Sen. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's property tax refund calculation for taxes due in 2026 by reducing the refund percentage from 12 percent to 8 percent. The change applies specifically to property taxes payable in 2026 and affects homeowners who would otherwise receive a refund based on the standard calculation. By lowering the refund percentage, the bill reduces the amount of money returned to property owners for that tax year. The legislation is limited to a one-time adjustment and does not change the refund program for other years or tax types.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time $300,000 grant program in fiscal year 2027 to help children in Minnesota's foster care system who are noncitizen immigrants. The funds will support partnerships between social services agencies and qualified nonprofit organizations to help these children obtain legal documentation and permanent immigration status. To receive funding, applicants must show a partnership between a social services agency and a nonprofit with specific expertise in immigration law and experience working with diverse communities. The grant money must be used to screen foster children for legal documentation needs and provide legal assessments and representation to help them attain legal status. The bill also includes data privacy protections that limit how personal information about children receiving services can be shared.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes special license plates in Minnesota that display the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline logo, available to registered owners of passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. To obtain these plates, applicants must pay standard registration fees, a specific plate fee, and contribute $25 to a dedicated safety account. The collected contributions will fund lethal means safety tools like gun locks and safes, which can be distributed through nonprofit organizations to the public at no cost. The plates may be transferred between vehicles owned by the same person, and the program will begin issuing plates on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3239 prohibits using "conscientiously held beliefs" as an exemption for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations in Minnesota schools and child care facilities. It directly affects parents or guardians of children aged 15 months or older who previously relied on this exemption to avoid MMR shots for enrollment. The bill requires these parents to provide either proof of vaccination (meeting medical standards) or a medical exemption statement by August 1, 2026, to keep their child enrolled in schools, preschools, or licensed child care programs. This replaces the existing personal belief exemption for MMR vaccines, which will no longer be valid after the effective date. The law amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, specifically adding subdivision 3c.

Maddy summaryHF 970 requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of farm equipment to provide independent repair shops with necessary tools, parts, and documentation on fair and reasonable terms. It directly affects Minnesota farmers and independent repair providers by ensuring they can access repair resources without being forced to use manufacturer-approved services or pay excessive fees. Key provisions include prohibiting OEMs from imposing unreasonable restrictions (like requiring repair shops to become authorized dealers) or charging more for parts/tools than they offer to their own authorized providers. The bill amends Minnesota law to define terms like "authorized repair provider" and "fair and reasonable terms" to clarify these requirements. This applies specifically to digital electronic farm equipment, aiming to increase repair options and reduce costs for farmers.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's HF 1269 requires health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved medical services and prescription medications for treating dementia, including diagnostic tests to assess treatment effectiveness. It also prohibits health plans from using "step therapy" (requiring patients to try cheaper drugs first) for dementia treatments. The bill modifies prior authorization rules for certain medications, ensuring automatic 60-day coverage for brand-name mental health drugs when generics become available, and streamlines approval for oral liquid drugs used with feeding tubes. These changes apply to health plans offered in Minnesota starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1148 establishes a state grant program to provide prepared meals for Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity who have difficulty cooking due to limited mobility, disability, or financial constraints. The program funds nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Minnesota tribes that prepare culturally tailored meals in licensed kitchens, prioritizing groups serving racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse communities at high risk of food insecurity. Grants require 50% of meal ingredients to come from Minnesota producers or donated/wasted food, and grantees must serve individuals aged 18-60 and their dependents while avoiding duplication with other meal programs. The bill appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with grantees required to report on fund usage and retain expenditure records.

Maddy summaryHF 63 modifies Minnesota school board membership by requiring public school districts to select two student members starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Student members must be enrolled in grades 9-12, reside in the district, and be chosen through a process allowing all eligible students to vote. These student members gain voting rights on all board matters, serve two-year terms, and may serve no more than two terms. The bill directly affects all Minnesota public school districts and their student populations, aiming to increase student voice in school governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from state bond proceeds to fund the design, construction, and equipment for La Lake Park in Woodbury, Minnesota. The funds will support an open-air shelter with restrooms, picnic areas, trails, a trailhead, and stormwater management infrastructure to protect water quality and enhance ecosystems. The state will issue up to $2 million in bonds to cover this appropriation, as authorized under Minnesota bonding statutes. The Metropolitan Council will administer the grant to the city of Woodbury for these park improvements.

Maddy summaryHF 362 establishes a state licensing system for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota. It requires practitioners to meet specific educational standards (including minimum contact hours), pass a credentialing exam, and obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Health. The bill defines both practices (e.g., Asian bodywork therapy uses techniques like pressing and stretching based on Chinese medical principles), sets application and renewal fees, and includes criminal penalties for practicing without a license. This directly affects therapists seeking to legally provide these services and ensures they meet standardized training and safety requirements, while also providing funding for implementation.