Rep. Katie Jones

Maddy summaryHF 3270 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission that would draw Minnesota's legislative and congressional district lines instead of the legislature. It also creates a panel to review commission applicants, sets guidelines for redistricting, and prohibits former legislators from lobbying for one year after leaving office. The bill amends session rules to limit regular legislative sessions to 120 days and sets specific convening requirements. These changes would directly affect Minnesota voters through district boundaries, legislators through the lobbying restriction, and the redistricting process itself. The proposal requires voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryHF 1653 appropriates $1 million from state bonds to fund electric bus charging stations for school buses statewide. The bill directs the commissioner of commerce to provide grants to eligible school districts or public transit agencies under Minnesota Statutes §216C.374, specifically for installing Level 2 and Level 3 charging infrastructure. Funding comes from bonds sold by the state under established procedures, with grants awarded through the existing electric school bus deployment program. This measure directly affects school transportation systems seeking to transition to electric fleets, effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 2709 modifies access rules for census workers and political candidates in apartment buildings (multiple unit dwellings). It requires buildings to permit access between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily for both groups, mandates 24-hour prior notice for entry, and encourages owners to notify residents when census workers or candidates plan visits. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 2.92 (census access) and 211B.20 (candidate access), updating existing provisions without changing who may enter or the core access hours. It directly affects apartment building managers, census workers, and political candidates seeking voter contact. The changes focus on standardizing notice requirements and operating hours, not altering eligibility for entry.

Maddy summaryHF 3156 restricts local governments from blocking affordable housing developments by religious organizations on their own land. It requires cities to permit such projects as a "permitted use" in specific zones: up to three units on most residential lots, up to eight units outside single-family districts, and up to 12 units in mixed-use or commercial areas. The bill defines "affordable housing" as developments where 20-40% of units are for households earning ≤50-60% of area median income, and sets minimum density requirements (e.g., 1.25x existing density). This directly affects religious organizations seeking to build housing, cities with zoning codes that previously restricted such projects, and low-income residents in communities where these developments may be constructed.

Maddy summaryHF 2134 strengthens protections for Minnesota's wild rice waters by requiring a "wild rice risk justification" before certain pesticide permits are issued. It prohibits watercraft operations that threaten uncultivated wild rice beds and mandates the commissioner of natural resources to maintain current maps of wild rice waters. The bill appropriates funds to support these measures, including enforcement and map upkeep. These changes directly affect pesticide permit applicants, watercraft operators in wild rice areas, and state agencies managing natural resources.

Maddy summaryHF 3179 requires large government-owned and private buildings (50,000+ square feet) to meet increasingly strict energy efficiency standards, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions from these buildings by 90% by 2045 compared to 2005 levels. Buildings are classified into four tiers based on ownership and size, with deadlines ranging from 2042 for government buildings (Class 1) to 2045 for large private buildings (Class 4). Owners must submit annual progress reports starting in 2028 and demonstrate steady improvement toward interim targets every five years. The law includes limited exemptions for buildings facing financial distress and specifically addresses multifamily affordable housing properties meeting certain eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHF 2840 appropriates $8,155,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $8,208,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to support Minnesota's Minitex library resource sharing program. The funding directly enables academic and state government libraries across Minnesota to expand their access to physical and digital information resources locally, statewide, and internationally. Minitex uses these funds to maintain and enhance its network, connecting libraries to shared collections and services. This is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes beyond the specified budget allocations.

Maddy summaryHF 3148 allows cities of the first class (like Minneapolis and St. Paul) to issue "social district licenses" that permit public consumption of alcohol in designated outdoor areas contiguous to licensed venues, but not sales. It requires strict rules: alcohol must be in non-glass containers (max 16 oz) with specific labeling, districts must have clear signage showing hours/days, and licensees must follow container requirements. The city must maintain safety plans online, post boundaries, and report to the legislature within 24 months on community impact, challenges, and public safety. This directly affects cities, licensed businesses, and residents/businesses near designated social districts.

Maddy summaryHF 2764 requires Minnesota public schools (including charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program) to offer at least one plant-based meal option daily starting with the 2026-2027 school year. A "plant-based meal" is defined as one without any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish), and schools must provide this option within four weeks of a student's written request. Schools must also make the request process clear to students and parents, comply with federal nutrition standards, and report annually on implementation to the Department of Education. The bill applies to all public schools serving lunches through the National School Lunch Program.

Maddy summaryHF 2065 increases annual state funding for library online databases by $2.9 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill appropriates these funds to the Department of Education to maintain statewide licenses for online research databases. These licenses directly benefit school media centers, public libraries, state government agency libraries, and college/university libraries across Minnesota. The funding ensures continued access to digital resources without requiring additional local spending.