Rep. Leon Lillie

Maddy summaryHF 1828 implements recommendations from the state auditor's fire relief association working group by requiring Minnesota firefighters' relief associations to prepare detailed annual financial statements. These statements must show all income, expenses, assets, and liabilities in a format set by the state auditor and be certified by an independent CPA with at least five years of public accounting experience (not affiliated with the association). The associations must submit these certified statements to the state auditor by June 30 each year, with the requirement effective January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all firefighters' relief associations operating under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 1812 establishes a state-run Minnesota Health Plan to guarantee comprehensive, affordable health care for every Minnesota resident. The plan covers all necessary medical, dental, vision, mental health, and long-term care services without co-pays, with premiums based on income. It creates new state entities including the Minnesota Health Board, Health Fund, Office of Health Quality and Planning, a patient advocacy ombudsman, and an auditor for the plan. The bill also requests a federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act to modify certain health insurance requirements and appropriates funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 1815 appropriates $20 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements and land acquisition for metropolitan regional parks and trails in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The funds, managed by the Metropolitan Council, are specifically for capital projects and open-space lands under Minnesota Statutes §473.147, excluding easement purchases. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $20 million in bonds to cover these costs, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This legislation directly affects park systems and recreational access for residents in the metropolitan region.

Maddy summaryHF 1746 allows the city of Oakdale to use tax increment financing (TIF) funds collected from TIF Districts 1-4 and 1-6 until December 31, 2027, instead of the standard timeline under state law. Oakdale must follow its existing written spending plan for these funds and return any unused amounts - including interest or investment earnings - to the TIF districts by the 2027 deadline. The bill specifically modifies Minnesota Statutes section 469.176 to authorize this extended use for Oakdale’s TIF projects. This affects Oakdale’s local budgeting for redevelopment within those designated TIF districts.

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 summaryThis bill increases the maximum outstanding debt limit for the State Agricultural Society from $30 million to $50 million, allowing it to borrow more for projects like fairgrounds improvements. It also exempts admissions, parking, and separately ticketed events at the state fair from sales tax, but only for regular state fair events held on the fairgrounds. The debt limit change takes effect July 1, 2025, and the tax exemption applies to sales after June 30, 2025. These changes directly affect the State Agricultural Society's ability to fund operations and the cost for fair attendees.

Maddy summaryHF 1623 appropriates $1.525 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota’s arts fund to provide grants for interactive exhibits and outreach programs at 12 specific children’s museums across the state. The bill allocates exact annual amounts to each museum, including $175,000 each year for The Works (Bloomington) and the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (Mankato), among others. Eligible museums must meet IRS criteria for children’s museums under code A52. This funding directly supports hands-on learning experiences focused on arts and cultural heritage for young visitors at these facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 1544 appropriates funds from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to the City of St. Paul for a winter festival on Lake Phalen. The bill specifically allocates money for a festival featuring ice castles and community opportunities to carve and display ice sculptures. This funding directly supports St. Paul's local event planning and community engagement activities at Lake Phalen during fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1259 appropriates $350,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota FFA. The funding directly supports FFA members participating in art- and history-related activities, including creating a history book and video series to commemorate 100 years of FFA work, and covering costs for events like FFA band/choir, talent competitions, and fair displays. Up to $125,000 annually must be used for historical documentation, with remaining funds allocated to other qualifying art and history activities. The commissioner of agriculture will develop grant criteria in consultation with the Minnesota FFA.

Maddy summaryHF 1586 appropriates $800,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for a commemorative project honoring Gordon Parks. The bill directs the Minnesota Humanities Center, working with Soul Touch Productions, to create an art installation and related programming celebrating Parks' life and legacy. This funding specifically supports cultural programming focused on Parks' contributions as a photographer, filmmaker, and civil rights advocate. The bill does not create new policy but allocates existing state funds for a specific cultural initiative.