Rep. Spencer Igo

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the funding for Minnesota's Workforce Housing Development Program from $2 million to $17 million. The additional money is intended to help build or improve homes that are affordable for lower-income workers, including both rental units and owner-occupied houses. By raising the annual budget base to $17 million starting in fiscal year 2028, the legislation provides more resources for the program to operate. This change directly affects the state agency responsible for administering the housing fund and the communities that rely on these affordable housing options.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new type of state funding called seasonal tax base replacement aid for Minnesota school districts that face significant property value fluctuations due to seasonal tourism. The aid is calculated based on the percentage difference between a district's permanent property values and its lower winter property values, with districts needing at least a 15% seasonal drop to qualify. The funding will be distributed starting in fiscal year 2027 and will be used to reduce the amount of property taxes districts must levy to meet their state funding requirements. The legislation also appropriates $3.422 million from the state's general fund to support this new aid program in 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new 100% tax on money obtained through fraud by individuals or organizations, regardless of whether they have already paid fines or restitution. It applies to those convicted by a court, those identified by the state revenue commissioner as having committed fraud, and anyone paid to help facilitate such fraudulent activities. The revenue collected from this tax must be used exclusively to provide relief for state income or property taxes. The law takes effect retroactively for fraud cases determined after December 31, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of state bonds and provides $275,000 in funding to build a recreational trail along U.S. Highway 2 in the city of Warba. The money will be given to Itasca County to construct the path between 1st Avenue North and Itasca County Road 426. To pay for this project, the state will sell up to $275,000 in bonds using a standard legal process for state debt. The law takes effect immediately after it is passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the city of Hibbing to create a social district where people can drink alcohol purchased from nearby bars and stores without buying a new license. Under the plan, the city would define a specific area, set operating hours, and require businesses to use special non-glass containers with clear labels for drinks sold in the district. The legislation also mandates that signs clearly mark the district's boundaries and rules, while ensuring that alcohol cannot be taken outside the designated area. Additionally, the city must create a management plan to maintain public safety within the social district.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota School Safety Center to create and distribute evidence-based model safety plans for K-12 schools, requiring districts to adopt similar plans by May 2028. It establishes strict criteria for what counts as "evidence-based," mandating that safety strategies be backed by strong research or well-designed studies before they are implemented. The legislation also enables anonymous threat reporting systems in schools and requires the safety center to consult with licensed mental health professionals when developing these plans. Additionally, the bill modifies grant programs for school buildings and cybersecurity while increasing funding for safe schools initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the duties of Minnesota's school trust lands director and establishes new reporting requirements for the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission. The director will be required to develop a ten-year strategic plan and a 25-year framework for managing school trust lands, with goals to retain core assets, increase their value, and explore revenue-generating options including ecosystem services markets. Additionally, the director must submit an annual written report by January 15 each year detailing management activities, financial positions, and recommended statutory changes to improve asset allocation. The bill also clarifies the director's role as temporary trustee during eminent domain proceedings and requires quarterly public meetings to inform beneficiaries and the public about trust land management work. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3809 modifies Minnesota's expedited eviction process for specific situations, directly affecting residential tenants and landlords in cases involving safety threats or property damage. The bill requires landlords to file an affidavit with specific facts proving why an expedited hearing is needed (e.g., tenant endangering others or damaging property), sets strict hearing timelines (5-7 days after summons), and imposes a $500 civil penalty for misuse of the process. It also restricts courts from combining expedited hearings with other claims like nonpayment of rent. This bill applies only to the specified emergency eviction scenarios, not standard eviction cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds to fund housing-related projects. It establishes a funding mechanism where the state transfers money from the general fund into a dedicated bond account to help pay for the interest and principal on these loans over many years. The amount of annual funding depends on which specific bond series are still active, with transfers occurring each July 15th through 2049. This legislation directly affects state agencies responsible for managing housing finance and the taxpayers who fund the state's general budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts the municipal electric utility in Hibbing, Minnesota, from specific reporting requirements related to waste-derived fuel. The exemption applies only to facilities that were operating before a specific regulatory decision and removes the need to submit life-cycle analyses, fuel mix reports, or undergo certain reevaluations. Despite these exemptions, electricity generated from waste-derived fuel at the utility must still count toward meeting the state's eligible energy technology standards. The legislation directly affects the Hibbing utility by reducing its administrative burdens while maintaining its eligibility for state energy programs.