Rep. Lucy Rehm

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 3556) is a naming resolution that commemorates Melissa Hortman by designating Minnesota's community solar garden program as the "Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program." It does not change any program rules, funding, or operations - it only adds a short title to Minnesota Statutes section 216B.1641. The bill directly honors Melissa Hortman, a former state legislator, through this naming. It is procedural and has no policy impact beyond the name change.

Maddy summaryHF 1426 establishes a statewide program requiring manufacturers of electronic products (like circuit boards and batteries) to fund collection and recycling of covered items through a reimbursement board. It directly affects electronics manufacturers by mandating their financial responsibility for end-of-life products and consumers by creating designated collection sites. The bill prohibits mercury in batteries and defines specific categories of "covered products," including circuit boards and batteries (excluding lead-acid types), while exempting medical devices and vehicles. It also appropriates funds to implement the program and replaces outdated battery management rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Minnesota's child tax credit from $1,750 to $2,000 per qualifying child for taxable years after December 31, 2025. It also requires the state revenue commissioner to annually adjust both the credit amount and phaseout thresholds for inflation starting in 2026, with adjustments rounded to the nearest $60. The changes directly affect Minnesota residents who file state income tax returns and claim the child credit for their dependents.

Maddy summaryHF 3620 prohibits Minnesota state agencies and the commissioner from purchasing single-use plastic food service items (like plates, cups, cutlery, and clamshell containers) and plastic bottles under 21 fluid ounces. The law applies to all state procurement contracts and bid specifications issued after its effective date, which is the day after enactment. Exceptions allow purchases when prohibited items are unavailable, during emergencies, or when necessary for health, safety, or accessibility needs. This bill directly affects state purchasing decisions and aims to reduce plastic waste in government operations.

Maddy summaryHF 3698 prohibits publishers from including certain restrictive terms in license agreements for libraries' electronic books and digital audiobooks. It directly affects Minnesota public libraries, school libraries, and the Minitex network by banning clauses that prevent libraries from lending digital materials - such as restrictions on interlibrary loans or limiting how materials can be shared. The law requires contracts to allow libraries to perform standard lending functions, including loaning materials via digital systems. It becomes effective 60 days after Minnesota’s secretary of state confirms other states with at least 7 million combined population have similar laws.

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 repeals previous sales tax exemptions for preferred seating and amenities at athletic facilities, meaning these items will now be subject to sales tax when purchased with event tickets. It also provides funding for safe harbor shelter and housing grants to support homeless assistance programs. The legislation defines various retail sales for tax purposes, including bundled transactions and promotional items, while appropriating money for the housing grants.

Maddy summaryHF 3433 bans the possession of specific semiautomatic firearms designated as "military-style assault weapons," including models like AK-47s, AR-15s, and weapons with features such as folding stocks or pistol grips. The bill defines banned weapons to cover both listed models (e.g., Colt AR-15) and similar firearms with minor modifications like enhanced magazines or barrel attachments. It amends Minnesota statutes to impose criminal penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment, for violating the possession ban. This law directly affects individuals who own these specific firearms, requiring them to comply with the new restrictions.

Maddy summaryHF 3402 bans the possession, manufacture, import, and transfer of large-capacity ammunition magazines in Minnesota. It defines these as feeding devices holding more than ten rounds (with exceptions for permanently modified devices, .22 caliber tubes, and lever-action tubular magazines). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, requiring current owners to surrender, modify, permanently alter, or remove their magazines by July 1, 2027. Violations carry felony penalties of up to five years in prison or $25,000 in fines. Law enforcement, military personnel, and licensed dealers are exempt under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's window tinting laws to explicitly include police vehicles regularly used for law enforcement activities as an exception to standard tinting restrictions. The change adds police vehicles to a list of vehicle types that may have tinted windows without meeting the usual light transmittance requirements, alongside existing exceptions for pickup trucks, vans, funeral hearses, and limousines. The legislation amends a specific section of the state vehicle code to clarify that these law enforcement vehicles fall under the same tinting exemptions as other specialized vehicles. This update ensures police vehicles are formally recognized in the statute alongside other vehicle categories that are permitted to have darker window tinting.