Rep. Liz Lee

Maddy summaryHF 2289 requires Minnesota hospitals to maintain registered nurse staffing levels consistent with nationally accepted standards, ensuring adequate care for patients. Hospitals must create and implement staffing plans specifying maximum patient-to-nurse ratios for each unit, developed with input from direct-care registered nurses, and report these levels to the state. The bill prohibits retaliation against nurses who raise staffing concerns and imposes civil penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects all licensed Minnesota hospitals, their nursing staff, and patients by mandating safer staffing practices. The law appropriates funding to support implementation of these requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3248 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's workforce development fund to provide a one-time grant to SEWA-AIFW (South Asian Women's Empowerment and Advocacy Initiative for Women). The funds are designated to support SEWA-AIFW's workforce development services, which directly assist South Asian women and immigrant communities in Minnesota. The bill specifies the commissioner of employment and economic development will administer the grant. This is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 3202 allocates $4 million from state bond proceeds to fund the renovation of the Hayden Heights Library in St. Paul. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to this amount and directs the funds to the city of St. Paul for designing, constructing, furnishing, and equipping the library. This appropriation directly affects the city of St. Paul by providing capital for a specific public infrastructure project. The key mechanism is using state bond financing to cover the renovation costs, with the funds administered through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The bill does not alter existing library services or create new regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 2905 requires Minnesota's Department of Education to create a statewide computer science framework by July 2026 for K-12 schools, defining skills by grade level and including equity strategies to increase participation by female and minority students. It establishes a dedicated computer science education supervisor to support school districts in implementing the framework and provides for grants to advance computer science programs. The bill encourages school districts to adopt standards aligned with the new framework and mandates data collection to track access and participation in computer science courses. This directly affects Minnesota public schools, students, and educators by setting new standards for computer science education with a focus on equitable access.

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 2147 exempts hot tubs or whirlpools on houseboats and single-unit rental properties from most public pool safety requirements in Minnesota. It requires property owners to ensure water temperature stays below 106°F, test chlorine/bromine, pH, and alkalinity before each rental, and provide renters with a specific notice about the exemption. The bill mandates a posted warning: "NOTICE: This spa is exempt from certain state and local sanitary requirements... USE AT YOUR OWN RISK." It directly affects rental property owners, resorts, and renters of these properties, while prohibiting local governments from adding extra requirements for qualifying hot water pools.

Maddy summaryHF 2565 extends a one-time $1 million grant from the workforce development fund to Ramsey County (in partnership with St. Paul) for workforce development programs. It directly supports youth and young adults aged 18-30 through initiatives like the "Learn and Earn" program, which includes technology training and a driver's license academy. The funding, available until June 30, 2028, is specifically for these targeted training pathways and is not an ongoing appropriation. This bill modifies the existing grant authorization to extend its availability through the specified deadline.

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 2993 appropriates $6.75 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to Saint Paul Urban Tennis, a nonprofit organization. The funds will cover predesign, design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of a new tennis and life learning community center in Saint Paul. This grant directly supports the nonprofit’s project to build a facility serving local residents, particularly youth and underserved communities. The appropriation is available until the project is completed or abandoned, per state funding rules.

Maddy summaryHF 3092 appropriates $300,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for the city of St. Paul to design and construct a mural and statue honoring Tou Ger Xiong at Lake Phalen's Tou Ger Xiong Island. The bill directly affects St. Paul by providing funding for this specific public artwork. It establishes a concrete funding mechanism through the arts and cultural heritage fund for the project. The legislation focuses on commemorating Tou Ger Xiong through public art, with no additional policy provisions beyond the funding allocation.