Rep. Larry Kraft

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the renewable development account in fiscal year 2027 to provide a grant to The Heights Community Energy for constructing a geothermal energy system. The funding is designated for a specific recipient organization to build a heating and cooling system that uses underground piping and heat pumps to exchange thermal energy with the earth. The legislation defines the geothermal energy system as one or more heat pumps connected to earth-embedded piping with associated distribution and building mechanical infrastructure. This funding comes from the existing renewable development account established under Minnesota Statutes section 116C.779.

Maddy summaryHF 3737 amends Minnesota’s state building sustainability requirements to strengthen energy and water efficiency standards for state-owned and leased buildings. It adds new definitions for terms like "energy efficiency" and "water conservation," requires state agencies to report energy/water usage data, and establishes a shared-savings program where energy cost savings fund future efficiency improvements in state buildings. The bill also creates an Office of Enterprise Sustainability to develop metrics, track progress through public dashboards, and assist agencies in meeting energy/water reduction goals. These changes directly affect all state agencies managing buildings, mandating concrete data reporting, efficiency planning with 15-year payback limits, and adherence to updated performance standards. The bill focuses on operational changes for state facilities rather than new funding or broad public policies.

Maddy summaryHF 3409 prohibits Minnesota public schools from denying students access to free K-12 education based on the student's or their parent's immigration status or citizenship. It requires schools to stop collecting unnecessary immigration information, avoid threatening to share such details with law enforcement, and ensure no student or parent is excluded from school activities due to immigration status. The bill also creates a legal remedy, allowing students or parents who face such denial to file a civil lawsuit for redress.

Maddy summaryHF 3792 creates a tax subtraction for Minnesota residents who receive AmeriCorps stipends or living allowances. It specifically excludes from taxable income four types of payments: AmeriCorps volunteer stipends (42 U.S.C. § 4955), National Civilian Community Corps living allowances (42 U.S.C. § 12618), AmeriCorps Seniors stipends (42 U.S.C. §§ 5011, 5013(b)), and National Service Educational Awards (42 U.S.C. §§ 12601-12604). This change reduces the taxable income of eligible AmeriCorps participants in Minnesota. The policy takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3795 is a Minnesota legislative resolution condemning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) actions during Operation Metro Surge, which allegedly caused violence, unlawful detentions, and constitutional violations against Minnesotans. It specifically references two deaths (Renee Good and Alex Pretti), widespread harm including school disruptions, healthcare avoidance, and economic impacts on agriculture and businesses. The resolution calls for a federal investigation into these actions and demands accountability, directing copies to the President, DHS Secretary, and Minnesota’s congressional delegation. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses legislative stance without creating new law.

Maddy summaryHF 3713 requires textile, carpet, and mattress manufacturers to set up and pay for systems that collect these items when they are thrown away. This bill directly affects producers of these products, not consumers or retailers. Key provisions include creating a dedicated fund to manage collection systems, imposing penalties for failing to comply, and mandating annual reports on the program's progress. The bill also appropriates state funds to support the new system.

Maddy summaryHF 3701 prohibits long-term care, life, and disability insurers in Minnesota from denying coverage, changing premiums, or requiring genetic testing based on an individual's genetic information. The bill bans insurers from using genetic test results to make coverage decisions or forcing applicants to undergo genetic testing as a condition for obtaining or renewing policies. It allows insurers to access existing genetic information in medical records only with the individual's separate, written consent, and permits consideration of medical diagnoses (even if based on genetic tests) without requiring consent. The law takes effect August 1, 2026, for new or renewed policies.

Maddy summaryHF 3704 prohibits the sale or distribution of certain crop seeds (like corn, soybeans, and wheat) coated with systemic insecticides after January 1, 2029, unless a commissioner-issued waiver is provided. It also bans applying neonicotinoid insecticides (e.g., imidacloprid) to ornamental outdoor plants and turf, except in specific environmental emergencies approved by the commissioner. Farmers seeking seed waivers must complete integrated pest management training and submit third-party pest risk assessments. The bill requires annual training for applicators and allows limited emergency use if less harmful alternatives are ineffective. It directly affects farmers, gardeners, seed sellers, and pesticide applicators in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota legislative resolution (HF 2688) requests Congress to seek a constitutional amendment overturning the *Citizens United v. FEC* Supreme Court decision. It asks Congress to clarify that constitutional rights apply only to natural persons (not corporations or other artificial entities) and that campaign spending is not protected speech under the First Amendment. The resolution specifically proposes an amendment requiring governments to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures to ensure equal political access for all citizens, regardless of wealth, and to mandate public disclosure of all political spending. It does not create new laws but formally urges federal action through a constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota municipalities enforce the State Building Code by clarifying which local governments must administer the code and which can choose to do so. It requires municipalities with populations of 2,500 or more located in metropolitan counties to continue enforcing the code if they already adopted it, while smaller rural municipalities retain the option to adopt or decline enforcement. The legislation also establishes rules for extending code enforcement into unincorporated areas outside city limits, sets requirements for public notice and hearings before such extensions begin, and clarifies that municipalities cannot create building code provisions that conflict with state standards except in specific geological cases. Additionally, the bill outlines how municipalities can contract with other local governments or qualified individuals for inspections and enforcement, with reimbursement options through permit fees.