Greetings from the Floor,
Bills passed off the House floor this week were HFs 30, 3, 400 and 434. HF 3 would allow for Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota. This is a bill that I’ve supported every year I’ve served in the House. I’ve heard from many constituents and liquor store owners who want to see Sunday sales. Specifically, from the liquor store owners’ perspectives, allowing Sunday sales will keep money and business in Moorhead. Especially because North Dakota allows forSunday sales.
HF 3 would implement REAL ID in Minnesota. REAL ID was passed in 2005 by the federal government to mandate that people need REAL ID compliant identification cards to board commercial airliners and enter some federal facilities. Minnesota must pass a REAL ID compliant law before next January in order for people to board commercial airliners (Minnesota is currently operating under an extension granted by the federal government for commercial airliner travel). The bill would do a number of things:
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Direct the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to fully comply with the federal REAL ID law
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Establish REAL ID and non-REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards
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Put current DPS rules mandating proof of citizenship for people applying for either REAL ID or non-REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards into statute
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Prohibit Minnesota departmental activity to comply with any REAL ID changes by the federal government (in order for the Legislature to weigh in on the matter)
I did vote for the bill as it’s long overdue for Minnesota to comply with this federal law. People need certainty on this matter.
HF 400 would ban the state from signing contracts with any vendor that discriminates against Israel. Discrimination in the bill is defined as boycotts or refusals to deal with companies that do business with Israel. I did vote for the bill.
HF 434 would appropriate $5 million from the General Fund to the Local Road Wetland Replacement Program. This program funds wetland replacement credits used to replace wetlands during local road replacement or improvement projects. This funding is needed as the credits are either depleted or running very low in several wetland district banks. Without the credits, projects may be cancelled, local governments would have to purchase their own credits or local governments would have to go through longer approval processes with the U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers. Typically, the program is funded through Capital Investment dollars. I did vote for the bill; however, it’s another example of the overall Capital Investment bill being diluted by slicing off individual projects and funding needs. This continues to threaten projects all across Minnesota that need bonding dollars for completion.
On Wednesday night, the Legislature voted for 4 new regents to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The elected regents were Steve Sviggum from the 2nd Congressional District, Darrin Rosha from the 3rd Congressional District, David McMillan from the 8th Congressional District and Ken Powell for the open at-large seat. I nominated Kent Molde from the floor for the at-large seat. When I met with him, he demonstrated that he was very committed to making sure the medical school stays strong for education and research, keeping tuition costs (and university expenses) in check, maintaining focus on the individual qualities of the Greater Minnesota campuses and strongly addressing sexual assaults on all of the school’s campuses. Congratulations to all those elected!
Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,
Ben