Rep. Esther Agbaje

Maddy summaryHF 2691 appropriates $5.25 million for fiscal year 2026 and $5.51 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the African American Child Wellness Institute. This culturally specific mental health provider, licensed as a community mental health center, will use the funds to expand trauma-informed, evidence-based services for African American children and families of all ages. The grant supports comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder care, supervision, training, and care coordination regardless of a family's ability to pay or location. The funding is intended to enhance the institute's capacity to provide these services across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 3614 amends Minnesota's Human Rights Act to address discriminatory effects in practices, not just intentional discrimination. It establishes that policies causing a "disparate impact" on protected groups (like race or gender) are prohibited, even without intent. Key changes include allowing claims based on group-level effects without identifying specific policies, and explicitly covering AI systems that produce discriminatory outcomes. This directly affects employers, housing providers, and organizations using AI in decision-making. The bill shifts focus to measurable impacts rather than proving discriminatory intent.

Maddy summaryHF 3085 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to Community Mediation Minnesota to run a statewide family mediation pilot program. The program directly serves grandparents and families facing disputes, providing services like mediation, family reconnection coaching, and navigation to legal/court resources. Key provisions require the grant to expand access to dispute resolution, train culturally specific programs, grow the mediator roster, and integrate services with legal assistance. This pilot, active in fiscal year 2026, aims to improve alternatives to court for family conflicts.

Maddy summaryHF 3662 amends Minnesota's individual income tax code to require taxpayers to include certain employer-reimbursed travel expenses as taxable income. Specifically, it adds an "addition" for travel costs (like fares, meals, and lodging) paid by or reimbursed by an employer while traveling within Minnesota for immigration enforcement activities or supporting such activities. This provision applies only to expenses incurred in Minnesota and takes effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2025. The bill directly affects Minnesota taxpayers whose employers cover travel related to immigration enforcement within the state.

Maddy summaryHF 3659 requires individuals who earned income in Minnesota while participating in immigration enforcement activities or providing material support to such activities to file a Minnesota income tax return. This requirement applies even if the individual's income would normally be too low to trigger a filing obligation under standard tax rules. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add this specific filing requirement, which takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3434 bans the possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons (like AR-15s and AK-47s) and large-capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) in Minnesota. It defines these weapons by specific models (e.g., Colt AR-15, Beretta AR-70) or features (folding stocks, pistol grips, threaded barrels). The bill creates criminal penalties for possessing these banned items and amends state law to clarify prohibited firearms and magazines. It directly affects individuals who own or possess these specific weapons or magazines. The law does not cover all semiautomatic firearms but targets models and features associated with military-style weapons.

Maddy summaryHF 1114 appropriates $50 million from the general fund for the GroundBreak Capital Access and Innovation Fund, managed by the Minneapolis Foundation. It establishes three programs: forgivable startup business loans (up to $50,000) for new Minnesota businesses lacking traditional financing, commercial real estate equity enhancements (up to $250,000) for developments under $10 million, and forgivable down payment assistance loans (up to $25,000) for first-time homebuyers in the seven-county metro area meeting income limits. Loans become fully forgiven after 3 years for businesses (with preference for those hiring employees) and 5 years for homeowners, subject to specific conditions like using funds for approved purposes. The bill directly affects Minnesota-based startups, small commercial developers, and low-income homebuyers, particularly targeting underserved communities through eligibility criteria. Funds are allocated over fiscal years 2026-2029 with annual amounts specified.

Maddy summaryHF 3317 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Minnesota legislature condemning federal executive orders that target immigrants. It does not create new laws but expresses the state's opposition to policies it views as inhumane, urging the president to stop such actions and calling on Minnesota's congressional delegation to oppose these policies. The resolution also recommends federal passage of the Neighbors Not Enemies Act to repeal an outdated law and affirms that all people in Minnesota, regardless of immigration status, deserve due process under U.S. and state constitutions. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies to federal officials as a formal statement of the legislature's position.

Maddy summaryHF 3344 creates a new "LGBTQIA2S+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights" in Minnesota. It directly affects residents of long-term care facilities, home care clients, and home and community-based services recipients who are LGBTQIA2S+ or living with HIV. Key provisions require facilities to provide staff training in LGBTQIA2S+ and HIV cultural competency, prohibit specific discriminatory acts (like forcing clothing against gender identity or refusing chosen names/pronouns), mandate clear notices of residents' rights, and allow civil lawsuits if rights are violated. The bill appropriates funds to support these changes, aiming to prevent discrimination in care settings.

Maddy summaryHF 3333 establishes a voluntary program allowing Hennepin County's designated level I trauma hospital to receive supplemental funding through a "directed payment arrangement" with health insurers. This applies specifically to nonprofit adult hospitals in Hennepin County providing statewide emergency medical services and affiliated providers. The payments must supplement, not replace, existing medical assistance funding and must align with state quality goals for vulnerable populations like those with chronic conditions or limited English proficiency. The program requires federal approval to implement and expires if approval isn't obtained. The bill also includes separate provisions imposing term limits on the Minnesota Ballpark Authority.