Rep. Andrew Myers

Maddy summaryHF 51 authorizes Minnesota school districts to use state education funds for roof repairs and replacements costing $100,000 or more per site as part of the long-term facilities maintenance program. School districts must develop a ten-year facility plan that includes a roof maintenance schedule, health and safety measures (like indoor air quality management), and provisions for gender-neutral restrooms at each school. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to explicitly include roof projects in eligible uses of the funding, effective for fiscal year 2027 and later. This legislation expands the types of maintenance projects that can be funded under the existing education finance program without changing the overall funding formula.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million ($10 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027) to create regional food bank grants. It directs the commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to distribute funds to regional food banks and federally recognized Minnesota tribes to purchase, transport, and distribute food through federal programs, with optional use for hygiene products like diapers. Recipients must comply with federal food assistance guidelines and report spending to the commissioner. The program aims to increase food availability for individuals and families in need across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 2811 requires all riders under 18 operating electric-assisted bicycles in Minnesota to wear a safety-approved helmet. It also prohibits children under 15 from operating these bikes. Violators face a fine, and the bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.222, to include these safety rules for e-bike operators. The law directly affects minors who use electric-assisted bicycles on public roads or trails.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Department of Transportation to track and report on pavement maintenance quality using a specific metric called the Asset Sustainability Ratio (ASR). The ASR is calculated by dividing "total mile years added" by "total system mileage," with targets set at 0.65 by 2027, 0.75 by 2029, and 0.85 by 2031 and beyond. The department must include these annual ASR results in its official transportation performance report. This directly affects the Minnesota Department of Transportation, mandating measurable goals for pavement maintenance rather than changing road construction methods.

Maddy summaryHF 640 expands Minnesota's fourth-degree assault law to protect transportation network company (TNC) drivers, such as those for Uber or Lyft, who were previously excluded from the statute. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to define "transit operator" to include TNC drivers operating under section 65B.472, meaning assaulting them while performing ride-hailing duties would now be a gross misdemeanor. Penalties for such assaults include up to 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine, matching protections currently available to public bus, light rail, and commuter rail operators. The law applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 2994 appropriates $1 million from the workforce development fund to create a child care pilot program for Hennepin County law enforcement and first responders. The funding, available until June 2027, will help the Sheriff's Office partner with WomenVenture to recruit child care providers who can accommodate irregular work shifts, covering costs like business planning, training, and family scholarships. The program aims to improve retention by addressing a key challenge for these workers. By December 2027, the Sheriff's Office must submit a report detailing how the funds were used and recommending future child care solutions for public safety staff.

Maddy summaryHF 859 creates a sales and use tax exemption for equipment used by food service businesses in Minnesota. It exempts equipment like ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and beverage dispensers - integral to preparing food or beverages - when purchased or leased for use in restaurants, mobile food units, or catering services. The exemption excludes items like linens, utensils, tables, chairs, and delivery vehicles. This change takes effect for purchases after June 30, 2025, reducing costs for qualifying businesses.

Maddy summaryHF 2764 requires Minnesota public schools (including charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program) to offer at least one plant-based meal option daily starting with the 2026-2027 school year. A "plant-based meal" is defined as one without any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish), and schools must provide this option within four weeks of a student's written request. Schools must also make the request process clear to students and parents, comply with federal nutrition standards, and report annually on implementation to the Department of Education. The bill applies to all public schools serving lunches through the National School Lunch Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the age threshold for early retirement reductions in Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association from 62 to 60. It directly affects teachers who retire before normal retirement age but want to avoid reduced benefits. Specifically, members retiring before age 60 will now face the early retirement reduction, whereas previously the reduction applied only for retirement before age 62. The bill also clarifies procedures for delaying postretirement adjustments, though the exact mechanism isn't detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHF 788 establishes Minnesota's "Keep it Clean" program to prevent water pollution from garbage and human waste left on ice during winter activities. It adds a $10 surcharge to resident and non-resident licenses for fish houses, dark houses, and shelters, with these funds deposited into a dedicated "Keep it Clean account" in the game and fish fund. The program provides grants to local governments and nonprofits for specific pollution prevention efforts, including installing sanitary dumping stations, providing biowaste disposal services, increasing winter enforcement patrols, and running education campaigns. The bill also appropriates initial funding from the general fund and the Keep it Clean account for program administration and grants.