Rep. Liz Reyer

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of a "debt buyer" to clarify that businesses purchasing charged-off medical debts for collection purposes are considered debt buyers, while excluding nonprofits buying for charitable reasons. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to relieve medical debt for eligible residents who couldn't pay after hospitals completed reasonable collection efforts. The grant must be used by June 30, 2028, and Undue Medical Debt must report recipient demographics to state agencies. The bill directly affects low-income Minnesotans with unpaid medical bills and hospitals that previously pursued collections.

Maddy summaryHF 1672 modifies Minnesota's medical cannabis laws to establish a regulatory framework for tribal medical cannabis programs. The bill defines key terms like "Tribal medical cannabis program" (a tribe-established program for medical cannabis on tribal lands) and "Tribal medical cannabis program patient" (a tribal member with a valid tribal registration card). It requires cannabis businesses to verify tribal registration cards and valid ID before distributing medical cannabis to tribal program patients, while maintaining existing state distribution rules. This directly affects federally recognized Minnesota tribes, tribal program participants, and state-licensed cannabis businesses serving tribal members.

Maddy summaryHF 3126 appropriates $200,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund Thrive Family Recovery Resources. The grant supports specific services including family and workforce education, nonbillable peer support services statewide, and trauma-informed programs focused on generational healing. It specifically targets families impacted by incarceration and child protective services to help parents and children heal together. This bill directly provides funding to Thrive Family Recovery Resources to expand these services across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 97 modifies coverage for chiropractic services under MinnesotaCare and medical assistance programs. It specifies that covered services - including spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercises for spinal conditions - must be provided by a licensed professional using accepted standards. The bill limits non-x-ray services to one annual evaluation and 24 visits per year, requiring prior authorization for more visits. It also restricts x-ray coverage to full spine or specific spinal area exams necessary for diagnosing subluxation. The bill repeals the previous coverage description in Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256L.03, subdivision 3b.

Maddy summaryHF 3057 establishes a public option within MinnesotaCare, allowing Minnesotans to enroll in a government-run health plan alongside private insurers. It expands eligibility to more residents and sets income-based premiums for public option enrollees. The bill requires the commissioner of commerce to seek federal approval for a special waiver (Section 1332) and appropriates funding for implementation. This directly affects individuals purchasing health insurance in Minnesota's individual market, particularly low- and middle-income residents seeking affordable coverage options.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million from the state general fund for Minnesota's Lawns to Legumes program, which supports homeowners in replacing grass lawns with soil-enriching legume plants like clover. The funds, available until June 2029, are administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources and can be used to partner with local governments and organizations. The program aims to improve soil health and reduce fertilizer use by incentivizing legume-based lawn alternatives. This is a one-time funding allocation for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3066 establishes a state-funded program providing adaptive swimming lessons and water safety education for children aged 3-21 with developmental delays and their parents. The program, funded with $500,000 annually for 2026-2027, offers 12 weeks of lessons per child through vouchers distributed equitably, including swim kits and culturally appropriate parent education. Eligible participants must meet income requirements (e.g., enrolled in Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, or free school meals programs), and instructors must hold specific certifications for neurodivergent children and water safety. The commissioner of health will administer the program in partnership with St. Paul and autism advocacy groups, ensuring access in low-income communities and tracking participation.

Maddy summaryHF 1914 appropriates state funds for three key human services programs in Minnesota. It provides emergency services grants for immediate crisis support, county grants to address homelessness gaps (prioritizing Tribal Nation partnerships and interventions like 24/7 shelters), and funding for provider capacity-building collaboratives. The capacity-building program helps service providers access stable funding streams, including Medicaid waivers and housing support programs. These funds are allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with unspent first-year money rolling over to the second year. The bill directly affects counties, service providers, and people experiencing homelessness by expanding access to crisis support and housing-focused services.

Maddy summaryHF 2566 establishes the "Minnesota Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act" to address unauthorized or deceptive business filings. It creates a process where a person connected to a business (a "complainant") can submit a formal declaration to the Secretary of State’s Office alleging that a business filing was made without authorization or to misrepresent ownership/identity. The Office reviews the declaration, notifies both the complainant and the alleged "filer," and gives the filer 21 days to respond. If the filer doesn’t respond, the Office deems the filing fraudulent and removes it; false claims in the process are punishable under Minnesota law. This directly affects business owners who file records and individuals reporting suspected fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to include lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs in their drug lists (formularies) when equivalent options cost less than current choices. It mandates that formulary tiers and structure must prioritize the drug with the lowest out-of-pocket cost for patients (including co-pays and coinsurance), without restricting access to that option. Health plans must immediately add newly approved generic or biosimilar drugs to their formularies if they cost less than existing covered options. This directly affects patients by reducing their medication costs and health plans/carriers by changing how they manage drug coverage.