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State Representative John Lesch
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4224
For more information contact: Nick Halter 651-297-1934
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Lesch Achieves Legislative Success
Two policy bills authored by State Rep. John Lesch (DFL- St. Paul) have officially become law. After sailing through the House with bipartisan support they landed on Governor Pawlenty’s desk. He sealed the deal by signing off on both pieces of legislation. One concerns background checks for firefighters and another updates an act related to foreign companies.
“Much of what we do at the Capitol isn’t a headline grabber like the bonding bill," said Lesch. “Rather, it’s creating policy and legislation that keeps our infrastructure running smoothly. Because of these bills, men and women who are firefighters will receive a proper background check and businessman will have a clearer set of guidelines for a globalized world.”
HF 3130 pertains to firefighters. It would allow fire departments to run background checks not only on applicants but on current employees as well. The idea sprang from a case that involved a veteran firefighter. Incidentally, he had been convicted of arson even though he was now fighting fires. This law gives departments one more tool to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are accepted.
The other approved bill deals with our increasingly globalized world. It provides needed updates to the Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgments Recognition Act. That act hasn’t been updated since it was passed by the Legislature in 1985. The Uniformed Laws Commission requested the changes and Lesch backed them up with his legislation. Provisions that were confusing are now clear and judgments made by foreign countries regarding companies will now be recognized.
“These bills will help out Minnesota’s public safety and business communities,” said Lesch. “I’m happy that the Governor agreed that these were sensible improvements to public policy.”
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News Items
- Rep. Lesch, Senator John Marty and Revenue Commissioner Frans to talk tax reform with area residents at St. Paul town hall meeting - (Posted: 2012-12-12 00:00:00)
- Rep. Lesch Named Chair of the House Civil Law Committee - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- EARTH DAY A CHANCE FOR REFLECTION, ACTION - (Posted: 2012-04-17 00:00:00)
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