The third week of the 2017 session wrapped up Thursday night with passage of a health insurance premium relief bill. A conference committee is expected to begin work early next week on differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) said he’s aiming to have the bill to Gov. Mark Dayton by next Thursday.
It was only a three-day week for legislators because of Monday’s observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, yet a couple of higher-profile issues were addressed. A bill for Sunday off-sale liquor transactions is headed to the House Floor after a decisive committee vote and the pros and cons of agricultural buffer zones were addressed at a joint committee hearing.
Other issues addressed this week include: teacher licensure, taxing Social Security benefits, biodiesel mandates, Twin Cities transit funding, officer training and even candidate fundraising raffles.
Before looking ahead to next week; let’s take a look at what you may have missed this week.
Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.
AGRICULTURE
Buffer controversy grows once again at Capitol
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12401
Farm income levels projected to fall yet again
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12380
State on target to meet biodiesel mandate
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12393
CONSUMERS
Sunday liquor bill sails through committee, heads again to House Floor
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12387
EDUCATION
State’s teacher licensure system in need of overhaul, report says
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12381
Perpich Center facing major problems, legislative auditor says
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12400
State’s new voluntary pre-K said to serve over 10,000
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12382
ELECTIONS
Bill would OK candidate fundraising raffles
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12402
EMPLOYMENT
Minnesota Index: Jobs, jobs, jobs
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12383
ENERGY
Solar panels in committee’s crosshairs
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12388
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
BWSR officials hail ‘big day’ for Minnesota conservation
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12394
FAMILY
With Greater Minnesota beset by child care crisis, lawmakers seek fixes
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12398
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
House passes $315 million health insurance relief package
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12404
Mental health task force delivers final report to HHS committee
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12378
HIGHER EDUCATION
Starting Line: Helping students understand their loan bottom line
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12389
State’s private colleges contribute $1.9 billion to economy, panel hears
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12385
Higher ed committee reviews college career readiness offerings
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12397
PUBLIC SAFETY
Officer training requirements, funding concerns shared with House panel
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12403
Judicial Branch successes — and concerns — shared with public safety panel
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12379
Slower growth expected in state’s increasing prison population
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12395
STATE GOVERNMENT
Fiscal notes: Answering the question, ‘How much will it cost’
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12386
TAXES
Committee offers hopeful talk about tax relief on Social Security payments
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12396
Retailers seek allowance for being ‘state’s sales tax partner’
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12399
Some snowbirds seek escape from taxes, not just Minnesota cold
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12384
Simplification of state’s property tax system is a division goal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12392
TRANSPORTATION
Big changes brewing for Twin Cities transit funding?
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12390