Rep. Cal Warwas

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $4 million in state funding for Minnesota food shelf programs during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directs the state agency overseeing food shelves to use these funds to support community food banks that serve people facing food insecurity. The money comes from the state general fund and is added to existing base funding for these programs. This directly affects food shelves across Minnesota and the families and individuals they serve.

Maddy summaryHF 2517 restricts MinnesotaCare (the state's Medicaid program) from using public funds to cover abortions, except in three specific cases: when the pregnancy endangers the patient's life, causes substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function, or results from rape or incest. This directly affects MinnesotaCare enrollees who might seek abortion coverage, limiting public funding to those narrow exceptions. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 256L.03 to clarify that public funds cannot cover abortions outside these circumstances. The change applies to all MinnesotaCare-covered health services, excluding the listed exceptions.

Maddy summaryHF 1908 amends Minnesota's child custody laws to remove barriers that previously limited courts' jurisdiction when a child is in the state for gender-affirming care. The bill adds that a child's presence in Minnesota for gender-affirming health care meets the "significant connection" requirement for initial custody jurisdiction under statute 518D.201, and it allows temporary emergency custody orders if a child cannot access such care (statute 518D.204). These changes directly affect children and families navigating custody cases when traveling to Minnesota for gender-affirming medical treatment. The bill repeals prior restrictive language (including sections 543.23 and 260.925) that had limited these protections.

Maddy summaryHF 1066 increases annual funding for soil and water conservation districts in Minnesota. It amends state law to raise the annual appropriation from $15 million (for 2023-2024) to $20 million starting in 2025, paid from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue. This funding directly supports local soil and water conservation districts that provide technical assistance and cost-share programs for landowners. The bill takes effect for payments made in 2025 and subsequent years.

Maddy summaryHF 29 suspends the scheduled 2030-2031 review of Minnesota's social studies academic standards and repeals requirements for schools to include ethnic studies content in their curriculum. It also cancels funding allocated for ethnic studies programs. The bill modifies existing education statutes by removing mandates for schools to integrate ethnic studies or Indigenous education into social studies standards, effectively eliminating these curriculum components. This directly affects Minnesota public schools and students by removing specific educational content requirements and associated funding. The changes take effect upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 1161 creates a new funding mechanism for Minnesota school districts with significant seasonal property (like lakeshore areas). It establishes "seasonal tax base replacement aid" that adjusts a district's local tax levy based on the ratio of seasonal property value to total property value, with the adjustment capped between 50% and 100%. The bill appropriates funds to cover this aid, reducing districts' required tax levies without lowering them below zero, starting with taxes payable in 2026. This directly affects school districts that rely on seasonal property taxes for local funding.

Maddy summaryHF 417 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax code to exclude tips (gratuities paid to employees) from taxable income. This change directly affects service industry workers, such as restaurant staff, who receive tips as part of their earnings. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 290.0132 by adding a new provision stating that tip amounts are a subtraction from taxable income, meaning these earnings will not be subject to state income tax. The provision takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 633 creates a tax credit for licensed in-home child care providers in Minnesota who operate family or group family day care programs from their home, including the house, garage, and one acre of land. The credit equals 50% of the net property tax on that portion of the property after subtracting other credits, directly benefiting eligible providers. Counties will identify qualifying providers and calculate the credit amount, with the state reimbursing local governments for the tax reductions in two annual payments starting in 2026. The credit applies to property taxes payable beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 766 amends Minnesota Statutes section 609.2231 to increase penalties for assaulting police officers during lawful duties. It elevates simple physical assaults on peace officers to a gross misdemeanor felony (with up to 2 years in jail or $4,000 fine), and makes assaults causing bodily harm or involving bodily fluids/feces a felony (up to 3 years or $6,000 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who physically assault officers while they are performing official duties, as defined under Minnesota law. It becomes effective August 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date. The change specifically modifies existing penalty levels without altering the definition of assault.

Maddy summaryHF 724 modifies Minnesota's water infrastructure funding programs to increase support for local governments. It raises the maximum grant amount for wastewater and drinking water projects from $5 million to $10 million per project (or $20,000 per connection), while adding a new "emerging contaminants grant program" to address newer water quality threats. The bill authorizes the sale of state bonds to fund these clean water initiatives and adjusts eligibility rules to help communities where system costs exceed 1.4% of median household income for wastewater or 1.2% for drinking water. These changes directly affect cities, counties, and water utilities seeking funding for infrastructure upgrades under existing revolving fund programs.