Rep. Sandra Feist

Maddy summaryHF 3119 establishes minimum pay standards for Minnesota teachers and certain unlicensed school staff starting July 1, 2026. It sets teacher compensation thresholds at $60,000-$100,000 annually (based on education and experience) and a $25 hourly wage floor for unlicensed staff who regularly interact with students. The bill requires annual inflation adjustments using the Consumer Price Index, beginning in 2030, and creates state aid programs to help school districts cover these costs. School districts, charter schools, and other public education entities directly affected must meet these standards or receive state funding to do so.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes state agencies to round small cash payments and transfers to the nearest five cents to simplify transactions, while explicitly excluding electronic payments like checks or credit cards. It also amends existing health insurance rules for nonrepresented employees and managers to change the language regarding high-deductible health plan options from mandatory to permissive. Agencies must post their rounding policies at locations where cash is handled, and the changes update the statutory text governing these specific compensation plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time $10 million fund to reimburse Minnesota cities for costs related to federal immigration enforcement activities occurring between December 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. The money will be distributed to cities based on a pro-ratio of their verified expenses for public safety, emergency management, public works, and legal services during that period. Cities must submit detailed cost reports to the state auditor for review and certification before receiving their share of the aid. If a city receives federal reimbursement for the same expenses, it must return the lesser of the federal amount or the state aid received to the state treasury.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $12,963,000 in bonds to fund a new public safety facility for the city of St. Anthony Village. The funds will be used to design, build, and equip a building that houses the police and fire departments for St. Anthony Village, Falcon Heights, and Lauderdale, while also providing space for staff, training, and public meetings. The legislation directs the state commissioner of public safety to receive the grant money and oversee the project, with the bond sale managed by the commissioner of management and budget. Once enacted, the state will immediately begin the process of selling these bonds to raise the necessary capital for the construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how members, officers, and employees of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives can use legislative email addresses, telephone numbers, and office space. It prohibits giving out official legislative contact information to anyone who is not a legislator, staff member, or authorized employee, and limits member phone lines to exclusive use by the member and their assigned staff. The law also requires written notification to caucus leaders before allowing non-legislators to occupy assigned office space. Enforcement and penalties for violations are handled through rules adopted by the Senate and House, with courts barred from intervening in disputes over these provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 1426 establishes a statewide program requiring manufacturers of electronic products (like circuit boards and batteries) to fund collection and recycling of covered items through a reimbursement board. It directly affects electronics manufacturers by mandating their financial responsibility for end-of-life products and consumers by creating designated collection sites. The bill prohibits mercury in batteries and defines specific categories of "covered products," including circuit boards and batteries (excluding lead-acid types), while exempting medical devices and vehicles. It also appropriates funds to implement the program and replaces outdated battery management rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota Department of Health to join the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. The commissioner must identify the necessary application process by September 1, 2026, and submit the application by December 1, 2026. This action aims to integrate the state's health response capabilities with a global system for monitoring and addressing disease outbreaks. The legislation does not alter existing funding or staffing but establishes a specific timeline for this international partnership.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal tool in Minnesota that allows the state Attorney General to sue firearm industry members for public nuisance if their conduct harms public safety. It directly affects companies involved in selling, manufacturing, distributing, or marketing firearms and related products like ammunition. To comply, these businesses must implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop thefts, and ensure adherence to existing laws. If a company violates these rules, the Attorney General can seek court orders to stop the behavior, force cleanup costs, demand financial restitution, and collect damages.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands conditional release options in Minnesota prisons to include geriatric release for older inmates, family caregiver release for those caring for incapacitated relatives, and nonmedical release for extraordinary circumstances like terminal illness or pregnancy. It directly affects incarcerated individuals who meet specific age, medical, or family care criteria, allowing them to apply for supervised release from prison. The bill requires prison officials to review applications within 30 days, consider factors like offense severity and community safety, and maintain a public database tracking all requests and outcomes. A report on release data and cost savings must be submitted to the legislature annually starting in 2028. All provisions take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies applying for a certificate of need to build a petroleum pipeline in Minnesota to include detailed demand forecasts in their application. The bill directly affects pipeline developers seeking approval from the Public Utilities Commission for transporting crude oil, motor fuel, or refined petroleum products. Applicants must provide annual demand projections for both Minnesota and neighboring states over a 15-year period, based on specific factors like population growth, vehicle efficiency, electric vehicle adoption rates, and fuel prices. The legislation also mandates that applications explain how changes in assumptions about oil prices and transportation infrastructure could impact their demand estimates.