Rep. Jeff Backer

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's renewable energy standards by expanding which hydroelectric projects count toward clean energy goals (including facilities over 100 megawatts if operating since 2023). It allows electric utilities to request delays in meeting renewable, solar, or carbon-free energy requirements if the commission determines it serves the public interest, considering factors like cost impacts and system reliability. The bill also expands sales tax exemptions for residential heating fuels and electricity, and prohibits demolition of fossil-fuel power plants under specific conditions. Additional provisions include supporting carbon capture technology and removing barriers to new nuclear power plants.

Maddy summaryHF 1623 appropriates $1.525 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from Minnesota’s arts fund to provide grants for interactive exhibits and outreach programs at 12 specific children’s museums across the state. The bill allocates exact annual amounts to each museum, including $175,000 each year for The Works (Bloomington) and the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (Mankato), among others. Eligible museums must meet IRS criteria for children’s museums under code A52. This funding directly supports hands-on learning experiences focused on arts and cultural heritage for young visitors at these facilities.

Maddy summaryHF 981 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Commissioner of Health. This funding is directed to the nonprofit organization "Change the Outcome" to implement opioid prevention and education programs. The bill requires these programs to provide data-driven school and community education on opioid dangers, prevention strategies, overdose recognition, emerging drug trends (like fentanyl and xylazine), and access to substance use disorder support resources. The primary beneficiaries are Minnesota middle and high school students, communities, and individuals struggling with substance use disorders.

Maddy summaryHF 1475 abolishes Minnesota's Metropolitan Council and transfers its core responsibilities to other state entities. Specifically, it moves the Council's duties to the commissioners of Administration and Natural Resources, shifts transportation and transit functions to the Department of Transportation, and creates a new metropolitan area sanitary sewer district. The bill also repeals land use planning provisions previously managed by the Council and ends its oversight of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. These changes reorganize regional governance for key services like transportation, environmental management, and sewer infrastructure across the metropolitan area.

Maddy summaryHF 1595 requires Minnesota conservation officers to coordinate their investigations and enforcement activities with local sheriff's offices. Specifically, conservation officers must work under a sheriff's supervision for county-level activities, and sheriff's offices gain authority to set conservation officers' schedules within their counties. The bill also mandates that conservation officers be accompanied by a sheriff or deputy during most investigations, unless exceptions apply (such as immediate violations, emergency situations, or requests from other agencies). These changes amend multiple statutes to align enforcement procedures with sheriff's office oversight.

Maddy summaryHF 1498 appropriates $1.09 million annually from the state general fund for grants to specific museums and education centers in Minnesota for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The bill directly funds 12 designated institutions, including The Works in Bloomington ($125,000/year), WonderTrek Children's Museum in Brainerd ($82,500/year), and Duluth Children's Museum ($75,000/year), with remaining funds available for future years. It provides a fixed annual appropriation without altering eligibility rules or creating new programs. The bill’s sole policy change is directing state funds to these specific organizations for their operations.

Maddy summaryHF 284 expands background checks for noncitizen applicants seeking a permit to carry firearms in Minnesota. The bill requires sheriffs to conduct an Immigration Alien Query (IAQ) check for noncitizens and mandates applicants to provide their country of birth and alien number. This amendment to Minnesota Statutes § 624.714 specifically modifies the application form requirements and investigation process for noncitizen applicants, adding these new data points and verification steps to the existing criminal record checks. The change directly affects noncitizen applicants by expanding the scope of information collected and verified during the background check process.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Minnesota's sales tax exemption to include additional baby products, directly affecting parents and caregivers who purchase these items. It adds baby wipes, cribs and bassinets (including mattresses and sheets), changing tables and pads, strollers, car seats and bases, baby swings, bottle sterilizers, and infant eating utensils to the list of tax-exempt items. The exemption applies to sales and purchases made after June 30, 2025. This change removes sales tax from these specific baby products, aligning with the existing exemption for items like breast pumps and baby bottles.

Maddy summaryHF 946 allows approved third-party programs (such as driving schools) to conduct the behind-the-wheel road test for class D driver's licenses (standard driver's licenses) in Minnesota. It establishes requirements for these programs and testers, mandates regular audits of third-party programs, and permits applicants to appeal decisions made by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The bill also updates website rules to show real-time appointment availability, display next available dates/times by location, and allow address-based searches without requiring personal information. This directly affects driver's license applicants and third-party testing programs seeking to administer road tests.

Maddy summaryHF 2 requires state agency employees to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and legislative committee leaders when they have reason to believe fraud exists in agency programs. It mandates that all state agencies post current organizational charts online with contact details for leadership and division heads. The bill strengthens grant management by requiring agencies to conduct unannounced monitoring visits before final payments for grants over $50,000 (and annually for grants over $250,000), perform financial reconciliations prior to disbursement, and withhold funds from grantees failing to submit required progress reports. Violating these grant management requirements constitutes a misdemeanor under the bill.