Week in Review: Jan. 30 – Feb. 3

Arguably, the week’s biggest story from the House came at its final committee hearing.

In front of a packed and, at times, raucous hearing room — and after four-plus hours of testimony — the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee approved a bill Thursday night that would ban actions by local units of government to put in place their own laws governing private employment.

Other issues addressed during the week include: special education expenses, suicide prevention, student loan tax credits, oil train derailment preparedness, the economic impact of amateur sports, and state commissioner severance pay.

Before looking ahead to next week, which is scheduled to include a legislative auditor’s report on the use of publicly-owned suites at U.S. Bank Stadium, nominations to the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents and more reviews of the governor’s budget proposal, let’s take a look at what you may have missed this week.

Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.

AGRICULTURE

New program has registered thousands of cottage food producers

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12453

BUDGET

MPR wants $200,000 more from state for biennium

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12457

CIVIL LAW

House passes technical updates to nonprofit laws

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12469

Real property statute technical overhaul passed by House

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12470

EDUCATION

Career and Technical Education licensure changes proposed

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12472

Statewide special education expense averages rise, committee hears

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12450

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Environment committee receives base budget briefing

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12471

Longstanding objections to state-owned lands reemerge

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12459

Lessard–Sams council seeks funding for outdoor resource projects

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12446

Minnesota Index: DNR – Division of Resources

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12445

FAMILY

Tax credits pitched as salve for parental leave outlays

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12466

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Bill would change ‘spenddown’ limit before Medical Assistance kicks in

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12467

Dayton’s budget proposal to extend benefit coverage for young foster children

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12465

A place to turn in times of crises just a call — or text — away

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12454

Improvements proposed to 2015 nursing facility payment reforms

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12458

Hearing-impaired Minnesotans seek to have needs considered in new buildings

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12462

HIGHER EDUCATION

Student loan tax credit proposed for 2017

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12463

Student debt program will look to continue past efforts

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12456

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Seeking to avoid “patchwork,” committee OKs bill to bar local employment laws

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12475

Cities would need more public input on development plans

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12455

Townships caught in Catch-22 could get reprieve

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12449

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans groups look for property tax breaks

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12447

Bill to protect veterans from bad loans gets division approval

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12448

PUBLIC SAFETY

Report: Minnesota becoming better prepared for oil train incident

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12474

Inmate mental health treatment costs coming up short

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12473

Starting Line: Bill says ‘thank you’ to first responders

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12444

Public safety officials tout accomplishments in overview

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12452

RECREATION

Amateur sports activities an economic boost to state, committee hears

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12464

STATE GOVERNMENT

‘Solving inside problems from the outside’ to be new tech committee’s calling

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12460

House panel moves to rein in commissioner severance pay

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12461

TAXES

Tax credit seen as essential to growing state’s high-tech industry

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12451

Small town fights off decline, seeks construction tax break

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12468