Rep. Mike Howard

Maddy summaryHF 2499 expands Minnesota's renter's credit to match the maximum refund amount available under the homestead credit for homeowners. The bill adjusts the calculation so renters with household incomes up to $137,789 can receive a maximum credit of $3,500, aligning with the homestead credit's highest tier. This change directly affects renters who pay rent considered equivalent to property taxes, ensuring they receive the same maximum tax credit as homeowners. The key mechanism revises the credit formula in Minnesota Statutes 290.0693 to eliminate the previous disparity in maximum benefit amounts between renters and homeowners.

Maddy summaryHF 3279 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Minnesota's sales tax rate by 0.375% (three-eighths of one percent) starting July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2052. The revenue would fund three dedicated housing programs: 25% to a homeownership opportunity fund for owner-occupied housing, 25% to a community and household stability fund for homelessness prevention services, and 50% to a rental opportunity fund for rental assistance and housing development. All Minnesotans purchasing taxable goods would pay the slightly higher tax, with funds specifically targeting housing stability for vulnerable households. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHF 743 prohibits health insurance plans from requiring step therapy for prescription insulin drugs. This means insurers cannot force patients with diabetes to try less expensive insulin types first before covering their prescribed insulin. The bill directly affects Minnesotans with diabetes who rely on specific insulin medications covered by health plans. It amends Minnesota Statutes to ban this practice, effective January 1, 2027, for plans offered or renewed on or after that date. The law targets a common insurance practice that delayed access to necessary insulin treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Minnesota's Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, raising the annual appropriation from $10.27 million to $45.27 million. The additional funds will be used to reduce homelessness risks and improve program effectiveness, with a portion designated for the housing development fund. The legislation also grants agencies flexibility in awarding grants to existing grantees and allows new grantees in certain areas to work with advisory committees or local care systems without meeting specific statutory requirements. These changes take effect immediately and establish a future funding base of $10.72 million starting in fiscal year 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to provide social services and mental health support to victims of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation. The program will fund organizations that help affected individuals with basic needs like housing, food, and employment assistance, as well as mental health care. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, tribal nations, and legal service providers, with priority given to areas most impacted by the operation. The bill appropriates unspecified funding from the state's general fund for one-time use through June 2029, requiring grantees to report on program participation and outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $2.5 million in state funding to the city of Richfield to build a new water main connecting its municipal water system with Minneapolis along 5th Avenue South. The project will provide Richfield with a backup water supply in case its current treatment and distribution system fails, and includes costs for land rights and related infrastructure. To finance this appropriation, the state will issue up to $2.5 million in bonds through the standard state bond process. The funding becomes available immediately after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill restricts state and local government participation in federal civil immigration enforcement efforts, prohibiting agencies from using resources to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for immigration violations. It defines civil immigration enforcement to exclude criminal law enforcement and clarifies that cooperation with federal authorities on criminal matters remains permitted. The legislation also establishes a cause of action for constitutional rights violations related to immigration, prohibits denying education based on immigration status, and requires hospitals to create policies for interactions with law enforcement. Additionally, the bill appropriates funding to support these provisions and amends existing state statutes regarding immigration-related activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires staff in Minnesota substance use disorder and mental health treatment programs to complete specific training on accessibility, communications access, and sensory safety for individuals with disabilities, including those with traumatic brain injuries, developmental disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and physical disabilities. The new training must be completed initially and then repeated every two years for all staff members who have direct contact with clients. Additionally, the bill updates existing training requirements to include these disability-related topics in initial and ongoing training for mental health treatment staff, ensuring that programs are better equipped to serve people with diverse needs. These changes apply to license holders and their employees across the state's human services system.

Maddy summaryHF 3407 prohibits the sale, possession, and distribution of "ghost guns" - firearms without unique serial numbers, undetectable by metal detectors, or made via 3D printing by unlicensed individuals. It restricts 3D printing of firearms to federally licensed manufacturers, bans sharing 3D gun design files, and requires all firearms to have engraved serial numbers. Owners of existing ghost guns must either have a licensed dealer add a serial number, remove the item from Minnesota, make it permanently inoperable, or surrender it within 180 days (or 30/60 days for inheritors/new residents). Violations carry penalties of up to five years in prison or $10,000 fines.

Maddy summaryHF 3401 modifies Minnesota law to clarify that firearms are generally prohibited on school property, even for individuals with permits, except for specific authorized groups like active law enforcement or military personnel on duty. The bill establishes new storage requirements for permitted carry, mandating that firearms must be unloaded, secured in a locked container or trunk, and out of plain sight when not actively on duty or participating in authorized activities. These rules apply to school buildings, grounds, buses, and event facilities with posted signs, but exclude active officers and military personnel. The law aims to balance permitted access with safety by ensuring firearms are secured during non-operational periods.