Rep. Jeff Witte

Maddy summaryHF 1683 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to fund The Redemption Project. The program provides justice-impacted individuals and inmates with virtue-based education, mentoring, support services, and employment assistance to reduce recidivism and support community reintegration. Funds are administered through the Commissioner of Corrections to cover these specific services. The bill directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals and those impacted by the justice system by creating access to structured transition programming.

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 1684 directs Minnesota's Commissioner of Corrections to issue a $500,000 grant to a qualified nonprofit organization by December 1, 2025. The grant funds programs providing inmates and justice-impacted individuals with mentoring, support services, employment assistance, and character development programs based on correctional best practices. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and another $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 to cover these services.

Maddy summaryHF 1632 creates a tax subtraction for Minnesota taxpayers who receive pension income from U.S. Foreign Service retirement (under federal law). It directly affects Minnesota residents who served in the U.S. Foreign Service and now receive federal pension payments. The bill allows these taxpayers to reduce their Minnesota taxable income by a percentage calculated as (years of foreign service ÷ total civil service years) multiplied by their pension amount. This change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 1349 appropriates $10.8 million from state bond proceeds to fund the reconstruction of County State-Aid Highway 50 from Kenrick Avenue to Klamath Trail in Dakota County. This project is part of the Interstate 35 interchange improvements and will address mobility and safety needs. The funds cover design, construction, right-of-way acquisition, pedestrian/bike facilities, utility relocation, and stormwater management for Highway 50 and connected roads like 175th Street and Kenrick Avenue. The money is allocated to Dakota County, the city of Lakeville, or both, to complete this specific infrastructure project. The state will issue bonds up to $10.8 million to cover this appropriation.

Maddy summaryHF 514 amends Minnesota Statutes section 121A.425 to modify dismissal limitations for kindergarten through grade 3 students. The current law prohibits disciplinary dismissals for these students, with exceptions for short-term dismissals (less than one school day) for students receiving special education services and for expulsions only after exhausting other resources in cases of serious safety threats. This bill adjusts those limitations, but the specific policy changes are not detailed in the provided bill text. The amendment directly affects public school students in grades K-3 and their schools, altering how disciplinary actions may be applied.

Maddy summaryHF 1400 amends Minnesota Statutes section 179A.06 to clarify when supervisory or confidential employee organizations can serve as exclusive bargaining representatives for public employees. The bill prohibits these organizations from participating in negotiations involving non-supervisory units and blocks certification if they are affiliated with organizations representing non-supervisory staff. It specifically exempts supervisory firefighter, emergency medical, peace officer, and correctional facility guard organizations from this restriction. This change directly affects supervisory and confidential employees in state agencies, courts, Hennepin Healthcare, and school principals, ensuring their bargaining representatives operate only within their specific employee group.

Maddy summaryHF 1397 makes it optional for Minnesota peace officers to ask defendants to sign an acknowledgment form when providing notice about a missed court appearance. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 629.415, subdivision 5, which governs sign and release warrants. Officers must still provide written notice with court details, release defendants at the scene, and update court records, but defendants cannot be required to sign the acknowledgment form. This change affects law enforcement officers and defendants who miss court appearances but are released with new notice.

Maddy summaryHF 1398 amends Minnesota's Peace Officers Discipline Procedures Act to explicitly include local correctional officers in existing disciplinary definitions. The bill clarifies that "correctional officer" and "officer" now specifically cover those employed in local correctional or detention facilities for security purposes. This change ensures local correctional officers are directly covered under the same disciplinary procedures as other peace officers when facing formal discipline. The bill makes no new policy changes but updates definitions to include these officers in current processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota permit to carry handgun holders to notify their issuing sheriff within 30 days of a legal name change. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 624.714 to specify that failure to provide this notification is a petty misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $25. Permit holders who update their name must also pay a $10 fee to obtain a replacement permit card. The law directly affects individuals holding concealed carry permits who legally change their name, ensuring official records reflect their current legal identity.