Rep. Mary Clardy

Maddy summaryHF 3660 establishes a Teacher Microcredential Task Force to study how specialized teaching certifications (microcredentials) could support educators and address workforce needs, particularly in special education. The task force, composed of teachers, education leaders, and board representatives, must review current licensure processes, identify implementation needs, and submit recommendations to the legislature by February 1, 2027. The bill appropriates funds to cover the task force’s operations, with meetings scheduled to begin by October 2026. It directly affects Minnesota teachers, school districts, and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board by setting a framework for evaluating microcredentials as a potential tool for professional development and staffing. The legislation focuses on factual processes, not outcomes, and expires upon report submission or February 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 2016 modifies Minnesota's general education funding to include safe schools aid for charter schools. The bill adds $36 per adjusted pupil unit for charter schools, calculated annually, to be reserved exclusively for school safety purposes defined in state law (section 126C.44, subdivision 4). This funding is integrated into the existing general education revenue calculation for charter schools, which previously received funding as though they were school districts. The change directly affects all public charter schools operating in Minnesota by providing dedicated safety funding aligned with district-level practices. It does not alter overall funding formulas but specifies a new, targeted use for a portion of existing revenue.

Maddy summaryHF 3638 modifies educator licensing rules by shifting authority for paraprofessional credential standards from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to the Commissioner of Education. It requires new data sharing agreements between the Board, the Department of Education, and school administrators to share non-educational staff data for program improvement and funding management. The bill also updates professional development requirements for mental health training and extends an existing appropriation for education programs. These changes directly impact school districts, educators, paraprofessionals, and state education agencies in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 3656 clarifies the Minnesota Attorney General's role in civil law enforcement actions by stating they act in the public interest, not as legal representatives of state agencies. The bill specifies that state departments and agencies cannot be automatic parties in such actions unless expressly named, and their records remain under their sole control - meaning the Attorney General cannot access, discover, or control these records for enforcement purposes. It also ensures that records held by the Attorney General for attorney-client relationships with agencies (e.g., legal advice) are not accessible to enforcement divisions. These provisions aim to prevent conflicts and maintain clear boundaries between agency operations and the Attorney General's enforcement authority.

Maddy summaryHF 3668 establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within Minnesota's Department of Health. The office will coordinate prevention efforts, collect and report statewide data on gun incidents/deaths, conduct research, create public health campaigns, and support victims - working with agencies like Public Safety. It requires an annual report to legislative committees by February 15 each year. The bill appropriates unspecified funding from the general fund for the office's operations in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3357 would prohibit the possession of dangerous weapons (including guns, ammunition, or explosives) in Minnesota's Capitol complex buildings, making it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. The bill specifically applies to state buildings within the Capitol Area described in chapter 15B, excluding the National Guard Armory. Key exemptions include licensed peace officers on duty, permit holders who notify law enforcement, individuals displaying weapons as evidence with sheriff approval, and retired officers working in security roles under specific federal rules. The law would take effect on August 1, 2026, and directly affects anyone entering Capitol complex buildings, with limited exceptions for authorized personnel and specific lawful activities.

Maddy summaryHF 3369 appropriates $50,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2027 to establish the Centennial Barns Registry. The Minnesota Historical Society will operate the registry, allowing landowners to voluntarily register barns built before 1959 and share their history and location. This funding directly supports documenting historic barn structures across Minnesota without imposing requirements on property owners.

Maddy summaryHF 1435 modifies Minnesota's education innovation framework by updating requirements for school districts offering experiential learning programs and P-TECH schools. It requires districts to publicly adopt and regularly review plans for innovation programs (like work-based learning or project-based schools), including student outcome assessments. The bill also revises the P-TECH school approval process to mandate specific application details, such as written agreements with colleges/businesses, economic development alignment, and budget plans. These changes affect Minnesota school districts seeking to implement innovation programs or P-TECH schools, focusing on transparency and program structure. The bill recodifies related education innovation statutes without altering core program eligibility.

Maddy summaryHF 1114 appropriates $50 million from the general fund for the GroundBreak Capital Access and Innovation Fund, managed by the Minneapolis Foundation. It establishes three programs: forgivable startup business loans (up to $50,000) for new Minnesota businesses lacking traditional financing, commercial real estate equity enhancements (up to $250,000) for developments under $10 million, and forgivable down payment assistance loans (up to $25,000) for first-time homebuyers in the seven-county metro area meeting income limits. Loans become fully forgiven after 3 years for businesses (with preference for those hiring employees) and 5 years for homeowners, subject to specific conditions like using funds for approved purposes. The bill directly affects Minnesota-based startups, small commercial developers, and low-income homebuyers, particularly targeting underserved communities through eligibility criteria. Funds are allocated over fiscal years 2026-2029 with annual amounts specified.

Maddy summaryHF 1970 establishes a temporary driver's education financial assistance pilot program in Minnesota to help low-income youth aged 15-24 access driver's education and driver's licenses. The program provides grants of up to $2,000 per youth to cover costs like driver's education courses, permit fees, and license application fees, funded through a new state revenue account. Eligible youth must meet specific criteria, including experiencing homelessness, being in foster care, receiving certain public assistance, or facing documented financial hardship. The program requires implementation in diverse communities (urban, rural, suburban, Tribal) and mandates reports on its operation, with administrative costs reimbursed from the same account.