Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn

Maddy summaryHF 3415 restricts federal immigration agents (like those from ICE, CBP, or USCIS) from entering Minnesota child care centers without specific authorization. Licensed or certified child care centers must require federal agents to present valid ID, a written purpose statement, a judicial warrant, and obtain approval from the center owner before entry. Even with these requirements, centers must limit agent access to areas where children are not present. This bill directly affects all licensed and certified license-exempt child care centers in Minnesota by establishing clear protocols for federal agent access.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes special tax increment financing rules for the city of Eden Prairie, allowing the city to use a specific funding mechanism for development projects. The key change extends the expiration date for approving tax increment financing plans from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2028, giving the city additional time to utilize this funding tool. The bill also specifies that these provisions become effective only after Eden Prairie's governing body and chief clerical officer meet certain state requirements. This legislation directly affects the city of Eden Prairie by modifying the timeline for one of its financial planning options.

Maddy summaryHF 3455 renames Minnesota's State Office Building at 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in St. Paul as the "Melissa Hortman State Office Building." The bill requires the revisor of statutes to update all official references to the building in Minnesota Statutes and Rules. This is a ceremonial renaming with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or government operations.

Maddy summaryHF 3436 requires drivers approaching a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights to stop at least 20 feet away. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 169.444 to mandate this stop until the bus retracts its stop arm and turns off the red lights. It also adds a new provision requiring drivers to prepare to stop within 20 feet when a bus shows prewarning amber lights, signaling red lights are about to activate. This law directly affects all drivers operating vehicles near school buses in Minnesota, aiming to improve safety for children boarding or exiting buses. The bill takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 970 requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of farm equipment to provide independent repair shops with necessary tools, parts, and documentation on fair and reasonable terms. It directly affects Minnesota farmers and independent repair providers by ensuring they can access repair resources without being forced to use manufacturer-approved services or pay excessive fees. Key provisions include prohibiting OEMs from imposing unreasonable restrictions (like requiring repair shops to become authorized dealers) or charging more for parts/tools than they offer to their own authorized providers. The bill amends Minnesota law to define terms like "authorized repair provider" and "fair and reasonable terms" to clarify these requirements. This applies specifically to digital electronic farm equipment, aiming to increase repair options and reduce costs for farmers.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's HF 1269 requires health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications for treating dementia, including diagnostic tests to assess treatment effectiveness. It also prohibits health plans from using "step therapy" (requiring patients to try cheaper drugs first) for dementia treatments. The bill modifies prior authorization rules for certain medications, ensuring automatic 60-day coverage for brand-name mental health drugs when generics become available, and streamlines approval for oral liquid drugs used with feeding tubes. These changes apply to health plans offered in Minnesota starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts funding allocations for Minnesota's state colleges and universities, including a reduction in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative appropriation and the addition of new grants for restorative practices. It decreases the overall budget for the initiative by $500,000 while designating $500,000 as a one-time appropriation to support juvenile justice services and local alternatives to detention for counties and federally recognized Tribes. The legislation also establishes a new $500,000 grant program in fiscal year 2026 to fund restorative practices initiatives across the state. These changes affect the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees, local government agencies, and juvenile justice service providers.

Maddy summaryHF 1795 appropriates state funds for Minnesota's farm-to-school and early childhood care programs, directly supporting schools and child care providers serving children. The bill allocates specific funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to purchase Minnesota-grown fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain, and dairy for these settings, including reimbursements for equipment and food purchases. It also sets aside $150,000 annually for a statewide coordinator to assist farmers and institutions, and allows limited state funding (up to 7.5% of federal funds) to support federal program administration. Eligible entities must participate in federal nutrition programs like the National School Lunch Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail establishments to display specific disclosures on handheld electronic devices before consumers purchase games or other paid entertainment. The law mandates that users affirm they are at least 16 years old and ensures payment amounts are shown in large, prominent text. These requirements apply to businesses offering handheld devices with paid content in Minnesota. The bill aims to improve transparency for consumers using these devices.

Maddy summaryHF 3353 expands personal information protections currently available to Minnesota judges and court staff to also cover state legislators. It defines "covered official" to include current and former lawmakers, protecting their residential addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and children's school names from public posting. The bill requires entities to remove such protected information within 30 days of a valid request, with legal action available for non-compliance. It also creates a 12-member legislative task force (including members from the Legislative Commission on Data Practices and appointed officials) to study and report on privacy protections for all government officials by 2027. The bill appropriates funds for these efforts.