Rep. Kristi Pursell

Maddy summaryHF 4972 prohibits law enforcement from making civil immigration arrests against individuals attending court proceedings, including parties, witnesses, and their supporters like family members or translators. The law defines a 'civil arrest' as taking someone into custody for immigration violations and grants these individuals protection while traveling to, being at, and leaving court buildings or locations within 1,000 feet of them. This protection applies to all types of court matters, including civil, criminal, and administrative cases, and remains in effect regardless of whether a judge issues a specific order enforcing it.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state wealth tax in Minnesota that would apply to individuals and trusts with taxable wealth exceeding $10 million. The tax would be calculated as one percent of the amount above that threshold, based on the total value of all property owned within Minnesota minus any debts owed by the taxpayer. Property values would be determined using the same valuation methods used for federal estate taxes, and the tax would apply to both residents and nonresidents who own property in the state. The legislation would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and would be collected in addition to existing state taxes.

Maddy summaryHF 3793 requires large groundwater users (those exceeding 100 million gallons annually or 50% of a municipality's current water allocation) to apply for their own water-use permits instead of modifying existing municipal permits. This affects industrial and commercial entities, including data centers, whose water use meets these thresholds. Key provisions include mandatory public comment periods for new permits, potential aquifer testing, and monthly reporting for threshold users - compared to annual reporting for smaller users. The bill aims to strengthen oversight of significant groundwater withdrawals while ensuring public input and watershed protection.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's commissioner of transportation to apply for federal funding to develop two new passenger rail routes: one from St. Paul to Fargo, North Dakota, and another from St. Paul to Kansas City, Missouri (with stops in Northfield, Albert Lea, and Des Moines, Iowa). It appropriates $1 million in fiscal year 2026 for planning, application costs, and state matching funds to secure federal grants for these routes. The funding covers activities like environmental analysis, cost estimates, and service development planning under the federal Corridor Identification and Development Program. The bill directly affects Minnesota's transportation agency and communities along the proposed rail corridors. The $1 million is a one-time allocation available until June 2028 for Minnesota's share of project costs.

Maddy summaryHF 2380 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in services, programs, or activities receiving state funding in Minnesota. It directly affects public and private entities (like schools, hospitals, and businesses) that receive state money. The bill requires these entities to provide reasonable accommodations and bans exclusion or denial of benefits due to disability. It also specifically prohibits businesses from banning service animals or charging extra fees for them, defining "disability" broadly to include conditions substantially limiting major life activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program in Minnesota to help finance the creation of cooperatives that process products or market services. To qualify, the cooperatives must be owned and controlled by their members, focus on Minnesota-based activities, and ensure that only members have voting rights. The program can provide grants of up to $50,000 to cover costs such as business planning, facility design, and organizational development. However, any money received through these grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar with other funding or contributions from the cooperative.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires tire producers in Minnesota to fund and operate a statewide system for collecting and recycling discarded tires starting in 2027. Under the new rules, anyone selling tires in the state must participate in a plan approved by the commissioner that ensures tires are collected free of charge, stored properly, and recycled or resold. The program would be financed entirely through fees paid by tire manufacturers, importers, or retailers, depending on who holds the tire brand. Covered entities such as auto dealerships and repair shops would serve as collection sites where consumers can drop off old tires at no cost. The legislation aims to create a structured approach to tire waste management without using taxpayer money.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund in Minnesota to address climate change impacts. It establishes a program that requires fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and 2026 to pay into a dedicated account. The collected funds will be used to finance climate change adaptation projects for state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as for disadvantaged communities. The bill defines specific terms like "responsible party" and "covered greenhouse gas emissions" to determine which companies must contribute and what types of projects can receive funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance plans in Minnesota from covering conversion therapy for minors under 18 and vulnerable adults, effective January 1, 2027. It also requires the commissioner of human rights to take appropriate actions to protect Minnesotans from conversion therapy, including investigating complaints against mental health practitioners who engage in such practices. The legislation defines conversion therapy using existing state law definitions and directs the commissioner to prioritize investigating discriminatory practices related to this issue. Health plans offered, sold, issued, or renewed to Minnesota residents after the effective date must comply with these coverage restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal cause of action allowing individuals who were minors when they underwent conversion therapy to sue mental health professionals for harm caused by those practices. It defines conversion therapy as attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, and specifies that psychological harm includes conditions like depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. If a lawsuit is successful, the court can award damages, order the professional to stop the practice, and require payment of at least $50,000 to the injured person or their guardian. The law also allows parents or guardians to file suits on behalf of minors or when the affected individual is deceased or unable to participate.