Rep. Liz Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $8 million in housing infrastructure bonds specifically to fund a grant for Face to Face Health and Counseling Services, Inc. The funds will finance the predesign, construction, and equipping of a 20-unit affordable housing facility with on-site support services for young people aged 18-24 at 1170 Arcade Street in St. Paul. The bonds must be used exclusively for this project, as specified in the amended statute, and annual debt payments will be covered through state appropriations. The bill directly affects Face to Face Health and Counseling Services and young adults in St. Paul who will receive housing with integrated support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.5 million from Minnesota's general fund to support the Somali Museum of Minnesota in building a new facility. The money will be used to design, construct, furnish, and equip the new building in Minneapolis to preserve Somali cultural heritage and display artifacts. This is a one-time appropriation available until the project is completed or abandoned, and the funds are managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development. The legislation directly affects the Somali Museum of Minnesota by providing financial resources for its expansion and preservation efforts.

Maddy summaryHF 3654 renames Minnesota’s "Local Optional Revenue Program" to the "Local Education Revenue Program" and increases its funding. The bill establishes a new calculation method using regional wage data to determine school district revenue, with a base allowance of $979 for fiscal year 2027 (adjusted annually). It also adds $132 per adjusted pupil unit to charter school funding and modifies how districts calculate local revenue levies based on property values. The changes directly affect Minnesota school districts and charter schools by altering their state education funding formulas, effective for fiscal year 2027 and beyond.

Maddy summaryHF 362 establishes a state licensing system for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota. It requires practitioners to meet specific educational standards (including minimum contact hours), pass a credentialing exam, and obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Health. The bill defines both practices (e.g., Asian bodywork therapy uses techniques like pressing and stretching based on Chinese medical principles), sets application and renewal fees, and includes criminal penalties for practicing without a license. This directly affects therapists seeking to legally provide these services and ensures they meet standardized training and safety requirements, while also providing funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1 million from the arts and cultural heritage fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Minnesota Historical Society for a grant to the Coalition of Asian American Leaders. The funding will support documenting the history of Asian migration to Minnesota and the experiences of Asian Americans in the state through research, translation, community outreach, and educational materials. The Coalition may use the funds to provide additional grants to project partners working with specific Asian Minnesotan communities to preserve and share their stories. This legislation directly affects the Minnesota Historical Society, the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, and Asian Minnesotan communities whose histories will be documented.

Maddy summaryHF 3617 bans the possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons in Minnesota, including specific firearms like AR-15 rifles and AK-47s, as well as weapons with features such as folding stocks, pistol grips, or detachable magazines. The bill defines these weapons broadly to cover both listed models and similar firearms with minor modifications, such as redesigned versions or enhanced features. Possessing a banned weapon would be a criminal offense under amended statutes, with penalties established for violations. This law directly affects individuals who own or possess these firearms, making such possession illegal under state law.

Maddy summaryHF 3618 bans the possession of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons (like AR-15s, AK-47s, and Uzis) and ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds in Minnesota. It defines these weapons broadly to include models listed in the bill, as well as firearms with features like folding stocks, pistol grips, or threaded barrels. The bill creates criminal penalties for possessing these banned weapons or magazines, directly affecting individuals who own them. The law would amend Minnesota statutes to enforce this ban and penalties, applying to anyone in the state who possesses such firearms or magazines.

Maddy summaryHF 3483 modifies Minnesota's trespass law to require law enforcement to obtain a warrant signed by a judicial officer before entering property for civil immigration enforcement. It also prohibits local law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on federal civil immigration detainers. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 609.605 to add a specific provision (subdivision 1, clause (6)) requiring a warrant with probable cause for immigration-related trespass entries. This directly affects local police and sheriff's departments by restricting their ability to act on federal immigration requests without judicial oversight. The law applies to all trespass offenses involving immigration enforcement activities on private property.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date for Hennepin and Ramsey Counties' deed and mortgage taxes from 2028 to 2036. It directly affects property owners and real estate transactions in these two counties, as it allows the existing taxes to remain in effect beyond the original deadline. The key provision amends two tax statutes to change the expiration date while setting July 1, 2026, as the effective date for the new timeline. The bill does not create new taxes or alter tax rates, only postpones when the current tax authority expires.

Maddy summaryHF 2499 expands Minnesota's renter's credit to match the maximum refund amount available under the homestead credit for homeowners. The bill adjusts the calculation so renters with household incomes up to $137,789 can receive a maximum credit of $3,500, aligning with the homestead credit's highest tier. This change directly affects renters who pay rent considered equivalent to property taxes, ensuring they receive the same maximum tax credit as homeowners. The key mechanism revises the credit formula in Minnesota Statutes 290.0693 to eliminate the previous disparity in maximum benefit amounts between renters and homeowners.