Rep. Liz Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for impersonating a police officer in Minnesota. It upgrades the base offense to a felony (up to 2 years in jail or $4,000 fine) and creates a new crime for impersonating while carrying a firearm (up to 10 years in jail or $20,000 fine). The bill also requires anyone pretending to be a law enforcement officer to identify themselves when asked and imposes harsher penalties if they commit other crimes while impersonating an officer (e.g., a misdemeanor becomes a gross misdemeanor). It directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers, including those using fake uniforms, vehicle markings, or equipment to mimic law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHF 1141 authorizes Minnesota's housing agency to issue up to $400 million in housing infrastructure bonds for projects like affordable housing developments or neighborhood improvements. It establishes annual funding transfers from the state general fund to a dedicated housing bond account, with specific amounts varying by year: $6.4 million starting in 2015, $800,000 in 2017, $2.8 million in 2019, and other amounts through 2047. These transfers are triggered when bonds remain outstanding and are funded from the general budget. The bill directly affects the state housing agency, which manages the bond program, and ensures predictable annual funding for housing infrastructure projects over multiple decades.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces new regulations on the ownership, possession, and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Minnesota. It also strengthens laws regarding dangerous weapons in schools, the negligent storage of firearms, and the reporting of firearm discharges by law enforcement. Additionally, the legislation reinstates a ban on binary triggers, criminalizes the manufacture of ghost guns, and updates procedures for extreme risk protection orders. To support these changes, the bill appropriates funds for a public awareness campaign on safety orders and administrative costs for certifying weapon ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Business Regulation and Land Ownership within Minnesota's Department of Agriculture. The office will investigate monopolies and consolidation in agriculture-related businesses, such as those producing food, seeds, and chemicals, while also tracking how agricultural land is being bought by individuals, corporations, and other organizations. To carry out these tasks, the office will employ a director with expertise in antitrust and property law, along with staff including lawyers and economists, and must submit biennial reports to state legislators. The legislation also authorizes funding from the state's general budget to establish and operate this new office.

Maddy summaryHF 5149 restricts law enforcement from making civil immigration arrests at court facilities and surrounding areas to protect individuals attending legal proceedings. The bill defines 'civil arrest' as taking someone into custody for immigration violations and explicitly prohibits this action within courthouses, parking lots, and nearby sidewalks. It also establishes protections for court companions, such as family members and advocates, by extending these arrest restrictions to anyone accompanying a person to court. Additionally, the legislation modifies laws related to concealing identity and expands investigations into police use of force.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state wealth tax in Minnesota that would apply to individuals and trusts with taxable wealth exceeding $10 million. The tax would be calculated as one percent of the amount above that threshold, based on the total value of all property owned within Minnesota minus any debts owed by the taxpayer. Property values would be determined using the same valuation methods used for federal estate taxes, and the tax would apply to both residents and nonresidents who own property in the state. The legislation would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and would be collected in addition to existing state taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund in Minnesota to address climate change impacts. It establishes a program that requires fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and 2026 to pay into a dedicated account. The collected funds will be used to finance climate change adaptation projects for state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as for disadvantaged communities. The bill defines specific terms like "responsible party" and "covered greenhouse gas emissions" to determine which companies must contribute and what types of projects can receive funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates terminology and adjusts certain positions within Ramsey County's human resources personnel structure to align with other similar roles. It changes the title of the human resources director to "chief human resources officer" and moves this position from classified to unclassified service, while also updating the county manager's role in labor negotiations. The legislation repeals outdated language and makes technical corrections to state statutes governing county personnel systems, ensuring consistency across the county's administrative framework. These changes affect how county employees are classified, how personnel rules are created, and how collective bargaining agreements are managed within the county government.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses the Minnesota legislature's support for strengthening the state's sister-state relationship with Taiwan and encourages local businesses to refer to the region as "Taiwan." The bill highlights existing economic ties, such as trade in agricultural products, and calls for the United States and Taiwan to finalize a bilateral trade agreement and a double taxation treaty. It also advocates for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and condemns actions that restrict its diplomatic engagement. As a non-binding resolution, the measure does not create new laws but serves to formally record the House's stance on these issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax exemption rules for data centers by creating a new category for large-scale facilities and updating the definition of enterprise information technology equipment. It directly affects businesses constructing or operating data centers in the state by changing the financial thresholds required to qualify for sales tax exemptions on equipment and software. The legislation defines a qualified large-scale data center as a facility with at least 25,000 square feet and a minimum investment of $250 million over 60 months, while also clarifying what counts as enterprise information technology equipment for tax purposes. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to purchases made after that date.