Rep. Liz Reyer

Maddy summaryHF 3643 establishes Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park in Ramsey County, specifically within St. Paul, as a new public park. The bill designates precise boundaries for the park using 18 directional points in St. Paul and requires that no park permit or entry fee be charged. It directs the commissioner of natural resources to manage the park under standard state park rules, while specifying that the commissioner of administration and Minnesota Historical Society retain authority over existing buildings and monuments within the park. The legislation also appropriates funds for the park’s establishment, directly affecting public access to this newly designated green space in the city.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota legislative resolution (HF 2688) requests Congress to seek a constitutional amendment overturning the *Citizens United v. FEC* Supreme Court decision. It asks Congress to clarify that constitutional rights apply only to natural persons (not corporations or other artificial entities) and that campaign spending is not protected speech under the First Amendment. The resolution specifically proposes an amendment requiring governments to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures to ensure equal political access for all citizens, regardless of wealth, and to mandate public disclosure of all political spending. It does not create new laws but formally urges federal action through a constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus displaying flashing red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It directly affects all drivers approaching school buses on Minnesota roads, mandating they remain stopped until the red lights cease flashing. The bill also adds a new provision warning drivers that amber lights indicate red lights will soon activate, requiring them to prepare to stop. These changes aim to improve safety for children near school bus stops. The bill is currently pending passage after committee approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota commissioner of natural resources to transfer all state-owned land within one mile of the Upper Red Lake shoreline and all land within the Red Lake State Forest boundaries to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians without payment. The legislation mandates that the commissioner identify any legal or funding obstacles to these transfers and submit a detailed report by January 15, 2026, to relevant legislative committees with recommendations for resolving those barriers. Additionally, the bill appropriates $20 million in fiscal year 2026 to fund the land conveyance process, with funds available until June 30, 2035, and may be used to acquire additional land needed to facilitate the transfers. The law takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals previous sales tax exemptions for preferred seating and amenities at athletic facilities, meaning these items will now be subject to sales tax when purchased with event tickets. It also provides funding for safe harbor shelter and housing grants to support homeless assistance programs. The legislation defines various retail sales for tax purposes, including bundled transactions and promotional items, while appropriating money for the housing grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes medical assistance coverage for culturally specific health and wellness services in Minnesota, effective January 1, 2027, or upon federal approval. It creates an advisory task force that must include community leaders, service providers, and health department representatives to define covered services, set provider standards, and recommend implementation details. The state must submit federal waivers and plan amendments by October 1, 2026, after consulting with the task force and affected communities on priorities and provider capacity. An annual report will track service utilization and health outcomes, broken down by race, ethnicity, age, and region.

Maddy summaryHF 2998 establishes a legal process for terminally ill Minnesota adults with a prognosis of six months or less to obtain medication for medical aid in dying. It requires two physician confirmations (an attending provider and a consulting provider), a mental health evaluation by a licensed consultant to confirm capacity, and mandates that patients self-administer the medication. The law prohibits providers from directly administering the medication and classifies related patient data as confidential. Violations of the process could result in criminal penalties, while providers following the law are granted immunity.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota law to protect doctors and other licensed health care providers who join wellness programs designed to help manage work-related stress and career fatigue. It defines these programs as initiatives run by statewide nonprofit associations that offer evaluation, counseling, or other support services to health care professionals. The law ensures that a provider's participation in such programs remains confidential and cannot be shared with licensing boards or health officials without the provider's written permission, except in cases where mandatory reporting laws require disclosure. Additionally, the bill grants immunity from civil lawsuits to organizations running these wellness programs when they act in good faith. These changes apply specifically to licensed health care providers and the nonprofit associations that administer wellness initiatives for them.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $95 million in bonds to fund road and utility infrastructure improvements at the Sears site in St. Paul. The funds will support construction of sanitary sewer and clean water systems, public utilities, streets, sidewalks, lighting, and streetscape improvements needed to prepare the area for future development. The legislation also defines the Sears site boundaries and establishes the legal framework for managing bond proceeds, including provisions for environmental remediation and demolition of existing structures. This measure is designed to provide necessary infrastructure support for the redevelopment of the former Sears property.

Maddy summaryHF 771 establishes a supplemental energy assistance grant program in Minnesota to provide additional support for low-income households that may not have received full federal energy assistance. It targets residents with household incomes below 60% of the state median income, offering crisis grants, primary heat assistance, emergency heating repairs, and outreach support. The bill appropriates a specific sum for fiscal year 2026 (with up to 10% for administration and 5% for outreach to underserved communities) and requires the commissioner to publish annual reports starting in 2026 detailing program participation, benefits, and demographic data by county. This program operates alongside federal LIHEAP funding but prioritizes expanding assistance to new households over increasing aid for existing recipients.