Rep. Jim Joy

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's renewable energy requirements for state-funded construction projects by removing the mandate that renewable energy sources must be located on the building site. It directs the Department of Administration and Department of Commerce to develop sustainable building guidelines for new state buildings and major renovations, requiring these structures to exceed the state energy code by at least 30 percent. The changes apply to any new building project where predesign work is completed after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the 100 percent carbon-free electricity standard that was set for Minnesota electric utilities by 2040. It removes the legal requirement for utilities to generate or procure electricity from carbon-free sources to meet specific percentage targets of 80 percent by 2030, 90 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2040. The change directly affects electric utilities operating in Minnesota by eliminating the mandate to achieve these renewable energy goals. This legislative action removes the previously established timeline for carbon-free electricity generation without adding new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals receiving Minnesota public assistance programs from using licensed money transmitters to send money to foreign countries. It directly affects recipients of programs such as SNAP, medical assistance, child care assistance, and housing support. The law requires money transmitters to report every six months to state agencies any individuals who send money abroad, and state officials must then check if those individuals are enrolled in public assistance programs. If a recipient is found to have sent money to a foreign country while receiving aid, they will lose eligibility for all public assistance programs they were participating in.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota state funds from being used to pay for, reimburse, or facilitate any protests or demonstrations related to political causes or issues. It directly affects state agencies and departments by restricting their ability to allocate money for protest-related expenses, including logistical support or financial assistance to protesters. The legislation would require state officials to ensure no public money supports activities aimed at advocating for or against specific political positions. This change would apply to all state-funded programs and grants, preventing the use of taxpayer money for protest facilitation regardless of the protest's topic or perspective.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's social studies standards to include information about the dangers and perils of communism and socialism, specifically during the 2030-2031 review and revision of state academic standards. The legislation mandates that the state commissioner incorporate details about estimated lives lost and negative outcomes associated with these ideologies into the updated curriculum. It directly affects Minnesota public school systems by setting a specific requirement for future social studies education content. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not change current curriculum requirements but establishes a mandate for future revisions.

Maddy summaryHF 3603 directs Minnesota's Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to request a federal waiver by January 1, 2027, to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from purchasing candy, energy drinks, and soda. The bill defines "candy" as sugar-based products like chocolate bars, "energy drinks" as caffeinated beverages marketed for energy (excluding coffee/tea), and "soda" as carbonated sugary drinks (excluding low-sugar options). If approved, this waiver would restrict SNAP recipients in Minnesota from using benefits for these specific items. The bill does not change current SNAP rules but seeks federal permission for this targeted restriction.

Maddy summaryHF 3573 requires individuals to have valid work authorization to qualify for benefits under Minnesota's Paid Leave Law. It amends the law to explicitly exclude people without proper work permits from receiving paid leave benefits. The bill affects workers applying for benefits who lack authorized work status, adding this as a new eligibility requirement. Key changes include updating definitions of "covered individual" and "employee" to exclude those without valid work authorization, and adding work authorization as a mandatory requirement for benefit accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Audubon to impose a local sales tax of up to 0.5 percent, which must be approved by voters at a local election. The collected tax revenue would be used to pay for tax administration costs and to fund the construction of a new fire station, with up to $3 million in bonding authority available for the project. The tax would automatically expire after 20 years or earlier if the city determines it has raised enough funds to complete the fire station project.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called disruption of worship services in Minnesota, targeting individuals who enter religious buildings with the intent to disrupt scheduled services by committing a crime. The law defines a religious establishment as a building used for worship that is clearly marked with a sign or other identifier. First-time offenders face gross misdemeanor charges, while repeat offenders could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both. The provisions take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies requirements for signs and labels at gas stations in Minnesota. It updates the text on gas tax signs to reflect current tax amounts and removes penalties for missing or damaged signs. The bill also clarifies labeling rules for ethanol-blended fuel, specifying how dispensers should be marked for different fuel types and removing a requirement for "FLEX-FUEL VEHICLES ONLY" labels. These changes directly affect retail petroleum dispensers and fuel station operators.