Rep. Leigh Finke

Maddy summaryHF 1560 appropriates $1.75 million from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $1.75 million for fiscal year 2027 to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. The funds are designated for specific uses including educational programs, habitat enhancements, special exhibits, music appreciation programs, and preservation of historical gardens. This bill directly provides financial support to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory for its operational and preservation activities.

Maddy summaryHF 1485 requires Minnesota health insurers and medical assistance programs to cover over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptive drugs, devices, and products without cost-sharing (like co-pays or deductibles). It applies directly to health plans and enrollees, mandating coverage of all FDA-approved OTC contraceptives at the point of sale without prescription requirements or quantity limits. The bill also requires health plans to list covered contraceptive services accessibly and cover provider-recommended methods based on medical necessity. This law takes effect January 1, 2026, for health plans offered, issued, or renewed after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 2383 removes specific restrictions on ticket resellers and online ticket marketplaces in Minnesota. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 325F.676 by eliminating prohibitions against: selling multiple copies of the same ticket, using others to wait in line for reselling, and advertising tickets before public availability without permission. This change directly affects businesses that resell tickets for events, allowing them greater flexibility in how they market and sell tickets. The bill focuses solely on removing these existing rules, with no new requirements added.

Maddy summaryHF 2468 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support mental health initiatives in Minnesota's construction industry. The funds, available until June 30, 2027, are designated for outreach, education, stigma reduction programs, and worksite strategies to prevent suicide. They can be used for grants to industry groups and developing resources targeting construction workers. This bill directly affects construction industry workers by funding concrete mental health support services through state-administered programs.

Maddy summaryHF 2144 appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program under Minnesota Statutes § 462A.204, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill directly affects families in Minnesota at risk of homelessness by providing funding for prevention and assistance services. Key provisions include directing the Housing Finance Agency to administer the program using these allocated funds. This is a funding bill with no new policy requirements, solely authorizing budget resources for an existing state program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 2008) amends Minnesota Statutes section 135A.15 to clarify definitions and procedures for handling campus sexual misconduct complaints at Minnesota colleges and universities. It defines key terms like "incident" (one report covering multiple events), "advisor" (who may be an attorney providing support), and "intimate partner violence," and specifies that advisors can give opening/closing remarks during investigations. The bill requires institutions to provide equal opportunity for both parties to present evidence, ensure due process protections for responding parties (including written notice of allegations), and treat all participants with dignity. These changes directly affect students, staff, and institutions managing sexual misconduct cases under state law.

Maddy summaryHF 1565 designates July 6 as "Philando Castile Restoration Day" and July 7 as "Philando Castile Unity Day" each year to honor Philando Castile, a Saint Paul Public Schools nutrition supervisor killed by police in 2016. Restoration Day focuses on community connection, humility, and restoring relationships across differences, while Unity Day emphasizes collective remembrance of Castile and others lost to police violence. The bill requires the governor to issue annual proclamations for both observances. This measure directly affects Minnesotans by establishing formal annual commemorations centered on Castile’s legacy and community healing. It is a commemorative resolution with no new policy requirements beyond the designated dates and proclamations.

Maddy summaryHF 1812 establishes a state-run Minnesota Health Plan to guarantee comprehensive, affordable health care for every Minnesota resident. The plan covers all necessary medical, dental, vision, mental health, and long-term care services without co-pays, with premiums based on income. It creates new state entities including the Minnesota Health Board, Health Fund, Office of Health Quality and Planning, a patient advocacy ombudsman, and an auditor for the plan. The bill also requests a federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act to modify certain health insurance requirements and appropriates funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 1648 modifies Minnesota landlord-tenant law to strengthen tenant protections. It requires landlords to provide tenants with the name, address, phone number, and email of the property owner, manager, and authorized agent in writing before lease signing (Section 2). The bill prohibits landlords from listing minor children’s names in leases or eviction complaints, except when the minor is the sole tenant (Section 3). It also establishes a prospective tenant’s right to view a rental unit before signing a lease and increases penalties for violations, including treble damages or $1,000 (Section 3). The law takes effect August 1, 2025, applying to new or renewed leases after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 1685 requires Minnesota's IT Services agency to combine the state's transit assistance program (currently managed by Metro Transit) into the existing Minnesota Benefits Web Portal by December 31, 2025. The bill mandates coordination with transportation, human services, and children's agencies to ensure seamless integration while allowing Metro Transit to continue processing applications. It also appropriates $1.2 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 specifically for this integration work. This change directly affects state agencies managing benefits and Metro Transit, aiming to streamline access for Minnesotans using transit assistance programs.