Rep. Harry Niska

Maddy summarySF 3602, the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act, allows Minnesotans to create, sign, and store certain estate planning documents electronically with the same legal validity as paper documents. It specifically covers non-will documents like powers of attorney, health care directives (including living wills), trust instruments, and guardianship nominations, but excludes real estate deeds and vehicle titles. The bill establishes clear definitions for "electronic signature," "electronic record," and "electronic presence" to ensure these digital documents meet legal standards for authenticity and execution. This change directly affects individuals creating estate plans, their legal representatives, and healthcare providers who handle these documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily suspends the state motor fuels tax in Minnesota for a specific period in 2026, directly affecting drivers, fuel retailers, and businesses that purchase gasoline and diesel. Under the legislation, the tax rate is set to zero cents per gallon or per thousand cubic feet for all fuel types during the designated timeframe, which begins shortly after the bill is enacted and ends in early September 2026. To offset the lost revenue from this suspension, the state will transfer money from its general fund to the Department of Transportation to cover the costs that would have been collected from fuel taxes. The bill also allocates a one-time appropriation to the Department of Revenue to cover the administrative expenses required to implement this temporary tax pause.

Maddy summaryHF 3490 authorizes Minnesota to participate in a federal tax credit program by establishing rules for scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs). These SGOs must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits that spend at least 90% of funds on student scholarships, verify household income, prioritize returning students/siblings, and avoid targeting specific students. Organizations must report annually to the Minnesota Department of Education, which will post a public list of approved SGOs. The bill clarifies it does not grant schools additional control over nonpublic schools or their students.

Maddy summaryHF 3563 requires Minnesota licensing boards to automatically suspend or revoke licenses, or deny license applications, when a licensee or applicant is convicted of specific theft or fraud crimes listed in Minnesota law (including offenses under sections like 609.23, 609.496, and 609.52). This directly affects licensed professionals - such as healthcare providers, contractors, and financial advisors - who face criminal convictions for these offenses. The bill mandates that boards take formal action upon conviction, rather than allowing licenses to remain active despite criminal findings. It amends Minnesota Statutes 214.10 to establish this requirement, effective immediately after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how the state of Minnesota calculates registration taxes for passenger automobiles and hearses, directly affecting vehicle owners and dealers. It lowers the tax rate from 1.54% to 1.25% for cars registered before November 16, 2020, and from 1.575% to 1.285% for newer vehicles, while also reducing the percentage of the vehicle's price charged in subsequent years of ownership. The changes take effect for registration periods starting on or after January 1, 2027, and include rules that prevent the total tax paid on a vehicle from exceeding the amount originally due.

Maddy summaryHF 482 establishes "Choose Life" special license plates for Minnesota motor vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, applicants must pay a $25 initial fee and $25 annual contribution to a dedicated "Choose Life account," in addition to standard registration fees. Funds collected are deposited into this account and distributed by Choose Life Minnesota, Inc., to non-profit agencies within each county that assist pregnant women making adoption plans - excluding any agencies involved in abortion services or charging fees for services. The bill also specifies plate design requirements (featuring the "Choose Life" logo and inscription) and limits administrative costs for the program to 15% of funds. The program becomes effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-time special property tax refund for Minnesota property owners who paid taxes in 2026. It directly affects owners of specific property types, including residential homes, apartments, farms, and forests, by allowing them to apply for a share of a $4 billion fund. To receive money, owners must submit an application to the Department of Revenue between July 15 and September 15, 2026, and the refunds will be distributed by December 31, 2026. The legislation appropriates $4 billion from the state's general fund to finance these payments, with each eligible owner receiving a portion based on their individual tax contribution relative to the total taxes paid by all applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota School Safety Center to create and distribute evidence-based model safety plans for K-12 schools, requiring districts to adopt similar plans by May 2028. It establishes strict criteria for what counts as "evidence-based," mandating that safety strategies be backed by strong research or well-designed studies before they are implemented. The legislation also enables anonymous threat reporting systems in schools and requires the safety center to consult with licensed mental health professionals when developing these plans. Additionally, the bill modifies grant programs for school buildings and cybersecurity while increasing funding for safe schools initiatives.

Maddy summaryHF 3493 increases Minnesota's safe schools revenue funding to $36 per adjusted pupil unit for the 2027 fiscal year and later. It expands eligibility to include charter schools, cooperative units, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools - previously limited to traditional public school districts. The bill requires funds to be used for specific safety purposes like security enhancements, counseling services, drug prevention programs, and cybersecurity measures. This policy change directly affects all Minnesota schools receiving state education funding, providing new resources for school safety initiatives. The bill takes effect for fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax in Minnesota that targets individuals and organizations convicted of fraud or those identified by the state revenue commissioner as having obtained money through deceitful means. The tax requires anyone who has successfully defrauded state programs to pay back 100 percent of the stolen amount, regardless of any existing fines or restitution already ordered by courts. The state revenue commissioner is tasked with investigating suspected fraud, setting up a system to collect these payments, and ensuring the recovered funds are used specifically for income and property tax relief. The law applies retroactively to fraud cases determined after December 31, 2019, and also covers people who were paid to help commit the fraud.