Rep. Dave Lislegard

Maddy summaryHF 4738 replaces Minnesota's Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board with a new Office of Emergency Medical Services, which will be led by a director appointed by the governor. This new office will take over key responsibilities such as licensing ambulance services, certifying emergency medical personnel, approving training programs, and investigating complaints against providers. The bill also creates advisory councils to guide the office and launches a pilot program to test alternative models for emergency medical response. Additionally, the legislation provides funding for these operations and requires the director to submit annual reports to the legislature on the state's emergency medical services system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits drug manufacturers and wholesale distributors from blocking pharmacies that have contracts with 340B covered entities from receiving discounted 340B drugs. It requires these companies to deliver such medications directly to the pharmacies unless federal law explicitly forbids the transfer. The legislation aims to ensure that pharmacies serving specific healthcare organizations can access lower-cost medications without interference from suppliers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state of Minnesota to provide a one-time grant of $1,000,000 from the general fund to the Entrepreneur Fund. The money is intended to help the fund offer loans to for-profit businesses in northeast Minnesota that are starting new ventures, expanding existing operations, or changing ownership. These loans aim to fill gaps in financing that these businesses cannot meet through other sources. The legislation specifically authorizes the commissioner of employment and economic development to use these funds for this purpose in fiscal year 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's individual income tax rules by allowing taxpayers to subtract Social Security benefits and public pension income from their taxable income. It establishes specific dollar limits and phase-out thresholds based on a taxpayer's filing status and provisional income, ensuring that higher earners gradually lose access to these subtractions. The changes apply to retirees receiving benefits from state pension plans and aim to align state tax treatment more closely with federal standards for public pensions. These provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for Minnesota's senior citizens' property tax deferral program, which allows eligible homeowners to postpone paying their property taxes. To qualify, the property must be a primary residence owned by someone aged 65 or older, with a spouse aged 62 or older if married. The legislation raises the maximum household income limit from $60,000 to $96,000 and reduces the required ownership period from 15 years to five years. Additionally, the bill maintains restrictions on existing liens, requiring that total debt secured by mortgages and other liens cannot exceed 75% of the home's estimated market value. These changes apply to tax applications filed for 2024 and later.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes a new account to manage funds related to a 2024 settlement regarding the state's retention of tax-forfeited lands and mineral rights. Counties that choose to participate must sell properties forfeited between 2012 and 2023 at auction or through brokers for at least their appraised value, keeping only a portion of the proceeds while sending the rest to the state. Counties that do not actively opt out by August 2024 are automatically considered participants, whereas those that remain non-participating retain full financial liability for claims related to properties forfeited before 2024. The bill also allocates $109 million to pay claims administrators and requires participating counties to submit regular reports on their sales efforts and results.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota Legislature to provide a one-time funding of $25,000,000 from the state's general fund to the Department of Transportation for the Small Cities Assistance Account. The money is intended to support transportation projects in smaller cities within the state, with all funds required to be distributed in the July 2024 payment cycle. The legislation becomes effective immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program in Minnesota to collect and recycle electronic waste from households and small businesses. It defines specific items that must be recycled, such as computers, monitors, and gaming consoles, while excluding devices like cameras, telephones, and household appliances. The legislation creates a system where an approved organization, known as a clearinghouse, will manage the collection, transport, and recycling of these covered devices. Additionally, the bill sets up new state accounts to fund the program and requires the state agency to submit a report on its progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows cities in Minnesota to create special districts that reassign property taxes based on land value rather than improvements like buildings. To establish such a district, a city must hold a public hearing and mail notices to all affected property owners before passing an ordinance. The tax reallocation must use specific formulas that focus on the value of the land itself, excluding the value of structures or improvements made after a certain date. These new tax rules would first apply to property taxes payable in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's unemployment insurance rules to clarify eligibility for workers who stop working due to a labor dispute at their workplace. It states that applicants involved in such disputes are not considered to have quit or been fired, nor are they on leave, which preserves their potential claim for benefits. The law specifies that eligibility depends on whether the worker is directly participating in the dispute or if the dispute involves a conflict between different labor organizations. Additionally, the bill clarifies that quitting or being fired while a dispute is active does not end the worker's participation in the dispute for benefit purposes.