Rep. Nathan Coulter

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from falsely claiming to represent real or nonexistent political candidates, parties, or organizations when speaking, writing, or soliciting money with intent to defraud. It applies to anyone making such misrepresentations or conspiring to do so, including those acting on behalf of political committees or funds. Violations are classified as gross misdemeanors and allow injured parties to seek civil damages, investigation costs, attorney fees, and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation through court action. The law also clarifies that complaints about these specific violations bypass the standard administrative complaint process and go directly to enforcement authorities. The bill takes effect on August 1, 2025, for crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota election officials to hold periodic design competitions for updating the "I VOTED" sticker used after voting. The sticker can be given to people who have cast a ballot in person, received an absentee ballot, or received a mail-in ballot. Any new design must only include the words "I VOTED" and cannot show political messages, candidate names, or policy positions. The law permits multiple winning designs from a single competition and does not change who receives the sticker or when it can be issued.

Maddy summaryHF 1987, the Minnesota Starter Home Act, allows municipalities to permit more housing types in all residential zoning districts without requiring new zoning changes. It specifically authorizes single-family homes, duplexes, accessory dwelling units (in most cases), and townhouses on newly platted lots or vacant land. The bill exempts municipalities from needing comprehensive plan amendments for these housing types until December 2029. Additionally, it lowers the voting threshold for approving affordable housing developments from a two-thirds to a simple majority vote in local governing bodies.

Maddy summaryHF 1148 establishes a state grant program to provide prepared meals for Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity who have difficulty cooking due to limited mobility, disability, or financial constraints. The program funds nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Minnesota tribes that prepare culturally tailored meals in licensed kitchens, prioritizing groups serving racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse communities at high risk of food insecurity. Grants require 50% of meal ingredients to come from Minnesota producers or donated/wasted food, and grantees must serve individuals aged 18-60 and their dependents while avoiding duplication with other meal programs. The bill appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with grantees required to report on fund usage and retain expenditure records.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the Minnesota Senate Building to the Kari Dziedzic Senate Building in honor of Kari Dziedzic. It directs the state to update signage throughout the Capitol complex to reflect the new name and requires the Revisor of Statutes to change the building's name in official state records and laws. The legislation also appropriates funds from the general fund to cover the cost of replacing existing signs. This change primarily affects state government operations and official documentation within Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes and codifies the rules governing licensed child care centers and family child care programs in Minnesota, directly affecting providers, workers, and families using these services. It establishes new definitions for age categories such as infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and creates updated requirements for staff ratios, facility safety, health standards, food nutrition, transportation, record keeping, and parent access. The legislation also repeals several older statutes and rules to consolidate and clarify regulations, ensuring consistent standards across the state's child care system. By organizing these requirements into new chapters of state law, the bill aims to improve clarity and accessibility for all stakeholders involved in child care operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota's cannabis gross receipts tax revenue is used by directing 10% of those funds to a new Cannabis Youth Grant Program starting in 2026. The program will provide grants to organizations offering youth development services, including after-school programs, mentorship initiatives, and restorative justice efforts that address past cannabis criminalization impacts. Eligible projects must focus on building skills like financial management and entrepreneurship, improving mental health, preventing substance use, and fostering community engagement, with priority given to communities disproportionately affected by cannabis enforcement. The commissioner must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how grant money is awarded and used.

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 summaryThis bill establishes a new legal right in Minnesota allowing individuals to sue if their name, likeness, or voice is used for commercial purposes without their permission. It defines likeness as any recognizable image of a person and voice as any sound that identifies a specific individual, covering both recorded and computer-generated versions. The law permits people to sell or license these rights and allows lawsuits to continue for up to 70 years after death if the person's identity was used commercially during that time. Courts can award damages for financial losses, profits made from the unauthorized use, and attorney fees, with triple damages available if the misuse was intentional. The bill includes exceptions for news reporting, criticism, satire, and other First Amendment-protected uses, ensuring free speech rights remain intact.