Rep. Athena Hollins

Maddy summaryHF 501 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee equal rights under Minnesota law and prohibit state discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex - including pregnancy decisions, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If approved by voters in 2026, it would add a new section to the Minnesota Constitution requiring state actions to use the least restrictive means to achieve compelling government interests. The amendment would directly apply to all Minnesotans and state agencies, ensuring equal protection in all state laws and programs. It requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the question asking whether the state constitution should include these equal rights protections.

Maddy summaryHF 37 proposes adding a new constitutional guarantee to Minnesota's state constitution, stating that "Elections shall be free, fair, and equal. No civil or military power shall, at any time, interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting all Minnesotans participating in elections by establishing this fundamental principle. The bill specifies the exact wording for the constitutional amendment and the ballot question voters would see. It does not create new election procedures but enshrines this standard into the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for landlords in Minnesota who use shared meters to bill tenants for electricity and natural gas in residential buildings. It requires that all submeters installed on or after January 1, 2025, meet specific accuracy standards set by the American National Standards Institute. The law also mandates that landlords must investigate tenant complaints about inaccurate meters and refund any overcharges, while allowing landlords to collect undercharges only for the previous six months. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants for the costs of installing, maintaining, or repairing these meters unless the damage was caused by the tenant's willful or negligent actions.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes new standards to protect African American children and those from other disproportionately represented groups within Minnesota's child welfare system. It requires social services agencies to make continuous, rigorous efforts to keep families together and prevent unnecessary removal of children from their homes. The act defines a higher level of care called "active efforts," which mandates that agencies involve families in planning services and respect their cultural values. Additionally, the legislation sets specific criteria for what constitutes a permanent adoptive placement and ensures that these protections apply alongside existing laws for Native American children.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to essential government documents for individuals in Minnesota who are eligible for medical assistance and have been treated for a substance use disorder within the last 12 months. It allows these individuals to apply for certified birth records and identification cards or driver's licenses with waived fees, provided they submit a verification statement from a public-funded treatment provider confirming their eligibility and treatment history. The legislation also establishes specific data privacy rules for the personal information shared during this verification process. By removing financial barriers and streamlining the application requirements, the bill aims to ensure that people recovering from substance use disorders can obtain critical identification without incurring costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution from the Minnesota Legislature that formally asks Congress to overturn the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. It requests that Congress propose a constitutional amendment to clarify that only natural persons, not corporations or other artificial entities, possess rights under the Constitution. The proposed amendment would also state that spending money to influence elections is not protected speech and would allow governments to regulate or limit campaign contributions to ensure equal political access. Additionally, the bill mandates that all permissible campaign spending must be publicly disclosed. Ultimately, the resolution directs state officials to send copies of the text to federal leaders and Minnesota's congressional representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it illegal to advertise a price for goods or services while hiding mandatory fees that consumers must pay. It defines these hidden fees as charges that are unavoidable or that a reasonable person would expect to be included in the total cost, though it excludes government taxes. Businesses must clearly show any additional flat fees or percentages before a customer selects items and again on a subtotal page before checkout. The law includes specific exemptions for motor vehicle dealers, utilities regulated by the state, and certain real estate settlement costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local jurisdictions in Minnesota to choose ranked choice voting for their local elections, where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. It establishes specific rules for how these elections would be conducted, including procedures for counting votes and handling ballots where a candidate is eliminated based on the rankings. The legislation also permits local areas to use electronic voting machines that can automatically reallocate votes to remaining candidates after an initial winner is determined. However, the bill did not pass during the 2024 legislative session and therefore will not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program in Minnesota to collect and recycle electronic waste from households and small businesses. It defines specific items that must be recycled, such as computers, monitors, and gaming consoles, while excluding devices like cameras, telephones, and household appliances. The legislation creates a system where an approved organization, known as a clearinghouse, will manage the collection, transport, and recycling of these covered devices. Additionally, the bill sets up new state accounts to fund the program and requires the state agency to submit a report on its progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act to protect African American children and families from unnecessary removal from their homes. It creates a new advisory council and requires social services agencies to make "active efforts," which is a higher standard than usual, to keep these children safely with their families while respecting their cultural values. The legislation also mandates specific reports on how well these new protections are working and sets a future effective date of July 1, 2027.