Rep. Melissa Hortman

Maddy summaryHF 1669 increases the annual funding limit for Minnesota's tax credit supporting sustainable aviation fuel producers. It raises the allocation cap from $2.1 million to $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. This change directly affects businesses producing or using sustainable aviation fuel within Minnesota by expanding the available tax credit. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 41A.30 to adjust these funding limits, allowing more financial support for this clean energy initiative. The credit remains available until fiscal year 2030, with unallocated funds expiring after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $9.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund the construction of a Northwest Metro Regional Athletic Facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The funds will be provided as a grant to the city of Brooklyn Park to build an addition to its community activity center, including multi-court gym space. The state will issue bonds up to $9.5 million to cover this appropriation, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. The facility will serve regional athletic needs for residents in the Brooklyn Park area.

Maddy summaryHF 3189 imposes a 5-cent tax per kilowatt-hour on electricity used for charging electric vehicles at public charging stations in Minnesota, effective October 1, 2025. This tax applies to charging station operators who charge customers for public use (e.g., at businesses or public locations), but excludes home charging, small chargers under 50 kilowatts, and legacy stations (operating before October 2023) until 2032. Revenue from the tax is split equally: 50% goes to the highway user tax fund and 50% to the transportation advancement account. The bill also repeals a prior $75 annual surcharge on electric vehicle registrations.

Maddy summaryHF 2474 modifies Minnesota's absentee voting rules to clarify administrative responsibilities and enhance ballot processing procedures. It requires city or town clerks to obtain county auditor approval or provide written notice before administering absentee voting, and mandates they have technical capacity to access the statewide voter registration system after receiving state-approved training. The bill also adds specific counting checks during ballot processing: election workers must verify envelope and ballot counts at multiple stages and document discrepancies in an incident log. These changes directly affect local election officials (city clerks and county auditors) and apply to absentee voting procedures for all Minnesota elections held 85 days after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota House resolution (H.R. No. 1) condemns President Trump's January 20, 2025, pardon of individuals convicted of violent crimes related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. It specifically targets the pardon of 400 people, including members of extremist groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, who had been found guilty of assaulting law enforcement with weapons. The resolution expresses the Minnesota House's disapproval of erasing these convictions, arguing the pardon undermines justice and devalues law enforcement sacrifices. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but formally rejects politicizing public safety.

Maddy summaryHF 1017 appropriates $4.5 million from state bond proceeds to fund clean water infrastructure improvements in Brooklyn Park. The funds will support planning, building, and equipping water mains under U.S. Highway 169 and Trunk Highway 610, connecting new infrastructure for the city's biotech innovation district. The state will issue bonds up to $4.5 million to cover this cost, following standard bond procedures under Minnesota law. This bill directly affects Brooklyn Park's water system and its biotech area development, with no broader public impact beyond the specified project.

Maddy summaryHF 725 appropriates $2 million from Minnesota's workforce development fund for a one-time grant to the city of Brooklyn Park. The funds must expand existing workforce programs - like Brooklynk, Career Pathways, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Community Partnership - that serve underrepresented populations in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. The grant is available until June 30, 2028, and is specifically for programming already in place, not new initiatives. This bill directly affects Brooklyn Park's local workforce development efforts and the communities they serve.

Maddy summaryHF 501 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee equal rights under Minnesota law and prohibit state discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex - including pregnancy decisions, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If approved by voters in 2026, it would add a new section to the Minnesota Constitution requiring state actions to use the least restrictive means to achieve compelling government interests. The amendment would directly apply to all Minnesotans and state agencies, ensuring equal protection in all state laws and programs. It requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the question asking whether the state constitution should include these equal rights protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 139) increases annual cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in Minnesota's Public Employees Police and Fire Retirement Plan and State Patrol Retirement Plan. It raises the standard adjustment from 1% to up to 1.5% annually (based on federal Social Security COLA), and shortens the required waiting period from 36 months to 12 months for full benefits. Retirees receiving benefits for less than 12 months will now get a pro-rated increase based on months served. The changes take effect for adjustments starting January 1, 2026, and apply automatically unless retirees opt out in writing.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a two-year pilot program in Minnesota to offer free public transit to high school and college students, their teachers, and staff, as well as attendees of specific professional and collegiate sports games. The Metropolitan Council would manage the initiative, providing free rides to students and staff who show valid ID cards and to event ticket holders for games involving teams that have signed separate funding agreements with the council. The legislation requires the council to submit a report by March 2026 detailing the program's results and includes a one-time appropriation from the state's general fund to cover the costs.