Rep. Liz Reyer

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Minnesota to receive separate reimbursement for biological products used in cell or gene therapy treatments for rare diseases, effective July 1, 2025. Under the new rules, hospitals must be paid the actual cost of acquiring these biological products when they are administered to patients in an inpatient setting. The requirement applies only if drug manufacturers enter into value-based arrangements with the state commissioner, and the reimbursement rate will be set using the same methodology used for outpatient drug administration. The law amends existing Minnesota statutes to clarify how hospitals should be compensated for these specific medical treatments.

Maddy summaryHF 3470 authorizes Independent School District No. 197 (West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan) to transfer any remaining funds from its building construction account to its operating capital account by June 30, 2026. This transfer would allow the district to use construction funds for ongoing operational needs without needing to reduce property tax levies. The bill specifically overrides standard requirements in Minnesota education finance laws that typically require such transfers to be offset by tax reductions. This procedural change directly affects only District 197's financial management, enabling flexibility in fund allocation. The bill is currently in the introduction stage with no further legislative actions recorded.

Maddy summaryHF 362 establishes a state licensing system for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota. It requires practitioners to meet specific educational standards (including minimum contact hours), pass a credentialing exam, and obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Health. The bill defines both practices (e.g., Asian bodywork therapy uses techniques like pressing and stretching based on Chinese medical principles), sets application and renewal fees, and includes criminal penalties for practicing without a license. This directly affects therapists seeking to legally provide these services and ensures they meet standardized training and safety requirements, while also providing funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 2334 requires dental insurance organizations in Minnesota to maintain a minimum 85% loss ratio, meaning they must pay at least 85% of premium revenue in claims to policyholders. If organizations fail to meet this ratio, they must provide remediation to enrollees through direct rebates, increased benefit limits, or other approved methods. The bill also mandates annual reporting of loss ratios and financial details to the Department of Commerce, with this data published online for public comparison. This applies specifically to dental insurance plans, not general health insurance, and takes effect between 2026 and 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 2590 establishes a new licensure requirement for clinical art therapists in Minnesota, requiring them to meet specific education and training standards to practice. The bill modifies the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy by adding five licensed clinical art therapists to its 18-member board and sets annual fees for licensure, with civil penalties for violations. It also appropriates funding to support the board's operations and includes definitions for clinical art therapy, which uses art-based techniques to address mental health needs like trauma, emotional disorders, and cognitive challenges. This bill directly affects clinical art therapists seeking licensure, the board overseeing the profession, and their clients who receive these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes funding for a grant program that helps a permitted facility purchase and install equipment to continuously monitor lead emissions in the air. The program is designed for facilities that have frequently exceeded lead emission limits and are located near residential areas, with priority given to those meeting these criteria. The grant can cover up to 100% of the costs for buying and installing the monitoring system, which measures real-time pollutant concentrations to ensure compliance with emission standards. Administrative costs and technical assistance for the grant recipient may also be reimbursed from the allocated funds. The appropriation is a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2029, and becomes effective upon final enactment.

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 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 establishes the Minnesota Community Pharmacy Patient Access and Fair Reimbursement Act to protect patient access to local pharmacies by ensuring fair payment rates for prescription drugs. It requires pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse community pharmacies based on a formula that combines the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost or Wholesale Acquisition Cost with a professional dispensing fee, setting both minimum and maximum payment limits. The law applies only to commercial health plans and excludes federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, as well as drugs purchased under the 340B program. By standardizing reimbursement rates, the bill aims to prevent pharmacy closures caused by unfair payment practices while maintaining the state's existing health plan benefit structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $22 million in state bonds to fund the replacement of unsafe and undersized buildings and facilities at Dakota County regional parks. The funds will be used to upgrade infrastructure at Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Lake Byllesby Regional Park, including new swimming beach facilities with accessible restrooms and showers, improved campground lodges with storm shelters, and updated trails and amenities. The legislation directs the commissioner of employment and economic development to manage the grant process for designing and constructing these improvements, with the bond sale handled by the commissioner of management and budget.