Rep. David Gottfried

Maddy summaryHF 3698 prohibits publishers from including certain restrictive terms in license agreements for libraries' electronic books and digital audiobooks. It directly affects Minnesota public libraries, school libraries, and the Minitex network by banning clauses that prevent libraries from lending digital materials - such as restrictions on interlibrary loans or limiting how materials can be shared. The law requires contracts to allow libraries to perform standard lending functions, including loaning materials via digital systems. It becomes effective 60 days after Minnesota’s secretary of state confirms other states with at least 7 million combined population have similar laws.

Maddy summaryHF 3704 prohibits the sale or distribution of certain crop seeds (like corn, soybeans, and wheat) coated with systemic insecticides after January 1, 2029, unless a commissioner-issued waiver is provided. It also bans applying neonicotinoid insecticides (e.g., imidacloprid) to ornamental outdoor plants and turf, except in specific environmental emergencies approved by the commissioner. Farmers seeking seed waivers must complete integrated pest management training and submit third-party pest risk assessments. The bill requires annual training for applicators and allows limited emergency use if less harmful alternatives are ineffective. It directly affects farmers, gardeners, seed sellers, and pesticide applicators in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus displaying flashing red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It directly affects all drivers approaching school buses on Minnesota roads, mandating they remain stopped until the red lights cease flashing. The bill also adds a new provision warning drivers that amber lights indicate red lights will soon activate, requiring them to prepare to stop. These changes aim to improve safety for children near school bus stops. The bill is currently pending passage after committee approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a sales and use tax on advertising services in Minnesota, expanding the state's existing sales tax framework to include this category of service. The legislation directly affects businesses that provide advertising services, such as marketing agencies, media companies, and digital advertising platforms, requiring them to collect and remit tax on these services. Key provisions amend Minnesota Statutes 297A.61 to explicitly list advertising services as taxable, while maintaining existing exemptions for services performed by employees for employers and certain affiliated business arrangements. The bill clarifies that the tax applies to the furnishing of advertising services for consideration, without specifying particular rates or collection deadlines in the provided text. This change aligns advertising services with other taxable services like laundry, lawn care, and security services already included in the state's sales tax code.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota commissioner of natural resources to transfer all state-owned land within one mile of the Upper Red Lake shoreline and all land within the Red Lake State Forest boundaries to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians without payment. The legislation mandates that the commissioner identify any legal or funding obstacles to these transfers and submit a detailed report by January 15, 2026, to relevant legislative committees with recommendations for resolving those barriers. Additionally, the bill appropriates $20 million in fiscal year 2026 to fund the land conveyance process, with funds available until June 30, 2035, and may be used to acquire additional land needed to facilitate the transfers. The law takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's volunteer health care provider program by updating the legal definitions of key terms used in the program. It directly affects health care professionals and organizations that participate in or administer volunteer health care services in the state. The key changes include clarifying what constitutes a health care provider, expanding the definition of health care services to include specific procedures, and defining charitable organizations and medical professional liability insurance within the program's context. These updates aim to provide clearer guidance for the program's administration without altering its core operational structure.

Maddy summaryHF 3423 modifies definitions related to provider enrollment in Minnesota's medical assistance program. It clarifies who qualifies as a "controlling individual" for healthcare providers, including officers, compliance officers, and managerial staff with decision-making authority over program operations. The bill updates specific statute references (replacing older sections with current ones) to standardize these definitions across medical assistance regulations. This directly affects healthcare organizations and their key personnel who must meet enrollment requirements under Minnesota's medical assistance program. The changes focus on defining roles for compliance purposes, without altering benefit eligibility or funding.

Maddy summaryHF 3435 limits access to Minnesota school sites by federal immigration officials. It requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other DHS agents to show valid identification, provide a written statement of purpose, and obtain a judicial warrant before entering schools. School officials must also approve entry and restrict such agents to areas without students present, even if all requirements are met. The bill applies directly to federal immigration enforcement personnel and school districts operating under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 2998 establishes a legal process for terminally ill Minnesota adults with a prognosis of six months or less to obtain medication for medical aid in dying. It requires two physician confirmations (an attending provider and a consulting provider), a mental health evaluation by a licensed consultant to confirm capacity, and mandates that patients self-administer the medication. The law prohibits providers from directly administering the medication and classifies related patient data as confidential. Violations of the process could result in criminal penalties, while providers following the law are granted immunity.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $95 million in bonds to fund road and utility infrastructure improvements at the Sears site in St. Paul. The funds will support construction of sanitary sewer and clean water systems, public utilities, streets, sidewalks, lighting, and streetscape improvements needed to prepare the area for future development. The legislation also defines the Sears site boundaries and establishes the legal framework for managing bond proceeds, including provisions for environmental remediation and demolition of existing structures. This measure is designed to provide necessary infrastructure support for the redevelopment of the former Sears property.