Sen. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Maddy summaryHF 309 amends Minnesota Statutes §84.523 to tighten mining restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) and Rainy River headwaters. The bill requires the commissioner of natural resources to determine that proposed mining (for taconite, sand, gravel, or granite) in the Rainy River headwaters would not harm the BWCA before any permits are issued. This modifies existing law by adding this specific assessment step, directly affecting mining operations seeking approval in these areas. The change maintains the general prohibition on mining without legislative approval but adds a new administrative requirement for the commissioner to evaluate environmental impacts. The bill focuses on protecting the BWCA's wilderness character through stricter permitting conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises Minnesota's legal age for kratom possession and sale from 18 to 21 years old. It makes it a misdemeanor for anyone under 21 to possess kratom and a gross misdemeanor to sell it to minors. The law applies to all kratom products containing mitragynine or related compounds, directly affecting young adults under 21 and businesses selling these products. The bill takes effect August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3621 allows Minnesota state agencies to temporarily withhold payments to program participants (such as individuals or organizations receiving public funds) for up to 60 days if they suspect fraud, based on a preponderance of evidence. The bill requires agencies to provide written notice to the participant at least 24 hours before withholding, detailing the reasons (without revealing investigation details), the effective date, and appeal rights under Chapter 14. During the withholding period, evidence related to the suspected fraud is classified as confidential or protected data, but becomes public once the period ends unless protected by law. This bill directly affects entities or individuals receiving state or federal program funds who are suspected of fraud, such as through false claims or deceptive practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to use lease-purchase agreements and certificates of participation to fund improvements or a replacement of its MAXIS system. It allows the state commissioner to enter into contracts with vendors or third-party financiers to cover project costs, with repayment terms limited to the project's useful life or ten years, whichever is shorter. The legislation establishes rules for how funds are managed, including requirements for maintaining insurance, assuming liability, and handling default situations, while also permitting the transfer of initial funds from the general treasury to cover expected proceeds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications for treating or slowing dementia, including necessary diagnostic tests. It specifically prohibits these plans from using step therapy protocols, which would otherwise force patients to try cheaper or alternative treatments before accessing the most effective options for dementia care. The legislation also modifies rules on prior authorization for certain drugs, ensuring public input and limiting how quickly new medications can be restricted. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2027, applying to any health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies recycling targets and state funding for solid waste management districts in Minnesota. It requires districts to adopt recycling goals based on the average of their member counties' targets (using metropolitan county standards if the district includes both metro and non-metro areas), and mandates that state funding distributed to districts equals the sum of funds that would have gone to the individual counties. The bill repeals outdated sections and establishes new definitions for districts, boards, and member counties under revised statutes. It directly affects multi-county solid waste districts and their participating counties by standardizing how goals and funds are calculated.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state general levy specifically for residential homestead property in Minnesota and modifies how city aid is distributed to municipalities. The legislation requires the state to calculate a specific tax amount for home properties each year to fund a set level of financial assistance for cities, with these changes taking effect for taxes payable in 2027. Additionally, the bill updates the formula for city aid by ensuring each city receives an amount equal to the greater of its unmet need or a calculated percentage of its previous funding, while also defining a new category for high-value residential properties. These adjustments aim to create a more predictable funding stream for local governments and clarify how state taxes are applied to different types of real estate.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $8 million in housing infrastructure bonds to provide funding for a specific nonprofit organization called Face to Face Health and Counseling Services. The funds are designated to build and equip a facility in St. Paul that will offer 20 units of affordable housing along with on-site support services for young people between the ages of 18 and 24. To finance this project, the state will issue bonds and transfer money from the general fund to a dedicated account to cover the debt payments associated with those bonds over several decades. The legislation amends existing state statutes to formally allow these new bonds and establish the rules for how the repayment money will be collected and managed.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a tax on plastic bottles sold in Minnesota to raise money for water infrastructure projects. The tax would apply to distributors of sealed plastic bottles containing beverages under three liters, excluding infant formula and regulated drugs. Collected funds would be placed in a dedicated state account managed by the Public Facilities Authority to finance specific water system improvements. The measure is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and would expire on December 31, 2031.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state program to ensure all pedestrian crossings in Minnesota meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards by December 31, 2035. It requires the Department of Transportation to create an inventory of every crossing, categorize them by compliance status, and maintain a public database tracking these updates. To fund the necessary repairs, the bill authorizes the use of state money and the sale of bonds to provide grants for local road authorities, prioritizing smaller communities and areas with lower-income residents. Local entities can use these funds to inspect crossings, hire contractors for repairs, or pay off debt related to the work. The legislation also mandates the creation of regional contracts to manage the construction of accessible crossings across the state.