Rep. Esther Agbaje

Maddy summaryMinnesota's HF 1146 establishes the "Minnesota SNAP Step Up for Seniors" program, which provides a state-funded supplement to federal SNAP benefits for Minnesotans aged 55 or older. The bill ensures that seniors receiving SNAP benefits below $50 per month receive additional state funds to bring their total monthly benefit up to at least $50. The supplement is added to existing SNAP benefits and is not counted as income for other programs. The bill appropriates state funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover this supplemental benefit.

Maddy summaryHF 2208 appropriates $... from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to support the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center. The funding directly provides resources for three specific programs: arts and cultural expansion at the Mary T. Wellcome Child Development Center, digital arts programming for marginalized youth, and trauma-informed arts services for both adults and youth. This bill enables the center to continue offering these community-based cultural and support services through dedicated state funding. It does not change laws or create new policies, but provides direct financial support for existing programming.

Maddy summaryHF 999 appropriates $100 million to the Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) to administer a down payment assistance program for first-generation homebuyers. The program assists households where at least one adult never owned a home or lost one to foreclosure, with income at or below 100% of the area median income. It provides a no-interest loan covering up to 10% of a home's purchase price (capped at $32,000 initially), forgiven 20% annually over five years, usable for down payments or closing costs with a qualifying mortgage. MMCDC must report annually on program usage, demographics, and outcomes to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHF 498 appropriates $400,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $400,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to provide a grant to the Urban League Twin Cities. The funds are specifically designated to support and expand the organization's workforce training and wealth-building programs. This one-time funding directly affects the Urban League Twin Cities' ability to deliver these services in the Twin Cities area. The bill provides concrete financial support for these existing community programs without altering broader policy.

Maddy summaryHF 2145 increases penalties for Minnesota employers who commit specific misconduct related to unemployment benefits. It amends statutes to set penalties at the greater of $500 or 100% of the financial harm caused - such as overpaid benefits, unpaid benefits, or unpaid employer taxes - when employers make false statements, fail to disclose material facts, or collude with applicants to fraudulently obtain benefits. Employers who misclassify employees as independent contractors (instead of employees) face an additional $10,000 penalty per misclassified worker. The bill directly affects employers who engage in these violations, making penalties stricter and more directly tied to the financial impact of their actions.

Maddy summaryHF 2121 appropriates $75,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 for fiscal year 2027 (totaling $150,000) from the general fund to the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition in Minneapolis. The funds are designated for the Coalition's ambassador program to manage, maintain, and oversee the West Broadway Avenue corridor. This one-time funding directly supports local business and neighborhood efforts to improve the corridor's appearance and functionality. The bill does not create new policies or regulations, but provides specific financial support for an existing community initiative.

Maddy summaryHF 2142 modifies Minnesota's historic structure rehabilitation tax credit program to allow a second assignment of credit certificates. Previously, credit certificates could only be assigned once to another taxpayer; this bill permits the initial recipient or first assignee to transfer the credit to a second assignee. The bill requires any assignment (including the second) to be reported to the state commissioner within 30 days. This change directly affects developers and taxpayers involved in historic rehabilitation projects who use the credit for financing, making it easier to secure project funding through multiple credit transfers.

Maddy summaryHF 2122 appropriates $125,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $125,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide a one-time grant to the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition. The funding supports the coalition's Youth Jobs program in North Minneapolis, which offers youth training in soft skills, marketing, and advertising. This bill directly affects the coalition and young people in North Minneapolis by providing resources for job readiness training. The key provision is the specific allocation of state funds to this local economic development initiative.

Maddy summaryHF 2146 requires partnership entities in Minnesota's Intergovernmental Misclassification Enforcement and Education Partnership to submit annual reports starting March 1, 2026, detailing estimates of misclassified workers, costs to workers, impacts on fair competitors, and industry-specific misclassification rates. These reports must also include analyses from state departments on how misclassification affects unemployment insurance, family medical benefits, income tax collection, and workers' compensation programs. The bill appropriates general fund money for fiscal years 2026-2027 to the Departments of Labor, Revenue, Employment, Commerce, and the Attorney General specifically for analyzing misclassification fraud impacts. It directly affects partnership entities and state agencies responsible for labor enforcement and program oversight.

Maddy summaryHF 2144 appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program under Minnesota Statutes § 462A.204, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill directly affects families in Minnesota at risk of homelessness by providing funding for prevention and assistance services. Key provisions include directing the Housing Finance Agency to administer the program using these allocated funds. This is a funding bill with no new policy requirements, solely authorizing budget resources for an existing state program.