Rep. Steve Elkins

Maddy summaryHF 2506 establishes a new premium subsidy program administered by MNsure, providing a 20% subsidy on monthly gross premiums for eligible individuals purchasing individual health insurance plans in Minnesota. This directly affects Minnesota residents enrolled in individual market plans who are not receiving federal advance premium tax credits or public coverage, as well as health insurance carriers that receive payments from MNsure. The program begins January 1, 2026, with MNsure paying health carriers directly for each eligible individual's coverage, excluding the subsidy from eligibility calculations for other state programs. The bill also ends the existing Minnesota Premium Security Plan (MPS) after December 31, 2025, and appropriates funds to support the new subsidy program.

Maddy summaryHF 1100 requires Minnesota's human services commissioner to establish a $4.50 per prescription payment to eligible community pharmacies in rural or underserved areas. This payment, added to existing fees, must be paid by managed care plans, county health programs, and pharmacy benefit managers to qualifying pharmacies that serve medically underserved populations or share ownership with 12 or fewer Minnesota pharmacies. The bill appropriates funds for this program in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with the payment ending if federal approval isn't obtained. It explicitly states this payment cannot replace or reduce other fees paid to pharmacies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program to support community care hubs that connect health care providers with organizations addressing basic needs like food insecurity, housing instability, and transportation access. It appropriates $8.9 million for the grant and $1 million for evaluation, requiring grantees to coordinate social care services, centralize administrative operations, and report outcomes. Eligible applicants must already be recognized federal community care hubs with contracts to provide services to health plan members. The program begins July 1, 2025, aiming to create sustainable pathways for addressing health-related social needs across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 2335 modifies Minnesota's rules for Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policies to prevent health insurers from denying coverage or charging more due to preexisting conditions. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries in Minnesota, including those under 65 who qualify due to disability, when applying for Medigap during the six-month period after first enrolling in Medicare Part B or during open enrollment. The bill requires insurers to offer coverage without preexisting condition limits during these enrollment windows and mandates automatic reinstatement of policies without new waiting periods if a policyholder loses Medicaid eligibility (medical assistance) and notifies the insurer within 90 days. This ensures more stable and accessible coverage for Minnesotans relying on Medicare.

Maddy summaryHF 2254 adds a $400 "baby bonus" to Minnesota's existing child credit for each qualifying child born during the tax year. This directly affects Minnesota taxpayers with newborn children, increasing their state income tax credit. The bill modifies the child credit calculation by adding the $400 per newborn (without reducing the minimum credit amount) and allows for potential advance payments. It takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 355 increases Minnesota's maximum credit for long-term care insurance premiums paid by taxpayers. The bill raises the annual credit limit from $100 (for single filers) or $250 (for married couples filing jointly) per qualified beneficiary to $250 for single filers and $500 for married couples. This change directly affects Minnesota residents who purchase qualifying long-term care insurance policies and file state income taxes. The updated credit amount applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 2142 modifies Minnesota's historic structure rehabilitation tax credit program to allow a second assignment of credit certificates. Previously, credit certificates could only be assigned once to another taxpayer; this bill permits the initial recipient or first assignee to transfer the credit to a second assignee. The bill requires any assignment (including the second) to be reported to the state commissioner within 30 days. This change directly affects developers and taxpayers involved in historic rehabilitation projects who use the credit for financing, making it easier to secure project funding through multiple credit transfers.

Maddy summaryHF 2144 appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program under Minnesota Statutes § 462A.204, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill directly affects families in Minnesota at risk of homelessness by providing funding for prevention and assistance services. Key provisions include directing the Housing Finance Agency to administer the program using these allocated funds. This is a funding bill with no new policy requirements, solely authorizing budget resources for an existing state program.

Maddy summaryHF 2006 extends the deadline for using unobligated tax increment financing (TIF) funds from 2022 to 2027 and clarifies how these funds can be used. It allows local development authorities to transfer unobligated TIF funds to support private development projects that create or retain jobs (with construction starting before December 31, 2025) or to make equity investments to make such projects financially feasible. Authorities must create a spending plan approved by the municipality after a public hearing, and all transferred funds must be spent or committed by December 31, 2027. The bill directly affects municipalities and development authorities managing TIF districts in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $238,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $238,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to support the Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program. The funds will help Building Strong Communities connect National Guard members, military reservists, active duty personnel, and veterans to construction industry apprenticeships and career training through the Department of Labor and Industry. The program must not discriminate based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or gender. It directly affects military-connected individuals seeking careers in building and construction trades.