Rep. Kristi Pursell

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to provide social services and mental health support to victims of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation. The program will fund organizations that help affected individuals with basic needs like housing, food, and employment assistance, as well as mental health care. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, tribal nations, and legal service providers, with priority given to areas most impacted by the operation. The bill appropriates unspecified funding from the state's general fund for one-time use through June 2029, requiring grantees to report on program participation and outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $22 million in state bonds to fund the replacement of unsafe and undersized buildings and facilities at Dakota County regional parks. The funds will be used to upgrade infrastructure at Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Lake Byllesby Regional Park, including new swimming beach facilities with accessible restrooms and showers, improved campground lodges with storm shelters, and updated trails and amenities. The legislation directs the commissioner of employment and economic development to manage the grant process for designing and constructing these improvements, with the bond sale handled by the commissioner of management and budget.

Maddy summaryHF 3180 creates a special emergency fund within Minnesota's state treasury to support essential public health services if federal funding is unexpectedly reduced or eliminated. The fund, which receives a one-time transfer from the general fund, allows the Minnesota Department of Health (referred to as "commissioner of health") to continue critical services like disease outbreak response and waterborne disease prevention when federal support drops unexpectedly. Before using funds, the commissioner must notify legislative health committees and seek advisory review, and must submit an annual report detailing all expenditures and their justification. This bill directly affects the state health department's ability to maintain public health operations during federal funding disruptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's medical assistance and MinnesotaCare programs to cover the removal of intrauterine devices. It amends state statutes to mandate this coverage and directs the commissioner of human services to implement the change. The legislation also appropriates funding from the general fund and health care access fund to support these costs in fiscal years 2027 through 2029. Coverage becomes effective on January 1, 2027, or later if federal approval is required. The bill affects individuals enrolled in these health programs who need IUD removal services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Environmental Quality Board to create rules mandating environmental impact statements for large animal feedlot facilities with a capacity of 10,000 or more animal units, or for expansions of existing facilities reaching that same threshold. The legislation applies to construction and expansion projects submitted for review on or after the bill's effective date, which occurs the day after final enactment. By establishing this requirement, the bill ensures that significant livestock operations undergo formal environmental review before approval, though it does not specify the content or outcome of those reviews.

Maddy summaryHF 3557 establishes a voluntary "climate literacy seal" for Minnesota high school students who complete specific requirements related to climate education. To earn the seal, students must meet standard graduation requirements, take at least two approved climate literacy courses, and complete a final project focused on local climate issues in their community - such as a community initiative, research project, or hands-on activity. Participating schools must note the seal on student transcripts without charging fees and collaborate with local organizations to support the projects. The bill also requires a report on the program's implementation, aiming to recognize students' understanding of climate change and practical application of solutions in their communities.

Maddy summaryHF 3146 prohibits all Minnesota state and local government entities, including law enforcement agencies, from acquiring, using, or contracting with private companies for facial recognition technology. The bill defines "face surveillance" as automated systems identifying individuals based on facial features and bans government entities from obtaining, retaining, or accessing such systems or data. Violations would make evidence from facial recognition inadmissible in court, require deletion of unlawfully collected data, and allow affected individuals to sue for $1,000 per violation or $100 per incident (whichever is greater), plus attorney fees. The law takes effect on August 1, 2025, and applies broadly across all government functions.

Maddy summaryHF 2500 prohibits health insurance companies (health carriers) in Minnesota from using algorithms or artificial intelligence to approve or deny prior authorization requests for medical treatments. This applies to all health plans offered, sold, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects insurers by requiring human review for these coverage decisions, rather than automated systems. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 62A.59 to explicitly ban AI/algorithm use in this specific process.

Maddy summaryHF 1322 modifies Minnesota's auto insurance rules for total loss claims. It requires insurers to offer a replacement vehicle option (with all taxes, fees, and license costs paid by the insurer, except the insured's deductible) when settling a total loss under a policy using actual cash value or replacement with like kind and quality, and the insured is not an auto dealer. This directly affects individual vehicle owners and non-dealer businesses who experience a total loss. The bill ensures insureds have a clear choice for a replacement vehicle without additional out-of-pocket costs beyond their deductible.

Maddy summaryHF 2381 establishes new rules for manufactured home parks in Minnesota. It requires park owners to charge uniform rent (with limited exceptions for lot size/location), caps late fees at 8% of rent, and prohibits fees based on family size, home size, or guests. The bill mandates itemized utility billing, requires safety inspections for hazardous trees within 14 days of notice, and requires 60 days' written notice for rent increases. These changes directly affect park residents and owners by standardizing fees, improving transparency, and enhancing safety protections.