Rep. Liz Lee

Maddy summaryHF 1099 changes how special education funding is shared between school districts and charter schools in Minnesota. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the state will cover 50% of the unreimbursed cost for special education services provided to students at charter schools (down from previous rates where districts paid more), while resident districts will pay only 50% of those costs instead of higher percentages. This bill directly affects charter schools receiving special education services and the school districts that host them, shifting more financial responsibility to the state. It amends Minnesota statutes 124E.21 and 127A.47 to implement this funding adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time $300,000 grant program in fiscal year 2027 to help children in foster care who are noncitizen immigrants obtain legal documentation. The funding will support partnerships between social services agencies and qualified nonprofit organizations to identify children lacking birth certificates or Social Security cards and assist them in gaining permanent legal status. To receive funds, applicants must demonstrate a collaboration between a social services agency and a nonprofit with specific expertise in immigration relief, legal representation, and serving diverse communities. The bill also includes confidentiality protections for the private data of children receiving services under the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to provide social services and mental health support to victims of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation. The program will fund organizations that help affected individuals with basic needs like housing, food, and employment assistance, as well as mental health care. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, tribal nations, and legal service providers, with priority given to areas most impacted by the operation. The bill appropriates unspecified funding from the state's general fund for one-time use through June 2029, requiring grantees to report on program participation and outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund physical safety upgrades at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. The funds will be granted to the City of St. Paul for designing, renovating, and equipping capital safety improvements, such as fire systems or emergency exits. The state will issue bonds up to $10 million to cover these costs, following established bond procedures under Minnesota law. The bill directly affects the Ordway Center's infrastructure and the City of St. Paul as the recipient of the grant.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's residential lease termination rules to provide clearer options for tenants facing death or serious health issues. For leases signed before July 1, 2026, landlords and tenants can end the lease early if a tenant dies. For leases signed on or after that date, surviving tenants or authorized representatives can terminate the lease by providing written notice by the last day of the month following the notice, while remaining responsible for rent owed during the notice period. The bill also allows tenants to end leases early if a medical professional confirms they need to move into a care facility due to disability or illness, provided they show acceptance into a facility and the landlord cannot offer an accessible unit within one month. These changes apply to both existing and future leases, with different effective dates depending on the lease signing date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's secretary of state to create and distribute a voter information guide to every household with registered voters before each statewide general election. The guide must include voting eligibility requirements, registration deadlines, and forms for absentee ballots, while also being available in English and the three most common non-English languages spoken in the state. The legislation prohibits anyone from creating campaign materials that look deceptively similar to the official guide and authorizes the secretary of state to seek court orders or fines against violators.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill restricts state and local government participation in federal civil immigration enforcement efforts, prohibiting agencies from using resources to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for immigration violations. It defines civil immigration enforcement to exclude criminal law enforcement and clarifies that cooperation with federal authorities on criminal matters remains permitted. The legislation also establishes a cause of action for constitutional rights violations related to immigration, prohibits denying education based on immigration status, and requires hospitals to create policies for interactions with law enforcement. Additionally, the bill appropriates funding to support these provisions and amends existing state statutes regarding immigration-related activities.

Maddy summaryHF 3293 creates the Minnesota Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (MCFPB) to enforce consumer financial laws and protect residents from unfair or deceptive practices in banking, lending, and other financial services. The bill establishes a commissioner appointed by the governor to oversee the bureau, which will investigate complaints, monitor financial markets, and enforce anti-discrimination rules in consumer finance. It appropriates funding for the bureau’s operations in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and directs the commissioner to recruit staff with federal CFPB experience. The bureau directly affects Minnesota consumers and financial institutions operating in the state by providing a dedicated enforcement agency for consumer financial protection.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the legal authority for federal agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to make arrests under Minnesota state law. It directly affects these federal agencies by eliminating their ability to conduct warrantless arrests within the state, except when assisting local law enforcement. The change amends existing statutes to delete provisions that previously allowed these officers to arrest individuals for specific crimes like assault or felonies when on duty or with a warrant. This policy adjustment limits arrest powers to state-authorized peace officers and private citizens, while still permitting federal agents to aid in executing warrants when requested by local officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota Digital Choice Act to give users more control over their personal data on social media platforms. It directly affects social media companies and the users who interact with them by creating new data rights and interoperability requirements. Key provisions allow users to request deletion of their personal data and obtain copies in portable formats, while requiring companies to use open protocols that enable users to share their social connections and data across different platforms. The law also mandates that companies respond to data requests within five business days and maintain secure systems for handling user information.