Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

Maddy summaryHF 1763 appropriates $25 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to replace old aircraft shelters and construct new universal parking shelters at the Duluth Air National Guard Base for the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard. The funding covers removal of existing single-bay shelters and construction of new facilities. This is a one-time appropriation available until spent, specifically targeting infrastructure improvements at the Duluth base. The bill directly affects the 148th Fighter Wing's operations and maintenance at that location.

Maddy summaryHF 276 reduces the annual fishing license fee for Minnesota residents aged 65 and older from $25 to $15, directly affecting seniors who purchase fishing licenses. The bill requires the commissioner of natural resources to report annual license sales data for this age group to the commissioner of management and budget. Based on this data, the general fund must transfer money to the game and fish fund each year to cover the lost revenue from the reduced fee. This ensures the state fully offsets the cost of the fee reduction without impacting existing conservation funding. The change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1260 authorizes special license plates for Minnesota firefighters who are also certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, or paramedics. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of state certification from the Office of Emergency Medical Services, a letter from their fire chief confirming active membership, and own a passenger car, one-ton pickup, or motorcycle. The special plates require an additional fee, must display a distinct emblem, and become invalid if the holder loses either fire department membership or EMT certification. The bill also allows limited plate transfers between qualifying vehicles for a $5 fee and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 764 eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecuting first-degree arson in Minnesota. This means prosecutors can file charges for any first-degree arson offense at any time, regardless of when it occurred. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 628.26 to remove the previous time limit (previously six years for some cases) specifically for violations of section 609.282 related to arson. It directly affects individuals who commit first-degree arson and the state's ability to pursue such cases, with the change applying to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1286 amends Minnesota's vehicle registration tax to provide reduced rates for disabled veterans. It requires the tax on a disabled veteran's vehicle to be lowered to a percentage matching their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating, with only one vehicle per veteran eligible for the reduction. The bill also mandates that the state treasury transfer funds from the general fund to the highway user tax fund each July to cover the tax reductions provided under this provision. This change directly affects disabled veterans who own vehicles in Minnesota and alters how vehicle registration tax proceeds are handled for this specific group.

Maddy summaryHF 3 requires Minnesota's legislative auditor to annually report to the legislature by February 1 on whether state agencies have implemented audit recommendations from the prior five years. The bill mandates that agencies' commissioners must also submit detailed reports by September 1 each year, specifically itemizing unaddressed recommendations and explaining why they weren't implemented. This directly affects all state agencies subject to legislative auditor reviews and their commissioners, who must now document progress on audit findings. The law creates a structured process for tracking accountability without altering agency funding or creating new programs.

Maddy summaryHF 984 requires Minnesota school districts to provide nonpublic school students (in private or religious schools) with the same elementary and secondary guidance and counseling services as public school students. It mandates districts to offer these services upon request, with funding based on the average per-pupil spending for similar services in public schools. The bill sets limits on district spending for these services, ensuring costs don’t exceed public school averages, and requires districts to provide transportation between schools if services are offered off-site. It applies to all nonpublic schools within a district and takes effect for state aid starting fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1413 modifies Minnesota's education reporting requirements by adding a new definition for "consistent attendance" to school performance reports. The bill defines consistent attendance as a student attending more than 90% of school days while enrolled, requiring at least half an academic year of enrollment to be counted. Schools and districts must report this data annually, with the commissioner required to post it publicly by September 1 each year (starting September 1, 2025). This change directly affects all Minnesota public schools and districts that report to the state education department.

Maddy summaryHF 1752 amends Minnesota's licensure requirements for dental hygienists under Statutes 150A.06. It establishes two pathways for applicants: (1) graduation from an accredited U.S. dental hygiene program requiring at least two years of education, or (2) a foreign dental degree comparable to a D.D.S. or D.M.D. All applicants must pass the National Board of Dental Hygiene exam, a clinical competency exam, and a test on Minnesota dental laws. The bill also specifies that applicants failing the clinical exam twice must complete additional training before retaking it, and imposes separate fees for reapplying. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to become licensed dental hygienists in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 812 adjusts Minnesota's individual income tax brackets by updating the income thresholds for each tax rate, such as setting the 5.35% rate to apply to income up to $38,770 for married couples filing jointly. It requires annual inflation adjustments to these brackets starting in 2025 and includes a simplified tax calculation method using $100 income brackets for low-income taxpayers (referred to as the "zero bracket" provision in the bill title). This bill affects all Minnesota residents who file individual income tax returns, as the adjusted brackets change which tax rate applies to different income levels. The simplified calculation method does not alter tax rates but streamlines computation for low-income earners.