Rep. Kristi Pursell

Maddy summaryHF 2140 requires certain Minnesota municipalities to create "mixed-use housing zones" by June 30, 2027. Covered cities include those in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties, plus any municipality with 10,000+ residents. These zones must permit residential developments with at least three units (within 0.5 miles of certain streets) or four units (within 0.25 miles), including duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. The bill defines "mixed-use development" as buildings where at least 50% of usable space is for residential units, and it exempts these zoning changes from requiring comprehensive plan amendments before 2029.

Maddy summaryHF 1914 appropriates state funds for three key human services programs in Minnesota. It provides emergency services grants for immediate crisis support, county grants to address homelessness gaps (prioritizing Tribal Nation partnerships and interventions like 24/7 shelters), and funding for provider capacity-building collaboratives. The capacity-building program helps service providers access stable funding streams, including Medicaid waivers and housing support programs. These funds are allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with unspent first-year money rolling over to the second year. The bill directly affects counties, service providers, and people experiencing homelessness by expanding access to crisis support and housing-focused services.

Maddy summaryHF 1679 allocates $5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state's arts and cultural heritage fund to support public television. The funding is specifically designated for the Minnesota Public Television Association (MPTA) to provide production and acquisition grants for public television programming. This bill directly affects MPTA's ability to fund local and national content for Minnesota viewers through existing state law. The funding mechanism provides stable, multi-year support for public broadcasting services.

Maddy summaryHF 2242 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to select a single state pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) through a competitive bidding process. This PBM will handle all prescription drug claims for Minnesota's Medicaid (medical assistance) and MinnesotaCare programs, replacing the current system where multiple PBMs might be used. The bill mandates a master contract with this single PBM, specifies rules for drug coverage and reimbursement, and requires the commissioner to report on the program's operation. It also includes strict transparency requirements during procurement, such as disclosing potential conflicts of interest and financial ties between the PBM and pharmacies or drug manufacturers.

Maddy summaryHF 2621 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for community tree-planting grants administered by the Metropolitan Council. The funds are designated for fiscal year 2026 as a one-time allocation, available until June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects communities in the metropolitan area eligible to apply for these grants under Minnesota Statutes section 473.355, providing financial support for local tree-planting initiatives. The legislation establishes a specific funding mechanism without altering existing environmental policies.

Maddy summaryHF 2916 appropriates state funds for a groundwater and soil health initiative in southeastern Minnesota. The bill allocates money for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to soil and water conservation districts in 11 specific counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona). These funds will support projects that reduce fertilizer runoff into groundwater, prevent soil erosion, and improve soil health through cover crops, alternative crops, and enhanced grazing practices. The initiative directly benefits local farmers and conservation districts by providing financial resources for sustainable agricultural practices.

Maddy summaryHF 689 allows county attorneys to use official orders (administrative subpoenas) to obtain specific records during wage theft investigations. The bill amends Minnesota law to let county attorneys subpoena payroll, banking, and financial records from employers, including documents required under state labor laws. This directly affects employers facing wage theft allegations and county attorneys conducting these investigations. The change takes effect August 1, 2025, and applies only to business records, not private individuals' personal information.

Maddy summaryHF 1010 establishes a new licensure process for certified midwives in Minnesota through the Board of Nursing, creating a specific "Minnesota Certified Midwife Practice Act" (Chapter 148G). It amends health occupation definitions to include "licensed certified midwife," expands Medicaid coverage to include services provided by these licensed midwives, and sets civil/criminal penalties for violations. The bill directly affects certified midwives (requiring national certification plus state licensure) and Medicaid recipients who can now access midwifery care under their coverage. Key provisions define midwifery scope (including pregnancy, birth, and women's primary care) and set licensure terms, moving midwifery from an unregulated status to a licensed profession with expanded coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 2971 appropriates $3.866 million for fiscal year 2026 and another $3.866 million for fiscal year 2027 to help homeowners in nine specific Minnesota counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Wabasha, and Winona) with private wells contaminated by nitrate levels exceeding the safety standard (10 mg/L). The funds cover installing water filtration systems (like reverse osmosis), repairing wells, or reconstructing wells for affected households. Priority is given to households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level and those with infants or pregnant individuals. The commissioner of health will administer the program, including providing education and technical assistance to eligible homeowners.

Maddy summaryHF 3001 establishes a pilot program providing direct cash grants of at least $500 monthly for 18 months to eligible low-income Minnesota residents. It directly affects individuals or families with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level or currently receiving public benefits. The bill requires grantees (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) to administer the payments while ensuring the stipends do not count as income for other benefits like food assistance or housing support. Grantees must collect data on participants' economic, health, and housing outcomes and submit a final report to the legislature by January 2028.