Rep. Pete Johnson

Maddy summaryHF 3119 establishes minimum pay standards for Minnesota teachers and certain unlicensed school staff starting July 1, 2026. It sets teacher compensation thresholds at $60,000-$100,000 annually (based on education and experience) and a $25 hourly wage floor for unlicensed staff who regularly interact with students. The bill requires annual inflation adjustments using the Consumer Price Index, beginning in 2030, and creates state aid programs to help school districts cover these costs. School districts, charter schools, and other public education entities directly affected must meet these standards or receive state funding to do so.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes state agencies to round small cash payments and transfers to the nearest five cents to simplify transactions, while explicitly excluding electronic payments like checks or credit cards. It also amends existing health insurance rules for nonrepresented employees and managers to change the language regarding high-deductible health plan options from mandatory to permissive. Agencies must post their rounding policies at locations where cash is handled, and the changes update the statutory text governing these specific compensation plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota school districts and charter schools receive funding for student support staff, such as counselors and nurses. It establishes a minimum funding floor, ensuring districts receive at least $40,000 per year while charter schools receive a minimum of $20,000, with amounts calculated based on the number of students. The legislation also sets specific dollar amounts for the per-student allowance for these positions, starting at $17.08 in 2025 and increasing to $34.32 in 2027 and later years. Additionally, the bill appropriates money from the state's general fund to provide extra aid for these personnel in fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.5 million from the state's general fund to support the Local Initiatives Support Corporation's Duluth office in fiscal year 2027. The funding is intended to promote economic growth in northeast Minnesota by strengthening local community organizations and improving commercial areas. The money can be used for workshops, networking events, staff support, and providing loans to businesses, but it is designated as a one-time appropriation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover home care nursing services without imposing quantity limits on the number of visits or hours provided. It directly affects individuals enrolled in health plans who also receive medical assistance, ensuring they receive ongoing skilled nursing care without arbitrary caps on coverage. The legislation defines home care nursing services as continuous, medically necessary care that cannot be safely delivered through intermittent visits, and mandates that plans refer to these services by this specific name in all coverage documents. While cost-sharing like copayments may still apply, the bill prohibits plans from restricting coverage based on the total amount of services needed, with most provisions taking effect in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $6 million from state bond proceeds to fund capital improvements at Duluth's Lake Superior Zoo, directly benefiting the city of Duluth through a grant for predesign, construction, and equipment upgrades. Key provisions include authorizing the sale of up to $6 million in state bonds under Minnesota law and exempting the funding from standard budget rules (Minnesota Statutes § 16A.86, subd. 4). The funds will support critical infrastructure like mechanical/electrical systems, utility infrastructure, and exhibit renovations to sustain zoo operations.

Maddy summaryHF 3468 permits individuals injured due to a failure to render aid in specific legally defined circumstances to file a civil lawsuit. It directly affects victims who were not assisted when required by existing law, allowing them to seek compensation for damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.662, by adding a new civil action provision. This change takes effect on August 1, 2026, applying to cases arising on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 2703 extends Minnesota's prohibition on drug manufacturers interfering with access to 340B drugs by removing the law's previous expiration date of July 1, 2027. This means the restriction on manufacturers - preventing them from taking actions that limit access to discounted drugs - will remain in effect indefinitely. The law directly affects drug manufacturers by restricting certain business practices and benefits healthcare providers like hospitals and clinics that participate in the federal 340B program. These providers use 340B discounts to purchase drugs at lower prices for patients, particularly those with low incomes.

Maddy summaryHF 793 establishes a voluntary certification program for commercial salt applicators (businesses that apply deicers for hire on private property) in Minnesota. To become certified, applicators must complete approved training on water-friendly snow/ice removal practices, pass an exam, and renew every decade. Certified applicators gain limited liability protection if they follow approved best practices and avoid gross negligence, but must maintain detailed records of deicer use and submit annual reports to the Pollution Control Agency. The program aims to reduce environmental harm from excessive salt runoff while providing a clear standard for commercial snow removal services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota's definition of an all-terrain vehicle by increasing the maximum weight limit from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds. It also raises the annual fee for nonresidents to operate an all-terrain vehicle on state trails from $30 to $50. The collected fees will continue to fund grants for local governments to build and maintain all-terrain vehicle trails. These changes affect vehicle owners, operators, and the state's natural resources management system.