Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

Maddy summaryHF 1247 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to permanently amend child care licensing rules, allowing teacher's aides to supervise children in child care centers. This change makes permanent an exception that was temporarily permitted under a 2023 law. The commissioner must submit the proposed rule by June 1, 2025, using a specific rulemaking procedure. The bill directly affects child care centers and their staff by expanding the roles of teacher's aides in supervision without requiring a licensed teacher's presence.

Maddy summaryHF 2424 authorizes the city of Two Harbors to issue social district liquor licenses, allowing people to consume alcohol purchased from nearby licensed businesses in designated public areas. The bill requires the city to define specific boundaries, hours, and days for consumption, mandate unique container labeling (no glass, 16oz max, "Drink Responsibly" statement), and ensure disposal of alcohol before leaving the district. It also mandates a city management plan, public safety monitoring, and a 24-month report to the legislature on community impact and operational challenges. This directly affects Two Harbors residents, local businesses with on-sale licenses, and city officials managing public space regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 442 provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in specific housing projects in St. Louis County. It applies to apartment developments with 20+ units, condominiums with 40+ units, or townhome projects with 40+ units, covering materials purchased between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2027. Developers pay the sales tax upfront but receive a refund through the state’s general fund, mirroring existing procedures for similar housing projects. This policy directly affects developers building qualifying multi-unit housing in St. Louis County during the specified timeframe. The exemption ends on June 30, 2027, with no changes to existing tax rates for other projects.

Maddy summaryHF 178 creates a refundable tax exemption for construction materials used in new duplexes and triplexes (the only multifamily housing types covered) where first-time homebuyers own and occupy at least one unit. It exempts taxes paid on the first $460,000 of construction costs for qualifying projects, with builders paying the tax upfront and receiving a refund under existing procedures. The exemption applies to new construction only, expires July 1, 2033, and is effective for sales after June 30, 2025. This directly benefits first-time homebuyers purchasing qualifying duplexes or triplexes by reducing construction costs through a tax refund mechanism.

Maddy summaryHF 2447 establishes a dedicated account for financial assurance funds collected from gas development permits. It requires the commissioner of natural resources to deposit these funds into an account managed by the State Board of Investment, with earnings credited back to the account. The funds can only be used for financial assurance purposes related to specific gas permits under chapters 93 and 103I of Minnesota Statutes. This bill directly affects gas development permit applicants and the commissioner's office, creating a new mechanism for handling and investing these required funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires legislators serving on public safety policy or finance committees to complete at least 12 hours of ride-alongs with law enforcement or fire departments every two years. It directly affects members of these specific legislative committees in both the House and Senate. The bill also mandates that both chambers adopt rules to implement this requirement. The provisions aim to provide committee members with direct exposure to public safety operations through structured on-the-job observation.

Maddy summaryHF 4 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Minnesota to return budget surplus funds to taxpayers. If approved, it would create a "Minnesota tax relief account" funded by revenue exceeding 105% of projected spending, using those funds to refund or reduce property and income taxes. Taxpayers would receive direct refunds or tax reductions, but only up to the amount they owe in taxes, with the account funded annually from the state's general fund surplus. The amendment must be voted on by voters in the 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHF 274 appropriates $25,000 from the all-terrain vehicle account to update the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail Master Plan, specifically allowing ATV use on portions of the trail within Cook and Lake Counties. The bill requires the commissioner of natural resources to complete this plan update by February 1, 2026, and submit a report to relevant legislative committees. This funding change directly affects the management of the trail in those counties by modifying its designated uses. The provision is a procedural update to the trail's master plan, not a new regulatory standard.

Maddy summaryHF 167 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax system by removing limits on subtracting Social Security benefits, allowing taxpayers to subtract all their Social Security income without phaseout thresholds or maximums. It also updates income tax brackets, raising the first tax bracket threshold to $47,620 for married couples filing jointly and $47,620 for single filers (from $38,770 and $26,520, respectively). The bill additionally modifies property tax refund rules, though specific changes aren't detailed in the provided text. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 278 increases fees for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) registrations and nonresident trail passes in Minnesota. It adds a $45 surcharge to all ATV registration fees (raising public-use fees from $6 to $20 annually) and increases the nonresident trail pass fee from $30 to $45 per year. The surcharge and higher pass fees fund grant-in-aid programs under Minnesota Statutes 84.927, specifically for constructing and maintaining ATV trails and use areas in counties and municipalities. This directly affects ATV owners (residents and nonresidents) who must pay these updated fees to operate on state or grant-in-aid trails.