Rep. Steve Elkins

Maddy summaryHF 1075 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health insurance plans to apply prescription drug rebates and other financial benefits directly to lower patients' out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter. Specifically, PBMs and health carriers must pass rebates to the covered person for each prescription, reducing their immediate payment - unless the patient's existing cost-sharing is already lower, in which case retained savings must lower future premiums. The bill also mandates annual reports starting March 1, 2026, to verify compliance with these requirements. This law affects all Minnesotans with prescription drug coverage under plans using PBMs.

Maddy summaryHF 2561 expands the authority for Minnesota state universities to offer applied doctoral degrees in specific professional fields. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to allow these universities to grant such degrees in education, business, psychology, physical therapy, audiology, nursing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other emerging workforce areas. This change directly affects state universities (like Minnesota State universities) and students seeking professional doctoral programs in these fields. The Board of Trustees will determine additional qualifying areas, but the University of Minnesota retains its existing authority to offer all doctoral degrees.

Maddy summaryHF 2603 allocates new funding to state agencies to strengthen fraud prevention and detection efforts. It specifically adds $391,000 for the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Division, $5.88 million for child care program integrity, and $21.96 million (with $5.66 million in 2026) for program integrity analytics within the Department of Human Services. The bill updates multiple statutes to require agencies to implement new fraud prevention systems and reporting mechanisms for programs handling public funds. These changes directly affect state agencies managing Medicaid, child care, education, and human services programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1957 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Technology Association. The funds support the SciTech internship program, which matches college students (including graduate students) in STEM fields with paid internships at small Minnesota tech companies (under 250 employees worldwide). The grant reimburses employers for 50% of intern wages, capped at $3,000 per intern, and requires efforts to increase participation from women and other underserved groups. This one-time funding directly supports students seeking STEM internships and small employers hiring them.

Maddy summaryHF 2452 prohibits businesses from using artificial intelligence to automatically adjust product prices in real time based on factors like market demand, competitor pricing, inventory levels, or customer behavior. This directly affects retailers and online sellers that currently use AI-driven dynamic pricing systems. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" broadly and makes it illegal for any person to use such systems to set or change prices dynamically. Enforcement would be handled by the Minnesota Attorney General under existing consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryHF 2591 establishes a new fifth tax bracket for Minnesota individual income tax, targeting high earners to replace revenue lost from federal Medicaid funding changes. The bill amends tax law to create a top income bracket (applying to income over $1.667 million for married couples filing jointly) with a rate set by the commissioner of revenue. This rate must be calculated to generate revenue equal to the amount of federal Medicaid funds Minnesota lost, as certified by the commissioner of management and budget. The new tax rate applies to taxable years 2026 and 2027, affecting only taxpayers in the highest income bracket.

Maddy summaryHF 794 establishes a state dementia services program under Minnesota's commissioner of health to coordinate existing Alzheimer's and dementia-related services. The program will link state agencies, Tribal Nations, community groups, and research organizations to improve public awareness, update Minnesota's Alzheimer's Disease State Plan, and integrate early detection strategies into public health efforts. The bill appropriates funding from the general fund for the program, starting with an unspecified amount in fiscal year 2026 and a base amount in 2027. This directly affects Minnesotans living with dementia, their caregivers, and the state agencies and community organizations providing related services.

Maddy summaryHF 2215 creates a state-run low-cost auto insurance program called the "Minnesota Lifeline Insurance Program" for low-income residents who meet specific eligibility criteria. The Commissioner of Commerce must establish this program, requiring a facility to develop and operate it, set affordable rates based on claims data and administrative costs, and offer online applications through a dedicated website. The bill appropriates state funds for the program, mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing participation and costs, and requires rates to cover claims, expenses, and investment income while remaining accessible. This program directly affects low-income Minnesotans who struggle to afford standard auto insurance, providing them with a state-supported alternative.

Maddy summaryHF 2429 authorizes Minnesota government entities to share data about suspected or confirmed fraud in public programs (like state or federal benefit programs involving public funds) with other government agencies, federal entities, or law enforcement. It specifically allows this sharing when it protects public resources, maintains program integrity, or aids law enforcement investigations. The bill overrides existing legal restrictions on data sharing for these specific fraud-related purposes. It directly affects state and local agencies managing public programs by enabling new data-sharing protocols to combat fraud. The key provision is Section 1.20, which creates this exception to data-sharing prohibitions for fraud investigations.

Maddy summaryHF 1387 prohibits the use, manufacture, and sale of lead fishing weights (sinks and jigs) that weigh one ounce or less or measure 2.5 inches or less in length. It directly affects recreational fishers, tackle manufacturers, and retailers in Minnesota. The law bans these specific small lead weights starting July 1, 2027, while excluding items like artificial lures and weighted flies from the definition. The bill aims to reduce lead contamination in aquatic environments by targeting the most common small lead fishing gear.