Rep. Tom Dippel

Maddy summaryHF 2893 modifies Minnesota's rules around "recess detention," which is defined as excluding students from scheduled recess for behavioral reasons. The bill prohibits schools from using recess detention unless a student poses serious physical harm, parents consent (and are notified promptly), or a special education team approves it. Schools must notify parents within 24 hours of any recess detention, cannot withhold recess for incomplete work (unless academic help occurs during that time), and must collect public data on usage including student demographics. Related provisions also ban withholding mealtimes and require schools to compile annual data for transparency.

Maddy summaryHF 1580 amends Minnesota law to require medical personnel to provide immediate care to infants born alive during abortion procedures. The bill mandates that such infants be recognized as human persons under the law and that all reasonable medical measures, consistent with standard practice, be taken to preserve their life and health, including proper medical documentation. This directly affects healthcare providers performing abortions in Minnesota who encounter infants born alive. The law takes effect the day after final enactment. It focuses solely on medical care protocols for surviving infants, not on changing abortion access or legality.

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes Minnesota's historic state flag (described as a blue flag with a central emblem featuring 19 stars, the word "MINNESOTA," and scenes from the Great Seal) and grants all Minnesotans the right to display it. It requires the lieutenant governor to set standards for its display on state property, mandating it be shown during specified holidays and on Capitol grounds during legislative sessions. The bill also allows the historic flag to be displayed on other public property for ceremonial purposes, while requiring it to be placed beneath the official state flag when both are displayed together. It directly affects all Minnesotans who display the flag and government entities managing public property.

Maddy summaryHF 26, titled the "Never Again Act," shifts emergency declaration authority from the governor to the Minnesota legislature. It repeals the governor's power to declare emergencies and establish a new process requiring legislative approval for emergency declarations and extensions. The bill also prohibits the governor from issuing emergency orders with the "full force and effect of law" and explicitly protects citizens' rights, including free speech, religious freedom, assembly, travel, gun rights, and the ability to operate businesses. These changes amend multiple sections of Minnesota Statutes to clarify that only the legislature may enact emergency measures with legal force during crises.

Maddy summaryHF 2154 prohibits Minnesota law enforcement agencies from using traffic safety cameras (including speed and red-light cameras) for traffic enforcement. The bill cancels a $3.5 million appropriation for camera systems and repeals related statutes (Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 169.011, 169.06, 169.14, and 169.147) that previously allowed such camera use. This directly affects local police departments and municipalities that operated or planned to use traffic cameras for issuing citations. The bill takes effect after August 1, 2025, ending the use of these systems for enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryHF 2234 modifies how Minnesota's metropolitan counties (like Hennepin and Ramsey) must allocate state and regional transportation funds. It increases the required allocation for active transportation, safety studies, transit, and complete streets projects from 41.5% to 58.5%, while decreasing the share for road repairs to 41.5%. The bill also allows counties to use funds for specific mitigation projects and requires new allocations to "supplement, not supplant" existing funding sources. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, for funds received on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 741 establishes a $10,000 income tax subtraction for individual volunteer fire and rescue workers in Minnesota, increasing to $20,000 for married couples where both spouses qualify. It directly affects volunteers who perform at least 40 hours of qualified work (such as firefighting, ambulance services, or search/rescue) during the year without working full-time (1,600+ hours). The bill defines "qualified rescue work" to include roles like volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders, and search/rescue team members. This tax benefit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 1285 declares Minnesota a "mining-friendly state" by amending Minnesota Statutes section 93.001. The bill establishes a formal state policy supporting mineral exploration, development, production, and commercialization through long-term state support. This policy change directly affects the mining industry, state agencies responsible for mineral regulation, and communities near potential mining sites. It does not create new regulations or funding but sets a guiding principle for future state actions related to mineral development.

Maddy summaryHF 1286 amends Minnesota's vehicle registration tax to provide reduced rates for disabled veterans. It requires the tax on a disabled veteran's vehicle to be lowered to a percentage matching their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating, with only one vehicle per veteran eligible for the reduction. The bill also mandates that the state treasury transfer funds from the general fund to the highway user tax fund each July to cover the tax reductions provided under this provision. This change directly affects disabled veterans who own vehicles in Minnesota and alters how vehicle registration tax proceeds are handled for this specific group.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $238,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $238,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to support the Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program. The funds will help Building Strong Communities connect National Guard members, military reservists, active duty personnel, and veterans to construction industry apprenticeships and career training through the Department of Labor and Industry. The program must not discriminate based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or gender. It directly affects military-connected individuals seeking careers in building and construction trades.