Rep. Wayne Johnson

Maddy summaryHF 1177 would remove political party designations from ballots for Minnesota state legislative elections. The bill amends election statutes to require that candidates for state senator and state representative be listed without party labels on both primary and general election ballots. This change applies to all candidates for these offices, meaning voters would see candidate names without party affiliations. The bill takes effect for elections held on or after August 1, 2026. It does not alter voting procedures or party registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 1248 modifies Minnesota's sales tax rules to expand exemptions for construction materials purchased by contractors working on projects for specific public and nonprofit entities. It adds a new exemption category (section 297A.71, subdivision 55) covering materials used in buildings or facilities owned by school districts, local governments, hospitals/nursing homes operated by political subdivisions, public libraries, nonprofits, and certain healthcare providers. Contractors must pay sales tax upfront on these materials but will receive a refund under existing procedures (section 297A.75), effectively eliminating the tax burden for these qualifying projects. The bill takes effect for sales after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1284 allows Minnesota school districts to delay compliance with certain state mandates that lack funding until the required financial resources are appropriated. Specifically, districts are not required to follow mandates affecting daily operations, local policy authority, curriculum changes, or spending priorities until funding is secured. Exceptions apply for mandates with minimal budget impact or those directly related to student safety, health, or financial audits. The law takes effect for mandates active after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1293 appropriates $8.4 million from Minnesota's general fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund school bus stop-signal arm camera systems. The money will be distributed as grants to school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and school bus service providers to purchase and install these cameras. The grant program must follow existing rules from 2021 and is a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2027. This directly affects school transportation providers by providing funding to implement safety technology that captures vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses.

Maddy summaryHF 1113 appropriates $10 million from state bonds to fund Washington County's design and construction of a public works and environmental center. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $10 million in bonds to cover this project, as permitted under Minnesota law. This funding directly supports Washington County's infrastructure development for public works operations and environmental services. The project will be financed through state bond proceeds, with funds allocated to the county for the facility's construction.

Maddy summaryHF 1195 appropriates $2 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026 to Washington County via the Metropolitan Council. The funds are specifically for constructing and equipping lighting along trails in Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. This one-time appropriation must be used to complete the trail lighting project within the timeframe specified by law. The bill becomes effective the day after it is enacted.

Maddy summaryHF 929 expands Minnesota's contractor recovery fund to cover disputes involving private residential pools. The bill modifies the definition of "residential real estate" to explicitly include pools owned and used by homeowners or their families for personal use (not for business). This means the fund - which helps homeowners recover money if a contractor fails to complete work - will now apply to pool installations alongside traditional home construction. It directly affects homeowners who install private pools and contractors who build them, ensuring these projects qualify for fund protections.

Maddy summaryHF 260 extends an exemption for small employers from Minnesota's Paid Leave Law until January 1, 2028. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to exempt employers with 20 or fewer employees (as calculated under section 268B.14, subdivision 5b) from the law's requirements. This means small businesses in Minnesota will not need to provide paid leave to employees until 2028, while larger employers must comply earlier. The exemption expires on January 1, 2028, after which all employers must adhere to the full Paid Leave Law.

Maddy summaryHF 125 requires facilities handling hazardous chemicals to immediately notify the State Emergency Management Operations Center of any release meeting federal reporting thresholds for hazardous substances or extremely hazardous substances. It specifically adds a requirement for oil refineries (facilities processing crude oil into petroleum products, as defined in Minnesota law) to also notify local emergency responders after reporting to the state center. The bill mandates that the state center be staffed 24/7 to handle these reports and coordinate with relevant agencies, while prohibiting state agencies from requiring duplicate notifications. This law applies to releases occurring on or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies and expands Minnesota's self-defense laws by removing the requirement to retreat before using force to protect oneself or one's home. It specifically eliminates the "duty to retreat" outside the home, broadens the definition of "dwelling" to include vehicles and adjacent areas like porches or decks, and creates a legal presumption that force was justified when someone enters a dwelling or occupied vehicle by stealth or force. The law applies directly to Minnesotans defending their homes, vehicles, or occupants against unlawful entry or threats, and extends protections to individuals defending others in these spaces. These changes codify existing common law principles into statute while removing restrictions on defensive force in specified scenarios.