Rep. Steve Elkins

Maddy summaryHF 1487 requires health insurance companies, dental organizations, and third-party administrators to submit detailed data on fully denied claims to Minnesota's all-payer claims database. This includes specific fields like denial reasons, claim identifiers, and adjudication status for each denied claim line. The bill also establishes a fee schedule for researchers and organizations to access this data for studies on health care outcomes, disparities, and spending, while prohibiting uses that could create unfair market advantages or reidentify individuals. All data must be de-identified and protected under strict privacy safeguards.

Maddy summaryHF 1698 amends Minnesota property tax law to expand exemptions for certain leased land. It adds new exemptions allowing nonprofit conservation organizations to lease land for grazing activities without triggering property taxes, and clarifies that airport hangars used for aviation services (not for general business) remain tax-exempt. The bill directly affects nonprofit groups leasing land for conservation and airport operators leasing hangars for aircraft services. These changes take effect for property taxes due in 2026. The bill does not create new taxes but modifies existing exemption rules.

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 directs the Minnesota Department of Health to join the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. The commissioner must identify the necessary application process by September 1, 2026, and submit the application by December 1, 2026. This action aims to integrate the state's health response capabilities with a global system for monitoring and addressing disease outbreaks. The legislation does not alter existing funding or staffing but establishes a specific timeline for this international partnership.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal tool in Minnesota that allows the state Attorney General to sue firearm industry members for public nuisance if their conduct harms public safety. It directly affects companies involved in selling, manufacturing, distributing, or marketing firearms and related products like ammunition. To comply, these businesses must implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop thefts, and ensure adherence to existing laws. If a company violates these rules, the Attorney General can seek court orders to stop the behavior, force cleanup costs, demand financial restitution, and collect damages.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota counties contribute to administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It adjusts the state's financial responsibility for covering county administrative expenses related to SNAP operations. The legislation directly affects county agencies that manage SNAP benefits and the state Department of Human Services that oversees the program. By changing the cost-sharing structure, the bill aims to clarify financial obligations between state and local governments for administering this federal assistance program.

Maddy summaryHF 3701 prohibits long-term care, life, and disability insurers in Minnesota from denying coverage, changing premiums, or requiring genetic testing based on an individual's genetic information. The bill bans insurers from using genetic test results to make coverage decisions or forcing applicants to undergo genetic testing as a condition for obtaining or renewing policies. It allows insurers to access existing genetic information in medical records only with the individual's separate, written consent, and permits consideration of medical diagnoses (even if based on genetic tests) without requiring consent. The law takes effect August 1, 2026, for new or renewed policies.

Maddy summaryHF 2291 appropriates $44,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $44,000 for fiscal year 2027 to the Palliative Care Advisory Council. This funding supports the council's work under Minnesota Statutes § 144.059, which was established to advise on palliative care services. The bill directly affects the council by providing dedicated financial resources for its operations. It is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes beyond allocating specific annual amounts.

Maddy summaryHF 2998 establishes a legal process for terminally ill Minnesota adults with a prognosis of six months or less to obtain medication for medical aid in dying. It requires two physician confirmations (an attending provider and a consulting provider), a mental health evaluation by a licensed consultant to confirm capacity, and mandates that patients self-administer the medication. The law prohibits providers from directly administering the medication and classifies related patient data as confidential. Violations of the process could result in criminal penalties, while providers following the law are granted immunity.

Maddy summaryHF 2149, the Consumer Grocery Pricing Fairness Act, prohibits large grocery suppliers from offering different terms of sale (like price, discounts, or payment terms) to retailers purchasing the same volume of covered goods. It applies specifically to suppliers with over $6 billion in annual sales to retailers and dominant retailers with over $18 billion in annual sales across 20+ states. The law targets grocery items (excluding gasoline, prescription drugs, tobacco, and alcohol) and requires suppliers to offer identical per-unit terms to all comparable retailers. Violations could result in civil penalties, aiming to ensure fair pricing practices in Minnesota's grocery market.