Rep. Roger Skraba

Maddy summaryHF 3108 provides additional unemployment benefits to workers laid off from the iron ore mining industry or supporting businesses (like suppliers) due to lack of work after May 19, 2025. To qualify, workers must have exhausted regular unemployment benefits, have 50%+ wage credits from qualifying employers, and meet standard eligibility requirements. The bill offers up to 26 weeks of benefits at the same weekly rate as regular unemployment benefits, ending May 30, 2026. These benefits are funded from Minnesota’s unemployment trust fund and do not affect future employer tax rates, except for mining employers themselves.

Maddy summaryHF 2960 appropriates $25,000 from Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 and $25,000 for fiscal year 2027 to provide a grant to "Fishing with Vets," a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The funding will support the organization in organizing and conducting guided fishing trips for veterans across Minnesota. This bill directly affects veterans by enabling access to recreational fishing programs through an existing nonprofit, with no new policy requirements or program changes. The appropriation is limited to the specified amounts and timeframes outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHF 1679 allocates $5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state's arts and cultural heritage fund to support public television. The funding is specifically designated for the Minnesota Public Television Association (MPTA) to provide production and acquisition grants for public television programming. This bill directly affects MPTA's ability to fund local and national content for Minnesota viewers through existing state law. The funding mechanism provides stable, multi-year support for public broadcasting services.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $35 million from state bond proceeds specifically for Minnesota town roads and bridges. $25 million is allocated for town roads and $10 million for town bridges, to be distributed by the commissioner of transportation per existing rules (Minnesota Statutes §162.081). The state will issue up to $35 million in bonds to fund this appropriation, following established bond procedures under Minnesota law. The funding directly affects local town governments responsible for maintaining roads and bridges within their jurisdictions. The bill becomes effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 1340 amends Minnesota law to allow housing infrastructure bonds to fund adaptive reuse projects (converting existing buildings like offices or stores into housing) for permanent and supportive housing. It directly affects low-income households earning 50% or less of the area median income (AMI) and housing developers seeking bond financing. The bill expands existing bond program uses to specifically include adaptive reuse for these affordable housing projects, requiring new construction to meet accessibility standards (e.g., roll-in showers, sensory-accessible units). This change to Minnesota Statutes 462A.37, section 2, broadens the program’s scope without creating new funding.

Maddy summaryHF 3030 provides additional unemployment benefits for workers laid off in the iron ore mining industry (or supporting industries) due to a 50% or greater workforce reduction between March 15 and June 15, 2025, with benefits capped at 26 weeks. Eligibility requires exhausting regular unemployment benefits from qualifying employers and meeting standard eligibility rules. The bill also establishes new requirements for the safe storage of reactive mine waste (defined as waste causing a sustained pH drop of 0.5+ in water) to prevent environmental harm. A procedural provision allows temporary sulfate water quality standard modifications during pending rulemaking, but does not detail implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 820 authorizes specific Chippewa Bands, as identified under the 1854 treaty, to establish their own open seasons for big game hunting for tribal members if the state of Minnesota does not set such seasons. The bill appropriates $3 million for fiscal year 2026 and $3 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to fund proportional payments to these tribes under treaty obligations. It amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify the commissioner of natural resources' role in fulfilling treaty agreements and ensures funding for these payments. This directly affects the Chippewa Bands and the state's natural resources agency, with no impact on non-tribal hunters.

Maddy summaryHF 3031 appropriates $300,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to support the Upsala Area Historical Society. The funding directly supports the society's museum operations to preserve historical artifacts and the area's immigrant history. The bill provides concrete financial support for ongoing preservation efforts within the Upsala community. This is a direct funding allocation with no additional policy changes beyond the specified grant.

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 summaryHF 2933 appropriates $7.5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide operating assistance to transit systems in Greater Minnesota (outside the Twin Cities metro area). The funding replaces local contributions when those fall below specified percentages under state law, ensuring transit systems receive necessary operating support. This one-time appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, and must be used as direct operating assistance under Minnesota Statutes §174.24.