Sen. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Maddy summaryHF 3528 modifies Minnesota's Board of Barber Examiners by requiring one board member to represent a barber union (with at least two years of existence) and another to represent a barber professional organization. It reduces fees for barbers, including lowering the practical exam cost from $85 to $80 and adjusting other registration fees. The bill directly affects barbers seeking certification, barber schools, and barber shops by updating their registration requirements and removing outdated administrative rules. These changes streamline the licensing process while maintaining public safety standards for barber services.

Maddy summaryHF 793 establishes a voluntary certification program for commercial salt applicators (businesses that apply deicers for hire on private property) in Minnesota. To become certified, applicators must complete approved training on water-friendly snow/ice removal practices, pass an exam, and renew every decade. Certified applicators gain limited liability protection if they follow approved best practices and avoid gross negligence, but must maintain detailed records of deicer use and submit annual reports to the Pollution Control Agency. The program aims to reduce environmental harm from excessive salt runoff while providing a clear standard for commercial snow removal services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $900,000 from the state's general fund to support the Southeast Service Cooperative in creating a transportation management organization for ten southeastern Minnesota counties. The funds are designated for planning, implementation, and operational services related to public transit and other transportation methods, with the money available until June 30, 2029. A key provision restricts the use of these funds, prohibiting any spending on administrative costs. This is a one-time appropriation intended to help the region develop a coordinated approach to transportation needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal immigration officers from wearing face coverings like masks or hoods while performing public duties in Minnesota. It applies specifically to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers conducting visible operations such as patrols, arrests, or status interviews. The law allows face coverings only for medical reasons or hazardous environmental conditions, and violations are classified as misdemeanors. The measure takes effect immediately upon final passage and adds a new section to the Minnesota Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota Parkinson's Research Trust Fund to support research and caregiver assistance for Parkinson's disease. The fund, created within the state treasury, will provide grants to Minnesota institutions and researchers working on Parkinson's disease studies, including treatments, prevention, and clinical research. The state commissioner of health will manage the fund, oversee grant applications, and ensure compliance with program requirements. Money from the fund may also support caregiver assistance programs as specified in the legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of the Ombudsperson for Anti-Asian, Anti-Asian Indian, and Anti-Religious Hate Prevention to address gaps in identifying and investigating hate incidents and crimes targeting Asian and Asian Indian individuals in Minnesota. The ombudsperson will receive complaints, assist victims in navigating reporting processes, collect disaggregated data on bias incidents, and coordinate with law enforcement, schools, and community organizations to improve response efforts. The office will also develop bias-aware training and cultural competency education for state agencies, local law enforcement, and K-12 schools to help prevent and respond to hate-motivated conduct. The bill includes provisions for funding the office and requires the ombudsperson to report findings and recommendations to legislative committees.

Maddy summarySF 3803 prohibits Minnesota public schools from denying free K-12 education based on a student’s or their parent’s immigration status, aligning with the U.S. Supreme Court’s *Plyler v. Doe* ruling. It bans schools from collecting unnecessary immigration status information, threatening to disclose such details to authorities, or creating policies that effectively exclude students due to immigration concerns. The bill also establishes a civil cause of action, allowing students or families to sue if denied educational access for these reasons. It directly affects all K-12 students and families in Minnesota public schools, charter schools, and districts.

Maddy summaryHF 1758 requires all health plans covering maternity benefits in Minnesota to provide comprehensive coverage for infertility diagnosis/treatment and standard fertility preservation services. It applies to private health plans, MinnesotaCare, and medical assistance programs, effective January 1, 2026. The law mandates no cost-sharing beyond what's required for maternity coverage (e.g., no extra deductibles), prohibits benefit limits specific to fertility care, and allows up to four completed oocyte retrievals per year. The state will reimburse health plans for coverage costs that wouldn’t have been provided without this law, using funds appropriated annually. This directly affects Minnesotans seeking infertility care through qualifying health insurance.

Maddy summaryHF 1426 establishes a statewide program requiring manufacturers of electronic products (like circuit boards and batteries) to fund collection and recycling of covered items through a reimbursement board. It directly affects electronics manufacturers by mandating their financial responsibility for end-of-life products and consumers by creating designated collection sites. The bill prohibits mercury in batteries and defines specific categories of "covered products," including circuit boards and batteries (excluding lead-acid types), while exempting medical devices and vehicles. It also appropriates funds to implement the program and replaces outdated battery management rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal cause of action in Minnesota for trespass involving airborne biological or chemical substances, such as pesticides and pollutants. It allows individuals whose land is affected by these airborne particles to sue for damages if the intrusion interferes with their right to exclusive possession of the property. If a court determines that such a trespass has occurred, it can award financial compensation or civil penalties of up to $100 per day, along with potential court orders to stop the activity. The legislation directly affects landowners and businesses by providing a specific legal mechanism to address pollution and other airborne contaminants on private property.