Rep. Brad Tabke

Maddy summaryHF 2502 modifies Minnesota's child tax credit to reduce the "marriage penalty" by raising the income level at which the credit begins to phase out for married couples filing jointly. The bill increases the phaseout threshold from $35,000 to $63,900 for joint filers (while slightly raising the threshold for other filers to $31,950), meaning married couples will retain more of their child credit at lower income levels. This change directly affects married Minnesota taxpayers filing jointly who currently lose credit benefits at lower incomes than single filers. The adjustment takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and includes automatic inflation adjustments starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 2591 establishes a new fifth tax bracket for Minnesota individual income tax, targeting high earners to replace revenue lost from federal Medicaid funding changes. The bill amends tax law to create a top income bracket (applying to income over $1.667 million for married couples filing jointly) with a rate set by the commissioner of revenue. This rate must be calculated to generate revenue equal to the amount of federal Medicaid funds Minnesota lost, as certified by the commissioner of management and budget. The new tax rate applies to taxable years 2026 and 2027, affecting only taxpayers in the highest income bracket.

Maddy summaryHF 1360 establishes the "Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Program" to provide infrastructure project support to small local governments. It appropriates $2.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2.5 million for fiscal year 2027 to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The program assists communities with populations under 15,000 (or collaborative groups of such communities) that lack capacity to develop infrastructure projects or apply for grants. It funds project analysis, planning, and development through university partnerships, requiring consideration of sustainability, climate resilience, and coordinated infrastructure investments.

Maddy summaryHF 2475 reduces the percentage Minnesota homeowners must pay toward their homestead credit property tax refunds. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 290A.04 by lowering the "co-pay" rate for qualifying homeowners, decreasing the claimant's required payment from 12% to as low as 1.0% of property taxes for the lowest income brackets. This change directly affects homeowners with household incomes up to $135,409 who claim the homestead credit, increasing their state refund amount by reducing their out-of-pocket share. The state refund maximum remains $3,500 for most income levels, but the reduced co-pay means homeowners retain more of their property tax refund.

Maddy summaryHF 491 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide grants to Hometown Hero Outdoors, a Stillwater-based nonprofit. The funding supports mental health services and outdoor recreational activities for current and former law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. The bill directs these services to promote positive mental health, longevity, quality of life, and interactions with mental health professionals through organized outdoor programs. It does not create new policy but allocates specific funds to an existing nonprofit for targeted support of first responders.

Maddy summaryHF 961 appropriates $250,000 for each of the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years to fund the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation's ProStart program. This program provides high school students with culinary and hospitality management education, including curriculum, tools, skills training, professional development, and scholarships. The funds directly support addressing workforce shortages in Minnesota's hospitality industry by enhancing career pathways for students. This is a one-time appropriation specifically designated for these educational services in participating high schools.

Maddy summaryHF 2370 allows Minnesota state agencies to temporarily withhold payments to individuals or organizations (program participants) receiving state or federal funds if a credible fraud allegation is under investigation. Agencies must notify participants within five days of withholding, explain the action without revealing investigation details, and allow them to submit evidence. Withholding ends if fraud evidence is insufficient or after legal proceedings conclude, and case details become public afterward (except for the complainant's identity). This bill directly affects people and groups enrolled in state-funded programs like welfare, housing assistance, or Medicaid who are subjects of fraud investigations.

Maddy summaryHF 1989 increases funding for Minnesota school districts by raising the "local optional revenue" allowances used to calculate state aid. It sets the first-tier allowance at $550 for fiscal year 2027 (up from $300) and maintains the second-tier allowance at $424 through 2027, with future increases tied to the general education funding formula. School districts receive more state aid when they levy less than the maximum allowed under these new formulas, which include specific "equalizing factors" for different fiscal years (e.g., $626,450 for second-tier in 2025). The bill appropriates funds to cover this increased aid, effective for fiscal year 2027 and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 626.19, subdivision 3, to explicitly authorize law enforcement agencies to use drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) during the lawful pursuit of a fleeing suspect. It directly affects police departments and the public, as it expands drone use for suspect chases beyond existing emergency or disaster scenarios. The key provision adds a specific exception to the list of permitted drone uses, allowing agencies to deploy drones "in risk of, or for purposes of, the lawful pursuit of a fleeing suspect." This change clarifies and formalizes an existing practice under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 1485 requires Minnesota health insurers and medical assistance programs to cover over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptive drugs, devices, and products without cost-sharing (like co-pays or deductibles). It applies directly to health plans and enrollees, mandating coverage of all FDA-approved OTC contraceptives at the point of sale without prescription requirements or quantity limits. The bill also requires health plans to list covered contraceptive services accessibly and cover provider-recommended methods based on medical necessity. This law takes effect January 1, 2026, for health plans offered, issued, or renewed after that date.