Dear Neighbors,
It’s been another busy week in Saint Paul. Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
House File 772
This week, my bill House File 772 was heard and laid over in the Agriculture Finance Committee. This legislation appropriates funding to compensate farmers for crop and fence damage caused by elk, as well as livestock who are killed or crippled by wolves.
This bill would not only continue funding a much-needed program, but would also make it easier for adjusters to get out to do assessments.
This is an important bill for many farmers and ranchers up in our community, and it has the support of the Department of Ag, the Minnesota Farmers Union and the Cattlemen’s Association.
Local Road Wetland Replacement
This week my local road wetland replacement legislation, which is critical for local transportation projects statewide, passed out of the Ways and Means Committee. Its next stop is the House Floor for a full vote.
The bill will temporarily modify local road wetland replacement requirements for transportation projects. Because of lack of funding in recent years, a number of wetland bank service areas do not have any credits for local transportation projects, meaning that without this bill, many county and township road construction projects will be on hold this spring.
House File 985
This week, the Civil Law and Data Practices passed my bill to protect the rights of private property owners. House File 985 helps defends property owners, tenants, lessees, and others in control of property from owing on certain liability claims of trespassers.
Helping protect folks from frivolous lawsuits from people illegally on their land is commonsense, and this legislation has the support of many farm groups, businesses, and private property advocates in our state.
MN Rural Electric Association
This week, a number of folks with the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) were down in Saint Paul. Rural electric cooperatives represent a significant portion of Northern Minnesota from the border of North Dakota to Lake Superior. This session, we are working to pass commonsense bills that help our rural co-ops have more control of their own management and rates, as opposed to the PUC.
High School Page Program
This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with some bright, young high school juniors who were in Saint Paul for the High School Page Program. This prestigious program is competitive to get into, and it’s a great experience for these kids to come down, learn more about state government, and help participate in the legislative process.
It was fun to talk with some future leaders of our state! If you know anyone who would be interested in participating in the High School Page Program at the Capitol, you can learn more about it here.
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My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Dan
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