Rep. Elliott Engen

Maddy summaryHF 190 requires the Metropolitan Council to publish monthly ridership data for all transit routes (including original funding projections) and quarterly crime statistics broken down by transit mode and crime type. The bill mandates that these reports be posted on the Council's website within 60 days of each month and quarter, with each report remaining accessible for at least five years. This directly affects the Council's reporting obligations and provides the public with transparent, regularly updated information on transit usage and safety. The law does not change transit operations or funding but standardizes data disclosure for accountability.

Maddy summaryHF 1115 adds specific income types as tax subtractions for Minnesota individual income tax filers. It allows taxpayers to subtract overtime pay, tips, bonuses, and winnings from nonprofit gambling organizations from their taxable income. The bill directly affects workers who earn these income types, potentially lowering their state tax burden. All provisions take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 809 prohibits local governments (including cities, counties, and law enforcement agencies) from adopting policies that block enforcement of traffic laws. It states that any local ordinance or policy restricting traffic law enforcement is void. The bill directly affects municipal governments and law enforcement bodies by requiring consistent enforcement of state traffic regulations. This ensures traffic safety rules apply uniformly across Minnesota without local exemptions.

Maddy summaryHF 808 amends Minnesota Statutes section 3.971 to give the legislative auditor new authority to file civil lawsuits or criminal complaints regarding fraud or mismanagement in taxpayer-funded programs. It also grants county attorneys the power to prosecute similar fraud allegations under Minnesota law. The bill specifically adds two new provisions: one allowing the legislative auditor to act directly in court, and another enabling county attorneys to pursue these cases. These changes apply to programs funded by taxpayer money and do not affect other state departments' legal standing. The bill directly affects the legislative auditor and county attorneys in their oversight of government spending.

Maddy summaryHF 136 increases sentencing for specific crimes committed after unlawful deportation or for transnational crime organizations. It adds five years to the maximum sentence for felonies committed by someone deported for a prior felony, or who left the U.S. while a deportation order was pending (with ten years if the victim is a child under 18). The bill also defines "transnational crime organization" to include groups involved in international drug, human, or weapons trafficking, and imposes additional penalties for crimes committed "for the benefit of" such groups. These changes apply to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 892 allows Minnesota parents to opt their children out of school face covering requirements without needing to provide a reason or health documentation. It applies to all public school districts and charter schools that require face coverings on school premises. Schools must permit the opt-out upon parent notification and cannot discipline students or treat them differently for this choice. The law takes effect the day after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryHF 164 exempts tip income from Minnesota's individual income tax and tax withholding requirements. The bill defines "tips" as amounts reported to employers under IRS rules (per Internal Revenue Code sections 6053(a) or 3121(q)) and excludes these amounts from taxable income. This directly affects Minnesota workers who earn tips, such as servers and bartenders, by reducing their taxable income. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 290.0132 and 290.92 to implement this tax exemption.

Maddy summaryHF 328 requires that counties in the seven-county metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington) must vote to approve a regional transportation sales tax in the 2026 election for the tax to continue after 2026. The tax, currently set at 0.75% on retail sales and uses, would only apply in counties where a majority of voters approve it. This bill amends Minnesota law to replace the automatic renewal of the tax with a voter approval requirement, effective January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 332 modifies Minnesota's law on fleeing a peace officer in a vehicle by creating a new felony offense for fleeing while driving in a "culpably negligent manner" that creates an unreasonable risk of death or serious injury to others. This new offense, defined in section 609.487, subdivision 3a, carries a penalty of up to four years in prison or an $8,000 fine. The bill also updates license revocation rules to include this new offense, requiring a minimum four-year license suspension for a first conviction. It directly affects drivers who flee police while operating a vehicle recklessly, endangering public safety. The changes take effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 714 creates an annual sales tax holiday in Minnesota for school supplies and book bags. It exempts qualifying items from sales tax during a seven-day period each July 31 to August 6, including items like notebooks, pencils, binders, and calculators priced at $15 or less per item, and book bags under $60. The tax holiday applies to retail purchases made during this window, effective after June 30, 2025. This directly affects Minnesota families purchasing eligible school supplies during the specified dates.