Rep. Aisha Gomez

Maddy summaryHF 161 allows Minnesota cities to establish land-value taxation districts, where property taxes are calculated primarily based on land value (excluding improvements) rather than total property value. This directly affects property owners within designated districts, as their tax burden would shift toward land value. Cities must adopt an ordinance describing the district boundaries, tax reallocation method (using uniform rates on land value or similar measures), and conduct public hearings with advance notice. The law requires cities to evaluate long-term economic impacts for at least 15 years and takes effect for 2026 property taxes.

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 3079 extends the deadline for the City of Minneapolis to use a $10 million state appropriation originally allocated for local economic development. The bill modifies existing law to allow the city to access these funds until June 30, 2027 (previously expiring sooner), rather than creating new funding. Specifically, $8 million must support businesses on Minneapolis' Lake Street corridor through advisory services, marketing, and placemaking, while $2 million funds property acquisition at two specified addresses. This directly affects Minneapolis city government, businesses along the Lake Street corridor, and property owners at the designated locations.

Maddy summaryHF 2981 appropriates $850,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $850,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide a one-time grant to Avivo, a nonprofit organization. The funding supports Avivo's program offering career education and job skills training to low-income individuals, with the training integrated alongside chemical and mental health services. This bill directly affects low-income Minnesotans seeking employment support and Avivo as the grant recipient. The key mechanism is the direct appropriation of state funds to Avivo for this specific service delivery.

Maddy summaryHF 2705 modifies Minnesota's sales tax exemption for clothing, limiting the exemption to items priced at $150 or less per item. The bill defines "clothing" broadly to include standard apparel like jackets, shoes, diapers, and swimwear, but explicitly excludes accessories (e.g., handbags, jewelry), sports equipment (e.g., cleats, helmets), and protective gear (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses). It does not exempt items sold separately, such as belt buckles or costume masks, or materials that become part of clothing (e.g., zippers, fabric). The change takes effect for sales after September 30, 2025, directly affecting consumers purchasing clothing above the $150 price point and retailers applying the tax exemption.

Maddy summaryHF 3001 establishes a pilot program providing direct cash grants of at least $500 monthly for 18 months to eligible low-income Minnesota residents. It directly affects individuals or families with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level or currently receiving public benefits. The bill requires grantees (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) to administer the payments while ensuring the stipends do not count as income for other benefits like food assistance or housing support. Grantees must collect data on participants' economic, health, and housing outcomes and submit a final report to the legislature by January 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 264, the "Larry R. Hill Medical Reform Act," requires all licensed Minnesota correctional facilities (both public and private) to meet specific medical care standards. The bill amends state law to mandate facilities implement policies covering mental health screening, suicide prevention, medication verification, discharge planning with prescribed medications, telehealth use, and death reviews. These requirements directly affect incarcerated individuals by improving access to consistent medical and mental health care while holding facilities accountable through commissioner inspections. The law aims to standardize care practices without creating new programs, focusing on operational changes to enhance safety and treatment.

Maddy summaryHF 3013 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to fund a cybersecurity training program. The funds are directed to Milestone Community Development for its "Milestone Tech Cybersecurity Training Program," in partnership with Saint Mary University. This one-time appropriation creates a specific grant to support workforce development in cybersecurity training. The bill directly affects Milestone Community Development, Saint Mary University, and individuals participating in the training program.

Maddy summaryHF 1265 amends Minnesota Statutes section 241.80 to require the Commissioner of Corrections to develop a policy providing cultural programming services to American Indian inmates in all state correctional facilities and community-based programs. The bill mandates services including spiritual/cultural education, work training for post-incarceration employment, development of cultural pride, and partnerships with Tribal Nations to address unique needs. Key provisions require programming that teaches American Indian history, traditions, and spiritual practices, fosters mutual respect between staff and inmates, and facilitates rehabilitation and community reentry. The policy must be implemented within available funding, with the option to contract with American Indian nonprofit organizations. This directly affects American Indian inmates across Minnesota's correctional system.

Maddy summaryHF 1106 modifies Minnesota's process for reviewing tax breaks (tax expenditures). It repeals a requirement that lawmakers must formally review new or renewed tax benefits before they take effect. The bill also updates the Tax Expenditure Review Commission's structure and duties, keeping its mandate to review existing tax breaks every decade but removing the legislative review step for new ones. The commission must still assess each tax break's cost, purpose, effectiveness, and impact on taxpayers, and report findings to legislative tax committees annually. This change streamlines the process for new tax benefits while maintaining ongoing oversight of existing ones.