Week in Review: Feb. 26-March 2

With most committees, subcommittees and divisions up and running again, an increasingly hectic schedule looks likely as the first deadline is less than three weeks away.

From guns to MNLARS to audits of auditors, there were no shortage of hot-button issues heard this week at the Legislature. But a number of other meetings offered overviews or introductions that set the stage for the work to come, and lawmakers received good news in the form of a $329 million projected budget surplus they now have to work with.

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.

AGRICULTURE

More money needed for farmer loan program

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13017

Minnesota growers hope new initiative can uncork state’s wine potential

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13029

BONDING

State agency and education officials detail preservation bonding requests

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13025

State officials pitch bonding requests to improve sex offender program, health testing lab

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13021

EDUCATION

Education committee approves measure aimed at preventing sex trafficking

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13018

Intermediate school districts seek support through new innovation grant

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13032

New special education working group gains traction

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13036

Committee OKs measure intended to improve outcomes for students with dyslexia

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13041

ENVIRONMENT

Audit: Pollution Control Agency failed to validate contractor payments

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13020

Outdoor heritage funding gets early committee approval

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13033

3M settlement brings $850 million boost for water, natural resources projects

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13037

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Rare disease council creation gets committee OK; MNsure repeal discussed

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13016

We’re fixing the elder abuse backlog, officials say

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13028

Child care access subcommittee hears emotional testimony from providers

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13027

Bipartisan push for ‘penny a pill’ on Opioid Awareness Day

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13039

HIGHER EDUCATION

Committee reviews regent selection process, shares concerns

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13035

PUBLIC SAFETY

Pair of gun bills lead to passionate debate — but no committee vote

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13040

Time improvement sought for sexual assault examination kit testing

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13023

Should life without parole be a sentence for the most heinous juvenile offenders?

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13030

STATE GOVERNMENT

State auditor’s report could harm private CPA firms, legislative auditor says

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13019

Subcommittee’s work on revising House sexual harassment policy begins

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13012

2018 committee deadlines set

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13022

Bill would help fund community food shelves in towns

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13015

State projects $329 million budget surplus in latest forecast

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13026

Audit: DEED should be more transparent about the Minnesota Investment Fund

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13034

TAXES

Proposed electricity tax exemption could give jolt to residential customers

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13031

Tax bill could give marijuana manufacturers room to breathe

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13038

TRANSPORTATION

No emergency funds for MNLARS, threatening progress on struggling system

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13042

State officials seek more funding for malfunctioning MNLARS, but transportation chair unimpressed

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13024

MnDOT study explores tolling expansion

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13014

VETERANS AFFAIRS

How to combat the military recruiting shortage? Require counselors to suggest it http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13013