Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryHF 409 increases funding for Minnesota public school districts by raising local optional revenue allowances. It sets new annual allowance amounts: $250 for first-tier, $300 for second-tier, and $424 for third-tier local revenue starting in fiscal year 2026. School districts calculate their revenue using these allowances multiplied by adjusted pupil units, with levies tied to property values per student. The bill also appropriates additional state funds for general education aid in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This directly affects all Minnesota school districts receiving state education funding.

Maddy summaryHF 2099 provides $12 million annually (fiscal years 2026-2027) from the state general fund to support local emergency management in Minnesota. The funds are distributed equally to all 87 counties, 11 federally recognized tribes, and four major cities for planning, training, equipment purchases, and infrastructure improvements related to emergency preparedness. Recipients must submit annual reports by March 15 detailing how funds were used, and all funds are subject to state audit to ensure compliance. The bill explicitly states these state funds cannot replace existing federal emergency management funding.

Maddy summaryHF 1758 requires all health plans covering maternity benefits in Minnesota to provide comprehensive coverage for infertility diagnosis/treatment and standard fertility preservation services. It applies to private health plans, MinnesotaCare, and medical assistance programs, effective January 1, 2026. The law mandates no cost-sharing beyond what's required for maternity coverage (e.g., no extra deductibles), prohibits benefit limits specific to fertility care, and allows up to four completed oocyte retrievals per year. The state will reimburse health plans for coverage costs that wouldn’t have been provided without this law, using funds appropriated annually. This directly affects Minnesotans seeking infertility care through qualifying health insurance.

Maddy summaryHF 1426 establishes a statewide program requiring manufacturers of electronic products (like circuit boards and batteries) to fund collection and recycling of covered items through a reimbursement board. It directly affects electronics manufacturers by mandating their financial responsibility for end-of-life products and consumers by creating designated collection sites. The bill prohibits mercury in batteries and defines specific categories of "covered products," including circuit boards and batteries (excluding lead-acid types), while exempting medical devices and vehicles. It also appropriates funds to implement the program and replaces outdated battery management rules.

Maddy summaryHF 2393 amends Minnesota Statutes section 145A.02, subdivision 15, to clarify which licensed health professionals can serve as medical consultants for community health boards. Currently, the definition includes licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and certified advanced practice nurses. The bill modifies this list to specify exactly which professions qualify under the statute. This change directly affects community health boards seeking medical advisors and the eligible health professionals who may provide such services. The amendment aims to ensure clarity in who can legally advise these boards on medical matters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Minnesota Department of Human Services to implement consistent policies for managing grants and mandates training for its staff who handle grant-related tasks. Employees involved in reviewing applications, awarding funds, or disbursing payments must complete comprehensive, in-person training at no cost to them during work hours before performing these duties. The legislation also obligates the department to train grant recipients on compliance requirements, such as reporting and payment procedures, as a condition for receiving funding. Additionally, the department must keep detailed records of all training sessions for three years and ensure that training materials are interactive and led by qualified instructors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires playgrounds built or significantly renovated with Minnesota state funds to follow inclusive design standards that ensure accessibility for people with and without disabilities. To comply, projects must incorporate features such as accessible routes, sensory play options, and comfortable gathering spaces while adhering to established universal design principles. The law mandates that playground designs be reviewed by experts in accessibility and authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to create implementation guidance in consultation with the Minnesota Council on Disability. These changes directly affect state agencies and local entities that receive government funding for playground construction or major renovations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal tool in Minnesota that allows the state Attorney General to sue firearm industry members for public nuisance if their conduct harms public safety. It directly affects companies involved in selling, manufacturing, distributing, or marketing firearms and related products like ammunition. To comply, these businesses must implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop thefts, and ensure adherence to existing laws. If a company violates these rules, the Attorney General can seek court orders to stop the behavior, force cleanup costs, demand financial restitution, and collect damages.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates funding from the state's general fund to support a study on lead exposure in Dakota County. The money will be given to Dakota County Public Health to investigate sources of lead emissions and their impact on residents, with a specific focus on children under six, pregnant women, and those living near high-emission areas. The study is authorized to examine whether current air and water quality standards have been exceeded and to recommend steps for protecting the community from lead risks. Additionally, the state health commissioner may offer technical assistance and provide access to de-identified blood lead data to aid the research.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the University of Minnesota to receive $100 million in state funding for capital improvements to its School of Dentistry on the Twin Cities campus. The funds will be used to design, renovate, and construct clinical, teaching, research, and administrative spaces, along with related infrastructure and hazardous materials cleanup. The state will issue bonds to finance the project, with the university covering approximately one-third of the total costs from its own sources. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final enactment.