Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

Maddy summaryHF 896 amends Minnesota law to permit certain retired law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry firearms to possess them on school property, changing the penalty from a felony to a misdemeanor. It directly affects retired officers with valid firearm authorization, allowing them to carry weapons in schools under specific conditions. The key provision modifies Minnesota Statutes § 609.66, subdivision 1d, to exempt these officers from the general prohibition on firearms in schools (which typically carries felony penalties), while clarifying that such firearms cannot be forfeited. The bill applies to authorized officers on school property but does not override existing rules for active officers or other exceptions. It becomes effective August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 972 appropriates $21.2 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at Duluth's Lakewood water treatment plant. The city of Duluth will receive a grant to design and build repairs including rehabilitating the granular infiltration system, roof repairs, and upgrades to water reservoirs and pump stations. The funding is authorized through the sale of state bonds under Minnesota's bond law. This bill directly affects Duluth residents who rely on the Lakewood plant's water treatment services by ensuring infrastructure upgrades to support ongoing operations.

Maddy summaryHF 260 extends an exemption for small employers from Minnesota's Paid Leave Law until January 1, 2028. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to exempt employers with 20 or fewer employees (as calculated under section 268B.14, subdivision 5b) from the law's requirements. This means small businesses in Minnesota will not need to provide paid leave to employees until 2028, while larger employers must comply earlier. The exemption expires on January 1, 2028, after which all employers must adhere to the full Paid Leave Law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's existing Loggers Safety Grant Program. The funds will be administered by the commissioner of labor and industry to provide safety grants directly to loggers and logging businesses. The program, established under Minnesota Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 10, article 3, section 21, helps logging operations implement safety improvements. This funding ensures continued support for workplace safety initiatives in Minnesota's logging industry.

Maddy summaryHF 849 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Duluth Public Schools for the Duluth Promise initiative. The funding directly supports high school students in Duluth and St. Louis County by creating career pathways in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and business finance. Key provisions include establishing early college credit opportunities, employer partnerships, job skills training, and wraparound support services to reduce employment barriers. The money must be used for program expenses such as hiring staff, facility rentals, and student support services, with funds available until June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 136 increases sentencing for specific crimes committed after unlawful deportation or for transnational crime organizations. It adds five years to the maximum sentence for felonies committed by someone deported for a prior felony, or who left the U.S. while a deportation order was pending (with ten years if the victim is a child under 18). The bill also defines "transnational crime organization" to include groups involved in international drug, human, or weapons trafficking, and imposes additional penalties for crimes committed "for the benefit of" such groups. These changes apply to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 960 modifies the design of Minnesota driver's licenses and identification cards to include specific markings. It requires licenses for people under 21 to be marked "Under-21" and allows those 65+ to request a "senior" marking. The bill also updates REAL ID compliance markings, adding "temporary" for licenses issued to people with temporary legal status and requiring noncompliant licenses to display "not for federal identification" and "not for voting" under certain circumstances. These design changes apply to all new licenses issued on or after October 1, 2025, and directly affect license holders based on age, citizenship status, or compliance with federal ID requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 892 allows Minnesota parents to opt their children out of school face covering requirements without needing to provide a reason or health documentation. It applies to all public school districts and charter schools that require face coverings on school premises. Schools must permit the opt-out upon parent notification and cannot discipline students or treat them differently for this choice. The law takes effect the day after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryHF 894 amends Minnesota law to explicitly exclude undocumented noncitizens from eligibility for MinnesotaCare, the state's health insurance program. The bill defines "undocumented noncitizens" as individuals residing in the U.S. without approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This change directly affects noncitizens without legal immigration status who previously qualified for MinnesotaCare, while maintaining eligibility for U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawfully present noncitizens under existing rules. The amendment takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 164 exempts tip income from Minnesota's individual income tax and tax withholding requirements. The bill defines "tips" as amounts reported to employers under IRS rules (per Internal Revenue Code sections 6053(a) or 3121(q)) and excludes these amounts from taxable income. This directly affects Minnesota workers who earn tips, such as servers and bartenders, by reducing their taxable income. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 290.0132 and 290.92 to implement this tax exemption.