Rep. Peter Fischer

Maddy summaryHF 1599 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for preliminary design work on a grade-separated interchange at the intersection of Trunk Highway 36 and Trunk Highway 120 in North St. Paul and Oakdale. The funding is specifically for planning and design phases, not construction, and is available until the project is completed or abandoned. This bill directly affects local residents and traffic in those communities by funding the initial planning for a safer, more efficient road connection. The appropriation is one-time and limited to fiscal year 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1359 increases funding for solid waste management by changing how fees collected from waste management are allocated. Starting in 2026, 7% of these fees will go to a resource management account (rising to 20% in 2027 and 30% after 2028), instead of the general fund. The funds must be distributed to counties for waste management programs under state law. This directly affects counties receiving these allocations and changes the percentage of fees dedicated to environmental resource management over time. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1608 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the Kids In Need Foundation to support Minnesota schools. The funding targets schools where at least half the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, focusing on low-income students and students of color. The grant must be used for specific programs including educational supplies for rural and Indigenous school equity initiatives, expanded teacher resource center access, enhanced volunteer spaces, and additional supply distributions to support student engagement and academic outcomes.

Maddy summaryHF 1527 appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the game and fish fund to expand Minnesota's "Fishing in the Neighborhood" program. The funding, directed to the commissioner of natural resources, will extend the program to all counties and cities statewide. It aims to increase angling opportunities for children, raise public awareness about fishing, and promote environmental stewardship. The bill provides concrete funding for program expansion without altering existing laws or creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 1609 appropriates $3 million from state bonds to fund a school supply distribution and educator resource center in Little Canada, Minnesota. The center will support underserved students and teachers across Minnesota by providing school supplies and educational resources. The bill directs the state to sell bonds to raise the funds, with the city of Little Canada using the money to acquire property and operate the center under state leasing rules. This is a direct funding mechanism for a specific facility, not a broader policy change.

Maddy summaryHF 1533 amends Minnesota's corporate franchise tax laws to treat certain foreign corporations operating in Minnesota as "unitary" businesses. It directly affects foreign corporations that meet the new definition of a "tax haven" (e.g., jurisdictions with opaque tax regimes, preferential treatment for foreign entities, or favorable tax avoidance structures). The bill adds definitions for "tax haven" and requires corporations with significant business in such jurisdictions to have their worldwide income apportioned and taxed under Minnesota's unitary tax rules, rather than just income generated within the state. Key provisions include aligning Minnesota tax deductions with federal "Global intangible low-taxed income" (section 951A) and "Subpart F income" rules. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 98 modifies supervision and training rules for mental health professionals in Minnesota. It requires case managers with less experience to complete 40 hours of approved training and receive 38 hours of annual supervision (including monthly clinical sessions), while case management associates must meet specific education or experience criteria and complete 40 hours of preservice training. The bill also exempts intensive residential mental health treatment providers from certain client rights requirements and updates critical incident reporting timelines for residential programs. These changes directly affect mental health service providers, case managers, behavioral aides, and residential treatment facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 1610 appropriates $3 million from Minnesota's general fund for a one-time grant to the Kids in Need Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The funds will be used to acquire property in Little Canada for a school supply distribution center and educator resource center. This facility will directly support underserved students and teachers across Minnesota by providing school supplies and educational resources. The appropriation is available until the project is completed or abandoned, as specified in Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryHF 1209 appropriates one-time funding from the general fund for a voluntary well water testing program in Minnesota. The bill directs the state health commissioner, working with the University of Minnesota and nonprofits, to develop a program offering free well water testing through local clinics. This program will provide private well owners with testing services, information on water safety, treatment options, and guidance for creating well owner safety plans. The funding is specifically for fiscal year 2026 and applies only to private wells, not public water systems.

Maddy summaryHF 1331 requires the commissioner of natural resources to conduct an annual statewide survey to estimate Minnesota's wolf population. The survey must cover the entire state - not just historic wolf habitats - and be completed each year. This amendment to Minnesota Statutes section 97B.646 (wolf management) adds this requirement to the existing framework, which already includes a wolf management plan and quarterly mortality reporting. The bill directly affects state wildlife management practices under the Department of Natural Resources.