Rep. Ben Davis

Maddy summaryHF 2 requires state agency employees to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and legislative committee leaders when they have reason to believe fraud exists in agency programs. It mandates that all state agencies post current organizational charts online with contact details for leadership and division heads. The bill strengthens grant management by requiring agencies to conduct unannounced monitoring visits before final payments for grants over $50,000 (and annually for grants over $250,000), perform financial reconciliations prior to disbursement, and withhold funds from grantees failing to submit required progress reports. Violating these grant management requirements constitutes a misdemeanor under the bill.

Maddy summaryHF 763 prohibits falsely impersonating a military service member, veteran, or public official with the intent to gain politically or to wrongfully obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to explicitly add "for political gain" as a prohibited motive, making such impersonation a misdemeanor. This law directly affects individuals who might impersonate these figures to influence elections, campaigns, or political activities. The policy change clarifies and expands existing protections under Minnesota law to address political misuse of identities.

Maddy summaryHF 1298 amends Minnesota law to allow landowners or their agents to take feral swine causing damage to crops, property, or livestock without a hunting license. It permits this action on land the person owns or occupies, provided they report the take to wildlife officials within 48 hours. The bill specifies that landowners must follow standard wildlife reporting rules (like notifying conservation officers) but do not need to surrender the swine to the state. This directly affects property owners facing feral swine damage, updating existing provisions to clarify their authority under current wildlife regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 1284 allows Minnesota school districts to delay compliance with certain state mandates that lack funding until the required financial resources are appropriated. Specifically, districts are not required to follow mandates affecting daily operations, local policy authority, curriculum changes, or spending priorities until funding is secured. Exceptions apply for mandates with minimal budget impact or those directly related to student safety, health, or financial audits. The law takes effect for mandates active after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 655 amends Minnesota's child care licensing rules to allow family child care providers to exclude up to two of their own children when calculating licensed capacity. This directly affects home-based child care providers who operate from their residences. The bill requires the Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to update Minnesota Rules (part 9502.0365) to exclude the provider's own children from the capacity count. The change simplifies capacity calculations for these providers without requiring new licensing standards.

Maddy summaryHF 638 prohibits Minnesota cities, counties, townships, and school districts from adopting or enforcing ranked-choice voting (RCV) for local elections. The bill defines RCV as any system where voters rank candidates by preference, and states that any local rules conflicting with this prohibition are void. It directly affects all local governments seeking to implement RCV for local offices, preventing them from using this voting method. The law takes effect after enactment and applies to future elections. This is a policy change restricting local election method choices, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryHF 767 increases penalties for arson committed against political organizations or motivated by political reasons. It amends Minnesota Statutes 609.561, 609.563, 609.5631, and 609.5632 to add specific circumstances that elevate penalties. For example, arson targeting a building housing a political organization (under §609.561) carries a maximum 25-year prison sentence, while lesser offenses with political motivation face enhanced fines and jail terms. The law applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals who commit arson against political organizations or for political statements.

Maddy summaryHF 1185 creates a new special license plate design for Minnesota residents who received the National Defense Service Medal. The bill amends Minnesota law to add a plate inscription reading "NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL RECIPIENT" to the existing list of veteran plate options. Eligible veterans must already meet standard requirements for veteran plates (including honorable discharge documentation) and own qualifying vehicles. The plate would follow the same fee structure as other veteran plates, requiring payment of the standard special plate fee upon issuance.

Maddy summaryHF 900 establishes the "Constitutional Integrity and Values in Law (CIVIL) Act" for Minnesota counties. It allows counties to pass a resolution designating themselves as "constitutional counties," enabling them to refuse using county resources (funds, staff, property) to enforce any federal law or regulation they believe conflicts with the U.S. Constitution. This bill directly affects county governments by giving them a formal mechanism to opt out of enforcing certain federal requirements. The provisions take effect the day after the bill is enacted. The bill does not change federal law or directly impact residents' daily lives.

Maddy summaryHF 896 amends Minnesota law to permit certain retired law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry firearms to possess them on school property, changing the penalty from a felony to a misdemeanor. It directly affects retired officers with valid firearm authorization, allowing them to carry weapons in schools under specific conditions. The key provision modifies Minnesota Statutes § 609.66, subdivision 1d, to exempt these officers from the general prohibition on firearms in schools (which typically carries felony penalties), while clarifying that such firearms cannot be forfeited. The bill applies to authorized officers on school property but does not override existing rules for active officers or other exceptions. It becomes effective August 1, 2025.