Rep. Mike Howard

Maddy summaryHF 1480 expands Minnesota's corporate tax rules to include foreign corporations operating as part of a unitary group (a single economic entity) with Minnesota-based operations. It amends tax definitions to explicitly apply Minnesota's unitary taxation rules to foreign corporations, requiring them to calculate state tax based on the group's combined income. The bill also adds a new tax subtraction for global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) under federal tax law. This change directly affects multinational corporations with significant Minnesota operations that previously might not have been subject to Minnesota's unitary tax system. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1013 appropriates $5 million from Minnesota's renewable development account for the Minnesota Energy Alley initiative, administered by Clean Energy Economy Minnesota. The funds are a one-time allocation to support energy sector growth through seed funding for businesses, workforce training programs, and recruiting entrepreneurs to Minnesota. The bill also directs the initiative to seek additional federal and private funding to create a long-term revenue model. This funding directly affects energy businesses and economic development efforts within the state.

Maddy summaryHF 383 appropriates $5.7 million from state bond proceeds to fund planning, design, engineering, environmental work, and construction of a new water distribution facility in Minneapolis, located in Hennepin or Anoka County. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $5.7 million to cover these costs, with funds administered through the Public Facilities Authority to the city of Minneapolis. This directly affects Minneapolis by providing capital for critical water infrastructure upgrades. The legislation enables the city to advance a specific water system project without immediate state budget expenditure.

Maddy summaryHF 1159 expands Minnesota tax increment financing (TIF) district uses to allow transfers of tax increment revenue to local housing trust funds. It requires that transferred funds be used exclusively for qualified low-income housing projects meeting IRS Section 42 standards, including site acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or public improvements directly related to such housing. The bill sets limits, such as ensuring housing costs do not exceed 150% of local single-family home averages (or $200,000 in metro areas/$125,000 elsewhere) and restricting transfers to housing trust funds established under Minnesota Statutes 462C.16. This policy change directly affects TIF districts and local housing trust funds by creating a new, regulated funding stream for affordable housing development.

Maddy summaryHF 497 appropriates $2.2 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund a statewide housing mediation program run by Community Mediation Minnesota. The program directly serves renters, residential property owners, and homeowners facing housing disputes, including eviction threats. Key provisions require the program to provide free dispute resolution services (like eviction prevention and mediation), increase access for seniors and renters with disabilities, partner with culturally specific organizations, and integrate with legal and resource services. The funding also mandates expanding mediator diversity and evaluating program effectiveness. This bill creates a structured state-funded system to resolve housing conflicts before they reach court.

Maddy summaryHF 1187 requires Minnesota's Housing Finance Agency to collect and report data on contractors receiving financing through the agency. Specifically, it mandates collecting information about contracts awarded to veteran-owned small businesses (as defined in MN Statute 16C.16, subd. 6a) and LGBTQ-owned businesses certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The agency must submit an annual report by February 1st of even-numbered years to housing finance committees, detailing the total number and dollar value of contracts for each business category. This bill affects the Housing Finance Agency's reporting obligations and provides transparency on contracting patterns for these business categories.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify that Minnesota's tax law does not apply a specific uncodified federal provision (section 530 of Public Law 95-600) that relates to the Internal Revenue Code. It modifies the definition of "Internal Revenue Code" in Minnesota tax law to explicitly exclude this federal provision, ensuring it does not affect Minnesota tax administration. The change directly affects Minnesota taxpayers and tax administrators by removing potential confusion about the applicability of this federal rule. The amendment takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 690 requires all health plans in Minnesota to cover the management and treatment of obesity as a chronic disease, directly affecting individuals with obesity and their insurance providers. The bill mandates coverage for three specific treatments: intensive behavioral/lifestyle programs, metabolic and bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved obesity medications. It prohibits health plans from imposing stricter coverage rules for obesity than for other medical conditions, ensuring equal deductibles, copays, and benefit limits. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for private health plans and January 1, 2026, for medical assistance programs like Medicaid.

Maddy summaryHF 384 appropriates $35 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. This one-time funding is specifically for rehabilitating, preserving, equipping, and repairing deeply affordable family housing units in Minneapolis and its affiliated entities, such as Community Housing Resources. The bill directly affects low-income residents living in Minneapolis public housing by providing resources to maintain and upgrade their homes. It does not create new programs but allocates existing state funds for immediate housing preservation efforts.

Maddy summaryHF 691 appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund design and construction of infrastructure improvements on Nicollet Avenue (County State-Aid Highway 52) in Richfield, Minnesota, between 77th Street and 66th Street. The funding covers approximately 1.4 miles of roadway, active transportation infrastructure, and utility replacements (water, sewer, storm sewer mains), including predesign work and property acquisition. The city of Richfield and Hennepin County will jointly use the funds for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction project, with the state issuing up to $10 million in bonds to provide the appropriation. This bill directly affects local infrastructure planning and construction in Richfield and Hennepin County.