Omnibusfest was in full swing this week as numerous House finance committees unveiled their all-encompassing omnibus bills: agriculture, education, environment, higher education, jobs and economic development, public safety, taxes, and transportation.
Some committees approved their measures, while others are expected to do so early next week in advance of the final committee deadline March 31 when committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills. The deadline does not apply to the House Capital Investment, Ways and Means, Taxes or rules committees.
It was more than just funding measures, however, with other issues addressed including Appleton prison, e-filing of state taxes, foster family insurance, MNsure and voting equipment.
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
Ag committee approves omnibus agriculture finance bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12727
Hearing begins on omnibus agriculture finance bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12711
BUDGET
Dayton wants a new transportation bill, criticizes reinsurance proposal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12710
House Republicans outline $46.3 billion spending plan
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12699
BUSINESS AND COMMERCE
Public weighs in on reinsurance but no finalized plan this week
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12729
More insurance protection sought for foster families
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12707
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Omnibus jobs and energy bill mixes shrimp farming, nuclear payments
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12724
EDUCATION
Omnibus education finance bill approved during contentious hearing
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12728
Omnibus education finance bill offers opportunity in some areas, closes doors in others
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12714
ELECTIONS
Aging voting equipment could get $14 million makeover
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12720
Campaign finance board could lose all rulemaking authority
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12705
ENERGY
Biomass contracts could be rejiggered
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12709
Electricity generated from rooftop solar panels could count toward state goal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12701
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Omnibus environment bill clears first hurdle
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12725
Omnibus environment bill spares EQB, but makes significant changes
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12719
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Simplified reimbursement measures sought for short-term crisis stays
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12722
MNsure repeal revisited, in the running for inclusion in omnibus bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12714
Minnesota Index: Aging in Minnesota
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12700
HIGHER EDUCATION
Omnibus higher education bill offers funding increases, debt help for students
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12718
‘Starting Line’: In the top 10 percent? You’re in
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12698
PUBLIC SAFETY
Omnibus public safety bill calls for more spending; gun, protester changes
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12717
Committee holds over plan to house prisoners at Appleton facility
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12706
Recent bomb threats spark call to help fund security grants
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12708
TAXES
Soccer stadium help attached to omnibus tax bill heading to Ways and Means
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12726
Omnibus tax bill priorities lay out $1.3 billion in tax relief
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12721
Tax relief aimed at young and old, GOP leaders say
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12712
Proposal for e-filing state taxes, early education director merge into one bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12716
House property tax proposal leaves cities behind, but helps business
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12703
STATE GOVERNMENT
Dayton wants a new transportation bill, criticizes reinsurance proposal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12710
TRANSPORTATION
Omnibus transportation bill starts its drive toward House Floor
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12723
House GOP lays out $6 billion map for road and bridge construction
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12704
Metro officials, transit agencies warn of big setbacks under GOP transportation plan
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12715
School bus stop arm violations could become pricier
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12702