Friends,
The High School winter sports season has officially ended for the schools in our area with all three of Maple Grove, Osseo, and Wayzata all falling in the quarterfinals of the State Basketball Tournament. Congratulations to all three teams on making it to the State Tournament and good luck to Osseo in the consolation game tonight!
Rep. Smith meeting with constituents at his office
MNLARS Update
There may finally be a light at the end of the tunnel for MNLARS. The conference committee created earlier this week to resolve differences between the House & Senate MNLARS fixes came back with a solution that could work for all sides. The bill will use the agreed upon special fund to pay the immediate $10 million and a special MNLARS Steering Committee will be established to oversee the progress made to fix MNLARS. Any further disbursement would also be overseen by this steering committee.
Also included in the bill that passed both chambers today and Governor Dayton has agreed to sign, was a provision requiring a request for information to determine whether a private vendor is a better option. This is an important step since it has been made abundantly clear that the governmental bodies that initially developed this system failed woefully.
It also requires the Governor’s administration to seek an extension from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for REAL ID. While the Governor had agreed to do this, we felt it was important to make clear this was something that must be done for Minnesotans. The REAL ID bill I chief authored and that was signed into law last year, requires the DPS to begin issuing REAL IDs to Minnesotans beginning October 1st.
The bottom line is that Minnesota taxpayers have paid nearly $100 million for a system that is only half built. Minnesotans deserve a DMV system that works, but we will not give a blank check to the governor and throw good money after bad. Our solution allows fixes to continue but sets up important oversight to ensure tax dollars are being spent wisely.
Rep. Smith meeting with constituents at the Capitol
Bills in Committee
- HF3693 - This bill creates liability and vicarious liability for trespassers to critical infrastructure. This is an effort to deter protestors from encouraging and training of others to engage in the protests that damage critical infrastructure (pipelines, utilities for electrical and power sources, telecommunications facilities, water treatment plants, etc.). This bill now states that anyone who recruits, trains, aids, advises, hires, counsels, or conspires with anyone else to trespass or cause damage to the property, may be held vicariously liable. It is not the intent of this bill to inhibit first amendment rights nor free speech but to protect those items listed as critical infrastructure.The bill passed the Civil Law Committee and will next be heard in the Public Safety Committee.
- HF3552 - This bill provides a way for a historical building to convert to condominium use. It was heard in the Civil Law Committee on Tuesday and will next head to the House Floor. This is part of building upon the sweeping, positive changes to condo and townhouse law that I championed last session.
- HF3095 - This bill was heard in the Civil Law Committee on Thursday. The bill brings consumer and small business-friendly reforms to the contract negotiation process for waste management companies. The next step is the House Floor.
Rep. Smith presenting a bill in committee
School Safety Proposals
This week we heard hours of testimony on proposals to make our schools safer. We are determined to take a multiprong approach to address school safety. On top of advancing this legislation to give schools more resources to make safety and security improvements, we are also heard many bills to address the mental health crisis our communities are facing. The safety of our students is most important and we owe it to our children to find real, meaningful solutions to keep them safe.
Rep. Smith met with a constituent who serves as a counselor to discuss school safety and mental health of students
March Town Hall
On Saturday, March 31st, from 9-10am I will be holding my monthly town hall at the Maple Grove Community Center. Hope you can make it!
Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am honored to serve you at the Capitol. If you are going to be at or around the Capitol, please stop by or schedule a meeting. My email address is Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, phone number 651-296-5502, and by mail: 375 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis