Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega

Maddy summaryHF 2716 allows licensed cannabis retailers in Minnesota to display and offer one sample per product type (e.g., flower, edibles) at cannabis events, such as festivals or sales demonstrations. Samples must be stored securely, labeled, and limited to 8 grams of flower/concentrate or 100mg THC for edibles - no free giveaways are permitted. The bill applies specifically to authorized retailers (including microbusinesses and combination businesses) during event sales, requiring age verification (21+) and adherence to existing packaging, testing, and security rules. Retailers must record all samples in the statewide monitoring system, and samples cannot be sold or distributed outside the designated event area.

Maddy summaryHF 2728 modifies Minnesota's Great Start Compensation Support Payments for child care programs. It changes how payments are calculated by basing them on full-time equivalent staff caring for children, with one full-time equivalent defined as 32 hours weekly. The bill adds a 10% payment increase for programs receiving child care assistance under specific statutes or located in designated "child care access equity areas" (defined as regions with low child care access, high poverty, unemployment, low homeownership, and low median income). These changes apply directly to licensed child care programs serving young children.

Maddy summaryHF 2701 requires Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management to review all verified social equity applicants before considering general licensing applicants for cannabis licenses. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 342.14, subdivision 4, to mandate this sequential review process in every licensing period. It directly affects cannabis license applicants who qualify as "verified social equity applicants" under state law, ensuring their applications are prioritized before general applicants are processed. The change modifies the application review order but does not alter lottery procedures or eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHF 1914 appropriates state funds for three key human services programs in Minnesota. It provides emergency services grants for immediate crisis support, county grants to address homelessness gaps (prioritizing Tribal Nation partnerships and interventions like 24/7 shelters), and funding for provider capacity-building collaboratives. The capacity-building program helps service providers access stable funding streams, including Medicaid waivers and housing support programs. These funds are allocated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with unspent first-year money rolling over to the second year. The bill directly affects counties, service providers, and people experiencing homelessness by expanding access to crisis support and housing-focused services.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies reimbursement rates for community support services, increasing them to 107.5% (effective now) and 112.5% (effective January 1, 2026) for providers serving clients needing 10+ hours daily. It requires providers to use all additional revenue solely for staff wages and related costs (like payroll taxes), not for benefits like health insurance. The bill also creates the Minnesota Caregiver Defined Contribution Retirement Fund Trust, a joint state-union retirement savings plan for union-represented direct support workers. These changes directly affect community support service providers, their employees, and Minnesota’s human services budget.

Maddy summaryHF 3091 appropriates $3 million to St. Paul and $2 million to West St. Paul for economic development grants targeting small businesses. The funds, available through June 2027, support businesses with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees through technical assistance, no-interest loans, forgivable loans, and operating expense grants. St. Paul will partner with the West Side Community Organization, while West St. Paul will work with the Residents of Color Collective. The bill directly affects small business owners in these communities by providing financial support to retain jobs and foster local economic growth.

Maddy summaryHF 1511 appropriates $5 million from the state general fund for a veteran mentorship program targeting Black youth in Minnesota. The bill directs the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to fund an organization that will develop and run the program, where veterans mentor Black youth to prevent violence and explore military careers. The funds are allocated specifically: $1.5 million for veteran mentor salaries, $2 million for community outreach, $1 million for youth engagement, and $500,000 for program administration. This is a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026, directly affecting Black youth in Minnesota through mentorship and career exploration opportunities.

Maddy summaryHF 3074 creates legal rights for transportation network company (TNC) drivers in Minnesota to form and join labor organizations for collective bargaining. It directly affects "active drivers" who completed at least the median number of rides in the most recent two quarters, as defined by the bill. The law establishes a certification process where drivers can designate an exclusive representative (like a union) through the Bureau of Mediation Services, while prohibiting TNCs from controlling or dominating driver representation groups ("company unions"). Drivers gain the right to negotiate terms and conditions of work, including grievance procedures, with TNCs, and the bill defines "lockout" to prevent TNCs from restricting driver access to the platform during disputes.

Maddy summaryHF 1010 establishes a new licensure process for certified midwives in Minnesota through the Board of Nursing, creating a specific "Minnesota Certified Midwife Practice Act" (Chapter 148G). It amends health occupation definitions to include "licensed certified midwife," expands Medicaid coverage to include services provided by these licensed midwives, and sets civil/criminal penalties for violations. The bill directly affects certified midwives (requiring national certification plus state licensure) and Medicaid recipients who can now access midwifery care under their coverage. Key provisions define midwifery scope (including pregnancy, birth, and women's primary care) and set licensure terms, moving midwifery from an unregulated status to a licensed profession with expanded coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 2982 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to create a grant for a nonprofit to establish a credit union. The credit union must specifically serve low-income individuals with limited access to traditional banking, offering deposit, loan, and investment services in a culturally appropriate way. It requires the credit union to operate at least one physical location and mandates a report on outcomes to legislative committees by February 15, 2028. This bill directly affects underserved Minnesotans by expanding access to banking services and the nonprofit implementing the credit union. The funding is a one-time appropriation with specific service requirements and reporting obligations.