Rep. Jeff Brand

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota law updates family court rules to ensure unmarried parents are treated the same as married couples when determining child custody and parenting time. The bill mandates that courts prioritize scheduling expedited hearings within 30 days if a parent is denied access to their child for 14 consecutive days or faces financial hardship during a legal dispute. It also establishes new rights and responsibilities regarding assisted reproduction and directs the state to modernize legal terminology used in family law statutes. These changes aim to support children's relationships with both parents while providing faster relief for urgent situations involving access or support.

Maddy summaryHF 4738 replaces Minnesota's Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board with a new Office of Emergency Medical Services, which will be led by a director appointed by the governor. This new office will take over key responsibilities such as licensing ambulance services, certifying emergency medical personnel, approving training programs, and investigating complaints against providers. The bill also creates advisory councils to guide the office and launches a pilot program to test alternative models for emergency medical response. Additionally, the legislation provides funding for these operations and requires the director to submit annual reports to the legislature on the state's emergency medical services system.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's individual income tax rules by allowing taxpayers to subtract Social Security benefits and public pension income from their taxable income. It establishes specific dollar limits and phase-out thresholds based on a taxpayer's filing status and provisional income, ensuring that higher earners gradually lose access to these subtractions. The changes apply to retirees receiving benefits from state pension plans and aim to align state tax treatment more closely with federal standards for public pensions. These provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes a new account to manage funds related to a 2024 settlement regarding the state's retention of tax-forfeited lands and mineral rights. Counties that choose to participate must sell properties forfeited between 2012 and 2023 at auction or through brokers for at least their appraised value, keeping only a portion of the proceeds while sending the rest to the state. Counties that do not actively opt out by August 2024 are automatically considered participants, whereas those that remain non-participating retain full financial liability for claims related to properties forfeited before 2024. The bill also allocates $109 million to pay claims administrators and requires participating counties to submit regular reports on their sales efforts and results.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota Legislature to provide a one-time funding of $25,000,000 from the state's general fund to the Department of Transportation for the Small Cities Assistance Account. The money is intended to support transportation projects in smaller cities within the state, with all funds required to be distributed in the July 2024 payment cycle. The legislation becomes effective immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program in Minnesota to collect and recycle electronic waste from households and small businesses. It defines specific items that must be recycled, such as computers, monitors, and gaming consoles, while excluding devices like cameras, telephones, and household appliances. The legislation creates a system where an approved organization, known as a clearinghouse, will manage the collection, transport, and recycling of these covered devices. Additionally, the bill sets up new state accounts to fund the program and requires the state agency to submit a report on its progress.