Rep. Lucy Rehm

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota calculates registration taxes for passenger automobiles and hearses, directly affecting vehicle owners and dealers. It establishes a new tax rate of 1.575 percent based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price for vehicles registered on or after November 16, 2020, while maintaining a slightly lower rate for older registrations. The legislation introduces a tiered tax devaluation schedule that reduces the taxable value of a vehicle by a specific percentage each year it remains in use, with the reduction amount varying depending on the vehicle's price range. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the tax calculation excludes the cost of optional accessories and destination charges, except for pre-2020 registrations.

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 3335 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment, removing the current exception in Minnesota's constitution that allows it for convicted criminals. The amendment would require voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the ballot question asking: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishment for a crime?" If passed, it would ban forced labor as a penalty for any crime, affecting Minnesota's criminal sentencing laws. This change would eliminate a historical loophole in the state constitution that permits involuntary servitude as punishment for offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $2 million each for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund the Lawns to Legumes program in Minnesota. The money will come from the state's general fund and be given to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to support the initiative. The program encourages landowners to replace grass lawns with legumes, which are plants that naturally enrich the soil and reduce the need for fertilizers. By providing this funding, the state aims to help implement the program's goals without changing the underlying rules or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the registration surcharges for all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Minnesota. It establishes a new $75 fee for all-electric vehicles and removes the existing surcharge for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The changes take effect for vehicle registration periods beginning on or after January 1, 2027. All revenue collected from these fees will be deposited into the highway user tax distribution fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for student support personnel in Minnesota schools by raising the per-pupil allowance amounts and establishing minimum funding floors for districts and charter schools. It directly affects independent school districts, special districts, charter schools, and cooperative units by adjusting how much money they receive for staff like counselors, nurses, and social workers. The law sets specific dollar amounts for the per-student allowance in 2025, 2026, 2027, and beyond, while also requiring districts to reserve funds in their balances and limiting cooperative aid to actual expenditures. Additionally, the bill appropriates state money to cover these increased funding levels for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summaryHF 2380 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in services, programs, or activities receiving state funding in Minnesota. It directly affects public and private entities (like schools, hospitals, and businesses) that receive state money. The bill requires these entities to provide reasonable accommodations and bans exclusion or denial of benefits due to disability. It also specifically prohibits businesses from banning service animals or charging extra fees for them, defining "disability" broadly to include conditions substantially limiting major life activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota statutes to update pension contribution rates and annuity calculation formulas for teachers in the state's retirement systems. It establishes specific employer contribution percentages for certain districts like Minneapolis and Duluth while adjusting the rates for other districts. Additionally, the legislation modifies how retirement annuities are computed based on years of service, distinguishing between different periods of employment and membership types. These changes directly affect teachers and school districts in Minnesota by altering the financial terms of their retirement benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Greenhouse Gas Pollution Superfund in Minnesota to address climate change impacts. It establishes a program that requires fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and 2026 to pay into a dedicated account. The collected funds will be used to finance climate change adaptation projects for state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as for disadvantaged communities. The bill defines specific terms like "responsible party" and "covered greenhouse gas emissions" to determine which companies must contribute and what types of projects can receive funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies several Minnesota transportation laws, including raising the cost threshold for major highway projects from $15 million to $30 million in metropolitan areas and from $5 million to $15 million in nonmetropolitan areas. It also prohibits the silencing of railroad crossing bells at any crossing with an active warning system and removes state authorization to maintain the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport in Roseau County. Additionally, the bill repeals highway designations for the Hiawatha Pioneer Trail and makes technical corrections to existing transportation statutes.