Rep. Mike Howard

Maddy summaryHF 1685 requires Minnesota's IT Services agency to combine the state's transit assistance program (currently managed by Metro Transit) into the existing Minnesota Benefits Web Portal by December 31, 2025. The bill mandates coordination with transportation, human services, and children's agencies to ensure seamless integration while allowing Metro Transit to continue processing applications. It also appropriates $1.2 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 specifically for this integration work. This change directly affects state agencies managing benefits and Metro Transit, aiming to streamline access for Minnesotans using transit assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the maximum tax rate that housing and redevelopment authorities in Minnesota can levy on property within their districts. It increases the allowable levy limit from 0.0185% to 0.037% of a property's estimated market value. The change directly affects local housing authorities that collect special taxes to fund redevelopment projects. The provision adjusts a technical cap in existing law, allowing these authorities to collect a higher maximum tax for their projects. The bill does not create new programs but changes the financial limit on existing tax authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives renters in Minnesota the right to temporarily host a youth under age 25 in their rental unit for up to 60 days without landlord retaliation. Renters must notify landlords within 7 days of the youth's arrival, providing basic details like the youth's name and age (or full name and birthdate if 18+), but landlords cannot raise rent, evict, or require the youth to sign a lease during this period. The tenant remains responsible for rent, damages, and other lease obligations. Landlords who violate this law face dismissed eviction cases, liability for damages, and payment of tenant's legal costs.

Maddy summaryHF 1673 establishes an Accessible Housing Task Force in Minnesota to address housing accessibility challenges for people with disabilities. The task force, composed of 13 appointed members including people with disabilities, housing providers, and state agency representatives, will examine housing experiences, study provider practices, and develop recommendations to increase accessible housing supply. It must submit an initial report by February 2026 and a final report by August 2026 to legislative committees. The bill appropriates a one-time FY2026 funding allocation from the general fund to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to support the task force's work. This directly affects people with disabilities seeking accessible housing, housing providers, and state agencies involved in housing policy.

Maddy summaryHF 1566 requires landlords in Minnesota to make reasonable safety modifications for tenants with children who have autism, specifically when hazards like lakes, rivers, or other water bodies are near rental properties. Tenants must request these accommodations, and landlords can ask for documentation unless the child's condition is obvious. Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants making such requests and must adjust policies or property features to protect the child, unless the change would fundamentally alter the property. This bill directly affects tenants with autistic children and their landlords in rental housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota-licensed homeowner insurers to disclose two specific financial details in all advertising (print, TV, digital, radio): (1) their total prior-year advertising and marketing spending, and (2) for publicly traded companies, their stock price change during the previous year. It directly affects all insurance companies offering homeowner coverage in Minnesota, particularly publicly traded firms due to the stock price requirement. The law mandates these disclosures to be included in every advertisement, without altering insurance rates or coverage terms. The provisions aim to provide consumers with transparent financial information about insurers' marketing and market performance.

Maddy summaryHF 297 appropriates $2 million from Minnesota's general fund for a one-time grant to the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency. The funding must be used as a reusable fund to acquire and rehabilitate tax-forfeited properties (properties seized due to unpaid taxes) for owner occupancy. The housing funded through this grant must be affordable to the local workforce, directly benefiting residents seeking homeownership in Arrowhead region communities.

Maddy summaryHF 1484 requires Minnesota employers to disclose in job postings whether offered health plan options comply with state cost-sharing limits under section 62Q.481, subdivision 1. This applies to all job postings for positions with the employer and directly affects job seekers evaluating health coverage benefits. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 181.173, by adding this disclosure requirement to existing rules about salary ranges and benefits. Employers must state if health plans meet the cost-sharing limits, giving applicants clear information about potential out-of-pocket costs.

Maddy summaryHF 1142 prohibits landlords and tenant screening services from using software that sets rent based on nonpublic data from competing landlords, such as rent prices or occupancy rates. It also bans tenant screening software that discriminates against protected groups, including race, religion, or gender. Violations can lead to civil lawsuits seeking at least $1,000 per incident, and the law takes effect on August 1, 2025. The bill targets specific software practices while allowing standard rental tools like aggregate market reports.

Maddy summaryHF 1488 modifies Minnesota's property tax rules for low-income rental housing classified as "Class 4d(1)." It updates the requirements for qualifying units, now allowing property owners to demonstrate compliance through state or local government assistance documents (instead of only federal programs), as long as units meet strict income limits (60% of area median income) and rent caps (30% of that income). Property owners receiving tax savings under this classification must spend the funds on maintenance, security, improvements, rent stabilization, or reserve accounts, and annually certify this use to the Housing Finance Agency. The changes take effect for property assessments beginning in 2026.