Rep. Heather Keeler

Maddy summaryHF 3452 classifies kratom as a Schedule II controlled substance in Minnesota, subjecting it to strict state regulations similar to opioids. The bill adds mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (the active compounds in kratom) to Schedule II, making unauthorized possession or sale illegal without a prescription. It repeals a prior law that only set penalties for selling kratom to minors or for minors possessing it. This change directly affects individuals who use or sell kratom, including businesses that currently sell kratom products, by applying full Schedule II restrictions.

Maddy summaryHF 2799 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to establish the Minnesota Age in Place Network through a grant to Age Well at Home. This funding directly supports low- to moderate-income older homeowners by covering home modifications and safety renovations (like grab bars or ramps) at their owner-occupied properties, with each project capped at $20,000. Up to 10% of the grant can cover administrative costs for the network’s setup and maintenance. The bill provides concrete funding for specific home safety improvements, targeting vulnerable older residents in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $15 million in state funding to the Lower Sioux Indian Community to help plan, develop, and build renewable energy projects such as solar facilities, battery storage, and microgrids. The money comes from the state's renewable development account and is managed by the commissioner of commerce, who must sign a grant contract with the community to oversee the work. To ensure accountability, the community is required to submit a detailed project plan and regular progress reports to state officials and legislative committees throughout the project's lifecycle. Any funds that are not spent by the end of the project will return to the state's renewable development account. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHF 3119 establishes minimum pay standards for Minnesota teachers and certain unlicensed school staff starting July 1, 2026. It sets teacher compensation thresholds at $60,000-$100,000 annually (based on education and experience) and a $25 hourly wage floor for unlicensed staff who regularly interact with students. The bill requires annual inflation adjustments using the Consumer Price Index, beginning in 2030, and creates state aid programs to help school districts cover these costs. School districts, charter schools, and other public education entities directly affected must meet these standards or receive state funding to do so.

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 summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to include the Minnesota Board on Aging in the list of state agencies required to consult with Tribal governments. The change ensures that the Board on Aging must proactively seek input from Tribal leaders when developing policies that directly affect them. By adding the Board to the definition of "agency," the legislation formalizes the requirement for meaningful consultation on matters with Tribal implications. This update aligns the Board's operations with existing legal standards that currently apply to other state departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $7,267,000 in bonds to fund a waste management project for the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority, which serves five counties. The funds will be used to build an ash recovery and recycling plant that processes ash from landfills into road construction materials and recovers metals, as well as a waste transfer station to handle municipal and demolition waste. The money comes from the bond proceeds fund and will be distributed through the Pollution Control Agency to Otter Tail County, which manages the joint powers board for the authority. This legislation focuses on funding infrastructure improvements for regional waste management rather than changing existing regulations or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state money from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to support mobile crisis services and nonemergency medical transportation providers in Minnesota. The commissioner of human services will distribute these funds as mobile crisis grants and start-up grants for protected transport. Specifically, the money can be used to purchase or configure vehicles that meet protected transport requirements. The measure impacts organizations providing crisis intervention and medical transportation services to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to use a lease-purchase agreement and the sale of certificates of participation to fund improvements or replacement of its MAXIS system. Under this plan, the state would lease the project from a vendor or financing source and pay for it in installments over a period of up to ten years. The legislation establishes specific rules for how the state must manage the funds, including requirements for insurance, liability, and financial reporting within a dedicated project fund. It also allows the state to transfer money from its general fund to cover expected costs before the financing proceeds are received.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy services in Minnesota, primarily affecting licensed mental health professionals and organizations that provide therapy. It defines specific categories of AI use, prohibiting AI systems from making independent therapeutic decisions or directly interacting with clients during therapeutic communication, while allowing AI for administrative tasks like scheduling, billing, and analyzing anonymized data. The legislation also establishes civil penalties for violations and clarifies that religious counseling and peer support services fall outside these restrictions.