Rep. Mary Clardy

Maddy summaryHF 532 appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs for veteran retreats at Camp Bliss in Walker. The funds reimburse Independent Lifestyles, Inc. $850 per eligible veteran or family member per visit (up to two visits yearly) for services like therapy, transportation, and camp maintenance. Eligible veterans include former service members with a DD-214 or current military members, and their spouses, domestic partners, or children. This bill directly provides funding for retreat programs supporting veterans and their families through a specific reimbursement mechanism.

Maddy summaryHF 1359 increases funding for solid waste management by changing how fees collected from waste management are allocated. Starting in 2026, 7% of these fees will go to a resource management account (rising to 20% in 2027 and 30% after 2028), instead of the general fund. The funds must be distributed to counties for waste management programs under state law. This directly affects counties receiving these allocations and changes the percentage of fees dedicated to environmental resource management over time. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 648 appropriates $200,000 from Minnesota's general fund for a grant to Veterans on the Lake, a nonprofit organization. The funds are specifically designated to repair a septic system at their facility in Ely, Minnesota, which serves disabled veterans. This bill directly affects the organization and the disabled veterans it supports by providing dedicated funding for essential facility maintenance. The appropriation is for fiscal year 2026 and requires the commissioner of veterans affairs to distribute the grant.

Maddy summaryHF 1317 amends Minnesota statutes governing the Metropolitan Council, affecting its 17 members serving in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. The bill establishes a formal process for removing council members for cause after notice and hearing, requires the governor to appoint a vice-chair from the 16 district members, sets a $40,000 annual salary starting January 2026 (with automatic increases tied to legislative pay), and mandates annual reviews of the regional administrator by the council. These changes specify council member compensation, clarify removal procedures, and define the vice-chair appointment process. The bill does not alter the council's policy-making authority or geographic boundaries.

Maddy summaryHF 1543 appropriates $450,000 annually (2026-2027) to the Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota to provide free, evidence-based literacy interventions for students reading below grade level in public schools where most students qualify for free/reduced-price meals. The funds must cover tutor training, materials, program delivery, and administration. The Institute is required to submit annual reports to education committees by January 15 each year (until 2028), detailing how funds were used and progress in improving student literacy. This bill directly supports struggling readers in high-need school districts through targeted funding and accountability.

Maddy summaryHF 1515 requires Minnesota public schools to include specific interventions in students' personal learning plans (PLPs) when a student in grade 9 or later fails core courses (language arts, math, science, or social studies). This amendment to Minnesota Statutes section 120B.125 mandates that PLPs for these students must outline targeted supports to help them progress toward graduation. The bill applies directly to high school students in Minnesota who receive failing grades in required academic subjects. Schools must integrate these interventions into existing PLP processes, which are already reviewed annually. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1512 appropriates funding from the general fund for competitive research grants focused on sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC). The bill directs Minnesota's commissioner of health to award these grants to eligible Minnesota-based research facilities, universities, and health systems studying SUDC causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies. It requires annual reports starting in 2026 detailing grant recipients, funding amounts, research purposes, and findings until 2030. This one-time appropriation allows up to 5% of funds for administrative costs and ensures unexpended balances remain available until June 2029.

Maddy summaryHF 1550 allows Minnesota school districts to renew expiring capital projects referendums through a school board resolution instead of holding a new voter election, under specific conditions. It directly affects school districts with referendums nearing expiration that meet all renewal requirements. Key provisions require the renewal amount to match the expiring referendum, the renewal term to be no longer than the original term, and the board to hold a public hearing with a recorded vote before adopting a written resolution. The resolution must be submitted to the commissioner and county auditor by September 1, and cannot be used if the referendum was previously renewed via board action. This streamlines renewal for districts with unchanged project funding needs.

Maddy summaryHF 1586 appropriates $800,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for a commemorative project honoring Gordon Parks. The bill directs the Minnesota Humanities Center, working with Soul Touch Productions, to create an art installation and related programming celebrating Parks' life and legacy. This funding specifically supports cultural programming focused on Parks' contributions as a photographer, filmmaker, and civil rights advocate. The bill does not create new policy but allocates existing state funds for a specific cultural initiative.

Maddy summaryHF 1388 appropriates $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) Center. The center will deliver evidence-based programs to at least 40 schools serving high concentrations of students in poverty or from underrepresented groups (including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities), with geographic balance across urban, suburban, and rural areas. Key provisions focus on improving student social-emotional skills, increasing academic achievement for marginalized students, supporting teacher effectiveness, and boosting high school graduation rates. The funding requires the BARR Center to provide school coaching, professional development, and curriculum resources over a three-year period.