Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a previous requirement that assumed a $250 million reduction in special education funding for the 2027-2028 biennium and subsequent years. Under the new provisions, the state commissioner of management and budget will no longer be required to forecast this specific funding cut when preparing revenue and expenditure forecasts. The legislation also removes the mandate that the legislature must identify enacted provisions from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education to offset the assumed funding reduction. If savings from those provisions fall short of $250 million, the commissioner of education would no longer be required to reduce the special education cross subsidy aid factor to make up the difference. The changes take effect the day following final enactment of the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Human Services Systems Steering Committee to oversee and improve the information technology systems used by Minnesota's human services agencies, including the Departments of Human Services, Children, Youth, and Families, and county governments. The committee will be composed of representatives from these agencies and county organizations, who will meet at least quarterly to review system goals, allocate resources, and make recommendations on major system changes. Before any new major system changes or new systems are implemented, the relevant commissioners must receive the committee's recommendations and consult with counties. The committee must also provide public testimony opportunities during meetings and submit annual reports to legislative committees, which will hold public hearings on those reports. Additionally, the bill appropriates funding to update county information technology systems and expand certain data tools to all interested counties and Tribal Nations.

Maddy summaryHF 60 modifies Minnesota teacher licensure requirements by adding dyslexia training as a mandatory component for license renewal. The bill requires all licensed teachers renewing their licenses under sections 122A.181-122A.184 to complete two hours of free professional development on dyslexia, covering its effects on reading skills, instructional needs, and related health comorbidities. This training must be provided by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board with input from dyslexia specialists, and teachers must complete it once - either during initial licensure or upon renewal. The requirements apply to all renewing teachers and take effect for licenses issued on or after July 1, 2027. The bill also updates renewal conditions for Tier 1 and Tier 2 licenses to include this dyslexia training.

Maddy summaryHF 32 prohibits Minnesota health insurance companies from requiring co-payments for mental health services provided to children under 18. This applies to all standard health plans and includes a specific provision for high-deductible plans, which must limit co-payments to the minimum level needed to maintain tax-advantaged health savings account benefits. The law directly affects children receiving mental health care and their insurers, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for these services. It takes effect January 1, 2026, applying to health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 2646 converts the "Governor's Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota" into the "Age-Friendly Minnesota Council" to coordinate state efforts for older adults. The bill establishes a 15-member council including state agency representatives and public members to address disparities affecting older Minnesotans in greater Minnesota, communities of color, and Indigenous communities. Key provisions require the council to review grants, identify barriers to age-friendly services, promote equity, and make policy recommendations to state agencies and the legislature. The bill also codifies existing grant mechanisms and appropriates funds to support these coordinated efforts across state government, communities, and businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to clarify which healthcare professionals can serve as medical consultants for community health boards. It specifies that advanced practice nurses must be certified as clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners by a national organization acceptable to the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The change directly affects community health boards and the healthcare providers working with them, ensuring medical consultants meet defined credentialing standards. The bill modifies existing statute (145A.02, subd. 15) to add this clarity without expanding the list of eligible professions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 from the workforce development fund to support a local news talent pipeline program in Minnesota. The funding will be distributed through the Minnesota News Media Institute to provide paid internships at newspapers, television and radio stations, and digital news platforms for individuals interested in journalism careers. The program aims to strengthen local news operations by giving participants hands-on experience in reporting, editing, and media design while requiring geographic and medium diversity in grant distribution. The bill also mandates consultation with local news organization associations and allows up to five percent of the funds for administrative expenses.

Maddy summaryHF 3351 repeals Minnesota's state preemption law that previously blocked local governments from regulating firearms. This bill removes barriers preventing cities and counties from creating their own firearm regulations, such as zoning rules for gun stores. It amends Minnesota Statutes to allow local governments to adopt "reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and nonarbitrary" ordinances regarding firearm sales locations. The bill also repeals specific sections (471.633, 471.634, 624.714, 624.717, and 624.7191) that enforced the preemption. Local governments will now have direct authority to regulate firearms within their jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHF 1203 modifies Minnesota's sales and use tax exemption for secure firearm storage units and adds a new exemption for firearm safety devices. The bill defines "firearm safety devices" as products that prevent unauthorized operation (like trigger locks) and "secure firearm storage units" as locked containers specifically designed for firearm storage. It also prohibits sellers from collecting or sharing personal data about purchasers of these exempt items, treating such information as private data under existing law. The changes take effect for sales after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 793 establishes a voluntary certification program for commercial salt applicators (businesses that apply deicers for hire on private property) in Minnesota. To become certified, applicators must complete approved training on water-friendly snow/ice removal practices, pass an exam, and renew every decade. Certified applicators gain limited liability protection if they follow approved best practices and avoid gross negligence, but must maintain detailed records of deicer use and submit annual reports to the Pollution Control Agency. The program aims to reduce environmental harm from excessive salt runoff while providing a clear standard for commercial snow removal services.