Rep. Mike Howard

Maddy summaryThis bill expands tax increment financing (TIF) revenue uses for Minnetonka, Richfield, and St. Louis Park. It allows these cities to redirect up to 15% more TIF revenue (previously limited to local projects) to transfer directly to local housing trust funds. Funds transferred must support rental housing for households at or below 80% of area median income or homeownership for households at or below 120% of area median income. The transferred funds no longer count as TIF revenue for annual reporting purposes under state law.

Maddy summaryHF 2043 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Education for a three-year student attendance marketing campaign. The campaign must raise awareness about attendance importance and absenteeism consequences, address barriers to school attendance, and be inclusive for all public school students. The Department must issue a request for proposals, award contracts to organizations with proven outreach capacity, and require post-campaign reports detailing goals, strategies, outcomes, and fund usage. This one-time funding is available only for fiscal year 2026 and expires June 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 999 appropriates $100 million to the Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) to administer a down payment assistance program for first-generation homebuyers. The program assists households where at least one adult never owned a home or lost one to foreclosure, with income at or below 100% of the area median income. It provides a no-interest loan covering up to 10% of a home's purchase price (capped at $32,000 initially), forgiven 20% annually over five years, usable for down payments or closing costs with a qualifying mortgage. MMCDC must report annually on program usage, demographics, and outcomes to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHF 2019 appropriates specific annual funds to support affordable housing assistance in Minnesota. It allocates $6.8 million yearly to counties, $2 million to tier I cities, and $1.2 million to eligible Tribal Nations from the general fund for housing aid payments. The bill also includes additional funding for fiscal years 2024-2025 ($8.5M for counties, $2.5M for cities, $1.5M for Tribal Nations) and 2026-2027 ($17M for counties, $5M for cities, $3M for Tribal Nations). These funds are intended to support existing housing assistance programs, with payments effective for housing aids payable in 2025 and 2026.

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 2020 adds spouses of retired state employees to Minnesota's group insurance program eligibility. It allows spouses who were dependents under the retiree's coverage at the time of the retiree's death, or who remain dependents when the retiree enrolls in medical assistance under specific disability conditions, to purchase hospital, medical, and dental coverage. The bill amends existing rules (Minnesota Statutes 43A.27, subdivision 3) to include these spouses under the same terms as current retirees. This directly affects spouses of retired state employees who meet these two specific conditions. The change does not alter coverage for retirees themselves or other eligibility categories.

Maddy summaryHF 2123 requires landlords with more than ten residential rental units to offer tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus, without charging tenants or forcing participation. Tenants can opt out at any time, and landlords must stop reporting within 30 days of a request. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to provide grants to landlords - prioritizing those serving tenants at or below 50% of area median income - to cover costs for credit reporting services and technology. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency must collect data on program participation and effectiveness, reporting findings to the legislature by March 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 1879 allocates $2 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026 to fund Minnesota's homeownership education, counseling, and training program. The bill transfers funds from the general fund to the housing development fund and then appropriates $2 million yearly to the Housing Finance Agency commissioner for this program. Ten percent of each year's appropriation specifically supports the Minnesota Homeownership Center to administer the program and provide culturally appropriate services, including counseling for limited English proficiency individuals and those with limited technology access. This funding directly affects prospective and current homeowners seeking education and support through state-approved counseling programs.

Maddy summaryHF 2146 requires partnership entities in Minnesota's Intergovernmental Misclassification Enforcement and Education Partnership to submit annual reports starting March 1, 2026, detailing estimates of misclassified workers, costs to workers, impacts on fair competitors, and industry-specific misclassification rates. These reports must also include analyses from state departments on how misclassification affects unemployment insurance, family medical benefits, income tax collection, and workers' compensation programs. The bill appropriates general fund money for fiscal years 2026-2027 to the Departments of Labor, Revenue, Employment, Commerce, and the Attorney General specifically for analyzing misclassification fraud impacts. It directly affects partnership entities and state agencies responsible for labor enforcement and program oversight.

Maddy summaryHF 1762 proposes adding a new constitutional amendment to Minnesota's state constitution. If approved by voters, it would guarantee all persons equal rights under state law and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex - including protections for pregnancy decisions, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The amendment would apply to all state actions and agencies, requiring any discriminatory state action to be the "least restrictive means" of achieving a "compelling governmental interest." The proposed amendment must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election, with implementation starting January 1, 2027, if ratified.