Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryHF 1789 appropriates $3 million from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for the Hindu Society of Minnesota to conduct preliminary planning ("predesign") for a cultural, arts, and education center in Maple Grove. The funding is designated for fiscal year 2026 and directly supports the Hindu Society of Minnesota in developing plans for their proposed facility. This bill provides concrete financial support for the initial planning phase of a community center focused on cultural preservation and education. The legislation does not fund construction or ongoing operations, only the predesign work.

Maddy summaryHF 1945 modifies Minnesota's moratorium on new supportive housing beds to allow specific expansions, directly affecting homeless adults with disabilities (including mental illness, substance abuse, or HIV/AIDS) in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. The bill appropriates funds for up to 226,500 new supportive housing units, requiring counties to receive a minimum of 20 units each and ensuring at least 70% serve individuals recently discharged from treatment centers. It also permits additional beds for specialized facilities in Hennepin County, St. Cloud, Crow Wing County, and other locations serving specific populations like chronic inebriates or those with substance use disorders. The changes adjust how housing support rates are calculated and ensure unused units can be reallocated to counties with demonstrated need.

Maddy summaryHF 1750 establishes the Minnesota Civic Fund program, replacing the existing political contribution refund program. It allows donors to receive credits toward future political contributions instead of cash refunds, with political committees required to report redeemed credits. The bill amends campaign finance laws (Minnesota Statutes, chapters 10A and 10B) to define "contribution" to include Civic Fund credits and mandates reporting on credit redemptions. This directly affects political committees, candidates, and donors participating in Minnesota's campaign finance system.

Maddy summaryHF 1853 establishes a Civil Commitment Coordinating Division within Minnesota's Attorney General's office to improve coordination around civil commitment processes. The bill creates a Civil Commitment Coordinator and an 11-20 member Advisory Committee (including judges, counties, people with lived experience, and treatment providers) to develop guidance on outpatient commitment, engagement services, and temporary release options. It authorizes the coordinator to administer grants for diversion programs and engagement services, collect outcome data from local jurisdictions, and run public awareness campaigns about community-based alternatives. This bill directly affects courts, counties, treatment facilities, and community programs handling civil commitments under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 253B.

Maddy summaryHF 1776 appropriates $5 million from state bonds to fund ADA-compliant upgrades for public sidewalks and curb ramps in Minneapolis. The bill directs this money specifically to the city of Minneapolis for construction projects meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The state will issue bonds to cover the cost, with funds becoming available only when Minneapolis secures sufficient nonstate funding for the projects. This targeted funding aims to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in Minneapolis's public right-of-way facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 1860 appropriates $8 million from state bonds to fund a new regional household hazardous waste and recycling facility serving Dakota and Scott Counties. The money will be provided to a joint powers entity formed by both counties to construct and equip the facility, which will be located in Dakota County to serve residents and businesses from both areas. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $8 million to cover this appropriation, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This funding directly supports waste management services for households in these two counties.

Maddy summaryHF 1824 appropriates state funds to create technology portals on the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families website. These portals will connect vulnerable children and families with community support systems, including churches, nonprofits, and civic organizations. The bill allocates specific funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 as a one-time appropriation from the general fund. This policy change directly enables the department to establish a centralized digital resource for accessing local support services.

Maddy summaryHF 1399 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Corrections to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists (like naloxone) at all state correctional facilities for immediate use during opioid overdoses. It mandates storing sufficient nasal doses throughout facilities for rapid response and provides training to correctional staff on recognizing overdose symptoms and administering the medication. This bill directly affects people in Minnesota's prisons and jails who may experience overdoses, as well as correctional facility staff responsible for safety. The law creates a specific protocol for overdose response within correctional settings, referencing existing statutes for definitions and administration procedures.

Maddy summaryHF 1805 increases reimbursement rates for residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers in Minnesota. It adds a new provision that raises payment rates by 50% for specific residential SUD services starting July 1, 2025, compared to rates effective January 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed residential SUD treatment providers who meet state requirements under section 254B.05. The change applies only to certain residential services listed in the statute, not all SUD treatments. The bill aims to improve provider compensation for these specific care settings.

Maddy summaryHF 1812 establishes a state-run Minnesota Health Plan to guarantee comprehensive, affordable health care for every Minnesota resident. The plan covers all necessary medical, dental, vision, mental health, and long-term care services without co-pays, with premiums based on income. It creates new state entities including the Minnesota Health Board, Health Fund, Office of Health Quality and Planning, a patient advocacy ombudsman, and an auditor for the plan. The bill also requests a federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act to modify certain health insurance requirements and appropriates funding for implementation.