Rep. Ron Kresha

Maddy summaryHF 3217 appropriates $15 million from Minnesota's climate and economic development fund to make payments to specific bioindustrial facilities. It directly affects businesses that began private investments for land, infrastructure, buildings, or equipment before June 30, 2024, to produce advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, or biomass thermal energy. Payments will cover unpaid claims submitted under Minnesota Statutes §41A.16-41A.18 by April 30, 2025, and applications open August 1, 2026. The funds are a one-time allocation available until July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 3171 appropriates $100,000 from the state general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund maintenance at Oakland Cemetery in Little Falls. The money is directed to the Minnesota Historical Society, which will provide an annual grant to the Oakland Cemetery Association of Little Falls. This bill directly provides funding to the cemetery association for upkeep of the historic Oakland Cemetery. The legislation is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy requirements or broad impacts beyond the specified cemetery maintenance.

Maddy summaryHF 2239 allows Minnesota school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units to transfer unassigned funds between operating accounts for fiscal years 2025-2027 without increasing state aid or property tax authority. It also permits school boards to temporarily opt out of certain state laws or rules enacted after January 2023 (like those from 2023-2024 sessions) for the 2024-2025 through 2026-2027 school years. School boards must document each transfer or exemption in a written resolution, post it online, and notify the state education commissioner. The bill applies only to the specified fiscal and school years, with no changes to state funding obligations.

Maddy summaryHF 3110 amends Minnesota's student privacy law to allow educational institutions to disclose private student contact information to legislators and photographers for "specified purposes." This change modifies existing restrictions under Minnesota Statutes §13.32, creating a new exception to the general rule that protects student data. The bill directly affects students and schools by altering when personal contact details (like phone numbers or addresses) can be shared with these groups. It does not define the specific "specified purposes," so the exact scope of this disclosure remains unclear from the provided text.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies reimbursement rates for community support services, increasing them to 107.5% (effective now) and 112.5% (effective January 1, 2026) for providers serving clients needing 10+ hours daily. It requires providers to use all additional revenue solely for staff wages and related costs (like payroll taxes), not for benefits like health insurance. The bill also creates the Minnesota Caregiver Defined Contribution Retirement Fund Trust, a joint state-union retirement savings plan for union-represented direct support workers. These changes directly affect community support service providers, their employees, and Minnesota’s human services budget.

Maddy summaryHF 3100 requires all Minnesota state employees to report evidence of violations involving state grants or state contracts to their supervisor, a commissioner, or the legislative auditor. Employees who fail to report such violations face disciplinary action, including termination. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 16B.98 (for grants) and 16C.045 (for state contracts) to establish this requirement and includes protections for employees making good-faith reports under section 181.932, which prohibits employer discrimination. The legislative auditor must report multiple complaints about the same agency to the Legislative Audit Commission, disclosing only the number and type of alleged violations. This bill directly affects state employees handling grants or contracts and creates a mandatory reporting mechanism with clear consequences for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHF 3039 exempts restaurants, hotels, bars, food concessions, grocery stores, and catering services from requiring mandatory fee disclosures in menus or advertisements. Specifically, it removes the requirement for these food and beverage establishments to clearly display the percentage of automatic gratuities or other mandatory fees in their pricing information. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 325D.44 to create this exemption, applying only to direct consumer sales (e.g., dine-in, takeout, or catering) rather than delivery platforms or other services. This change simplifies disclosure rules for these businesses by allowing total pricing to include fees without separate, conspicuous display of the fee amount.

Maddy summaryHF 19 establishes education savings accounts (ESAs) for Minnesota students from low-income households, defined as families earning no more than four times the income threshold for free school meals. The bill allows parents to use state funds to pay for qualifying education expenses - including tuition at eligible nonpublic schools, tutoring, approved curriculum, and school supplies - at participating schools or providers. Participation is capped at 5% of public school enrollment in the first year, increasing by 3% annually, with priority given to kindergarten students and those who attended public school full-time the prior year. The program directly affects eligible students (ages 18 and under) and their families, with funds restricted to approved educational services and materials.

Maddy summaryHF 3047 appropriates $150,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for the city of Little Falls to support the "Dreams Take Flight" celebration. The funding specifically commemorates the 100th anniversary of transatlantic flight and honors Minnesota native Charles Lindbergh's aviation achievements. This bill directly affects the city of Little Falls by providing grant money for the event, with no broader policy changes or new requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2954 designates August 19 of each year as Minnesota Aviation Day. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the contributions of Minnesotans in aviation, including early pioneers, mechanics, industry leaders, and future innovators. This ceremonial designation has no funding or policy changes, solely creating an annual observance to honor the state's aviation history and community.