Rep. Pete Johnson

Maddy summaryHF 2944 clarifies that school boards in consolidated Minnesota school districts may renew expiring voter-approved funding referendums through board action alone, without requiring new voter approval. The bill specifies that renewed referendums must maintain the same per-pupil funding amount (adjusted for inflation if originally tied to it) and cannot exceed a 10-year term. This applies directly to school boards in districts formed by consolidation, streamlining the renewal process for referendums established under Minnesota Statutes sections 123A.73 and 126C.17. The changes apply retroactively to resolutions adopted on or after June 16, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 2881 appropriates $4.9 million from the general fund for the Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with the same amount continuing annually thereafter. This funding directly supports the task force's operations, enabling it to investigate and combat human trafficking within Minnesota. The bill provides specific, concrete financial resources without altering existing laws or creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryHF 2716 allows licensed cannabis retailers in Minnesota to display and offer one sample per product type (e.g., flower, edibles) at cannabis events, such as festivals or sales demonstrations. Samples must be stored securely, labeled, and limited to 8 grams of flower/concentrate or 100mg THC for edibles - no free giveaways are permitted. The bill applies specifically to authorized retailers (including microbusinesses and combination businesses) during event sales, requiring age verification (21+) and adherence to existing packaging, testing, and security rules. Retailers must record all samples in the statewide monitoring system, and samples cannot be sold or distributed outside the designated event area.

Maddy summaryHF 2728 modifies Minnesota's Great Start Compensation Support Payments for child care programs. It changes how payments are calculated by basing them on full-time equivalent staff caring for children, with one full-time equivalent defined as 32 hours weekly. The bill adds a 10% payment increase for programs receiving child care assistance under specific statutes or located in designated "child care access equity areas" (defined as regions with low child care access, high poverty, unemployment, low homeownership, and low median income). These changes apply directly to licensed child care programs serving young children.

Maddy summaryHF 2701 requires Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management to review all verified social equity applicants before considering general licensing applicants for cannabis licenses. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 342.14, subdivision 4, to mandate this sequential review process in every licensing period. It directly affects cannabis license applicants who qualify as "verified social equity applicants" under state law, ensuring their applications are prioritized before general applicants are processed. The change modifies the application review order but does not alter lottery procedures or eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHF 2960 appropriates $25,000 from Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 and $25,000 for fiscal year 2027 to provide a grant to "Fishing with Vets," a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The funding will support the organization in organizing and conducting guided fishing trips for veterans across Minnesota. This bill directly affects veterans by enabling access to recreational fishing programs through an existing nonprofit, with no new policy requirements or program changes. The appropriation is limited to the specified amounts and timeframes outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that workers who accepted a deferred resignation offer from their employer between January 27 and February 13, 2025, will not be considered to have quit their job for unemployment benefits purposes. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 268.095 to ensure these individuals remain eligible for unemployment benefits under the standard rules. The change applies retroactively from January 27, 2025, covering all affected workers during that specific two-week period. This directly impacts employees who took such offers during that window and were previously potentially disqualified from benefits.

Maddy summaryHF 3074 creates legal rights for transportation network company (TNC) drivers in Minnesota to form and join labor organizations for collective bargaining. It directly affects "active drivers" who completed at least the median number of rides in the most recent two quarters, as defined by the bill. The law establishes a certification process where drivers can designate an exclusive representative (like a union) through the Bureau of Mediation Services, while prohibiting TNCs from controlling or dominating driver representation groups ("company unions"). Drivers gain the right to negotiate terms and conditions of work, including grievance procedures, with TNCs, and the bill defines "lockout" to prevent TNCs from restricting driver access to the platform during disputes.

Maddy summaryHF 1686 expands training requirements for licensed security officers in Minnesota. It mandates 40 hours of pre-employment training (up from 12 hours) within 21 days of hire, plus 24 hours of annual continuing education for all officers, with an additional 6 hours yearly for those armed with firearms or weapons. The bill requires new training content including mental health crisis response, de-escalation techniques, CPR/AED use, legal use of force standards, and building safety disruptions. These requirements apply to all licensed security officers, managers, and employees in Minnesota, effective January 1, 2026. The bill also ensures employees can obtain copies of their training certificates from employers at no cost.

Maddy summaryHF 2958 appropriates $5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund the renovation and repair of Saint Ann's Residence, an assisted living facility in Duluth. This one-time grant, administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development, covers design, construction, and equipment for capital improvements to the facility. The funding is specifically for physical upgrades to the building and is available until the project is completed or abandoned. This bill directly affects Saint Ann's Residence and its residents by providing capital funds for facility modernization.