Rep. Kaohly Her

Maddy summaryHF 2583 appropriates $2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Redemption Project. The funding supports workforce development services for adults leaving incarceration and justice-impacted individuals. Key provisions include employment assistance, workforce readiness training, mentoring, support services, and programming based on core correctional practices. The bill directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals and justice-impacted people seeking employment opportunities. Funds are allocated to the commissioner of employment and economic development for grant distribution to the Redemption Project.

Maddy summaryHF 2573 appropriates $1.2 million from state funds for the University of St. Thomas Center for Microgrid Research in fiscal year 2026. The funding must be used to expand the center’s capacity for industry testing of near-commercial microgrid products, purchase advanced equipment to connect more campus buildings, and increase hands-on educational opportunities for students. The bill also extends the deadline for using prior fiscal year 2024 and 2025 appropriations for the same center to June 30, 2028. This legislation directly supports the University of St. Thomas’s microgrid research activities and associated educational programs.

Maddy summaryHF 2519 expands Minnesota's Digital Fair Repair Act to include motorcycles, requiring manufacturers to provide independent repair shops with fair access to parts, tools, and documentation. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to define "digital electronic equipment" to explicitly cover motorcycles, ensuring manufacturers cannot impose unreasonable restrictions on independent repair providers. Key provisions mandate that parts, tools, and documentation must be offered at fair prices and without conditions forcing repair shops to become manufacturer-authorized. This directly affects motorcycle owners, who gain more repair options, and independent repair shops, which can now access necessary resources without manufacturer barriers. The law aims to promote competition and reduce repair costs by treating motorcycles under the same rules as other digital devices.

Maddy summaryHF 982 creates a new education benefit in Minnesota for dependents of disabled veterans. It provides full tuition, mandatory fees, and book coverage (after subtracting other aid) for dependents of veterans with a 100% permanent disability, and 50% coverage for dependents of veterans with a 70%+ disability rating. The benefit applies to undergraduate programs at Minnesota state colleges, universities, or the University of Minnesota Board of Regents institutions. Eligible students must be enrolled at these institutions, and institutions apply for the benefit on their behalf through the Office of Higher Education.

Maddy summaryHF 2564 requires lenders to pause monthly payments for victims when property (like a phone or vehicle) is seized as evidence in a crime. Lenders must stop billing until the property is returned to the victim, and cannot report missed payments to credit agencies during the seizure. Victims must provide law enforcement documentation verifying the property was seized. This protects crime victims from credit damage and ongoing billing while their property is held as evidence.

Maddy summaryHF 1958 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax brackets for 2025 tax returns. It raises the income thresholds for each tax rate, meaning more income is taxed at lower rates before higher rates apply. For example, married couples filing jointly pay 5.35% on income up to $47,620 (up from $38,770), and 6.8% on income between $47,620 and $189,180 (up from $38,770-$154,020). The bill directly affects Minnesota residents who file state income tax returns, particularly middle-income earners whose taxable income falls within the revised brackets. The changes are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 2591 establishes a new fifth tax bracket for Minnesota individual income tax, targeting high earners to replace revenue lost from federal Medicaid funding changes. The bill amends tax law to create a top income bracket (applying to income over $1.667 million for married couples filing jointly) with a rate set by the commissioner of revenue. This rate must be calculated to generate revenue equal to the amount of federal Medicaid funds Minnesota lost, as certified by the commissioner of management and budget. The new tax rate applies to taxable years 2026 and 2027, affecting only taxpayers in the highest income bracket.

Maddy summaryHF 695 requires venues hosting public events (like concerts or festivals) to provide attendees with free access to drinkable water during events. Specifically, venues must offer one of three options: provide free bottled water, allow guests to bring their own bottled water, or let guests fill empty bottles with water on-site. The bill directly affects "places of entertainment" as defined in Minnesota law, including theaters, sports arenas, and event spaces. It creates a clear, practical requirement for water access without mandating specific infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHF 2399 appropriates $6 million from the state general fund to the Rondo Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization, for the redevelopment of properties between Dale Street and Saint Albans Street in St. Paul. The funds cover acquisition, design, and redevelopment of parcels, including site improvements, infrastructure, and landscaping. This one-time appropriation is available until the project is completed. The bill directs the commissioner of employment and economic development to administer the grant.

Maddy summaryHF 491 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide grants to Hometown Hero Outdoors, a Stillwater-based nonprofit. The funding supports mental health services and outdoor recreational activities for current and former law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. The bill directs these services to promote positive mental health, longevity, quality of life, and interactions with mental health professionals through organized outdoor programs. It does not create new policy but allocates specific funds to an existing nonprofit for targeted support of first responders.