Rep. Kristin Bahner

Maddy summaryHF 3455 renames Minnesota's State Office Building at 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in St. Paul as the "Melissa Hortman State Office Building." The bill requires the revisor of statutes to update all official references to the building in Minnesota Statutes and Rules. This is a ceremonial renaming with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or government operations.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's HF 1269 requires health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications for treating dementia, including diagnostic tests to assess treatment effectiveness. It also prohibits health plans from using "step therapy" (requiring patients to try cheaper drugs first) for dementia treatments. The bill modifies prior authorization rules for certain medications, ensuring automatic 60-day coverage for brand-name mental health drugs when generics become available, and streamlines approval for oral liquid drugs used with feeding tubes. These changes apply to health plans offered in Minnesota starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $390,000 in state bonds to fund railroad crossing safety improvements and street reconstruction in Hennepin County and the cities of Medina, Independence, and Loretto. The money will be provided through grants to the commissioner of transportation, who will distribute the funds to design, engineer, and construct the necessary safety upgrades at specified locations. The legislation requires the commissioner of management and budget to sell and issue the state bonds in accordance with existing Minnesota statutes and constitutional provisions. Once enacted, the funding becomes available immediately for the designated transportation projects.

Maddy summaryHF 2689 modifies Minnesota's physical therapy practice rules, primarily affecting licensed physical therapists, their assistants, and students in physical therapy programs. The bill clarifies supervision requirements: physical therapists must have direct patient contact during at least every second treatment session when supervising student physical therapists or student physical therapist assistants, and telecommunications (except within a facility) cannot satisfy "on-site supervision" for students. It repeals outdated sections of the law (148.65, subd. 9 and 148.77) and updates definitions for "physical therapy" and student roles. The bill does not specify the nature of the new criminal penalties mentioned in its title.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Minnesota to receive separate reimbursement for biological products used in cell or gene therapy treatments for rare diseases, effective July 1, 2025. Under the new rules, hospitals must be paid the actual cost of acquiring these biological products when they are administered to patients in an inpatient setting. The requirement applies only if drug manufacturers enter into value-based arrangements with the state commissioner, and the reimbursement rate will be set using the same methodology used for outpatient drug administration. The law amends existing Minnesota statutes to clarify how hospitals should be compensated for these specific medical treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Minnesota's health professional education loan forgiveness program to include physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Under the new provisions, these healthcare workers can receive loan forgiveness if they agree to practice in designated rural areas or underserved urban communities. The legislation amends existing state statutes to formally add these professions to the list of eligible health care professionals who can access this financial assistance. By broadening the program's scope, the bill aims to support workforce development in areas with healthcare shortages while providing debt relief to qualified practitioners.

Maddy summaryHF 362 establishes a state licensing system for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota. It requires practitioners to meet specific educational standards (including minimum contact hours), pass a credentialing exam, and obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Health. The bill defines both practices (e.g., Asian bodywork therapy uses techniques like pressing and stretching based on Chinese medical principles), sets application and renewal fees, and includes criminal penalties for practicing without a license. This directly affects therapists seeking to legally provide these services and ensures they meet standardized training and safety requirements, while also providing funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits corporations and limited liability companies in Minnesota from participating in election activities, which are defined as spending money or resources to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. The law clarifies that these business entities do not have the legal power to engage in such political spending, even if their governing documents or state laws might otherwise imply such authority. Any corporate actions taken that violate this prohibition would be considered unauthorized and could be challenged in court, potentially leading to contracts being set aside. The legislation applies to both domestic and foreign corporations operating in Minnesota and updates multiple state statutes to establish these limitations clearly.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1,602,000 from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Office of the Attorney General. The funding is specifically designated to hire six additional attorneys to support the office's legal operations. The legislation does not change existing laws or procedures but provides financial resources for staffing expansion. It directly affects the Office of the Attorney General by increasing its budget for attorney positions.

Maddy summaryHF 3353 expands personal information protections currently available to Minnesota judges and court staff to also cover state legislators. It defines "covered official" to include current and former lawmakers, protecting their residential addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and children's school names from public posting. The bill requires entities to remove such protected information within 30 days of a valid request, with legal action available for non-compliance. It also creates a 12-member legislative task force (including members from the Legislative Commission on Data Practices and appointed officials) to study and report on privacy protections for all government officials by 2027. The bill appropriates funds for these efforts.