Rep. Cheryl Youakim

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how members, officers, and employees of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives can use legislative email addresses, telephone numbers, and office space. It prohibits giving out official legislative contact information to anyone who is not a legislator, staff member, or authorized employee, and limits member phone lines to exclusive use by the member and their assigned staff. The law also requires written notification to caucus leaders before allowing non-legislators to occupy assigned office space. Enforcement and penalties for violations are handled through rules adopted by the Senate and House, with courts barred from intervening in disputes over these provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 2901 expands the allowable uses of funds in Minnesota's housing tax credit contribution account to include funding supportive services for residents in existing supportive housing. This bill directly affects housing providers operating supportive housing programs, which assist vulnerable populations like seniors or individuals with disabilities. The key change amends Minnesota Statutes § 462A.40 by adding "funding supportive services in supportive housing" to the list of permitted uses, alongside existing options like construction and rehabilitation. It does not create new funding but allows existing account funds to cover essential services like case management or healthcare coordination within current supportive housing developments.

Maddy summaryHF 1758 requires all health plans covering maternity benefits in Minnesota to provide comprehensive coverage for infertility diagnosis/treatment and standard fertility preservation services. It applies to private health plans, MinnesotaCare, and medical assistance programs, effective January 1, 2026. The law mandates no cost-sharing beyond what's required for maternity coverage (e.g., no extra deductibles), prohibits benefit limits specific to fertility care, and allows up to four completed oocyte retrievals per year. The state will reimburse health plans for coverage costs that wouldn’t have been provided without this law, using funds appropriated annually. This directly affects Minnesotans seeking infertility care through qualifying health insurance.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota Department of Health to join the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. The commissioner must identify the necessary application process by September 1, 2026, and submit the application by December 1, 2026. This action aims to integrate the state's health response capabilities with a global system for monitoring and addressing disease outbreaks. The legislation does not alter existing funding or staffing but establishes a specific timeline for this international partnership.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's property tax refund program to provide additional relief for homeowners whose homestead property taxes increased by more than six percent compared to the previous year. Under the new rules, eligible homeowners would receive a refund equal to 60 percent of the tax increase, with a maximum refund amount raised from $1,000 to $2,500. The legislation requires homeowners to file a property tax refund return along with their current year's tax statement to claim the refund, and counties must provide electronic lists of potentially eligible taxpayers upon request. The changes apply to property taxes payable in 2026 and later years, affecting homeowners who meet the specified increase thresholds.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Edina to create and manage social districts where people can consume alcoholic beverages in public spaces. It allows the city to issue special licenses to existing liquor sellers and municipal liquor stores to operate within designated areas, while also requiring clear signage and specific rules about container types and consumption hours. The legislation mandates that social districts be clearly marked with signs showing boundaries, permitted hours, and local law enforcement contact information, and requires cities to post management plans online to ensure public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts state education funding forecasts for Minnesota's prekindergarten through grade 12 programs for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. It directly affects school districts by modifying the amounts of various state aid categories, including general education aid, abatement aid, and career and technical education funding. The legislation updates specific dollar amounts in existing state laws to reflect revised financial projections, with some categories seeing increases while others experience decreases. These changes are administrative adjustments to the state's education finance formula rather than new programs or policy initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's Read Act to establish a process for districts and publishers to request reviews of new reading curricula. It requires that any curriculum seeking approval demonstrate it meets Read Act requirements, is evidence-based, includes structured literacy components, and incorporates culturally responsive criteria. The legislation sets a fee of up to $3,500 for review services after March 3, 2025, and mandates that alternative programs for students who cannot access sound-based approaches be reviewed alongside traditional curricula.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for falsely impersonating a peace officer in Minnesota by upgrading the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony and adding new crimes for impersonating while possessing a firearm or using marked law enforcement vehicles. It also establishes enhanced sentencing when someone commits other crimes while pretending to be an officer, including extending maximum jail time for serious offenses. Additionally, the law requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves by name, agency, and identification number when interacting with the public. These changes directly affect individuals who falsely claim to be police officers and law enforcement personnel who must follow new identification requirements.

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.