Rep. Drew Roach

Maddy summaryHF 1785 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Minnesota governors and lieutenant governors to two terms each. If approved by voters in 2026, the amendment would change the state constitution to state that no person may be elected governor or lieutenant governor more than twice. The bill requires the amendment to be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election with a specific ballot question asking whether term limits should be added. This change would apply to all future elections starting in 2026, affecting all future governors and lieutenant governors.

Maddy summaryHF 1513 requires Minnesota voters to present a photo ID when registering to vote and when casting a ballot. It creates a new state-issued voter ID card, which can be obtained without fees for vital records needed to verify identity (per Section 3.1-3.3). The bill establishes provisional ballots for voters who lack ID but provide required documentation, and mandates annual reports on ID card usage. These changes take effect June 1, 2026, and apply to all voters participating in Minnesota elections.

Maddy summaryHF 1475 abolishes Minnesota's Metropolitan Council and transfers its core responsibilities to other state entities. Specifically, it moves the Council's duties to the commissioners of Administration and Natural Resources, shifts transportation and transit functions to the Department of Transportation, and creates a new metropolitan area sanitary sewer district. The bill also repeals land use planning provisions previously managed by the Council and ends its oversight of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. These changes reorganize regional governance for key services like transportation, environmental management, and sewer infrastructure across the metropolitan area.

Maddy summaryHF 1495 allows candidates, their representatives, and political parties to observe absentee ballot processing and recounts in Minnesota. The bill specifies that candidates may have one representative present during absentee ballot envelope acceptance/rejection and one additional representative when ballots are opened and counted. During recounts, candidates may have one representative observe ballot sorting and one additional for counting, with all observation occurring in designated public viewing areas. The bill requires election officials to ensure observers do not interfere with ballot handling while maintaining transparency in these specific election procedures.

Maddy summaryHF 1494 requires voters who register on election day to cast provisional ballots instead of regular ballots. This applies to anyone registering in person at their polling place on election day, who must provide proof of residence and complete a registration application with an oath. The bill amends several election statutes to implement this change, including updating provisions about election day registration procedures. It directly affects voters registering for the first time or updating their registration on election day, ensuring their ballots are processed as provisional until verified. The bill makes technical changes to election law to align with this new requirement.

Maddy summaryHF 1184 removes burial fees at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 190.19 (subd. 2a) and 197.236 (subd. 9) to eliminate the fee schedule for these individuals and direct funds from the "Support Our Troops" account to cover uncompensated burial costs. It appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover these costs, replacing the previous waiver process for indigent applicants. This policy change directly affects veterans' families seeking burial at state cemeteries.

Maddy summaryHF 814 criminalizes performing castration, sterilization, or any procedure causing permanent infertility on minors under 18 in Minnesota. It makes these acts a felony, imposing criminal penalties on anyone who carries them out. The law directly affects minors under 18 and healthcare providers or others who perform such procedures on them. The bill takes effect August 1, 2025, and is codified under Minnesota Statutes § 609.2248.

Maddy summaryHF 1300 prohibits Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services and Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families from taking away public assistance benefits (like food or cash aid) based on a person's or their dependents' vaccination status. It directly affects individuals receiving benefits, as well as parents, caregivers, or guardians responsible for others' care. The bill amends state law to explicitly state that agencies cannot rescind benefits due to vaccination status for anyone under their care. This is a concrete policy change ensuring vaccination status cannot be used as a reason to deny or cut public assistance.

Maddy summaryHF 1467 transfers management of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library from the Department of Education to the Department of Employment and Economic Development. This bill changes who oversees the library's services for people with visual or physical disabilities, requiring the new department to provide these services through a cooperative plan with the National Library Service for the Blind. It also updates rules for the library's advisory committee, including how meetings can be held virtually while ensuring public access and proper voting procedures. The change directly affects library users and the state agencies responsible for delivering these specialized services.

Maddy summaryHF 1298 amends Minnesota law to allow landowners or their agents to take feral swine causing damage to crops, property, or livestock without a hunting license. It permits this action on land the person owns or occupies, provided they report the take to wildlife officials within 48 hours. The bill specifies that landowners must follow standard wildlife reporting rules (like notifying conservation officers) but do not need to surrender the swine to the state. This directly affects property owners facing feral swine damage, updating existing provisions to clarify their authority under current wildlife regulations.