Rep. Mary Clardy

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $4 million in state funding to provide economic development grants for small businesses in St. Paul and West St. Paul. The money is designated for businesses employing ten or fewer full-time employees and will be administered through the commissioner of employment and economic development. Funds can be used for technical assistance, creating loan programs including interest-free and forgible loans, and providing grants to cover operating expenses. The appropriations are one-time funds available until June 30, 2028, with West St. Paul's portion specifically requiring consultation with the Residents of Color Collective.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides funding for Minnesota's Board of Public Defense, which supports public defenders representing low-income individuals who cannot afford legal representation. The legislation appropriates $6.9 million for fiscal year 2026 and $13.7 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state's general fund, with an additional base funding of $183.529 million starting in fiscal year 2028. These funds are intended to supplement existing appropriations and ensure continued financial support for the public defense system. The bill takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new grant programs and provides funding for adult and children's mental health services in Minnesota, with specific priority given to areas affected by Operation Metro Surge. It creates culturally responsive mental health grants for adults and children, funds mobile crisis teams including vehicle purchases, and supports school-linked mental health services. The legislation also expands eligibility for various mental health services such as housing support, crisis intervention, and specialized care for youth at risk of psychosis or bipolar disorder.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for individuals experiencing homelessness in Minnesota to obtain certified birth records without standard identification requirements. It defines "homeless services providers" as employees of shelters, health agencies, schools, and other organizations that support people experiencing homelessness, allowing them to verify a person's homelessness status for birth record applications. The process permits these providers to submit a verification statement on behalf of the individual, and the bill waives all fees for issuing up to two certified birth records to eligible individuals. Additionally, birth records obtained through this process expire after six months, requiring renewal if the individual continues to need the document.

Maddy summaryHF 1795 appropriates state funds for Minnesota's farm-to-school and early childhood care programs, directly supporting schools and child care providers serving children. The bill allocates specific funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to purchase Minnesota-grown fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain, and dairy for these settings, including reimbursements for equipment and food purchases. It also sets aside $150,000 annually for a statewide coordinator to assist farmers and institutions, and allows limited state funding (up to 7.5% of federal funds) to support federal program administration. Eligible entities must participate in federal nutrition programs like the National School Lunch Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $20 million in state funding to the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame nonprofit to build a facility in Inver Grove Heights that will include a museum, ice rink, and event spaces. It also authorizes the state to issue up to $5 million in bonds to provide infrastructure improvements like roads, utilities, and sidewalks to support the project. The funding is designated for construction and development costs, with the money available until the project is finished or abandoned. Both sections of the bill take effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's Special Education Teacher Pathway Program to also include related services providers such as school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and speech-language pathologists. It allows school districts and other educational entities to apply for grants to support these professionals in obtaining Tier 3 licensure through partnerships with accredited teacher preparation programs or universities. Grant funds can be used for tuition assistance, stipends, mentoring, licensure test preparation, and recruitment, with priority given to helping those with lower-tier licenses advance to Tier 3 status. The program requires annual reporting on participant numbers and fund usage, and it will become effective on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3654 renames Minnesota’s "Local Optional Revenue Program" to the "Local Education Revenue Program" and increases its funding. The bill establishes a new calculation method using regional wage data to determine school district revenue, with a base allowance of $979 for fiscal year 2027 (adjusted annually). It also adds $132 per adjusted pupil unit to charter school funding and modifies how districts calculate local revenue levies based on property values. The changes directly affect Minnesota school districts and charter schools by altering their state education funding formulas, effective for fiscal year 2027 and beyond.

Maddy summaryHF 3470 authorizes Independent School District No. 197 (West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan) to transfer any remaining funds from its building construction account to its operating capital account by June 30, 2026. This transfer would allow the district to use construction funds for ongoing operational needs without needing to reduce property tax levies. The bill specifically overrides standard requirements in Minnesota education finance laws that typically require such transfers to be offset by tax reductions. This procedural change directly affects only District 197's financial management, enabling flexibility in fund allocation. The bill is currently in the introduction stage with no further legislative actions recorded.

Maddy summaryHF 2322 creates the Minnesota Young Readers Club program to provide monthly book deliveries to prekindergarten through grade 5 students reading below grade level. The program delivers culturally relevant, age-appropriate books directly to students' homes or schools at least once monthly, along with family support materials in home languages. It requires schools to identify eligible students through universal screening, state assessments, or teacher recommendations, and partners with an external organization for book selection and distribution. The bill appropriates state funds for implementation, book contracts, and reporting to the Department of Education.