Sen. Jim Abeler

Maddy summarySF 1827 prohibits courts from requiring individuals convicted of certain offenses to pay for substance use disorder assessments if those assessments are eligible for reimbursement through Minnesota’s medical assistance (Chapter 254B) or behavioral health fund (Chapter 256B). This applies to court-ordered comprehensive assessments under Minnesota Statutes §169A.284, preventing duplicate payments when government programs already cover the cost. The bill also directs the Human Services Commissioner to develop recommendations for transition support services (like housing, food, and childcare) for people receiving medical assistance or behavioral health fund services after substance use treatment. It amends two statutes (§169A.284 and §245G.031) to clarify these payment rules and accreditation standards. The bill directly affects individuals in the justice system who need substance use assessments and are covered by public health programs.

Maddy summarySF 2215 modifies requirements for Minnesota's "Waiver Reimagine" program, which helps individuals with disabilities access community-based services. The bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Waiver Reimagine with 10 members, including four people currently receiving waiver services (with geographic and service-hour diversity requirements), legislators, county staff, and disability advocates. It requires the human services commissioner to submit waiver plans to this Task Force for approval before seeking federal approval, allowing six months for public input and revisions. The bill also updates reporting rules, mandating detailed plans for service menus, budget adjustments, and individualized budget ranges based on need - not location - before December 2026. This directly affects individuals receiving waiver services, county social services staff, and disability service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies restrictions on Minnesota optometrists' ability to prescribe and administer certain medications. It specifically changes time limits for prescribing oral steroids (currently limited to 14 days without physician consultation), oral antivirals (10 days), and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (7 days). The amendment would allow optometrists to prescribe these medications for longer durations under specified conditions, without requiring physician consultation for the extended periods. This directly affects licensed optometrists in Minnesota who provide eye care and prescribe medications related to eye conditions. The change is made to Minnesota Statutes section 148.56, subdivision 1, which defines optometry practice.

Maddy summarySF 2876 establishes a demonstration project to test a new coordinated care model for people with disabilities who are dual-eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. The bill requires the state commissioner to develop a request for applications, seeking partnerships between disability service providers, health care organizations, and managed care plans. Eligible participants must coordinate services across home care, primary care, dental, pharmacy, and crisis services while prioritizing patient choice and addressing health-related social needs. The project is funded through an appropriation and will measure outcomes like quality of care, cost savings, and access for enrolled individuals. This pilot program directly affects dual-eligible Minnesotans with disabilities and the service providers who coordinate their care.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches to support food shelves. The funds will be distributed to food shelves enrolled in the Minnesota FoodShare program based on that program's existing distribution formula. The Council must report by August 1, 2026, on how many food shelves received funds, the amounts distributed, and any administrative costs (capped at 5% of the total appropriation). The grant is a one-time funding measure directly benefiting participating food shelves serving communities in Minneapolis.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases reimbursement rates for diagnostic testing facilities providing long-term heart monitoring services. Specifically, it requires the state to pay these facilities 100% of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rate (or higher) for external cardiac patch monitoring devices worn for 48+ hours, plus data interpretation to detect heart arrhythmias. The change applies to services starting January 1, 2026, and directly affects diagnostic testing facilities that offer this specific cardiac monitoring service. It does not change patient coverage or eligibility for the monitoring itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota property assessors to reduce the taxable value of land subject to certain conservation easements or restrictions. It directly affects landowners who hold qualifying conservation easements on their property, particularly in rural areas. The key provision requires that the easement must be for conservation purposes, recorded on the property, and the land must be used according to the easement terms. However, the reduction does not apply to easements covering riparian buffers, properties in counties with specific farmland protection programs, or properties with easements entered before May 2013. The change takes effect for property tax assessments starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 from the state general fund to the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) for a one-time grant. The funds are specifically for evaluating potential sites and acquiring property to build a new facility providing services and supports. The grant must be used within the project's timeline or until completion/abandonment, per state rules. This directly affects the Council of Churches as the recipient and the community served by the proposed facility. The bill does not create new programs or alter existing laws, only providing funding for site selection and property acquisition.

Maddy summarySF 2289 appropriates funds from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to support community cable television programming. The bill allocates money to the Minnesota Association of Community Telecommunications Administrators, which will distribute grants to public, educational, and governmental cable channels across the state. These funds are specifically intended to support programming that enhances community and civic engagement. The legislation directly affects local cable providers and community organizations that operate public-access channels.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's nonemergency medical transportation rules for medical assistance programs. It updates reimbursement rates for transportation providers to ensure fair payment that reflects service costs, especially for providers serving people with disabilities. The changes require the state to encourage coordination among transportation providers and extend competitive bidding to include nonemergency medical transportation services. These provisions apply to medical assistance recipients needing transportation to medical appointments and directly affect transportation providers serving this population. The updated rules expire for fee-for-service plans on July 1, 2026, and for prepaid plans on January 1, 2027.