Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryHF 217 appropriates $8.55 million in bond proceeds to fund upgrades for Burnsville's water treatment plant. The city of Burnsville directly receives this grant to cover specific improvements, including electrical component replacement, water line upgrades, and surface water treatment process enhancements. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $8.55 million to cover this appropriation, as required by Minnesota law. This funding supports the physical infrastructure of Burnsville's public water system.

Maddy summaryHF 849 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to Duluth Public Schools for the Duluth Promise initiative. The funding directly supports high school students in Duluth and St. Louis County by creating career pathways in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and business finance. Key provisions include establishing early college credit opportunities, employer partnerships, job skills training, and wraparound support services to reduce employment barriers. The money must be used for program expenses such as hiring staff, facility rentals, and student support services, with funds available until June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum refund amount for political contributions claimed on Minnesota state income taxes. For individuals, the maximum refund rises from $75 to $100 per year, and for married couples filing jointly, it increases from $150 to $200 per year. It directly affects Minnesota taxpayers who contribute to candidates or political parties and claim these refunds on their state tax returns. The amendment updates Minnesota Statutes section 290.06, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill does not change eligibility requirements or documentation rules for claiming the refund.

Maddy summaryHF 307 appropriates $856,000 from the general fund for a one-time grant to 180 Degrees, a nonprofit organization, to renovate a youth shelter facility at 1101 Washington Memorial Drive in St. Cloud. The funds will cover construction, furnishings, and equipment to improve program delivery at the shelter while adding dedicated space for a teen employment center and donation center. This appropriation is specifically for fiscal year 2026 and must be used for the described facility improvements. The bill directly affects the youth shelter services provided by 180 Degrees and the community programs housed at the St. Cloud location.

Maddy summaryHF 53 amends Minnesota's education finance law to adjust how school districts and charter schools calculate transportation funding. It increases a district's "transportation sparsity revenue" by 35% of the difference between its actual transportation costs (adjusted for previous years) and a calculated amount based on basic revenue and existing transportation aid. This change directly affects public school districts and charter schools by altering their formula for receiving state transportation funding. The adjustment applies to fiscal year 2026 and later, modifying existing funding calculations without creating new programs. The bill focuses on refining the method for distributing transportation funds, not on new policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHF 125 requires facilities handling hazardous chemicals to immediately notify the State Emergency Management Operations Center of any release meeting federal reporting thresholds for hazardous substances or extremely hazardous substances. It specifically adds a requirement for oil refineries (facilities processing crude oil into petroleum products, as defined in Minnesota law) to also notify local emergency responders after reporting to the state center. The bill mandates that the state center be staffed 24/7 to handle these reports and coordinate with relevant agencies, while prohibiting state agencies from requiring duplicate notifications. This law applies to releases occurring on or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryHF 159 provides a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in building Burnsville's new city hall. It exempts materials purchased between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, from Minnesota's sales tax, with the city reimbursed for taxes paid upfront. Refunds are processed after June 30, 2025, funded from the state general fund. The exemption applies retroactively to purchases made after December 31, 2024, directly benefiting Burnsville for its new municipal building project.

Maddy summaryHF 50 appropriates $40.8 million from state highway bonds to fund the design and construction of a bridge interchange project on Interstate Highway 35 at Dakota County State-Aid Highway 50 (CSAH 50) in Lakeville. The funds will cover environmental analysis, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and building two bridges over CSAH 50 along with associated ramps. The state will issue bonds up to $40.8 million to cover this project, with bond proceeds deposited into the trunk highway fund. This bill directly affects Lakeville residents and commuters by improving traffic flow at this specific highway intersection.

Maddy summaryHF 36 increases payment rates for nonemergency medical transportation providers serving Minnesota health care program beneficiaries. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0625, subdivision 17, to raise the reimbursement rates paid to transportation companies, ambulances, taxicabs, public transit, or not-for-hire vehicles providing covered nonemergency medical trips. This directly affects transportation providers enrolled in Minnesota's health care programs who bill for services to beneficiaries needing medical appointments. The change ensures providers receive higher payments for transporting patients to nonemergency medical care, without altering eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 196 appropriates $4 million from state bond proceeds to Dakota County for specific improvements at Thompson County Park in Dakota County. The funds will finance accessible outdoor recreation features including a nature play area, picnic spaces, park entrance safety upgrades, ravine overlooks, and accessible trail enhancements. The state will issue up to $4 million in bonds under Minnesota law to cover this appropriation. The bill becomes effective the day after final enactment.