Rep. Sydney Jordan

Maddy summaryHF 2743 modifies rules for Minnesota's Department of Education Office of the Inspector General (OIG). It establishes clearer procedures for the OIG to access records during investigations, classifies certain data as confidential, and provides immunity for individuals reporting fraud or participating in investigations. The bill also creates a formal process for notifying entities about investigations, allowing appeals, and withholding payments when fraud is suspected. It updates definitions of fraud, theft, waste, and abuse to align with current oversight needs. These changes directly affect the OIG, the Department of Education, and educational institutions handling student data under federal reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million from the state general fund for Minnesota's Lawns to Legumes program, which supports homeowners in replacing grass lawns with soil-enriching legume plants like clover. The funds, available until June 2029, are administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources and can be used to partner with local governments and organizations. The program aims to improve soil health and reduce fertilizer use by incentivizing legume-based lawn alternatives. This is a one-time funding allocation for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2620 appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2026 to address emerald ash borer infestations in the metro area and $5 million for community tree-planting grants statewide. The metro funds support local governments for ash borer response activities like waste facility planning, wood transportation, and disposal. The tree-planting grants, administered by the Department of Natural Resources under existing law, help communities replace lost trees. Both funds are one-time appropriations available until June 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 2621 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for community tree-planting grants administered by the Metropolitan Council. The funds are designated for fiscal year 2026 as a one-time allocation, available until June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects communities in the metropolitan area eligible to apply for these grants under Minnesota Statutes section 473.355, providing financial support for local tree-planting initiatives. The legislation establishes a specific funding mechanism without altering existing environmental policies.

Maddy summaryHF 1340 amends Minnesota law to allow housing infrastructure bonds to fund adaptive reuse projects (converting existing buildings like offices or stores into housing) for permanent and supportive housing. It directly affects low-income households earning 50% or less of the area median income (AMI) and housing developers seeking bond financing. The bill expands existing bond program uses to specifically include adaptive reuse for these affordable housing projects, requiring new construction to meet accessibility standards (e.g., roll-in showers, sensory-accessible units). This change to Minnesota Statutes 462A.37, section 2, broadens the program’s scope without creating new funding.

Maddy summaryHF 3058 increases the reimbursement rate that Minnesota's medical assistance program pays to nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) providers for transporting eligible people to healthcare appointments. This change directly affects NEMT service providers who are reimbursed by the state and the people using these transportation services under Minnesota's health care programs. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to adjust the payment rate for these nonemergency trips, ensuring providers receive a higher amount for each service provided. The policy change aims to improve the financial viability of NEMT providers while maintaining existing service standards and requirements for transportation.

Maddy summaryHF 820 authorizes specific Chippewa Bands, as identified under the 1854 treaty, to establish their own open seasons for big game hunting for tribal members if the state of Minnesota does not set such seasons. The bill appropriates $3 million for fiscal year 2026 and $3 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to fund proportional payments to these tribes under treaty obligations. It amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify the commissioner of natural resources' role in fulfilling treaty agreements and ensures funding for these payments. This directly affects the Chippewa Bands and the state's natural resources agency, with no impact on non-tribal hunters.

Maddy summaryHF 3068 requires staffing services in Minnesota to pay employees wages for canceled assignments if the employee reasonably relied on the placement for a shift or day. This directly affects temporary workers hired through staffing agencies who lose assignments after preparing to work. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 181.03, to mandate payment regardless of whether the assignment is completed. It applies specifically to staffing services defined under state law and takes effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 2483 modifies reporting requirements for the Board of School Administrators regarding principal preparation programs. It changes the deadline from "by December 31 annually" to simply "annually," removing the specific December 31 date while keeping the requirement to report cumulative three-year data. The bill directly affects the Board of School Administrators and all principal preparation programs in Minnesota. The key change is streamlining the reporting timeline without altering the data collection or publication method. This amendment takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1624 establishes a $5 assessment on every mattress and box spring sold in Minnesota, paid by both producers (manufacturers) and retailers. The collected funds will go into a dedicated mattress recycling account, with money annually appropriated to the Pollution Control Agency. This agency will then award grants to local governments to expand and support their mattress recycling programs. The bill directly affects mattress/box spring sellers (through the assessment) and local governments (through grant funding), creating a new state-funded recycling infrastructure.