SESSION WEEKLY A NON-PARTISAN PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JAN. 19, 1996 VOLUME 13, NUMBER 1 WEEK IN REVIEW. . . JAN. 16 - 18, 1996 HIGHLIGHTS State of the State . . . Carlson wants legislative and education reform With three years remaining in his second term, Gov. Arne Carlson is pursuing aggressive changes that would significantly alter Minnesota's political landscape. Carlson, in his State of the State Address, called for new efforts to fight crime and new solutions to problems in public education. And he demanded sweeping reforms of the Minnesota Legislature. Public confidence in state government has been shaken by recent "headline stories of unethical conduct," Carlson said in a Jan. 16 speech delivered at a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce event in Bloomington. "In order for us to be credible reformers, we must first fix our own system." To do that, the governor is calling for the creation of a smaller, less-costly unicameral Legislature to replace a two-house body that is the fifth largest in the country, and for limits on the number of terms legislators can serve. "Term limits will inject new blood, new vitality into a system that is too often controlled by the vested and the entrenched," Carlson said. Currently, 21 states have some form of term limits for state elected officials. Carlson wants per diem payments to be limited to only the days when the Legislature is in session. He wants voters to get the chance to approve a proposed initiative and referendum amendment, which would let the public propose new laws and decide issues at the polls. And he wants to end the practice of exempting the Legislature from various laws including Affirmative Action and pay-equity requirements. While the image of the Legislature may need repair, in Carlson's eyes, the public remains confident in the state's fiscal management practices. An estimated $824 million budget surplus -- and the promise to conserve those funds -- only serves to bolster that confidence, according to the governor. Carlson's proposals would spend $160 million of the surplus funds on his priority projects, including crime prevention, youth programs, and education reform. Of the remaining funds, the governor aims to add to the budget reserve created in 1995 to deal with expected federal cutbacks and to save about $500 million in a special account. Carlson's plans for reforming the state's education system reach far beyond a simple boost with surplus funds. The centerpiece of his education proposals is a plan to allow parents to use public money to send their children to private schools. In his speech, Carlson called for the Legislature to set up pilot projects in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Brooklyn Center, and a rural city to test the school voucher system. "With choice, we not only get more freedom, we get more competition," Carlson said. "And we want to promote competition between schools. The truth is that competition spurs excellence." Carlson also will seek the Legislature's approval of a plan that would reward parents for saving for their children's college education. The proposal would allow parents to deposit up to $4,000 each year into tax-free savings accounts. And the governor said he will push to initiate merit pay for teachers and to loosen teacher tenure -- measures he argues will spur better teacher performance and help keep the best teachers in the classroom. To fight crime, Carlson is offering his "Safe Streets Initiative," a program that would send police on neighborhood sweeps to strictly enforce all laws, including truancy and traffic violations. The sweeps, he said, will allow police to check for outstanding warrants and generate intelligence on suspected criminals. "To the criminals who prey on our citizens we say this: Get out of Minnesota now or you will pay the price," Carlson said. "Stay and you will do time." Carlson also wants to devote more resources to crime prevention, including some $20 million he is proposing be spent on after-school enrichment programs. The governor's speech drew mixed reactions from House caucus leaders. House Majority Leader Phil Carruthers (DFL- Brooklyn Center) took issue with several remarks, particularly the school vouchers proposal. "I think the idea of education reform should be focused on our public schools, not on taking from our public schools and giving it to private schools," Carruthers said. But House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum (R- Kenyon) said he sensed a toughness in Carlson that will be needed to effect significant change. "He was tough on the Legislature and rightfully so," he said. -- Nick Healy BUDGET Carlson's budget proposal Gov. Arne Carlson's proposal to use $500 million of the budget surplus for a school cash flow account raised some concerns among members of the House Taxes Committee Jan. 17. In its November 1995 revenue forecast, the Department of Finance projected there will be $824 million more in state coffers at the end of fiscal year 1997 than was projected at the end of last session. Commissioner of Finance Laura King outlined for the committee the governor's plan for the surplus. That plan, as outlined in Gov. Carlson's State of the State address Jan. 16, includes: -- $24 million in tax cuts; -- $140 million for state budget reserves; -- $160 million for youth, public safety, higher education, technology, and economic development projects; and -- $500 million for a school cash flow account. The school account would eliminate the short- term borrowing that school districts often engage in to cover low cash points while they await state aid payments. In a budget-saving strategy known as the K-12 property tax levy recognition shift, the state began delaying some state aid payments to schools in the 1980s. Currently, interest and issuance costs of short- term borrowing costs schools -- and thus, taxpayers -- at least $3 million annually. The school cash flow account would allow schools speedy access to state cash advances free of most interest and issuance charges. King said the plan would save taxpayers at least $3 million and earn an estimated $20 million in interest over the biennium. That money would be earmarked for science, math, library, and technology grants in public schools, she said. But several committee members said they feared the provision would encourage overspending by some districts. "The school districts are being relieved of paying some portion of debt . . . this proposal basically eliminates that concern for them," Rep. Ron Abrams (IR-Minnetonka) told King. "Doesn't it seem to you that you're establishing an incentive for districts to run a deficit?" Rep. Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins) said the cash account proposal could invite financial troubles at the district level by keeping school boards from holding discussions with taxpayers on short-term borrowing. He also suggested one district's fiscal mismanagement could have a negative impact on another district that had a surplus. King said the plan encourages -- not discourages -- sound fiscal management and taxpayer savings. "The school district that has built a budget it can't afford will not be advantaged by this because we would be able to see whether they are borrowing for cash or whether they are borrowing because they built a budget they can't afford," she said. "We're allowing [districts] to avoid issuance costs and that's a real public expense savings." King also said districts will only be able to get the level of aid they are currently entitled to under state guidelines. Rep. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), who chairs the Taxes Committee, asked King if anyone has studied short-term borrowing habits of school districts in depth under the current system or the governor's proposed cash flow account. "The question is does either one of these particular policies encourage [short-term borrowing]. If they do, we should be concerned about that," she said. BUSINESS Boosting Minnesota business The new Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development introduced himself and a plan to spark statewide economic growth to members of the House International Trade and Economic Development Committee Jan. 17. Jay Novak, a former Twin Cities business journalist, laid out the following proposals for committee members: -- phase out the 4.5 percent sales tax on replacement equipment for businesses; -- establish a one-stop site for businesses to obtain permits, licenses, and other information; -- remove barriers to tourism, such as stricter requirements on outstate motor coaches; and -- continue funding the Economic Recovery Fund at $6 million for 1996-97. The fund is the chief tool used for relocating businesses to Minnesota through economic incentives. "Our legislative agenda is not large, but it certainly is important to us," said Novak. Important to helping Minnesota companies get ahead is scrapping the tax on equipment purchased to replace aging equipment, he said. Gov. Arne Carlson said, during his State of the State address, that he supports phasing out the replacement tax. Currently, Minnesota businesses are not taxed when they initially purchase equipment. They are taxed 4.5 percent on any new or used replacement equipment, however. "We think it's a bad tax because it puts an unnecessary expense on companies . . . to determine what is new equipment and what is old equipment," he said. "It also penalizes capital-intensive industries and those are the kind that do well even when the economy is not doing so well." Phasing out the replacement equipment tax would cost the state around $54 million over the next three years, Novak estimated. A one-stop permitting site would allow businesses and potential businesses to gather licenses, permits, and information on environmental or construction rules without getting sent to a handful of departments or agencies, Novak said. Breaking down barriers to tourism, a $6.8 billion state industry, is also a must for an economically thriving state, he said. Specifically, that means equalizing weight limits for motor coaches and buses based both in and out of Minnesota, Novak said. Currently, motor coaches that enter Minnesota from other states face stricter weight limits than those based in Minnesota, he told the committee. "We have some evidence that tour buses are routing around our state," he said. Committee members, expressing concern over the motor coach issue, raised questions about whether certain airline pricing strategies are also barriers to Minnesota tourism. Reps. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) and Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls) said some of their constituents, including several travel agents, have said it's often cheaper to fly into or out of the Eau Claire airport than Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. "If access to and from Minnesota is in some way restricted by pricing, that could be an economic development issue," said Wagenius, who asked Novak to look into the issue. Novak and Steve Markuson, director of the Minnesota Office of Tourism, said they didn't think there was a need to investigate the issue because they have not seen a pattern of widely varying prices between the two airports. Novak suggested contacting local airlines to look into the matter. But he and Markuson emphasized the need to deal with the motor coach issue, especially in light of their plan to greatly expand efforts to market Minnesota domestically and internationally. Markuson said there are plans under way to lure Japanese, European, and other international travelers to Minnesota. He said Northwest Airlines recent announcement of a non-stop flight from the Twin Cities to Beijing is one big step in the right direction. "Our single biggest impediment to our ability to grow international tourism is the lack of non-stop air service to those markets," he said. CRIME Expunging criminal records A bill to make it more difficult for people to conceal an arrest or conviction record is moving through the House. People petition the courts to have their records expunged for a variety of reasons -- some were arrested but never charged, others were charged but found not guilty. There are also cases where an individual who was found guilty wants the record sealed for personal or employment reasons. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors generally oppose the practice because it takes records and information out of the system that could provide leads in current and future criminal investigations. Under the bill (HF2215) expungement would be defined as sealing a record and opening it only under a court order or statutory authority. It would not include the complete destruction of arrest or conviction records or their return to the defendant. Currently, there is no definition on the books and the bill tries to address some existing case law that allows judges to return records to defendants or have them destroyed. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Phil Carruthers (DFL- Brooklyn Center), was heard in the House Judiciary Committee Jan. 17 and was held over for further discussion. Carruthers, a prosecutor, called himself a "conservative" on expungements and said that while it may not be constitutionally possible to prohibit expungements, it is possible to limit them. His bill would set out a uniform procedure for people who petition to have their records sealed. Currently, procedures differ depending on the judicial district. Under the bill, an individual would have to: -- file a petition under oath and pay the regular civil filing fee; -- provide not only their full legal name but aliases as well; -- provide all addresses from the date of the offense or alleged offense to the date of the petition; -- explain why they want their records expunged and specifically if it is to help them obtain a job or a license. Many professions rely on criminal history checks such as teachers, child care workers, and police officers. And, those checks also are necessary when applying for some licenses such as gambling, insurance sales, and liquor licenses; -- explain, in the case of a conviction, what steps he or she has taken toward rehabilitation since the crime; -- provide a complete criminal conviction record including all convictions for misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies in Minnesota as well as all comparable convictions across the country and the world; and -- include information on all prior requests for expungement in Minnesota, the United States, or the world; whether granted or not. The bill goes on to set a new standard that expungement would be granted "only upon clear and convincing evidence that it would yield a benefit to the petitioner commensurate with the disadvantages to the public . . ." Sealed records would only be opened by court order or with statutory authority and the bill spells out several specific circumstances. For instance, records could be opened for a criminal investigation, prosecution, and to evaluate a police officer job applicant or other public safety employee. In addition, the bill would repeal a law that states a person convicted of a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor before they were 21 may have their record sealed under certain circumstances. Nancy McLean, an assistant Hennepin County attorney, told the Judiciary Committee that her office sees about 100 motions for expungement each year. "Some we agree with. Some we disagree with," McLean said, adding that her office always challenges a motion to expunge a record if it involves a conviction. It is important for various law enforcement and other agencies to have access to criminal records to do their jobs, she said, adding that expungement can unfairly leave the appearance that nothing ever happened. "The Carruthers bill puts all the information out front. . . . It is only fair to look at the whole picture" before a record is sealed. The bill also would change current law which allows an arrested person who is not convicted the absolute right to have their records, fingerprints, mug shots, and other physical evidence, such as DNA samples, returned to them. Under the legislation, judges would have the discretion on whether or not to return the record and, in the case of fingerprints and DNA samples, there would be no discretion. They would automatically stay in the criminal justice system. Originally, the bill did not specify DNA samples. Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester) raised the issue pointing out that DNA samples are important to law enforcement agencies across the United States in catching criminals. "I want that DNA database accessible to the whole country . . . our borders are wide open," Bishop said. The bill was amended to address his concern. Proof of insurance Currently, Minnesota motorists cited for failing to provide proof of insurance when stopped by police have 10 days to come up with the proof or face a minimum 30-day license suspension and a misdemeanor conviction. Under a bill approved Jan. 17 by the House Judiciary Committee, citizens in this predicament would have until the day of their first court appearance to provide proof. Often, a first court appearance is scheduled 10 to 21 days after a ticket is issued. Proof of insurance usually consists of a letter or policy card provided by an insurance agent. House sponsor Rep. Tom Pugh (DFL-South St. Paul) explained that the law, as currently written, confuses drivers because their tickets record both the date of the offense and the date of their court appearance. Trouble is, they wait until the court hearing to present proof and miss the 10-day deadline. Pugh said there are more than 1,000 cases each year that result in license suspensions when the drivers actually have proof of insurance but present it too late. Currently, some judges dismiss a license suspension if a driver shows up to the first court appearance with proof of insurance. Others, however, will follow the letter of the law and stand by the minimum 30-day suspension simply because drivers missed the 10-day deadline. Under the law, if a person is stopped without proof of insurance and indeed has none, the license suspension will stay in effect for 30 days and at least until they can prove they have purchased insurance. The bill HF1224 is expected to be incorporated into the 1996 omnibus crime bill. Friends, colleagues honor Munger A collection of Minnesota political figures, including congressmen, former governors, high- ranking state officials, and members of the Legislature gathered in the House chamber Jan. 18 to celebrate Rep. Willard Munger's 85th birthday. Munger, a Duluth DFLer serving his 40th year in the House, was praised for his legislative record, which shows him to be a leader in environmental protection. "Willard Munger is certainly a Minnesota original, a natural resource himself," said U.S. Rep. Bruce Vento. ". . . He reminds us again and again of our stewardship responsibilities." Munger was first elected to the House in 1954 and has been re-elected 19 times since then. His only absence came for two years after he lost a bid for the state Senate in the 1960s. For 21 years he has served as chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and he has played a major role in the development of landmark environmental legislation. Vento, Sen. Paul Wellstone, Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, and House Speaker Irv Anderson were among the DFLers who recalled Munger's accomplishments and feisty character. House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum and Senate Minority Leader Dean Johnson offered praise from the other side of the aisle. "When all is said and done, it is not how we cast our votes but how our colleagues respect us," Johnson said. ". . .We respect you greatly." Lt. Gov. Joanne Benson read a proclamation from Gov. Arne Carlson declaring Jan. 18 Willard Munger Day in the state and announced that the Minnesota Natural Resources Coalition has created a new honor called the Willard M. Munger Environmentalist of the Year Award. Munger accepted the honors with characteristic wit. "I feel a little bit guilty for receiving all this praise for what little I've done," he said humbly. "But let me tell you something -- I like it." ENVIRONMENT Wetlands revisited The House Environment and Natural Resources Committee jumped back into last year's wetlands debate at their Jan. 17 meeting, hearing both support for and opposition to changes in current law. HF787, which would have given counties more authority to develop wetlands, came close but failed to become law last year. House and Senate conferees have been re-appointed to reach an agreement on the proposal, sponsored by Rep. Willard Munger (DFL-Duluth), to present to both legislative chambers. Reps. Jim Girard (R-Lynd) and Munger also have introduced new bills this session that would amend the current Wetlands Conservation Act (HF2166 and HF2006, respectively). The two camps that have emerged in the wetlands debate were evident at the Jan. 17 meeting, echoing many of the same sentiments expressed last session. Many in wetland-rich counties argue restrictions impede even minimal development and road repair -- factors vital to tax rates and revenue. Others, including several members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, say easing restrictions to help wetland-rich counties could doom metro-area wetlands to extinction. Lake County Commissioner Sharon Hahn showed committee members a map of her county, where wetlands comprise much of the land. She said current law hurts her area. "We do acknowledge the importance of wetlands," she said. "But the impact of this bill on our county is detrimental. . . . I am one of the people who will not be able to afford to live in our county if the taxes go much higher." Hahn said the restrictions on development have forced taxes to go up. Under current law, wetlands must be replaced on a two-for-one basis, except in areas that still have at least 80 percent of the wetlands which existed when Europeans arrived in Minnesota. Those areas are allowed to replace wetlands on a one-for-one basis. Because Lake County's presettlement wetland composition was 98 percent, the current law requires it to maintain a level of wetland composition that hurts development, Hahn said. The committee also was updated by Gov. Arne Carlson's staff, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Department of Natural Resources on a roundtable conference on wetlands law held two weeks ago in St. Cloud. That conference was sponsored by the Department of Administration and attended by the above groups and members of local governments and the public. Some concerns raised at the conference included: -- streamlining the process of getting approval for altering a wetland; -- follow-up to ensure accountability should local governments be granted the authority to develop their own wetland conservation plans; and -- making it easier for local communities to circumvent current restrictions under some circumstances when repairing public roads. Several committee members said easing restrictions to help wetland-rich counties could hurt urban counties where wetlands are more scarce. "I've watched one of the last wetlands in St. Paul be destroyed so that six houses could be built up on the east side of Phalen Lake," said Rep. Steve Trimble (DFL-St. Paul). "And I watched my city government, my county government, the Board of Water and Soil Resources and DNR and the Army Corps of Engineers say, 'Oh well, it's only half of an acre.' So quite frankly I don't trust either the state or the local government to protect the wetlands." Reps. Trimble and Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls) said any proposal to change the Wetlands Conservation Act should include a requirement that state agencies like the Department of Transportation replace wetlands they drain within the same geographic area -- not elsewhere. Current statute says replacement must occur, but does not say where the wetlands must be replaced. "In the metro area when a state agency takes wetlands, I want those wetlands replaced not in northern Minnesota but in the watershed in which they were taken," Wagenius said. Both sides agreed whatever bill emerges this session should not be a one-size-fits-all plan and should take into account different values for wetlands in different regions. ETHICS Decision to censure Despite calls for his resignation and a motion to expel him from the Minnesota House of Representatives, Rep. Bob Johnson (DFL-Bemidji) will retain his seat representing District 4A. The 50-year-old lawmaker's fate was among the first orders of business during the opening day of the 1996 Legislative Session, Jan. 16. Johnson, a lawmaker since 1986, was convicted of three drunken-driving arrests that occurred within a six-week period during the fall of 1995. House members voted 82-50 to censure Johnson, requiring that he publicly apologize on the House floor, perform 120 hours of community service, submit to weekly random tests for alcohol and other addictive substances, and reimburse the state for salary paid to him while he was in jail or under house arrest for his drunken-driving convictions. If a random test result is positive, Johnson would automatically face a full House vote on his expulsion. Part of the censure resolution also recommended Johnson resign by 11:59 p.m. Jan. 16. The lawmaker, who previously had been removed as chair of the House Labor-Management Relations Committee and relieved of his duties as assistant majority leader, refused. An earlier vote to expel him failed 76-56. Under Minnesota's constitution, a two-thirds majority vote (90 members) is needed to expel a representative. Johnson, who has said he will not seek re- election, apologized on the House floor. ". . . I am deeply sorry for what my actions have done in terms of the institution of the House of Representatives. To citizens of this state, I again say I am sorry. I will, by my actions, continue to work very hard at being the person that I am today. . ." Those asking for Johnson's expulsion argued that even though he suffers from the disease of alcoholism, he still is responsible for his conduct. Conduct, they said, that includes breaking the law, endangering lives while driving drunk, and abusing the power of his office. Censuring, said Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) "looks to me to be a slap on the hand. . . . The entire state is looking at us right now." Those against expulsion argued that while Johnson's conduct was both illegal and outrageous, it was the result of a three-month relapse after many years of sobriety. Expulsion, they said, was unnecessary because he already has been justly punished by the criminal justice system and has sought treatment for his problem. "Whichever one of you is without sin, you throw the first stone," said Rep. Tony Kinkel (DFL-Park Rapids), whose district neighbors Johnson's. No member of either the House or Senate has ever been expelled. HEALTH Is MinnesotaCare working? MinnesotaCare, a state program to provide subsidized health coverage to uninsured Minnesotans, appears to be reaching the people it was intended to reach. Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee's MinnesotaCare Finance Division received the results of a MinnesotaCare survey conducted by the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health Institute for Health Services Research. Uninsured Minnesotans who have incomes up to about 275 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for MinnesotaCare. Premiums for most participants are based on a sliding scale and vary with family size and income. Initially, when MinnesotaCare was launched in 1992, enrollment was restricted to children and families with children. Beginning in October 1994, eligibility was expanded to include single adults and families without children. The main finding of the survey, according to Dr. Nicole Lurie, the report's author: It looks like MinnesotaCare is "hitting its target." "The bottom line is that this is all very positive news," Lurie told a Jan. 16 meeting of the MinnesotaCare Finance Division. The report, requested by the Minnesota Health Care Commission and the Minnesota Department of Health, surveyed 800 people enrolled in MinnesotaCare, half from the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area and half from greater Minnesota. Only families with children were surveyed. Among the report's findings: -- A majority of respondents believed that MinnesotaCare charges a fair price for its benefits (97 percent either agreed or strongly agreed); that being on the program is as good as having private insurance (77 percent); and that MinnesotaCare covers everything they need (80 percent). -- Only 19 percent of respondents said they felt embarrassed to be on MinnesotaCare. In contrast, 96 percent said they felt good about contributing to the cost of their health insurance, and 86 percent believed they were treated "just like anyone else" as MinnesotaCare clients. -- Eighty-one percent of respondents reported that it was "very easy" for them to find physicians who accepted MinnesotaCare clients. Forty-nine percent said it was very easy to find dentists, and 84 percent said it was very easy to find pharmacists to participate in the program. -- Forty-seven percent of those participating in the survey believed that MinnesotaCare had no effect on their health. However, 62 percent believed that they were in better health because of MinnesotaCare; 66 percent believed that if MinnesotaCare were abolished, their health would suffer; and 84 percent said they were able to get health care as MinnesotaCare clients that they would not otherwise have gotten. -- A surprising finding of the survey, according to Lurie, was the number of transitions to and from MinnesotaCare over an 18-month period. The survey found that 36 percent of respondents made at least one switch from MinnesotaCare to either medical assistance, a private insurer, or no insurance at all; another 21 percent made two transitions during that period. "My guess is that the administrative costs of doing this are fairly substantial," Lurie told the committee. She recommended that the state look into ways to avoid such transitions, possibly requiring MinnesotaCare participants to stay in the program for a fixed period of time. The survey also found that, contrary to the fears of some MinnesotaCare opponents, most participants did not have other health care options when they enrolled in MinnesotaCare. More than 88 percent said they had no access to employment- based health insurance, and most of those with access to such benefits couldn't afford it. HIGHER EDUCATION Higher education bonding Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) will ask the Legislature to approve more than $140 million in bonding requests this session. In a presentation Jan. 17 before the House Education Committee's Higher Education Finance Division, John Mulder, chair of the facilities committee of the MnSCU Board of Trustees, outlined MnSCU's intended uses for the money and its priorities if lawmakers don't provide full funding of its requests. MnSCU is seeking $70 million in bonds intended for Higher Education Asset Preservation (HEAPR) projects and another $71 million for capital projects. MnSCU classifies HEAPR projects as those that involve "life safety issues," infrastructure repairs and upgrades, hazardous waste abatement, and some remodeling in preparation for upgrading of buildings or facilities. Gov. Arne Carlson is recommending that $24 million be approved for HEAPR projects and $30 million for capital projects. In 1994, before Minnesota's three college systems were combined into MnSCU, higher education requested $283 million in bonds and received $140 million. The merger of the three systems took effect last July. MnSCU's first priority is $35.6 million in individual HEAPR projects that individually cost less than $1 million, according to Elaine Bellew, associate vice chancellor of MnSCU. MnSCU assigned second-priority status to 15 HEAPR projects including: -- $7 million for upgrading the high-voltage system and expansion of utility tunnels at St. Cloud State University; -- $4.5 million for relocation of the energy plant and loading dock at Anoka-Ramsey Community College; -- $4.33 million for replacement of the energy plant at Minneapolis Community College; and -- $3.4 million for land acquisition at the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses of Metro State University. Eight other capital projects were assigned third- priority status by MnSCU including: -- $30 million for construction of a new library at St. Cloud State University, the only capital project included in the governor's higher education bonding recommendation; -- $10.43 million for remodeling and construction of student services, food service, additional instructional space and a new science building and remodeling of the business and technology building at Anoka-Ramsey Community College; -- $9.75 million for construction of a new classroom and laboratory building at Inver Hills Community College. -- $4.5 million for construction of new student housing at Fond du Lac Community Technical College. MnSCU assigned fourth-priority status to $2 million for predesign work throughout its entire system, which includes 62 campuses around the state. The committee took no action on MnSCU's requests. INSURANCE Replacing life insurance Consumers would see new protection from unscrupulous insurance sales tactics under a bill approved Jan. 17 by a House panel. Predatory sales agents target consumers -- in many cases senior citizens -- in a practice called churning, which sometimes leaves individuals stripped of their savings and life insurance. Here's one way it works: A person with a policy of small cash-value is approached by an agent who promises additional life insurance coverage at little or no cost. What the consumer doesn't know is that the new policy, in some cases, will be paid for by borrowing against the value of the old policy. That eats away at the policy's cash value and the death benefit. When the cash value of the older policy runs dry, the consumer may be forced to pay large premiums or risk having the coverage lapse. In the end, the consumer can lose his or her savings and the insurance as well. The bill (HF623) aims to provide consumers with information about the potential risks involved in replacing an existing life insurance policy or annuity contract. The measure, sponsored by Rep. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm), would require life insurers to find out, before selling a new policy, if it would replace existing coverage. If so, the insurance agent or company would be required to give the consumer a form discussing the possible disadvantages of replacing existing coverage. Both the customer and the agent would be required to sign the form. The agent also would have to send the company holding the existing policy notice of the proposed replacement. Replacing existing insurance can be beneficial to consumers in some cases, according to Tomassoni. But "every now and then, an insurance agent does something he shouldn't do," he added. ". . . I really and truly think [the bill] is good consumer protection." After stalling on the House floor during the 1995 session, Tomassoni's bill was revived in the House Insurance Subcommittee. The measure now heads to the full Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. Positive contributions While consumers may consider insurance a necessary burden on their personal budgets, industry insiders say insurance makes a positive contribution to the economic health of the state. And there's no denying insurance is big business in Minnesota. During a Jan. 17 meeting of the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, officials from the Insurance Federation of Minnesota detailed the industry's impact on the state economy. More than 64,000 Minnesotans are employed in some capacity in the insurance industry, according to Pam Weisenberger, manager of marketing research for Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company. That includes employees in every county of the state and a combined total of nearly 50,000 insurance employees in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. The statewide industry 1994 payroll was $2.1 billion. Insurance employees earned an average salary of $35,225 in 1993, well above the state average income of $25,711. The insurance industry also pours big money into state coffers, according to Weisenberger. For example, the industry paid $143 million in premium taxes during fiscal year 1995 and $26 million in 1994 property taxes. Also, the state's industry doled out $6.4 billion in insurance benefits during 1994. Dates and deadlines Jan. 16 -- Opening day of the 1996 Legislative Session. Both House and Senate convene at noon. Feb. 9 -- First committee deadline. For continued consideration, a bill must clear all policy committees in its house of origin by this date. Feb. 16 -- Second committee deadline. For continued consideration, a bill must clear all policy committees in the other legislative body by this date. Feb. 23 -- Third committee deadline. For continued consideration in the House and Senate, all bills with a fiscal impact and omnibus appropriation bills must clear their policy committees and be sent to the Ways and Means Committee (the Finance Committee in the Senate), the Taxes Committee, or the Floor. May 20 -- Mandated date to adjourn. Minnesota's constitution prescribes that the Legislature shall not meet after the Monday following the third Saturday in May. But, since the 1996 Legislative Session is convening about a month and a half earlier than a typical second-year-of-the-biennium session, some expect adjournment before the Passover/Easter holiday the first week of April. A closer look . . . How long should mom and baby be hospitalized? After 16 hours of labor and only three hours of sleep in two days, all Amy Klobuchar wanted to do was rest. She and her husband, John, had prepared themselves well for the birth of their first child, Abigail. They attended every baby class available at Abbott Northwestern Hospital before the big day: a 20-hour birthing class, an infant care class, and a breast feeding class. Nothing, however, prepared them for the insurance industry. "When you've had three hours sleep, your baby is sick, and you're supposed to return [to the hospital] to give breast milk for the baby's health every three hours, insurance should not be dictating a departure 24 hours after birth," said Amy Klobuchar. It wasn't too long ago that a mother and her newborn remained hospitalized for a week after delivery. As the years have gone by, however, the hospital stay has shortened. Today, 24 hours is often considered sufficient. That has some new parents, doctors, and now lawmakers worried about the health of both newborns and their mothers. The shortened recovery time has little to do with today's mothers and babies rebounding more quickly and more to do with today's insurance companies cutting costs, medical professionals tell lawmakers. Rep. Joe Opatz (DFL-St. Cloud) agrees. Continuing a national trend, he is sponsoring a bill to mandate that Minnesota insurance companies give mothers and their newborns the option of staying in the hospital a little longer. It narrowly passed the House Health and Human Services Committee Jan. 18 by a 10-8 vote. It now travels to the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. HF2008 would require insurance companies to cover a minimum of 48 hours of inpatient care following an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and at least 96 hours of inpatient care following an uncomplicated cesarean section. Under both scenarios the extended time would apply to both the mother and the newborn if the physician, in consultation with the mother, determines it to be medically necessary. The bill doesn't require a mother to stay two days or four days, but gives her the option to do so depending on the method and difficulty of the delivery. Should a mother leave the hospital before 48 hours have elapsed, the bill says her insurance company must provide coverage for the option of one home visit by a registered nurse. Services provided by the nurse would include parent education, training in breast and bottle feeding, and conducting any necessary and appropriate clinical tests. The bill is opposed by some lawmakers and insurance officials who call it a mandate. They argue the Legislature has no business mandating what health plans must cover. Insurance company officials, for their part, maintain the question of "how long" is a misunderstanding between themselves and doctors. Mothers and babies, they say, already are free to stay longer than 24 hours if the doctor maintains it is medically necessary and the patient meets certain criteria. But as testimony before a joint House panel in November indicates, doctors are aware of unwritten rules and hidden pressures. If a physician too often has a mother and newborn stay hospitalized an extra day, he or she could face elimination from the health plan's list of approved health care providers. And, if an insurance company disagrees with a doctor who allows a mother or infant to stay an extra day, the company could refuse to reimburse the hospital and doctors, leaving the birth mother to pay the bill. A national trend Minnesota is one of about 25 states with pending legislation on maternity stays, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The organization, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends a hospital stay of 48 hours for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and 96 hours for uncomplicated cesarean deliveries, excluding the day of delivery. Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and North Carolina all passed laws in 1995 requiring some version of the 48/96-hour hospital stay and New Mexico's insurance commissioner instituted new regulations to accomplish the same goal. There also is a bill in Congress to enact a similar federal law. Despite the trauma and stress the Klobuchars faced after the birth of their child, they believe their situation was not "one of the bad ones." "The bad ones are the cases where the baby goes home sick. The bad ones are where the parents didn't have the time or money to learn parenting skills before they left. The bad ones are the ones where the parents can't afford $50 a night for a room just so they can keep the baby supplied with breast milk. Those are the bad ones," the mother told lawmakers earlier this winter during a hearing on the Opatz bill. Klobuchar, like many women across the state, could not stay in the hospital more than 24 hours after delivery unless she had complications. Exhaustion and pain are not necessarily considered complications in the mother. And in a newborn, some common problems, such as jaundice and dehydration, often don't show up until after the second or third day, according to medical professionals. In the Klobuchars' case, their baby could not swallow, and therefore, could not eat normally, causing her doctors concern. The baby was allowed to stay hospitalized for several days of tests. The birth mother, however, had to check out. Klobuchar had to find a rental room nearby and forgo sleep so her husband could wheel her back to the hospital every three hours to provide Abigail the breast milk doctors said was important. Last spring, Opatz's wife, Pamela, and newborn son, Simon, were released 24 hours after delivery. Less than a day later, Simon was taken to the emergency room for dehydration and jaundice. Simon would have greatly benefited from another day in the hospital, Opatz told a joint hearing of the House Health and Human Services Committee and the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee's Subcommittee on Insurance Nov. 16, 1995. The pendulum has swung away from the health of the baby and mother to insurance company concerns, Opatz said. "Confusion" Lois Wattman of Allina Health System, which operates the Medica health plan, said Medica does not have a 24-hour policy but acknowledged there is a great deal of confusion concerning hospital stays for mothers and newborns. "This is a physician's decision to make," she said. In an effort to clear up continued confusion, her company sent out a letter to its providers noting that "if you determine that a patient meeting these criteria is not ready to be discharged, simply document the reason for continued inpatient care in the chart." Medica, Wattman said, does compile information about its doctors, but the company does not keep track of which doctors increase the length of stay for new mothers and their babies. "We're not counting" she said. And patients won't necessarily be left with unreimbursed medical expenses. Providers are reimbursed for second, third, and even more days of inpatient care when a physician deems them necessary. And, Wattman added, home visits are covered. Opatz asked Wattman where the confusion comes from because his wife and son used Medica insurance and were in an Allina hospital. The people who are confused are your own employees, Opatz said. "Your written policy may be one thing but the de facto policy may be another." Legislating medical care? While lawmakers agree the issue is important, some say it's simply legislating medical coverage. Rep. Bill Haas (R-Champlin) said any problem on hospital stays should be worked out voluntarily between doctors and insurance companies. "Mandates . . .will relate to a direct cost for you and I," Haas told committee members Jan. 18. Once the state begins mandating certain coverage, where does it stop? he asked. Rep. Roger Cooper (DFL-Bird Island) said the bill wasn't a mandate but a "physician-patient decision" that puts the health of the patient before the cost concerns of a health plan. Rep. Richard Mulder (R-Ivanhoe), the only doctor in the House, said "I don't think there is a problem." He said he has delivered 1,500 babies and never had a problem with an insurance company not paying for an additional day. Some argue Mulder may be the exception. Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-North St. Paul) concurred with testimony by some physicians who maintained that health plans eliminate doctors who cost them too much money. She said she knows of doctors who have been eliminated. Other medical professionals disagreed the bill imposed a mandate. "This isn't legislating medical care," said Kathryn Moore, managing director for government relations with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "The legislation is a valid response by government to a problem that couldn't be resolved," she said, adding that her organization tried to meet with insurance officials and called for a time-out last year on early hospital discharges for moms and babies. "We got nowhere. . . . Insurance companies have refused to abide by established medical guidelines and physician decisions." Some doctors have argued that going to the Legislature is better than going to the courts. Still others say the legislation is only making a tiny dent because it doesn't deal with the real problem of how cost-cutting affects the physician/patient relationship. Insurance companies will continue to profile doctors to keep track of their costs, they say. Doctors know they're being profiled and fear being eliminated from health plans as providers. "It's a sad state of affairs that we find ourselves coming to the Legislature," said Dr. Janette H. Strathy of Park Nicollet Clinic. Hospital stays used to be four days. Doctors grumbled when it went to three and two, but "it's this leap from 48 to 24 hours [without any data] that has made us nervous," Strathy told lawmakers. Early discharge can inhibit doctors from detecting health problems in newborns and contributes to re-admitting them a day or two after discharge with jaundice, infections, respiratory difficulty, and dehydration. And, Strathy said, new mothers need an adequate education and time to rest, especially if there are more children and no support at home. Many doctors, she said, are concerned about being dropped as providers by health plans and are encouraged to discharge after 24 hours. The state needs legislation to encourage uniform standards on the length of hospital stays and the coverage of home visits, she said. That would help alleviate the problem of doctors pressured to discharge after 24 hours. The trend to shorten hospital stays for moms and newborns began in the 1970s. It was done to provide a more family-centered, home-like birth experience. But now, things have gone too far, she said. In California, some mothers and newborns are sent home eight to 18 hours after delivery and it's not driven by health data but by insurance costs, Strathy said. In a statement by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, doctors said their concerns are "heightened by reports of insurers proposing 12 hour stays following uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 48 hour stays following uncomplicated cesarean delivery, and by indications that some insurers are considering six- hour stays for routine deliveries." Doctors, Strathy said, need the ability to implement the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. One of the guidelines states: "Family members or other support person(s) should be available to the mother for the first few days following discharge." That, however, lawmakers noted, is not something they can legislate. -- K. Darcy Hanzlik IT'S A FACT Republican hopefuls eyeing the White House are preparing for Feb. 12, when the Iowa caucuses will kick off the tallying of delegates leading to the endorsement of a challenger to President Clinton. On Feb. 20, voters in New Hampshire will go to the polls. Candidates have been campaigning vigorously in both states, hoping for an early leg up in the primary season. Minnesota, however, will have no such primary. Lawmakers put the kibosh on the 1996 presidential primary last session, saying that it would have been an unfunded mandate on local municipalities, since the Office of the Secretary of State didn't receive funds to reimburse cities and towns for local election costs. The primary was estimated to have cost $3.1 million. Minnesota's last presidential primary was in 1992 (the first since 1956) and attracted 10 percent of the state's eligible voters. Among Democrats, Clinton edged former California Gov. Jerry Brown by a 33-32 percent margin. In the Republican primary, President Bush trounced Pat Buchanan 67-25 percent. Lawmakers tried to quash that election as well, passing a bill in 1992 that would have delayed the presidential primary until 1996. Local governments objected to the cost and the fact that voters had to declare a party preference before voting. Gov. Arne Carlson promptly vetoed the bill, saying an election would attract more Minnesotans than the caucus system, in which only 1 to 3 percent of voters typically participate. The state Senate later voted to override the veto, but the House fell 13 votes short, and the primary went on as scheduled. Barring any future legislative action, the next presidential primary in Minnesota is scheduled for the year 2000. Youth in Government . . . High school students learn the legislative process Ten years ago, a representative from Warren, Minn., proposed legislation that would have required all Minnesota public officials to confess their "sins and iniquities" to a Catholic priest. "The purpose of this act is to make aware to public officials all of their sins and iniquities deemed inappropriate by the appropriate board," the bill read. For those unschooled in determining "inappropriate" behavior, the bill offered this elaboration: "Sins and iniquities shall be defined as those acts contrary to the original Ten Commandments as defined by the presiding pope of the Catholic Church." If you don't remember that particular bill, and the controversy it undoubtedly generated, it's because you weren't following the workings of the Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Model Legislature, where the "bill" was actually offered. The Model Legislature completed its 42nd session earlier this month, with more than 1,000 high school students from across the state participating. "It's such a growth experience for these students," said Teresa Kittridge, who serves on the Model Legislature's Board of Management. "The exciting thing is that it's not only about the legislative process -- there's a little bit of everything." This year, Kittridge said, the program's judicial arm was greatly expanded; in addition to filling roles from all three branches of government, students also act as lobbyists and journalists during the "session," which lasts for a weekend each January. When the Youth in Government program first began in Minnesota 50 years ago, it was simply a model legislature. A youth governor also was chosen to represent the executive branch. The program, then known as Youth and Government, was held every two years. In 1965, it became an annual event. A Youth in Law program, begun in 1975, added a model Supreme Court. A year later, the first full Executive Cabinet Program came along. Eventually, the Secretary of State and Attorney General programs were added. Here's a sampling of some of the other mock legislation debated a decade ago by the youthful lawmakers: -- A bill that would have made it illegal to appear on any public walkway in Minnesota with untied shoelaces. (A shoelace was defined as "the string that holds a shoe on your foot"; Velcro straps and buckles were exempt.) -- Legislation that would have directed state officials to pay Hibbing, Minn., native Bob Dylan $5,000 to write a new state song. (The bill didn't discuss what would happen if Dylan declined the state's munificent offer.) -- In a foreshadowing of the Minnesota North Stars' departure, a bill that would have allowed a professional sports team to leave Minnesota only if attendance and income fell below pre-determined levels, or if two-thirds of the state Senate voted to allow it. -- And, in a graphic demonstration of democracy in action, the same Model Legislature that discussed mandatory Catholic confessions for public officials also debated whether to legalize prostitution in Minnesota. --Betsy Gerboth New members . . . Grocer Gunther treats constituents like customers Customers are customers whether they're paying state taxes or for a gallon of milk in a grocery store. Rep. Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont) knows that better than most. The first term lawmaker, elected Aug. 1, 1995, in a special election, owns three grocery stores (with his brothers) and employs 130 people. He knows that both government and businesses exist to provide a service and a product. Should a retailer fail, customers take their business to another grocer; politicians are beholden to constituents who could vote someone else into office. The 52-year-old wasn't prompted by one particular issue to run for the House seat in District 26A, which is the first public office he has held. Active in Republican politics since his youth, Gunther decided last summer that the timing was right: Former Rep. Gene Hugoson (R-Granada), a nine-year legislative veteran, resigned to become commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture; Gunther's only child, Betsy, was away at college; and his brothers decided they could run the stores without him during the legislative session. Gunther describes himself as a fiscal conservative and he, like many of his constituents, would like to keep more of his income and pay fewer taxes. "People should have more control over the dollars they send to government. . . . They can spend their own money better than the government." Gunther noted that his father paid 23 percent of his income in state, federal, and local taxes. Gunther now pays 48 percent. He is concerned that his daughter's generation will someday pay as much as 74 percent of their income in taxes. The grocer, who also operates Fairmont's taxi service, learned the value of a dollar early. He held his first job at Gunther's grocery store when he was five years old. He sorted refundable pop bottles for a nickel an hour. Now as a state lawmaker, Gunther lists government reform and improving the state's business climate as his top concerns. He believes that government should be more decentralized so that the level of government closest to the people, such as the county or city government, would have more say in how services are provided and how the state is run. For instance, he said, who is better equipped to decide who should be eligible for MinnesotaCare -- county social service agency officials who know the people involved or lawmakers in St. Paul? Promoting jobs and creating a strong economy also are high on his list. He doesn't favor increasing the minimum wage, believing instead that it should be dictated by the market. This is especially true, he said, since Minnesota adjoins such "business friendly" states as Iowa, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin. Currently in Fairmont, very few work for minimum wage because the market pays more. If the state had increased the minimum wage as proposed in recent legislative sessions, Minnesota would have lost jobs to border states because its minimum wage is lower, Gunther said. "Jobs can cross borders very fast." Gunther represents portions of the counties of Martin, Blue Earth, and Watonwan. Two of those counties are losing population -- a total of 6,500 people between 1980 and now. That, he said, decreases the labor force for business and can deter expansion. In addition, there are 1,500 people on welfare which hurts the labor force, Gunther said. The state, he believes, needs to keep finding ways to reform welfare to make sure those who can work do so without harming those who truly cannot. Another way to help Minnesota's business climate would be to lower taxes paid by businesses such as workers' compensation and commercial/industrial property taxes. Minnesota businesses bear the fifth highest tax burden in the country, Gunther said. "That doesn't exactly put up a green light on our borders." -- K. Darcy Hanzlik DO YOU KNOW? Twenty-two years after the U.S. Congress forced American motorists to ease up on their accelerators, Minnesota is one of a number of states this year that will discuss whether to dump the 55 mph speed limit. Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester) has introduced legislation this session (HF2178) that he says will more realistically reflect the driving habits, and the speed, of most Minnesota drivers. Last week, a state task force recommended raising speed limits in the state in a proposal that was similar to the Bishop plan. The proposal comes in the wake of the federal government's lifting of the 55 mph cap. States now are free to set their own speed limits, and some already have approved faster speeds. (Among them: Montana, which has dumped speed limits entirely in some rural sections, earning those roads the nickname "Montanabahn.") Among the provisions of Bishop's legislation: -- Speed limits on rural interstate highways, now at 65 mph, would increase to 70 mph. -- Speed limits on urban interstates, now at 55 mph, would increase to 65 mph. -- On four-lane divided state and county highways, speed limits would jump from 55 mph to 65 mph. -- Speed limits on two-lane state highways, now at 55 mph, would increase to 65 mph during the day and 60 mph at night. Drivers on two-lane highways, where the most traffic accidents occur, also would be required to turn on their headlights at all times, day and night. Bishop also is proposing higher fines for speeding: The minimum fine for violations in excess of 15 mph over the limit would increase to $100, with a maximum of $200. At least two other proposals, HF2088 sponsored by Rep. Ted Winter (DFL-Fulda), and HF2262, sponsored by Rep. Don Frerichs (R-Rochester), also have been introduced. The national 55 mph speed limit was enacted during the Arab oil embargo of the early 1970s in an effort to conserve fuel. It became effective on all major highway systems nationwide by March 1974. As a result, according to a 1984 study by the National Research Council, total U.S. travel declined in 1974 for the first time since 1946. The study also found that 9,100 fewer people died in U.S. motor vehicle accidents in 1974. Gradually, as the fuel shortage receded, safety became the principal reason to retain the 55 mph limit. Even though most drivers obediently slowed down when the national limit first went into effect, they gradually increased their speed over the next decade: The average speed on rural interstates climbed from 57.6 mph in 1974 to 59.1 mph in 1983, still far below the 1973 average of 65 mph. The limit also was found to save energy. In 1984, 167,000 barrels of petroleum per day were saved because of reduced speeds. In the Hopper . . . Interim - January 18, 1996 Bill Introductions Tuesday, January 16 HF2000--Luther (DFL) Judiciary Custodial parents authorized to name designated parents, and forms and procedures provided. HF2001--Wenzel (DFL) Health & Human Services Partial-birth abortions prohibited, and definitions and penalties provided. HF2002--Solberg (DFL) Transportation & Transit Trunk Highway No. 210 in Aitkin county designated as Dale Wayrynen Memorial Highway. HF2003--Broecker (R) Health & Human Services Minors prohibited from receiving a tattoo, and consent requirement provided. HF2004--McGuire (DFL) Judiciary Seatbelt use evidence deemed admissible in civil action litigation. HF2005--Broecker (R) Taxes Property tax penalty distribution provided. HF2006--Munger (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Wetland replacement, protection, and management provisions modified. HF2007--Delmont (DFL) Health & Human Services Detoxification transportation funding grant restriction removed. HF2008--Opatz (DFL) Health & Human Services Childbirth and postpartum care health insurance benefits regulated providing a minimum of 48 to 96 hours of inpatient care following delivery. HF2009--Van Engen (R) Judiciary Convicted offenders ordered to pay restitution as a condition of probation to remain on probation until restitution has been fully paid. HF2010--Luther (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Initiative and referendum implementation act adopted, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF2011--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary DWI; qualifying conditions of impairment extended for snowmobiling, motorboating, hunting, driving, and flying while intoxicated to include being under the influence of noncontrolled drugs. HF2012--Leppik (R) Transportation & Transit Drivers' license suspension effective date provisions modified, and authority restricted to suspend drivers' license for petty misdemeanor traffic violations. HF2013--Delmont (DFL) Health & Human Services Medical assistance recipient screening requirements modified. HF2014--Workman (R) Environment & Natural Resources Toxics in products law repealed. HF2015--McGuire (DFL) Judiciary Data access regulated related to state agency litigation. HF2016--McGuire (DFL) Judiciary Birth information provided to adopted persons. HF2017--Farrell (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Nonbinding ballot questions placed on ballots. HF2018--Clark (DFL) Health & Human Services Health coverage board and health coverage program created, health care trust fund established, statewide and regional health care budgets established, health care commission abolished, and money appropriated. HF2019--Sykora (R) Education University of Minnesota Board of Regents student member term limits set. HF2020--Vickerman (R) Governmental Operations Unicameral legislature provided, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF2021--Broecker (R) Governmental Operations Teacher retirement association retired member authorized delayed application for disability benefits. HF2022--Cooper (DFL) Taxes Hospital and health care provider tax rates reduced. HF2023--Clark (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Toxic waste reduction provided in environmental high impact areas, risk assessments required, technical assistance provided, and rulemaking authorized. HF2024--Koppendrayer (R) Education University of Minnesota constitutional autonomy repealed, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF2025--Lourey (DFL) Education School transportation state aid provided. HF2026--Macklin (R) Taxes Property tax classifications and class rates modified, income-adjusted homestead credit provided, state aids restructured, local government aid formula modified, and money appropriated. HF2027--Warkentin (R) Taxes Senior citizens provided reduced property tax class rate for certain housing. HF2028--Koppendrayer (R) Governmental Operations Asian-Pacific Minnesotans council membership increased to include a Taiwanese-American member. HF2029--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary Sex offender Registration Act expanded to include child pornography offenses. HF2030--Seagren (R) Education Integration; state education transportation aid provided for metropolitan area school districts, and money appropriated. HF2031--Ness (R) Agriculture Food sales license exemption provided for sales at county or community fairs, and farmers' markets. HF2032--Koppendrayer (R) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Closed armory disposition procedures established, and report required. HF2033--Wenzel (DFL) Health & Human Services Constitutional standard established relating to abortion, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF2034--Luther (DFL) Judiciary Intentional discharge of a firearm under dangerous circumstances penalty increased, and transit vehicle crime scope expanded. HF2035--Dempsey (R) Environment & Natural Resources Fin Red Wing sewer overflow grants provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2036--Kahn (DFL) Governmental Operations Public assistance benefits reduced related to use of funds at gambling establishments. HF2037--Kelley (DFL) Economic Development, Infrastructure, & Regulation Finance Metropolitan regionwide public safety radio communication system construction initiated, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2038--Clark (DFL) Health & Human Services Peace or health officer authority clarified related to transportation of intoxicated persons to treatment facilities. HF2039--Clark (DFL) Housing Cities required to notify mortgage holders and neighborhood associations of intent to secure vacant buildings, and definitions provided. HF2040--Clark (DFL) Housing Eviction of tenants authorized for unlawful purchase of controlled substances on leased premises, motor vehicle registration data request fees waived, and eviction proceeding standard of proof provisions modified. HF2041--Wejcman (DFL) Judiciary Peace officer community policing training required. HF2042--Kahn (DFL) Judiciary Human Rights Act modified related to athletic programs. HF2043--Kahn (DFL) Governmental Operations Public pension plan economic interest statements filed with the ethical practices board. HF2044--Skoglund (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance Group life and health insurance retroactive termination restricted. HF2045--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary Sex offender Registration Act expanded to include child pornography offenses, sex offender release notification required, and sex offender end-of- confinement review committee established. HF2046--Anderson, R. (DFL) Health & Human Services Children's safe house programs similar to the McGruff program allowed. HF2047--Anderson, R. (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Fair campaign practices code established, and penalties provided. HF2048--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary Finance Community crime prevention block club programs appropriated money. HF2049--Kelley (DFL) Health & Human Services Residential human service program location requirement exceptions eliminated. HF2050--Johnson, A. (DFL) Governmental Operations Spring Lake Park fire department fire-prevention personnel employment and pension benefits provided. HF2051--Johnson, A. (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Motor vehicle emission inspections reduced and methods provided. HF2052--Daggett (R) Environment & Natural Resources Youth small game license reciprocity provided with North Dakota, and license provisions modified. HF2053--Solberg (DFL) Education Independent School District No. 1, Aitkin, fund transfer provided. HF2054--Bettermann (R) Labor-Management Relations Prevailing wage hours of labor, wage rate, contract requirement, and minimum labor standard provisions modified. HF2055--Delmont (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Intrastate telecommunications carrier and local telephone company customer notification provided prior to carrier change. HF2056--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary DWI; qualifying conditions of impairment extended for snowmobiling, motorboating, hunting, and flying while intoxicated to include being under the influence of noncontrolled drugs. HF2057--Carlson, L. (DFL) Education Alternative education program learning year pupil unit funding provided. HF2058--Carlson, L. (DFL) Education College savings bond program established. HF2059--Kelley (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Veterinary practice act provisions modified. HF2060--Huntley (DFL) Health & Human Services Contact lens prescription and dispensing requirements established, and penalties provided. HF2061--Weaver (R) Judiciary Burglary crime sentencing provisions clarified related to first-time burglary of a dwelling. HF2062--Weaver (R) Judiciary Welfare fraud law expanded to include reporting violations while receiving assistance greater than lawfully allowed, and penalties provided. HF2063--Opatz (DFL) Education State college and university rulemaking and administrative procedures modified. HF2064--Weaver (R) Judiciary Controlled substance crime restitution awards provided to government entities. HF2065--Hackbarth (R) Environment & Natural Resources Used motor oil and filter law repealed. HF2066--Wejcman (DFL) Judiciary Juvenile delinquency petition filing provisions modified. HF2067--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services State-funded abortion right prohibited, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF2068--Hackbarth (R) Transportation & Transit County Road No. 7 in Anoka county designated as the POW/MIA Memorial Highway. HF2069--Wejcman (DFL) Judiciary Adoption placement notification provided to parents, adoption background checks required, and adoption record provisions modified. HF2070--Lieder (DFL) Transportation & Transit County state-aid highway fund distribution formula modified, gasoline and special fuel tax rate increased, and motor vehicle sales tax allocation provided to the transit assistance fund. HF2071--Sykora (R) Governmental Operations State lottery prohibited from using any obscene, indecent, or immoral materials. HF2072--Workman (R) Transportation & Transit Southwest metro transit commission established and granted public transit powers. HF2073--Sykora (R) Education Compensatory education revenue program modified. HF2074--Seagren (R) Education Interracial contact and disadvantaged student grant program established, and money appropriated. HF2075--Sykora (R) Education Desegregation and integration direction provided to state board of education. HF2076--Greenfield (DFL) Health & Human Services Health facility complaints office responsibilities modified and guidelines established. HF2077--Carlson, L. (DFL) Education Magnet school facility approved cost provisions modified. HF2078--Greenfield (DFL) Judiciary Health care provider identification number requirements modified, group purchaser nonpublic data provisions modified, and Office of Mental Health Practice information exchange procedures established. HF2079--Macklin (R) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs New Market bond issuance authorized pending local approval. HF2080--Frerichs (R) Environment & Natural Resources Trout and salmon, migratory waterfowl, and pheasant stamp issuance fees modified. HF2081--Greiling (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs School superintendents exempted from compensation limits. HF2082--Osskopp (R) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Lake City and Plainview motor vehicle deputy registrar offices established. HF2083--Koppendrayer (R) Education School voucher program established, charter school provisions modified, open enrollment provisions modified, graduation option accelerated, site management provided, and money appropriated. HF2084--Koppendrayer (R) Education School voucher program established, and money appropriated. HF2085--Rhodes (R) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs St. Louis Park fire and police department employees excluded from civil service. HF2086--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary Code grabbing device possession provided criminal penalty. HF2087--Winter (DFL) Education Southwest Technical College wind power generating facility construction authorized, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2088--Winter (DFL) Transportation & Transit Speed limits raised on highways, speed violation penalty provisions modified, and speed limits designated for fuel conservation purposes. HF2089--Davids (R) Financial Institutions & Insurance Automobile glass companies prohibited from waiving insurance deductibles, or providing rebates or other incentives. HF2090--Davids (R) Education Elementary school construction debt service aid provided. HF2091--Davids (R) Education Independent School District No. 238, Mabel-Canton, provided debt service aid. HF2092--Davids (R) Transportation & Transit Trunk Highway No. 52 in Fillmore county designated as the Amish Buggy Byway. HF2093--Davids (R) Education Independent School District Nos. 228, Harmony, and 233, Preston-Fountain, debt service aid grant extended. HF2094--Koppendrayer (R) Education Education board graduation rule single statewide assessment provided. HF2095--Rest (DFL) Taxes Revenue department administrative and policy tax and fee provisions modified. HF2096--Greenfield (DFL) Health & Human Services Nursing facility reimbursement rates modified. HF2097--Greiling (DFL) Governmental Operations St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association pension service credit purchase deadline modified. HF2098--Pellow (R) Transportation & Transit Single license plate display authorized on certain collector vehicles. HF2099--Tompkins (R) Transportation & Transit Motor vehicle sales tax revenue allocation provided, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF2100--Haas (R) Health & Human Services Medical savings accounts established for medical assistance recipients. HF2101--Jefferson (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Mail balloting allowed in additional cities and towns. HF2102--Rest (DFL) Taxes Revenue department technical tax bill providing administrative changes, corrections and clarifications. HF2103--Bertram (DFL) Governmental Operations Firefighter relief association consolidation and defined benefit relief association conversion authorized. HF2104--Bertram (DFL) Taxes Used farm machinery sales tax exemption extended permanently. HF2105--Swenson, H. (R) Economic Development, Infrastructure, & Regulation Finance Sibley County Courthouse restoration provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2106--Wejcman (DFL) Health & Human Services Uncertified boarding care facility rate increases authorized. HF2107--Davids (R) Governmental Operations Legislative Coordinating Commission duties modified, and state agency head and state employee salaries modified. HF2108--Van Engen (R) Health & Human Services Tuberculosis; isolation and detention provided for persons with active tuberculosis, standards and procedures provided, and reporting required. HF2109--Bradley (R) Health & Human Services Nursing home receivership provisions modified. HF2110--Haas (R) Health & Human Services Health department disease prevention division authorized to use unmarked vehicles. HF2111--Boudreau (R) Health & Human Services Managed care organization provisions modified, children's camp health provisions modified, alcohol and drug counselor licensing provisions modified, and hotel, motel, and food and beverage establishment regulatory provisions modified. HF2112--Bishop (R) Environment & Natural Resources Sewage treatment system license regulation provisions modified, and municipal individual sewage treatment system loan program established. HF2113--Girard (R) International Trade & Economic Development Businesses receiving state or local government assistance job increase provisions repealed. HF2114--McElroy (R) Transportation & Transit Driver's license coding provisions modified. HF2115--Harder (R) Agriculture Rural finance agency program net worth definitions modified. HF2116--Harder (R) Agriculture Plant pest, fertilizer, and lime provisions modified, and aquatic pest control applicator license requirement provisions modified. HF2117--Koppendrayer (R) Education Charter school law expanded, school board contracting authorized, statewide education information system established, school year defined, teacher contract provisions modified, and performance-based compensation aid provided. HF2118--Ness (R) Education Education technology clearinghouse and upgrade system provided, and money appropriated. HF2119--Boudreau (R) Health & Human Services Rice County hospital district reorganization, administration, and operation provided. HF2120--Boudreau (R) Transportation & Transit Intrastate motor vehicle operators with hearing disablities granted waiver for vehicle operation. HF2121--Schumacher (DFL) Education Independent School District No. 485, Royalton, debt service equalization aid provided, and money appropriated. HF2122--Dawkins (DFL) Judiciary Previous revisor instruction scope limited. HF2123--Van Engen (R) Governmental Operations Willmar Regional Treatment Center employee authorized retirement service credit purchase. HF2124--Swenson, D. (R) Health & Human Services Child support enforcement welfare reform provisions modified. HF2125--Boudreau (R) Environment & Natural Resources Obsolete air quality and wastewater treatment rules repealed. HF2126--Gunther (R) Agriculture Consolidated food licensing law provisions modified. HF2127--Lynch (R) Health & Human Services Deaf and hard of hearing services act provisions modified and repealed. HF2128--Murphy (DFL) Judiciary Juvenile detention in jails and lockups beyond 24 hours authorized in certain cases. HF2129--Clark (DFL) Housing Housing Finance Agency single family housing requirement technical changes provided. HF2130--Rhodes (R) Judiciary Bias offense victim civil cause of action provided, and parental liability imposed. HF2131--Seagren (R) Governmental Operations Handicapped accessible parking space location requirements prescribed. HF2132--Anderson, B. (R) Education Independent School District No. 877, Buffalo, authorized to begin school year before Labor Day. HF2133--Seagren (R) Education Education provisions modified related to endowment earnings payment, aid adjustment, open enrollment, charter schools, transportation, alternative attendance programs, bonding, and libraries. HF2134--Osskopp (R) Labor-Management Relations Teachers and public school bus drivers deemed essential employees. HF2135--Kelso (DFL) Governmental Operations Teachers retirement association service credit provided for leaves of absence. HF2136--Brown (DFL) Judiciary Firefighter and emergency medical personnel assault crime provided felony penalty. HF2137--Jennings (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Women veterans honorary plaque placement authorized on capitol grounds. HF2138--Pellow (R) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Metropolitan Council abolished. HF2139--Luther (DFL) Taxes Motor vehicle sales tax exemption provided for transfer of vehicles to foster children. HF2140--Pellow (R) Transportation & Transit Highway Helper program abolished and prohibited. HF2141--Johnson, A. (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Motorboat operation age requirement established and exception provided. HF2142--Rhodes (R) Labor-Management Relations Workers' compensation mandatory coverage requirement ownership interest provisions modified. HF2143--Lieder (DFL) Economic Development, Infrastructure, & Regulation Finance Trunk highway and local bridge replacement, rehabilitation, and repair provided, and bond issuance authorized. HF2144--Jennings (DFL) Taxes Property tax valuation notice mailing required 30 days prior to local board of review meetings. HF2145--Jennings (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Persian gulf war veterans honorary plaque placement authorized on capitol grounds. HF2146--Bettermann (R) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Local government employee compensation regulated, and reporting requirements provided. HF2147--Wagenius (DFL) Education Full-day kindergarten authorized and funded, first- grade preparedness program established, and money appropriated. HF2148--Bishop (R) Judiciary Community criminal justice intervention development grant program established, and money appropriated. HF2149--Perlt (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Pollution Control Agency board membership to include a representative of organized labor. HF2150--Holsten (R) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Stillwater authorized to issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license. HF2151--Girard (R) Labor-Management Relations Prevailing wage payment requirements eliminated related to public employment contracts. HF2152--Lieder (DFL) Transportation & Transit Highway service sign program provisions modified, county state-aid highway funding provisions modified, and traffic regulations modified related to turns at intersections with red arrows HF2153--Delmont (DFL) Education Education record transmission from nonpublic schools provided. HF2154--Delmont (DFL) Housing Manufactured home park owner land possession recovery provisions modified. HF2155--Macklin (R) Judiciary Registered property application and record conditions provided, probate and trust provisions modified, and curative provisions applied. HF2156--Johnson, A. (DFL) Education Education bill providing clarification of education finance and school transportation statutes, and revenue calculation, and technical college and school district relationship provisions repealed. HF2157--Orfield (DFL) Housing Comprehensive choice housing system provided in the metropolitan area. HF2158--Sykora (R) Health & Human Services Foster care payment and placement provisions clarified, and adoption assistance provisions modified. HF2159--Bettermann (R) Judiciary Attorney fees and damage awards limited related to harassment claims against the state. HF2160--Bertram (DFL) Judiciary Nonprofit firefighting corporations provided municipal tort claim protection. HF2161--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary Sentencing Guidelines Commission duties clarified. HF2162--Davids (R) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Local government employee salary limit provisions modified. HF2163--Cooper (DFL) Transportation & Transit Motor carrier driver medical waiver provisions modified, and electronic filing of financial responsibility forms authorized. HF2164--Clark (DFL) Transportation & Transit Special transportation services coordination task force established. HF2165--Murphy (DFL) Judiciary Term employee defined for workers' compensation purposes. HF2166--Girard (R) Environment & Natural Resources Wetland protection and management provisions modified. HF2167--Johnson, V. (R) Environment & Natural Resources State boundary line correction provisions modified, trust land sale provisions modified, natural resources commissioner authorized to pay certain real estate taxes and transfer improvements on state-owned land, and money appropriated. HF2168--Knight (R) Governmental Operations Public pension coverage exclusion provided for certain local government associations. HF2169--Koppendrayer (R) Education Graduation rule adoption process clarified. HF2170--Koppendrayer (R) Education Education board eliminated, state education advisory council established, and duties transferred. HF2171--Ozment (R) Environment & Natural Resources Pollution Control Agency board and commissioner powers clarified. HF2172--Peterson (DFL) Education Learning year program pupil units established. HF2173--Greiling (DFL) Judiciary Child support obligor to file for termination of child support order when granted child custody, and court notification required. HF2174--Bettermann (R) Education Education investment fund established, and income tax incentives provided for education savings. HF2175--Bettermann (R) Education Minnesota school-to-work student organization act adopted, and money appropriated. HF2176--Brown (DFL) Governmental Operations Horse racing card club operation authorized. HF2177--Bradley (R) Health & Human Services Health care medical aid program consolidation provided. HF2178--Bishop (R) Transportation & Transit Speed limits raised, fines provided for certain speeding violations, and lane use provisions specified. HF2179--Rostberg (R) Taxes Property tax valuation exclusion provided for certain improvements to homestead property. HF2180--Rostberg (R) Taxes Municipal property tax abatement authorized for certain improvements made to commercial property. HF2181--Rostberg (R) Health & Human Services Vital record issuance fees modified. HF2182--Rostberg (R) Judiciary Juvenile court delinquency jurisdiction expanded to include juveniles accused of certain misdemeanor offenses. HF2183--Holsten (R) Environment & Natural Resources Deer taking permitted with certain handguns. HF2184--Holsten (R) Environment & Natural Resources Fin Stillwater flood/retaining wall project funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2185--Luther (DFL) Judiciary Community crime prevention block club programs appropriated money. HF2186--Sviggum (R) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Term limits imposed on legislative and executive offices, biennial legislative sessions, unicameral legislature, and initiative and referendum provided, legislative procedures modified, and constitutional amendments proposed. HF2187--Van Engen (R) Health & Human Services Publicly funded abortion provisions restricted, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF2188--Workman (R) Transportation & Transit Motor carrier truck length and combination provisions modified. HF2189--Haas (R) Health & Human Services Minnesota managed care organization act adopted. HF2190--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services Health plan company regulatory reform provisions repealed. HF2191--Haas (R) Health & Human Services Human services benefits denied to persons with prior felony convictions. HF2192--Entenza (DFL) Education Assistive technology device purchase from school districts authorized for the purpose of increasing, maintaining, or improving the functional capabilities of children with disabilities. HF2193--Entenza (DFL) Governmental Operations Spanish Speaking Affairs Council name changed to council on affairs of Chicano/Latino people, and composition and powers modified. HF2194--Weaver (R) Environment & Natural Resources Environmental regulatory innovations act adopted. HF2195--Van Dellen (R) Health & Human Services MinnesotaCare, general assistance, and general assistance medical care program eligibility requirements modified. HF2196--Van Dellen (R) Health & Human Services Managed health care organization contract requirements provided. HF2197--Sviggum (R) Ethics Economic development department permitted to receive donations for economic development training. HF2198--Rostberg (R) Judiciary Theft crimes provided mandatory minimum fines. HF2199--Sviggum (R) Judiciary Controlled substance importation across state lines punishable by life imprisonment. HF2200--Sviggum (R) Agriculture Adulterated dairy products law violation penalties modified, dairy assistance program authorized, milk standards for manufacturing modified, and money appropriated. HF2201--Carlson, S. (R) Regulated Industries & Energy Tax reform act provisions repealed. HF2202--Sviggum (R) Governmental Operations Legislative commissions on planning and fiscal policy, economic status of women, health care access, and the Electric Energy Task Force abolished, and appropriations reduced. HF2203--Bradley (R) Health & Human Services Human services medical and general assistance technical modifications provided. HF2204--Dawkins (DFL) Judiciary Prostitution nuisance civil cause of action provided. HF2205--Johnson, A. (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Premium gasoline exempted from oxygenation requirement. HF2206--Pelowski (DFL) Education Higher education mandates removed and increased accountability and performance required for funding. HF2207--Trimble (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Midwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste provisions modified. HF2208--Pellow (R) Transportation & Transit Motor vehicles with salvage certificates of title inspection requirement removed. HF2209--Wagenius (DFL) Judiciary Mediated relative care provided in certain child protection cases, child custody provisions modified, and adoption agreement provisions modified. HF2210--Bettermann (R) Labor-Management Relations State employee discharge provided for sex offense conviction. HF2211--Rostberg (R) Health & Human Services Human services facilities serving adults with a history of physical or sexual aggression subject to local zoning restrictions. HF2212--Rostberg (R) Governmental Operations Deceased volunteer firefighter survivor benefits provided to family. HF2213--Solberg (DFL) Governmental Operations Higher education labor agreements ratified and salary provisions modified. HF2214--Van Dellen (R) Transportation & Transit Littering from motor vehicle offenses provided minimum fines, and citizen enforcement authorized. HF2215--Carruthers (DFL) Judiciary Arrest or conviction record expungement process established. HF2216--Carlson, L. (DFL) Education Higher education mandates removed and increased accountability and performance required for funding. HF2217--Anderson, R. (DFL) Health & Human Services Welfare reform provided with work requirements, benefit caps, and fraud penalties. HF2218--Kahn (DFL) Governmental Operations State agency performance report requirements modified, legislative authority required for capital improvements, leased space requirements modified, resource recovery goals increased, and collection requirements modified. HF2219--Trimble (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Public Utilities Commission authorized to levy civil penalties for violations by public utilities and telecommunications companies. HF2220--Trimble (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Ground voltage task force member provided immunity from a civil action. HF2221--Pugh (DFL) Judiciary Human rights department determination deadline modified. HF2222--Delmont (DFL) Health & Human Services Economic security department technical and administrative changes provided. HF2223--Leighton (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Employment and training service areas established. HF2224--Tomassoni (DFL) Governmental Operations Employee relations department technical corrections bill, civil service position selection process established, department of employee relations data practices modified, and accrued vacation leave donation to sick leave accounts allowed. HF2225--Tunheim (DFL) Education Disabled children provided assistive technology assessments. HF2226--Trimble (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Electric utilities required to disclose the components of their resource portfolios to their retail customers. HF2227--Trimble (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Natural and scenic area acquisition grant limits modified. HF2228--Boudreau (R) Governmental Operations Public officials required to be physically present to vote. HF2229--Cooper (DFL) Governmental Operations Minnesota emergency management act of 1996 adopted modifying the civil defense act. HF2230--Jennings (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Midgrade gasoline defined. HF2231--Orfield (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Statewide comprehensive land use planning coordination provided, and money appropriated. HF2232--Orfield (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Metropolitan Council made an elective body and provided public campaign financing, and penalties provided. HF2233--Entenza (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Commerce commissioner enforcement authority modified, and cosmotology salon and school inspections, data disclosure, residential building contractors, and abstractor bond requirements regulated, and securities registrations regulated. HF2234--Orfield (DFL) Taxes Homestead property value included in the areawide tax base. HF2235--Van Engen (R) Health & Human Services Abortion informed consent required and civil cause of action provided. HF2236--Entenza (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Commerce commissioner enforcement powers regulated. HF2237--Clark (DFL) Health & Human Services Medical Assistance nursing facility rate reduction exception established for a certain facility. HF2238--Rostberg (R) Governmental Operations Legislature reduced in size to 50 senators and 100 representatives. HF2239--Boudreau (R) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Morristown allowed to maintain and pay for certain electrical power outside of the city. HF2240--Wejcman (DFL) Health & Human Services Kinship caregiver support program established, report required, and money appropriated. HF2241--Wejcman (DFL) Health & Human Services Kinship caregiver support program established, and report required. HF2242--Wejcman (DFL) Housing Mortgagee authorized to provide a resident caretaker for a premises. HF2243--Ozment (R) Environment & Natural Resources Animal lots bound by local zoning authorities. HF2244--Bettermann (R) Rules & Legislative Administration Unclassified legislative employees provided salary limits. HF2245--Greenfield (DFL) Housing Housing with services for persons 55 years of age or older provided registration requirement. HF2246--Winter (DFL) Education Independent School District No. 918, Chandler-Lake Wilson, aid and levy adjustment modified. HF2247--Pugh (DFL) Judiciary Human services department lien and claims procedures provided. HF2248--Wejcman (DFL) Health & Human Services Human services program licensure provisions modified. HF2249--Stanek (R) Judiciary Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle provided driver's license suspension penalty. HF2250--Swenson, D. (R) Transportation & Transit Automobile theft prevention program established, advisory council created, and funding provided. HF2251--Stanek (R) Education After-school enrichment programs established, grants provided, and money appropriated. HF2252--Stanek (R) Taxes Special homestead classification for the disabled eligibility expanded. HF2253--Bettermann (R) Health & Human Services Chiropractor examiner board membership requirements modified. HF2254--Stanek (R) Judiciary Public safety commissioner required to develop grant programs to fund law enforcement and community crime prevention initiatives. HF2255--Stanek (R) Judiciary Aiding an offender to escape crime inapplicability provision repealed. HF2256--Warkentin (R) International Trade & Economic Development Trade and economic development department bill, tourism director classification modified, business finance program provisions modified, and main street program and rural development board abolished. HF2257--Clark (DFL) Health & Human Services Lead abatement related unfunded mandates removed. HF2258--Molnau (R) Transportation & Transit Vietnam veteran special motorcycle license plate issuance authorized. HF2259--Wagenius (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Waste Management Act provisions modified. HF2260--Ozment (R) Environment & Natural Resources Human waste discharge into surface waters prohibited. HF2261--Ozment (R) Environment & Natural Resources Antifreeze in wastewater treatment systems prohibition exception provided. HF2262--Dempsey (R) Transportation & Transit Transportation bill providing land acquisition, metropolitan transit policies, highway speed limits, motor carrier regulation, and money appropriated. HF2263--Winter (DFL) Taxes State and local fiscal system study authorized, and money appropriated. Thursday, January 18 HF2264--Peterson (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources State park additions and deletions provided. HF2265--Kinkel (DFL) Education Extracurricular school activity option provided for non-attending students. HF2266--Leppik (R) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Payroll service companies regulated. HF2267--Carruthers (DFL) Transportation & Transit Metropolitan Council right-of-way acquisition loan fund uses modified. HF2268--Dawkins (DFL) Housing Community housing rehabilitation and affordable rental investment programs provided, local project approval required, homeless assistance provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2269--Broecker (R) Education Assurance of mastery program instruction areas modified. HF2270--Broecker (R) Financial Institutions & Insurance Insurance assigned claim plan participation standards modified. HF2271--Mulder (R) Environment & Natural Resources Gas-fired waste combustor operation authorized and installation date provisions modified. HF2272--Dauner (DFL) Governmental Operations Teacher retirement association reemployed annuitant granted earnings limitation exemption. HF2273--Goodno (R) Governmental Operations Gambling control board bingo rule provisions modified. F2274--Davids (R) Financial Institutions & Insurance Property-casualty insurance agent termination prohibited due to low premium volume of business. HF2275--McCollum (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Fair campaign practices act violation provisions and candidate requirements modified. HF2276--McCollum (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Water and soil resources board authority modified related to acceptance and administration of grants, gifts, and donations. HF2277--Kinkel (DFL) Education Independent School District No. 309, Park Rapids, referendum revenue subtraction adjustment provided. HF2278--Kinkel (DFL) Education State College and University Board of Trustees composition modified and responsibilities specified. HF2279--Kalis (DFL) Education Independent School District Nos. 219, Elmore, and 837, Medelia, revenue restoration provided. HF2280--McCollum (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Veterans Homes Board of directors duties eliminated. HF2281--Munger (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Electric energy policy task force report due date modified. HF2282--Winter (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) resources program provisions modified. HF2283--Osskopp (R) International Trade & Economic Development Local economic development authority powers and local conflict of interest provisions modified. HF2284--Johnson, A. (DFL) Judiciary Child support and maintenance overpayment reductions regulated. HF2285--Garcia (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Metropolitan Airports Commission noise mitigation spending requirements clarified and extended. HF2286--Koppendrayer (R) Governmental Operations Casino operation by certain counties authorized, permitted gambling games specified, and penalties provided. HF2287--Koppendrayer (R) Governmental Operations Indian gaming regulatory act compact expiration date provided. HF2288--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services Community-based services for persons with mental retardation contractual alternative payment demonstration project provided. HF2289--Hackbarth (R) Transportation & Transit Municipalities allowed to set speed limits on streets and roads without regard to building density. HF2290--Jennings (DFL) Education Independent School District No. 2144, Chisago Lakes, fund transfer authorized. HF2291--Marko (DFL) Taxes Tax increment financing district agricultural or open land limitations modified. HF2292--Schumacher (DFL) Transportation & Transit State patrol authorized to operate white patrol vehicles. HF2293--Larsen (R) Education Education referendum allowance reduction discontinued. HF2294--Opatz (DFL) International Trade & Economic Development Minnesota Business Finance Inc. asset and liability transfer authorized, and money appropriated. HF2295--Wagenius (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Pollution Control Agency operating budget reduction provided for failing to meet pollution reduction goals. HF2296--Kraus (R) Governmental Operations Compensation council membership requirements modified. HF2297--Seagren (R) Education Parent educator license issuance provided. HF2298--Marko (DFL) Ways & Means Independent School District No. 2134, United South Central, election law waiver granted, and government innovation and cooperation board exemption effective period extended. HF2299--Rukavina (DFL) Taxes Taconite tax relief area commercial-industrial property increased assessment allocation provided. HF2300--Winter (DFL) Agriculture Corporate farm ownership limitations modified for limited liability companies, pension or investment funds, and limited partnerships. HF2301--Jefferson (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Cosmetology school internships authorized. HF2302--Marko (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Game and fish license sales subagent application requirements modified. HF2303--Greenfield (DFL) Health & Human Services Human services and health care provider criminal background check provisions reconciled. HF2304--Onnen (R) Health & Human Services Health insurance benefit minimum copayment required. HF2305--Stanek (R) Transportation & Transit Driver's license applicant proof of identity required. HF2306--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services Ambulance service licensing procedures modified. HF2307--Wolf (R) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Precious metal retail sales information disclosure required, and definitions provided. HF2308--Perlt (DFL) Governmental Operations State employee combined charitable campaign participation condition provided. HF2309--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services Emergency medical service regulatory board deemed a health related licensing board. HF2310--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services Emergency medical services regulatory board membership increased. HF2311--Carruthers (DFL) Economic Development, Infrastructure, & Regulation Finance Brooklyn Center; Brookdale area water ponding project improvements provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2312--Cooper (DFL) Health & Human Services MinnesotaCare program eligibility expanded. HF2313--Kalis (DFL) Transportation & Transit Trunk Highway No. 22 between Mankato and Mapleton designated as Victory Drive. HF2314--Leppik (R) Health & Human Services Physicians allowed to prescribe and administer controlled substances in cases of intractable pain. HF2315--Macklin (R) Judiciary Marriage dissolution document acknowledgment requirement eliminated. HF2316--Dorn (DFL) Governmental Operations Lottery retailers permitted to sell tickets at multiple locations, and bond posting requirement eliminated. HF2317--Skoglund (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Finance Metropolitan Council regional park acquisition and betterment provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2318--Dorn (DFL) Governmental Operations Lawful gambling expenditure and report provisions modified, enforcement powers provided, and compensation restrictions modified. HF2319--Perlt (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Re-employment insurance technical and administrative provisions modified. HF2320--Kalis (DFL) Governmental Operations Cambridge State Bank; payment provided for judgement against the state, and money appropriated. HF2321--Orenstein (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport free parking privileges prohibited. HF2322--Mariani (DFL) Transportation & Transit Transportation Regulation Board authorized to issue charter carrier permits for operation within a single city. HF2323--Kelley (DFL) Taxes Cooperative property used for residential nonhomestead or seasonal residential recreational purposes allowed separate assessment and valuation. HF2324--Entenza (DFL) Judiciary Child support and maintenance provided by civil contempt, and procedures and enforcement mechanisms provided. HF2325--Pawlenty (R) Judiciary Repeat domestic assault crime provided mandatory minimum penalty. HF2326--Pawlenty (R) Judiciary Peace officer child photography authorized circumstances modified. HF2327--Brown (DFL) Taxes Morris tax increment financing provision corrected. HF2328--McCollum (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Armory Building Commission fund use for construction authorized, and membership appointment and armory siting provisions modified. HF2329--Carruthers (DFL) Health & Human Services Public assistance benefit electronic transfer prohibited at terminals in gambling establishments. HF2330--Opatz (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs St. Cloud area planning organization to assess and report on regional land use planning. HF2331--Murphy (DFL) Taxes Hermantown local sales tax imposed. HF2332--Trimble (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Public waters work permit requirements modified. HF2333--Knight (R) Governmental Operations Public pension plans subject to requirements of the Federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act. HF2334--Worke (R) Transportation & Transit Single license plate issuance and display required on motor vehicles. HF2335--Knoblach (R) Environment & Natural Resources Finance Stearns County; Quarry county park development and improvement authorized, and money appropriated. HF2336--Cooper (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Willmar authorized to enter into a joint venture with the Kandiyohi cooperative electric power association for the provision of electric power. HF2337--McGuire (DFL) Judiciary Health record access provisions modified. HF2338--Lourey (DFL) Education Sandstone Elementary School renovated for use as a multiagency family services resource and learning center, and money appropriated. HF2339--Lourey (DFL) Health & Human Services Senior Nutrition Fund use flexibility provided to area aging agencies, and money appropriated. HF2340--Lourey (DFL) Health & Human Services Speech-language pathologists and audiologists required to register with the Health Department, and penalties provided. HF2341--Tunheim (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Finance Lake Bronson State Park Interpretive Center construction authorized, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2342--Tunheim (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Voters allowed to vote for candidates of more than one political party in the state partisan primary election. HF2343--Van Engen (R) Environment & Natural Resources Kandiyohi County; Prairie Woods environmental learning center construction authorized, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2344--Long (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance Life and health insurance coverage underwriting regulated for victims of domestic abuse. HF2345--Johnson, A. (DFL) Education Education funding stabilization account established, and education appropriation caps removed. HF2346--Johnson, A. (DFL) Education Referendum allowance reduction provisions modified. HF2347--Peterson (DFL) Education Independent School District No. 129, Montevideo, adult farm management program grant provided, and money appropriated. HF2348--Osskopp (R) Environment & Natural Resources Finance Goodhue Pioneer Trail land acquisition and construction authorized, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2349--Tunheim (DFL) Transportation & Transit Speed limits raised on highways, speed violation penalty provisions modified, and speed limits designated for fuel conservation purposes. HF2350--Ness (R) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Administrative rule periodic repeal provided. HF2351--Kahn (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Mississippi River project permit issuance restrictions provided. HF2352--Peterson (DFL) Economic Development, Infrastructure, & Regulation Finance Montevideo; Milwaukee Road train depot restoration provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2353--Cooper (DFL) Education Independent School District Nos. 631, Belview, 648, Danube, 654, Renville, and 655, Sacred Heart, enhanced pairing agreement modified. HF2354--Tomassoni (DFL) Taxes Senior citizen's property tax deferral program established. HF2355--Long (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Municipalities authorized to determine if property taxes are paid on a parcel of land prior to issuance of permits. HF2356--Cooper (DFL) Agriculture Food sales licensing requirement exemption provided. HF2357--Dawkins (DFL) Judiciary Child visitation order specificity required, visitation dispute resolution programs established, penalties imposed, and money appropriated. HF2358--Dawkins (DFL) Transportation & Transit Peace Corps and VISTA volunteer special license plate issuance authorized and fee disposition provided. HF2359--Dawkins (DFL) Judiciary Medical malpractice action limitations provisions modified. HF2360--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary Intensive juvenile monitoring pilot program established, juvenile supervision by college students provided, and money appropriated. HF2361--Kalis (DFL) Housing Rental security deposit interest rate maintained at four percent. HF2362--Solberg (DFL) Economic Development, Infrastructure, & Regulation Finance Housing Finance Agency appropriated money for publicly owned housing grants, and bonds issued. HF2363--Skoglund (DFL) Judiciary Criminal justice agencies defined, adult and juvenile criminal history data sharing authorized, juvenile court data transmission required, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to administer computerized juvenile criminal record system. HF2364--Kalis (DFL) Transportation & Transit Auction sign 24-hour advance placement authorized on highway right-of-way. HF2365--Bakk (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Open burning restrictions and timber sales provisions modified, and penalties provided. HF2366--Pawlenty (R) Health & Human Services Jobs opportunity program established for the purpose of employing public assistance recipients. HF2367--Knight (R) Governmental Operations State Board of Investment members and staff investment decision restrictions provided. HF2368--Jefferson (DFL) Health & Human Services Child health and welfare hold procedures modified, shelter care agency responsibilities clarified, adoption waiting period imposed, and advocate participation authorized. HF2369--Osthoff (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance Financial institution consumer credit regulation and technical corrections provided. HF2370--Jefferson (DFL) Judiciary Hennepin County board authorized to appoint an employee of the county humane society as a peace officer. HF2371--Jefferson (DFL) Judiciary Martin Luther King nonviolent institutional child development pilot project established, and money appropriated. HF2372--Leppik (R) Judiciary Parental right termination grounds modified. HF2373--Jaros (DFL) Housing Duluth housing replacement districts established. HF2374--Gunther (R) Environment & Natural Resources Watonwan River designated as a canoe and boating river. HF2375--Rest (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Municipalities required to show need for local public improvements, and report fee limitation imposed. HF2376--Milbert (DFL) Judiciary Family group conferencing pilot project established in the First Judicial District, and money appropriated. HF2377--Delmont (DFL) Ways & Means Obsolete laws repealed. HF2378--Osthoff (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance Omnibus insurance regulation bill. HF2379--Jennings (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Ecologically harmful exotic plant and animal control and management provisions modified. HF2380--Tunheim (DFL) Transportation & Transit Motorcycle safety fund administration and instruction requirements specified. HF2381--Rukavina (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Finance Mesabi trail system completion authorized, bonds issued, and money appropriated. HF2382--Garcia (DFL) Taxes Valuation deferral provided for certain improvements to homestead property. HF2383--Wenzel (DFL) Taxes Little Falls authorized to impose a tax on the gross receipts from certain food sales. HF2384--Rukavina (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Telecommunications carrier toll charges prohibited for calls made within the same area code. HF2385--Carruthers (DFL) Judiciary Alternative dispute resolution evidentiary privilege established. HF2386--McGuire (DFL) Judiciary Criminal justice agency defined, and detention information system access provisions modified. HF2387--Osthoff (DFL) Transportation & Transit Driver's license application acceptance agent approval required. HF2388--Rukavina (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Employer wage payment requirements modified. HF2389--Huntley (DFL) Health & Human Services Health plan companies required to offer at least one point-of-service product in each market of operation. HF2390--Van Engen (R) Judiciary DWI; prior driving while intoxicated violations involving snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and motorboats included as prior offenses for purposes of license revocation for a driving while intoxicated offense involving a motor vehicle. HF2391--Jennings (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Petroleum tank release cleanup reimbursement regulated, and commerce commissioner enforcement authority provided. HF2392--Finseth (R) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Thief River Falls on-sale intoxicating liquor license provisions repealed. HF2393--Ness (R) Environment & Natural Resources Environmental regulatory innovations act adopted. HF2394--Tomassoni (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance Prostate cancer periodic screening health insurance coverage required. HF2395--Entenza (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Commercial heating, ventilating, and cooling system contractor and residential mechanical contractor licensure required, and money appropriated. HF2396--Pugh (DFL) Health & Human Services Dakota County authorized to implement an enhanced automation pilot system to educate recipients on health care options, and money appropriated. HF2397--Boudreau (R) Environment & Natural Resources Wild animal shining restrictions modified. HF2398--Pugh (DFL) Judiciary Marriage dissolution income withholding, visitation expeditors, maintenance, and support provisions modified. HF2399--Jefferson (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Dangerous dog regulation provisions modified. HF2400--Solberg (DFL) Governmental Operations Retired public employee insurance payment provisions modified. HF2401--Solberg (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Itasca County exempted from bidding requirements related to the sale of Itasca County Medical Center. HF2402--Osthoff (DFL) Transportation & Transit Motor vehicle registration tax exemption abolished for representatives of foreign powers, special license plate issuance authorized, disability license plate restrictions removed, fleet registration provisions modified, technical changes. HF2403--Kelso (DFL) Taxes Scott County facility admissions tax repealed. HF2404--Swenson, D. (R) Judiciary Crime of violence designation to include drive-by shootings. HF2405--Swenson, D. (R) Judiciary DWI; driving while intoxicated consecutive sentencing provisions clarified. HF2406--Swenson, D. (R) Judiciary DWI; underage drinking offense provisions modified. HF2407--Leppik (R) Judiciary Child protection open hearing guidelines established by the state court administrator. HF2408--McGuire (DFL) Transportation & Transit Automobile theft prevention program established, and money appropriated. HF2409--McGuire (DFL) Judiciary Victims of violence state goals established. HF2410--Hasskamp (DFL) Transportation & Transit Trunk Highway No. 10 near Elk River designated as POW/MIA Memorial Highway, Trunk Highway No. 115 designated as Veterans Memorial Highway, and a portion of Old County Road 21 designated as John Riley Memorial Drive. HF2411--Johnson, V. (R) Environment & Natural Resources Trespassing on private land for outdoor recreation prohibited. HF2412--Huntley (DFL) Health & Human Services City hospital appropriated money for remodeling, and bonds issued. HF2413--Jennings (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Cemetery account and record examination provisions clarified. HF2414--Rest (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs County commissioners removed from municipal boards. HF2415--Rest (DFL) Housing Municipal single-family housing bonding authority procedures modified. HF2416--Entenza (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance No-fault automobile insurance benefit calculation provisions modified. HF2417--Jefferson (DFL) Governmental Operations Police and fire amortization aid reallocated to the Minneapolis and St. Paul teachers retirement association funds, and benefit computation provisions modified. HF2418--Anderson, R. (DFL) Health & Human Services Welfare reform bill providing overpayment recovery, family investment plan modifications, employment and training services modifications, and GAMC eligibility modifications. HF2419--Brown (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Biomass fuel energy generation mandate provisions clarified. HF2420--Huntley (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Duluth sanitary sewer system inflow and infiltration prevention program authorized. HF2421--Opatz (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Government innovation and cooperation board purchase of development rights pilot program established, and money appropriated. HF2422--Johnson, V. (R) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Firefighters exempted from certain requirements related to employment as fireworks operators. HF2423--Van Dellen (R) Ways & Means Local government mandate costs shared by the state, and constitutional amendment proposed. HF2424--Huntley (DFL) Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Duluth special service districts established. HF2425--Carruthers (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Statutory city elected office vacancy procedures established. HF2426--Greiling (DFL) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Elections Ethical practices board fair campaign practices provisions modified. HF2427--Tunheim (DFL) Transportation & Transit Safety cable use authorized on trailers and semitrailers. HF2428--Bakk (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Occupational safety and health exemptions eliminated. HF2429--Perlt (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Sprinkler system maintenance permitted by licensed plumbers. Minnesota Index 1996 Legislative Session, state officials DFL members, 1996 69 Republican members, 1996 65 DFL members, 1994 84 Republican members, 1994 50 Number of men, 1996 102 Number of women, 1996 32 House special elections held in 1995 4 Number won by Republicans 4 House special elections since 1971 won by Republicans 20 of 25 Annual salary of House members $29,658 Annual salary of New Hampshire House members $100 Current members who list farming as their primary occupation 13 number of farmers, 1987 27 Current members with a law degree 20 Maximum number of days the Legislature can meet in regular session every two years 120 Legislative days used in 1995 65 Days remaining for use in 1996 session 55 Days used in 1994 session 45 Number of pages of the House Journal, 1973-74 biennium 7,199 Pages in the 1995 House Journal 6,176 Number of states without a regular session in 1996 6 States where the Legislature is controlled by Democrats (as of 11/8/95) 16 by Republicans 19 where control is split 14 non-partisan legislatures (Nebraska) 1 States with Republican governors (as of 11/8/95) 30 Democratic governors 19 Independent 1 States with some form of term limits for state officials 21 Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures; The Book of the States, 1994-95, Council of State Governments; Legislative Reference Library; House Public Information Office.