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State Representative Tim O'Driscoll
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7808
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
HOUSE BRIEFS
Land Trust Bill Passes House!
Greetings!
Tuesday seemed like Tim O’Driscoll day on the House floor with the only two bills heard both being mine. Not only did both of my bills pass, there was also some other major passings this week as well. Below is a short description of some of this week’s developments.
Land Trust Bill
One of my bills that passed on Tuesday was the land trust bill I have been working on all year. Passing with a very bi-partisan vote of 104-26, House File 2244 would create a Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission and a Permanent School Fund Board which will be appointed by the governor.
The DNR is currently responsible for managing about 2.5 million acres of school trust land. The net proceeds from the land management activities (timber sales, minerals activities, lease revenue, etc.) annually are added to the principle of the school endowment fund. The problem is that the Minnesota Permanent School Fund is in the bottom 3rd in returns in State Land Trusts in the US.
Income from the school trust lands had been averaging between $22-$27 million annually over the past five years, and that managing the income more efficiently could almost immediately increase the yearly figure by 10%. This legislation would eliminate the "inherent conflict" some see with the DNR managing this land. Proponents of this legislation argue that revenue from the lands has long been inadequate and believe by creating a separate director would create more revenue for schools without a tax increase.
The new Permanent School Fund Board will be given authority and responsibility for the administration of school trust lands. The board will be made up of five gubernatorial appointees who must first be confirmed by both the House and Senate. They will report to the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission bi-annually to ensure that the trust lands are being managed efficiently and that revenues are being maximized. The commission, in turn, will provide advice to the board regarding its management of the trust lands. The commission will be made up of twelve Legislative members: six from the Senate and six from the House, representing both the Majority and Minority party equally.
Photo ID Constitutional Amendment
Many people I talk to are surprised that they don’t have to show an ID to vote. It seems like being able to prove who you are before doing something as important as voting would just be common sense. Based on public polling showing up to 80% in favor of a photo ID stipulation for voting, last year we drafted legislation that would put a photo ID requirement into Minnesota statute. Despite the public outcry and overwhelming support for this measure, Governor Dayton still vetoed this bill.
We have not given up on this measure and this week, after years of work, a photo ID constitutional amendment was voted through the House. The bill (HF2738) allows for a public vote in the November election on a photo ID voting requirement. Under this bill, a ballot question would ask if voters would like to add an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would require that, on Election Day, all voters present valid photo identification prior to casting a ballot. A majority vote of the people would amend the constitution, and the Legislature would implement the new photo ID requirement in 2013.
This amendment would also require state identification be made available at no charge to those who do not already have an ID. The amendment preserves the ability of all Minnesotans, including military members, college students, and the elderly, to continue voting with ease. It also keeps in place same day voter registration and absentee voting.
Local Government Bank Deposits Bill
My other bill that passed the House floor on Tuesday was my local government bank deposits bill. This bill (HF2174) would permit school districts, towns, counties, and cities to deposit funds in their official depository bank or credit union, under an arrangement permitting the depository bank to redeposit the funds into accounts at other banks that would serve as sub-custodians of the funds. This job will give local government more freedom to make decisions about their money. It will also create more jobs and opportunities for Minnesota banks and credit unions.
Be sure to check back next week when I will provide a list of local school districts and how much they have received from the trust land fund in FY2012.
Until next week…Best Wishes!
-Tim
News Items
- O'Driscoll Begins Second Term in MN House - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 4:00PM)
- MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF BILL TO MODIFY MANDATORY TIERED WATER PRICING FOR CITIES - (Posted: 2012-04-02 00:00:00)
- REPRESENTATIVE O’DRISCOLL’S LAND TRUST BILL PASSES THROUGH THE HOUSE - (Posted: 2012-03-19 00:00:00)
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