Rep. Zack Stephenson

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for impersonating a police officer in Minnesota. It upgrades the base offense to a felony (up to 2 years in jail or $4,000 fine) and creates a new crime for impersonating while carrying a firearm (up to 10 years in jail or $20,000 fine). The bill also requires anyone pretending to be a law enforcement officer to identify themselves when asked and imposes harsher penalties if they commit other crimes while impersonating an officer (e.g., a misdemeanor becomes a gross misdemeanor). It directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers, including those using fake uniforms, vehicle markings, or equipment to mimic law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHF 1606 prohibits websites, apps, software, or programs from allowing users to access, download, or use technology that alters images or videos to reveal private body parts (defined as "nudification"). It directly affects platform operators who host such tools and individuals whose images are altered without consent. The bill creates civil lawsuits for victims, allowing them to seek triple damages, punitive penalties, and attorney fees, while imposing $500,000 civil penalties per violation on violators. It becomes effective August 1, 2025, targeting the unauthorized use of image-altering technology that could harm individuals' privacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota's organized retail theft law to explicitly include gift card fraud as a form of retail theft. It defines "retail merchandise" to cover all gift cards (both physical and digital) and specifies that the "value" of stolen gift cards includes their full face value. Retailers and law enforcement will now have a clearer legal framework for prosecuting gift card fraud under existing organized retail theft statutes. The change takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 5149 restricts law enforcement from making civil immigration arrests at court facilities and surrounding areas to protect individuals attending legal proceedings. The bill defines 'civil arrest' as taking someone into custody for immigration violations and explicitly prohibits this action within courthouses, parking lots, and nearby sidewalks. It also establishes protections for court companions, such as family members and advocates, by extending these arrest restrictions to anyone accompanying a person to court. Additionally, the legislation modifies laws related to concealing identity and expands investigations into police use of force.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces new regulations in Minnesota to restrict the ownership and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, while also banning the sale of binary trigger systems. It expands criminal penalties for possessing dangerous weapons in schools and for negligently storing firearms, and it specifically criminalizes the manufacture and sale of untraceable "ghost guns." Additionally, the legislation strengthens the state's extreme risk protection order system, requires law enforcement to report firearm discharges more comprehensively, and allocates funding to support public awareness campaigns and mental health services.

Maddy summaryHF 1327 amends Minnesota's definition of "all-terrain vehicle" (ATV) by increasing the maximum allowable dry weight from 2,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds. The bill clarifies that ATVs must have three to six low-pressure or non-pneumatic tires and a width of 65 inches or less, while explicitly excluding electric-assisted bicycles, golf carts, mini-trucks, dune buggies, and vehicles designed for specific commercial uses like farming or logging. This change directly affects ATV operators, manufacturers, and law enforcement by expanding the weight threshold for vehicles classified as ATVs under state law. The policy adjustment updates regulatory definitions without altering enforcement requirements or creating new restrictions.

Maddy summaryHF 2904 requires certain Minnesota school employers - including school districts, charter schools, and vocational education centers - to join the state's public employees insurance program. It establishes an "educator group insurance program" specifically for school employees, mandating coverage tiers that match existing school employee pool options and including high-deductible plans. The bill creates a labor management committee with 12 members (including seven from Education Minnesota and representatives from unions and school administrators) to study program issues like cost efficiency. It also requires mutual agreement between the commissioner and the committee before changing cost-sharing plans. This bill directly affects school employees and their employers by integrating them into the state's insurance framework with specific administrative structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires homeowner's insurance policies in Minnesota to cover damage caused by peace officers using chemical irritants, smoke screens, or diversionary devices when the homeowner is entitled to compensation from the government. Effective January 1, 2027, insurers cannot exclude coverage for this specific type of damage and must allow homeowners to select their own mitigation contractors and industrial hygienists to address the harm. The law also permits insurers to require homeowners to transfer their right to claim compensation to the insurance company, while maintaining the government's obligation to pay just compensation for such incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals previous tax exemptions that allowed certain preferred seats and amenities at athletic events to be sold without sales tax. It also provides funding for safe harbor shelter and housing grants to support individuals experiencing homelessness. By removing the exemptions, the legislation ensures that these specific stadium seats and related amenities are now subject to standard sales tax like other retail items. The funding provision aims to allocate state money directly to organizations assisting with shelter and housing needs.

Maddy summaryHF 3791 formalizes security protocols for Minnesota state officials by amending statutes to require the State Patrol to provide protection for the governor, legislators, and supreme court justices when needed. It creates a new Capitol Security section within the State Patrol, led by a State Patrol member, to coordinate security for these officials and state buildings. The bill also mandates reporting requirements and authorizes funding for these services, specifying that security must be provided after consultation with the governor in response to credible threats. This bill directly affects state officials and the State Patrol's operational duties, with no new financial figures provided in the text.