Rep. Leon Lillie

Maddy summaryHF 1770 creates a grant program to fund infrastructure for cooperative manufactured housing developments in Minnesota. Counties and cities can receive grants covering up to 50% of infrastructure costs (like sewers, water systems, and streets) for projects serving manufactured housing cooperatives, with a maximum of $60,000 per housing lot. Applicants must provide local matching funds (cash or in-kind, such as site value) and demonstrate the project will increase workforce housing and attract additional private investment. The bill appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund these grants, with returned funds recycled for future grants if projects stall beyond five years.

Maddy summaryHF 1964 appropriates $9.6 million from state bonds to renovate paved state trails established under Minnesota law. The funds, sourced through bonds sold by the state, will be managed by the commissioner of natural resources for trail projects prioritized under existing statutes. This bill directly affects Minnesota's state trail system and the agencies responsible for maintaining it. The legislation creates a specific funding mechanism to support infrastructure improvements on designated paved trails.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $675,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $729,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund. The funds will support two outdoor education programs: Wilderness Inquiry's Canoemobile and Pyramid of Outdoor Engagement. These programs provide statewide, sequential outdoor educational experiences for youth and families, aligning with Minnesota graduation standards and connecting participants to the state's natural resources, outdoor traditions, and public lands. The funding directly supports these programs' operations to expand access to nature-based learning across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's HF 2824 amends Minnesota Statutes section 97C.395 to establish a year-round (continuous) open season for taking largemouth and smallmouth bass. This change directly affects recreational anglers who fish for these species in Minnesota waters, removing seasonal restrictions that previously applied. The bill adds largemouth and smallmouth bass to the list of fish species already covered under the continuous season provision, which currently includes species like sunfish, crappie, and perch. The amendment modifies the existing statute without altering other seasonal rules for different fish.

Maddy summaryHF 1489 appropriates $100 million from state bond proceeds to rehabilitate public housing for low-income residents in Minnesota. The funds, administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, will cover costs for preserving publicly owned, federally financed housing units. Key provisions require prioritizing health, safety, and energy improvements in rehabilitation projects while maximizing federal or local funding. The state will issue up to $100 million in bonds to finance this appropriation, effective upon enactment. This directly supports public housing providers and residents in maintaining safe, affordable housing.

Maddy summaryHF 1007 appropriates $5 million from Minnesota's general fund for the World Junior Hockey Championships hosted in Minnesota during December 2025 and January 2026. The funds, available until June 2027, are directed to Minnesota Sports and Events through Explore Minnesota to cover event-related costs. This bill provides specific financial support for the tournament's operational expenses. It directly affects the state's tourism organization and the event organizer, Minnesota Sports and Events. The legislation is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 2836 appropriates $250,000 from Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund for a youth water safety grant program in fiscal year 2026. The program provides grants to nonprofit organizations and city/county parks/recreation programs that offer swimming lessons to youth, with priority for low-income and at-risk children. Grant funds must cover at least 85% in scholarships for these youth, while up to 15% may support hiring or training water safety instructors. The bill directly affects local providers of youth swimming programs and focuses on increasing access to water safety education.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2,000,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The funds will be granted to the event organizers to celebrate Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage during the Games, including designing and building a Special Olympics Cauldron. The bill directly affects the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games organizers by providing dedicated funding for cultural programming. The appropriation is specific to fiscal year 2026 and requires no new policy changes beyond the funding allocation.

Maddy summaryHF 2750 appropriates $6.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund the construction of a new National Loon Center in Crosslake, Minnesota. The city of Crosslake will receive the grant to build a facility with visitor services, educational exhibits, and adjacent public spaces including parking. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $6.5 million under existing bond statutes to cover these costs. This funding directly supports Crosslake’s development of a public visitor center focused on loon conservation and education.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 2374) requires that when a person is convicted of certain motor vehicle violations - including alcohol/controlled substance offenses, manslaughter from vehicle operation, or criminal vehicular homicide/injury - their privileges to operate off-road recreational vehicles and motorboats are automatically revoked for the same duration as their driver's license revocation. It amends Minnesota Statutes § 171.188 to apply the same revocation period for these off-road vehicle and boat privileges as for driver's licenses. The law takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to violations committed on or after that date. It directly affects individuals convicted of the specified offenses who hold operating privileges for off-road vehicles or motorboats.