Rep. Roger Skraba

Maddy summaryHF 2365 appropriates $4.8 million in state bond funds to the city of International Falls for capital improvements at its water treatment facility. The funds will support expanding the facility, rehabilitating aging infrastructure, upgrading security, and making other site improvements needed for ongoing operations. The state will issue bonds up to $4.8 million under Minnesota's bond authority statutes to provide this funding. This bill directly affects the city of International Falls and its public water system.

Maddy summaryHF 279 appropriates $752,000 from the natural resources fund for specific all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trail projects in St. Louis County and $200,000 for a route study in Duluth. The St. Louis County funds will support four local club projects - including engineering, construction, and right-of-way acquisition for trails managed by the Alborn Dirt Devils, Ranger Snowmobile/ATV, Twig Area Trail Riders, and Quad Cities ATV clubs. The Duluth study aims to establish connectivity for ATV routes in the western part of the city. All funds are one-time appropriations available until June 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 1997 appropriates $25,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $25,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide a grant to Fishing with Vets, a nonprofit organization. The grant funds guided fishing trips for veterans across Minnesota, directly benefiting veterans seeking recreational therapy. The bill requires the commissioner of veterans affairs to submit annual reports by January 15 detailing how the grant money was spent, including any administrative costs, to legislative committees and the Legislative Reference Library. Fishing with Vets must provide necessary information to support these reports.

Maddy summaryHF 281 appropriates $380,000 for the Voyageur Country ATV Trail system and $175,000 for the Prospectors Loop Trail system in St. Louis County. The funds, from the natural resources fund, are for one-time use on trail design, right-of-way acquisition, permitting, and construction through June 2028. This bill directly affects St. Louis County by providing targeted funding for specific ATV trail projects.

Maddy summaryHF 1425 prohibits the commissioner of natural resources from selling any state-owned land located wholly or partially within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This directly affects the commissioner’s authority over state lands and prevents potential private sales in this protected wilderness area. The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes section 92.82, which previously allowed such sales, while permitting land exchanges. It applies to all state lands managed by the commissioner, including those acquired through legal processes like condemnation or congressional grants.

Maddy summaryHF 1892 allows haulers of well-drilling equipment (like rigs used for drilling water or oil wells) to apply for a single annual oversize vehicle permit instead of paying for multiple single-trip permits. The bill updates Minnesota's transportation rules by adding "drilling machines" to the list of vehicles eligible for a $120 annual permit under section 169.86. This change directly affects companies transporting heavy well-drilling equipment, simplifying their permitting process for routine moves. The annual permit covers up to 12 months, replacing the previous requirement for individual $15 single-trip or $60 job permits for these specialized loads.

Maddy summaryHF 656 allows child care centers and family child care providers in Minnesota to request variances (exceptions) from certain licensing rules, such as capacity limits or staff qualification requirements, as long as health and safety are not compromised. Providers must submit a form explaining why they cannot meet a rule and how they will achieve the rule's intent through alternative measures, including a training plan for staff if applicable. For capacity variances, the center must be within 100 square feet of the required space based on staff qualifications. The commissioner can grant temporary or permanent variances, but permanent ones require reporting changes and expire if conditions alter.

Maddy summaryHF 741 establishes a $10,000 income tax subtraction for individual volunteer fire and rescue workers in Minnesota, increasing to $20,000 for married couples where both spouses qualify. It directly affects volunteers who perform at least 40 hours of qualified work (such as firefighting, ambulance services, or search/rescue) during the year without working full-time (1,600+ hours). The bill defines "qualified rescue work" to include roles like volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders, and search/rescue team members. This tax benefit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 2150 requires tire collectors who need a permit in Minnesota to maintain a $150,000 surety bond with a state-authorized company. This bond must be continuous until canceled (with 30 days' written notice to the collector and commissioner) and ensures compliance with tire collection laws (sections 115A.90-115A.914). The bond protects citizens by covering potential damages if collectors fail to follow regulations, though collectors remain liable for damages exceeding the bond amount. It directly affects businesses collecting tires that require state permits.

Maddy summaryHF 337 creates a state grant program to help ambulance services cover operating deficits - when their revenue (like insurance payments) doesn’t cover costs like staff, fuel, and equipment. It establishes a dedicated state fund for these grants and requires ambulance providers to submit evidence of a deficit to qualify. Eligible applicants include most licensed ambulance services (excluding specialized life support providers and single-license operators in high-density areas), with funds limited to covering actual deficit amounts. Grantees must use the money only for operational or capital expenses directly related to ambulance services.