Rep. Fue Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for impersonating a police officer in Minnesota. It upgrades the base offense to a felony (up to 2 years in jail or $4,000 fine) and creates a new crime for impersonating while carrying a firearm (up to 10 years in jail or $20,000 fine). The bill also requires anyone pretending to be a law enforcement officer to identify themselves when asked and imposes harsher penalties if they commit other crimes while impersonating an officer (e.g., a misdemeanor becomes a gross misdemeanor). It directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers, including those using fake uniforms, vehicle markings, or equipment to mimic law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHF 2484 establishes the "Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grants Program" to fund library improvements in Minnesota. It appropriates $1 million from state bond proceeds for grants covering up to $450,000 for accessibility upgrades in existing buildings or up to $1 million for renovations/new construction of library facilities. Public libraries (including city, county, and regional systems) must provide matching local funds and adopt policies prohibiting pornographic internet use to qualify. The commissioner of education administers the program, prioritizing projects based on collaboration, tax burden, feasibility, and need.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $10 million grant program to improve safety for students walking or biking to school. It appropriates $10 million from state bond proceeds to fund these grants, administered by the Minnesota Department of Transportation under statute 174.40. The funding comes from bonds the state will issue following specific legal procedures outlined in Minnesota law. The program directly affects school districts and communities seeking to create safer routes to schools.

Maddy summaryHF 5149 restricts law enforcement from making civil immigration arrests at court facilities and surrounding areas to protect individuals attending legal proceedings. The bill defines 'civil arrest' as taking someone into custody for immigration violations and explicitly prohibits this action within courthouses, parking lots, and nearby sidewalks. It also establishes protections for court companions, such as family members and advocates, by extending these arrest restrictions to anyone accompanying a person to court. Additionally, the legislation modifies laws related to concealing identity and expands investigations into police use of force.

Maddy summaryHF 2486 authorizes the state to issue up to $3 million in bonds to fund planning, construction, and renovation of early childhood learning and child protection facilities in Minnesota. The funds, drawn from bond proceeds, will be distributed as grants by the state human services agency to child care providers. This bill directly affects licensed child care centers and facilities serving young children by providing dedicated funding for facility improvements. The legislation creates a specific funding mechanism through state bonds rather than altering existing eligibility rules or service requirements.

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 3403 allocates $44 million for counties and $6 million for Tribal governments in fiscal year 2026 to provide emergency rental assistance. It requires counties and Tribal governments to use these funds solely for rental assistance to eligible households meeting three criteria: income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, Minnesota residency, and homelessness or imminent housing crisis. Funds must be distributed within 15 days of the bill's effective date and spent within 180 days, with unspent money returned to the state general fund. This one-time appropriation directly supports low-income renters facing housing instability across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 3793 requires large groundwater users (those exceeding 100 million gallons annually or 50% of a municipality's current water allocation) to apply for their own water-use permits instead of modifying existing municipal permits. This affects industrial and commercial entities, including data centers, whose water use meets these thresholds. Key provisions include mandatory public comment periods for new permits, potential aquifer testing, and monthly reporting for threshold users - compared to annual reporting for smaller users. The bill aims to strengthen oversight of significant groundwater withdrawals while ensuring public input and watershed protection.

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 establishes the Minnesota Business Recovery Loan Program to provide financial assistance to businesses that have suffered revenue losses exceeding 30% due to staffing shortages or disruptions caused by increased immigration enforcement activities. The program allocates $100 million in one-time funding, with $18 million designated for zero-interest loans to businesses in greater Minnesota and $82 million for zero-interest loans to businesses in the seven-county metropolitan area through nonprofit lenders. To qualify, businesses must be Minnesota-based, in good standing, and demonstrate that their revenue decline stems from immigration-related events between the bill's enactment and December 1, 2025. Loan amounts vary by business size and location, ranging from $25,000 to $200,000, and funds must be used exclusively for business operations within Minnesota rather than debt repayment or real estate investment.