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

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Legislative Update - March 29, 2018

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Greetings from the Floor,

Bills passed off the House floor this week were:

HF 2982: classifies data collected by the University of Minnesota for agricultural research as private data

HF 3418: clarifies the definition of motor vehicle service contracts

HF 3157: codifies that misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is a crime

HF 3622: incorporates into current law the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) classification of “certified reinsurer”

HF 2363: revises the state’s Uniform Athlete Agents Act

HF 3972: Omnibus Liquor Bill (allows for tasting of malt liquor or wine at home brewing/wine making supply stores, extends Sunday liquor sales by one hour and includes local/special liquor licenses)

The House and Senate also passed the negotiated contracts for state employees.  These contracts were negotiated between the respective labor bargaining units and Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), and rejected by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations last fall.  Whether the subcommittee approves or rejects these contracts, the Legislature has to ratify them during the legislative session and appropriate the dollars (with the subcommittee’s approval, the contracts would go into effect before the Legislature ratifies them).  The final vote on these contracts in the House was 93-33, and I voted to support them.

The Legislature begins its Easter/Passover spring break tomorrow, and no business will be conducted until Monday, April 9.  The League of Women Voters is holding a town hall meeting with Sen. Eken and me on April 5 at the Moorhead Public Library (118 5th St S, Moorhead) at 6:30 pm.  I invite folks to attend this meeting to hear more about what’s been happening in St. Paul this year, and to ask questions.  I also want to thank the League of Women Voters for organizing this event, and the Moorhead Public Library for hosting.

Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,

Ben