Rep. Brad Tabke

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's window tinting laws to explicitly include police vehicles regularly used for law enforcement activities as an exception to standard tinting restrictions. The change adds police vehicles to a list of vehicle types that may have tinted windows without meeting the usual light transmittance requirements, alongside existing exceptions for pickup trucks, vans, funeral hearses, and limousines. The legislation amends a specific section of the state vehicle code to clarify that these law enforcement vehicles fall under the same tinting exemptions as other specialized vehicles. This update ensures police vehicles are formally recognized in the statute alongside other vehicle categories that are permitted to have darker window tinting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota firearm owners to maintain liability insurance covering at least $100,000 for accidental or unintentional discharges, with insurers mandated to offer this coverage as part of homeowner's policies. The law applies to all firearm owners in the state starting October 1, 2026, and establishes penalties including fines for non-compliance, with options to suspend penalties if proof of insurance is provided within 30 days. Owners may request exemptions from a district court if they are denied coverage by multiple insurers or lack financial resources, provided they demonstrate safe firearm storage practices. The bill also defines "damage" to include injury, death, or property damage, and clarifies that firearm owners remain responsible for lost or stolen weapons until law enforcement is notified.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies criminal penalties for assaulting transit workers in Minnesota by updating state law to explicitly include all employees, contractors, and volunteers working in public transportation, light rail, special transportation, and commuter rail services. The law specifies that assaulting a transit worker or intentionally throwing bodily fluids onto them while the worker is performing their duties can result in a gross misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, or both. The changes apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026, and the bill is currently in committee review as part of the legislative process.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota peace officers to use oral fluid screening devices to detect drugs in drivers suspected of driving while impaired. It allows officers to require a preliminary breath or oral fluid test when they have reason to believe a driver is violating impaired driving laws, including those involving commercial vehicles. If the screening test indicates drug presence or a high alcohol level, officers can then require a more comprehensive chemical test of blood, breath, or urine. The law also expands implied consent conditions to include situations where a screening test shows the presence of controlled substances or intoxicating substances.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the use of strip searches for incarcerated people in Minnesota state correctional facilities when they meet with visitors. It allows facility leaders to use body scanners or other less invasive screening methods instead of strip searches unless there is a specific, documented security threat. The law requires that any strip search conducted in this context be justified by credible security concerns and authorized through established rules. This change aims to reduce the frequency of invasive searches while maintaining security protocols during visitor interactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $200,000 from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to provide a grant to Helping Paws, Inc. for breeding, training, and placing service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities, veterans and first responders with service-related PTSD, and professionals working in courthouse, educational, and mental health settings. The funding is designated as a one-time honorarium in memory of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. The commissioner of health may also accept private donations to supplement the state appropriation, with all such funds deposited in a dedicated account that expires on July 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 3455 renames Minnesota's State Office Building at 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in St. Paul as the "Melissa Hortman State Office Building." The bill requires the revisor of statutes to update all official references to the building in Minnesota Statutes and Rules. This is a ceremonial renaming with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or government operations.

Maddy summaryHF 357 amends Minnesota law to add "hasenpfeffer" to the list of authorized card games for social skill tournaments. The bill directly affects organizers and participants in such tournaments by allowing hasenpfeffer alongside games like bridge and euchre, provided they meet specific conditions. Key provisions require tournaments to offer no direct financial benefit to organizers, limit total prizes to $200, and include accessibility accommodations for disabled players. This change applies to non-commercial card game events under Minnesota Statutes § 609.761. The bill is procedural, expanding the list of permitted games without altering other gaming regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires money transmitters in Minnesota to allow senders to cancel transactions within one hour of the money being received, with no cancellation fees. Under the new rules, licensees must place a one-hour hold on funds before forwarding them, unless they have reasonable grounds to suspect fraud or illegal activity. The law also mandates that transmitters explain any delays in sending money to senders, unless doing so would violate other laws. These changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to all money transmission transactions occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for transit planning and performance evaluation in seven Minnesota counties, including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. It defines high-frequency transit service with specific scheduling standards and mandates that regional transportation plans include public input, detailed highway improvement timelines, and airport development assessments. The legislation also requires regular performance evaluations of the transit system using peer-reviewed benchmarks and limits certain highway projects to prioritize transit-oriented development. Additionally, the bill authorizes reallocation of funds to support these updated planning and performance standards.