Rep. Alex Falconer

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to support a statewide Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate program. It directly affects young writers aged 13-19 through a competitive selection process modeled after the National Youth Poet Laureate program. The funds will be administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center via a grant to a nonprofit organization to operate the program, including awarding the Youth Poet Laureate and promoting the work of young writers across Minnesota. The program aims to celebrate youth literary talent and provide statewide opportunities for recognition.

Maddy summaryHF 2968 limits how Minnesota counties can collect property tax levies for certain assessment services. It requires counties with cities of the first class (like Minneapolis) to have city assessors handle property assessments within those cities, while county assessors retain only supervisory duties. The bill also restricts county levies for assessment services to specific duties listed in the law, primarily affecting counties with cities over 400,000 people and cities under 30,000 population. This change takes effect for property assessments starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3001 establishes a pilot program providing direct cash grants of at least $500 monthly for 18 months to eligible low-income Minnesota residents. It directly affects individuals or families with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level or currently receiving public benefits. The bill requires grantees (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) to administer the payments while ensuring the stipends do not count as income for other benefits like food assistance or housing support. Grantees must collect data on participants' economic, health, and housing outcomes and submit a final report to the legislature by January 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 2325 requires Minnesota employers to pay non-exempt employees at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for work performed on designated holidays. The bill directly affects hourly workers in Minnesota who are scheduled to work on holidays defined under Minnesota Statutes section 645.44, subdivision 5. It amends existing law (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 177.25) to add a new provision mandating this overtime pay rate specifically for holiday work. This changes the current standard by explicitly requiring higher pay for holiday shifts, rather than allowing employers to use alternative compensation methods. The bill does not change the definition of "holiday" but specifies the required pay rate when work occurs on those days.

Maddy summaryHF 2548 creates the Outdoor School for All grant program to fund immersive, multiday outdoor educational experiences for Minnesota students in grades 4-8. The program provides grants to accredited overnight outdoor schools and nonprofit learning centers meeting specific criteria, including research-based curricula, integration with school standards, skill development (like leadership and critical thinking), and accessibility for underserved students. It appropriates $2.5 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund. The bill directly affects public school students and providers offering equitable outdoor education, aiming to address declining outdoor engagement and access disparities.

Maddy summaryHF 487 appropriates $600,000 total ($300,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027) from the state general fund to provide a grant to Wellness in the Woods. The funding supports daily peer support and special sessions for three specific groups: individuals in substance use recovery, people transitioning out of incarceration, and those who have experienced trauma. The grant is administered through the commissioner of human services. This is a direct funding mechanism for community-based mental health and recovery services.

Maddy summaryHF 683 allows Minnesota cities and counties to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections, such as mayoral or city council races. It establishes rules for how RCV would work, including counting votes by voter preferences and reallocating votes when candidates are eliminated. The bill permits local jurisdictions to use electronic voting systems that automatically handle vote reallocation, and it appropriates funds for implementation. This bill directly affects local governments choosing to implement RCV and voters in those jurisdictions participating in local elections. It does not change state or federal election rules.

Maddy summaryHF 2707 appropriates $11.125 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to support sexually exploited youth or youth at risk of sexual exploitation under Minnesota Statutes §256K.47. At least $9 million annually must fund street outreach, emergency shelter, regional navigators, and housing services for these youth. The bill directly affects vulnerable youth in Minnesota by providing dedicated funding for critical safe harbor resources and housing support. It establishes concrete funding mechanisms without altering existing statutes or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2576 prohibits burning pesticide containers in Minnesota, directly affecting farmers, agricultural workers, and anyone handling pesticide containers. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 18B.07, adding a specific prohibition against disposing of pesticide containers by burning, while requiring disposal to follow existing environmental and federal (FIFRA) guidelines. This law becomes effective January 1, 2026, replacing the previous allowance for burning containers under disposal rules. The change creates a clear legal requirement to avoid burning, aiming to prevent environmental harm from toxic fumes.

Maddy summaryHF 1611 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for the 2026 fiscal year to fund a "Lawns to Lunch" pilot program. The program provides financial and technical assistance to help residents and communities convert lawns into food gardens featuring vegetables, fruits, pollinator plants, and other edibles. It prohibits using funds for commercial food sales, greenhouses, or buildings, and the money must be spent by June 30, 2030. This one-time funding supports local food gardening efforts without creating new regulations.