Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

Maddy summaryHF 114 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to provide grants to all 95 Minnesota county agricultural societies. The funds must be distributed equally to each county fair to enhance arts access, education, and the preservation of Minnesota's agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage. This grant program operates in addition to existing funding under Minnesota Statutes section 38.02. The commissioner of agriculture will develop grant criteria and seek public input to guide funding for projects supporting these goals.

Maddy summaryHF 263 amends an existing appropriation to allow the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency to use a $100,000 grant for constructing a regional hub building that provides workforce services, rather than just general program support. This changes the permitted use of the funds under Laws 2024, chapter 120, section 2, subdivision 3, which previously limited the grant to service delivery. The bill extends the deadline for using this specific appropriation. The change directly affects the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, enabling them to build a physical facility to consolidate and expand their workforce development services.

Maddy summaryHF 370 establishes a two-year income tax exemption in Minnesota for eligible direct support professionals working in specific care facilities. It exempts qualifying workers from state income tax for tax years 2025 and 2026, provided they worked at least 1,000 hours at an eligible facility (like nursing homes, assisted living, or developmental disability facilities) and earned under $75,000 individually ($150,000 for joint filers). The exemption applies to income tax under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 290, and does not affect existing refundable credit claims. This policy directly benefits lower-income care workers in defined long-term care settings.

Maddy summaryHF 332 modifies Minnesota's law on fleeing a peace officer in a vehicle by creating a new felony offense for fleeing while driving in a "culpably negligent manner" that creates an unreasonable risk of death or serious injury to others. This new offense, defined in section 609.487, subdivision 3a, carries a penalty of up to four years in prison or an $8,000 fine. The bill also updates license revocation rules to include this new offense, requiring a minimum four-year license suspension for a first conviction. It directly affects drivers who flee police while operating a vehicle recklessly, endangering public safety. The changes take effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 427 provides $14 million in state funding for capital improvements at Duluth International Airport, directly benefiting the Duluth Airport Authority. The bill authorizes the sale of state bonds to fund a new air traffic control tower base building, including design, construction, office spaces, site preparation (like demolishing old buildings), utility work, and replacing fuel tanks. A portion of the funds will match federal grants for the project. The legislation specifies that the money comes from bond proceeds and is effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 569 appropriates $6 million from state bond proceeds to fund public infrastructure improvements in Two Harbors, Minnesota, specifically for projects related to the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Trunk Highway 61 reconstruction. The funds will support the city's design, construction, and reconstruction of sewers, water systems, utilities, streets, sidewalks, ADA-compliant features, and stormwater management systems along Highway 61. The state will issue bonds up to $6 million to cover these costs, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The bill becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 714 creates an annual sales tax holiday in Minnesota for school supplies and book bags. It exempts qualifying items from sales tax during a seven-day period each July 31 to August 6, including items like notebooks, pencils, binders, and calculators priced at $15 or less per item, and book bags under $60. The tax holiday applies to retail purchases made during this window, effective after June 30, 2025. This directly affects Minnesota families purchasing eligible school supplies during the specified dates.

Maddy summaryHF 440 appropriates $8 million from state bonds to fund the expansion and preservation of St. Louis County's Heritage and Arts Center (the Depot) in Duluth. This funding requires at least $5.67 million in nonstate contributions from St. Louis County before the state money becomes available. The bill authorizes the sale of state bonds to cover this appropriation, which will pay for construction, renovations, and upgrades to the building's mechanical, electrical, and safety systems. The direct beneficiaries are St. Louis County residents and users of the Duluth arts center.

Maddy summaryHF 327 increases penalties for bringing contraband into Minnesota correctional facilities. The bill amends Minnesota law to set specific maximum sentences: introducing contraband (excluding weapons) becomes a felony punishable by up to two years in prison, while bringing dangerous weapons into facilities becomes a felony punishable by up to five years. This directly affects individuals who attempt to smuggle prohibited items into jails or prisons, as well as correctional facilities managing security. The law does not change what constitutes contraband but clarifies and raises the criminal penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryHF 138 requires Minnesota's state agency (the commissioner) to gather and compile annual data on human trafficking within the state, replacing the previous biennial requirement. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 299A.785 to mandate yearly publication of this data, making it publicly available. The published report must include details on trafficking extent and nature, as well as other relevant information identified by the commissioner. This change directly affects how state agencies collect and share trafficking data, increasing the frequency of public reporting.