Rep. Kristin Bahner

Maddy summaryHF 219 modifies an existing state appropriation to provide $6 million for the city of Maple Grove to plan, design, and construct an expansion and renovation of its Community Center. The bill directly affects Maple Grove by redirecting funds previously allocated under Laws 2023, chapter 71, to specifically support this community center project. It amends the 2023 law to adjust the funding allocation for the city's community center construction needs. The key provision is the reallocation of $6 million for predesign, design, and construction work on the center's expansion. This is a funding bill with no new policy requirements beyond the specified appropriation.

Maddy summaryHF 160 amends Minnesota's tax increment financing rules to authorize special provisions for the city of Maple Grove. It creates a defined "soil deficiency district" within a specific project area in Maple Grove where soil conditions (like peat, poor terrain, or landfills) require significant preparation before commercial development can occur. The bill requires that at least 80% of the project area's acreage (excluding roads) must meet these soil conditions, and the cost of preparation must exceed the land's fair market value before work begins. This allows Maple Grove to use tax increment financing to fund necessary soil work, directly affecting property owners and developers in the designated area.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the professional dispensing fee for pharmacies in Minnesota from $10.77 to $11.55 for specific prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The change applies to legend drugs, compounded intravenous solutions, and certain over-the-counter medications dispensed in quantities equal to or greater than the manufacturer's original package. The legislation also clarifies how payment rates are calculated based on drug costs, outlines rules for billing long-term care facilities, and sets standards for specialty pharmacy products.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it illegal to advertise a price for goods or services while hiding mandatory fees that consumers must pay. It defines these hidden fees as charges that are unavoidable or that a reasonable person would expect to be included in the total cost, though it excludes government taxes. Businesses must clearly show any additional flat fees or percentages before a customer selects items and again on a subtotal page before checkout. The law includes specific exemptions for motor vehicle dealers, utilities regulated by the state, and certain real estate settlement costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local jurisdictions in Minnesota to choose ranked choice voting for their local elections, where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. It establishes specific rules for how these elections would be conducted, including procedures for counting votes and handling ballots where a candidate is eliminated based on the rankings. The legislation also permits local areas to use electronic voting machines that can automatically reallocate votes to remaining candidates after an initial winner is determined. However, the bill did not pass during the 2024 legislative session and therefore will not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee equal rights and prohibit discrimination for all people. It specifically protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, and sex, with the definition of sex explicitly including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If voters approve the amendment at the 2026 general election, the change will become effective on January 1, 2027. The text also establishes that any state action denying these rights must be the least restrictive way to achieve a very important government goal.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee equality under the law. The amendment would prohibit the state, its cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from denying or abridging rights based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin. If approved by voters at the 2024 general election, the change would take effect on January 1, 2025. The measure is titled the "Equal Rights Amendment" and requires a simple yes or no vote from the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Elections policy and finance bill, provides funding and updates policies related to elections, campaign finance, lobbying, and redistricting in Minnesota. It establishes a new Minnesota Voting Rights Act and modifies laws regarding the use of deep fakes to influence elections, while also adjusting certain notary rules. The legislation appropriates money to the Secretary of State for specific purposes, including grants to improve polling place access for individuals with disabilities and to educate formerly incarcerated individuals about their right to vote. Additionally, it adjusts funding transfers between state accounts to support voting operations and technology resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Equal Access to Broadband Act in Minnesota and updates existing laws to clarify definitions and rules for broadband services and infrastructure. It defines specific terms like "underserved areas" and "last-mile infrastructure" to help identify regions lacking high-speed internet and to distinguish between different parts of the network. The legislation also grants local governments the authority to require broadband providers to obtain a franchise or municipal authorization before placing infrastructure in public rights-of-way. Under this new framework, cities and counties can charge fees to broadband providers to cover costs associated with occupying public space or to generate revenue. Additionally, the bill ensures that various utility companies, including those providing broadband, can continue to use public roads for construction and maintenance without interfering with public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires digital video service providers, such as streaming and satellite companies, to pay a fee to local governments in Minnesota. The fee is set at five percent of the revenue these providers earn from subscribers living within each specific city or county. Providers must submit quarterly reports to local authorities and pay the collected fees directly to them within 45 days of each quarter ending. The money gathered through this fee is intended to support public, educational, and governmental programming channels available to residents. The law specifically excludes traditional cable systems that already pay franchise fees from this new requirement.