Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Minnesota state government to issue bonds and allocate funds for capital projects on state-owned forest lands. It directly affects the Department of Natural Resources by providing financial resources for forest management activities such as reforestation, planting native trees, and site preparation on over 50 designated state forests. The legislation defines key terms like "reforestation" and "state forest land" to establish clear guidelines for how the appropriated funds will be used. By enabling bond issuance, the bill allows the state to finance large-scale forestry infrastructure improvements without immediately drawing from the general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts elected officials, legislative members, and judges from Minnesota's Paid Leave Law, meaning they would not be required to participate in the state's paid leave program. The legislation directly affects state employees serving in elected or judicial roles by removing them from the definition of "covered employment" and "employee" under the law. If passed, these officials would not need to accrue or use paid leave benefits through the state system, though the bill allows such entities to opt into coverage if they choose. The changes modify specific sections of Minnesota Statutes to clarify that public officials serving in these capacities are excluded from the paid leave requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies licensing inspection requirements for child care providers and establishes new program integrity requirements for Minnesota's child care assistance program. It requires the state commissioner to develop performance measures that focus on reducing inequities, improving coordination between programs, and minimizing administrative burdens for families. The legislation also mandates biennial reports to legislative committees detailing grants received, program objectives, and the status of achieving those goals. Additionally, the bill expands the commissioner's authority to monitor county agency performance and enforce compliance with welfare service regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 3699 amends Minnesota law to require that a new state park license plate design contest must feature the North Shore and Lake Superior Agate. The bill directs the commissioner of natural resources to hold the contest under existing statute (Minnesota Statutes § 168.1295, subd. 1). This requirement specifically applies to the design of the new plate, which will be available for purchase by vehicle owners. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the contest's design criteria, not on new funding or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's definition of drug compounding to explicitly exclude the use of flavoring agents. It directly affects pharmacists and healthcare providers who prepare customized medications for patients. The legislation adds a new definition for "flavoring agent" as a therapeutically inert substance used to improve a drug's taste and palatability. By clarifying that adding flavoring agents does not constitute compounding, the bill aims to distinguish between standard drug preparation and activities requiring special regulatory oversight. This change ensures that routine flavoring of medications remains outside the strict compounding regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the requirements for marriage and family therapists to obtain a Minnesota license through reciprocity with other states. It allows the state licensing board to issue licenses to out-of-state therapists who meet specific criteria, including holding a valid license in good standing elsewhere, passing a Minnesota jurisprudence exam, and having no criminal convictions or disciplinary actions. The changes streamline the application process by clearly outlining five conditions that applicants must satisfy, such as completing the required application and fees. Therapists seeking to practice in Minnesota from other jurisdictions would need to demonstrate their qualifications meet these new standards before receiving a state license.

Maddy summaryHF 3609 prevents drug manufacturers from restricting how 340B program drugs are delivered to participating hospitals and clinics. It adds enforcement by treating violations as deceptive trade practices, allowing the attorney general to take action. The bill permanently removes an expiration date (previously set for July 1, 2027), making these restrictions permanent. This directly affects safety-net healthcare providers that rely on the 340B program for discounted medications.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local elected officials in Minnesota from signing nondisclosure agreements related to potential data center projects within their jurisdictions. The law defines "local elected officials" to include city council members, mayors, county commissioners, and similar roles, while specifying that "data center" refers to the definition provided in existing state statutes. Any agreement violating this rule would be automatically considered void and unenforceable, though the rest of the contract would remain valid, and officials who sign such prohibited contracts must publicly disclose them. The restrictions apply only to agreements entered into on or after August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for prosecuting certain theft and fraud crimes in Minnesota, particularly those involving public funds and medical assistance fraud. It directly affects prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and individuals accused of these offenses by allowing more time to file charges. The key change increases the statute of limitations for theft of public money to ten years and adjusts timeframes for other financial crimes based on the amount stolen or number of victims. The bill also adds provisions that pause the clock if a defendant participates in pretrial diversion programs or if DNA evidence is being analyzed. These changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Minnesota to permit residents to consume and display alcoholic beverages under specific conditions. The changes require that alcohol be consumed only by residents during resident-focused activities, with no one under 21 allowed to drink and all staff serving alcohol being at least 18 years old. Additionally, the bill prohibits selling alcohol or treating it as part of a commercial transaction within these facilities. The legislation directly affects nursing home operators, assisted living facility managers, and the residents who live in these care settings.