Rep. Liz Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $2.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support child care improvement grants. The funds are specifically for child care providers in Minnesota to enhance their services, as outlined under Minnesota Statutes section 142D.20. The bill specifies that none of these funds can cover administrative costs. It directly affects licensed child care providers seeking to improve quality or accessibility for families.

Maddy summaryHF 132 prohibits the open or concealed carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places, ballot drop boxes, or counting centers during election hours (two hours before polls open to two hours after they close). It directly affects individuals carrying firearms near these locations during voting periods, with exceptions for law enforcement officers on duty, lawful possession on private property or in vehicles, and travel to/from private property. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, with repeat offenses classified as gross misdemeanors. The bill creates a specific safety buffer zone around election sites to prevent firearm presence during voting, without altering broader gun laws.

Maddy summaryHF 1415 increases funding for Minnesota's school unemployment aid program, which provides financial support to hourly school employees who face unemployment between academic terms. The bill appropriates specific additional funds from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This directly affects hourly school workers, such as those in maintenance or summer programs, who qualify for unemployment aid under existing rules. The change simply adds more money to an existing account without altering eligibility or program structure.

Maddy summaryHF 1315 appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to fund a community center project for Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together in Ramsey County. The grant will cover acquiring property, building, and equipping the center to host educational and leadership programs focused on strengthening cultural identity and improving opportunities for Hmong women and girls. This one-time funding is specifically earmarked for constructing a facility dedicated to these programs. The bill does not create new policies but provides targeted financial support for an existing community organization's physical space needs.

Maddy summaryHF 1041 imposes an additional tax on Minnesota corporations with high executive-to-median-worker pay ratios, ranging from 0.2% to 1.5% based on the ratio tier (e.g., 0.2% for 50:1 to 100:1 ratios). It directly affects corporations meeting specific pay ratio thresholds, using the federal disclosure standard (17 CFR § 229.402(u)(1)(iii)) to calculate the ratio. The bill also disqualifies these corporations from receiving state grants or subsidies, as specified in amended Minnesota Statutes sections 16B.981 and 290.06. The tax applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, with disqualification effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1028 increases state funding for Minnesota school districts through multiple adjustments to education finance formulas. It raises the general education basic formula allowance, special education cross subsidy aid, English learner cross subsidy aid, school unemployment aid, and safe schools revenue. The bill modifies how compensatory revenue eligibility is calculated and allows school boards to renew voter-approved operating referendums more than once. These changes, effective for fiscal year 2027 and later, directly affect all Minnesota public school districts by altering their state funding calculations and administrative powers. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts existing funding mechanisms and eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHF 1210 allocates $2 million from Minnesota's general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide a one-time grant to TaikoArts Midwest, a nonprofit organization. The funds will enable TaikoArts Midwest to acquire, renovate, equip, and furnish a property at 449 Front Avenue in St. Paul, creating a permanent home for the organization and a multipurpose community event space. This appropriation is specifically for facility development and must be used to complete the project within the designated timeframe. The bill directly affects TaikoArts Midwest and the St. Paul community by supporting the organization's physical infrastructure and expanding public access to community programming.

Maddy summaryHF 265, also known as "Brent's Law," requires Minnesota 911 call centers to identify mental health crisis calls and prioritize mental health crisis teams as primary responders when available. It mandates that 911 telecommunicators receive specific training or mental health staff screen calls to recognize crises, and establishes protocols for public safety answering points to comply. The bill also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals or families harmed by violations, allowing claims for damages, attorney fees, and up to $15,000 in punitive damages for willful violations. This directly affects all Minnesota public safety answering points and the government entities operating them.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum refund amount for political contributions claimed on Minnesota state income taxes. For individuals, the maximum refund rises from $75 to $100 per year, and for married couples filing jointly, it increases from $150 to $200 per year. It directly affects Minnesota taxpayers who contribute to candidates or political parties and claim these refunds on their state tax returns. The amendment updates Minnesota Statutes section 290.06, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill does not change eligibility requirements or documentation rules for claiming the refund.

Maddy summaryHF 977 transfers $2.5 million from the general fund to Minnesota's Voting Operations, Technology, and Election Resources Account for each of the 2026 and 2027 budget years. This funding directly supports election administration by providing resources for voting systems, technology upgrades, and election-related operations. The bill establishes a specific annual allocation to this account, which is governed under Minnesota Statutes section 5.305. It does not create new programs but allocates existing state funds to enhance election infrastructure. The bill was introduced by Representatives Freiberg and Lee, K., and referred to the Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee.