Rep. Krista Knudsen

Maddy summaryHF 797 lowers tax rates for Minnesota gambling organizations and expands the tax brackets for lawful gambling revenue. It reduces the tax rate on the first $87,500 of taxable gambling revenue from 8.3% to 3% and adjusts other brackets, such as lowering the rate above $157,500 from 33.5% to 26%. The bill directly affects casinos, sports betting operations, and other licensed gambling entities, excluding sports-themed tipboards (which remain exempt). These changes take effect July 1, 2025, and aim to reduce the tax burden on gambling revenue under Minnesota's current structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies and expands Minnesota's self-defense laws by removing the requirement to retreat before using force to protect oneself or one's home. It specifically eliminates the "duty to retreat" outside the home, broadens the definition of "dwelling" to include vehicles and adjacent areas like porches or decks, and creates a legal presumption that force was justified when someone enters a dwelling or occupied vehicle by stealth or force. The law applies directly to Minnesotans defending their homes, vehicles, or occupants against unlawful entry or threats, and extends protections to individuals defending others in these spaces. These changes codify existing common law principles into statute while removing restrictions on defensive force in specified scenarios.

Maddy summaryHF 803 modifies Minnesota's voluntary prekindergarten program eligibility by adding a new criterion: children "defined as at-risk by the school district" (Section 1.7(x)). This change expands access for children who may not qualify under existing criteria like income level or foster care status but are identified by their school as needing early education support. The bill does not alter other eligibility pathways (e.g., free/reduced meals, homelessness, or English language learner status) or funding mechanisms. It remains focused on expanding access for at-risk preschoolers through school district assessment, without changing program administration or health screening requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 960 modifies the design of Minnesota driver's licenses and identification cards to include specific markings. It requires licenses for people under 21 to be marked "Under-21" and allows those 65+ to request a "senior" marking. The bill also updates REAL ID compliance markings, adding "temporary" for licenses issued to people with temporary legal status and requiring noncompliant licenses to display "not for federal identification" and "not for voting" under certain circumstances. These design changes apply to all new licenses issued on or after October 1, 2025, and directly affect license holders based on age, citizenship status, or compliance with federal ID requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 892 allows Minnesota parents to opt their children out of school face covering requirements without needing to provide a reason or health documentation. It applies to all public school districts and charter schools that require face coverings on school premises. Schools must permit the opt-out upon parent notification and cannot discipline students or treat them differently for this choice. The law takes effect the day after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryHF 894 amends Minnesota law to explicitly exclude undocumented noncitizens from eligibility for MinnesotaCare, the state's health insurance program. The bill defines "undocumented noncitizens" as individuals residing in the U.S. without approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This change directly affects noncitizens without legal immigration status who previously qualified for MinnesotaCare, while maintaining eligibility for U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawfully present noncitizens under existing rules. The amendment takes effect the day after final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 804 modifies the affidavit of candidacy requirements for local candidates. It adds a new rule stating that to run for county, municipal, or school board office, a candidate must not have been convicted of terroristic threats under Minnesota Statute 609.713. This change directly affects individuals seeking these local elected positions by disqualifying those with such convictions from filing their candidacy. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, specifically adding this eligibility requirement to the affidavit process.

Maddy summaryHF 636 removes the requirement for a permit to carry a firearm in public places for eligible Minnesotans, while creating an optional permit system. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 624.714 to state that anyone not prohibited by state or federal law (and at least 21 years old) may carry a firearm without a permit in public places - defined as government-owned property or private property open to the public, excluding homes, businesses, gun shops, and hunting areas. An optional permit, which requires proof of pistol safety training and background checks for disqualifying offenses, remains available for those who choose it. This change directly affects eligible residents who currently need permits to carry firearms in public, eliminating that barrier while preserving the option for a permit.

Maddy summaryHF 70 withdraws Minnesota from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a multi-state agreement that would have awarded the state's presidential electors based on the national popular vote winner. The bill amends Minnesota election law to remove the requirement to follow this compact, returning the process to the state's traditional method of selecting electors based on the winner of Minnesota's statewide popular vote. It repeals two specific sections of law (208.051 and 208.052) that implemented the compact's provisions. This change directly affects how Minnesota's presidential electors are chosen in future elections, aligning with the state's current electoral system.

Maddy summaryHF 166 updates Minnesota's estate tax rules to match current federal estate tax exclusion amounts. It sets the Minnesota estate tax threshold at $3 million for estates of decedents dying in 2020 and later, aligning with the federal exclusion amount. This means estates valued below $3 million will no longer owe Minnesota estate tax, directly affecting decedents' estates that would have previously been subject to tax under older thresholds. The change takes effect for estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2024.