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RELEASE: Pugh Bill to Make Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing More Effective Passes Unanimously

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

SAINT PAUL, MN – On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, the Minnesota House unanimously passed Senate File 2777, a bill by Rep. Cindy Pugh (R-Chanhassen) to make changes to the Commission of Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans. These changes make the Commission more efficient by allowing them to enter into contracts that currently require administrative hurdles.

"I was honored to author this legislation to help the deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing community in Minnesota," said Rep. Cindy Pugh. "The changes made to the Commission in this bill will allow them to advocate more effectively and make the lives of all their constituents better. With unanimous support in the House and Senate, I look forward to Governor Dayton signing this legislation into law." 

The bill changes the lengths of terms board members serve, how many terms they can serve, the Commission’s duties, and establishes a new executive committee. The new executive committee is able to exercise any powers of the commission and enter into contracts of $50,000 or less to provide services and supplies to the commission.

The bill also renames the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans to the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing. 

SF 2777, authored in the Senate by Sen. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) who was blinded in a farming accident in his youth, unanimously passed the Minnesota Senate and the changes are strongly supported by the Commission. The Governor is expected to sign the bill. 

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