Rep. Liz Lee

Maddy summaryHF 1420 allocates $20 million from state bond proceeds to fund a public realm project over Shepard Road in St. Paul, including adjacent rail lines and related infrastructure. The funds will be granted to Ramsey County for predesign, design, construction, and equipment of this public space. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $20 million in bonds to cover this appropriation, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This project directly affects Ramsey County and residents of St. Paul by creating new public infrastructure along Shepard Road.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to provide funding for student and staff safety improvements at schools. The Department of Public Safety's School Safety Center will distribute these grants to qualifying public, charter, and nonpublic schools. Each eligible school may receive up to $500,000 for authorized safety projects, provided they demonstrate additional funding sources. The legislation requires that at least half of the grants be awarded to schools located outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Funding is allocated from the state general fund for fiscal year 2027 and remains available until June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.5 million from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the City of Minneapolis to create a public memorial honoring Renée Good and Alex Pretti. The memorial will feature statues, educational exhibits, and a space for community reflection, focusing on their deaths and the broader issues of civil rights and immigration enforcement. The project requires a collaborative planning process involving local residents, civil rights groups, artists, and historians, with oversight provided by a partnership including city officials and state legislators. While the state provides the initial funding, the city is permitted to seek additional private donations and partnerships to cover design, programming, and long-term maintenance costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $75 million in bonds to fund the renovation of the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. The funds will be used by the city to upgrade the facility's infrastructure, including its heating and cooling systems, electrical and plumbing networks, and security features. Additionally, the project will expand and reconfigure interior and exterior event spaces while improving accessibility and storage areas for equipment. The legislation also includes upgrades to visitor amenities such as restrooms, seating, and sound systems to support ongoing operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $375,000 from the state's general fund to the Clemency Review Commission for fiscal year 2027. The funding is intended to help the commission process more clemency petitions, which are requests for forgiveness or reduction of criminal sentences. The money will support the commission's operations and staff to handle these requests. This legislation directly affects the Clemency Review Commission's ability to review and act on clemency applications from individuals seeking relief from their convictions or sentences.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota school districts and charter schools to adopt evidence-based safety plans that are developed with input from students, parents, teachers, and law enforcement. It establishes a new anonymous threat reporting system and creates a School Safety Center at the Department of Public Safety to provide model plans and consulting services to schools. The legislation also modifies rules regarding when firearms are allowed on school property and provides additional funding for student support personnel.

Maddy summaryHF 3776 prohibits publicly funded preschool and kindergarten programs in Minnesota from allowing children to use individual screens (like tablets or smartphones) during school hours. The bill specifically bans screen use without teacher engagement or peer interaction, applying to all children except those with an active individualized education plan (IEP), 504 plan, or individualized family service plan. It does not restrict screen use for educational purposes under teacher supervision. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, for all covered programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's homestead credit refund system by reducing the portion of the refund that homeowners must pay back, known as the co-pay. Under the new rules, the state will increase the maximum refund amount for various income levels while simultaneously lowering the percentage of income that claimants must contribute toward their property taxes. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the Commissioner of Revenue to create a tax compliance program and includes an appropriation of funds to support these changes. These adjustments directly affect Minnesota homeowners who rely on the homestead credit to offset their property tax bills.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill creates a $100 million relief program to help small businesses that experienced significant revenue declines between July 2024 and February 2026, which the bill attributes to federal enforcement activity. The program provides grants to operators of indoor retail or food market spaces with at least 25 small tenant businesses, requiring that most funds be used to offer rent forgiveness to existing tenants. To qualify, businesses must be Minnesota-based, have fewer than 50 employees, operate from a physical location, and show at least a 20 percent drop in revenue or sales during the specified period. Grant applications will be processed through a lottery system, with funds usable for payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, and other operational expenses, and the state must report on the program's outcomes by December 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time $10 million fund to reimburse Minnesota cities for costs related to federal immigration enforcement activities occurring between December 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. The money will be distributed to cities based on a pro-ratio of their verified expenses for public safety, emergency management, public works, and legal services during that period. Cities must submit detailed cost reports to the state auditor for review and certification before receiving their share of the aid. If a city receives federal reimbursement for the same expenses, it must return the lesser of the federal amount or the state aid received to the state treasury.