Rep. Kaela Berg

Maddy summaryHF 124 allows living public safety officers (including police, firefighters, and emergency responders) to accept certain gifts, such as money, property, plaques, or services, when a fellow officer is killed in the line of duty. The bill requires that gifts be given within 24 months of the death, honor or commemorate the fallen officer, and support team morale. This applies to officers employed by the same agency or political subdivision as the deceased officer. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to permit these gifts without violating existing gift acceptance rules.

Maddy summaryHF 1689 appropriates $900,000 from the general fund for capital improvements at the Magnus Veterans Wellness Clinic in Dayton, Minnesota. The funding covers design, construction, renovation, equipment, and energy efficiency upgrades to reconfigure space, replace HVAC/plumbing/electrical systems, and support ongoing operations. This one-time appropriation directly affects the clinic's physical infrastructure and the veterans who use its services. The bill does not create new programs or alter eligibility but provides specific funding for facility upgrades.

Maddy summaryHF 2289 requires Minnesota hospitals to maintain registered nurse staffing levels consistent with nationally accepted standards, ensuring adequate care for patients. Hospitals must create and implement staffing plans specifying maximum patient-to-nurse ratios for each unit, developed with input from direct-care registered nurses, and report these levels to the state. The bill prohibits retaliation against nurses who raise staffing concerns and imposes civil penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects all licensed Minnesota hospitals, their nursing staff, and patients by mandating safer staffing practices. The law appropriates funding to support implementation of these requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 1913 creates a new limited medical license for graduates of foreign medical schools who meet specific criteria, including 60 months of practice outside the U.S. in the past decade, working in a collaborative agreement within a rural or underserved area, and providing evidence of a job offer. It requires employers of these limited license holders to carry medical malpractice insurance and pay at least the equivalent of a medical resident's salary, while prohibiting retaliation for reporting violations. Limited license holders must submit periodic certification to the medical board confirming their employment and good standing every six months. The bill also establishes a pathway to full licensure after two years of practice (1,692 hours annually), passing all USMLE/COMLEX-USA steps, and obtaining a recommendation letter.

Maddy summaryHF 3193 allows Minnesota municipalities to halt tax increment financing (TIF) payments to developers, contractors, or subcontractors who violate state or local labor laws. The bill requires municipalities to hold a public hearing with prior notice before stopping payments, including specific details about the alleged violation. Developers or contractors affected can challenge the decision in court within 30 days, with courts required to rule in their favor if proper procedures weren't followed or no violation occurred. This policy directly affects development projects using TIF funding and aims to enforce labor law compliance through financial consequences.

Maddy summaryHF 2554 designates a specific bridge on Burnsville Parkway over Interstate Highway 35W in Burnsville, Minnesota, as the "Elmstrand * Finseth * Ruge Heroes Memorial Bridge." The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 161.14 to formally name the structure and requires the transportation commissioner to adopt appropriate signage for it. This is a commemorative measure naming a physical location, not a policy change affecting residents or creating new laws. The bridge itself is the direct subject of the designation, with no broader legislative impact beyond the memorial name and signage.

Maddy summaryHF 2764 requires Minnesota public schools (including charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program) to offer at least one plant-based meal option daily starting with the 2026-2027 school year. A "plant-based meal" is defined as one without any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish), and schools must provide this option within four weeks of a student's written request. Schools must also make the request process clear to students and parents, comply with federal nutrition standards, and report annually on implementation to the Department of Education. The bill applies to all public schools serving lunches through the National School Lunch Program.

Maddy summaryHF 2171 is a symbolic resolution, not a law. It asks Congress to recognize Minnesota's historical ratification of the Child Labor Amendment (ratified by Minnesota in 1933), which would authorize federal regulation of child labor for those under 18. The resolution has no legal effect, as the amendment remains unratified nationally (requiring 38 states, but only 27 have ratified) and federal child labor laws are already in place following the 1941 Supreme Court case *United States v. Darby Lumber Co.*

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of a "debt buyer" to clarify that businesses purchasing charged-off medical debts for collection purposes are considered debt buyers, while excluding nonprofits buying for charitable reasons. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to relieve medical debt for eligible residents who couldn't pay after hospitals completed reasonable collection efforts. The grant must be used by June 30, 2028, and Undue Medical Debt must report recipient demographics to state agencies. The bill directly affects low-income Minnesotans with unpaid medical bills and hospitals that previously pursued collections.

Maddy summaryHF 2355 modifies Minnesota school district requirements for sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention programs. It mandates that all public school districts develop programs including medically accurate curriculum covering abstinence until marriage, updated prevention materials, coordination with health agencies, and parent/community involvement. The bill requires districts to collaborate with health departments and community organizations to target high-risk adolescents. These programs must align with existing health curriculum standards and be implemented by school districts across Minnesota.