Rep. Ben Davis

Maddy summaryHF 845 modifies Minnesota's net metering rules for small-scale renewable energy systems. It allows customers with systems under 40 kilowatts to choose between receiving compensation based on the utility's avoided costs or the average retail electricity rate. The bill clarifies key terms like "designated meter" and "contiguous property" to streamline billing for these systems. This directly affects residential and small business customers with solar panels or similar renewable installations who generate excess electricity for the grid.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the 100 percent carbon-free electricity standard that was set for Minnesota electric utilities by 2040. It removes the legal requirement for utilities to generate or procure electricity from carbon-free sources to meet specific percentage targets of 80 percent by 2030, 90 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2040. The change directly affects electric utilities operating in Minnesota by eliminating the mandate to achieve these renewable energy goals. This legislative action removes the previously established timeline for carbon-free electricity generation without adding new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals receiving Minnesota public assistance programs from using licensed money transmitters to send money to foreign countries. It directly affects recipients of programs such as SNAP, medical assistance, child care assistance, and housing support. The law requires money transmitters to report every six months to state agencies any individuals who send money abroad, and state officials must then check if those individuals are enrolled in public assistance programs. If a recipient is found to have sent money to a foreign country while receiving aid, they will lose eligibility for all public assistance programs they were participating in.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's social studies standards to include information about the dangers and perils of communism and socialism, specifically during the 2030-2031 review and revision of state academic standards. The legislation mandates that the state commissioner incorporate details about estimated lives lost and negative outcomes associated with these ideologies into the updated curriculum. It directly affects Minnesota public school systems by setting a specific requirement for future social studies education content. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not change current curriculum requirements but establishes a mandate for future revisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all medical assistance providers in Minnesota to undergo mandatory site visits and establishes enrollment fees for provider types that were not previously subject to these requirements. The legislation expands the commissioner's authority to conduct background studies, set revalidation schedules ranging from three to five years depending on provider type, and designate certain providers as "high-risk" for additional oversight. Key provisions include the requirement for providers to appoint compliance officers, allow for unannounced inspections, and grant the commissioner power to suspend billing privileges or revoke enrollment for noncompliance without administrative appeal rights. The bill also mandates that providers designated as high-risk may face a 90-day payment withholding period upon initial enrollment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota regulates water use, electricity sales, and solar energy standards for data centers. It requires large data centers using over 100 million gallons of water annually to provide detailed information before permits are issued, while exempting certain qualified facilities from this requirement if they meet specific filing or location criteria. The legislation also exempts electricity sales from qualified large-scale data centers when calculating utility solar energy standards and removes sales tax on electricity purchases for these facilities. Additionally, it creates exemptions from certain clean energy tariff requirements for data centers that applied for permits by January 1, 2025, or are located in eligible communities. These changes directly affect data center operators, water management agencies, public utilities, and local governments in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 194 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities by raising the exclusion amount for their homesteads. It raises the exclusion from $150,000 to $200,000 for veterans with a 70%+ disability rating, and from $300,000 to $400,000 for veterans with a total (100%) permanent disability. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans who died while serving or with a total disability also gain eligibility for the higher $400,000 exclusion if they continue living in the home. This directly affects veterans with VA-certified disabilities and their eligible spouses, reducing their property tax burden on their primary residence. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 273.13, subdivision 34.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates iron ore as the official state mineral of Minnesota. It requires the Office of the Secretary of State to keep a photograph and a typical specimen of iron ore on file. The legislation adds a new section to the Minnesota Statutes to establish this designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called disruption of worship services in Minnesota, targeting individuals who enter religious buildings with the intent to disrupt scheduled services by committing a crime. The law defines a religious establishment as a building used for worship that is clearly marked with a sign or other identifier. First-time offenders face gross misdemeanor charges, while repeat offenders could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both. The provisions take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Crosby, Minnesota to impose a local sales and use tax of up to 0.5% with voter approval. The tax revenue must be used specifically for four projects: $1.2 million for Crosby Memorial Park improvements, $1.2 million for the Hallet Community Center, $200,000 for the Jessie F. Hallet Memorial Library, and $400,000 for city hall renovations. The city may also issue up to $3 million in bonds to help fund these projects without going through standard debt limitation procedures. The tax would expire after 20 years or once all project costs are covered, whichever comes first, with any remaining funds going to the city's general fund.