Rep. Drew Roach

Maddy summaryHF 1303 allows landowners and authorized managers (like public land managers) in Minnesota to use purple paint on trees instead of traditional "no trespassing" signs to prohibit outdoor recreation on their property. The bill amends Minnesota law to require that paint be applied at least three feet high, in an eight-inch strip on trees one inch or wider, along property perimeters. Landowners must still post physical signs at primary corners of the property, as required by current law, but the purple paint serves as a valid alternative to signage for perimeter marking. This change directly affects private landowners and public land managers who currently use signage to restrict access. The bill does not change penalties for trespassing or alter the requirement for signs at property corners.

Maddy summaryHF 1302 requires government entities (such as cities or state agencies) to provide property owners with notice by mail, email, or phone before using an easement on their land. An easement is a legal right allowing a government entity to use a portion of private property, like for utility maintenance. If a government entity fails to give notice, it faces a $500 penalty per violation, and affected property owners can sue for damages, penalties, costs, and attorney fees. This bill directly affects private landowners and government agencies managing easements.

Maddy summaryHF 1185 creates a new special license plate design for Minnesota residents who received the National Defense Service Medal. The bill amends Minnesota law to add a plate inscription reading "NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL RECIPIENT" to the existing list of veteran plate options. Eligible veterans must already meet standard requirements for veteran plates (including honorable discharge documentation) and own qualifying vehicles. The plate would follow the same fee structure as other veteran plates, requiring payment of the standard special plate fee upon issuance.

Maddy summaryHF 1109 prohibits new enterprise data centers (defined as facilities over 800,000 square feet for digital data storage) in most local zoning districts, affecting municipalities' land-use decisions. The bill allows such centers only as a conditional use within designated industrial districts, which are areas legally set aside for manufacturing. It does not ban data centers entirely but restricts their locations to industrial zones, requiring local approval processes. The law takes effect June 20, 2025, applying to all new data centers built after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 183 repeals a tax on retail delivery services and changes how transportation tax revenue is distributed. It creates a "Transportation Advancement Account" to allocate funds from sales taxes, directing 36% to metropolitan counties, 28% to county highway funds, and smaller shares to city and town road programs. The bill modifies several tax statutes (including sections 297A.94 and 270C.15) to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects how Minnesota distributes transportation funding from sales tax revenues.