Rep. Lisa Demuth

Maddy summaryHF 1 establishes a centralized Office of Inspector General (OIG) for Minnesota state government, replacing existing agency-specific inspector general offices. The OIG will oversee state spending, require agencies to halt payments when fraud is suspected, and mandate a fraud reporting hotline for employees and contractors. It directly affects all state agencies and recipients of state funds (such as contractors and organizations administering state programs) by requiring them to report suspected fraud and prohibiting retaliation against whistleblowers. The bill also specifies the OIG must coordinate with the legislative auditor and amends statutes related to fraud detection, waste prevention, and oversight.

Maddy summaryHF 3491 authorizes Minnesota to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) to provide scholarships to students. These SGOs must be tax-exempt nonprofits that spend at least 90% of funds on scholarships, verify household income, prioritize returning students and siblings, and avoid earmarking funds for specific students. The bill requires SGOs to annually report compliance to the Minnesota Department of Education, which must then post a list of qualified organizations online. The law explicitly states it does not grant schools or districts additional control over nonpublic schools or students.

Maddy summaryHF 1 would repeal the provision allowing undocumented adults to enroll in MinnesotaCare, ending their current eligibility for this state health coverage program. The bill directly affects undocumented adults in Minnesota who currently receive health coverage through MinnesotaCare. Its key mechanism is removing the specific language that permits this coverage, effectively ending their access to the program. This is a repeal of an existing policy, not a new benefit.

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 26, titled the "Never Again Act," shifts emergency declaration authority from the governor to the Minnesota legislature. It repeals the governor's power to declare emergencies and establish a new process requiring legislative approval for emergency declarations and extensions. The bill also prohibits the governor from issuing emergency orders with the "full force and effect of law" and explicitly protects citizens' rights, including free speech, religious freedom, assembly, travel, gun rights, and the ability to operate businesses. These changes amend multiple sections of Minnesota Statutes to clarify that only the legislature may enact emergency measures with legal force during crises.

Maddy summaryHF 2347 appropriates $1.62 million from the general fund for transportation improvements at two intersections on Trunk Highway 23 in Rockville. The funding covers construction of acceleration lanes, right turn lanes, and buffers in both directions at the intersection with Stearns County State-Aid Highway 47 (Section 1) and at the intersection with Stearns County Road 140 and Stearns County State-Aid Highway 82 (Section 2). All costs include design, engineering, and construction. This is a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026, directly affecting traffic flow and safety at these specific Rockville intersections.

Maddy summaryHF 2348 appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund for a one-time study of three intersections in Rockville involving Trunk Highway 23. The study, to be conducted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, will evaluate safety improvements like underpasses, overpasses, or tunnels at the intersections with Stearns County Highways 47 and 82, and County Road 140. The bill explicitly prohibits considering J-turns as an option for these intersections. This funding supports a safety assessment but does not implement any infrastructure changes itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3,992,000 from state bonds to fund a new emergency services center in Paynesville, Minnesota, housing both the city's fire and police departments. The funds cover predesign, design, and construction costs for the facility. The state will issue bonds up to the full amount to cover the appropriation, following standard bond procedures. The city of Paynesville directly benefits as the recipient of the grant for this capital project.

Maddy summaryHF 1768 amends Minnesota Statutes section 181.988 to allow non-compete agreements to be enforced for employees earning $120,000+ annually if their work involves research, development, or confidential information (like trade secrets), or for any employee earning $500,000+ regardless of job duties. It preserves existing rules permitting non-competes in business sales or dissolutions, and adds that employees winning enforcement cases can recover reasonable attorney fees. The bill affects only high-earning workers in specific roles, not most employees. This changes the legal standard for enforceable non-competes under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 2345 appropriates $29,861,000 from state bond proceeds to fund specific upgrades at Cold Spring's wastewater treatment facility. The city of Cold Spring directly benefits by using this funding to modernize treatment processes (replacing the existing filter system with a new biological nutrient removal system) and improve biosolids infrastructure. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover this cost, following established bond procedures under Minnesota law. This is a direct funding measure for municipal infrastructure improvements, not a broader policy change.