Rep. Jess Hanson

Maddy summaryHF 308 repeals a tax on illegal cannabis and controlled substances in Minnesota, removing specific tax provisions from state law. The bill repeals multiple sections of Minnesota Statutes (297D.01 through 297D.13, 13.4967, and related sections) that established this tax, with the repeal effective August 1, 2025. It also makes technical amendments to clarify that certain criminal statutes no longer reference the repealed tax. This bill directly affects the state’s tax code for illegal substances but does not change criminal penalties or legal cannabis regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for ticket sales in Minnesota to increase transparency and prevent deceptive practices. It requires ticket sellers and online marketplaces to clearly display the total price, including all fees, and to provide buyers with proof of purchase and refund policies within 24 hours. The legislation also prohibits specific behaviors such as selling duplicate tickets, using unauthorized domain names, or bypassing online security measures to buy multiple tickets. The commissioner of commerce is given the authority to request data on how violations occur and to enforce these rules, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies funding for the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Health while updating rules and fees related to cannabis operations in Minnesota. It establishes a new Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act to regulate how businesses collect and use personal information, alongside provisions that require specific reports on cannabis activities. The legislation also adjusts various state statutes to align with current cannabis regulations and authorizes rulemaking to ensure ongoing compliance with consumer protection standards.

Maddy summaryHF 3911 is a supplemental budget bill that provides funding and updates laws for Minnesota's environment and natural resources agencies for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. The legislation appropriates money to various departments, including the Pollution Control Agency, and modifies existing statutes to establish new programs, adjust fees, and set rules for activities like gas exploration, forestry management, and water law enforcement. Specific provisions include creating a Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act, banning certain mercury-containing lights, and establishing a boat wrap product stewardship program. Additionally, the bill creates new accounts and task forces while repealing older sections of state law to align with current environmental and resource management needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local jurisdictions in Minnesota to choose ranked choice voting for their local elections, where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. It establishes specific rules for how these elections would be conducted, including procedures for counting votes and handling ballots where a candidate is eliminated based on the rankings. The legislation also permits local areas to use electronic voting machines that can automatically reallocate votes to remaining candidates after an initial winner is determined. However, the bill did not pass during the 2024 legislative session and therefore will not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum pay standards for teachers and certain unlicensed school staff in Minnesota, setting a salary floor of $60,000 for most full-time teachers and $80,000 for those with a master's degree and over a decade of experience. It also mandates that covered unlicensed staff members, such as paraprofessionals and aides, earn at least $25 per hour, with all these rates scheduled to be adjusted every four years based on inflation. To help school districts meet these new financial obligations, the legislation creates state aid programs that cover the cost of raising teacher salaries and unlicensed staff wages from their 2024 levels to the new minimums. The law applies to public school districts, charter schools, and other educational entities, while explicitly stating that these minimums do not interfere with existing collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program in Minnesota to collect and recycle electronic waste from households and small businesses. It defines specific items that must be recycled, such as computers, monitors, and gaming consoles, while excluding devices like cameras, telephones, and household appliances. The legislation creates a system where an approved organization, known as a clearinghouse, will manage the collection, transport, and recycling of these covered devices. Additionally, the bill sets up new state accounts to fund the program and requires the state agency to submit a report on its progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Equal Access to Broadband Act in Minnesota and updates existing laws to clarify definitions and rules for broadband services and infrastructure. It defines specific terms like "underserved areas" and "last-mile infrastructure" to help identify regions lacking high-speed internet and to distinguish between different parts of the network. The legislation also grants local governments the authority to require broadband providers to obtain a franchise or municipal authorization before placing infrastructure in public rights-of-way. Under this new framework, cities and counties can charge fees to broadband providers to cover costs associated with occupying public space or to generate revenue. Additionally, the bill ensures that various utility companies, including those providing broadband, can continue to use public roads for construction and maintenance without interfering with public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two financial support programs in Minnesota to assist home care workers who are also pursuing higher education. The first program offers grants to students enrolled in degree programs who commit to working at least ten hours per week as home care providers for older adults or people with disabilities. The second program establishes a fund to forgive qualified education loans for individuals working in the same home care field. Both initiatives are administered by the Office of Higher Education, which must set application rules, determine award amounts up to $5,000, and submit annual reports to the legislature. Funding for these programs is transferred and appropriated from existing state resources.