Rep. Esther Agbaje

Maddy summaryHF 3779 requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover doula services - providing emotional and physical support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum - without any deductibles, co-pays, or cost-sharing for enrollees. It prohibits health plans from imposing referral requirements, utilization reviews, or quantity limits on this coverage. Starting January 1, 2027, the commissioner of commerce will reimburse health plans for the costs of covering doula services, funded by annual state appropriations beginning in 2028. This bill directly affects health plan enrollees, particularly pregnant people seeking doula support, and health insurance companies that must now include this coverage.

Maddy summarySF 2691 establishes clear standards for rent, utility charges, and fees in Minnesota manufactured home parks. It requires uniform rent rates (except for lot size/location or special services), prohibits fees based on household size, guests, home size, or occupancy, and mandates itemized billing for utilities. The bill also requires park owners to address safety hazards like dangerous trees within 14 days of resident notice and gives residents 60 days' written notice before rent increases. These changes directly affect manufactured home park residents and owners by increasing transparency and limiting arbitrary charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Metropolitan Airports Commission to increase transparency regarding flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport that transport detained immigrants. Specifically, it mandates that the airport operator notify the commission whenever U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrives or departs with passengers being held in restraints. The legislation also requires the commission to install a live-streaming camera to record these flights and to submit monthly reports detailing the number of detained individuals, including minors, on each trip. These measures are designed to provide the public and state officials with real-time data and regular updates on immigration-related air traffic at the airport.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's existing African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act to require more detailed data collection and reporting on child welfare cases involving African American and other disproportionately represented children. It mandates that the commissioner of children, youth, and families conduct annual reviews of child welfare cases, collecting specific data on maltreatment reports, service access, removals, reunifications, and permanency outcomes broken down by race. The bill also requires agencies to identify barriers to family reunification and develop remediation plans with measurable goals when disparities are found in child welfare outcomes. Additionally, the legislation appropriates funding to support staffing and service provision for implementing these requirements, with the first report due by October 1, 2031.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill creates a $100 million relief program to help small businesses that experienced significant revenue declines between July 2024 and February 2026, which the bill attributes to federal enforcement activity. The program provides grants to operators of indoor retail or food market spaces with at least 25 small tenant businesses, requiring that most funds be used to offer rent forgiveness to existing tenants. To qualify, businesses must be Minnesota-based, have fewer than 50 employees, operate from a physical location, and show at least a 20 percent drop in revenue or sales during the specified period. Grant applications will be processed through a lottery system, with funds usable for payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, and other operational expenses, and the state must report on the program's outcomes by December 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3119 establishes minimum pay standards for Minnesota teachers and certain unlicensed school staff starting July 1, 2026. It sets teacher compensation thresholds at $60,000-$100,000 annually (based on education and experience) and a $25 hourly wage floor for unlicensed staff who regularly interact with students. The bill requires annual inflation adjustments using the Consumer Price Index, beginning in 2030, and creates state aid programs to help school districts cover these costs. School districts, charter schools, and other public education entities directly affected must meet these standards or receive state funding to do so.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 3556) is a naming resolution that commemorates Melissa Hortman by designating Minnesota's community solar garden program as the "Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program." It does not change any program rules, funding, or operations - it only adds a short title to Minnesota Statutes section 216B.1641. The bill directly honors Melissa Hortman, a former state legislator, through this naming. It is procedural and has no policy impact beyond the name change.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill allocates $4.6 million in state funding to provide access to an online rental education course called "Rent Smart, Wise and Ready." The funds are designated for individuals and families seeking rental assistance, as well as households participating in subsidized housing programs. The Housing Finance Agency will use the money to purchase curriculum licenses and must contract with Build Wealth MN to deliver the program statewide. This is a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows residential tenants in Minnesota to end their lease early if they lose their income or have it reduced to the point where they cannot pay rent. To exercise this right, a tenant must provide their landlord with at least 14 days' written notice along with proof of the income loss, such as an employer statement or a sworn personal declaration if official documentation is unavailable. The law explicitly prevents landlords from forcing tenants to sign agreements that require longer notice periods or waive this specific termination right. If followed correctly, the lease ends on the date specified in the notice, though the tenant remains responsible for any rent owed during the 14-day warning period.

Maddy summaryHF 4842 allocates $2 million from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to Build Wealth MN. This one-time appropriation is intended to expand and administer a special purpose credit loan program that provides affordable mortgage financing to underserved borrowers in communities of color. The funds will be managed by the commissioner of the Housing Finance Agency to create a revolving loan pool for these specific lending activities.