Rep. Samantha Vang

Maddy summaryHF 265, also known as "Brent's Law," requires Minnesota 911 call centers to identify mental health crisis calls and prioritize mental health crisis teams as primary responders when available. It mandates that 911 telecommunicators receive specific training or mental health staff screen calls to recognize crises, and establishes protocols for public safety answering points to comply. The bill also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals or families harmed by violations, allowing claims for damages, attorney fees, and up to $15,000 in punitive damages for willful violations. This directly affects all Minnesota public safety answering points and the government entities operating them.

Maddy summaryHF 1069 appropriates $1.5 million from state bonds to fund the planning, design, and engineering of a new public works maintenance facility in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. The city of Brooklyn Center directly receives this grant through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $1.5 million in bonds under existing bond laws to cover this specific project. This is a straightforward funding measure for municipal infrastructure, not a policy change affecting broader populations.

Maddy summaryHF 114 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to provide grants to all 95 Minnesota county agricultural societies. The funds must be distributed equally to each county fair to enhance arts access, education, and the preservation of Minnesota's agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage. This grant program operates in addition to existing funding under Minnesota Statutes section 38.02. The commissioner of agriculture will develop grant criteria and seek public input to guide funding for projects supporting these goals.

Maddy summaryHF 858 requires agricultural producers who receive bioincentive payments from Minnesota to submit detailed annual reports. The bill mandates recipients to provide specific information including their business structure, parent company details, all financial assistance received, job creation or retention goals, equity hiring progress, wage goals, executive compensation, environmental compliance evidence, and how they used the payments. This affects producers participating in state incentive programs under sections 41A.16-41A.20. The goal is to increase transparency around how these payments are used and their impact on jobs, wages, and environmental compliance.

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for ticket sales in Minnesota to increase transparency and prevent deceptive practices. It requires ticket sellers and online marketplaces to clearly display the total price, including all fees, and to provide buyers with proof of purchase and refund policies within 24 hours. The legislation also prohibits specific behaviors such as selling duplicate tickets, using unauthorized domain names, or bypassing online security measures to buy multiple tickets. The commissioner of commerce is given the authority to request data on how violations occur and to enforce these rules, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides supplemental funding for various state agencies, including those responsible for agriculture, commerce, energy, utilities, and environmental protection. It adjusts budget allocations for the Department of Agriculture and establishes new programs and rules related to broadband access, renewable energy development, and energy infrastructure permitting. The legislation also includes technical updates to existing laws and appropriates specific sums for these initiatives to ensure they have the necessary financial resources to operate.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes new standards to protect African American children and those from other disproportionately represented groups within Minnesota's child welfare system. It requires social services agencies to make continuous, rigorous efforts to keep families together and prevent unnecessary removal of children from their homes. The act defines a higher level of care called "active efforts," which mandates that agencies involve families in planning services and respect their cultural values. Additionally, the legislation sets specific criteria for what constitutes a permanent adoptive placement and ensures that these protections apply alongside existing laws for Native American children.

Maddy summarySF 4225 is an omnibus bill that allocates state funds to various agencies for capital projects, such as building, renovating, or repairing public facilities. The legislation requires that workers on these projects be paid at least the prevailing wage rate and mandates that grant recipients demonstrate a plan to sustain the funded programs after state money is spent. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to replace the statue of Henry Mower Rice in the U.S. Capitol and makes numerous technical updates to existing state laws regarding natural resources and employee compensation.