Rep. Dave Pinto

Maddy summaryHF 3477 creates a legal right for Minnesotans to sue state or local officials who violate their civil rights under the U.S. or Minnesota Constitution while acting in their official capacity. It allows victims to seek damages, injunctions, and attorney fees in court, with claims needing to be filed within six years. The bill also requires state and local law enforcement agencies to get written agreements from federal partners ensuring federal officers comply with both constitutions and can be held liable under this law during joint operations. These provisions apply to all cases filed on or after the law's effective date.

Maddy summaryHF 3643 establishes Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park in Ramsey County, specifically within St. Paul, as a new public park. The bill designates precise boundaries for the park using 18 directional points in St. Paul and requires that no park permit or entry fee be charged. It directs the commissioner of natural resources to manage the park under standard state park rules, while specifying that the commissioner of administration and Minnesota Historical Society retain authority over existing buildings and monuments within the park. The legislation also appropriates funds for the park’s establishment, directly affecting public access to this newly designated green space in the city.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals previous sales tax exemptions for preferred seating and amenities at athletic facilities, meaning these items will now be subject to sales tax when purchased with event tickets. It also provides funding for safe harbor shelter and housing grants to support homeless assistance programs. The legislation defines various retail sales for tax purposes, including bundled transactions and promotional items, while appropriating money for the housing grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure in Minnesota to develop a new individual licensure system for educators working with children from birth through kindergarten. The task force will consist of 15 members appointed by the governor, including representatives from the legislature, child care centers, family child care programs, public schools, Tribal communities, Head Start programs, parents, medical professionals, and higher education institutions. The group must meet regularly to propose a plan that creates clear competency frameworks for educator qualifications beyond college degrees and identifies methods for increasing educator compensation based on licensure levels. By March 1, 2027, the task force must submit a report to legislative committees with its findings, recommendations, and an implementation timeline, after which the task force will expire. The bill also appropriates one-time funding from the state's general fund to support the task force's administrative needs.

Maddy summaryHF 3435 limits access to Minnesota school sites by federal immigration officials. It requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other DHS agents to show valid identification, provide a written statement of purpose, and obtain a judicial warrant before entering schools. School officials must also approve entry and restrict such agents to areas without students present, even if all requirements are met. The bill applies directly to federal immigration enforcement personnel and school districts operating under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 3433 bans the possession of specific semiautomatic firearms designated as "military-style assault weapons," including models like AK-47s, AR-15s, and weapons with features such as folding stocks or pistol grips. The bill defines banned weapons to cover both listed models (e.g., Colt AR-15) and similar firearms with minor modifications like enhanced magazines or barrel attachments. It amends Minnesota statutes to impose criminal penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment, for violating the possession ban. This law directly affects individuals who own these specific firearms, requiring them to comply with the new restrictions.

Maddy summaryHF 3402 bans the possession, manufacture, import, and transfer of large-capacity ammunition magazines in Minnesota. It defines these as feeding devices holding more than ten rounds (with exceptions for permanently modified devices, .22 caliber tubes, and lever-action tubular magazines). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, requiring current owners to surrender, modify, permanently alter, or remove their magazines by July 1, 2027. Violations carry felony penalties of up to five years in prison or $25,000 in fines. Law enforcement, military personnel, and licensed dealers are exempt under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota law to establish a roster of six qualified arbitrators who will handle grievance cases involving peace officers. The commissioner of labor and industry will appoint these individuals after consulting with community and law enforcement representatives, selecting candidates based on their training, experience, and familiarity with labor law and the grievance process. The new law also requires the commissioner to consider a candidate's knowledge of cultural competency, racism, implicit bias, and community diversity when making appointments. These arbitrators will be responsible solely for peace officer grievance arbitrations and cannot serve in other labor arbitration cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's child care assistance program rules regarding how providers are reimbursed for days when enrolled children are absent. It maintains a standard limit of 25 absent days per child per year but creates exemptions for children with documented medical conditions, young parents pursuing education, and families affected by extraordinary events like natural disasters. The legislation also clarifies how partial-day absences are counted, establishes notification requirements for families about their absent day usage, and allows parents to substitute cultural or religious holidays for standard state and federal holidays.

Maddy summaryHF 3350 establishes a lifetime ban on firearm possession for individuals convicted of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor domestic assault offenses in Minnesota. This law directly affects people convicted of these specific domestic violence crimes by permanently prohibiting them from owning, buying, or possessing firearms. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add this ban as a standard consequence of such convictions, replacing any prior provisions that might have allowed firearm access after sentencing. It creates a concrete policy change that restricts firearm access for this group for life, without exceptions for future conduct.