Rep. Peter Fischer

Maddy summaryHF 2627 prohibits pet shops (defined as physical retail stores selling animals to the public) from selling, offering to sell, or transferring ownership of cats or dogs. The bill directly affects retail pet shops operating in Minnesota, requiring them to stop selling these animals by August 1, 2026. However, pet shops may still host nonprofit animal rescues or shelters (501(c)(3) organizations) for adoption events, provided the shops don’t own the animals or charge fees for the space. The law does not restrict breeders, shelters, or adoption centers, only retail pet shops selling cats and dogs directly to customers.

Maddy summaryHF 2380 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in services, programs, or activities receiving state funding in Minnesota. It directly affects public and private entities (like schools, hospitals, and businesses) that receive state money. The bill requires these entities to provide reasonable accommodations and bans exclusion or denial of benefits due to disability. It also specifically prohibits businesses from banning service animals or charging extra fees for them, defining "disability" broadly to include conditions substantially limiting major life activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota statutes to update pension contribution rates and annuity calculation formulas for teachers in the state's retirement systems. It establishes specific employer contribution percentages for certain districts like Minneapolis and Duluth while adjusting the rates for other districts. Additionally, the legislation modifies how retirement annuities are computed based on years of service, distinguishing between different periods of employment and membership types. These changes directly affect teachers and school districts in Minnesota by altering the financial terms of their retirement benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota municipalities from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information about projects funded with public money. It directly affects local governments, including cities, counties, school districts, and other political subdivisions that manage public funds. The law makes any such restrictive contracts automatically unenforceable and requires municipalities to publicly disclose any agreements that violate this rule. The provision specifically covers projects involving land development, economic initiatives, tax revenues, bonds, and other debt obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota Business Recovery Loan Program to provide financial assistance to businesses that have suffered revenue losses exceeding 30% due to staffing shortages or disruptions caused by increased immigration enforcement activities. The program allocates $100 million in one-time funding, with $18 million designated for zero-interest loans to businesses in greater Minnesota and $82 million for zero-interest loans to businesses in the seven-county metropolitan area through nonprofit lenders. To qualify, businesses must be Minnesota-based, in good standing, and demonstrate that their revenue decline stems from immigration-related events between the bill's enactment and December 1, 2025. Loan amounts vary by business size and location, ranging from $25,000 to $200,000, and funds must be used exclusively for business operations within Minnesota rather than debt repayment or real estate investment.

Maddy summaryHF 3624 appropriates $5,392,000 from the general fund for Minnesota's food shelf programs in fiscal year 2027. The funding, added to the base allocation, supports existing food shelf operations under Minnesota Statutes section 142F.14, administered by the state agency for children, youth, and families. This bill directly affects community food shelves that provide emergency food assistance to Minnesotans in need, without changing program eligibility or creating new requirements. The measure focuses solely on providing dedicated state funding for current food shelf services.

Maddy summaryHF 3586 establishes a $10 million annual grant program for regional food banks and Minnesota Tribal governments in Minnesota, funded through the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2029. The program distributes funds based on poverty and unemployment data in each area, requiring grantees to use money for purchasing, transporting, and distributing food and hygiene products (like diapers) at no cost to recipients. Funds cannot cover staff salaries or other ineligible expenses, and grantees must report spending and maintain records for oversight. This bill directly supports food banks serving low-income individuals and families by expanding access to essential food and hygiene supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year moratorium on issuing permits for new data centers in Minnesota, preventing their construction until a comprehensive report is completed. The Public Utility Commission is required to submit this report by July 1, 2027, or January 1, 2028, if an extension is granted, to state legislative committees. The report must analyze energy, water, and materials usage; environmental and cultural impacts on Tribal Nations; local and state economic effects; and suitable locations that minimize disruption to communities and infrastructure. Additionally, the commission must consult with Tribal governments and hire a third-party contractor who has no financial ties to data center developers to ensure the report's objectivity.

Maddy summaryHF 1073 requires pipeline owners in Minnesota to follow specific steps when abandoning pipelines. Pipeline owners must notify landowners 60 days before ceasing operations and remove all abandoned pipelines, equipment, and infrastructure within 90 days after certifying the pipeline is purged of materials. They are also responsible for restoring land by replacing topsoil, establishing vegetation, and controlling invasive species for five years. Landowners can request removal or ask to leave pipelines in place by submitting written requests to pipeline owners and state agencies.

Maddy summaryHF 2490 establishes the Companion Animal Board in Minnesota to promote the welfare of cats, dogs, and other nonagricultural pets (including rabbits, guinea pigs, and small reptiles). The board, composed of 13 appointed members representing veterinarians, communities, animal shelters/rescues, breeders, and human welfare professionals, will administer policies related to companion animals while excluding agricultural animals, wildlife, and veterinary practice. The bill appropriates funding for the board's operations and requires it to issue reports, though it does not alter existing laws governing veterinary medicine or animal health. This is a procedural bill creating a new state board with defined scope and funding.