Rep. Esther Agbaje

Maddy summaryHF 1884 requires Minnesota retailers selling mercury-containing skin-lightening products to display visible warning signs starting August 1, 2026. The signs must state that these products are illegal and warn users of health risks like skin damage, and must be placed where customers can easily see them while shopping. The signage must be developed jointly by state health and pollution agencies and displayed in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, French, Ethiopian, and Oromo languages. This bill directly affects retailers in Minnesota who sell such products.

Maddy summaryHF 683 allows Minnesota cities and counties to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) for local elections, such as mayoral or city council races. It establishes rules for how RCV would work, including counting votes by voter preferences and reallocating votes when candidates are eliminated. The bill permits local jurisdictions to use electronic voting systems that automatically handle vote reallocation, and it appropriates funds for implementation. This bill directly affects local governments choosing to implement RCV and voters in those jurisdictions participating in local elections. It does not change state or federal election rules.

Maddy summaryHF 2707 appropriates $11.125 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to support sexually exploited youth or youth at risk of sexual exploitation under Minnesota Statutes §256K.47. At least $9 million annually must fund street outreach, emergency shelter, regional navigators, and housing services for these youth. The bill directly affects vulnerable youth in Minnesota by providing dedicated funding for critical safe harbor resources and housing support. It establishes concrete funding mechanisms without altering existing statutes or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2692 modifies Minnesota's cosmetology licensing requirements to mandate specific training on textured hair for cosmetologists and hair technicians. The bill requires all training programs to include theoretical and practical instruction covering all hair types and textures - including coil, curl, wave patterns, strand thickness, and volume - throughout the 900-hour curriculum. This replaces prior requirements (repealing Laws 2024, chapter 120, article 3, section 2) and directly affects cosmetology schools, licensing boards, and professionals seeking or renewing licenses in Minnesota. The law ensures trainees gain demonstrated knowledge of procedures for diverse hair textures before practicing.

Maddy summaryHF 2724 provides a sales tax exemption for construction materials used at Minneapolis' Upper Harbor Terminal Amphitheater. It exempts purchases made by contractors, subcontractors, or the amphitheater operator between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, from Minnesota's sales and use tax. The tax collected on these materials will be refunded through the same process used for other qualifying projects under state law. This directly affects those purchasing construction materials for the specific amphitheater infrastructure project during the stated timeframe.

Maddy summaryHF 2754 requires an independent audit of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's compliance with equal opportunity laws and programs, specifically focusing on disparities in housing access for African Americans. It appropriates funds from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to hire an auditor and establish a citizen oversight committee, working with the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage. The committee must inventory relevant equal opportunity laws, oversee the audit, and submit findings and recommendations to the governor and legislative committees before the 2026 legislative session begins. This bill directly affects the agency's operations and accountability regarding fair housing practices.

Maddy summaryHF 2598 appropriates $1,936,000 from the health care access fund to the Commissioner of Human Services for one-time grants to navigator organizations. These are organizations with active MNsure grant services contracts that helped enroll people in medical assistance or MinnesotaCare during Q2 2025. The grant amount for each organization is based on the number of successful enrollments they assisted during that period. Funds are available until June 30, 2027, and are specifically for organizations currently serving as MNsure navigators.

Maddy summaryHF 855 appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund to the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture for a study on microplastics in meat and poultry sold in Minnesota. The study, to be conducted in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the University of Minnesota, must be completed by February 1, 2026, with findings reported to relevant legislative committees. This bill directly affects state agencies (Agriculture, Health) and the University of Minnesota, which will conduct the research. The funding is a one-time appropriation, and the bill does not establish new regulations but requires a factual assessment of microplastic presence in food products.

Maddy summaryHF 2452 prohibits businesses from using artificial intelligence to automatically adjust product prices in real time based on factors like market demand, competitor pricing, inventory levels, or customer behavior. This directly affects retailers and online sellers that currently use AI-driven dynamic pricing systems. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" broadly and makes it illegal for any person to use such systems to set or change prices dynamically. Enforcement would be handled by the Minnesota Attorney General under existing consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryHF 1096 allocates $2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2 million for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's workforce development fund to Summit Academy OIC. The funding directly supports Summit Academy OIC in expanding student enrollment, employment placement, GED preparation, STEM programming, and launching a dental assistant training program in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota. It requires the organization to collaborate with employers to place students after they complete the dental assistant program. This bill provides concrete financial support for specific workforce development initiatives at Summit Academy OIC.