Rep. David Gottfried

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill restricts state and local government participation in federal civil immigration enforcement efforts, prohibiting agencies from using resources to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for immigration violations. It defines civil immigration enforcement to exclude criminal law enforcement and clarifies that cooperation with federal authorities on criminal matters remains permitted. The legislation also establishes a cause of action for constitutional rights violations related to immigration, prohibits denying education based on immigration status, and requires hospitals to create policies for interactions with law enforcement. Additionally, the bill appropriates funding to support these provisions and amends existing state statutes regarding immigration-related activities.

Maddy summaryHF 3666 updates case management rules for Minnesota's home and community-based services waiver programs. It requires case managers to conduct annual face-to-face visits, develop person-centered support plans, and coordinate services for participants. The bill establishes a waiver case management quality working group and mandates regular reports on service quality. Additionally, it sets new standards for county contracts (including competitive bidding and cultural responsiveness) and bans new contracts after July 1, 2029. Case managers must complete 20 hours of annual training on topics like cultural competency and person-centered planning.

Maddy summaryHF 3422 requires Minnesota's commissioner of administration to establish standardized grants management policies for all state agencies, directly affecting agencies that distribute or manage state grants. Key provisions include mandating specific monitoring frequencies based on grant size (e.g., annual in-person visits for grants $50k-$250k, biannual for over $250k) and requiring financial reconciliations before final payments (quarterly for grants over $500k). The bill creates a central oversight point for fraud reporting, best practices, and a single public listing of grant opportunities. It applies to all grant agreements executed or amended on or after August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3634 expands the list of human services requiring electronic visit verification in Minnesota. It adds three new categories: services provided by "high-risk" providers (based on Medicare criteria), "high-risk" services designated by the commissioner, and any other program or service the commissioner designates. This affects home care and community-based service providers, requiring them to document service details (like time, location, and recipient) electronically through a system compliant with the 21st Century Cures Act. The change broadens verification requirements beyond current personal care, community first services, and home health services.

Maddy summaryHF 1911 provides $5 million in one-time funding for Minnesota counties to cover costs related to implementing the Department of Human Services' service delivery transformation IT initiatives. It also allocates $40 million for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to improve its social services information systems. The bill funds county IT modernization projects that connect with state systems and encourages collaboration between larger and smaller counties. Counties must apply for grants using a formula based on service population and other factors. This is a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026, with the DCF funding available until June 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3293 creates the Minnesota Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (MCFPB) to enforce consumer financial laws and protect residents from unfair or deceptive practices in banking, lending, and other financial services. The bill establishes a commissioner appointed by the governor to oversee the bureau, which will investigate complaints, monitor financial markets, and enforce anti-discrimination rules in consumer finance. It appropriates funding for the bureau’s operations in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and directs the commissioner to recruit staff with federal CFPB experience. The bureau directly affects Minnesota consumers and financial institutions operating in the state by providing a dedicated enforcement agency for consumer financial protection.

Maddy summaryHF 1322 modifies Minnesota's auto insurance rules for total loss claims. It requires insurers to offer a replacement vehicle option (with all taxes, fees, and license costs paid by the insurer, except the insured's deductible) when settling a total loss under a policy using actual cash value or replacement with like kind and quality, and the insured is not an auto dealer. This directly affects individual vehicle owners and non-dealer businesses who experience a total loss. The bill ensures insureds have a clear choice for a replacement vehicle without additional out-of-pocket costs beyond their deductible.

Maddy summaryMinnesota bill HF 1855 requires veterans benefits service providers (who charge fees) to be federally accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It prohibits these providers from guaranteeing specific benefits or benefit amounts to veterans or their families. The bill mandates written disclosure statements and fee agreements before services are provided, and establishes civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance. This directly affects veterans seeking assistance with benefits appeals and the service providers offering those services.

Maddy summaryHF 3240 establishes a two-year grant program administered by Minnesota's Department of Health to address outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (like measles) in communities with low vaccination rates. It appropriates funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support community health boards and nonprofit organizations working in these high-risk areas. Grant funds must cover culturally appropriate vaccine education, combating misinformation, and helping individuals access vaccines, with materials provided in primary languages of affected populations. The program directly targets geographic areas or populations experiencing or at risk of outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 2381 establishes new rules for manufactured home parks in Minnesota. It requires park owners to charge uniform rent (with limited exceptions for lot size/location), caps late fees at 8% of rent, and prohibits fees based on family size, home size, or guests. The bill mandates itemized utility billing, requires safety inspections for hazardous trees within 14 days of notice, and requires 60 days' written notice for rent increases. These changes directly affect park residents and owners by standardizing fees, improving transparency, and enhancing safety protections.