Rep. Mary Clardy

Maddy summaryHF 3274 establishes "Donate Life" special license plates in Minnesota. Vehicle owners who pay an additional fee for special plates, plus a mandatory $10 annual contribution to the Donate Life account, can obtain these plates. The collected funds are deposited into a special account, covering administrative costs first before funding Donate Life Minnesota's mission to promote organ and tissue donation. The bill affects vehicle owners who choose these plates, effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1793 modifies how Minnesota's medical assistance program reimburses birth centers for maternity services. Currently, birth centers receive payment at 70% of the hospital rate for facility services and nursery care, but the bill changes this to 100% of the hospital rate starting January 1, 2027 (or after federal approval). It also requires full reimbursement for comprehensive maternal care services within a birth center’s scope, regardless of location, and mandates the state to update payment practices based on consultation with licensed birth centers. These changes directly affect licensed birth centers, traditional midwives, and the state’s Medicaid program by adjusting payment rates and expanding covered services. The current 70% rate expires when the new 100% rate takes effect.

Maddy summaryHF 1278 establishes a one-time $30 million reproductive health equity grant fund to support abortion care access in Minnesota. The bill provides funding to abortion providers, government agencies, and nonprofits whose primary work involves abortion care, with grants designed to increase access, cover uncompensated care for low-income patients, secure facility infrastructure, and fund staff training in trauma-informed care. Eligible organizations must apply through the commissioner of health, who will prioritize applications based on local need, health equity impact, and applicant need. The fund becomes effective July 1, 2025, with grants to begin by January 1, 2026, and includes strict privacy protections requiring confidentiality of patient information.

Maddy summaryHF 3248 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's workforce development fund to provide a one-time grant to SEWA-AIFW (South Asian Women's Empowerment and Advocacy Initiative for Women). The funds are designated to support SEWA-AIFW's workforce development services, which directly assist South Asian women and immigrant communities in Minnesota. The bill specifies the commissioner of employment and economic development will administer the grant. This is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 2554 designates a specific bridge on Burnsville Parkway over Interstate Highway 35W in Burnsville, Minnesota, as the "Elmstrand * Finseth * Ruge Heroes Memorial Bridge." The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 161.14 to formally name the structure and requires the transportation commissioner to adopt appropriate signage for it. This is a commemorative measure naming a physical location, not a policy change affecting residents or creating new laws. The bridge itself is the direct subject of the designation, with no broader legislative impact beyond the memorial name and signage.

Maddy summaryHF 1518 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for a one-time agricultural training program targeting Black youth in rural Minnesota. The bill requires the commissioner of agriculture to establish training at historical Black-owned farms, covering traditional and modern farming, sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. It directly affects Black youth interested in farming careers by providing skill development opportunities at these specific locations. The key provision is the dedicated funding to create this program, with no ongoing annual appropriations specified.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to clarify and restrict optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer certain medications for eye conditions. It specifically prohibits optometrists from administering drugs via IV, IM, or injection (except for anaphylaxis treatment or specific eye injections), performing invasive surgery (including laser procedures), or prescribing Schedule II/III oral drugs. The bill also sets strict time limits: oral antivirals cannot exceed 10 days, steroids require physician consultation after 14 days, and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are limited to 7 days. These changes directly affect licensed optometrists in Minnesota who provide medical eye care.

Maddy summaryHF 2288 authorizes $210,000 in state funds to the University of Minnesota Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement to conduct a 2026 survey of Minnesota principals. The bill requires the Center to post survey results online, file a report with the legislature by January 15, 2027, and provide it to education committee chairs. This funding directly supports gathering data on Minnesota principals' experiences and challenges. The survey is intended to inform future education policy decisions based on principal input.

Maddy summaryHF 1517 appropriates $2.5 million from the general fund for the Minnesota Black Farmers Association to purchase modern farming equipment, including skid steers and John Deere tractors with attachments. The funding is specifically designated for a cooperative of Black veteran farmers in Minnesota. The commissioner of agriculture must award a grant to the Association to support this equipment purchase for the cooperative's use. This bill directly affects Black veteran farmers through their cooperative by providing access to updated agricultural technology.

Maddy summaryHF 2489 modifies Minnesota school policies for epinephrine access, directly affecting students with severe allergies and school staff. The bill requires annual written authorization from parents and prescribing doctors for students to possess epinephrine auto-injectors or for schools to store them for immediate use. It mandates individualized health plans developed by parents, school staff, and medical professionals at the start of each school year, specifying whether a student can carry the device or needs it kept nearby during the instructional day. Schools must also keep additional epinephrine in first aid kits and define "instructional day" for implementation, while providing liability protection for good-faith actions.