Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryHF 71 establishes a working group to study whether local candidate campaign finance reports (for county, city, school district, and township offices) should be filed with the state Campaign Finance Board instead of local officials. The group, including members from the Board, local government associations, and legislative leaders, must examine filing processes, assess current local support, review reporting requirements, and study budget impacts by January 2026. It will make recommendations and propose draft legislation based on its findings. The bill appropriates $ for the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide administrative support for the group through June 2026. This is a procedural study bill with no immediate policy changes, directly affecting local candidates and the state campaign finance system.

Maddy summaryHF 203 appropriates $12 million from state bond proceeds to fund a new public works facility, expanded recycling area, access road, and related infrastructure improvements in Columbia Heights. The funds will cover predesign, construction, property acquisition, and demolition for the city's project. The state will issue up to $12 million in bonds under Minnesota law to provide this funding. This bill directly affects Columbia Heights by enabling specific infrastructure upgrades through state financial support.

Maddy summaryHF 224 appropriates $13 million from state bond proceeds to fund a new public works facility in South St. Paul. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $13 million in bonds to provide this funding, which will cover the city's costs for acquiring property, predesign, design, and construction. This directly affects the city of South St. Paul by enabling the development of a new facility for public works operations. The funding comes from state bonds, not general tax revenue, and the bill requires the commissioner of management and budget to issue the bonds per state law.

Maddy summaryHF 140 establishes a Minnesota state-funded grant program to help counties and cities improve cybersecurity. It appropriates $20 million for fiscal year 2026 to provide grants covering up to $25,000 per project (with supplemental grants for larger needs up to $1 million total per jurisdiction) for eligible cybersecurity expenses like software, hardware, data backups, and professional services. Local governments lacking resources to access other cybersecurity programs can apply, with grants prioritized based on risk reduction, critical infrastructure protection, and geographic equity. The commissioner must annually report grant details - including recipient, amount, and use - to the legislature by January 15 each year.

Maddy summaryHF 227 appropriates $825,000 from state bonds to reconstruct the driver training track at Dakota County Technical College. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to this amount to fund the facility upgrade, following standard bond procedures. This funding directly affects Dakota County Technical College students and staff who use the driver training facility for educational programs. The legislation does not alter existing programs but provides specific capital funding for infrastructure at this college.

Maddy summaryHF 728 modifies Minnesota's rules for providing out-of-home respite care services for children in unlicensed residential settings. It allows licensed providers to offer this care in homes that aren't licensed for such services, but only if they meet strict requirements: background checks for all household members, annual assessments of the home's suitability by a case manager, annual authorization from a child's legal representative, and limits on the number of children (max four, with siblings allowed to share a room) and service duration (max 46 days per year). These rules do not apply to children in foster care under chapters 260C or 260D. The bill requires providers to maintain detailed documentation of all assessments and authorizations, effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 114 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to provide grants to all 95 Minnesota county agricultural societies. The funds must be distributed equally to each county fair to enhance arts access, education, and the preservation of Minnesota's agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage. This grant program operates in addition to existing funding under Minnesota Statutes section 38.02. The commissioner of agriculture will develop grant criteria and seek public input to guide funding for projects supporting these goals.

Maddy summaryHF 295 provides $12 million in state funding for drinking water infrastructure upgrades in Hibbing. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to raise this amount, which will be granted to the Hibbing Public Utilities Commission. This funding covers planning, design, construction, and equipment for improvements to Hibbing's clean water distribution system and water source. The bill directly supports Hibbing's efforts to modernize its public water infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHF 218 appropriates $3 million from state bonds to fund specific improvements at West St. Paul's 150 Thompson Community Square. The funds will finance an enclosed pavilion for public/private events, an outdoor performance stage, and a convertible turf area that can be used as an ice rink. The city of West St. Paul will receive the grant through the commissioner of employment and economic development. This bill directly affects West St. Paul residents by enhancing community space infrastructure through state-funded construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from the general fund for the city of South St. Paul to plan a new swimming pool and aquatics center. The funds are specifically for predesign and design work (not construction) in fiscal year 2026, and are one-time only. The city must use the grant to develop plans for the facility, with the money available until the project is completed or abandoned. This is a straightforward funding measure for a local infrastructure planning project.