Rep. Aisha Gomez

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 2057 requires hospitals participating in Minnesota's medical assistance program to pay an assessment based on their net inpatient and outpatient revenue (as reported in Medicare cost data). The funds collected must cover the nonfederal share of "directed payments" to these hospitals under the medical assistance program. The bill includes exemptions for critical access hospitals, children's hospitals, Indian Health Service facilities, and rural hospitals, plus a cap preventing any single hospital system from paying more than a specified percentage of total assessments. Assessments are due quarterly starting January 1, 2026, pending federal approval of the funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHF 3027 allows Minnesota cities and counties to impose local sales taxes for specific infrastructure projects (like roads or public facilities), but only after securing state legislative approval and voter consent. The bill requires tax revenue to fund only the exact projects approved by voters, with cities/counties mandated to share funds with state agencies and submit annual spending reports. It also sets automatic termination once project costs are covered and prohibits new taxes for one year after expiration. This applies to taxes enacted under special law, not general sales tax authority.

Maddy summaryHF 2768 modifies Minnesota's tax code across multiple areas, primarily affecting businesses structured as pass-through entities (like partnerships and S corporations) and individual taxpayers. The bill creates a new pass-through entity tax option, allowing qualifying businesses to pay tax at the entity level instead of having owners report income individually, with specific election rules and calculations tied to individual tax rates. It also adjusts income tax credits for eligible production costs and makes technical updates to sales tax exemptions, collection rules, and property tax classifications. These changes directly impact business owners and taxpayers navigating Minnesota's tax system, with the pass-through tax provision being a key new mechanism.

Maddy summaryHF 479 modifies Minnesota's higher education grant program by establishing a tuition and fee maximum for eligible students. It sets this maximum at the highest tuition and fees charged by public Minnesota universities for each school year, applying specifically to students enrolled at an eligible institution during the 2025-2026 academic year or earlier. This policy change, effective for the 2026-2027 school year through fiscal year 2032, ensures state grant funds cover tuition up to this established maximum. The bill directly affects students receiving state grants at public Minnesota universities who were enrolled before 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2147 exempts hot tubs or whirlpools on houseboats and single-unit rental properties from most public pool safety requirements in Minnesota. It requires property owners to ensure water temperature stays below 106°F, test chlorine/bromine, pH, and alkalinity before each rental, and provide renters with a specific notice about the exemption. The bill mandates a posted warning: "NOTICE: This spa is exempt from certain state and local sanitary requirements... USE AT YOUR OWN RISK." It directly affects rental property owners, resorts, and renters of these properties, while prohibiting local governments from adding extra requirements for qualifying hot water pools.

Maddy summaryHF 3158 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both the Minnesota House and Senate to authorize public funding for the design, construction, or renovation of a professional sports facility. Currently, a simple majority vote suffices for such funding. The amendment must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election, where they will decide whether to adopt the two-thirds requirement. If approved by voters, this change would become part of the Minnesota Constitution, affecting future legislative decisions on sports facility funding.

Maddy summaryHF 3057 establishes a public option within MinnesotaCare, allowing Minnesotans to enroll in a government-run health plan alongside private insurers. It expands eligibility to more residents and sets income-based premiums for public option enrollees. The bill requires the commissioner of commerce to seek federal approval for a special waiver (Section 1332) and appropriates funding for implementation. This directly affects individuals purchasing health insurance in Minnesota's individual market, particularly low- and middle-income residents seeking affordable coverage options.

Maddy summaryHF 3166 requires school district approval before a municipality can establish an economic development district using tax increment financing. Specifically, the governing board of every school district containing part of the proposed district must approve the tax increment financing plan by resolution before the county auditor certifies the district's tax capacity. This change applies to all economic development districts except those for qualifying workforce housing projects. The bill directly affects local governments (municipalities or authorities) seeking to create such districts, adding a new step requiring school district consent. It does not alter the purpose or structure of economic development districts, only the approval process.

Maddy summaryHF 2980 modifies definitions for "park zone," "school zone," and "public housing zone" in Minnesota law, reducing the surrounding distance from 300 feet to 100 feet (or one city block, whichever is greater). The bill directly affects how these zones are defined for enforcement of laws, including those related to controlled substances. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 152.01, by updating subdivisions 12a (park zone), 14a (school zone), and 19 (public housing zone). The changes clarify the boundaries of these zones where certain legal restrictions apply. Note: The bill's title mentions "controlled substances," but the actual content modifies zone definitions, not substance-related provisions.