Rep. Ben Bakeberg

Maddy summaryHF 3550 allows Minnesota school districts to develop their own health education standards instead of using statewide requirements. Currently, districts must follow state-mandated health standards, but this bill gives them the option to create local standards that meet their community's needs. When statewide health standards become available (expected after 2025), districts must choose between adopting the state standards or continuing with their locally developed ones. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies to all public school districts in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryMinnesota bill HF 3514 designates February 13 each year as "Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment, and Defamation Awareness Day" to highlight these issues affecting students, employees, and community members. The bill encourages schools, employers, state agencies, and community organizations to hold educational activities on this day, such as training or campaigns addressing bullying, harassment, and reputational harm from false statements. It defines key terms (bullying, harassment, defamation) for clarity but explicitly states it does not create new legal claims, alter existing defamation laws, or affect free speech protections. This is a symbolic observance with no new funding or mandatory requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3527 allows Minnesota residents with speech conditions (such as stuttering) to request a non-medical identifier on their driver's license or state ID card upon written request. The bill requires the state to add a graphic or written identifier for speech conditions but prohibits including specific medical details on the card. Individuals may also request removal of the identifier by paying a fee for a replacement or renewal card. This bill directly affects Minnesotans with speech conditions seeking to voluntarily indicate their condition on official identification. The bill is procedural, focusing on ID card features rather than broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryHF 3495 expands eligibility for school safety grants to include nonpublic schools and Tribal contract schools in Minnesota, previously only allowing public school districts and charter schools to apply. The bill appropriates $24.3 million for 2024 (with additional funds for 2026) to fund security-related facility improvements, cybersecurity insurance premiums, and associated costs for eligible schools. It amends existing law to explicitly include these school types in the grant program and allocates up to $100,000 for grant administration. This one-time appropriation is available until June 30, 2029.

Maddy summaryHF 3492 authorizes Minnesota's commissioner of education to award school safety facility grants of up to $500,000 per school for security improvements like updated entry systems or safety equipment. It directly affects public, charter, tribal, and nonpublic schools statewide, with at least half the grants prioritized for schools outside the seven-county metro area. The bill appropriates $25 million from the general fund for these grants and cancels $25 million previously allocated to the Northern Lights Express rail project to fund this initiative. Grants require applications detailing other funding sources and cannot be disbursed until construction bids are secured.

Maddy summaryHF 3494 creates a new "safe schools aid" program in Minnesota to fund school safety initiatives for public school districts, charter schools, and cooperative school units. It replaces the previous "student support personnel aid" with specific funding rates: $34.32 per pupil unit for districts (minimum $40,000), $1.60 per pupil unit for cooperative units (minimum $40,000), and $20,000 for charter schools. The funds must be used directly for school safety purposes, including hiring security personnel, implementing violence prevention programs, providing mental health support staff, enhancing facility security, and improving school climate. This aid applies to fiscal year 2027 and beyond, with all school entities required to use the funds for specified safety-related expenses.

Maddy summaryHF 3491 authorizes Minnesota to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) to provide scholarships to students. These SGOs must be tax-exempt nonprofits that spend at least 90% of funds on scholarships, verify household income, prioritize returning students and siblings, and avoid earmarking funds for specific students. The bill requires SGOs to annually report compliance to the Minnesota Department of Education, which must then post a list of qualified organizations online. The law explicitly states it does not grant schools or districts additional control over nonpublic schools or students.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from state bonds to fund rail crossing improvements in Shakopee, specifically to establish a quiet zone along the Union Pacific Railway corridor. The funds will cover design, construction, and equipment for safety upgrades at rail crossings in the city. The state will issue bonds up to $3 million to finance the grant, which is directly provided to the city of Shakopee for these projects. The measure focuses solely on allocating capital funds for infrastructure, with no additional policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 3515 appropriates $4.1 million from state bond proceeds to fund trail improvements in Prior Lake, specifically for designing and constructing three segments of a multi-use trail along Highway 13. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds to cover this cost, as required by Minnesota law. The completed trail will connect neighborhoods, schools, and regional trail systems, improving pedestrian safety, accessibility, and recreational opportunities for Prior Lake residents. This is a capital investment bill focused on physical infrastructure, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHF 3529 increases safe schools funding for Minnesota school districts and expands eligibility to charter schools, cooperative school units, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools. For school districts, starting in fiscal year 2026, safe schools revenue will be the greater of $32,000 or $44 multiplied by the district's adjusted pupil count. Charter schools, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools will receive aid calculated as $44 multiplied by their student enrollment or pupil units, as reported to the state. Funds must be used exclusively for school safety measures, including security, drug prevention programs, and student safety initiatives.