Rep. Jeff Witte

Maddy summaryHF 3043 creates a new criminal offense for "illegal remuneration" involving federal health care programs (like Medicare/Medicaid), behavioral health services under Chapter 254B, and family programs under Chapter 142E. It prohibits healthcare providers, social service organizations, and others from intentionally offering or accepting money, goods, services, or other value in exchange for referrals, purchases, or recommendations related to these programs. The law also targets improper conduct in grant applications, such as offering inducements to influence grant awards or providing false information. Violations are punishable as crimes under Minnesota Statutes, with sentencing details outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHF 538 modifies Minnesota's law on when police may use deadly force, specifically preventing officers from using lethal force solely to stop a person from harming themselves (e.g., in a suicide situation). The bill requires that if an officer uses deadly force to protect someone from apparent death, they must instead reasonably believe the person poses an immediate threat of death or serious injury to others, meeting specific criteria like the threat being specific, likely to occur, and needing immediate action. This change directly affects Minnesota police officers and individuals in crisis, aiming to limit unnecessary lethal force while maintaining existing standards for protecting officers or the public from violence.

Maddy summaryHF 1255 allows certain public safety employees in Minnesota to purchase their surplus badges at fair market value. The bill specifically applies to current or retired state troopers, commercial vehicle inspectors, and Capitol security officers. It amends Minnesota Statutes to permit the commissioner to sell badges bearing pre-May 11, 2024 seals (or retired personnel badges) directly to the employee who originally used them. The sale price must reflect the badge's fair market value as determined by the commissioner. This is a procedural change affecting badge ownership for these specific state employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows law enforcement to use mobile tracking devices (like GPS trackers) on vehicles fleeing from police officers, which was previously prohibited under state law. It directly affects police departments and officers by expanding their tools for tracking vehicles during high-speed pursuits. The key change amends Minnesota Statutes to create an exception for "fleeing motor vehicles," defining "flee" using existing law (section 609.487, subdivision 1). The policy change takes effect August 1, 2025, for crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 2952 appropriates $1,000,000 from Minnesota's general fund for a grant to the United Heroes League, a nonprofit organization in Hastings. The funds must be used for capital improvements at the League's Hastings campus to directly benefit current service members, veterans, and their dependents. The grant requires the League to report to the legislature by January 15, 2027, detailing how the money was spent, including administrative costs. This bill establishes a specific funding mechanism for a nonprofit's facility upgrades with a required accountability report.

Maddy summaryHF 2989 appropriates $5 million from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to cover costs for the 2025-2026 World Junior Hockey Championships hosted in Minnesota. The funds, available until June 30, 2027, are directed to Minnesota Sports and Events for event-related expenses. This bill directly affects the state's event management organization and the local economy hosting the international sporting event. The appropriation specifically covers costs associated with the December 2025 and January 2026 tournament dates.

Maddy summaryHF 1686 expands training requirements for licensed security officers in Minnesota. It mandates 40 hours of pre-employment training (up from 12 hours) within 21 days of hire, plus 24 hours of annual continuing education for all officers, with an additional 6 hours yearly for those armed with firearms or weapons. The bill requires new training content including mental health crisis response, de-escalation techniques, CPR/AED use, legal use of force standards, and building safety disruptions. These requirements apply to all licensed security officers, managers, and employees in Minnesota, effective January 1, 2026. The bill also ensures employees can obtain copies of their training certificates from employers at no cost.

Maddy summaryHF 2477 requires the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to add cricket to its list of sanctioned interscholastic sports by July 1, 2025. The bill mandates MSHSL to form a cricket advisory group, launch pilot programs in at least three schools during the 2025-2026 school year, and expand participation to more schools by 2026-2027. By the 2027-2028 school year, MSHSL must finalize rules and establish a regular cricket season, preferably in the spring. This directly affects Minnesota high schools and the MSHSL governing body, as it changes which sports the league officially recognizes and regulates.

Maddy summaryHF 2525 establishes a state program to provide free hearing protection products meeting specific safety standards to Minnesota public safety officers. The program, funded by a $2 million appropriation from the general fund for fiscal year 2026, covers eligible peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical providers. Products must have a minimum 25 decibel noise reduction rating and maximum 80 decibel output. Applications are processed in order received while supplies last, with no cost to applicants.

Maddy summaryHF 1295 amends Minnesota law to include children's advocacy centers as a program eligible to receive 70% of certain fines collected from offenders convicted of specific crimes, such as those involving child abuse or exploitation. The bill requires courts to collect a minimum fine of 30% of the maximum penalty for these crimes and forward 70% of that amount to a local victim assistance program, now explicitly including children's advocacy centers. If multiple programs serve the county, courts may choose which one receives funds based on the crime type and program needs; if no program is available, funds go to the state general fund. This ensures children's advocacy centers can directly access funding to provide services for child victims.