Rep. Wayne Johnson

Maddy summaryHF 1577 appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to create a statewide education campaign. The campaign directly targets Minnesota employers, aiming to inform them about the benefits of hiring people with conviction records (second-chance hiring) and available state/federal incentives. Key mechanisms include developing an informational website and staffing a hotline service. This is a one-time funding allocation, not a permanent program, to support employer education on inclusive hiring practices.

Maddy summaryHF 1096 allocates $2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2 million for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's workforce development fund to Summit Academy OIC. The funding directly supports Summit Academy OIC in expanding student enrollment, employment placement, GED preparation, STEM programming, and launching a dental assistant training program in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota. It requires the organization to collaborate with employers to place students after they complete the dental assistant program. This bill provides concrete financial support for specific workforce development initiatives at Summit Academy OIC.

Maddy summaryHF 837 requires Minnesota's commissioner of commerce to apply to the federal government by December 31, 2026, for a waiver continuation under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 18052). This waiver is needed to keep Minnesota's premium security health insurance plan operating after 2027, as its future depends on federal approval. The bill also directs a one-time transfer of $413 million from the state general fund to the premium security plan account in fiscal year 2026. This funding supports the state's health insurance program for qualifying residents. The bill directly affects Minnesota's health insurance program and state budget management.

Maddy summaryHF 4 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Minnesota to return budget surplus funds to taxpayers. If approved, it would create a "Minnesota tax relief account" funded by revenue exceeding 105% of projected spending, using those funds to refund or reduce property and income taxes. Taxpayers would receive direct refunds or tax reductions, but only up to the amount they owe in taxes, with the account funded annually from the state's general fund surplus. The amendment must be voted on by voters in the 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHF 167 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax system by removing limits on subtracting Social Security benefits, allowing taxpayers to subtract all their Social Security income without phaseout thresholds or maximums. It also updates income tax brackets, raising the first tax bracket threshold to $47,620 for married couples filing jointly and $47,620 for single filers (from $38,770 and $26,520, respectively). The bill additionally modifies property tax refund rules, though specific changes aren't detailed in the provided text. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 2234 modifies how Minnesota's metropolitan counties (like Hennepin and Ramsey) must allocate state and regional transportation funds. It increases the required allocation for active transportation, safety studies, transit, and complete streets projects from 41.5% to 58.5%, while decreasing the share for road repairs to 41.5%. The bill also allows counties to use funds for specific mitigation projects and requires new allocations to "supplement, not supplant" existing funding sources. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, for funds received on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 2269 delays the enforcement of penalties for Minnesota employers who fail to provide required notices about the state's Paid Leave Law. The bill postpones the start date when employers face fines ($50 per employee for first violations, $300 for repeat violations) for not complying with notice requirements under Minnesota Statutes §268B.26. These requirements include posting workplace notices in multiple languages and providing written information to employees in their primary language about paid leave benefits, premium deductions, and claim procedures. The delay gives employers additional time to meet these notice obligations before penalties become active.

Maddy summaryHF 1439 appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to the Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation. The funds support the "Carts to Careers" initiative, which provides job skills training, outreach, and scholarships for students pursuing careers in the food retail industry. The program aims to strengthen the workforce pipeline in Minnesota's food sector by covering training, certifications, and related development costs. This one-time appropriation directly benefits food industry workers and students seeking careers in grocery retail.

Maddy summaryHF 1582 modifies Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) benefits for educators. It allows teachers with 30 years of service to retire at age 60 without reduced annuity payments (previously requiring 35 years), adjusts early retirement penalties, and increases postretirement cost-of-living adjustments. The bill also raises employer contribution rates for school districts (from 13.3% to 17.3% for basic members) and increases pension adjustment revenue rates for school districts starting in 2026. These changes directly affect current and future TRA members, school districts funding retirement costs, and the state's retirement system budget.

Maddy summaryHF 1433 shortens notice periods for landlords handling tenant-abandoned property in Minnesota. It changes the required waiting period from 28 days to 14 days after a landlord learns a tenant has abandoned premises before they may sell the tenant's belongings. The bill also reduces the period from 60 days to 14 days after an eviction order before a landlord can hold a public sale of stored property. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants involved in eviction or abandonment cases under Minnesota law. The bill maintains existing requirements for landlords to notify tenants in writing and post notices before selling property.