Rep. John Huot

Maddy summaryHF 1359 increases funding for solid waste management by changing how fees collected from waste management are allocated. Starting in 2026, 7% of these fees will go to a resource management account (rising to 20% in 2027 and 30% after 2028), instead of the general fund. The funds must be distributed to counties for waste management programs under state law. This directly affects counties receiving these allocations and changes the percentage of fees dedicated to environmental resource management over time. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1259 appropriates $350,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota FFA. The funding directly supports FFA members participating in art- and history-related activities, including creating a history book and video series to commemorate 100 years of FFA work, and covering costs for events like FFA band/choir, talent competitions, and fair displays. Up to $125,000 annually must be used for historical documentation, with remaining funds allocated to other qualifying art and history activities. The commissioner of agriculture will develop grant criteria in consultation with the Minnesota FFA.

Maddy summaryHF 1586 appropriates $800,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for a commemorative project honoring Gordon Parks. The bill directs the Minnesota Humanities Center, working with Soul Touch Productions, to create an art installation and related programming celebrating Parks' life and legacy. This funding specifically supports cultural programming focused on Parks' contributions as a photographer, filmmaker, and civil rights advocate. The bill does not create new policy but allocates existing state funds for a specific cultural initiative.

Maddy summaryHF 1320 appropriates $16.6 million from the general fund to the Public Facilities Authority for the City of Hastings to build three water treatment plants and associated infrastructure. The funding specifically targets removing harmful PFAS chemicals from the city's well water, covering predesign through construction. This bill directly affects Hastings residents by addressing PFAS contamination in their drinking water supply. The funds are allocated for fiscal year 2026 and require no additional legislative action beyond the appropriation.

Maddy summaryHF 1321 appropriates $16.6 million from state bonds to fund the construction of three water treatment plants in Hastings, Minnesota, specifically to remove PFAS chemicals from city wells. The city of Hastings will receive a grant to predesign, design, construct, and equip these facilities and associated water mains. The state will issue bonds up to $16.6 million under existing bond laws to cover the costs. This bill directly affects Hastings residents by addressing PFAS contamination in their drinking water supply.

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 265, also known as "Brent's Law," requires Minnesota 911 call centers to identify mental health crisis calls and prioritize mental health crisis teams as primary responders when available. It mandates that 911 telecommunicators receive specific training or mental health staff screen calls to recognize crises, and establishes protocols for public safety answering points to comply. The bill also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals or families harmed by violations, allowing claims for damages, attorney fees, and up to $15,000 in punitive damages for willful violations. This directly affects all Minnesota public safety answering points and the government entities operating them.

Maddy summaryHF 36 increases payment rates for nonemergency medical transportation providers serving Minnesota health care program beneficiaries. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0625, subdivision 17, to raise the reimbursement rates paid to transportation companies, ambulances, taxicabs, public transit, or not-for-hire vehicles providing covered nonemergency medical trips. This directly affects transportation providers enrolled in Minnesota's health care programs who bill for services to beneficiaries needing medical appointments. The change ensures providers receive higher payments for transporting patients to nonemergency medical care, without altering eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 227 appropriates $825,000 from state bonds to reconstruct the driver training track at Dakota County Technical College. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to this amount to fund the facility upgrade, following standard bond procedures. This funding directly affects Dakota County Technical College students and staff who use the driver training facility for educational programs. The legislation does not alter existing programs but provides specific capital funding for infrastructure at this college.

Maddy summaryHF 33 establishes two new grant programs to support Minnesota's ambulance and emergency medical services (EMS). The ambulance service cost of readiness grant helps licensed ambulance providers cover operational and capital expenses, while the emergency medical services improvement grant assists counties, cities, and townships in modernizing local EMS systems. The bill also creates two new fees - a monthly emergency medical services telecommunications fee and a prepaid wireless emergency medical services fee - to fund these programs. These changes directly affect ambulance services, rural EMS providers, and local governments responsible for emergency response systems across Minnesota.