Rep. Mike Howard

Maddy summaryHF 1268 modifies rules for common interest communities (like condominiums and homeowners associations) in Minnesota, directly affecting property management companies, community governing bodies, and unit owners. Key provisions include prohibiting property managers from having financial ties to contractors they hire without written disclosure, banning compensation based on fines collected, and requiring written notice for contract renewals. The bill also establishes a "meet and confer" process for disputes and changes notice requirements for community meetings. It prohibits governing bodies from requiring or incentivizing the creation of homeowners associations. These changes aim to increase transparency and fairness in community governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota health insurance plans to cover augmentative and alternative communication systems and related habilitation services for people with severe communication limitations. The law mandates that these devices and services be covered when deemed medically necessary by a prescribing physician, without separate financial requirements or quantitative limits that apply only to these benefits. Health plans may still require prior authorization but must use current evidence-based guidelines and cannot deny coverage based on disability. The state will provide funding to health plans for coverage costs not already included in their plans, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2021 prohibits landlords in Minnesota from discriminating against tenants or prospective tenants who use government rental assistance, housing choice vouchers, or other public aid to pay rent. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 363A.09 to ban landlords from denying viewings, applications, or rentals based on a tenant's income source, or from advertising they won't rent to voucher users. It directly affects landlords and tenants utilizing federal, state, or local housing assistance programs. The law creates clear, enforceable standards to prevent unfair treatment in housing applications and rentals.

Maddy summaryHF 1234 requires Minnesota public contracting agencies to provide detailed payment notifications to contractors and subcontractors within three business days of making payments on public projects. The bill mandates that notifications include the payment amount, date, recipient name, scope of work covered, and reasons for any withheld retainage or payment. This directly affects contractors and subcontractors working on state-funded construction or public improvement projects. The law aims to increase transparency by ensuring all parties receive clear, timely information about payments and withholdings. It amends Minnesota Statutes sections 15.72 (subd. 4) and 337.10 to enforce these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands financial assistance for manufactured home owners in Minnesota who are forced to move due to significant increases in lot rent or utility costs. It defines "economic displacement" as a rent increase of over ten percent in one year, twenty percent over three years, or thirty percent relative to the owner's annual income. The legislation removes the previous cap on funding from the Manufactured Home Relocation Trust Fund, allowing more resources to be available for relocation expenses. Additionally, it clarifies how park owners can collect fees to contribute to this trust fund and outlines specific situations where owners are exempt from paying relocation costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the zoning authority of local governments in Minnesota by requiring them to allow certain housing types in specific areas. It applies primarily to municipalities with populations over 1,000 in the metropolitan area, while smaller communities are largely exempt. The law mandates that cities and towns permit mixed housing such as duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses in commercial districts and other zones that allow such development. Additionally, it requires municipalities to establish a standardized administrative review process for approving multifamily residential developments, ensuring consistent handling of housing requests across jurisdictions. These changes aim to increase housing options by reducing local restrictions on building types and streamlining approval procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals previous tax exemptions that allowed certain preferred seats and amenities at athletic events to be sold without sales tax. It also provides funding for safe harbor shelter and housing grants to support individuals experiencing homelessness. By removing the exemptions, the legislation ensures that these specific stadium seats and related amenities are now subject to standard sales tax like other retail items. The funding provision aims to allocate state money directly to organizations assisting with shelter and housing needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill would withhold state affordable housing aid from Minnesota cities that stop new residential construction through moratoriums. Under the proposed rules, the state would cease payments to a city in the year following the adoption of such a ban and only resume funding once the moratorium ends or is officially lifted. Any funds withheld during the ban period would be redirected to the counties containing the affected city. The measure applies to cities classified as tier I and would take effect for aid payments beginning in 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3652 adds epilepsy to Minnesota's list of chronic diseases that qualify for reduced cost-sharing on prescription drugs and medical supplies under health insurance plans. The bill amends existing law to define "chronic disease" as including diabetes, asthma, allergies requiring epinephrine, and now epilepsy. It ensures that cost-sharing (like co-pays and coinsurance) for epilepsy-related medications and supplies - such as seizure management drugs, medical devices, and related equipment - cannot exceed the same limits applied to other covered chronic conditions. This change would apply to health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3169 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Transportation to study and develop suicide prevention methods for new bridge construction, focusing on barriers like nets or physical structures. The bill mandates a study completed by January 2026 to identify high-risk bridges, evaluate prevention methods, assess costs, and involve health, public safety, and nonprofit groups. Starting January 2026, the commissioner must incorporate these methods into major bridge projects and report annually on implementation. The bill appropriates $750,000 for the study and planning, with funds available through June 2028.