Rep. Aisha Gomez

Maddy summaryHF 1930 prohibits employers or others from taking economic action (like firing or threatening job loss) against individuals who refuse to communicate with public or local officials about government decisions. It directly affects residents and workers who may be pressured to discuss legislative or administrative actions with officials. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add this protection under section 10A.36, making such reprisals a gross misdemeanor, while allowing exceptions if political views are a legitimate job requirement. This law aims to protect free speech and refusal to engage with officials without fear of workplace retaliation.

Maddy summaryHF 1776 appropriates $5 million from state bonds to fund ADA-compliant upgrades for public sidewalks and curb ramps in Minneapolis. The bill directs this money specifically to the city of Minneapolis for construction projects meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The state will issue bonds to cover the cost, with funds becoming available only when Minneapolis secures sufficient nonstate funding for the projects. This targeted funding aims to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in Minneapolis's public right-of-way facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 1812 establishes a state-run Minnesota Health Plan to guarantee comprehensive, affordable health care for every Minnesota resident. The plan covers all necessary medical, dental, vision, mental health, and long-term care services without co-pays, with premiums based on income. It creates new state entities including the Minnesota Health Board, Health Fund, Office of Health Quality and Planning, a patient advocacy ombudsman, and an auditor for the plan. The bill also requests a federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act to modify certain health insurance requirements and appropriates funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 1640 appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to preserve the oral histories of Hmong veterans who served in the U.S.-sponsored Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War era. The funds are directed to Special Guerrilla Units Veterans and Families of USA, Inc. to collect, document, archive, and preserve these histories while creating public educational resources. This bill directly supports Hmong veterans and their families in Minnesota by safeguarding their wartime experiences and cultural heritage. The program aims to teach future generations about the Hmong community's history and contributions in Minnesota through documented oral histories and accessible programming.

Maddy summaryHF 1685 requires Minnesota's IT Services agency to combine the state's transit assistance program (currently managed by Metro Transit) into the existing Minnesota Benefits Web Portal by December 31, 2025. The bill mandates coordination with transportation, human services, and children's agencies to ensure seamless integration while allowing Metro Transit to continue processing applications. It also appropriates $1.2 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 specifically for this integration work. This change directly affects state agencies managing benefits and Metro Transit, aiming to streamline access for Minnesotans using transit assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1639 appropriates $550,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $550,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the state's workforce development fund to the International Institute of Minnesota. The funds must be used to provide workforce training for immigrants and refugees (referred to as "New Americans") in industries facing labor shortages. This one-time funding supports job skills development in high-demand sectors without creating new permanent programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1649 requires certain foreign corporations (specifically those subject to U.S. federal "global intangible low-taxed income" rules) to be treated as part of a single unitary tax group with their U.S. shareholder in Minnesota. The bill amends Minnesota tax law to mandate that these foreign subsidiaries be included in the U.S. parent company's state tax return, rather than being taxed separately. Key provisions include requiring foreign corporations to report income using U.S. accounting standards and allowing businesses to elect a "worldwide" tax approach for their entire global operations. This directly affects Minnesota-based corporations that own foreign subsidiaries subject to federal GILTI rules, changing how their foreign income is calculated and taxed. The changes take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 1006 allows Minnesota local governments to grant property tax abatements (temporary tax reductions) specifically for land bank organizations holding vacant, blighted, or foreclosed properties. It directly affects land banks - defined as nonprofits or affiliated LLCs managing such properties for future development - by adding "allowing the property to be held by a land bank organization for future development" as a valid reason for tax abatements under state law. The bill amends tax statutes to require that abatements for land bank properties last no longer than five years. This change aims to support land banks in stabilizing neighborhoods and preparing properties for redevelopment without long-term tax revenue loss for communities.

Maddy summaryHF 1559 appropriates $1.25 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund to support community festivals. The Minnesota Humanities Center will distribute these grants to community organizations, cities, and counties for event programming, staffing, outreach, transportation, facilities, and signage. Up to $200,000 of the total can reimburse county sheriff departments for public safety costs at these events. The bill specifically prioritizes funding for named festivals including the Somali Museum Annual Celebration, Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Hmong Festival, and Rondo Days in St. Paul.

Maddy summaryHF 383 appropriates $5.7 million from state bond proceeds to fund planning, design, engineering, environmental work, and construction of a new water distribution facility in Minneapolis, located in Hennepin or Anoka County. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $5.7 million to cover these costs, with funds administered through the Public Facilities Authority to the city of Minneapolis. This directly affects Minneapolis by providing capital for critical water infrastructure upgrades. The legislation enables the city to advance a specific water system project without immediate state budget expenditure.