Rep. Cal Warwas

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to modify how Minnesota's permanent school fund is invested, managed, and distributed to school districts. The key change would require the fund to be managed as a perpetual resource that preserves its purchasing power over time while providing annual distributions to support schools without raising individual taxes. The amendment establishes a board of investment led by the governor, state auditor, secretary of state, and attorney general, and prohibits the use of state funds to underwrite municipal securities. If approved by voters in 2026, the new policy would take effect on July 1, 2027, with specific rules for calculating distributable amounts and handling investment gains and losses.

Maddy summaryHF 5092 modifies how Minnesota distributes revenue from mineral production taxes to school districts. The bill updates the specific dollar amounts and formulas used to allocate funds, ensuring that districts near taconite mines and those in designated tax relief areas receive their designated shares. It also clarifies how money from specific mining facilities is directed to particular school districts and establishes rules for funding early childhood programs in qualifying areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's gambling laws by increasing the maximum cash prize for paddle tickets from $70 to $200 and raising the maximum ticket price from $2 to $5. It directly affects gambling organizations that sell paddle tickets, which are a type of lottery game. The changes are made to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 349.211, subdivision 2b, which governs paddlewheel prizes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies prize and ticket limits for paddlewheel gambling in Minnesota. It directly affects organizations that operate paddlewheel games by changing the maximum cash prize to $70 and setting a merchandise prize limit at $200 fair market value. The legislation also increases the maximum ticket price from $2 to $5. These changes update Minnesota Statutes 349.211, subdivision 2b to reflect the new gambling regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 3393 creates supplemental unemployment benefits for workers in the iron ore mining industry and related explosive manufacturing firms that supply them. It provides additional benefits to employees laid off between January 15 and March 15, 2026, due to a 50%+ workforce reduction at their employer. Eligible workers must have exhausted regular unemployment benefits and meet standard eligibility requirements, receiving up to 26 weeks of supplemental payments matching their regular weekly benefit amount. The bill applies retroactively to January 15, 2026, and excludes those receiving federal Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits.

Maddy summaryHF 1849 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Minnesota's governor and lieutenant governor to two terms each. If approved by voters in 2026, the amendment would change the state constitution to state that no person may be elected more than twice to either office. The amendment requires a statewide vote at the 2026 general election with a specific ballot question asking voters to approve term limits beginning in 2030. This change would affect all future governors and lieutenant governors, but would not apply to terms served before 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily suspends the state motor fuels tax in Minnesota for a specific period in 2026, directly affecting drivers, fuel retailers, and businesses that purchase gasoline and diesel. Under the legislation, the tax rate is set to zero cents per gallon or per thousand cubic feet for all fuel types during the designated timeframe, which begins shortly after the bill is enacted and ends in early September 2026. To offset the lost revenue from this suspension, the state will transfer money from its general fund to the Department of Transportation to cover the costs that would have been collected from fuel taxes. The bill also allocates a one-time appropriation to the Department of Revenue to cover the administrative expenses required to implement this temporary tax pause.

Maddy summaryHF 3727 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities by raising the market value exclusion amounts. Veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating now qualify for a $200,000 exclusion (up from $150,000), while those with a total and permanent 100% disability qualify for $400,000 (up from $300,000). The bill applies to veterans owning their primary residence ("homestead") in Minnesota, requiring certification of disability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and honorable military discharge. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also inherit this tax benefit under specific conditions. This change directly reduces taxable value for eligible veterans’ primary homes, lowering their property tax burden.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to grant a one-year extension without penalty to timber permit holders who request it before their current permit expires, provided they are not delinquent on payments or have active trespass violations. The law also mandates that permits for timber requiring frozen ground access must have a minimum term of four years, ending on May 31 of the fifth year, to ensure safe working conditions during winter. Additionally, the bill updates requirements for sale lists to include specific assessments on whether frozen ground access is needed for certain tracts of land. These changes directly affect current and future timber operators in Minnesota by altering how long they can legally harvest state timber and how sale information is presented.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies a prior appropriation for the Progress Parkway construction project in Eveleth, Minnesota, allowing $6 million from the state's general fund to be used for various project phases. The funds will support design, engineering, environmental analysis, land acquisition, and construction work to improve intersections and extend the road from Highway 53 to Trunk Highway 37. The appropriation is designated as a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2030, and will be distributed through grants to St. Louis County for implementation. This legislation updates the existing funding framework established in 2023 to extend the project timeline and ensure continued financial support.