Rep. Elliott Engen

Maddy summaryHF 10 prohibits Minnesota state-funded financial assistance, including health coverage and college scholarships, for undocumented noncitizens. The bill explicitly excludes undocumented noncitizens (defined as those residing without U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approval) from MinnesotaCare (state health insurance) and the North Star Promise scholarship program. It amends state statutes to require that these programs deny eligibility to individuals without lawful immigration status. The policy change takes effect upon final enactment, with scholarship eligibility applying to awards beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $238,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $238,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to support the Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program. The funds will help Building Strong Communities connect National Guard members, military reservists, active duty personnel, and veterans to construction industry apprenticeships and career training through the Department of Labor and Industry. The program must not discriminate based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or gender. It directly affects military-connected individuals seeking careers in building and construction trades.

Maddy summaryHF 1873 requires transit agencies to obtain written approval from all affected cities, counties, and towns before requesting federal funds for transit guideway projects. Municipalities must review preliminary and final design plans within 45 days (or 60 days for final changes), and can request specific modifications if disapproving. Cities, counties, or towns may revoke approval at any time before federal funding is secured, triggering a review process similar to initial disapproval. The bill applies to all transit guideways except light rail projects and prohibits federal funding requests until all local approvals are secured.

Maddy summaryHF 810 increases criminal penalties for assaulting firefighters, EMS personnel, and healthcare workers in hospital emergency departments. It amends Minnesota law to upgrade assaults causing demonstrable bodily harm from a gross misdemeanor (max 2 years jail/$4,000 fine) to a felony (max 3 years jail/$6,000 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who assault these emergency responders during their duties or hospital emergency staff providing care. The changes take effect August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 1875 restricts social media access for minors in Minnesota. It prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 14 to create accounts, requiring immediate termination of existing accounts (with a 90-day dispute period) and permanent deletion of personal data. For 14-15 year olds, platforms must obtain parental consent for account creation or maintenance; without consent, accounts must be terminated after 90 days. The bill also requires anonymous age verification for websites deemed harmful to minors, meaning platforms must confirm a user’s age without collecting personal information. These rules apply to platforms meeting specific criteria, including features like infinite scrolling or autoplay.

Maddy summaryHF 1890 establishes a process for filling legislative vacancies in Minnesota when a seat becomes vacant due to a successful election contest based on candidate misconduct. If a contest results in a vacancy, the second-place candidate from the most recent general election for that office automatically takes the seat after three days, provided no election contest is filed within two business days of the vacancy notification. This eliminates the need for a special election in these specific circumstances. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 209.10 and 351.02 to implement this rule, affecting House and Senate vacancies caused by contested election results. It directly impacts legislative offices and the candidates who received the second-highest votes in the prior general election.

Maddy summaryHF 1874 requires a lifetime ban on operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) for drivers who use a CMV to commit specific felony offenses. The ban applies to crimes involving controlled substances (like drug trafficking) or forced labor/human trafficking offenses. This law, effective August 1, 2025, also imposes civil penalties for such violations. It directly affects commercial drivers convicted of these crimes by permanently prohibiting them from operating CMVs.

Maddy summaryHF 17 amends Minnesota's handgun permit law to create lifetime permits for carrying concealed handguns, replacing the previous temporary permits. It also reduces the application fee for these permits, capping it at $100 or the actual processing cost (whichever is lower), with $10 of each fee deposited into the general fund. The bill maintains existing requirements, including proof of firearm safety training (via certified courses or peace officer employment) and in-person application submissions with specific documents like training certificates and photo ID. This directly affects Minnesotans seeking or renewing concealed carry permits, streamlining the process by eliminating renewal fees and duration limits.

Maddy summaryHF 1786 amends Minnesota law to allow cities to issue on-sale liquor licenses to licensed cosmetology salons. This change directly affects cosmetology salons that already hold valid state licenses under section 155A.29, enabling them to serve alcohol on-site. The bill adds cosmetology salons to the list of approved establishments (previously including hotels, restaurants, and clubs) eligible for such licenses. The amendment modifies Minnesota Statutes section 340A.404, subdivision 1, and takes effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's renewable energy standards by expanding which hydroelectric projects count toward clean energy goals (including facilities over 100 megawatts if operating since 2023). It allows electric utilities to request delays in meeting renewable, solar, or carbon-free energy requirements if the commission determines it serves the public interest, considering factors like cost impacts and system reliability. The bill also expands sales tax exemptions for residential heating fuels and electricity, and prohibits demolition of fossil-fuel power plants under specific conditions. Additional provisions include supporting carbon capture technology and removing barriers to new nuclear power plants.