Rep. Jeff Backer

Maddy summaryHF 1627 modifies Minnesota's PFAS regulations by exempting certain commercial and industrial products from restrictions, delaying bans on lead-containing products, and postponing prohibitions on PFAS-containing firefighting foam at airport hangars. The bill also adjusts reporting requirements for PFAS use, allowing more flexibility for manufacturers of items like automotive maintenance products, cleaning supplies, and textile furnishings. These changes directly affect businesses producing or using PFAS in specific products, including manufacturers of commercial cleaning supplies and airport operators. The provisions are designed to provide temporary relief from existing restrictions while maintaining the framework for future regulatory action.

Maddy summaryHF 11 delays the implementation of Minnesota's Paid Leave Law from 2026 to 2027, affecting employers, employees, and state agencies responsible for administering the program. The bill amends multiple statute sections to adjust key dates, including the start of employer premium payments (now January 1, 2027) and administrative requirements like public outreach and annual reporting. This one-year delay provides additional time for businesses to prepare for the new paid leave program without changing the law's core requirements. The law's substance - such as premium rates and fund management - remains unchanged, only the rollout timeline is extended.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $17.9 million from state bond proceeds to fund a new county courthouse in Traverse County. The funds will cover demolishing the existing Wheaton courthouse and constructing a new one on the same site, including design, construction, and equipment. The state will issue bonds up to $17.9 million to finance this project, managed through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The bill directly affects Traverse County government and residents in Wheaton by providing funding for courthouse infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHF 1241 repeals Minnesota's Paid Leave Law, which previously provided state-funded family and medical leave benefits. The bill transfers any unspent funds from the family medical leave account to the general state fund, effective July 1, 2025. It specifically repeals all provisions of Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 268B.001 through 268B.30, which governed the paid leave program. This action eliminates the state's paid leave law and redirects unused program funds to the general state budget.

Maddy summaryHF 2112 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Minnesota's legislative districts are drawn. It would require the Senate to have one district per county (increasing seats from 67 to 87) and the House of Representatives to have 134 districts apportioned equally by population. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election. If adopted, these changes would take effect for the next legislative session, altering district boundaries statewide.

Maddy summaryHF 1871 delays the prohibition on lead solder in products containing internal circuit boards until January 1, 2028, instead of the original 2026 deadline. This specifically affects manufacturers of products like electronics with circuit boards (e.g., key fobs), requiring them to submit biannual reports to the Pollution Control Agency detailing compliance barriers, progress, and updated timelines. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 325E.3892 to extend the delay period while maintaining the existing limits on lead (0.009% by weight) and cadmium (0.0075%) in covered products. The delay applies only to products with internal circuit boards, not other lead-containing items. The change is effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 1752 amends Minnesota's licensure requirements for dental hygienists under Statutes 150A.06. It establishes two pathways for applicants: (1) graduation from an accredited U.S. dental hygiene program requiring at least two years of education, or (2) a foreign dental degree comparable to a D.D.S. or D.M.D. All applicants must pass the National Board of Dental Hygiene exam, a clinical competency exam, and a test on Minnesota dental laws. The bill also specifies that applicants failing the clinical exam twice must complete additional training before retaking it, and imposes separate fees for reapplying. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to become licensed dental hygienists in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 1870 exempts pens containing lead from Minnesota's prohibition on manufacturing or selling lead-containing products, effective until January 1, 2028. This specifically affects pen manufacturers who use lead in their products, allowing them to continue production during the exemption period. The bill requires these manufacturers to submit biannual reports to the Pollution Control Agency detailing compliance barriers, progress toward meeting future standards, and updated timelines for full compliance. It amends Minnesota Statutes § 325E.3892, which otherwise bans products with lead exceeding 0.009% (90 ppm) by weight. The exemption is temporary, with the requirement to transition to lead-free alternatives by 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 1868 amends Minnesota law to exempt electronic and internal components (like circuit boards in devices) from certain PFAS chemical prohibitions until January 1, 2032. This directly affects manufacturers and sellers of products containing these components, as they are no longer required to comply with PFAS restrictions for these specific parts. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes section 116.943, subdivision 8, adding this temporary exemption to existing rules. The change is effective immediately upon enactment but only applies to electronic/internal components, not entire products.

Maddy summaryHF 893 clarifies and strengthens Minnesota's self-defense laws by eliminating the requirement to retreat before using force when defending one's home or person. It expands the definition of "dwelling" to include occupied vehicles, porches, decks, and adjacent structures, and creates a legal presumption that someone entering a dwelling by stealth or force poses an imminent threat. The bill allows individuals to use deadly force without retreating in certain situations, such as when preventing a forcible felony or imminent harm to themselves or others. This directly affects Minnesotans using self-defense, particularly in home or vehicle defense scenarios.