Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Education Reform Bill Passes House
On Thursday, the House debated and passed House File 2, a bill that helps our schools attract and retain quality teachers. After hearing concerns from schools in Northwestern Minnesota who wanted more flexibility and local control to hire teachers, I am pleased that this legislation is moving forward.
One of the key components of HF 2 is that it increases access to quality teachers through out-of-state teacher license recognition, encouraging regional licensure reciprocity and streamlining alternative pathways to teaching in Minnesota. For many of our schools, the teaching candidate pool is getting smaller and in some cases, there are no candidates to fill much needed vacancies. Making it easier for qualified educators with licenses in North Dakota or other neighboring states to come in and teach makes a lot of sense for my district and other districts throughout Greater Minnesota.
Additionally, HF 2 also reforms our state’s ‘last in, first out’ policy, by focusing on merit in teacher layoff decisions in addition to seniority and other locally negotiated factors. Keeping the most effective teachers in Minnesota classrooms will improve students’ academic performance and ensure every child has the opportunity to receive a world-class education.
Bills Heard in Committee
Workforce Housing Legislation
On Thursday, the Greater Minnesota Economic and Workforce Development committee heard two of my bills related to workforce housing.
HF 422 creates a workforce housing grant program in the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and appropriates $5,000,000 for that program.
HF 684 allows the use of economic development TIF for workforce housing projects that assist market rates and rental housing, none of whose tenants would be required to satisfy income limits. To qualify, the city must make findings regarding the need for the housing, based on local employment and housing market conditions.
Northwest Minnesota has a workforce housing shortage, and these bills, if signed into law, could have a significant and positive impact in our communities.
Electronic Insurance ID
In the Transportation Committee this week, they heard my bill HF 307 which clarifies state statute to ensure that electronic insurance identification cards can be used as proof of insurance.
I drafted this bill in response to a constituent who was pulled over and told his electronic insurance ID on his smart phone was not a legitimate proof of insurance. This bills modernizes state statute.
This bill has been sent to the Civil Law and Data Practices Committee for its next hearing.
House File 799
This week in the Civil Law and Data Practices Committee, my bill HF 799 was heard. This bipartisan legislation protects property owners from frivolous lawsuits by stopping trespassers from filing if they are injured on private property. Much of the language in this legislation was set by precedent from previous court rulings, and it makes sense to clarify the law.
404 Permitting
On Thursday, I talked with Congressman Collin Peterson's office about a bipartisan bill I am carrying that seeks to address one of the main concerns of Minnesota county commissioners and engineers relating to 404 permitting.
Because the Army Corps of Engineers experiences many lengthy delays in the processing of these permits, costs increase as a result of these delays. In addition, it makes it very difficult to plan road construction and repair. HF 690 addresses this by directing the state to do a feasibility study.
After the discussion, I am feeling positive that this bill has a good chance to pass the House and Senate, ending up on Governor Dayton's desk for signature.
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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