Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

Maddy summaryHF 3642 prohibits the placement or operation of virtual currency kiosks in Minnesota, directly affecting businesses that provide physical kiosks for exchanging virtual currency (like Bitcoin) for cash or vice versa. The bill's key provision bans these kiosks outright, replacing prior regulations that had defined terms like "new customer" and set transaction limits. It repeals all existing statutes (53B.69 to 53B.75) that previously governed virtual currency kiosk operations, removing the legal framework that allowed such kiosks to function under specific conditions. As a result, no virtual currency kiosks may legally operate within the state under this law.

Maddy summaryHF 3767 allocates $35 million in state bond proceeds to fund Minnesota town roads and bridges, with $25 million specifically for road improvements and $10 million for bridge projects. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $35 million to cover this funding, which will be distributed by the commissioner of transportation under existing state law. This provides direct financial support for local infrastructure maintenance and upgrades across Minnesota towns. The funding mechanism is procedural, focusing on capital investment rather than changing eligibility or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHF 1232 requires health care worker platforms (like apps connecting temporary nurses to facilities) to register annually with Minnesota's Commissioner of Health. Platforms must submit ownership details, business documents, insurance proof, and pay a registration fee. The bill applies to all such platforms operating in Minnesota, with existing platforms needing to register by October 1, 2025. This ensures oversight of these platforms, which connect temporary health workers to facilities like nursing homes.

Maddy summaryHF 403 establishes a property tax credit for Minnesota seniors who own and occupy their homes as primary residences. It directly affects residents aged 65 or older (or married couples where one spouse is 65+ and the other is 62+) who have owned and lived in their home since January 2 of the application year. The credit reduces property taxes by comparing the current year’s tax (after other credits) to the previous year’s tax adjusted by 1.08, but cannot lower taxes below $0. Funding for the credit is appropriated annually from the state general fund to reimburse local governments and school districts, effective for 2026 property assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the SAVE Minnesota Act, which requires voters to present a specific photo identification card to register to vote and to cast their ballots. To obtain this new voter identification card, applicants must provide proof of their U.S. citizenship and may receive certain vital records, such as birth certificates, without a fee. The legislation also creates a new voter identification card program, modifies existing driver's license requirements, and sets up a process for handling provisional ballots. Additionally, the bill includes funding provisions to support the administration of these new election procedures and establishes a children's trust fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota School Safety Center to create and distribute evidence-based model safety plans for K-12 schools, requiring districts to adopt similar plans by May 2028. It establishes strict criteria for what counts as "evidence-based," mandating that safety strategies be backed by strong research or well-designed studies before they are implemented. The legislation also enables anonymous threat reporting systems in schools and requires the safety center to consult with licensed mental health professionals when developing these plans. Additionally, the bill modifies grant programs for school buildings and cybersecurity while increasing funding for safe schools initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act to strengthen protections for children of color in the child welfare system. It requires social services agencies to make "active efforts" rather than just "reasonable efforts" to keep African American and disproportionately represented children in their homes, reunify them with families, and involve families in all service decisions. The law mandates that agencies consider cultural and social values when providing services, ensures community members from communities of color serve as court advocates, and requires ombudspersons to monitor compliance with these new standards. Additionally, the bill expands placement options to include relatives and community members before removing children from their homes.

Maddy summaryHF 3764 requires all public Minnesota K-12 schools to implement 24/7 anonymous reporting systems by July 2028. The systems must include mobile apps, multilingual crisis centers staffed by trained professionals, and protocols for school teams to respond to threats involving students, staff, or school property. Schools must also provide evidence-based student violence prevention training and public awareness campaigns. Nonpublic schools are exempt, and the Department of Education must compile a list of approved systems and submit annual reports to legislators. This bill directly affects public schools and aims to improve safety reporting mechanisms through concrete, structured requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 168 creates an advance homestead credit for qualifying seniors in Minnesota, allowing them to receive 50% of their prior year's homestead tax refund upfront. Seniors who already qualified for the standard homestead credit can apply for this advance, which is applied directly to their first-half property tax payment each year. The state reimburses counties and school districts for the tax reductions by October 31 (for non-school districts) or through the Department of Education (for school districts). This policy, effective for 2027 property taxes, aims to ease annual tax burdens for eligible seniors by providing earlier access to their refund amount.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes funding to help businesses in Two Harbors cope with disruptions caused by road construction on Trunk Highway 61. It directs the Department of Employment and Economic Development to create a grant program for local companies that face issues like reduced access, parking problems, or visibility loss due to the project. To qualify, a business must be located in the 55616 zip code, have 100 or fewer employees, and demonstrate specific negative impacts from the construction work. The grants can cover payroll and operating costs but cannot be used for bonuses, new equipment, or expanding facilities. Additionally, the bill requires the department to submit a detailed report on all awarded grants to state legislators by January 15, 2029.