Rep. Fue Lee

Maddy summaryHF 4856 authorizes the state of Minnesota to spend money on capital projects, including acquiring and improving public land and buildings. The bill establishes new funding programs and modifies existing ones, allowing for the issuance of state bonds to finance these improvements. Specific funds are allocated to institutions like the University of Minnesota, state colleges, and state academies for construction, library projects, and asset preservation. The legislation also sets conditions on how these funds can be used, such as requiring that projects not be financeable through other means and allowing grants to political subdivisions under certain circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal tool in Minnesota that allows the state Attorney General to sue firearm industry members for public nuisance if their conduct harms public safety. It directly affects companies involved in selling, manufacturing, distributing, or marketing firearms and related products like ammunition. To comply, these businesses must implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop thefts, and ensure adherence to existing laws. If a company violates these rules, the Attorney General can seek court orders to stop the behavior, force cleanup costs, demand financial restitution, and collect damages.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $250,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to support the renovation and preservation of the historic Mary Murphy home, museum, and park in Hermantown, Minnesota. The funding will be given as a grant to the city of Hermantown through the Minnesota Historical Society's governing board. The money is designated for fiscal year 2027 and is intended specifically for preserving and renovating this historic site.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $800,000 to create a memorial statue honoring Melissa Hortman at the State Office Building site in Minnesota. The funds will be used to design and cast a statue recognizing her historic contributions to the state, along with a memorial garden. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board must select the artist through a competitive process while consulting with Hortman's family, and the statue design must include likenesses of her deceased family members. Any leftover funds after the statue is cast can be used for additional landscaping elements at the memorial site, and the money remains available until June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota counties contribute to administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It adjusts the state's financial responsibility for covering county administrative expenses related to SNAP operations. The legislation directly affects county agencies that manage SNAP benefits and the state Department of Human Services that oversees the program. By changing the cost-sharing structure, the bill aims to clarify financial obligations between state and local governments for administering this federal assistance program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time emergency rental assistance fund for counties and Tribal governments in Minnesota to help low-income households facing financial hardship after August 31, 2025. The program would provide financial support for up to two months of prospective rent and utilities, as well as unpaid rent and utility bills and related fines, to households earning at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines who are at risk of eviction or homelessness. Counties and Tribal governments would receive funding based on population and geographic factors, with 95 percent of funds designated for direct assistance and 5 percent for fraud prevention and compliance monitoring. Local governments, cities, nonprofit organizations, or groups of jurisdictions could administer the assistance, and any unused funds must be returned to the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large meat retailers from owning stakes in livestock dealers or meat packing companies and from signing exclusive contracts that require those suppliers to sell only to them. It defines a "dominant retailer" as a company selling over $18 billion in meat annually with locations in at least 20 states, including Minnesota. The law requires these retailers to divest any existing ownership interests by January 1, 2028, with a possible 180-day extension if they show good faith efforts to comply. The attorney general will identify which retailers fall under this definition starting in 2027, and violators could face daily fines of $25,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $47 million in bonds to fund grants for emergency shelter facilities for people experiencing homelessness. The funds can be used by eligible applicants including tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and local housing authorities to build or operate safe shelter facilities. The state commissioner of administration will manage the bond issuance and establish a special fund to handle the proceeds and debt payments. The bonds may be structured with terms up to 21 years and can be sold at public or private sale to raise the necessary capital for these housing projects.

Maddy summaryHF 3620 prohibits Minnesota state agencies and the commissioner from purchasing single-use plastic food service items (like plates, cups, cutlery, and clamshell containers) and plastic bottles under 21 fluid ounces. The law applies to all state procurement contracts and bid specifications issued after its effective date, which is the day after enactment. Exceptions allow purchases when prohibited items are unavailable, during emergencies, or when necessary for health, safety, or accessibility needs. This bill directly affects state purchasing decisions and aims to reduce plastic waste in government operations.

Maddy summaryHF 3409 prohibits Minnesota public schools from denying students access to free K-12 education based on the student's or their parent's immigration status or citizenship. It requires schools to stop collecting unnecessary immigration information, avoid threatening to share such details with law enforcement, and ensure no student or parent is excluded from school activities due to immigration status. The bill also creates a legal remedy, allowing students or parents who face such denial to file a civil lawsuit for redress.