Week in Review: March 11-15

Having arrived at the first committee deadline, it's possible things slow down over the next few days as everyone catches up on some much-needed rest.

On the other hand, next week’s schedule is already filling up with hearings and bills, while Monday’s Calendar for the Day on the House Floor could make for a long afternoon with the opioids and hands-free driving bills on the agenda. Nearly two-dozen amendments have been filed between the bills as of noon Friday.

But before we look ahead, however, let’s look back 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

Financial assistance for weather-weary farmers a gubernatorial signature away

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13767

Party-line vote moves omnibus agriculture policy bill forward

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13763

Hemp, milk storage among issues addressed in omnibus agriculture policy bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13746

Bill to help more farmers qualify for disaster loans heads to House Floor

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13744

CIVIL LAW

Panel sends omnibus data practices and civil law bill to House Floor

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13770

House panel advances bill to re-establish corrections ombudsman

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13737

Starting Line: Armed forces member, but under 21? This beer could be for you

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13730

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Funding for transition planning services can poise more businesses for success

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13761

Bill could revive, make permanent the Angel Investor Tax Credit program

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13738

Extra money sought for internet infrastructure in underserved parts of state

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13732

EDUCATION

Committee approves omnibus E-12 education policy bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13762

Civics engagement requirement added to omnibus E-12 education policy bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13759

Committee reviews governor’s education funding bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13752

School safety grant program could be extended due to overwhelming demand

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13743

Preschool teachers could be subject to K-12 licensure requirements

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13741

Educator licensing system changes included in omnibus E-12 policy bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13734

ELECTIONS

Omnibus elections bill includes felon voting rights, automatic voter registration

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13753

Monument sought to honor historic voting event in South St. Paul

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13739

ENERGY

Clean Energy First Act has its first act

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13750

Committee approves bill to spur solar energy use on state building projects

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13740

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Greater funding for conservation crop development at U sought

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13768

Changes to drainage law provisions passed by House

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13736

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Collaboration, pilot program could expand the Center for Victims of Torture’s work in MN

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13773

House passes expanded indoor vaping ban

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13769

Bill aims to stop the “pre-K to prison pipeline”

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13766

Increased rates for doula services could improve access for women in need

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13764

Bill could help expand and create new mobile food shelves

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13758

Community action programs could see funding boost

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13754

Burdensome fees to parents of children with a disability could be eliminated

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13748

Funds proposed to help day training, habilitation programs weather impending rate changes

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13729

HIGHER EDUCATION

Saddled with student debt? You may soon have an ombudsperson in your corner

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13760

HOUSING

Bill offering more protections to residents of manufactured home parks heads to House Floor

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/Story/13772

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Local government panel OKs bill to reverse prohibition on local plastic bag bans

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13749

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

House OKs creation of Veterans Suicide Awareness Day

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13735

PUBLIC SAFETY

Statute of limitations for criminal sex crimes could disappear

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13756

‘Brooklyn Larson’s Law’ would increase penalty for causing great harm when violating traffic law

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13745

Ombudsman’s office, more corrections officers called for in omnibus bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13755

Bill would help first responders access emergency contact information

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13751

Transparency, public trust part of push for Peace Officer Excellence Task Force

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13747

Bill would mandate how cops conduct photo lineups

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13731

RECREATION AND TOURISM

Proposal seeks way to reform, better promote state outdoor recreation efforts

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13757

TAXES

Governor’s tax bill 101: What does Walz want?

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13742

Local government aid, long a roller coaster, may climb upward again

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13733

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation division approves catchall policy bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13771

Electric vehicle sales might get a jump start from proposed legislation

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13765