Rep. Steve Elkins

Maddy summaryHF 3453 amends Minnesota Statutes section 152.027 to raise the legal age for possessing kratom from 18 to 21 years. It makes it a gross misdemeanor to sell kratom to anyone under 21 and a misdemeanor for anyone under 21 to possess it. The bill directly affects minors under 21 and businesses selling kratom, prohibiting sales to this age group and restricting their possession. The change applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026. This is a substantive policy change altering age restrictions under Minnesota's controlled substances law.

Maddy summaryHF 3709 allows Minnesota banks and credit unions to offer virtual-currency custody services, meaning they can safely hold customers' cryptocurrency or the keys to access it. The bill requires these institutions to follow strict safety rules - including cybersecurity measures, risk management policies, and asset segregation - to protect customer holdings separately from the institution's own assets. Financial institutions must also notify regulators 60 days before starting these services and comply with existing state and federal laws. This change directly affects banks, credit unions, and cryptocurrency users in Minnesota, enabling regulated custody options without altering how virtual currency is legally treated.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill requires large social media platforms to implement specific protections for children under 18, including restrictions on addictive design features like infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and personalized feeds. The law applies to platforms that earn at least $1 billion in annual advertising revenue and defines "addictive interface features" in detail, such as push notifications and metrics showing likes or follower counts. Parents of children under 15 must receive clear notifications about their child's online activity, and platforms must provide tools for parents to manage their child's account settings. The bill also establishes enforcement mechanisms and sets up a new chapter in Minnesota statutes to govern these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a price ceiling for specific prescription drugs in Minnesota that are subject to federal Medicare drug price negotiations. It requires drug manufacturers to stop accepting payments higher than the federal "maximum fair price" for these medications, while also ensuring pharmacies receive at least that amount or the national average cost, whichever is higher. To enforce these rules, the law prohibits manufacturers from removing drugs from the market to evade price limits unless they provide advance notice, and it mandates that health plans and pharmacy benefit managers share detailed financial data with the state's Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The provisions will take effect on January 1, 2027, impacting drug manufacturers, health insurance plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and pharmacies operating in the state.

Maddy summarySF 856 creates an independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in Minnesota to oversee state agencies and programs. The OIG will conduct audits and investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds, report findings publicly, and make recommendations for improvement. It requires the OIG to operate separately from executive agencies, with a qualified director appointed by an advisory council, and mandates annual public reports. The bill appropriates funding for the OIG and takes effect January 1, 2026. This directly affects all state agencies, programs, and entities receiving public funds by subjecting them to independent oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to provide financial payments to nonprofit hospitals in Minnesota that offer charity care to patients who cannot afford their medical bills. The state will collect money from a hospital surcharge and place it in a dedicated account to fund these payments, which are distributed based on the amount of charity care each eligible hospital provides. Nonprofit hospitals licensed in the state are eligible to receive funds, while state-run facilities, VA medical centers, and long-term acute care hospitals are excluded. The commissioner of health will manage the program, calculating payments by adjusting the reported charity care amounts to reflect actual costs before distributing the available funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces new regulations in Minnesota to restrict the ownership and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, while also banning the sale of binary trigger systems. It expands criminal penalties for possessing dangerous weapons in schools and for negligently storing firearms, and it specifically criminalizes the manufacture and sale of untraceable "ghost guns." Additionally, the legislation strengthens the state's extreme risk protection order system, requires law enforcement to report firearm discharges more comprehensively, and allocates funding to support public awareness campaigns and mental health services.

Maddy summarySF 1750 modifies Minnesota laws governing common interest communities (like homeowners associations). It bans property managers from having financial ties to contractors without written disclosure, prohibits accepting kickbacks from contractors, and stops them from earning fees based on collected fines. The bill also limits automatic contract renewals (requiring 30 days' notice for nonrenewal) and mandates 60 days' notice for termination. These changes directly affect homeowners associations and their property management companies operating under Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date of Minnesota's Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity from December 31, 2028, to December 31, 2035. The change directly affects the state government by allowing the commission to continue operating for six additional years without requiring new legislation. The amendment modifies Minnesota Statutes section 3.888, subdivision 7, which governs when the commission's authority ends. This procedural update ensures the cybersecurity oversight body remains active through 2035 rather than terminating earlier.

Maddy summaryHF 1338 creates an independent Office of the Inspector General in Minnesota to oversee state agencies and programs. The office will conduct audits and investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds, report findings publicly, and recommend improvements. It directly affects all state executive branch agencies and programs receiving taxpayer funding, requiring them to comply with oversight. Key provisions include establishing strict qualifications for the Inspector General, granting subpoena power, and mandating annual public reports. The bill also appropriates funding for the office's operations and staff.