Rep. Ben Davis

Maddy summaryHF 2363 grants residents of long-term care facilities in Minnesota the right to have one designated support person (such as a family member, partner, or close friend) physically present with them while receiving care. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 144.651 and 144G.91, requiring facilities to allow this support person unless restricted for medical reasons (like during surgery) or if the person poses a safety threat. Facilities must follow internal grievance procedures if a support person is denied. This directly affects long-term care residents and facilities, ensuring they can choose a comfort person without facility interference, except in specific safety or clinical circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $750,000 from state bonds to fund capital improvements for Cass County's Soo Line grade all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trail system. The funds will be provided to Cass County through a grant administered by the commissioner of natural resources. The state will issue bonds up to $750,000 to cover this cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The funding directly supports maintenance and enhancements to this specific public trail system used by residents and visitors in Cass County.

Maddy summaryHF 785 amends Minnesota law to allow students attending nonpublic schools (like private or religious schools) who live in a school district to fully participate in public school extracurricular activities - such as sports teams, clubs, and music programs - on the same terms as public school students. The bill specifically adds these students to the eligibility criteria under Minnesota Statutes 123B.49, subdivision 4, which previously covered home-schooled students and public school pupils. Key provisions clarify that extracurricular activities must be non-credit, generally outside school hours, and managed under staff guidance, with costs covered by school revenues. This change directly affects nonpublic school students in Minnesota districts, expanding their access to school-sponsored activities previously limited to public school and home-schooled residents.

Maddy summaryHF 2310 reenacts Minnesota's existing prohibition on weather modification within state boundaries, directly affecting individuals or entities attempting activities like cloud seeding. The bill defines "weather modification" as intentionally altering weather through chemical or apparatus dispersal in the atmosphere, and prohibits such actions within Minnesota's borders or airspace above them. Violations are classified as misdemeanors, with each day of continued violation considered a separate offense. This law aims to protect public safety, health, and the environment by preventing unauthorized weather-altering activities.

Maddy summaryHF 177 creates a refundable tax exemption for construction materials used in new single-family homes purchased by first-time homebuyers. It exempts taxes on the first $460,000 of construction costs, provided the buyer owns and occupies the home. Buyers pay the tax upfront but receive a refund through the state's tax process. The exemption expires on July 1, 2033, and applies to construction costs incurred after June 30, 2025. This directly benefits first-time homebuyers seeking new single-family housing in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 2268 creates a tax subtraction for Minnesota residents aged 65+ who receive retirement income. It allows married couples filing jointly (both 65+) to subtract up to $150,000 of retirement income, while other seniors (65+) can subtract up to $75,000, limited to actual retirement distributions received. This directly affects Minnesota seniors receiving qualified retirement plan payments (like 401(k) or IRA distributions) under federal tax code. The policy reduces taxable income for eligible retirees, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 700 creates the "Minnesota Women's Bill of Rights" by establishing specific biological definitions for sex-related terms in all state statutes, rules, and agency policies. It defines "woman" as an adult human of female sex, "girl" as a female minor, and "sex" as biological sex assigned at birth (with only two sexes), explicitly stating gender identity cannot substitute for "sex." The bill requires state agencies, schools, and public entities to use these definitions when collecting data on sex, including in vital statistics and antidiscrimination compliance. It also prohibits using terms like "gender identity" as synonyms for "sex" in official contexts. This bill directly affects how Minnesota state government classifies individuals in all legal and administrative documents.

Maddy summaryHF 1800 modifies Minnesota's voting administration rules, primarily affecting voters registering on election day and residential facilities. It establishes new requirements for "vouching," allowing registered voters or eligible facility employees to personally vouch for new voters in their precinct - limiting each voter to vouching for up to eight people per election day. Residential facilities (like shelters, nursing homes, or transitional housing) must provide employee lists to county auditors 20 days before elections, and election judges must document vouching on public forms. The bill also adds reporting requirements, clarifies election judge party affiliation rules, and includes criminal penalties for violations, but does not specify the exact penalties in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHF 1253 modifies Minnesota's absentee ballot procedures for certain voters. It shortens the timeline for mailing absentee ballots from 46 days to 28 days before elections (Minnesota Statutes 2024, § 203B.06, subd. 3) and moves the deadline for returning ballots from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on election day (§ 203B.08, subd. 1). The bill also prohibits correctional facilities from receiving absentee ballots, requiring county auditors to reject applications with correctional facility addresses (§ 203B.06, subd. 2). These changes directly affect absentee voters, election officials managing ballot distribution, and correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 1261 increases penalties for tampering with motor vehicles and establishes a new offense for passengers who knowingly ride in a vehicle they reasonably should have known was taken without permission. The bill directly affects drivers who tamper with vehicles (e.g., breaking in or damaging them) and passengers who are aware a vehicle was stolen. Its key provision creates a separate crime for passengers who should have known a vehicle was taken, expanding accountability beyond just the driver. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 609.546, effective August 1, 2025.