Rep. Esther Agbaje

Maddy summaryHF 1309 prohibits Minnesota local governments (cities and counties) from requiring minimum parking spaces for new residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. The bill directly affects developers and property owners by removing a common zoning requirement that previously mandated a set number of parking spots. Key provisions state that political subdivisions cannot impose these minimums, though they may still require ADA-compliant disability parking or make non-binding parking space recommendations. This change aims to increase flexibility for development projects, potentially allowing more housing or commercial space without dedicated parking.

Maddy summaryHF 1340 amends Minnesota law to allow housing infrastructure bonds to fund adaptive reuse projects (converting existing buildings like offices or stores into housing) for permanent and supportive housing. It directly affects low-income households earning 50% or less of the area median income (AMI) and housing developers seeking bond financing. The bill expands existing bond program uses to specifically include adaptive reuse for these affordable housing projects, requiring new construction to meet accessibility standards (e.g., roll-in showers, sensory-accessible units). This change to Minnesota Statutes 462A.37, section 2, broadens the program’s scope without creating new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to include lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs in their drug lists (formularies) when equivalent options cost less than current choices. It mandates that formulary tiers and structure must prioritize the drug with the lowest out-of-pocket cost for patients (including co-pays and coinsurance), without restricting access to that option. Health plans must immediately add newly approved generic or biosimilar drugs to their formularies if they cost less than existing covered options. This directly affects patients by reducing their medication costs and health plans/carriers by changing how they manage drug coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 3074 creates legal rights for transportation network company (TNC) drivers in Minnesota to form and join labor organizations for collective bargaining. It directly affects "active drivers" who completed at least the median number of rides in the most recent two quarters, as defined by the bill. The law establishes a certification process where drivers can designate an exclusive representative (like a union) through the Bureau of Mediation Services, while prohibiting TNCs from controlling or dominating driver representation groups ("company unions"). Drivers gain the right to negotiate terms and conditions of work, including grievance procedures, with TNCs, and the bill defines "lockout" to prevent TNCs from restricting driver access to the platform during disputes.

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 2693 establishes a locally controlled housing fund in Minnesota and modifies how state housing infrastructure bonds can be used. The bill expands allowable bond uses to include affordable single-family housing, manufactured home parks, cooperative housing, and senior housing projects that meet specific affordability standards (e.g., housing for households earning 50% or less of area median income). It adds priority rules, such as favoring permanent supportive housing for veterans and senior projects with strong affordability commitments, and requires new construction to include accessible units meeting specific design standards. This bill directly affects local housing authorities, developers, and community organizations seeking state funding for affordable housing projects across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes Minnesota's existing Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board rule (published October 2024) effective starting January 1, 2026, or after federal approval. The rule establishes minimum wage standards for nursing home workers and links these standards to medical assistance reimbursement rates paid to nursing homes. Nursing homes receiving state medical assistance funding will directly be affected, as their reimbursement rates will be adjusted based on compliance with these minimum wage requirements. The change focuses on aligning worker compensation with state payment systems for long-term care facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 1624 establishes a $5 assessment on every mattress and box spring sold in Minnesota, paid by both producers (manufacturers) and retailers. The collected funds will go into a dedicated mattress recycling account, with money annually appropriated to the Pollution Control Agency. This agency will then award grants to local governments to expand and support their mattress recycling programs. The bill directly affects mattress/box spring sellers (through the assessment) and local governments (through grant funding), creating a new state-funded recycling infrastructure.

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.

Maddy summaryHF 1318 requires all individuals purchasing a firearm in Minnesota to present proof of recent firearm safety training before completing the sale. This training must cover safe handling, storage, legal aspects of possession, and include a shooting qualification, demonstrated through certified courses or recent peace officer employment. Sellers must document the transaction with copies of identification, training proof, and firearm details, retaining these records for ten years and providing them to law enforcement upon request. The law applies to all firearm sales except those involving dealers, law enforcement, estate transfers, antique firearms, or collector-to-collector sales of curios/relics. Violating these requirements constitutes a misdemeanor.