Rep. Elliott Engen

Maddy summaryHF 2717 increases funding for school safety programs in Minnesota by raising the minimum safe schools revenue for school districts to $100,000 or $44 per student (starting fiscal year 2026), and establishes "safe schools aid" to reimburse districts for safety costs. It expands this funding to cooperative school units (like shared service groups) starting in 2027, appropriating $4.354 million annually for cooperative units. Funds must be used for specific safety purposes including security personnel, mental health services, facility upgrades, violence prevention programs, and cybersecurity. The bill applies to all Minnesota school districts and cooperative units, with most provisions effective for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1037 appropriates $4.75 million from the workforce development fund for a one-time project to renovate and expand the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living facility in St. Paul. The funds will cover acquiring land, predesign, construction, and equipment for the facility to provide expanded services. This directly affects the center’s ability to deliver independent living, vocational, and case management services to people with disabilities across the seven-county metropolitan area. The appropriation is available until the project is completed or abandoned, per state statute.

Maddy summaryHF 2525 establishes a state program to provide free hearing protection products meeting specific safety standards to Minnesota public safety officers. The program, funded by a $2 million appropriation from the general fund for fiscal year 2026, covers eligible peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical providers. Products must have a minimum 25 decibel noise reduction rating and maximum 80 decibel output. Applications are processed in order received while supplies last, with no cost to applicants.

Maddy summaryHF 2387 amends Minnesota Statutes § 124D.118 to establish a program allowing schools to provide free half-pint milk to students who do not participate in the full school lunch program. This directly affects public and nonpublic schools in Minnesota, enabling students to receive milk without needing to take a complete lunch, thereby reducing food waste from uneaten meals. The bill authorizes state reimbursement of 20 cents per milk serving for kindergarten students and up to 50 cents (or USDA rate) for lunch milk, with funding appropriated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Schools must follow commissioner-established guidelines to participate, focusing on daily milk access as a nutritional supplement.

Maddy summaryHF 2949 prohibits Minnesota legislators and executive branch appointees (including commissioners and deputy commissioners) from receiving compensation from any nonprofit organization that receives state grant funding. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add this restriction to existing rules governing private employment for public officials, explicitly covering both current officeholders and former commissioners within one year of leaving their position. Key provisions include banning compensation from nonprofits receiving state grants, regardless of where the work is performed, and requiring legislative committees to enforce these rules. This directly affects state lawmakers and executive appointees who might otherwise work for or receive payment from nonprofits receiving state grants. The policy change aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest between public office and nonprofit grant recipients.

Maddy summaryHF 1053 requires Minnesota school districts to notify families when a student is dropped from the school roll due to 15 or more consecutive absences during the regular school year. Schools must then contact families to encourage reenrollment and provide the student's contact information to the state Department of Education. The Department of Education must subsequently notify families about community resources, the student's right to return to their school, and other accessible educational options. This bill, effective July 1, 2025, directly affects school districts, families of unenrolled students, and the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryHF 2936 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Corrections to seek legislative approval before implementing certain new or amended rules that would cost over $25,000 annually for any jail, lockup, or workhouse to comply with. If the commissioner determines compliance costs exceed this threshold, or if an administrative law judge disapproves that determination, the affected facility can request a temporary exemption until the legislature approves the rule. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add this requirement for legislative review prior to implementation of high-cost correctional rules. This directly affects local correctional facilities by delaying rule implementation until legislative approval is obtained.

Maddy summaryHF 2794 exempts dietary supplements from Minnesota's sales and use tax, which previously applied to them as taxable food items. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 297A.61 to specifically add dietary supplements to the list of items excluded from taxation under the "taxable food" definition. This change directly affects dietary supplement manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who purchase these products. The key mechanism is a targeted tax code amendment that removes dietary supplements from the taxable food category, aligning Minnesota's policy with similar exemptions for other health-related products.

Maddy summaryHF 2880 clarifies that direct primary care agreements - where patients pay a periodic fee directly to a primary care provider for services, instead of using health insurance - are not considered health insurance under Minnesota law. The bill defines these agreements as written contracts meeting specific requirements, including no penalties for early termination, clear service descriptions, and a prominent disclaimer stating the agreement isn’t insurance. It exempts such agreements and providers from health insurance regulations in chapters 60A-72A of Minnesota Statutes. This directly affects patients choosing this payment model and primary care providers offering it, reducing regulatory oversight for these arrangements. The changes take effect for agreements issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $900,000 from the state general fund to cover legal fees and expenses if a court orders the government to pay them in the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi lawsuit (23-CV-02015). The Campaign Finance Board would pay these fees on behalf of all government defendants if a court grants the request. The funds are a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2026, and only trigger if the court awards fees to the plaintiff. It directly affects the government entities involved in the case by providing funding for court-ordered legal costs.