Dear Neighbor,
Things picked up on the House floor this week, with a handful of notable bills receiving approval from the full body. Here is a rundown:
Sunday sales
The House on passed legislation Monday that would legalize the sale of liquor, beer, and wine on Sundays. It was the first time in state history that standalone legislation on this issue has been voted on or approved. The proposal, which would take effect July 1, now awaits action in the Senate.
Real ID
On Thursday, the House approved legislation which would allow Minnesotans to obtain an ID which complies with increased federal standards for such purposes as boarding commercial flights.
Without a change in state law, Minnesota driver’s licenses will no longer be acceptable for boarding planes as soon as January of 2018. Minnesota is one of only a few states which remains out of compliance to the new standards.
The House’s proposal features a two-path approach which allows people who want a Real ID to receive one, while also providing citizens the option of continuing to use the standard IDs available today. The bill is now in the hands of the Senate.
Wetlands replacement
Also on Thursday, the House of passed legislation that is crucial for local transportation projects statewide. The bill provides $5 million to facilitate transactions necessary under the state’s “no net loss” policy for wetlands impacted by construction projects. The pot of funding for this initiative has been depleted and this bill helps to ensure work can begin with the upcoming construction season. This bill has been sent to the Senate.
Energy production
Another bill the House approved Thursday concurs with Senate language in a bill facilitating the building of a natural-gas fired power plant to replace the two coal-fired units slated for shutdown at Xcel Energy’s Sherco electric generating complex in Becker. A similar bill passed the House earlier this month. The proposal now goes to the governor, who has indicated he will sign it.
A number of bills I have drafted as the chief author continue making their way through the committee process, including:
- H.F. 387 increases the state’s education tax credit and deduction by about 50 percent to account for the inflation that has taken place since the programs were last updated 20 years ago. The bill proposal is designed to provide public, private and home school students with additional help in meeting their educational expenses. It also would help provide low- and lower-middle-income families with increased school choices that higher income families currently have. This proposal has been heard by a House committee and is available to be included in a larger package of bills related to taxes later this session.
- H.F 610 provides statewide consistency for farmers looking to qualify for ag homestead tax treatment. It would allow agricultural land and other related property to qualify for ag homestead property tax treatment when the property is owned by a trust. This bill, one of the Minnesota Bar Association's priorities this year, cleared Civil Law and is awaiting a hearing in Taxes.
- H.F. 1341 stipulates a 30 day notice of nursing facility rental rate increases. This issue was brought to me by a constituent and the bill has made preliminary advancement in the committee progress.
- H.F. 923 provides tort reform to encourage settlements instead of going to court. This bill would conform Minnesota law to what is done at the federal level and, under what is called Rule 68, cap attorney fees at the amount incurred up to the point an offer of settlement is made if any eventual judgment is equal or less than the settlement offer. This legislation is supported by the League of Minnesota Cities and a large number of business groups. It has made its way through the committee process and is ready to be taken up for a vote of the full House.
Next week will be a busy one, with Minnesota Management & Budget scheduled to issue a fully updated budget and economic forecast. The information we receive from that report will serve as guideposts as we construct the state’s next two-year budget. Look for more news on that subject and other issues from the Capitol next time.
Sincerely,
Jim