Rep. Leon Lillie

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $250,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to support the renovation and preservation of the historic Mary Murphy home, museum, and park in Hermantown, Minnesota. The funding will be given as a grant to the city of Hermantown through the Minnesota Historical Society's governing board. The money is designated for fiscal year 2027 and is intended specifically for preserving and renovating this historic site.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota counties contribute to administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It adjusts the state's financial responsibility for covering county administrative expenses related to SNAP operations. The legislation directly affects county agencies that manage SNAP benefits and the state Department of Human Services that oversees the program. By changing the cost-sharing structure, the bill aims to clarify financial obligations between state and local governments for administering this federal assistance program.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies contribution rates for the Minnesota General Employees Retirement Plan, affecting both public employees and their employers. It lowers employee contributions from 6.5% to 5.5% of salary for school employees starting July 1, 2026, while employer contributions for the same group decrease from 6.5% to 7.5% over the same period. The changes apply only to coordinated members of the retirement plan, with basic members maintaining their current 9.10% contribution rate. The legislation updates Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 353.27, to reflect these new contribution percentages for different employee categories.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large meat retailers from owning stakes in livestock dealers or meat packing companies and from signing exclusive contracts that require those suppliers to sell only to them. It defines a "dominant retailer" as a company selling over $18 billion in meat annually with locations in at least 20 states, including Minnesota. The law requires these retailers to divest any existing ownership interests by January 1, 2028, with a possible 180-day extension if they show good faith efforts to comply. The attorney general will identify which retailers fall under this definition starting in 2027, and violators could face daily fines of $25,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to reimburse clinical trainees providing alcoholism, mental health, and chemical dependency services at the same rate as independently licensed professionals. The law applies to all health plans offering these benefits and takes effect on January 1, 2027. It ensures that trainees supervised by licensed providers receive equal payment for their work, which may help expand access to mental health and substance use disorder care. The provision does not apply to services outside the trainee's scope of practice or to certain county-based public health plans.

Maddy summaryHF 3643 establishes Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park in Ramsey County, specifically within St. Paul, as a new public park. The bill designates precise boundaries for the park using 18 directional points in St. Paul and requires that no park permit or entry fee be charged. It directs the commissioner of natural resources to manage the park under standard state park rules, while specifying that the commissioner of administration and Minnesota Historical Society retain authority over existing buildings and monuments within the park. The legislation also appropriates funds for the park’s establishment, directly affecting public access to this newly designated green space in the city.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $2.3 million in state bonds to fund rehabilitation and improvements to the Gateway State Trail. The money will be used to construct and equip trail enhancements in the cities of St. Paul, Maplewood, North St. Paul, and Oakdale. The commissioner of natural resources will manage the project, while the commissioner of management and budget is responsible for selling the bonds. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $95 million in bonds to fund road and utility infrastructure improvements at the Sears site in St. Paul. The funds will support construction of sanitary sewer and clean water systems, public utilities, streets, sidewalks, lighting, and streetscape improvements needed to prepare the area for future development. The legislation also defines the Sears site boundaries and establishes the legal framework for managing bond proceeds, including provisions for environmental remediation and demolition of existing structures. This measure is designed to provide necessary infrastructure support for the redevelopment of the former Sears property.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows county commissioners in Minnesota to join the state's health care savings plan, which helps cover medical expenses after they leave public service. Under the new rules, commissioners who choose to participate must have their pay reduced during their term to match the county's contribution to the plan, and they must notify the county within 30 days of how much they will contribute. The plan keeps separate accounts for each participant's contributions and earnings, with limited investment options available through the executive director. This change does not require counties to negotiate with unions about these contributions and does not create new funding obligations for retiree health care costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires organizations that receive Minnesota legacy funds to add descriptive alternative text to their websites when displaying the legacy logo. The new requirement applies to recipients of money from the parks and trails fund, outdoor heritage fund, and clean water fund, ensuring that visually impaired users and screen readers can access information about the logo. When users hover over the logo image, the website must include alt text describing the logo, and the logo must link to a page with contact information and a connection to the Legislative Coordinating Commission website. The bill also updates existing accountability measures for legacy fund recipients, including requirements for measurable outcomes, diverse community outreach assessments, and public reporting of non-compliance.