Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $10 million in state bonds to fund the expansion of the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown, Minnesota. The funds will be used to design and construct additional space for child care, senior programming, and community wellness activities, along with necessary infrastructure improvements like utilities and parking. The money comes from the bond proceeds fund and is managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development, with the commissioner of management and budget responsible for selling the bonds. The legislation takes effect the day after it is finalized.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the local sales tax authorization for Hermantown, Minnesota, allowing the city to collect an additional half-percent sales tax if approved by voters. The tax revenue must be used to cover administrative costs and fund three specific projects: a second ice sheet and upgrades to the Hermantown Hockey Arena, a trail connecting the Essentia Wellness Center to Proctor, and improvements to Fichtner Park. The legislation also authorizes the city to issue bonds up to the specified amounts for these projects without requiring a separate voter election or counting against the city's debt limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new facilities grant program to provide funding to cooperative units in Minnesota that offer special education or career and technical education services. The Department of Education would receive $10 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to administer these grants, with each individual award capped at $2 million. Eligible organizations can apply for the funds to cover purposes authorized under existing education finance statutes, such as construction, renovation, or equipment purchases for educational facilities. The legislation also allocates a portion of the appropriation for administrative costs to manage the grant program.

Maddy summaryHF 3650 establishes a voluntary framework for Minnesota public schools to connect high school students with career-focused learning experiences like internships, job shadowing, and employer-engaged projects. It requires coordination between schools, workforce agencies, and colleges to align programs with job market needs, using personalized learning plans as a foundation for career exploration. Participation is optional for school districts and charter schools, with the state providing centralized resources and guidance to support implementation. A report on the framework’s progress must be submitted to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHF 198 appropriates $14 million from state bonds to fund a new air traffic control tower base building at Duluth International Airport. The project includes design, construction, and site work like demolishing old buildings and replacing fuel tanks, with part of the funds matching federal support. The Duluth Airport Authority will receive the grant to build the facility, which includes office spaces, equipment rooms, and support areas. This bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover the costs and takes effect after enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 2817 amends Minnesota law to extend service line of duty death benefits to part-time, paid on-call, and volunteer firefighters. The bill updates the definition of "public safety officer" to include these firefighters when performing specific duties like firefighting, emergency medical services, or hazardous material response. This change ensures that the families of these firefighters who die while on duty receive the same death benefits previously available only to full-time firefighters. The policy applies to firefighters working for local government fire departments or independent nonprofit firefighting organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to provide $3.8 million in funding to the city of Rice Lake for sewer and water infrastructure improvements. The money will be used to extend water lines along Martin Road, expand sewer and water systems along a new frontage road, and upgrade sewer infrastructure near the intersection of Martin Road and Rice Lake Road. The state will issue bonds to raise the necessary funds, which will be managed by the Public Facilities Authority to support these construction projects. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHF 3378 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to immediately release unredacted initial reports produced by Optum, Inc. under contract with the Department of Human Services. These reports, defined as those announced in a February 6, 2026 department news release, must be made public without edits or redactions - except for limited redactions requested by Optum to protect proprietary information. The bill directly affects the Department of Human Services' reporting obligations and ensures public access to these documents. It takes effect 14 days after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 495 creates a new tax subtraction for Minnesota individual income taxpayers who pay for licensed child care. It allows taxpayers to subtract day care costs paid to licensed programs (like centers or family child care) from their taxable income, but only for amounts exceeding any dependent care benefits they already excluded from federal income tax. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and directly affects Minnesota taxpayers with qualifying child care expenses. The bill does not change existing federal tax rules but adds a state-level benefit for eligible costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts Minnesota's rest and meal break requirements for specific work situations where taking breaks could compromise safety or care. It exempts certain employees from standard break rules when they are the sole worker providing life-sustaining services, caring for vulnerable adults, or responding to emergencies. Despite these exemptions, the law requires that exempted workers still be allowed time to use the restroom and eat meals while working. The changes directly affect employers and employees in healthcare, emergency services, and other critical care roles who may currently face challenges with break scheduling.