Rep. Esther Agbaje

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to support Turning Point Inc., a nonprofit organization, in building a 32-bed residential facility called "Ms. Bea's" in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The funding will cover design, construction, and renovation costs including mechanical systems, ADA compliance upgrades, and spaces for bedrooms, a kitchen, recreation, and community areas. The money is designated as a one-time grant available until the project is completed or abandoned, with the bill taking effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summarySF 3596 creates a one-time state-funded emergency rental assistance program for Minnesota counties and Tribal governments to help eligible households facing housing instability. Eligible households must have income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, experienced financial hardship after August 31, 2025, and be at risk of eviction or homelessness. The program covers up to two months of prospective rent, past-due rent, utility costs, or related fees for qualifying households. Counties and Tribal governments must distribute funds within four months of the bill's effective date and return any unspent money to the state.

Maddy summaryHF 2499 expands Minnesota's renter's credit to match the maximum refund amount available under the homestead credit for homeowners. The bill adjusts the calculation so renters with household incomes up to $137,789 can receive a maximum credit of $3,500, aligning with the homestead credit's highest tier. This change directly affects renters who pay rent considered equivalent to property taxes, ensuring they receive the same maximum tax credit as homeowners. The key mechanism revises the credit formula in Minnesota Statutes 290.0693 to eliminate the previous disparity in maximum benefit amounts between renters and homeowners.

Maddy summaryHF 1944 amends Minnesota law to require all state agencies, counties, cities, and towns to use federal standard time (not daylight saving time) year-round starting in 2025. It changes how time is referenced in state law to align with federal standards, meaning state government operations and references to time must follow federal rules. The bill automatically expires if federal law ever permits states to adopt year-round "advanced standard time." It directly affects all Minnesota local and state government entities that reference time in their operations or laws.

Maddy summaryHF 3279 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Minnesota's sales tax rate by 0.375% (three-eighths of one percent) starting July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2052. The revenue would fund three dedicated housing programs: 25% to a homeownership opportunity fund for owner-occupied housing, 25% to a community and household stability fund for homelessness prevention services, and 50% to a rental opportunity fund for rental assistance and housing development. All Minnesotans purchasing taxable goods would pay the slightly higher tax, with funds specifically targeting housing stability for vulnerable households. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election before taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Minnesota's Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, raising the annual appropriation from $10.27 million to $45.27 million. The additional funds will be used to reduce homelessness risks and improve program effectiveness, with a portion designated for the housing development fund. The legislation also grants agencies flexibility in awarding grants to existing grantees and allows new grantees in certain areas to work with advisory committees or local care systems without meeting specific statutory requirements. These changes take effect immediately and establish a future funding base of $10.72 million starting in fiscal year 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's Net Investment Income Tax to include all trade or business income that is currently exempt from self-employment taxes, affecting high-income individuals, estates, and trusts. The key change removes the previous exclusion for certain business income, ensuring it is subject to the one percent tax on net investment income exceeding $1,000,000. The legislation applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and maintains existing rules for calculating the tax for non-residents, estates, and trusts based on income allocated to Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time $300,000 grant program in fiscal year 2027 to help children in foster care who are noncitizen immigrants obtain legal documentation. The funding will support partnerships between social services agencies and qualified nonprofit organizations to identify children lacking birth certificates or Social Security cards and assist them in gaining permanent legal status. To receive funds, applicants must demonstrate a collaboration between a social services agency and a nonprofit with specific expertise in immigration relief, legal representation, and serving diverse communities. The bill also includes confidentiality protections for the private data of children receiving services under the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to provide social services and mental health support to victims of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation. The program will fund organizations that help affected individuals with basic needs like housing, food, and employment assistance, as well as mental health care. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, tribal nations, and legal service providers, with priority given to areas most impacted by the operation. The bill appropriates unspecified funding from the state's general fund for one-time use through June 2029, requiring grantees to report on program participation and outcomes.

Maddy summaryHF 997 requires Minnesota landlords to have a valid "just cause" reason to terminate a tenancy or refuse lease renewal, directly affecting residential tenants and landlords statewide. The bill lists specific allowed reasons for termination, including nonpayment of rent (after a cure period), repeated late payments (five times in 12 months), material lease breaches, or landlord needing the unit for themselves or family. Landlords must provide written notice detailing the reason and, for certain cases like withdrawing from the rental market, give tenants 180 days' notice and a one-month relocation fee. It also prohibits landlords from re-renting withdrawn properties within five years without potential liability for damages. This bill aims to strengthen tenant protections by limiting arbitrary evictions under Minnesota law.