Rep. Sandra Feist

Maddy summaryHF 1332 appropriates $18 million from state bonds to fund forest management on Minnesota's state forest lands. The funds cover reforestation activities (like planting native seeds and trees), site preparation, and forest stand improvement, including treatment for pests like emerald ash borer and spruce budworm. The state will issue bonds up to $18 million to finance these projects, administered by the commissioner of natural resources under Minnesota Statutes. This bill directly affects state forest management operations and the use of public funds for forestry capital projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Minnesota Partition Act" (Chapter 558A) to govern how co-owners of real property can legally divide shared ownership after August 1, 2025. It replaces Minnesota's current Chapter 558 for all partition cases starting that date, allowing courts to order property sales, physical divisions, or other equitable solutions when joint tenants, tenants-in-common, or remainder interest holders seek division. Key provisions include new notice requirements (like posting signs on properties for unlocated owners), preventing disputes between parties from blocking partition actions, and granting courts authority to adjust property liens between parcels. The law directly affects individuals or entities co-owning real estate who face disagreements about dividing property.

Maddy summaryHF 1299 amends Minnesota law to allow emergency shelter facilities as a permitted use in zoning districts designated for multifamily housing, commercial, or industrial development. It defines an "emergency shelter facility" as one providing safe, sanitary shelter for homeless individuals or families, regardless of operating hours. The bill directly affects homeless shelters seeking to operate in these zoning areas by removing a barrier to their establishment where local zoning already permits such uses. It does not require new construction but ensures shelters can operate in specified zones without needing special permits. The change applies to existing zoning regulations in Minnesota communities.

Maddy summaryHF 2283, the Minnesota Fair Chance Access to Housing Act, restricts landlords from denying rental applications based solely on an applicant's criminal record during initial screening. Landlords must disclose upfront if they consider criminal history and cannot evaluate it until after issuing a conditional offer. They may only consider specific serious offenses (like human trafficking, sexual assault, or recent felonies) after conducting an individualized assessment that weighs factors like the crime's severity, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. Applicants denied housing must receive written notice within 24 hours explaining the reason and their right to request the landlord's supporting documents, with application fees refunded upon denial. The law directly affects landlords in Minnesota and applicants with criminal records seeking rental housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7 million from state bond funds to fund flood prevention projects for the Rice Creek Watershed District. It directly affects residents and infrastructure in New Brighton, St. Anthony Village, and Roseville by authorizing construction of water storage basins and improvements to water flow systems along Interstate Highway 35W. The funding mechanism involves the state issuing bonds up to $7 million under existing bond laws, with the money delivered as a grant to the watershed district. The projects aim to reduce flooding in the specified corridor, with the bill effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 1472 appropriates $1,995,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $2,071,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Board on Aging. This funding creates specific staff positions to support aging services, including one role for federal compliance, one for Older Americans Act policy, two for Senior LinkAge Line operations, and 18 additional positions for area agencies on aging contact centers. The bill directly affects seniors in Minnesota and the service providers who deliver aging-related programs through the Senior LinkAge Line and area agencies. These concrete staffing additions aim to meet growing service demands and ensure compliance with federal requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2875 extends Minnesota's existing crime statute for damaging telecommunications equipment to specifically include broadband and cable services. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 609.593 by adding "broadband services" and "cable services" to the list of protected infrastructure, which previously covered only traditional telecommunications. This means intentional damage to equipment like routers, cables, fiber lines, or poles used for broadband or cable services would now be punishable under the same criminal penalties. The change directly affects individuals who damage such infrastructure, making these acts subject to criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryHF 2231 modifies Minnesota's requirements for publishing public notices. It allows local governments (political subdivisions) to post notices online via their website and the Minnesota Newspaper Association's statewide site when a qualified newspaper discontinues publication. The bill requires immediate online posting until a qualified newspaper can be identified, eliminating the need to wait for a new newspaper to become available. This change applies to all public notices mandated by law, rule, or ordinance, ensuring notices remain accessible to the public during newspaper disruptions.

Maddy summaryHF 2060 extends funding for Minnesota's supported-decision-making programs, which help people with disabilities make their own choices with support instead of relying on guardianship. The bill requires the state commissioner to submit an interim report by December 2024 and a final report by December 2026, detailing grant usage, how programs increased supported decision-making, and reduced reliance on more restrictive options like guardianship. It reallocates unspent funds from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2026 for these programs. The bill directly affects organizations providing these services and the people with disabilities who use them.

Maddy summaryHF 683 allows Minnesota cities and counties to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections, such as mayoral or city council races. It establishes rules for how RCV would work, including counting votes by voter preferences and reallocating votes when candidates are eliminated. The bill permits local jurisdictions to use electronic voting systems that automatically handle vote reallocation, and it appropriates funds for implementation. This bill directly affects local governments choosing to implement RCV and voters in those jurisdictions participating in local elections. It does not change state or federal election rules.