Maddy summaryHF 1671 updates Minnesota labor laws by prohibiting employers from paying workers with disabilities less than the state's minimum wage after specific dates (August 1, 2026 for new hires, August 1, 2028 for existing employees), regardless of federal "special certificate" status. It also establishes detailed requirements for internet-based continuing education courses, mandating security protocols, interactivity standards, and specific technical features like encryption and identity verification. These changes directly affect employers hiring people with disabilities and training providers offering online courses for professions like manufactured home installers and elevator constructors. The bill modifies existing statutes (177.24, 177.27, 326B.0981, etc.) and repeals outdated sections.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHF 3158 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both the Minnesota House and Senate to authorize public funding for the design, construction, or renovation of a professional sports facility. Currently, a simple majority vote suffices for such funding. The amendment must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election, where they will decide whether to adopt the two-thirds requirement. If approved by voters, this change would become part of the Minnesota Constitution, affecting future legislative decisions on sports facility funding.
Maddy summaryHF 3074 creates legal rights for transportation network company (TNC) drivers in Minnesota to form and join labor organizations for collective bargaining. It directly affects "active drivers" who completed at least the median number of rides in the most recent two quarters, as defined by the bill. The law establishes a certification process where drivers can designate an exclusive representative (like a union) through the Bureau of Mediation Services, while prohibiting TNCs from controlling or dominating driver representation groups ("company unions"). Drivers gain the right to negotiate terms and conditions of work, including grievance procedures, with TNCs, and the bill defines "lockout" to prevent TNCs from restricting driver access to the platform during disputes.
Maddy summaryHF 3001 establishes a pilot program providing direct cash grants of at least $500 monthly for 18 months to eligible low-income Minnesota residents. It directly affects individuals or families with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level or currently receiving public benefits. The bill requires grantees (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) to administer the payments while ensuring the stipends do not count as income for other benefits like food assistance or housing support. Grantees must collect data on participants' economic, health, and housing outcomes and submit a final report to the legislature by January 2028.
Maddy summaryHF 1318 requires all individuals purchasing a firearm in Minnesota to present proof of recent firearm safety training before completing the sale. This training must cover safe handling, storage, legal aspects of possession, and include a shooting qualification, demonstrated through certified courses or recent peace officer employment. Sellers must document the transaction with copies of identification, training proof, and firearm details, retaining these records for ten years and providing them to law enforcement upon request. The law applies to all firearm sales except those involving dealers, law enforcement, estate transfers, antique firearms, or collector-to-collector sales of curios/relics. Violating these requirements constitutes a misdemeanor.
Maddy summaryHF 264, the "Larry R. Hill Medical Reform Act," requires all licensed Minnesota correctional facilities (both public and private) to meet specific medical care standards. The bill amends state law to mandate facilities implement policies covering mental health screening, suicide prevention, medication verification, discharge planning with prescribed medications, telehealth use, and death reviews. These requirements directly affect incarcerated individuals by improving access to consistent medical and mental health care while holding facilities accountable through commissioner inspections. The law aims to standardize care practices without creating new programs, focusing on operational changes to enhance safety and treatment.
Maddy summaryHF 2325 requires Minnesota employers to pay non-exempt employees at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for work performed on designated holidays. The bill directly affects hourly workers in Minnesota who are scheduled to work on holidays defined under Minnesota Statutes section 645.44, subdivision 5. It amends existing law (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 177.25) to add a new provision mandating this overtime pay rate specifically for holiday work. This changes the current standard by explicitly requiring higher pay for holiday shifts, rather than allowing employers to use alternative compensation methods. The bill does not change the definition of "holiday" but specifies the required pay rate when work occurs on those days.
Maddy summaryHF 2810 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to fund horse-assisted therapy for eligible first responders in Minnesota. It directs these funds to 7 Stars Ranch to provide mental health therapy to first responders suffering from job-related trauma or PTSD, including police officers, firefighters (full-time and volunteer), ambulance personnel, 911 dispatchers, and correctional officers. The bill requires 7 Stars Ranch to submit two reports detailing program costs, participants served, and benefits received - initially by January 2026 and finally by January 2028. This is a one-time funding appropriation with no ongoing program mandate beyond the specified reporting.
Maddy summaryHF 2833 requires a commemorative work honoring John Francis "J. Frank" Wheaton, Minnesota's first African American state legislator (elected 1898), on the Capitol complex. It mandates the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board to design and install the memorial by 2027, with annual progress reports to the legislature. The bill also requires the commissioner of education to develop school curriculum materials about Wheaton’s legacy and the Minnesota Historical Society to create public programs and an annual "J. Frank Wheaton Legacy Day." It appropriates funds from the general fund for these efforts, available until June 2028. The bill directly affects Capitol grounds, public schools, and historical programming, focusing on recognizing Wheaton’s civil rights advocacy and paving the way for future Black legislators.
Maddy summaryHF 683 allows Minnesota cities and counties to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections, such as mayoral or city council races. It establishes rules for how RCV would work, including counting votes by voter preferences and reallocating votes when candidates are eliminated. The bill permits local jurisdictions to use electronic voting systems that automatically handle vote reallocation, and it appropriates funds for implementation. This bill directly affects local governments choosing to implement RCV and voters in those jurisdictions participating in local elections. It does not change state or federal election rules.