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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Ben Lien (DFL)

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Legislative Update - May 13, 2016

Friday, May 13, 2016

Greetings from the Floor,

Bills passed by the House this week were:

  • HF 2014: Appeals of MnDOT denial of driveway permits process provided

  • HF 2955: Architectural barriers limiting accessibility demand letters established

  • HF 3328: Omnibus Claims Bill

  • SF 2430: Technical corrections for medical assistance median total care-related per diem

  • SF 2498: Co-occurring mental health and chemical dependency screenings

  • SF 2527: Legacy Bill

  • SF 3272: MPCA wastewater regulatory certainty regarding nitrates

  • HF 1333: Modifications of spousal maintenance awards based on obligee co-habitation

  • HF 2528: David Dill memorial trail established

  • HF 2552: Mandatory hearing requirement eliminated for subsequent orders and extensions

  • HF 2553: Filing fees waived in protective orders cases

  • HF 2585: Local governments interim ordinances requirements

  • HF 2625: Richfield: response time residency requirement for firefighters

  • HF 3135: Deer hunter satisfaction survey required by the DNR

  • HF 3160: Modifications to night vision equipment restrictions

  • HF 3590: Earned compliance credit report program for correctional supervision report required

  • SF 2426: Medical treatment for mental health excluded from inmate co-payment

  • SF 2555: Zoning of temporary family health care dwellings regulated

  • SF 2760: Omnibus Lands Bill

  • HF 1372: Civil Law Omnibus Bill

  • HF 2607: Red Wing: nursing facility moratorium exception

  • HF 3142: Omnibus Department of Health Policy Bill

  • HF 3469: Crime modified and penalties increased for interfering with a scene of death

  • HF 3588: Truck weights increased for vehicles powered by natural gas

  • HF 3699: Omnibus Liquor Bill

  • HF 3925: Dissolution of IRRRB and Legislative-Citizen oversight commission created

  • SF 2315: Patrol Officer Michael Alan Hogan memorial highway established

  • SF 3262: Staff Sergeant Kevin Witte memorial highway established

  • HF 2294: Marriage license waiting period eliminated

  • HF 2554: Military member clarified and veterans added to offense of impersonation

  • HF 3384: Reserve requirements modified for life insurance companies

  • HF 3489: Health insurers and fraternals minimum solvency requirements modified to the accreditation standards of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners

  • SF 1111: Modifications to seat belt use violations for bus drivers

  • SF 1425: Legend drugs as pharmaceutical waste collection and disposal modifications

  • SF 2428: Legislative task force on child protection extensions and changes

  • SF 2548: Authorization of pharmacy disbursement of 90-day supply of prescription drugs

  • SF 2963: LCCMR Bill

  • SF 3317: Dry cleaner response and reimbursement account provisions

We don’t have any floor sessions scheduled this weekend which leaves the Legislature with one week to finish all of our business (the official date of adjournment is May 23).  The Tax Conference Committee has begun to meet regarding last year’s tax bills, and legislative leaders have been meeting with the governor regarding supplemental budget bills (the Supplemental Budget Conference Committee will meet on Sunday evening). The House Majority has yet to release a Capital Investment Bill.  Many people are waiting to see what happens with transportation funding this year as funding sources for a long-term, comprehensive transportation bill may be closely tied to capital investment provisions.  I think we should be looking at multiple revenue streams for a real transportation bill to provide stable funding for Minnesota’s roads and bridges.  If that includes some bonding, it needs to be on the table for discussion.  My frustration lies in the fact that we have a lot of unanswered questions with one week left in the session, and such little movement toward any resolution of these big issues so far.  A lot can happen in a week at the Legislature, and I hope we put policy ahead of politics to get some good things done for Minnesota this year.

Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,

Ben