criteria for alerts, shared information, and geographic scope. It establishes the Public and Local Alert Advisory Board, composed of diverse stakeholders like law enforcement, health officials, and advocacy groups (e.g., Alzheimer's Association, Autism Society), to advise on alert protocols. These changes aim to standardize alert systems across the state while ensuring alerts are issued based on clear, evidence-based criteria.

Maddy summaryHF 2419 requires that life jackets worn by children under 10 years old on Minnesota watercraft must include at least 31 square inches of reflective material on the front, back, and both sides (if reversible), with the material positioned near the shoulder area. This applies to all non-commercial watercraft operators transporting children under 10, excluding commercial vessels and anchored vessels for swimming. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2027, with a grace period until May 1, 2028, during which first violations would only receive safety warnings. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 86B.501 to add this reflective material standard to existing child life jacket rules.

Maddy summaryHF 1171 modifies the mission of Minnesota's Math Corps program to focus on providing elementary and middle school students and teachers with data-driven, evidence-based instructional support for foundational math skills. It requires the program to evaluate and accelerate student learning to meet state math standards and workforce readiness goals. The bill appropriates $2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for 2027 to fund this program, with unused 2026 funds carrying over to 2027. The Department of Education must submit biennial reports to legislative education committees assessing the program's effectiveness. This directly affects K-8 students and teachers in Minnesota public schools receiving Math Corps support.

Maddy summaryHF 107 modifies Minnesota's unemployment insurance rules for workers involved in labor disputes. It specifies that workers participating in or directly affected by a labor dispute can receive benefits until the end of the week the dispute was active, while those not involved are eligible until the dispute began. The bill clarifies that certain situations - like employer safety violations, lockouts, or being fired before a dispute starts - do not make applicants ineligible. This directly affects workers who stop working due to labor conflicts, ensuring they maintain eligibility under defined conditions. The changes amend Minnesota Statutes section 268.085, subdivision 13b.