Rep. Athena Hollins

Maddy summaryHF 3409 prohibits Minnesota public schools from denying students access to free K-12 education based on the student's or their parent's immigration status or citizenship. It requires schools to stop collecting unnecessary immigration information, avoid threatening to share such details with law enforcement, and ensure no student or parent is excluded from school activities due to immigration status. The bill also creates a legal remedy, allowing students or parents who face such denial to file a civil lawsuit for redress.

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 Minnesota legislative resolution (HF 2688) requests Congress to seek a constitutional amendment overturning the *Citizens United v. FEC* Supreme Court decision. It asks Congress to clarify that constitutional rights apply only to natural persons (not corporations or other artificial entities) and that campaign spending is not protected speech under the First Amendment. The resolution specifically proposes an amendment requiring governments to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures to ensure equal political access for all citizens, regardless of wealth, and to mandate public disclosure of all political spending. It does not create new laws but formally urges federal action through a constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus displaying flashing red lights while children are boarding or exiting. It directly affects all drivers approaching school buses on Minnesota roads, mandating they remain stopped until the red lights cease flashing. The bill also adds a new provision warning drivers that amber lights indicate red lights will soon activate, requiring them to prepare to stop. These changes aim to improve safety for children near school bus stops. The bill is currently pending passage after committee approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a sales and use tax on advertising services in Minnesota, expanding the state's existing sales tax framework to include this category of service. The legislation directly affects businesses that provide advertising services, such as marketing agencies, media companies, and digital advertising platforms, requiring them to collect and remit tax on these services. Key provisions amend Minnesota Statutes 297A.61 to explicitly list advertising services as taxable, while maintaining existing exemptions for services performed by employees for employers and certain affiliated business arrangements. The bill clarifies that the tax applies to the furnishing of advertising services for consideration, without specifying particular rates or collection deadlines in the provided text. This change aligns advertising services with other taxable services like laundry, lawn care, and security services already included in the state's sales tax code.

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 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 summaryHF 2103 appropriates $9 million from Minnesota's general fund to fund a tracking system for tradable ammonia, hydrogen, and renewable energy certificates. The bill directly affects the Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System, which will manage the certificate system. Key provisions require grantees to submit annual spending reports to the Legislative Auditor (2026-2030) and report on green ammonia certificate issuances to commerce and agriculture commissioners (2030-2035). The funding supports developing infrastructure for tracking these renewable energy credits.

Maddy summaryHF 2998 establishes a legal process for terminally ill Minnesota adults with a prognosis of six months or less to obtain medication for medical aid in dying. It requires two physician confirmations (an attending provider and a consulting provider), a mental health evaluation by a licensed consultant to confirm capacity, and mandates that patients self-administer the medication. The law prohibits providers from directly administering the medication and classifies related patient data as confidential. Violations of the process could result in criminal penalties, while providers following the law are granted immunity.