Rep. Kristin Bahner

Maddy summaryHF 1415 increases funding for Minnesota's school unemployment aid program, which provides financial support to hourly school employees who face unemployment between academic terms. The bill appropriates specific additional funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This directly affects hourly school workers, such as those in maintenance or summer programs, who qualify for unemployment aid under existing rules. The change simply adds more money to an existing account without altering eligibility or program structure.

Maddy summaryHF 1127 exempts sales and use tax on construction materials purchased for the Maple Grove Community Center. It applies to materials bought between April 1, 2024, and June 1, 2029, covering construction, renovation, or remodeling of the facility. The tax is collected normally but then refunded through the same process used for other qualifying projects under Minnesota law. This directly benefits Maple Grove by reducing costs for the community center project. The exemption is retroactive to March 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 1104 modifies Minnesota's definition of "retail delivery" for tax purposes. It clarifies that retail delivery includes tangible goods sold in Minnesota (excluding diapers and cloth), but excludes in-store pickups or curbside delivery. The bill repeals an outdated definition of "clothing" from existing law, as it is no longer needed. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, and directly affect retailers shipping goods within Minnesota. The bill focuses on defining what triggers the retail delivery fee, not altering the fee amount itself.

Maddy summaryHF 1103 modifies Minnesota's medication repository program to improve how unused drugs and medical supplies are accepted, stored, and distributed. It sets specific eligibility rules for donations, requiring drugs to have at least six months remaining until expiration, be unopened in original packaging, and not be controlled substances. The bill also mandates that repositories verify donor information, inspect all donations with a pharmacist, and maintain detailed electronic inventories of accepted items. Additionally, repositories may now purchase drugs from licensed wholesalers when donations are insufficient to fill patient prescriptions. This directly affects medication repositories, donors (like pharmacies and manufacturers), and patients receiving donated medications.

Maddy summaryHF 1125 appropriates $12.3 million from the trunk highway fund for the reconstruction project at the U.S. Highway 169 and Hennepin County State-Aid Highway 130 interchange in Maple Grove. The funding covers predesign, right-of-way acquisition, design, engineering, and construction of capacity and safety improvements. This one-time appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, and does not require a nonstate match. The bill directly affects the Maple Grove area by providing resources for this specific infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHF 140 establishes a Minnesota state-funded grant program to help counties and cities improve cybersecurity. It appropriates $20 million for fiscal year 2026 to provide grants covering up to $25,000 per project (with supplemental grants for larger needs up to $1 million total per jurisdiction) for eligible cybersecurity expenses like software, hardware, data backups, and professional services. Local governments lacking resources to access other cybersecurity programs can apply, with grants prioritized based on risk reduction, critical infrastructure protection, and geographic equity. The commissioner must annually report grant details - including recipient, amount, and use - to the legislature by January 15 each year.

Maddy summaryHF 778 appropriates $26 million in state bond funds to the city of Plymouth for public infrastructure improvements in its City Center area (bounded by Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55). The funding covers specific projects including stormwater management, a new public parking ramp, reconstruction of Plymouth Boulevard, and expansion of the Plymouth Ice Center with associated road changes. The state will issue bonds up to $26 million to finance this appropriation, following standard state bond procedures. This bill directly affects Plymouth residents and city officials through these targeted infrastructure upgrades.

Maddy summaryHF 501 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee equal rights under Minnesota law and prohibit state discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex - including pregnancy decisions, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If approved by voters in 2026, it would add a new section to the Minnesota Constitution requiring state actions to use the least restrictive means to achieve compelling government interests. The amendment would directly apply to all Minnesotans and state agencies, ensuring equal protection in all state laws and programs. It requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the question asking whether the state constitution should include these equal rights protections.

Maddy summaryHF 262 prohibits employers from paying people with disabilities less than the state minimum wage, effective August 1, 2025 for new hires and August 1, 2027 for all current employees, ending the use of federal or state special certificates that allow subminimum wages. It requires providers of home and community-based services to report data on individuals currently paid subminimum wages by August 1, 2027, including personal details and employment metrics. The bill appropriates $38,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2027 to enhance the MnCHOICES system with employment-related resources. These changes directly affect employers, service providers, and people with disabilities working in supported employment programs across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 37 proposes adding a new constitutional guarantee to Minnesota's state constitution, stating that "Elections shall be free, fair, and equal. No civil or military power shall, at any time, interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting all Minnesotans participating in elections by establishing this fundamental principle. The bill specifies the exact wording for the constitutional amendment and the ballot question voters would see. It does not create new election procedures but enshrines this standard into the state constitution.