Rep. Ben Bakeberg

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Department of Education Office of General Counsel to create guidance for school districts and charter schools on how to handle law enforcement actions, including immigration enforcement. The guidance must cover legal concepts like judicial warrants and probable cause, and explain how laws apply to various school settings such as parking lots, athletic facilities, extracurricular venues, and student transportation. The document must also identify the specific legal sources used, including state and federal laws and constitutional provisions. This guidance will be issued in consultation with the state attorney general and takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 3585 establishes an Interagency Council on Student Attendance to improve coordination among state agencies, counties, school districts, and charter schools in addressing student absenteeism. The council, composed of representatives from 16 state departments and education organizations (including the Department of Education and tribal groups), must develop solutions for chronic absenteeism and submit annual reports with recommendations starting in 2027. The bill appropriates $2,027 for fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to support the council’s work, with future funding to be determined. The council will meet at least quarterly and has no expiration date.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows schools in Minnesota to temporarily dismiss kindergarten through third-grade students for up to one partial day and one full day following disciplinary incidents. The change permits this limited exclusion only to enable schools to communicate with parents or guardians about the incident before returning the student to class. It also requires that expulsions and exclusions be used only after other resources are exhausted and when there is a serious safety threat. The policy takes effect starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota taxpayers to receive advance payments of their K-12 education tax credit, which would be distributed in two installments rather than all at once after filing taxes. Eligible families with qualifying children and adjusted gross income below certain thresholds can apply for these payments by September 1, with distribution occurring between July and September 15. The advance payments reduce the total credit amount the taxpayer can claim later in the year, and any excess payments would increase the taxpayer's tax liability. Additionally, the bill requires the state revenue commissioner to submit a report by January 2027 evaluating whether advance payments could be delivered using electronic benefits transfer cards, including cost estimates and potential advantages or disadvantages.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for misconduct by public officers and employees in Minnesota by increasing potential fines and prison sentences. It directly affects government officials and employees who fail to perform required duties, exceed their legal authority, harm others under false pretenses, or knowingly submit false official documents. Under the new provisions, first-time offenders could face up to one year in prison or a $5,000 fine, while repeat offenders could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. The changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Minnesota Department of Health to create and manage a stockpile of essential prescription and over-the-counter medications to prepare for drug shortages and public health emergencies. The Department of Health will work with medical experts, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare facilities to determine what medications to stockpile and may hire third-party vendors to handle storage, tracking, and distribution. During emergencies, the department can establish equitable distribution limits to ensure fair access to medications, while also coordinating with local health authorities and emergency responders. The bill requires an annual report to legislative committees detailing the stockpile's inventory, usage, and management updates, and it appropriates funding from the state's general fund to support these efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $750,000 from the workforce development fund to Wallin Education Partners for fiscal year 2027 to support its career development programs. The funding will help under-resourced individuals access career exploration, skill-building, mentoring, and early employment opportunities, with additional resources available to expand construction and health care training pathways. This one-time appropriation is intended to provide hands-on learning and work-based experience for participants preparing for careers in these fields. The bill directly affects the commissioner of employment and economic development, who will manage the grant distribution to Wallin Education Partners.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's "Read Act" to require literacy instruction based on "science of reading" research, emphasizing evidence-based methods like phonics and decoding while explicitly excluding the three-cueing system. It establishes a new Office of Achievement and Innovation within the Department of Education to support literacy implementation and creates a statewide school performance reporting system. The bill also allows school boards to opt out of complying with certain recently enacted state education laws or rules and authorizes fund transfers for education programs through fiscal year 2029. These changes directly affect all Minnesota public school districts, educators, and students by reshaping literacy instruction requirements and school accountability systems.

Maddy summaryHF 21 would require a three-fifths supermajority vote in both the Minnesota House and Senate to extend a peacetime emergency declaration beyond 14 days. Currently, such extensions beyond 14 days could be approved by the Executive Council, but this bill would shift that authority to the legislature. The bill directly affects governors seeking to prolong emergency powers and the legislative process for reviewing those requests. It does not change the initial 14-day emergency declaration period or the governor's authority to declare emergencies under existing criteria. Note: This bill was introduced but not passed during the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryHF 3372 modifies disciplinary rules for students in early learning programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten through grade 3) in Minnesota. The bill prohibits most school dismissals for these students, requiring schools to first use nonexclusionary discipline strategies like collaborating with families, creating support plans, or referring to community services. Only after exhausting these steps may schools consider suspensions, exclusions, or expulsions - strictly for ongoing serious safety threats. The law takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.