Rep. Paul Torkelson

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies deadlines for professional development training related to Minnesota's Read Act. It requires school districts to provide evidence-based training to specific educators by July 1, 2026 (including K-3 classroom teachers and reading intervention staff) and by July 1, 2027 (for grades 4-12 reading teachers). The bill also allows districts to reduce elementary students' instructional hours by 5.5 hours during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years if teachers receive required training on days when other students are learning. This change applies to all public and charter schools meeting the training agreement requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 1849 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Minnesota's governor and lieutenant governor to two terms each. If approved by voters in 2026, the amendment would change the state constitution to state that no person may be elected more than twice to either office. The amendment requires a statewide vote at the 2026 general election with a specific ballot question asking voters to approve term limits beginning in 2030. This change would affect all future governors and lieutenant governors, but would not apply to terms served before 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new advisory bodies in Minnesota to oversee the modernization of state human services information technology systems used by counties, Indian Tribes, and state agencies. It establishes a dedicated fund that automatically receives money from the general budget whenever the state has a financial surplus, ensuring resources are available for updating these digital systems. The newly formed councils will meet regularly to provide recommendations on how to improve, integrate, and replace existing technology while considering the needs of providers and the public. Additionally, the legislation requires these groups to report their findings to the legislature and mandates that any necessary funding transfers be completed by a specific deadline each year.

Maddy summaryHF 744 modifies professional development requirements under Minnesota's Read Act by setting new deadlines for educators to complete evidence-based literacy training. It requires K-3 classroom teachers, reading intervention staff, special education teachers, and others to complete training by July 1, 2026, with additional training for grades 4-12 teachers by July 1, 2027. School districts can reduce elementary school instructional hours by 5.5 hours per year if they schedule this training during regular school days, provided teachers complete the required training. The bill directly affects Minnesota public school districts, their teachers, and instructional staff implementing the state's literacy initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a felony to force or coerce a pregnant minor under 18 into seeking or obtaining an abortion, defining coercion broadly to include threats, isolation, financial pressure, and exploiting vulnerabilities. It requires hospitals and other facilities to screen and report suspected cases of human trafficking involving minors. Additionally, the law adds wrongful death as a cause of action for deaths resulting from abortions and mandates the creation of specific rules by the state health commissioner.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $3,386,000 in bonds to fund improvements at the Redwood Falls Municipal Airport. The funds will be used by the city to design, construct, and equip specific airport upgrades, including rebuilding the aircraft parking ramp, resurfacing the taxiways, and installing a stormwater management system. The legislation also exempts this project from certain state laws that typically govern how such grants are awarded. Once passed, the state will sell the bonds to raise the necessary money, which will then be transferred to the city for the airport work.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $1.3 million in bonds to fund the restoration of the historic 1938 WPA Swayback Bridge in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. The appropriated funds will specifically cover design work and repairs such as replacing cofferdam access stones and tuckpointing to protect the bridge's granite and masonry exterior. By exempting this project from certain state statutes, the legislation streamlines the process for the city to receive the grant and begin construction. The bill becomes effective immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new 100% tax on money obtained through fraud by individuals or organizations, regardless of whether they have already paid fines or restitution. It applies to those convicted by a court, those identified by the state revenue commissioner as having committed fraud, and anyone paid to help facilitate such fraudulent activities. The revenue collected from this tax must be used exclusively to provide relief for state income or property taxes. The law takes effect retroactively for fraud cases determined after December 31, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Minnesota's commissioner of health to conduct a comprehensive study on the state's capacity to support cell and gene therapies for rare diseases, which are conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people nationwide. The study must examine research infrastructure, clinical trial capabilities, workforce needs, payment policies, and access barriers while gathering input from patients, healthcare providers, industry partners, and other stakeholders. By January 1, 2028, the commissioner must submit a report to the legislature with findings and recommendations for strategic investments, policy changes, and regulatory actions to strengthen Minnesota's position in this field. The bill also appropriates money to fund the study and report requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $15 million in state funding to the Lower Sioux Indian Community to help plan, develop, and build renewable energy projects such as solar facilities, battery storage, and microgrids. The money comes from the state's renewable development account and is managed by the commissioner of commerce, who must sign a grant contract with the community to oversee the work. To ensure accountability, the community is required to submit a detailed project plan and regular progress reports to state officials and legislative committees throughout the project's lifecycle. Any funds that are not spent by the end of the project will return to the state's renewable development account. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.