Rep. Mike Wiener

Maddy summaryThis bill removes abortion services from coverage under Minnesota's medical assistance and MinnesotaCare programs, which provide health insurance to low-income residents and children. It also eliminates abortion and abortion-related services as a required benefit for most private health plans, excluding only large group plans. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the State Employees Group Insurance Program from including abortion coverage for state workers and their families. These changes amend existing state statutes to restrict public funding and mandate coverage for abortion services while repealing previous requirements that included such services in state health programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax subtraction in Minnesota for income earned by individuals aged 17 and younger, allowing their income to be excluded from taxable income. The provision applies to both earned income, such as wages from a job, and unearned income like interest or dividends, though the subtraction amount is limited for dependents claimed on another taxpayer's return. Specifically, the subtraction is capped at the sum of the child's earned income, any required additions to their adjusted gross income, and the lesser of their unearned income or twice the standard deduction for dependents. The law will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, meaning it will apply to income earned in 2026 and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of funds from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for activities related to the occult, divination, necromancy, soothsaying, Satanism, demonology, or pedophilia. It directly affects state officials managing the arts and cultural heritage fund by adding specific restrictions to existing statutes. The legislation amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 129D.17, to explicitly list these prohibited categories of religious or spiritual practices. Fund administrators must ensure no appropriated money supports these designated activities when distributing grants or funding cultural programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the expiration date on Minnesota's current rule that allows hunters to use crossbows during archery seasons for deer, bear, turkey, common carp, and native rough fish. By repealing the sunset provision, the legislation makes this crossbow hunting authority permanent rather than temporary, ensuring it remains in effect beyond June 30, 2026. The law requires hunters to maintain a valid license for the specific game they pursue and must still follow existing transportation and equipment requirements for crossbows. Hunters and fishing enthusiasts directly affected by this change will see their ability to use crossbows during designated archery seasons continue without interruption.

Maddy summaryHF 2553 repeals Minnesota Statutes section 216B.246, which granted existing electric transmission companies (called "incumbent owners") priority rights to build new transmission lines connected to their facilities under federal planning approvals. This affects public utilities, municipal power agencies, and other entities previously defined as "incumbent electric transmission owners" under the repealed law. The bill removes their automatic right to construct new lines without competitive bidding or review. The change eliminates a specific legal provision without adding new requirements or creating new processes.

Maddy summaryHF 3535 establishes a ten-year property tax exemption for primary residences in Minnesota, effective for assessment year 2027. It applies to homeowners who have owned and lived in the same property as their primary residence for at least 10 continuous years prior to applying, with no outstanding property tax delinquencies. Homeowners must apply to their county assessor with proof of ownership, occupancy, and tax compliance, and the exemption automatically ends if the property is sold, transferred, or no longer used as a primary residence. This bill directly affects qualifying homeowners by reducing their annual property tax burden for a decade, subject to specific eligibility and notification requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3607 requires all retail establishments (businesses selling goods or services to the public) to accept physical U.S. cash (paper money or coins) as payment for transactions. The bill defines "cash" and "retail establishment" to clarify the scope of the requirement. This law takes effect on August 1, 2026, applying to all sales occurring on or after that date. It directly affects businesses that currently decline cash payments, mandating acceptance without exception. The policy change is a straightforward consumer protection measure with no additional mechanisms or exemptions specified.

Maddy summaryHF 3537 repeals Minnesota's estate tax, ending the state tax on inherited property. This directly affects individuals who inherit assets from deceased relatives, particularly those with estates exceeding the exemption threshold. The bill removes references to the estate tax from multiple tax statutes (including sections on income tax, tribal tax agreements, and return requirements) and sets an effective date of January 1, 2026, for estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2025. The changes ensure other tax laws no longer reference the repealed estate tax.

Maddy summaryHF 3545 repeals a requirement for Minnesota to adopt new residential energy codes with specific efficiency targets. It removes Section 326B.106, subdivision 1(g), which would have mandated the commissioner to adopt updated residential energy codes starting in 2026, aiming for a 70% reduction in energy use by 2038. This repeal eliminates the obligation to implement these incremental code changes and the associated reporting requirements for residential construction. The bill directly affects residential builders, developers, and local building officials who would have been required to comply with future energy code standards. The repeal does not impact existing energy codes or commercial energy code requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3538 prohibits public school instruction about gender identity for students in kindergarten through grade 8, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. It requires schools to notify parents or guardians about changes to a student's health, well-being, or services, and mandates parental written consent before administering certain health screenings to K-8 students. The bill also establishes a grant program to fund firearms safety, archery, hunting, and angling activities in school physical education courses. These provisions directly affect Minnesota public schools, students, and parents, with all major sections taking effect in the 2026-2027 school year.