Rep. Cal Warwas

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 1780 establishes a new payment system for "other lakeshore land" owned by the state and administered by the commissioner or county. It defines this land as parcels of state-owned "other natural resources land" abutting lakes identified by the Department of Natural Resources. Counties with such land will receive annual payments equal to either $5.133 per acre or 0.75% of the land's appraised value (whichever is greater), starting in 2026. Funds are distributed with 40% going to county general funds for property tax reduction, and the remainder supporting resource development on the land. This directly affects counties holding state-owned lakeshore parcels.

Maddy summaryHF 1590 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals who maliciously punish children, specifically targeting cases involving severe physical injury. It affects parents, legal guardians, or caretakers who cause substantial or great bodily harm to children, with penalties increasing based on the child's age (under 4) and the injury's severity. For example, causing head/neck injuries to a child under 4 mandates at least one year in prison, while causing great bodily harm requires a minimum two-year sentence. The bill amends Minnesota Statute 609.377 and takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 249 amends Minnesota's definition of "carbon-free" electricity to include biomass energy generated from specific wood sources. It defines carbon-free as electricity produced without carbon dioxide emissions, specifically including utility-scale electricity from wood chips derived from logging byproducts (like limbs and branches) or discarded wood products. This change directly affects electric utilities that report their carbon-free energy mix, as it expands what qualifies under current renewable energy reporting rules. The bill excludes incineration of wastewater sludge and certain waste-to-energy facilities from the carbon-free definition.

Maddy summaryHF 1729 authorizes St. Louis County to sell two specific parcels of tax-forfeited land through private sale instead of public auction. The bill applies directly to these parcels: a 15-foot strip in West Duluth and a defined portion in Section 14, Township 54, Range 20. County officials must determine that returning these lands to private ownership best serves their land management interests. The sale requires attorney general approval, including corrections to land descriptions for accuracy.

Maddy summaryHF 1359 increases funding for solid waste management by changing how fees collected from waste management are allocated. Starting in 2026, 7% of these fees will go to a resource management account (rising to 20% in 2027 and 30% after 2028), instead of the general fund. The funds must be distributed to counties for waste management programs under state law. This directly affects counties receiving these allocations and changes the percentage of fees dedicated to environmental resource management over time. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 648 appropriates $200,000 from Minnesota's general fund for a grant to Veterans on the Lake, a nonprofit organization. The funds are specifically designated to repair a septic system at their facility in Ely, Minnesota, which serves disabled veterans. This bill directly affects the organization and the disabled veterans it supports by providing dedicated funding for essential facility maintenance. The appropriation is for fiscal year 2026 and requires the commissioner of veterans affairs to distribute the grant.

Maddy summaryHF 432 appropriates $8 million from the general fund for the Progress Parkway project in Eveleth, Minnesota, to be used by St. Louis County. The funds cover predesign, engineering, environmental work, land acquisition, construction, and realignment of the roadway to improve intersections and extend the route from U.S. Highway 53/County Highway 142 to Trunk Highway 37/Station 44 Road. This one-time appropriation is available until June 30, 2029, and supplements prior 2023 funding for the same project. The bill directly affects St. Louis County as the recipient of the funds for infrastructure upgrades in the city of Eveleth.

Maddy summaryHF 1566 requires landlords in Minnesota to make reasonable safety modifications for tenants with children who have autism, specifically when hazards like lakes, rivers, or other water bodies are near rental properties. Tenants must request these accommodations, and landlords can ask for documentation unless the child's condition is obvious. Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants making such requests and must adjust policies or property features to protect the child, unless the change would fundamentally alter the property. This bill directly affects tenants with autistic children and their landlords in rental housing.

Maddy summaryHF 435 requires the Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections to house only biological female inmates at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee. It amends statute 243.90 to establish the facility exclusively for biological females committed by courts. Existing inmates who are not biological females must be transferred to another facility within seven days of the bill's enactment. This requirement expires on January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects inmates housed at Shakopee and the commissioner's facility assignment decisions.