Hello Friends,
This week the House Committees have been wrapping up their final omnibus bills. Committees will then send their completed bills to the House floor where they will be extensively debated and voted on. We anticipate some very long and spirited House Sessions during this phase of the legislative process.
A few highlight items:
1. This week we heard our firearms bills. These covered topics such as, sound suppressors, purchasing firearms in other states, and protecting gun rights during declared states of emergency. All of the bills passed through the House.
I was the chief author for the Emergency Powers Bill, HF 722. This bill protects the rights of law abiding citizens to keep their firearms during declared emergencies.
Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, law enforcement and military units were ordered to go door-to-door and confiscated legally owned firearms from citizens. This caused an uproar around the nation. A few short months after Katrina, the Louisiana State Legislature passed a similar bill that would prevent the confiscation of legally owned firearms from law-abiding citizens. There was only one dissenting vote. Since that time, over 30 states have passed similar legislation.
My bill HF 722, offers the same protections to firearms owners in Minnesota.
It passed overwhelmingly with 88 votes.
Hopefully the bill will continue along the legislative path and be included in the final Public Safety Bill when the House and the Senate meet in conference committee, sometime in May. The Governor will also need to sign it into law, if it makes it through conference committee.
2. Cottage Foods & Farmers Market bill. I am working with Senator Dibble to pass a Cottage Foods & Farmers Market bill. We are expanding the law to allow folks to earn up to $18,000 per year selling baked goods and other food items. Currently, folks are capped at $5,000 in sales per year.
There was some concern about church groups, charity events, etc, not being able to sell food items without paying a fee or registering with the state. This is not the case.
Folks who sell food for these type of events will still be able to. This is protected under another section of law.
3. Energy issues. The House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Omnibus Policy Bill passed last week. It has many provisions that ensure an "All of the Above" energy policy. It makes great strides to protect jobs and affordable energy. We should be hearing it on the house floor in before the end of April or in early May.
The bill has a long way to go. At this time, the senate and governor have not expressed any support for this bill and have drafted their own Jobs and Energy bills.
Please contact members of the Minnesota House, Senate and the Governor, and tell him to VOTE YES on the House Jobs and Energy Bill. Your support is critical in the fight to save the 1000's of jobs in our area! Please take 2 minutes to email these folks. It can make a difference!
Have a GREAT weekend!
God's peace,
Jim