Rep. Ben Davis

Maddy summaryHF 654 amends Minnesota's PFAS ban to exempt safety-related items (like helmets, boots, and eye protection) used by juveniles operating all-terrain vehicles or dirt bikes. It allows PFAS in these specific safety products, which are otherwise prohibited under Minnesota Statutes § 116.943, but requires manufacturers to display a permanent warning label stating: "This product contains intentionally added PFAS..." The exemption applies only to safety accessories designed for juvenile operators and does not affect the general ban on PFAS in other juvenile products. This bill directly affects manufacturers and sellers of juvenile ATV/dirt bike safety gear.

Maddy summaryHF 1463 appropriates $25 million annually (fiscal years 2026-2027) from the general fund for Minnesota town roads and $10 million annually for town bridges. The funds will be distributed under existing rules in Minnesota Statutes section 162.081 to support local road and bridge maintenance programs. This bill directly affects Minnesota's town road and bridge systems by providing dedicated state funding for upkeep. It does not create new policies or alter current distribution methods, only allocating existing budget resources.

Maddy summaryHF 1882 creates a process for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to temporarily approve site-specific sulfate limits for waters identified as wild rice habitats during ongoing rulemaking. It directly affects businesses with permits (like mining or wastewater facilities) discharging sulfate into these waters, requiring them to submit detailed data including water maps, historical wild rice surveys, and sulfate monitoring. The bill mandates the agency must approve complete applications within 150 days and prohibits requiring costly sulfate treatment technology during this period. Instead, it allows temporary limits while ensuring permittees monitor discharges and implement minimization plans if limits are exceeded. This provides a streamlined pathway for compliance without forcing immediate infrastructure changes.

Maddy summaryHF 1864 requires state agencies or entities using state funds to buy land (acquiring property "in fee") to obtain two specific approvals before proceeding: (1) formal approval from the Minnesota legislature during a regular session, and (2) approval from the county board of commissioners where the land is located. If the land spans multiple counties, approval from every affected county board is required. This bill directly affects state agencies, universities, or other public entities that use state money to purchase land. It creates a mandatory review process to ensure both state legislative and local county oversight for such acquisitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's renewable energy standards by expanding which hydroelectric projects count toward clean energy goals (including facilities over 100 megawatts if operating since 2023). It allows electric utilities to request delays in meeting renewable, solar, or carbon-free energy requirements if the commission determines it serves the public interest, considering factors like cost impacts and system reliability. The bill also expands sales tax exemptions for residential heating fuels and electricity, and prohibits demolition of fossil-fuel power plants under specific conditions. Additional provisions include supporting carbon capture technology and removing barriers to new nuclear power plants.

Maddy summaryHF 72 prohibits entities or organizations receiving state funding from making campaign expenditures or spending money on political activities. It directly affects nonprofits and other groups that receive state funds through direct appropriations, competitive grants, or other legislatively named funding programs. The law bans using any state-funded money for political purposes, including supporting candidates or ballot measures, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change aims to separate public funds from political campaign activities.

Maddy summaryHF 289 establishes the SAVI (State Agency Value Initiative) program, allowing all Minnesota state agencies - including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities - to retain 50% of unspent operational funds from cost-saving innovations or efficiency measures. Agencies must use these retained funds only for mission-related projects, after a peer review panel (composed of employees and managers) recommends the project and the commissioner of management and budget approves it. The program requires agencies to publicly post project spending plans for 30 days and undergo review by the Legislative Advisory Commission before funding. This policy directly affects state agencies by creating a structured way to reinvest savings into new initiatives without creating future financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHF 1809 changes the annual deadline for reporting uncollectible state debts in Minnesota. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 16D.09 to require the commissioner of management and budget to submit an annual summary of uncollectible debts to legislative budget committees by November 30 each year (previously October 31). This affects state agencies that identify uncollectible debts and the commissioner’s office, which compiles and reports these summaries. The bill does not alter the criteria for determining uncollectible debt or the reporting requirements for agencies themselves. The change is purely procedural, adjusting the reporting timeline.

Maddy summaryHF 1811 allows Minnesota parents to opt their children out of school face covering requirements without needing to provide a reason or medical documentation. The bill requires school districts and charter schools to accept such opt-outs upon parental notification to school officials like principals or the school board. Schools cannot demand health or educational justification, deny the request, or punish students who are opted out. This policy directly affects parents and students in Minnesota public schools with face covering mandates.

Maddy summaryHF 1513 requires Minnesota voters to present a photo ID when registering to vote and when casting a ballot. It creates a new state-issued voter ID card, which can be obtained without fees for vital records needed to verify identity (per Section 3.1-3.3). The bill establishes provisional ballots for voters who lack ID but provide required documentation, and mandates annual reports on ID card usage. These changes take effect June 1, 2026, and apply to all voters participating in Minnesota elections.