Rep. Lucy Rehm

Maddy summaryHF 1582 modifies Minnesota's Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) benefits for educators. It allows teachers with 30 years of service to retire at age 60 without reduced annuity payments (previously requiring 35 years), adjusts early retirement penalties, and increases postretirement cost-of-living adjustments. The bill also raises employer contribution rates for school districts (from 13.3% to 17.3% for basic members) and increases pension adjustment revenue rates for school districts starting in 2026. These changes directly affect current and future TRA members, school districts funding retirement costs, and the state's retirement system budget.

Maddy summaryHF 31 modifies how Minnesota school districts calculate eligibility for compensatory revenue funding (used to support students from low-income backgrounds). It changes the method to combine both direct certification (using existing eligibility data) and application of education benefits to determine funding. The bill also allows districts to allocate up to 20% of compensatory funds off-site for broader student needs, while requiring 80% to stay at the school building level. Additionally, it establishes a Compensatory Revenue Task Force to review the system and updates professional development requirements for teachers under the Read Act.

Maddy summaryHF 1817 increases the annual surcharge for all-electric vehicles from $75 to $100 (effective August 1, 2025), while adding a new $25 surcharge for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Both surcharges are adjusted every three years based on changes to Minnesota’s gasoline excise tax, rounded to the nearest $5 increment. Revenue from these surcharges must be deposited into the Transportation Impact Assessment and Mitigation Account. Additionally, if the account balance exceeds 50% of annual deposits, 90% of the excess must be transferred to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 1812 establishes a state-run Minnesota Health Plan to guarantee comprehensive, affordable health care for every Minnesota resident. The plan covers all necessary medical, dental, vision, mental health, and long-term care services without co-pays, with premiums based on income. It creates new state entities including the Minnesota Health Board, Health Fund, Office of Health Quality and Planning, a patient advocacy ombudsman, and an auditor for the plan. The bill also requests a federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act to modify certain health insurance requirements and appropriates funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 1685 requires Minnesota's IT Services agency to combine the state's transit assistance program (currently managed by Metro Transit) into the existing Minnesota Benefits Web Portal by December 31, 2025. The bill mandates coordination with transportation, human services, and children's agencies to ensure seamless integration while allowing Metro Transit to continue processing applications. It also appropriates $1.2 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 specifically for this integration work. This change directly affects state agencies managing benefits and Metro Transit, aiming to streamline access for Minnesotans using transit assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1415 increases funding for Minnesota's school unemployment aid program, which provides financial support to hourly school employees who face unemployment between academic terms. The bill appropriates specific additional funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This directly affects hourly school workers, such as those in maintenance or summer programs, who qualify for unemployment aid under existing rules. The change simply adds more money to an existing account without altering eligibility or program structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's requirement for medical assistance applicants and recipients to identify third parties potentially responsible for their medical costs (like private insurance). It clarifies that cooperation includes providing information about third-party payers and group health plans, but explicitly states that coverage through the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (chapter 62E) cannot be considered group health plan coverage for this purpose. The change affects individuals receiving state medical assistance who must now help identify liable third parties, with the exclusion of the state health plan from being treated as a cost-effective group plan. The amendment updates Minnesota Statutes section 256B.056 to reflect these specific provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 1211 appropriates $5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund road improvements in Eden Prairie, specifically for designing and preparing an interchange at the intersection of Trunk Highway 5 and Hennepin County State-Aid Highway 4. The funds cover preliminary and final design work, environmental analysis, and acquiring land and utility rights for the project. This one-time appropriation is available until June 30, 2030, and can be used by the city of Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, or the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The bill directly affects infrastructure planning and construction for this specific interchange location.

Maddy summaryHF 511 authorizes the city of Plymouth to impose a local sales and use tax of up to 0.5% on retail purchases, subject to voter approval at a general election. The revenue must fund specific projects: $45 million for Plymouth Ice Center improvements, $40 million for the Community Center, and $35 million for regional sports complexes. The city may issue bonds up to $120 million to finance these projects, with repayment secured by the tax revenue. The tax expires after 20 years or once project costs are fully covered, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryHF 512 authorizes the city of Plymouth to establish up to two redevelopment districts in its city center area (as defined in its 2024 zoning map) using modified tax increment financing rules. It directly affects Plymouth by waiving a standard requirement, excluding a specific provision, and extending key timeframes from five years to ten years for planning and eleven years for fund use. The bill allows Plymouth to use tax increment financing more flexibly for local redevelopment projects within these designated areas. This special rule expires December 31, 2031.