Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $225 million in state bonds to fund clean water infrastructure improvements. The funds will be distributed through grants and loan matching programs to eligible municipalities for projects addressing emerging contaminants, water infrastructure upgrades, and point source pollution control. The legislation directs $22 million toward emerging contaminants, $19 million to match federal grants for water and drinking water revolving funds, $60 million for general water infrastructure grants, and $124 million for point source implementation projects. All funding is designated for qualified capital projects that must be approved under existing state statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's film production tax credit program to encourage more local hiring and production outside the state's seven-county metro area. It directly affects film and television production companies operating in Minnesota by changing eligibility requirements and credit amounts. The key changes include increasing the base tax credit from 25% to 40%, with an additional 5% credit available for projects that hire Minnesota residents in key creative roles, film outside the metro area, or employ a majority of local crew members. The bill also lowers the minimum project spending threshold from $1 million to $400,000 for general film projects and $150,000 for television commercials, while maintaining a total annual credit cap of approximately $25 million.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 from the workforce development fund to support a local news talent pipeline program in Minnesota. The funding will be distributed through the Minnesota News Media Institute to provide paid internships at newspapers, television and radio stations, and digital news platforms for individuals interested in journalism careers. The program aims to strengthen local news operations by giving participants hands-on experience in reporting, editing, and media design while requiring geographic and medium diversity in grant distribution. The bill also mandates consultation with local news organization associations and allows up to five percent of the funds for administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $6 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at Duluth's Lake Superior Zoo, directly benefiting the city of Duluth through a grant for predesign, construction, and equipment upgrades. Key provisions include authorizing the sale of up to $6 million in state bonds under Minnesota law and exempting the funding from standard budget rules (Minnesota Statutes § 16A.86, subd. 4). The funds will support critical infrastructure like mechanical/electrical systems, utility infrastructure, and exhibit renovations to sustain zoo operations.

Maddy summaryHF 3809 modifies Minnesota's expedited eviction process for specific situations, directly affecting residential tenants and landlords in cases involving safety threats or property damage. The bill requires landlords to file an affidavit with specific facts proving why an expedited hearing is needed (e.g., tenant endangering others or damaging property), sets strict hearing timelines (5-7 days after summons), and imposes a $500 civil penalty for misuse of the process. It also restricts courts from combining expedited hearings with other claims like nonpayment of rent. This bill applies only to the specified emergency eviction scenarios, not standard eviction cases.

Maddy summaryHF 2703 extends Minnesota's prohibition on drug manufacturers interfering with access to 340B drugs by removing the law's previous expiration date of July 1, 2027. This means the restriction on manufacturers - preventing them from taking actions that limit access to discounted drugs - will remain in effect indefinitely. The law directly affects drug manufacturers by restricting certain business practices and benefits healthcare providers like hospitals and clinics that participate in the federal 340B program. These providers use 340B discounts to purchase drugs at lower prices for patients, particularly those with low incomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local elected officials in Minnesota from entering into nondisclosure agreements regarding potential data center developments within their jurisdictions. It applies to city councils, mayors, county commissioners, and similar officials, ensuring that any contracts attempting to keep such information secret are automatically considered void and unenforceable. If a local government signs a contract containing these prohibited restrictions, the offending clauses must be removed, and the entire agreement must be made public. The law will take effect on August 1, 2026, and only applies to agreements entered into on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits property tax assessments from increasing for Minnesota homesteads owned and occupied by individuals aged 65 or older, with the freeze applying to the house, garage, and surrounding acreage. To qualify, owners must apply to their county assessor by July 1 and provide proof of age, ensuring that both spouses are at least 65 for married couples. While the bill caps the taxable value based on the previous year's estimate, it explicitly allows property values to rise if improvements are made to the home. The legislation also requires assessors to notify eligible homeowners of this valuation freeze in their annual tax notices and is set to take effect starting with the 2026 assessment year.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota calculates registration taxes for passenger cars and hearses by lowering the tax rate based on the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price. It changes the tax calculation for new vehicles registered on or after November 16, 2020, and reduces the percentage of the vehicle's value taxed for each subsequent year of ownership. The legislation also establishes a process to transfer money from the state's general fund to the highway user tax distribution fund to cover any revenue shortfall caused by these tax reductions.

Maddy summaryHF 3564 extends deadlines for specific parks and trails grants awarded under Minnesota's parks and trails fund. It extends funding availability for five projects: the Mesabi Trail (St. Louis/Lake Counties), Oxbow Park (Olmsted County), Kraemer Lake/Wildwood County Park (Stearns County), Plum Creek Park (Redwood County), and Robinson Quarry Park (Sandstone) through June 30, 2027 or 2028. The bill also modifies the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission's structure, including changing how its chair is elected from annual to biennial and updating reporting requirements. These changes ensure existing grant projects can continue using allocated funds beyond their original deadlines.