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