Rep. Ben Bakeberg

Maddy summaryHF 2239 allows Minnesota school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units to transfer unassigned funds between operating accounts for fiscal years 2025-2027 without increasing state aid or property tax authority. It also permits school boards to temporarily opt out of certain state laws or rules enacted after January 2023 (like those from 2023-2024 sessions) for the 2024-2025 through 2026-2027 school years. School boards must document each transfer or exemption in a written resolution, post it online, and notify the state education commissioner. The bill applies only to the specified fiscal and school years, with no changes to state funding obligations.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) designating April 11, 2025, as "Shaken Baby Prevention Day" in Minnesota. It recognizes Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) as 100% preventable and emphasizes caregiver education, noting that taking breaks when frustrated is a key prevention strategy. The resolution directs the House Chief Clerk to send an official copy to the advocacy group "Never Shake Minnesota" for awareness efforts. It does not create new state policies, funding, or requirements - it solely serves to raise public awareness about preventing infant head trauma through education.

Maddy summaryHF 1914 appropriates state funds for three key human services programs in Minnesota. It provides emergency services grants for immediate crisis support, county grants to address homelessness gaps (prioritizing Tribal Nation partnerships and interventions like 24/7 shelters), and funding for provider capacity-building collaboratives. The capacity-building program helps service providers access stable funding streams, including Medicaid waivers and housing support programs. These funds are allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with unspent first-year money rolling over to the second year. The bill directly affects counties, service providers, and people experiencing homelessness by expanding access to crisis support and housing-focused services.

Maddy summaryHF 2634 limits the North Star Promise scholarship to students enrolled in programs aligned with Minnesota's high-demand industries and occupations. It requires the state education office to identify these fields using labor market data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development, focusing on the top 20 growing sectors or job openings, and to review this list every three years. Students in programs not meeting these criteria will no longer qualify for the scholarship, while existing eligibility conditions (like income limits and FAFSA completion) remain unchanged. The bill mandates annual reports tracking scholarship recipients, program enrollment, and graduation data for transparency. It takes effect for fall 2026 scholarship awards.

Maddy summaryHF 19 establishes education savings accounts (ESAs) for Minnesota students from low-income households, defined as families earning no more than four times the income threshold for free school meals. The bill allows parents to use state funds to pay for qualifying education expenses - including tuition at eligible nonpublic schools, tutoring, approved curriculum, and school supplies - at participating schools or providers. Participation is capped at 5% of public school enrollment in the first year, increasing by 3% annually, with priority given to kindergarten students and those who attended public school full-time the prior year. The program directly affects eligible students (ages 18 and under) and their families, with funds restricted to approved educational services and materials.

Maddy summaryHF 1053 requires Minnesota school districts to notify families when a student is dropped from the school roll due to 15 or more consecutive absences during the regular school year. Schools must then contact families to encourage reenrollment and provide the student's contact information to the state Department of Education. The Department of Education must subsequently notify families about community resources, the student's right to return to their school, and other accessible educational options. This bill, effective July 1, 2025, directly affects school districts, families of unenrolled students, and the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryHF 2406 allows people receiving certain disability waiver services in Minnesota to have remote reassessments (via video or phone) instead of in-person meetings under specific conditions. It directly affects individuals enrolled in developmental disabilities, community access, brain injury, or elderly waiver programs. The bill permits remote reassessments to replace up to two consecutive in-person meetings for some programs (followed by an in-person meeting), or one for others, but requires informed consent from the person or their legal representative and verifies ongoing needs, care level, and service plan details. All remote reassessments must follow the same requirements as in-person meetings, including updates to support plans. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, or after federal approval.

Maddy summaryHF 1847 appropriates $1.2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.2 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem. The funds must support STEM learning opportunities and workforce development in science and technology fields across the state. The Minnesota STEM Ecosystem can award subgrants to programs that align with statewide STEM initiatives to ensure coordinated efforts. This bill directly affects STEM education programs and workforce development organizations receiving these grants.

Maddy summaryHF 1607 modifies Minnesota's requirements for school instruction hours. It specifies the minimum annual hours all public schools must provide: 425 hours for kindergarten, 935 for grades 1-6, and 1,020 for grades 7-12 (not including summer school), with additional requirements for all-day kindergarten and prekindergarten. The bill clarifies what counts as "hours of instruction" (e.g., must earn credit, be available to all students, and be supervised by a qualified teacher) and allows up to five days of online instruction during weather-related closures. This bill directly affects Minnesota public schools and their compliance with state education standards.

Maddy summaryHF 2896 allows public school teachers who are union members to choose how their union dues are allocated - directing all or part of them to their preferred local, state, or national union organization. The bill requires unions to clearly inform teachers about this choice and their rights under federal law (which prohibits mandatory union membership or dues payments) in all dues authorization forms. It amends Minnesota statutes to mandate this notification and ensure teachers' dues deductions reflect their selected organization. This applies specifically to public employee teachers, not all union members, and focuses on transparency in dues allocation.