Rep. Robert Bierman

Maddy summaryHF 1937 establishes Minnesota's Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), creating a new service model for seniors aged 55+ who qualify for Medicaid or specific home care waiver programs. It allows PACE providers to coordinate both Medicare and Medicaid services under one program, replacing traditional home-based waiver services for eligible participants. The bill sets Medicaid rates for PACE providers to not exceed current fee-for-service costs and requires voluntary enrollment for participants. This directly affects elderly Minnesotans seeking integrated care and providers who may operate PACE programs.

Maddy summaryHF 819 establishes the Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force to develop science-based recommendations for foraging regulations on state lands. The task force, composed of 16 diverse members including Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists, conservation representatives, and foraging advocates, must gather data on foraging impacts, review current rules, and create guidelines balancing public access with ecological protection. It is required to produce a report with specific, actionable recommendations - including a permitting model allowing volunteer options - by December 1, 2026. The bill directly affects Minnesotans who forage on public lands and aims to guide future regulations through data-driven, inclusive processes.

Maddy summaryHF 1812 establishes a state-run Minnesota Health Plan to guarantee comprehensive, affordable health care for every Minnesota resident. The plan covers all necessary medical, dental, vision, mental health, and long-term care services without co-pays, with premiums based on income. It creates new state entities including the Minnesota Health Board, Health Fund, Office of Health Quality and Planning, a patient advocacy ombudsman, and an auditor for the plan. The bill also requests a federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act to modify certain health insurance requirements and appropriates funding for implementation.

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 1647 grants licensed health care providers in Minnesota immunity from criminal liability when delivering health treatment and services within their professional scope and state law. This applies to harm alleged to arise from their actions during treatment, directly affecting doctors, nurses, and other licensed providers. The bill explicitly excludes immunity for cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or malicious acts. It does not change civil liability or existing legal defenses for providers. The law modifies Minnesota Statutes chapter 145 to establish this immunity.

Maddy summaryHF 1470 adds two new members to Minnesota's existing opioids, substance use, and addiction subcabinet: the chair of the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the governor's director of addiction and recovery. The bill amends state law to include these positions, with the addiction recovery director designated as the subcabinet's chair. This change updates the membership structure of a state government group focused on coordinating responses to substance use disorders, directly affecting how this group operates and leads policy efforts. The bill does not create new programs or funding but adjusts who participates in this coordination body.

Maddy summaryHF 1566 requires landlords in Minnesota to make reasonable safety modifications for tenants with children who have autism, specifically when hazards like lakes, rivers, or other water bodies are near rental properties. Tenants must request these accommodations, and landlords can ask for documentation unless the child's condition is obvious. Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants making such requests and must adjust policies or property features to protect the child, unless the change would fundamentally alter the property. This bill directly affects tenants with autistic children and their landlords in rental housing.

Maddy summaryHF 1103 modifies Minnesota's medication repository program to improve how unused drugs and medical supplies are accepted, stored, and distributed. It sets specific eligibility rules for donations, requiring drugs to have at least six months remaining until expiration, be unopened in original packaging, and not be controlled substances. The bill also mandates that repositories verify donor information, inspect all donations with a pharmacist, and maintain detailed electronic inventories of accepted items. Additionally, repositories may now purchase drugs from licensed wholesalers when donations are insufficient to fill patient prescriptions. This directly affects medication repositories, donors (like pharmacies and manufacturers), and patients receiving donated medications.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a refundable sales and use tax exemption for building materials used in Apple Valley's Central Maintenance Facility project. It exempts purchases made between February 28, 2025, and August 1, 2028, from state sales tax, with taxes collected first and then refunded per standard procedures. The state will appropriate funds from the general revenue fund to cover these refunds, which cannot be paid before July 1, 2025. The exemption applies retroactively to eligible purchases starting February 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1092 establishes a one-time $4 million disability inclusion pilot project funded through the general fund, directed to Lifeworks Services, Inc. The project requires employers to hire more people with disabilities, educates businesses on inclusive hiring benefits and affordable accommodations, and provides resources to help Minnesotans with disabilities navigate services and achieve community inclusion. It specifically targets rural, Tribal, and communities of color by supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color entrepreneurs and building culturally specific services. The pilot must operate across all six Minnesota planning areas to ensure equitable access to its programs and assessments.