Rep. Rick Hansen

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Minnesota Parkinson's Research Trust Fund to support research on Parkinson's disease and provide assistance to caregivers. The fund will be established in the state treasury and can only be used for approved research projects, caregiver support, and related activities. The state health commissioner will manage the fund by awarding grants to institutions and researchers in Minnesota, overseeing compliance, and developing a research plan to coordinate efforts. The bill also requires the commissioner to submit a report on the fund's activities and ensures that grant money is used specifically for Parkinson's disease research and related initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to fund early childhood mental health consultations for children five years old and younger, primarily benefiting child care professionals, mental health clinics, and community service providers. The grants will support activities such as diagnosing mental health conditions, training clinicians in evidence-based practices, and providing specialized care to young children with significant mental health needs. Eligible recipients include certified mental health clinics, community mental health centers, Indian health facilities, and therapeutic service providers who help children remain in their families and communities. The legislation also modifies existing requirements for home and community-based services, day treatment programs, and intensive rehabilitative mental health services while mandating additional reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires feedlot operators in Minnesota with a capacity of 1,000 or more animal units to provide financial assurance before receiving or renewing permits, ensuring funds are available to cover closure costs if the facility is not properly shut down. The financial guarantee must be enforceable, not dischargeable in bankruptcy, and the provider must give 120 days' notice before cancellation. The state will also create an annual list of abandoned manure storage areas and require counties to report on these sites by January 2028. Implementation of the financial assurance requirements will be phased in over time, starting with the largest feedlots, while the Pollution Control Agency will compile a statewide report on abandoned manure storage areas by February 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $95 million in bonds to fund road and utility infrastructure improvements at the Sears site in St. Paul. The funds will support construction of sanitary sewer and clean water systems, public utilities, streets, sidewalks, lighting, and streetscape improvements needed to prepare the area for future development. The legislation also defines the Sears site boundaries and establishes the legal framework for managing bond proceeds, including provisions for environmental remediation and demolition of existing structures. This measure is designed to provide necessary infrastructure support for the redevelopment of the former Sears property.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes special license plates in Minnesota that display the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline logo. To receive these plates, vehicle owners must pay standard registration fees, a specific plate fee, and contribute $25 to a dedicated safety account. The money collected from these contributions will fund lethal means safety tools like gun locks and safes, which can be distributed through nonprofit organizations to the public. The plates can be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same person, and the program becomes effective on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3693 modifies Minnesota's 2025 Department of Agriculture budget by increasing the total appropriation from $56,052,000 to $56,552,000. Key changes include raising funding for dairy programs ($23,801,000 vs. $23,301,000), boosting the local food purchasing grant program to $1,200,000 in the second year (from $700,000), and adding $1,000,000 annually for county fairs. The bill adjusts specific line-item allocations within existing programs but does not create new initiatives or change eligibility rules. It directly affects how the Department of Agriculture allocates funds for current programs like dairy support, organic certification, and biofuel infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHF 3239 prohibits using "conscientiously held beliefs" as an exemption for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations in Minnesota schools and child care facilities. It directly affects parents or guardians of children aged 15 months or older who previously relied on this exemption to avoid MMR shots for enrollment. The bill requires these parents to provide either proof of vaccination (meeting medical standards) or a medical exemption statement by August 1, 2026, to keep their child enrolled in schools, preschools, or licensed child care programs. This replaces the existing personal belief exemption for MMR vaccines, which will no longer be valid after the effective date. The law amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, specifically adding subdivision 3c.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's HF 1269 requires health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications for treating dementia, including diagnostic tests to assess treatment effectiveness. It also prohibits health plans from using "step therapy" (requiring patients to try cheaper drugs first) for dementia treatments. The bill modifies prior authorization rules for certain medications, ensuring automatic 60-day coverage for brand-name mental health drugs when generics become available, and streamlines approval for oral liquid drugs used with feeding tubes. These changes apply to health plans offered in Minnesota starting January 1, 2026.

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 creates a new legal claim in Minnesota allowing property owners to sue for trespass caused by airborne biological or chemical substances like pesticides and pollutants. It defines these substances as "intangible particulate matter" and states that liability arises when such matter interferes with a landowner's right to exclusive possession of their property. If a court finds a violation, it can award damages up to $100 per day of trespass, plus additional penalties or court orders to stop the contamination. The law applies to any person who causes these airborne substances to enter another person's land.