Rep. Jess Hanson

Maddy summaryHF 981 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Commissioner of Health. This funding is directed to the nonprofit organization "Change the Outcome" to implement opioid prevention and education programs. The bill requires these programs to provide data-driven school and community education on opioid dangers, prevention strategies, overdose recognition, emerging drug trends (like fentanyl and xylazine), and access to substance use disorder support resources. The primary beneficiaries are Minnesota middle and high school students, communities, and individuals struggling with substance use disorders.

Maddy summaryHF 421 prohibits Minnesota public and private higher education institutions from giving preferential treatment in admissions based on a student's "legacy status" (having a family member who attended the institution) or a family's donor relationship with the school. The bill directly affects all colleges and universities in Minnesota that consider such factors during admissions decisions. Key provisions explicitly ban admissions decisions influenced by legacy ties or donor connections, requiring institutions to evaluate applicants solely on standard criteria. The University of Minnesota Board of Regents is specifically requested to comply with this prohibition. This bill aims to eliminate preferential admissions practices tied to family connections or financial contributions.

Maddy summaryHF 1474 amends Minnesota law to clarify the definition of "covered services" in dental insurance, affecting dental insurance plans, dentists, and patients. It defines covered services as dental care that would be reimbursed under a plan but for standard limitations like deductibles, co-pays, or annual limits. The bill prohibits dental plans from requiring dentists to accept plan-set fees for non-covered services and mandates that dentists provide patients with cost estimates for non-covered services before treatment. Dentists may not charge more than their usual rate for non-covered care, aiming to improve transparency about out-of-pocket costs.

Maddy summaryHF 1424 modifies foster care rules for relatives in Minnesota. It expands the definition of "related" caregivers to include important friends with significant relationships to the child or family, requiring these relatives to obtain foster care licenses (unless they're parents or legal guardians). The bill also mandates that all foster care providers - both related and unrelated - complete annual training on preventing sudden infant death and abusive head trauma for children under five. Additionally, it updates background check procedures for domestic partners of relative caregivers and modifies the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) funding structure. These changes aim to strengthen safety standards while providing clearer pathways for relatives and trusted community members to care for children in foster care.

Maddy summaryHF 1427 requires ride-hailing companies operating in Minnesota to make at least 15% of their vehicles wheelchair accessible by 2026 and adopt clear nondiscrimination policies. Companies must pay a 15-cent surcharge per non-accessible ride (funded into a dedicated account), submit annual reports on accessibility metrics (like wheelchair vehicle availability and denial rates), and display fare information transparently before rides. This directly affects ride-hailing services and improves access for people with disabilities who rely on wheelchair-accessible transportation. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $15,000.

Maddy summaryHF 1415 increases funding for Minnesota's school unemployment aid program, which provides financial support to hourly school employees who face unemployment between academic terms. The bill appropriates specific additional funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This directly affects hourly school workers, such as those in maintenance or summer programs, who qualify for unemployment aid under existing rules. The change simply adds more money to an existing account without altering eligibility or program structure.

Maddy summaryHF 1305 requires permit applicants for public events with over 1,000 attendees on Minnesota public property to include a written sensory-friendly accommodations plan. The plan must include at least one of four options: a designated sensory-friendly area, sensory-friendly design elements in the venue layout, mobile toolkits for sensory needs, or scheduled quiet times. Organizers must also describe how accommodations information will be communicated to attendees and how staff will handle requests. Noncompliance results in fines and ineligibility for future permits, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1041 imposes an additional tax on Minnesota corporations with high executive-to-median-worker pay ratios, ranging from 0.2% to 1.5% based on the ratio tier (e.g., 0.2% for 50:1 to 100:1 ratios). It directly affects corporations meeting specific pay ratio thresholds, using the federal disclosure standard (17 CFR § 229.402(u)(1)(iii)) to calculate the ratio. The bill also disqualifies these corporations from receiving state grants or subsidies, as specified in amended Minnesota Statutes sections 16B.981 and 290.06. The tax applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, with disqualification effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1164 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. This funding supports the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches in providing drop-in support services to low-income residents in Minneapolis. Key provisions include funding for hot meals and takeaway food bags, hygiene supplies (like toothpaste and menstrual products), weather-related items (hats, gloves, blankets), and access to housing, employment, and social service resources. The bill directly affects vulnerable individuals seeking immediate support through these community-based services.

Maddy summaryHF 776 appropriates $1.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's Family Assets for Independence program. The funding is directed to the commissioner of children, youth, and families to implement the initiative under section 142F.20. This bill provides ongoing financial support for the program but does not change eligibility or program structure. It directly affects the state's administration of the Family Assets for Independence initiative.