Rep. Leigh Finke

Maddy summaryHF 3122 clarifies Minnesota school districts' requirements for parents, guardians, or adult students (18+) to review instructional materials before they're used for minors or adult students. It mandates districts establish clear procedures for reviewing content and arranging alternative instruction if someone objects to the material, without requiring schools to pay for parent-provided alternatives. The bill specifies that "instructional materials" include online resources or media assigned through school curricula. Schools cannot penalize students for seeking alternative instruction, though they may assess the student's work quality. This affects parents/guardians of students and school districts implementing curriculum review processes.

Maddy summaryHF 3182 appropriates $125,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $125,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network. The funding supports the organization's work amplifying community voices through arts education in cinematography, storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and related programming. It directly affects the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, a community-based arts and media organization in Saint Paul. The bill provides specific, annual funding for these programs without altering broader policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of a "debt buyer" to clarify that businesses purchasing charged-off medical debts for collection purposes are considered debt buyers, while excluding nonprofits buying for charitable reasons. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to relieve medical debt for eligible residents who couldn't pay after hospitals completed reasonable collection efforts. The grant must be used by June 30, 2028, and Undue Medical Debt must report recipient demographics to state agencies. The bill directly affects low-income Minnesotans with unpaid medical bills and hospitals that previously pursued collections.

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 summaryThis bill requires insurance companies operating in Minnesota to conduct industry-standard financial stress tests and file detailed reports on their group capital calculations. It mandates that insurers secure deposits or bonds for financial security, classifies certain insurer data as nonpublic, and regulates new limited long-term care insurance products. The bill also modifies existing automobile insurance provisions and establishes penalties for noncompliance. These requirements directly affect all licensed insurance companies in Minnesota, focusing on financial transparency and consumer protection through updated regulatory oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million from the state general fund for Minnesota's Lawns to Legumes program, which supports homeowners in replacing grass lawns with soil-enriching legume plants like clover. The funds, available until June 2029, are administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources and can be used to partner with local governments and organizations. The program aims to improve soil health and reduce fertilizer use by incentivizing legume-based lawn alternatives. This is a one-time funding allocation for fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3096 modifies Minnesota Statutes section 37.20 to require the Minnesota State Fair Society to provide police service and protection on the fairgrounds and within half a mile of the grounds for any major event estimated to draw at least 2,500 attendees. This change expands the existing requirement (which previously applied only to the annual fair) to cover all significant events held on the fairgrounds. The bill directly affects the Minnesota State Fair Society's security planning and operations. The amendment maintains existing provisions about appointing peace officers for the fairgrounds but adds this expanded coverage requirement for large events.

Maddy summaryHF 2620 appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2026 to address emerald ash borer infestations in the metro area and $5 million for community tree-planting grants statewide. The metro funds support local governments for ash borer response activities like waste facility planning, wood transportation, and disposal. The tree-planting grants, administered by the Department of Natural Resources under existing law, help communities replace lost trees. Both funds are one-time appropriations available until June 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 3098 creates a State Agricultural Society public safety account within Minnesota's agricultural fund. It requires a 30-cent surcharge on all State Agricultural Society admission tickets, with the collected fees deposited into this account. The funds will be used to provide public safety services (police, fire, emergency medical), traffic management, sanitation, and neighborhood cleanup efforts in the cities of Falcon Heights and St. Paul. The bill directly affects ticket buyers and the two cities receiving the funded services.