Rep. Larry Kraft

Maddy summaryHF 420 establishes a refund program for beverage containers in Minnesota, requiring retailers to offer refunds of 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or smaller and 15 cents for larger containers. This directly affects consumers (who receive refunds when returning containers), beverage producers (who fund the program via fees), and retailers (who must allow redemption mechanisms). The bill creates a "distributor and importer responsibility organization" to manage the program, set redemption targets (85% rate required), and handle unclaimed refunds for administrative costs. It also includes civil/criminal penalties for non-compliance and mandates annual reporting on redemption rates.

Maddy summaryHF 132 prohibits the open or concealed carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places, ballot drop boxes, or counting centers during election hours (two hours before polls open to two hours after they close). It directly affects individuals carrying firearms near these locations during voting periods, with exceptions for law enforcement officers on duty, lawful possession on private property or in vehicles, and travel to/from private property. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, with repeat offenses classified as gross misdemeanors. The bill creates a specific safety buffer zone around election sites to prevent firearm presence during voting, without altering broader gun laws.

Maddy summaryHF 134 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to establish a violence prevention research center under the commissioner of public safety. The center must operate as a nonprofit, nonpartisan entity focused on reducing violence in Minnesota, with specific emphasis on gun violence. It will use data and analysis to improve criminal justice policies and practices in the state. The bill directly affects the commissioner of public safety (who administers the funds) and the research center itself.

Maddy summaryHF 1013 appropriates $5 million from Minnesota's renewable development account for the Minnesota Energy Alley initiative, administered by Clean Energy Economy Minnesota. The funds are a one-time allocation to support energy sector growth through seed funding for businesses, workforce training programs, and recruiting entrepreneurs to Minnesota. The bill also directs the initiative to seek additional federal and private funding to create a long-term revenue model. This funding directly affects energy businesses and economic development efforts within the state.

Maddy summaryHF 1230 appropriates $6,913,000 from the state transportation fund to the city of St. Louis Park for infrastructure improvements on Louisiana Avenue South and Oxford Street. The funding covers road reconstruction, bike paths, sidewalks, utility repairs (water, sewer, storm systems), bridge work, and related upgrades like streetlights and roundabouts. The state will issue bonds up to this amount to finance the project, as authorized under Minnesota law. This bill directly affects St. Louis Park residents and businesses by enabling specific street and utility improvements in the designated area.

Maddy summaryHF 115 appropriates $650,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the Minnesota Children's Museum in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funding is intended to support new hands-on learning opportunities and expanded community outreach programs across Minnesota. This bill directly provides financial resources to the museum for specific educational initiatives. It is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy provisions or requirements beyond the specified appropriation.

Maddy summaryHF 1229 appropriates $4,050,000 from the state transportation fund to fund infrastructure improvements in St. Louis Park. The bill specifically covers property acquisition, design, construction, and upgrades to Wayzata Boulevard (from Louisiana Avenue to Zarthan Avenue), Zarthan Avenue (from Wayzata Boulevard to 200 feet south of 16th Street), and 16th Street (from Zarthan Avenue to Park Place Boulevard). This includes trail/sidewalk construction, utility repairs (water, sewer, storm sewer), streetlights, signals, pavement, curb, gutter, and roundabouts. The funds will be provided through state bonds authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.631 to 16A.675.

Maddy summaryHF 1159 expands Minnesota tax increment financing (TIF) district uses to allow transfers of tax increment revenue to local housing trust funds. It requires that transferred funds be used exclusively for qualified low-income housing projects meeting IRS Section 42 standards, including site acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or public improvements directly related to such housing. The bill sets limits, such as ensuring housing costs do not exceed 150% of local single-family home averages (or $200,000 in metro areas/$125,000 elsewhere) and restricting transfers to housing trust funds established under Minnesota Statutes 462C.16. This policy change directly affects TIF districts and local housing trust funds by creating a new, regulated funding stream for affordable housing development.

Maddy summaryHF 30 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Revenue to create a free, electronic system allowing residents to file individual income tax returns directly online without cost. The system must be hosted on the Department of Revenue website, and any contracted software vendor cannot offer paid tax preparation services through it. By tax years starting after December 31, 2025, the system must support at least 70% of resident individual tax returns, and the state must coordinate it with federal filing systems where possible. This directly affects Minnesota taxpayers who currently file individual income taxes, providing a free filing option instead of relying on paid services.

Maddy summaryHF 265, also known as "Brent's Law," requires Minnesota 911 call centers to identify mental health crisis calls and prioritize mental health crisis teams as primary responders when available. It mandates that 911 telecommunicators receive specific training or mental health staff screen calls to recognize crises, and establishes protocols for public safety answering points to comply. The bill also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals or families harmed by violations, allowing claims for damages, attorney fees, and up to $15,000 in punitive damages for willful violations. This directly affects all Minnesota public safety answering points and the government entities operating them.