Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Maddy summaryHF 1637 establishes a Minnesota pilot program to reduce trauma from gun violence by funding community-based services. It directs the state health commissioner to provide grants to organizations offering healing services, train community "trauma navigators" to help families access resources like housing and mental health care after gun violence, and develop culturally appropriate education campaigns. The bill appropriates $5 million for the program through fiscal year 2028 and requires a progress report by February 1, 2027, to health and public safety committees. This program directly affects communities and families impacted by gun violence, focusing on trauma support rather than criminal justice measures.

Maddy summaryHF 34, the "Fair Competition Act," regulates monopolies and monopsonies (when one buyer dominates a market) in Minnesota. It prohibits businesses from using monopoly or monopsony power to control prices, fix rates, or exclude competition, and bans price discrimination. The law applies to businesses operating in Minnesota or affecting Minnesota commerce, with civil penalties up to $5 million for large corporations per violation. Enforcement is provided through the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and criminal penalties apply for willful violations of price-fixing or collusion provisions. The bill amends existing antitrust statutes (Minnesota Statutes 325D.49-325D.66) to add these specific prohibitions and penalty structures.

Maddy summaryHF 1605 limits rent increases for senior housing projects in Minnesota that receive federal low-income housing tax credits. It applies to units restricted to seniors under Minnesota law and receiving tax credits under federal Section 42. The bill restricts annual rent increases to the greater of: (1) the previous year's Social Security COLA minus 1%, or (2) zero percent. This directly affects low-income senior tenants in these specific federally subsidized housing projects by capping rent hikes. The law amends Minnesota Statutes section 462A.222 to add this rent limitation provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for career and technical education (CTE) programs in Minnesota school districts by raising the reimbursement rate from 35% to 50% of eligible program costs. It establishes new annual funding caps ($17.85 million for 2012, $15.52 million for 2013, $20.66 million for 2014) and creates a revenue guarantee ensuring districts receive at least the previous year's funding or 100% of approved costs. For fiscal year 2026 and later, it sets a fixed $46.46 million annual funding target for CTE programs. The bill directly affects school districts operating approved CTE programs, ensuring stable funding for staff salaries, instructional supplies, and program development.

Maddy summaryHF 1473 modifies a $26 million state appropriation for Hennepin County to build a new anaerobic digestion recycling facility in Brooklyn Park. The bill requires Hennepin County to submit a plan for closing the existing Hennepin Energy Recovery Center before funds can be used, and specifies that the project includes demolishing the County Sheriff's facility on the site. This funding covers predesign, construction, and equipment for the new recycling recovery facility. The bill directly affects Hennepin County and residents of Brooklyn Park through the facility's development and the transition from the old recovery center.

Maddy summaryHF 1566 requires landlords in Minnesota to make reasonable safety modifications for tenants with children who have autism, specifically when hazards like lakes, rivers, or other water bodies are near rental properties. Tenants must request these accommodations, and landlords can ask for documentation unless the child's condition is obvious. Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants making such requests and must adjust policies or property features to protect the child, unless the change would fundamentally alter the property. This bill directly affects tenants with autistic children and their landlords in rental housing.

Maddy summaryHF 1550 allows Minnesota school districts to renew expiring capital projects referendums through a school board resolution instead of holding a new voter election, under specific conditions. It directly affects school districts with referendums nearing expiration that meet all renewal requirements. Key provisions require the renewal amount to match the expiring referendum, the renewal term to be no longer than the original term, and the board to hold a public hearing with a recorded vote before adopting a written resolution. The resolution must be submitted to the commissioner and county auditor by September 1, and cannot be used if the referendum was previously renewed via board action. This streamlines renewal for districts with unchanged project funding needs.

Maddy summaryHF 1385 appropriates funds from the general fund for a statewide tenant education and hotline service in Minnesota. The bill allocates unspecified amounts for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to provide all Minnesota renters with free, confidential legal advice through a hotline and educational resources. The service will be administered by the Housing Finance Agency. This funding directly supports renters seeking assistance with housing rights and legal questions.

Maddy summaryHF 421 prohibits Minnesota public and private higher education institutions from giving preferential treatment in admissions based on a student's "legacy status" (having a family member who attended the institution) or a family's donor relationship with the school. The bill directly affects all colleges and universities in Minnesota that consider such factors during admissions decisions. Key provisions explicitly ban admissions decisions influenced by legacy ties or donor connections, requiring institutions to evaluate applicants solely on standard criteria. The University of Minnesota Board of Regents is specifically requested to comply with this prohibition. This bill aims to eliminate preferential admissions practices tied to family connections or financial contributions.

Maddy summaryHF 420 establishes a refund program for beverage containers in Minnesota, requiring retailers to offer refunds of 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or smaller and 15 cents for larger containers. This directly affects consumers (who receive refunds when returning containers), beverage producers (who fund the program via fees), and retailers (who must allow redemption mechanisms). The bill creates a "distributor and importer responsibility organization" to manage the program, set redemption targets (85% rate required), and handle unclaimed refunds for administrative costs. It also includes civil/criminal penalties for non-compliance and mandates annual reporting on redemption rates.