Sen. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Maddy summaryHF 1599 appropriates $3 million from the general fund for preliminary design work on a grade-separated interchange at the intersection of Trunk Highway 36 and Trunk Highway 120 in North St. Paul and Oakdale. The funding is specifically for planning and design phases, not construction, and is available until the project is completed or abandoned. This bill directly affects local residents and traffic in those communities by funding the initial planning for a safer, more efficient road connection. The appropriation is one-time and limited to fiscal year 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1350 modifies Minnesota's county veterans service office grant program by increasing funding based on each county's veteran population. Counties receive a base $7,500 grant plus supplemental amounts up to $20,000 depending on veteran population size (e.g., $10,000 for counties with 10,000-20,000 veterans). The bill appropriates $60,000 annually for fiscal years 2026-2027 to the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers, allocating $20,000 each for specialized coordinators focused on women veterans, suicide prevention, and justice-involved veterans. These funds support training, administrative costs, and technical assistance to enhance veteran services statewide. The bill directly affects counties with veterans service offices and the statewide association.

Maddy summaryHF 1529 provides a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in specific water infrastructure projects in Woodbury, Minnesota. The bill exempts materials for water treatment facilities, water towers, pipelines, and related improvements from state sales tax, with the tax collected upfront and refunded later. Purchases made between February 2024 and December 2028 qualify, and refunds are processed through the state revenue system following existing procedures. This directly benefits Woodbury for its water infrastructure projects and contractors purchasing qualifying materials during the specified period.

Maddy summaryHF 1585 allocates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to provide a grant to Art From the Inside. The grant funds arts programs - including visual art, poetry, theater, dance, and music - to support incarcerated individuals and people on supervised release. These programs aim to address rehabilitation needs and promote safer correctional facilities and communities. The bill directly affects those in Minnesota correctional facilities and under community supervision through this specific funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHF 132 prohibits the open or concealed carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places, ballot drop boxes, or counting centers during election hours (two hours before polls open to two hours after they close). It directly affects individuals carrying firearms near these locations during voting periods, with exceptions for law enforcement officers on duty, lawful possession on private property or in vehicles, and travel to/from private property. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, with repeat offenses classified as gross misdemeanors. The bill creates a specific safety buffer zone around election sites to prevent firearm presence during voting, without altering broader gun laws.

Maddy summaryHF 1111 provides $20 million in one-time funding to expand dental assisting and hygiene education programs in Minnesota. The bill authorizes grants and forgivable loans for accredited programs to improve physical infrastructure (like clinics and classrooms), create scholarships, boost faculty salaries, and acquire equipment. Eligible institutions can apply for funding to increase student enrollment capacity, with priority given to projects that directly expand student numbers. The funds are available until June 2028 and must be used for specific program improvements outlined in the bill. This directly affects accredited dental education programs at Minnesota colleges and universities seeking to grow their capacity.

Maddy summaryHF 1110 provides $15 million in one-time funding from the workforce development fund to expand dental assisting and hygiene education programs in Minnesota. The bill authorizes grants for accredited higher education programs to improve physical infrastructure (like clinics and classrooms), create scholarships, enhance faculty salaries, and purchase equipment. These grants aim to increase student enrollment capacity and strengthen the dental workforce pipeline. The commissioner of employment and economic development will administer the program, prioritizing projects with the highest potential to expand program capacity.

Maddy summaryHF 1041 imposes an additional tax on Minnesota corporations with high executive-to-median-worker pay ratios, ranging from 0.2% to 1.5% based on the ratio tier (e.g., 0.2% for 50:1 to 100:1 ratios). It directly affects corporations meeting specific pay ratio thresholds, using the federal disclosure standard (17 CFR § 229.402(u)(1)(iii)) to calculate the ratio. The bill also disqualifies these corporations from receiving state grants or subsidies, as specified in amended Minnesota Statutes sections 16B.981 and 290.06. The tax applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, with disqualification effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 488 requires all Minnesota health plans to cover medically necessary dental procedures directly caused by cancer treatments like chemotherapy, biotherapy, or radiation. This includes related evaluations, exams, lab tests, medications, and treatments. The law applies to health plans defined under Minnesota Statutes, ensuring coverage for dental care resulting from cancer therapy, not general dental needs. It takes effect after enactment for new or renewed insurance contracts.

Maddy summaryHF 776 appropriates $1.5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's Family Assets for Independence program. The funding is directed to the commissioner of children, youth, and families to implement the initiative under section 142F.20. This bill provides ongoing financial support for the program but does not change eligibility or program structure. It directly affects the state's administration of the Family Assets for Independence initiative.