Rep. Ben Bakeberg

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $238,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $238,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to support the Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program. The funds will help Building Strong Communities connect National Guard members, military reservists, active duty personnel, and veterans to construction industry apprenticeships and career training through the Department of Labor and Industry. The program must not discriminate based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or gender. It directly affects military-connected individuals seeking careers in building and construction trades.

Maddy summaryHF 1803 modifies Minnesota's individualized education program (IEP) requirements for students with disabilities by requiring the commissioner of education to amend state rules. Specifically, it directs the removal of "benchmarks or short-term objectives" from IEPs, keeping only "measurable annual goals" as a required component. This change directly affects school districts, special education teams, and students with disabilities across Minnesota. The rulemaking adjustment simplifies IEP documentation while maintaining core requirements for annual goals and student needs.

Maddy summaryHF 1329 modifies the appointment process and qualifications for members of Minnesota's Metropolitan Council. It eliminates the Transportation Advisory Board and changes how council members are selected, including requiring county commissioners from specific counties to be appointed by county boards, and adjusting how municipal representatives are chosen from council districts. The bill also updates term lengths and staggered appointments for members, with terms ending on specific dates based on district numbers. These changes directly affect the 44-member Metropolitan Council, which oversees regional planning and transportation in the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The bill focuses on governance structure rather than policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHF 1815 appropriates $20 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements and land acquisition for metropolitan regional parks and trails in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The funds, managed by the Metropolitan Council, are specifically for capital projects and open-space lands under Minnesota Statutes §473.147, excluding easement purchases. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $20 million in bonds to cover these costs, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This legislation directly affects park systems and recreational access for residents in the metropolitan region.

Maddy summaryHF 1719 allows students enrolled in online instructional programs (as defined in Minnesota law) to take state standardized tests remotely starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill requires the state education department to develop specific policies for remote testing, including proctor qualifications, student-to-proctor ratios, technology requirements, and parental consent. It appropriates $200,000 for the 2026 fiscal year to create these policies and conduct validation studies comparing remote and in-person test results. The policy changes take effect July 1, 2025, with implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 school year for eligible students.

Maddy summaryHF 1540 establishes a pilot program for thoroughbred racehorses in Minnesota, requiring a voluntary registry for horses that resided at a racetrack for at least 120 days in the prior year. Racetracks must award $750 per registered horse that races on a racing day during 2026-2027, with the state reimbursing racetracks for these awards. The program mandates grants for repurposing retired racehorses and mental health/education services for stable workers, allocating at least $500,000 annually for each purpose. A one-time $7 million transfer from the general fund funds the program, which expires on July 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 1408 establishes a $1 million annual grant program (for fiscal years 2026 and 2027) to support community literacy initiatives in Minnesota. It directly funds community organizations, schools, libraries, and families to develop and distribute literacy guides, family toolkits, and training on evidence-based reading practices aligned with the state's Read Act. Grant recipients must use funds for activities like creating grade-level reading guides, public awareness resources, and after-school pilot programs targeting students at risk of not meeting reading proficiency. The program requires competitive applications prioritizing proven literacy strategies and aims to enhance community-led literacy support for children and families.

Maddy summaryHF 1475 abolishes Minnesota's Metropolitan Council and transfers its core responsibilities to other state entities. Specifically, it moves the Council's duties to the commissioners of Administration and Natural Resources, shifts transportation and transit functions to the Department of Transportation, and creates a new metropolitan area sanitary sewer district. The bill also repeals land use planning provisions previously managed by the Council and ends its oversight of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. These changes reorganize regional governance for key services like transportation, environmental management, and sewer infrastructure across the metropolitan area.

Maddy summaryHF 1498 appropriates $1.09 million annually from the state general fund for grants to specific museums and education centers in Minnesota for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill directly funds 12 designated institutions, including The Works in Bloomington ($125,000/year), WonderTrek Children's Museum in Brainerd ($82,500/year), and Duluth Children's Museum ($75,000/year), with remaining funds available for future years. It provides a fixed annual appropriation without altering eligibility rules or creating new programs. The bill’s sole policy change is directing state funds to these specific organizations for their operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $6.25 million from state bond proceeds to fund wastewater treatment improvements in the city of Jordan. It directly affects Jordan's municipal infrastructure by providing funds for replacing a lift station, final clarifier, and pretreatment infrastructure. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $6.25 million to cover these costs, with the money administered through the Public Facilities Authority for design, construction, and equipment. The funding is specifically for repairing and upgrading the city's existing wastewater system.