Rep. Krista Knudsen

Maddy summaryHF 321 prohibits undocumented noncitizens who have been sentenced to prison from accessing early release programs and prosecutor-led sentence reductions. Specifically, it blocks eligibility for early supervised release, conditional medical release, earned incentive credits, and other programs that would shorten a prison term (Section 1). It also makes undocumented noncitizens ineligible for prosecutor-initiated sentence adjustments under Minnesota Statutes 609.133 (Section 2). This law directly affects individuals convicted of crimes and incarcerated in Minnesota who lack legal immigration status. The bill takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 1325 modifies Minnesota's earned sick and safe time law to provide employers with a grace period and adjust pay requirements. It adds a penalty waiver (Section 1), preventing monetary penalties for initial violations until after January 1, 2026. The bill also adjusts pay rates: small employers (25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees) must pay half the hourly rate, and new employers in their first 12 months may optionally provide paid leave (Section 2). Employees accrue one hour of leave for every 30-40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours annually (Section 5), while expanding the definition of "family member" to include more relatives and up to one annually designated individual (Section 4). This primarily affects Minnesota employers and their workers covered under the law.

Maddy summaryHF 358 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Minnesota governors to two terms in office. If approved by voters in 2026, the amendment would change the state constitution to state that "a person elected twice to the office of governor is no longer an eligible candidate." The measure requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the ballot question asking "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to limit a governor to two terms?" This change would apply to all future governor elections, affecting any candidate seeking a third term after the amendment takes effect. The bill does not change current term limits for governors serving before the amendment is approved.

Maddy summaryHF 543 appropriates state funds for county attorney offices to cover costs of attending anti-human trafficking training. The bill allocates money from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to reimburse all participating Minnesota county attorney offices equally for training expenses. This provides direct financial support to county prosecutors who handle human trafficking cases, ensuring consistent access to specialized training resources.

Maddy summaryHF 1300 prohibits Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services and Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families from taking away public assistance benefits (like food or cash aid) based on a person's or their dependents' vaccination status. It directly affects individuals receiving benefits, as well as parents, caregivers, or guardians responsible for others' care. The bill amends state law to explicitly state that agencies cannot rescind benefits due to vaccination status for anyone under their care. This is a concrete policy change ensuring vaccination status cannot be used as a reason to deny or cut public assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a provision in Minnesota law that previously barred charging individuals with attempting sexual extortion. It allows prosecutors to file attempt charges for sexual extortion attempts, which were previously unchargeable under Minnesota Statutes 609.3458, subdivision 3. The change applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, directly affecting individuals who make threats to coerce sexual acts without completing the act. This policy shift enables legal accountability for preparatory acts in sexual extortion cases.

Maddy summaryHF 2 requires state agency employees to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and legislative committee leaders when they have reason to believe fraud exists in agency programs. It mandates that all state agencies post current organizational charts online with contact details for leadership and division heads. The bill strengthens grant management by requiring agencies to conduct unannounced monitoring visits before final payments for grants over $50,000 (and annually for grants over $250,000), perform financial reconciliations prior to disbursement, and withhold funds from grantees failing to submit required progress reports. Violating these grant management requirements constitutes a misdemeanor under the bill.

Maddy summaryHF 765 requires judges to impose longer prison sentences for repeat violent offenders in Minnesota. Specifically, it mandates aggravated sentences (up to the statutory maximum) for those convicted of a violent felony with two or more prior violent felony convictions and deemed a danger to public safety. The bill also requires consecutive sentencing for these offenders and prohibits probation, parole, work release, or early release until the full sentence is served - overriding several existing statutes. This applies only to violent offenders convicted of a felony on or after August 1, 2025, and excludes certain offenses like those under sections 152.023 or 152.024.

Maddy summaryHF 1000 would allow Minnesota taxpayers to deduct all Social Security benefits from their state taxable income without income-based phaseouts. Currently, deductions for Social Security benefits decrease or disappear once income exceeds thresholds (e.g., $100,000 for joint filers). This bill removes those phaseout limits, making the deduction "unlimited" for all qualifying taxpayers. It directly affects Minnesota residents receiving Social Security benefits who file state income tax returns. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 480 requires Minnesota county attorneys to document specific details (including dismissal reasons, victim input, and offense dates) when dismissing felony charges. It mandates that county attorneys forward this anonymized data to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and post it on public websites. The Commission must then include a summary and analysis of these dismissal reports in its annual legislative report. The law applies to felony dismissals occurring on or after August 1, 2025.