Rep. Katie Jones

Maddy summaryHF 2975 requires Minnesota driver education programs to include work zone safety instruction, covering safe speeds, driver duties, dangers of distracted driving, and work zone markings. It also mandates that the state driver's manual include specific work zone safety information, such as traffic laws, markings, and safe merging practices. The bill amends driver's license exam requirements to test applicants on work zone safety knowledge, including speed limits and hazards. These changes apply to all new drivers learning to drive in Minnesota, directly affecting driver education providers, the Department of Public Safety, and applicants taking written exams. The bill authorizes funding for these updates and takes effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 2920 appropriates $5 million from Minnesota's general fund to MNSBIR, Inc. for a one-time grant to support small businesses in securing federal research and development funding. The bill directly affects Minnesota-based small businesses, especially those owned by Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and women, by helping them access federal programs like SBIR and STTR. Key mechanisms include MNSBIR providing assistance with federal grant applications, technology transfer support from universities, outreach on federal requirements, and help managing federal contracts. The funding is available until June 30, 2027, to strengthen Minnesota's innovation economy and commercialize research.

Maddy summaryHF 2387 amends Minnesota Statutes § 124D.118 to establish a program allowing schools to provide free half-pint milk to students who do not participate in the full school lunch program. This directly affects public and nonpublic schools in Minnesota, enabling students to receive milk without needing to take a complete lunch, thereby reducing food waste from uneaten meals. The bill authorizes state reimbursement of 20 cents per milk serving for kindergarten students and up to 50 cents (or USDA rate) for lunch milk, with funding appropriated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Schools must follow commissioner-established guidelines to participate, focusing on daily milk access as a nutritional supplement.

Maddy summaryMinnesota House File 2094 establishes the Minnesota Migration Act Account in the state treasury to fund a study and provide reparation grants for American descendants of chattel slavery residing in Minnesota. The bill creates a Minnesota Migration Act Advisory Council to administer the grants and requires a report on the program's implementation. It also mandates an official state apology for historical injustices, including Minnesota's role in holding Dred Scott in bondage, the 1920 Duluth lynching, the displacement of the Rondo neighborhood for highway construction, and systemic racism affecting Black communities. The legislation appropriates state funds for these purposes but does not specify grant amounts or eligibility criteria beyond the defined recipient group.

Maddy summaryHF 1005 adjusts payment rates for healthcare providers under Minnesota's medical assistance program. It increases reimbursement rates for certain residential services, sets a new statewide rate for behavioral health home services, and adjusts physician professional service rates. These changes directly affect hospitals, clinics, and care providers receiving state medical assistance payments for these specific services. The bill amends existing statutes to implement these rate adjustments while requiring budget neutrality for hospital payments. It does not create new programs but modifies existing payment structures for covered services.

Maddy summaryHF 2628 appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $1.5 million for fiscal year 2027 to Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The funding directly supports its homeless elders program, which assists homeless, isolated, and low-income older adults in transitioning to stable housing. This is a straightforward budget allocation with no new policy requirements or eligibility changes. The bill specifically targets funding for an existing program serving vulnerable seniors in the Twin Cities area.

Maddy summaryHF 99 appropriates $4 million for fiscal year 2026 and $4.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support housing with services for Minnesotans with serious mental illness. The funds will be provided to the commissioner of human services to expand grants under Minnesota Statutes section 245.992, specifically increasing the availability of supported housing options. This funding is added to existing appropriations and directly affects individuals with serious mental illness who need housing combined with support services. The bill creates a concrete policy change by allocating new state funds to address housing needs for this population.

Maddy summaryHF 2505 allows local governments (cities and counties) to adopt alternative road design standards without needing state approval for projects using state-aid funding. It permits them to use specific, nationally recognized design guides (like AASHTO or NACTO standards) instead of following standard state engineering rules, eliminating the need for variance requests for these approved designs. The bill also requires the state transportation commissioner to notify legislators if a variance request is denied, establishes an advisory committee to review such requests, and specifies that certain safety-focused changes (like narrower lanes near schools) must receive special consideration. This directly affects how local road projects are designed and approved under state-aid programs, streamlining the process for communities using approved design frameworks.

Maddy summaryHF 856 creates a new position for a Common Interest Community Ombudsperson within Minnesota’s Department of Commerce to help resolve disputes between unit owners (like condo or HOA residents) and community associations. The ombudsperson will provide free dispute resolution services, maintain a public website with resources about rights and rules, and compile complaints - without making legal rulings or decisions. The bill classifies all personal data collected by the office as "private" or "nonpublic," requiring individual consent or court order for release. It appropriates funding for the office starting in fiscal year 2026, with the position effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 2550 establishes a new Local Business Construction Impacts Assistance Program to support businesses affected by highway and street construction projects in Minnesota. It requires transportation authorities to appoint business liaisons and create communication plans for projects expected to cause "substantial business impacts" (like reduced access, parking, or visibility for at least one month). The program provides financial assistance to eligible businesses experiencing "extensive business impacts" (impairment for 60+ days) due to covered projects, such as highway work in cities or counties. This bill directly affects local businesses near construction zones and aims to mitigate economic disruption through proactive communication and financial support.