For many legislators and staff, a chance to rest this weekend could not have arrived soon enough.
While the number of bills heard in House committees during the week decreased, the magnitude of those acted upon increased. That can be attributed to the so-called “omni-fest,” as many House committees approved their all-encompassing omnibus bills and moved them along in the process. A quartet — education, environment, taxes and transportation — received approval of the full body after lengthy debates, albeit with far-from-unanimous agreement. The remaining omnibus bills are expected to be acted upon next week before members are away April 9-17 for the Passover/Easter break.
Before looking ahead to next week; 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.
BONDING
Transportation bonding asks forwarded to House Capital Investment Committee
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12748
More than $11 million sought for landfill hazardous waste removal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12750
BUDGET
Omnibus bills provide framework for the state’s biennial budget plan
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12744
CIVIL LAW
‘Starting Line’: Providing co-parenting services for unmarried parents
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12731
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Panel pushes omnibus jobs and energy bill to Ways and Means
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12742
Public weighs in on jobs and energy bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12733
EDUCATION
House passes omnibus education finance bill sans voluntary pre-K funding that governor wants
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12758
Minnesota Index: Teacher Supply
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12732
ENVIRONMENT
House passes $830 million omnibus environment bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12755
Buffers funding included in $500 million omnibus legacy bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12734
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
House passes $542 million state-based reinsurance bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12752
Federal approval hangs over compromise reinsurance proposal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12749
Contentious omnibus health and human services finance bill to Ways and Means
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12751
MNsure would get axe under health and human services finance bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12743
Help for physicians wanting to practice in multiple states
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12745
More dental students could go where help is needed most
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12738
HOUSING
House OKs fire sprinkler uniformity bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12746
PUBLIC SAFETY
Controversial ‘Stand Your Ground’ expansion headed to House Floor
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12737
Additional $111.5 million in biennial funding OK’d by public safety committee
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12741
House moves to give innocent owners ‘their day in court’
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12747
STATE GOVERNMENT
Clash of ideologies as state government omnibus bill moves on
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12736
‘System failures’ and bikini waxes among concerns in omnibus state government budget bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12735
Historic preservation office could leave historical society
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12753
TAXES
Omnibus tax bill passes House amidst concern over its $5.2 billion size
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12754
TRANSPORTATION
Roads and bridges focus of transportation bill passed in House; opponents say transit to suffer
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12756
House OKs use of supplemental federal highway funds
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12739
House passes moratorium on creating permit for ditch mowing, haying
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12740