Rep. Jeff Backer

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally impeaches Minnesota Governor Timothy J. Walz for alleged corrupt conduct in office. It directly affects the Governor by charging him with four specific articles of misconduct, including concealing fraud in state programs, obstructing oversight investigations, prioritizing political narratives over transparency, and failing to enforce laws protecting public funds. If adopted by the House, the resolution would immediately suspend the Governor's duties while the Senate conducts a trial to determine whether he should be removed from office. The bill also requires the Speaker of the House to serve formal notice of the charges to the Governor and directs the Chief Clerk to send copies of the resolution to relevant state officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Minnesota Public Safety Radio Communications Funding and Interoperability Act, removes the requirement for Minnesota counties to pay for the expansion and maintenance of the ARMER public safety radio network. Instead, the legislation creates a new state-funded account to cover these costs, ensuring that local governments are not forced to use property taxes for this infrastructure. The law also establishes a voluntary program where the state and local jurisdictions can share project costs on an equal basis, with the state covering at least 75 percent of any such expenses. Additionally, the bill sets up a framework to improve interoperability, allowing different law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical agencies to communicate effectively across jurisdictional lines. A new reporting requirement mandates that the commissioner of public safety annually update the legislature on how the funds are being used and the progress of the network.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution initiates the formal impeachment process against Keith Ellison, Minnesota's Attorney General, alleging corrupt conduct and crimes while in office. The bill directs the House to adopt six articles of impeachment that accuse Ellison of abusing his office to defend unlawful protest activity, undermining religious liberty protections, failing to enforce laws impartially, engaging in conflicts of interest, and soliciting political support in exchange for favorable treatment. If adopted, the resolution immediately bars Ellison from exercising his duties as Attorney General until the Senate conducts a trial and votes on his acquittal or conviction. The House Speaker must serve notice of the charges to Ellison, and the enrolled resolution must be transmitted to the Governor, Secretary of State, and Senate leadership to begin the constitutional impeachment proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax reduction authority for businesses located in designated border city enterprise zones. It allows local governments to approve various tax incentives, including sales tax exemptions for construction materials, income tax credits for hiring employees, property tax credits for new facilities, and reimbursement for land acquisition costs to prevent business relocation. The legislation also updates restrictions by removing certain exclusions for specific business types while maintaining prohibitions on tax benefits for recreational facilities, public utilities, financial institutions, and franchised retail food or beverage businesses. Additionally, the bill authorizes a $2 million allocation for additional tax reductions to border city zones and clarifies which cities can designate development zones and their size limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents in Minnesota to request one free certified birth record for each of their children, starting on July 1, 2027. The change would remove the current fee for that first official copy while any additional certified records would still require payment. It applies to parents listed on a child's birth certificate and affects the state registrar and local offices that issue these documents. The legislation amends existing Minnesota statutes to specify this fee waiver without altering other birth record requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal licensure system for anesthesiologist assistants in Minnesota, creating a new chapter in state law to regulate this healthcare profession. The legislation requires anesthesiologist assistants to work under the supervision of a physician and mandates that they complete an accredited training program and pass a national certification exam to obtain a license. Key provisions include defining the roles and responsibilities of anesthesiologist assistants, setting requirements for provisional licenses, and placing oversight authority with the Board of Medical Practice. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and medical practices that employ anesthesiologist assistants by creating a standardized regulatory framework for their practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nonemergency medical transportation providers in Minnesota to equip their vehicles with global positioning systems and rear-facing cameras, while also mandating that they compile trip information and keep recordings for two years. The law applies to private and public transportation companies that carry Minnesota health care program beneficiaries to medical appointments, but exempts public transit systems, volunteer drivers, and not-for-hire vehicles. Providers must also comply with existing wheelchair securement standards and background check requirements for their drivers, with the commissioner of transportation responsible for enforcing these safety and operational rules. The bill amends current statutes to establish these new technical and data retention standards for vehicles used in medical transportation services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to issue up to $7,267,000 in bonds to fund a waste management project for the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority, which serves five counties. The funds will be used to build an ash recovery and recycling plant that processes ash from landfills into road construction materials and recovers metals, as well as a waste transfer station to handle municipal and demolition waste. The money comes from the bond proceeds fund and will be distributed through the Pollution Control Agency to Otter Tail County, which manages the joint powers board for the authority. This legislation focuses on funding infrastructure improvements for regional waste management rather than changing existing regulations or policies.

Maddy summaryHF 3716 adds a new provision (Minnesota Statutes § 103I.2091) allowing variances from standard water well isolation distance rules for submerged closed loop heat exchanger systems used in heating/cooling. It directly affects applicants seeking to install these geothermal systems near water supply wells, by requiring the commissioner to consider variance requests if strict compliance would create an undue burden. The bill specifies that variances must be evaluated based on factors critical to system efficiency, such as optimal well spacing for thermal performance and minimizing piping lengths to reduce energy loss. This change streamlines the approval process for these energy-efficient systems while maintaining water supply well protection standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays the start of a single dental administrator program for Minnesota's medical assistance recipients from 2028 to 2030. The legislation amends state statutes to postpone the hiring of a contractor who would manage provider recruitment, claims processing, and quality improvement for dental services. Additionally, the bill updates the timeline for annual reports on dental service usage, shifting the end date of the reporting period from 2026 to 2028. These changes affect the Department of Human Services and the individuals receiving medical assistance or MinnesotaCare coverage in the state.