Rep. Jeff Backer

Maddy summaryHF 3788 expands Minnesota's agriculture special license plates to include "farm trucks" alongside existing eligible vehicles like passenger cars, one-ton pickup trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. To qualify, applicants must pay standard registration fees, contribute $20 annually to the Minnesota Agriculture Account, and meet all other vehicle registration requirements. This bill directly affects Minnesota farmers who operate eligible farm trucks by providing them a new option for special license plates. The change modifies Minnesota Statutes section 168.1285 to explicitly list "farm truck" as an eligible vehicle class for these plates.

Maddy summaryHF 85 modifies Minnesota's requirements for mortuary science internships. It establishes a minimum 2,080-hour internship period (within three years) under direct supervision of a licensed practitioner, requiring interns to complete 25 case reports in embalming, funeral arrangements, and services. The bill also allows up to 520 hours to be waived for students completing clinical training through the University of Minnesota or approved programs. These changes directly affect mortuary science students seeking licensure and licensed practitioners serving as supervisors.

Maddy summaryHF 84 modifies Minnesota's requirements for mortuary science professionals licensed in other states to practice in Minnesota. It adds new documentation requirements, including proof of completing at least 25 funeral arrangements, 25 embalming cases, and 3 years of practice in another jurisdiction (or equivalent education documentation), along with specific continuing education records. The bill directly affects out-of-state mortuary science license holders seeking to work in Minnesota. These changes ensure applicants meet Minnesota's standards before receiving a reciprocal license. The bill does not alter Minnesota's own licensing rules for in-state applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called disruption of worship services in Minnesota, targeting individuals who enter religious buildings with the intent to disrupt scheduled services by committing a crime. The law defines a religious establishment as a building used for worship that is clearly marked with a sign or other identifier. First-time offenders face gross misdemeanor charges, while repeat offenders could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both. The provisions take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires publicly funded state and local correctional facilities in Minnesota to check the immigration status of certain noncitizens and notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they are housed there. The law applies to individuals in pretrial confinement, those convicted of felonies, and people committed to mental health institutions, mandating that facility officers immediately report nationality, conviction details, commitment duration, citizenship country, and last entry information to federal immigration authorities. Additionally, the bill requires a one-time review of all felony inmates in public facilities by July 1, 2026, to identify any noncitizens and report their status to federal officials. This policy change directly affects correctional facilities, sheriffs, and county officials who manage public institutions, while requiring them to share specific inmate information with U.S. immigration officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the fee schedule for the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports, which regulates professionals working in assisted living and related facilities. It establishes specific maximum fees for various administrative actions, including licensing applications, renewals, examinations, and continuing education requirements. The changes clarify fee amounts for different license types and add new fees for services like continuing education sponsor registration and mailing list labels. All fees collected under this bill must be deposited into a state special revenue fund to support the board's operations.

Maddy summaryHF 3562 modifies Minnesota's motor vehicle registration tax for passenger cars and hearses. It reduces the tax rate from 1.54-1.575% to 1.25-1.285% of a vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), depending on whether the vehicle was first registered in Minnesota before or on/after November 16, 2020. The tax amount decreases each year based on the vehicle's age (e.g., 100% of MSRP in year one, dropping to 10% in year ten), then becomes a flat $20 annually after the 10th year. This bill directly affects Minnesota vehicle owners paying registration fees for passenger cars and hearses, effective for registrations starting January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 275 modifies Minnesota's trapping regulations by changing how often certain traps must be checked. It allows body-gripping traps and snares (that can't drown animals) to be tended only once every third calendar day, instead of daily. The bill also permits foot-encapsulating traps within 50 feet of water without special permits during mink and muskrat season, while maintaining other restrictions. These changes replace an existing rule requiring daily snare checks (Minnesota Rules 6234.2400, subpart 10), directly affecting fur trappers and wildlife management practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds for mobile crisis grants to support human services teams in Minnesota. The money will be used to purchase and renovate vehicles that provide protected transport for individuals in crisis situations. The funding applies to fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and is directed to the commissioner of human services. The legislation takes effect the day after it is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Department of Human Services to withhold five percent of payments to managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans until those plans meet specific performance targets related to coverage verification. The withheld funds are intended to ensure that health plans properly verify enrollee coverage before receiving full payment, with the money returned no earlier than July of the following year if targets are achieved. The law mandates that performance targets be quantifiable, measurable, and developed with input from external clinical experts and stakeholders, including the plans and providers themselves. Additionally, the bill updates administrative requirements for managed care plans, including standardized processes for personal care services and new reporting obligations regarding rate increases. These changes directly affect prepaid health plans serving medical assistance recipients and the state agencies that manage public health care programs.