Rep. Esther Agbaje

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $4 million from the state's general fund to Northgate Development, LLC to provide workforce training for people facing barriers to employment in renewable energy and related construction sectors. The funding will support the Regional Apprenticeship Training Center in Minneapolis by covering facility costs, curriculum development, equipment purchases, and services such as job placement and program evaluation. Eligible training areas include solar, wind, and geothermal systems, energy efficiency improvements, battery storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and grid management technologies. The legislation requires the program to prioritize outreach to residents of underserved communities and individuals who face challenges in finding work.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state general levy specifically for residential homestead property in Minnesota, which will be collected starting with taxes payable in 2027. The legislation creates a formula where the amount levied on homeowners is calculated to ensure cities receive a specific level of state aid, replacing the previous method that excluded homesteads from this specific tax pool. Additionally, the bill modifies how state aid is distributed to cities by guaranteeing that each city receives an amount equal to its unmet need or its prior year's certified aid, whichever is greater. These changes aim to adjust the funding structure for local governments while introducing a dedicated tax source for residential properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.47 million from the state's general fund to support the Youth Stabilization Program, which aims to improve financial literacy education for Minnesota students from kindergarten through grade 12. The funding is designated for Build Wealth Minnesota to develop and distribute research-based curriculum, assist school districts in integrating these lessons into their existing courses, and provide instructional support to teachers. Additionally, the legislation requires the grant recipient to submit a detailed report by October 1, 2028, detailing how the funds were used and the outcomes achieved for participating schools and students.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill requires employers to inform their employees within 72 hours if a federal immigration agency plans to inspect their employment records. It also prohibits employers from allowing federal immigration officers into nonpublic areas of their business, such as offices or storage rooms, unless the officers present a valid court warrant. To enforce these rules, the state will provide a standard notice template for businesses to use, and employers face civil fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for failing to comply with the notification or access restrictions. The law directly impacts businesses in Minnesota and aims to ensure workers are aware of federal inspections while limiting unauthorized access to private workspaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health plans in Minnesota that offer maternity benefits to cover infertility treatment and standard fertility preservation services for their enrollees. It defines infertility based on medical criteria and specifies that coverage must match the cost-sharing terms applied to maternity care, including limits on oocyte retrievals but unlimited embryo transfers. The legislation also mandates that health plans cannot impose additional restrictions, waiting periods, or benefit maximums on these services beyond what applies to maternity coverage. Additionally, the state will reimburse health plans for the costs of providing these new benefits, but only for services that would not have been covered without this law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Minnesota Business Recovery Loan Program to help businesses that have suffered financial losses due to increased immigration enforcement activities in the state. It appropriates $100 million in fiscal year 2026, with $18 million designated for zero-interest loans to businesses in greater Minnesota and $82 million for zero-interest loans to businesses in the seven-county metropolitan area through nonprofit lenders. To qualify, businesses must be located in Minnesota, owned by state residents, demonstrate a revenue loss of more than 30 percent between enactment and December 1, 2025, and show that losses resulted from staffing shortages, reduced customer access, or other immigration enforcement-related factors. The program provides loans ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 depending on business size and location, which must be used exclusively for business operations in Minnesota and cannot be used to repay prior debt or for real estate speculation.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how members, officers, and employees of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives can use legislative email addresses, telephone numbers, and office space. It prohibits giving out official legislative contact information to anyone who is not a legislator, staff member, or authorized employee, and limits member phone lines to exclusive use by the member and their assigned staff. The law also requires written notification to caucus leaders before allowing non-legislators to occupy assigned office space. Enforcement and penalties for violations are handled through rules adopted by the Senate and House, with courts barred from intervening in disputes over these provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 1426 establishes a statewide program requiring manufacturers of electronic products (like circuit boards and batteries) to fund collection and recycling of covered items through a reimbursement board. It directly affects electronics manufacturers by mandating their financial responsibility for end-of-life products and consumers by creating designated collection sites. The bill prohibits mercury in batteries and defines specific categories of "covered products," including circuit boards and batteries (excluding lead-acid types), while exempting medical devices and vehicles. It also appropriates funds to implement the program and replaces outdated battery management rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tenants in Minnesota to pay for necessary repairs to their rental units and deduct those costs from their rent if the landlord fails to fix violations after being notified. Before making repairs, tenants must provide written notice to the landlord at least 14 days in advance, giving the landlord a chance to address the issue themselves. If the landlord disputes the need for repairs, they must arrange an inspection within 14 days, or the tenant may proceed with the work. Tenants must obtain bids from two contractors and choose the lowest price, while the total amount they can deduct from rent is limited to two months' worth of rent within a year. The law also prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants, such as by evicting them or raising their rent, for exercising these repair rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $2 million from the state's general fund to the Power of People Leadership Institute to support its Girls Taking Action and Boys of Hope programs in fiscal year 2027. The funding will provide grants to offer mentoring, academic help, counseling, and career guidance to students, with a specific focus on girls of color facing various barriers. These one-time appropriations aim to improve graduation rates, encourage higher education, and reduce violence and behavioral issues in participating schools across the seven-county metropolitan area and St. Cloud. Additionally, the bill requires that part of the money for the girls' program be used to expand services beyond the main metropolitan region.