STATE OF MINNESOTA SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE EIGHTY-FOURTH SESSION
HEALTH POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Fran Bradley, Chair of the Health Policy & Finance Committee, called the sixth meeting to order at 10:16 a.m. on Wednesday, January 26, 2005, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.
The Clerk noted the roll.
Members present:
BRADLEY, Fran, Chair OTREMBA, Mary Ellen
FINSTAD, Brad, Vice Chair PEPPIN, Joyce
ABELER, Jim POWELL, Duke
DEAN, Matt SAMUELSON, Char
EKEN, Kent THAO, Cy
EMMER, Tom THISSEN, Paul
GOODWIN, Barb WALKER, Neva
HUNTLEY, Tom WILKIN, Tim
A quorum was present.
HF 405 (Meslow) Freedom to Breathe Act of 2005 established requiring persons to refrain from smoking in certain areas including places of employment, public transportation, bars, and restaurants;
Representatives Meslow and Latz presented HF 405.
Rep. Thao moved approval of the minutes of Tuesday, January 25, 2005, as corrected.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. The minutes were approved.
Testifying in support of HF 405:
10:30am Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minneapolis, Medical Director, Boynton Health Service, University of MN
10:33am Dr. Ben Whitten, Edina, MN Medical Association
10:36am Karen Zeleznak, Bloomington, Local Public Health Association
10:40am Pat Reichert, Bloomington
10:43am Rochelle Jones, Moose Lake, (Owner, Arts Café)
10:46am Michelle Beringer, Circle Pines, (Server, Oceanaire)
10:49am Megan Moriarty, Sunfish Lake
10:52am Lester Collins, St. Paul, Council on Black Minnesotans
10:54am Nate Weiler, Duluth (Bartender, Pizza Luce)
10:57am Dr. Dorothy Hatsukami, University of MN Cancer Center
11:00am Leslie Ellis, Eden Prairie
11:03am Dr. Joe Yenkosky, Bloomington, Advisory Board of Health
11:07am Pat McKone, Duluth, American Lung Association
Rep. Meslow gave closing remarks in support of HF 405.
Testifying in opposition to HF 405:
11:15am Tom Day, St. Paul, MN Restaurant, Hotel and Resort Association
11:21am Colin Minehart, Albert Lea, MLBA
11:25am Pat Matykiewicz, St. Paul, (Bartender, O’Gara’s)
11:26am Joel Albrech, New Ulm (Mayor)
11:30am Jim Newcomer, Bloomington (VFW)
11:32am Kenn Rockler, Plymouth, Wine, Beer & Spirits Federation
11:34am Ed Contoski, Minneapolis
11:43am Ryan Pacyga, Woodbury, Minnesotans Against Smoking Ban
11:51am Michael Petrich, Lilydale (Business owner)
11:54am Eileen Bream, St. Paul, (Business Owner, Stogies on Grand)
11:55am Tom Briant, Eden Prairie, National Association of Tobacco Outlets
11:58am Tracey Lange, Plymouth (Server)
11:59am Mark Wernimont, Watertown, Smokeeters of MN
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2005, at 10:15 a.m. in Room 10 of the State Office Building.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:02 p.m.
REP. FRAN BRADLEY, CHAIR
Cheryl Burke
Committee Legislative Assistant