Rep. Krista Knudsen

Maddy summaryHF 363 establishes a $5 per acre property tax credit for agricultural land certified under Minnesota's agricultural water quality program in specific counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona). This credit directly affects farmers who have land certified by the Department of Agriculture under the water quality program in those counties. The credit reduces property taxes payable to local governments, with the state reimbursing counties and school districts through annual appropriations from the general fund. Payments for the credit will begin for property taxes due in 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2961 expands Minnesota's sales tax exemption for certain restaurant meals and drinks. It adds two new exemptions: (1) complimentary meals and beverages (including alcohol) provided to customers at no cost, and (2) employee meals and non-alcoholic beverages purchased by restaurants. These exemptions apply to restaurants defined under Minnesota Statutes §157.15, subdivision 12. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, removing sales tax from these specific transactions.

Maddy summaryHF 2794 exempts dietary supplements from Minnesota's sales and use tax, which previously applied to them as taxable food items. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 297A.61 to specifically add dietary supplements to the list of items excluded from taxation under the "taxable food" definition. This change directly affects dietary supplement manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who purchase these products. The key mechanism is a targeted tax code amendment that removes dietary supplements from the taxable food category, aligning Minnesota's policy with similar exemptions for other health-related products.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to clarify and limit optometrists' authority to prescribe or administer certain drugs. It specifically sets new time limits: oral antivirals may not be prescribed for more than 10 days, oral steroids for more than 14 days (requiring physician consultation), and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for more than seven days. These changes apply directly to licensed optometrists in Minnesota who prescribe medications for eye conditions under the Board of Optometry's rules. The bill maintains existing restrictions on intravenous injections, invasive surgery, and Schedule II/III oral drugs.

Maddy summaryHF 987 modifies Minnesota's annexation election rules to prevent immediate re-attempts after a referendum defeat. It requires that if an annexation vote fails, no new annexation proceeding for the same area can be started within two years - unless initiated by a majority of property owners in that area and supported by neighboring townships or municipalities. This change directly affects cities, townships, and property owners involved in annexation disputes, altering the process for restarting such proceedings. The bill focuses on procedural clarity, ensuring annexation efforts cannot be repeatedly pushed without broader local consensus.

Maddy summaryHF 2885 allows school staff with valid firearm permits and completed training to carry weapons on school property. It requires the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to provide free annual active shooter training to eligible teachers and employees at public, charter, and postsecondary schools. The bill amends Minnesota law to clarify that permitted school staff carrying firearms on campus will not face misdemeanor charges under existing school property firearm restrictions. This directly affects certified school staff who hold current permit-to-carry licenses and complete the mandated training program. The policy changes focus on modifying penalties for permitted staff while maintaining restrictions for others on school grounds.

Maddy summaryHF 1840 amends Minnesota Statutes section 200.031 to establish a specific standard for determining the residence of individuals under civil commitment orders. It states that such individuals' residence is defined as their last known residential address prior to the commitment order, rather than their current location in a facility. This change directly affects people subject to civil commitment under chapters 253B or 253D of Minnesota law. The bill updates the existing voting residence rules to clarify that commitment status does not automatically change an individual's voting residence. This is a technical amendment to existing election law, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHF 2877 modifies Minnesota's rules for group family day care centers (home-based programs caring for up to 18 children). It specifies exact child-adult ratios and age limits: for example, a 10-child center requires one adult for up to 10 children under 11 (with no more than 8 under 5 and 2 under 12 months but over six weeks). Larger centers (12 or 18 children) have adjusted ratios, with 18-child centers requiring two adults (a helper may replace the second adult if only one infant under 12 months is present). These changes directly affect home-based day care providers and the state agencies (like the commissioner of human services) that license and regulate these programs.

Maddy summaryHF 2826 provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in specific projects at Pequot Lakes schools. It directly affects Independent School District No. 186 by exempting sales tax on materials purchased between 2026 and 2036 for additions/renovations at Eagle View Elementary, Pequot Lakes Middle School, Pequot Lakes High School, and outdoor facilities. The bill requires sellers to collect the tax initially but then refund it to the school district, funded from the state general fund. This exemption applies only to projects meeting the specified criteria within the defined timeframe.

Maddy summaryHF 487 appropriates $600,000 total ($300,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027) from the state general fund to provide a grant to Wellness in the Woods. The funding supports daily peer support and special sessions for three specific groups: individuals in substance use recovery, people transitioning out of incarceration, and those who have experienced trauma. The grant is administered through the commissioner of human services. This is a direct funding mechanism for community-based mental health and recovery services.