Dear Neighbor,
Storms caused significant damage in Cass, Crow Wing and Todd counties in July, but the good news is those counties will be receiving state assistance to help recovery efforts.
Preliminary damage estimates show approximately $1.3 million in damage. The state will cover 75 percent of eligible damage costs which, in this case are mainly emergency protective measures and debris removal. The counties are responsible for the remaining 25 percent.
Local citizens and officials alike deserve recognition for all the hard work they have put in to clean up after the storm and help our area get back on track. Thank you so much for your efforts.
SECOND AMENDMENT LAWS
On a different topic, 2015 has been a good year for Second Amendment supporters in Minnesota. We passed a number of new laws to improve our gun laws and to protect the rights of citizens.
A number of new laws brought improvements to our state when they recently went into effect. On that list is legislation I authored to allow suppressors to be used. Here is a full list of changes that are now on the books:
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Suppressors legalized subject to federal law. Establishes a five-year period of ineligibility for a hunting license for persons convicted of specified hunting violations while using a suppressor.
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Prohibits individuals prohibited from possessing firearms from possessing ammunition. An exception is made for “ornaments,” such as necklaces with inoperable bullets attached. Also requires the courts to inform defendants when they are ineligible to possess ammunition, and establishes penalties for those ineligible to possess ammunition.
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Removes the obsolete notification requirement for carry permit holders who enter any state building within the state Capitol complex by providing that issuance of a permit to carry pursuant to Minnesota law constitutes sufficient notice to the commissioner of public safety.
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Updates Minnesota law to make it clear that Minnesotans are allowed to buy long guns in any other state where such sale and delivery is legal under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968.
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Establishes the criteria for a civilly committed person to regain the right to possess ammunition.
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Prohibits “straw purchases” of firearms by making it a gross misdemeanor to purchase or obtain a firearm for an ineligible person.
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Grants reciprocity to permits to carry a pistol from other states that have similar laws to Minnesota with regard to the issuance of carry permits.
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Clarifies the authority that public officials have to disarm individuals during a state of emergency proclaimed by the governor relating to a public disorder or disaster. It protects law-abiding citizens from having their firearms confiscated during a time of emergency.
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Provides that the commission of any act prohibited by statute for which no penalty is imposed is a petty misdemeanor (under current law, commission of these acts are misdemeanors unless the prohibition was enacted or amended in statute after Sept. 1, 2014, in which case it is a petty misdemeanor.
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Authorizes the use of money from the Disaster Contingency Account to provide matching funds received from the Federal Highway Administration emergency relief program and the US Department of Agriculture emergency watershed program.
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Updates the chemical substances listed in Minnesota’s “schedules” of controlled substances so as to align them with those listed in the federal schedules.
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Protects consumer bankruptcy debtors in MN by providing that an Application for Discharge of Judgment may not be considered the first paper filed in a civil action; therefore, no longer requiring the debtor to pay: a $310 filing fee, the $2 technology fee, and the county law library fee. These fees were charged in addition to the $5 fee for each judgment to be discharged.
BROADBAND GRANTS AVAILABLE
Area cities, counties, businesses, non-profits, and other eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for a grant to continue the expansion of Minnesota's broadband infrastructure.
The grants are available as a part of a $10.58 million Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program we approved at the Legislature this year. Applications must be submitted by Sept. 15.
Our part of the state is underserved by broadband service and this program is intended to boost our connectivity so we can enjoy the same standards found in other parts of the state. It would be nice to see local entities receive some of the available grant money.
More details regarding program qualifications and application materials can be found by visiting the Dept. of Employment and Economic Development website. You also can call me at 651-296-4293 or email rep.mark.anderson@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Mark