Rep. Leon Lillie

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Maplewood to impose a 0.5% local sales and use tax, subject to voter approval at a special election. The tax revenue must be used to fund three specific projects: a $25 million public safety training facility, a $48 million community center, and an $8 million park improvement, along with costs for collecting the tax and issuing bonds. The city may issue up to $81 million in bonds to finance these projects without being subject to certain state debt limitations, and the tax would expire after 20 years or once the projects are fully funded.

Maddy summaryHF 3617 bans the possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons in Minnesota, including specific firearms like AR-15 rifles and AK-47s, as well as weapons with features such as folding stocks, pistol grips, or detachable magazines. The bill defines these weapons broadly to cover both listed models and similar firearms with minor modifications, such as redesigned versions or enhanced features. Possessing a banned weapon would be a criminal offense under amended statutes, with penalties established for violations. This law directly affects individuals who own or possess these firearms, making such possession illegal under state law.

Maddy summaryHF 3618 bans the possession of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons (like AR-15s, AK-47s, and Uzis) and ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds in Minnesota. It defines these weapons broadly to include models listed in the bill, as well as firearms with features like folding stocks, pistol grips, or threaded barrels. The bill creates criminal penalties for possessing these banned weapons or magazines, directly affecting individuals who own them. The law would amend Minnesota statutes to enforce this ban and penalties, applying to anyone in the state who possesses such firearms or magazines.

Maddy summaryHF 3465 amends Minnesota Statutes to increase penalties for theft when the victim is a vulnerable adult, as defined in section 609.232, subdivision 11. It specifically enhances penalties: misdemeanor theft becomes a gross misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor theft becomes a felony (up to 2 years imprisonment or $5,000 fine), and felony theft sentences increase by 25%. This directly affects vulnerable adults in Minnesota who are victims of theft, aiming to hold offenders accountable for targeting those at heightened risk. The bill takes effect August 1, 2026, for crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 3810 requires a licensed driver to be physically present in the driver's seat of any commercial motor vehicle using an automated driving system (levels 4-5 automation) while operating on public roads. The bill mandates the person must monitor the vehicle, intervene if unsafe, and be ready to take control. Violations impose penalties: a $2,000 misdemeanor fine for first offenses, escalating to gross misdemeanors with doubled fines for repeat violations by the same owner or lessor. This directly affects commercial trucking and bus operators seeking to deploy fully autonomous systems. The law aims to ensure human oversight during automated operation of commercial vehicles.

Maddy summaryHF 211 provides $4.8 million in state funding to expand the East Metro Public Safety Training Facility in Maplewood. The bill appropriates money from bond proceeds to cover design and engineering costs for new training buildings, infrastructure, parking, stormwater management, and land acquisition. It authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $4.8 million to finance this expansion, which directly affects Maplewood city and the facility's public safety training operations. The funds will support specific facility improvements, including upgrades to existing fire training burn buildings.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Minnesota's Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, raising the annual appropriation from $10.27 million to $45.27 million. The additional funds will be used to reduce homelessness risks and improve program effectiveness, with a portion designated for the housing development fund. The legislation also grants agencies flexibility in awarding grants to existing grantees and allows new grantees in certain areas to work with advisory committees or local care systems without meeting specific statutory requirements. These changes take effect immediately and establish a future funding base of $10.72 million starting in fiscal year 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1,000,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to support the hosting of a world snow-sculpting championship. The funds would be given to the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Foundation through the commissioner of administration to cover event costs. This legislation directly affects the Stillwater area by providing financial resources to organize the international competition. The money is designated for fiscal year 2027 and is intended to support the logistics and execution of the championship event.

Maddy summaryHF 1044 adds occupational therapy services to Minnesota's mental health grant programs. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 245.4889, by explicitly including "occupational therapy services" as an eligible grant service for children with emotional disturbances. This change allows occupational therapists and assistants (defined in new sections 245I.02, subdivisions 29a-29b) to provide behavioral health services under existing children's mental health grant funding. The bill directly affects children with emotional disturbances who qualify for these grants and occupational therapy providers seeking to deliver these services through state-funded programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in two specific Washington County projects: the Stafford Library Remodel and the South Highway Shop project. It directly affects contractors, suppliers, and the county purchasing these materials for the projects during the purchase period from June 30, 2026, through January 1, 2029. The key mechanism requires taxes to be collected on purchases as normal, then refunded to the county from the state's general fund, with refunds issued only after June 30, 2026. The legislation appropriates state funds to cover the refund amounts and applies retroactively to purchases made within the specified timeframe.