Week in Review: March 27-31

For many legislators and staff, a chance to rest this weekend could not have arrived soon enough.

While the number of bills heard in House committees during the week decreased, the magnitude of those acted upon increased. That can be attributed to the so-called “omni-fest,” as many House committees approved their all-encompassing omnibus bills and moved them along in the process. A quartet — education, environment, taxes and transportation — received approval of the full body after lengthy debates, albeit with far-from-unanimous agreement. The remaining omnibus bills are expected to be acted upon next week before members are away April 9-17 for the Passover/Easter break.

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.

BONDING

Transportation bonding asks forwarded to House Capital Investment Committee

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12748

More than $11 million sought for landfill hazardous waste removal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12750

BUDGET

Omnibus bills provide framework for the state’s biennial budget plan

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12744

CIVIL LAW

‘Starting Line’: Providing co-parenting services for unmarried parents

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12731

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Panel pushes omnibus jobs and energy bill to Ways and Means

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12742

Public weighs in on jobs and energy bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12733

EDUCATION

House passes omnibus education finance bill sans voluntary pre-K funding that governor wants

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12758

Minnesota Index: Teacher Supply

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12732

ENVIRONMENT

House passes $830 million omnibus environment bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12755

Buffers funding included in $500 million omnibus legacy bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12734

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

House passes $542 million state-based reinsurance bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12752

Federal approval hangs over compromise reinsurance proposal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12749

Contentious omnibus health and human services finance bill to Ways and Means

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12751

MNsure would get axe under health and human services finance bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12743

Help for physicians wanting to practice in multiple states

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12745

More dental students could go where help is needed most

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12738

HOUSING

House OKs fire sprinkler uniformity bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12746

PUBLIC SAFETY

Controversial ‘Stand Your Ground’ expansion headed to House Floor

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12737

Additional $111.5 million in biennial funding OK’d by public safety committee

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12741

House moves to give innocent owners ‘their day in court’

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12747

STATE GOVERNMENT

Clash of ideologies as state government omnibus bill moves on

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12736

‘System failures’ and bikini waxes among concerns in omnibus state government budget bill

 http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12735

Historic preservation office could leave historical society

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12753

TAXES

Omnibus tax bill passes House amidst concern over its $5.2 billion size

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12754

TRANSPORTATION

Roads and bridges focus of transportation bill passed in House; opponents say transit to suffer

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12756

House OKs use of supplemental federal highway funds

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12739

House passes moratorium on creating permit for ditch mowing, haying

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12740