Rep. Rick Hansen

Maddy summaryHF 1611 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for the 2026 fiscal year to fund a "Lawns to Lunch" pilot program. The program provides financial and technical assistance to help residents and communities convert lawns into food gardens featuring vegetables, fruits, pollinator plants, and other edibles. It prohibits using funds for commercial food sales, greenhouses, or buildings, and the money must be spent by June 30, 2030. This one-time funding supports local food gardening efforts without creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 2778 transfers $371,000 from Minnesota's general fund to the Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer (AGREETT) account for fiscal year 2026. This funding specifically directs the Commissioner of Agriculture to allocate resources to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents for research on crop contamination and exposure to disease-causing proteins (prions) from animals with chronic wasting disease. The bill directly affects agricultural research programs at the University of Minnesota, enabling targeted studies on a specific animal health issue impacting crops. It does not change existing funding levels but specifies a new allocation for this particular research focus.

Maddy summaryHF 1481 requires biofuel plants in Minnesota to monitor ethanol, biodiesel, and advanced biofuel production for neonicotinoid pesticides and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the fuel, air emissions, wastewater, and byproducts like dried distillers grains. It mandates that plants maintain permanent records of these tests and make them available to the public and regulators. The bill also provides for voluntary biomonitoring of biofuel plant employees to assess workplace exposure to these chemicals, with $250,000 appropriated to the Department of Health for this purpose. The law appropriates a total of $1.1 million across state agencies for implementation, including $500,000 for wastewater and air monitoring under the Pollution Control Agency.

Maddy summaryHF 2541 abolishes Minnesota's Board of Animal Health and transfers its duties to the Commissioner of Agriculture. It establishes a new Animal Health Advisory Council with eight members: three livestock producers, one tribal representative with animal husbandry expertise, one epidemiologist, and three veterinarians (including one specializing in companion animals). The bill requires the Commissioner to publish an annual report on animal health and authorizes rulemaking for protecting domestic animal health. This restructuring takes effect January 1, 2026, and repeals previous statutes governing the abolished Board.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funding for Minnesota's Local Food Purchasing Assistance Grant Program, which provides grants to organizations buying and distributing food within the state. Eligible groups include nonprofits, businesses, tribal governments, and schools, with preference given to those sourcing 100% of food from Minnesota, prioritizing farmers with limited market access, and distributing food at no cost in communities with low supermarket access or high need. The program aims to support local agriculture and improve food access in underserved areas, including food deserts and communities with significant aging or disabled populations. Funding is allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the state general fund.

Maddy summaryHF 2579 appropriates $490,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund two grant programs under Minnesota's Agriculture Department. The AGRI Works program provides one-time grants of up to $20,000 to agriculture-related institutions and nonprofits, while the AGRI Support program offers grants between $20,000 and $200,000 to the same entities. Applicants must submit tax documents and complete a commissioner-approved application. These funds are drawn from the general fund and are designated as one-time appropriations.

Maddy summaryHF 855 appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund to the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture for a study on microplastics in meat and poultry sold in Minnesota. The study, to be conducted in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the University of Minnesota, must be completed by February 1, 2026, with findings reported to relevant legislative committees. This bill directly affects state agencies (Agriculture, Health) and the University of Minnesota, which will conduct the research. The funding is a one-time appropriation, and the bill does not establish new regulations but requires a factual assessment of microplastic presence in food products.

Maddy summaryHF 745 modifies how Minnesota school districts calculate compensatory revenue eligibility for low-income students, requiring districts to count children eligible through both direct certification (like SNAP benefits) and education benefits (such as school meal programs) as of October 1 each year. It adjusts spending rules, requiring at least 80% of compensatory revenue to be spent at individual school sites (with a temporary 40% allowance for 2026-2027 if meal program data is incomplete) and mandates reporting for adjustments due to enrollment changes. The bill establishes a Compensatory Revenue Task Force, composed of education officials, school board representatives, and parent advocates, to analyze the funding formula and make recommendations. It appropriates funds for these changes and takes effect for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2578 modifies Minnesota's rules for annexing unincorporated property. It clarifies that property owners can petition for annexation by gathering signatures from either 20% of owners or 100 owners (whichever is fewer) in the area. The bill specifically excludes owners or operators of aggregate mining facilities (as defined in section 298.75) from being eligible to initiate annexation petitions. This change affects property owners in unincorporated areas seeking to join a municipality and the process for starting annexation proceedings.

Maddy summaryHF 701 appropriates funds from Minnesota's renewable development account to construct an anaerobic digestor energy system in Louisville Township. The bill specifically provides money for Recycling and Energy, in partnership with Dem-Con HZI Bioenergy, LLC, to build a facility that converts food and organic waste into renewable natural gas and biochar. This funding applies to fiscal years 2025 and 2026, with the system designed to process local organic waste streams. The bill directly affects Louisville Township residents and the designated companies by enabling this specific renewable energy project. The funding mechanism is a grant from the renewable development account to support the construction of the facility.