Rep. Zack Stephenson

Maddy summaryHF 3405 requires Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to use its existing Use of Force Investigations Unit to investigate incidents involving federal agents. Specifically, it amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 299C.80, to include "federal agents" (defined as those employed by DHS, ICE, CBP, or USCIS) under the unit's duty to investigate cases involving peace officers or federal agents. The bill expands the unit's current mandate - which already covers incidents with state/local officers - to now cover all incidents involving the specified federal agencies. This change directly affects federal law enforcement personnel from those agencies operating in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 1816 establishes the Office of Animal Protection within Minnesota's Department of Public Safety to address animal cruelty more systematically. The office will coordinate investigations, prosecutions, forensic veterinary services, and public education on animal cruelty, while collecting statewide data on such cases. It also expands Minnesota's definition of "crime of violence" to include animal cruelty offenses. The bill appropriates funding for the office and requires an annual report on its operations to the legislature. This affects state agencies, law enforcement, and communities by creating a centralized approach to animal cruelty prevention and enforcement.

Maddy summaryHF 1296 requires Minnesota's Board of Animal Health to post specific information online about kennels, dealers, and commercial breeders, including current license statuses, annual inspection records, and reasons for license revocations. It also mandates that all advertising for animal sales must include the seller's current license number or a link to it. The bill clarifies that most breeder data (like addresses and premises locations) remains private, but the Board may disclose it for public health, safety, or law enforcement purposes. These changes directly affect licensed breeders, dealers, and the public seeking transparency about animal facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $4 million in state funding for Minnesota food shelf programs during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directs the state agency overseeing food shelves to use these funds to support community food banks that serve people facing food insecurity. The money comes from the state general fund and is added to existing base funding for these programs. This directly affects food shelves across Minnesota and the families and individuals they serve.

Maddy summaryHF 3434 bans the possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons (like AR-15s and AK-47s) and large-capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) in Minnesota. It defines these weapons by specific models (e.g., Colt AR-15, Beretta AR-70) or features (folding stocks, pistol grips, threaded barrels). The bill creates criminal penalties for possessing these banned items and amends state law to clarify prohibited firearms and magazines. It directly affects individuals who own or possess these specific weapons or magazines. The law does not cover all semiautomatic firearms but targets models and features associated with military-style weapons.

Maddy summaryHF 1335 authorizes Minnesota to issue electronic driver's licenses that comply with national standards (AAMVA and ISO/IEC 18013-5). It affects Minnesota drivers who choose to use electronic credentials and requires the Department of Public Safety (DVS) to develop the system with specific privacy safeguards. Key provisions include mandating secure verification by businesses or law enforcement, prohibiting tracking without consent, and requiring physical licenses to be carried while driving. The bill also allows DVS to charge a separate fee for electronic licenses and sets rules for data handling under existing privacy laws. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 1080 appropriates $25 million from state bond proceeds to fund trail improvements across 52 miles of Hennepin County's regional trail system. The funds will be provided to the Three Rivers Park District to build 10.7 miles of new trails, repair 11.4 miles of existing trails, and extend the life of 30.2 miles of current trails. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $25 million in bonds to cover these costs, following Minnesota's bond issuance procedures. This funding directly benefits Hennepin County residents who use the regional trail network and the Three Rivers Park District as the project recipient.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules requiring creators to pay minors who appear in their compensated online videos, with the money placed in a trust account until the minor turns 18. It defines "content creation" as video shared for pay and sets specific criteria, such as a 30 percent appearance threshold, to determine when a minor is officially working in this field. Under the law, creators must keep detailed records of a minor's earnings and viewing statistics, while minors under 14 must receive all their share of the compensation. The legislation also clarifies that incidental appearances in public events like sports games do not trigger these payment requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates cannabis edibles sold in Minnesota by setting clear safety and labeling standards. It limits THC content to a maximum of 5 milligrams per serving for non-beverage edibles (50mg total per package) and 10 milligrams per serving for beverages (max two servings per container). The bill prohibits packaging or marketing that appeals to children (like cartoon characters or candy-like designs), requires child-resistant packaging for non-beverage products, and mandates specific labeling including serving size, cannabinoid content, and a "keep out of reach of children" warning. These rules directly affect cannabis businesses selling edibles and ensure products meet safety standards for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 475) is a memorial resolution from Minnesota requesting the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve replacing the statue of Henry Mower Rice in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall with a statue of Hubert H. Humphrey. It follows a 2000 law allowing states to replace statues after 10 years of display, noting Rice's statue has been in place since 1916. The resolution cites Humphrey's roles as a U.S. Senator, key architect of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and former Vice President, and states Minnesota will cover costs for removal and installation. The bill itself is procedural - it requests approval but does not enact any policy change.