Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryHF 2211 allocates $3.6 million from the general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Minnesota Commissioner of Health. This funding is specifically for grants to local and Tribal health departments to support substance misuse prevention, education, and recovery programs under Minnesota Statutes §144.197, subd. 4. The bill directly affects health departments that will receive these grants to expand community-based services. It does not create new requirements but provides dedicated funding for existing program frameworks focused on addressing substance misuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funding for Minnesota's Local Food Purchasing Assistance Grant Program, which provides grants to organizations buying and distributing food within the state. Eligible groups include nonprofits, businesses, tribal governments, and schools, with preference given to those sourcing 100% of food from Minnesota, prioritizing farmers with limited market access, and distributing food at no cost in communities with low supermarket access or high need. The program aims to support local agriculture and improve food access in underserved areas, including food deserts and communities with significant aging or disabled populations. Funding is allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the state general fund.

Maddy summaryHF 2036 provides $450,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund employment services for people with disabilities through Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI), and $250,000 for career skills programming in 2026. The bill funds inclusive job opportunities, virtual and in-person career classes using virtual reality tools, and employer outreach for individuals with disabilities. MDI must report by January 15, 2028, on program participation, demographics, service hours, and recommendations. This one-time funding directly supports people with disabilities seeking employment and MDI’s service delivery model.

Maddy summaryHF 775 requires Minnesota school districts to create written policies ensuring parents of children with disabilities can fully participate in their child's education. Specifically, districts must establish processes for providing free language assistance (like interpreters or translated documents) for non-English-speaking parents and reasonable accommodations (such as sign language interpreters or modified meeting formats) for parents with disabilities, without requiring health information disclosure. These policies must be posted in multiple languages on district websites, shared annually with parents, and kept confidential. The bill directly affects school districts and parents interacting with special education programs, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 745 modifies how Minnesota school districts calculate compensatory revenue eligibility for low-income students, requiring districts to count children eligible through both direct certification (like SNAP benefits) and education benefits (such as school meal programs) as of October 1 each year. It adjusts spending rules, requiring at least 80% of compensatory revenue to be spent at individual school sites (with a temporary 40% allowance for 2026-2027 if meal program data is incomplete) and mandates reporting for adjustments due to enrollment changes. The bill establishes a Compensatory Revenue Task Force, composed of education officials, school board representatives, and parent advocates, to analyze the funding formula and make recommendations. It appropriates funds for these changes and takes effect for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2040 directs Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to provide regular updates and seek federal approval for children's mental health programs. It funds gaps in children's residential facilities, establishes crisis stabilization facilities, and creates a legislative task force to address issues in residential care. The bill also requires licensing for facilities serving youth with sexual behavior concerns and mandates a financial study on residential facility funding. These changes aim to improve access to mental health services for children, particularly those in foster care, juvenile justice, or under protective services, with specific funding appropriations included.

Maddy summaryHF 1751 requires Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to use state funds to provide hospital, medical, and dental benefits to part-time or adjunct faculty who teach six or more credits annually and currently lack such coverage. The bill appropriates specific funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover these benefits for eligible faculty. It also mandates that the Board of Trustees collect participation data and submit a cost analysis report to legislative committees by November 1, 2027, to inform future budget decisions. This is a one-time appropriation focused on expanding benefits for a specific group of faculty members.

Maddy summaryHF 1377 appropriates $1.75 million annually (2026-2027) for matching grants, $350,000 annually for equipment grants, and $1 million annually for block grants to Minnesota public television stations. The bill directs the commissioner of administration to allocate these funds based on recommendations from the Minnesota Public Television Association. It directly affects public television stations eligible under Minnesota Statutes, section 129D.13, by providing dedicated state funding for operational support and equipment. The funding is sourced from the general fund and applies specifically to fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 2430 appropriates $2,000 per school district (or $40 per student, based on fall 2024 enrollment) from the general fund to compensate teachers for completing required Read Act training. This funding directly affects school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units providing direct instruction in Minnesota. Payments must be distributed by October 15, 2025, and are designated for fiscal year 2026. The bill mandates that districts use these funds to compensate eligible teachers as specified in existing law or through teacher union agreements.

Maddy summaryHF 2034 appropriates $17,057,000 annually from the general fund and $255,000 annually from the natural resources fund for the Minnesota Zoological Garden (Minneapolis Zoo) during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds are allocated directly to the Minnesota Zoological Board to support the zoo's operations and maintenance. This bill provides specific, targeted funding without altering zoo policies or creating new requirements. It affects the zoo's budget directly through these fixed annual appropriations.