STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FOURTH SESSION
COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Tim Wilkin, Chairman of the Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee, called the thirteenth meeting to order at 12:35 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Clerk noted the roll.
Members present:
WILKIN, Tim, Chair
DAVIDS, Greg
GAZELKA, Paul, Vice-Chair
GUNTHER, Bob
HAMILTON, Rod
HOWES, Larry
KOHLS, Paul
PEPPIN, Joyce
POWELL, Duke
SEVERSON, Dan
SIMPSON, Dean
SODERSTROM, Judy
VANDEVEER, Ray
ZELLERS, Kurt
ATKINS, Joe
CLARK, Karen
FRITZ, Patti
GOODWIN, Barb
JAROS, Mike
LIEBLING, Tina
LOEFFLER, Diane
MOE, Frank
MULLERY, Joe
RUKAVINA, Tom
SAILER, Brita
SERTICH, Tony
No members were excused
A quorum was present.
HF405 (Meslow) Freedom to Breathe Act of 2005 established requiring persons to refrain from smoking in certain areas including places of employment, public transportation, bars, and restaurants.
Rep. Wilkin moved that HF405 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Civil Law Committee.
Reps. Meslow and Latz presented HF405.
Rep. Wilkin moved to adopt the H0405A17 amendment to HF405.
The motion prevailed. The amendment was adopted.
Testifying on behalf of HF405:
Dr. Richard Lussky, Medical Director, Hennepin County Medical Center.
Dr. Patrick Wright, Pulmonary Disease Specialist, Minnesota Lung Center.
Dr. Anne Murray, Minnesota Medical Association.
Dr. Stephen Hecht, American Cancer Society Research Professor.
Marc Manley, Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Pat McKone, American Lung Association.
Joe Powers, Owner, Canadian Honker Restaurant and Catering.
Testifying against HF405:
Jim Farrell, Executive Director, MN Licensed Beverage Association.
Dave Siegel, CEO, Hospitality MN Association.
Ken Rockler, MN Wine, Beer & Spirits; MN Bowling Proprietors Association.
Ryan Pacyga, Minnesotans against Smoking Bans.
James Algeo, Veteran.
Mark Wernimont, Small Business Owner.
Sue Jeffers, Owner, Stub ‘n’ Herb’s bar in Minneapolis.
Rep. Wilkin renewed his motion that HF405, as amended, be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Civil Law Committee.
The motion did not prevail.
Rep. Zellers moved that the minutes from the meeting of March 1, 2005 be approved.
The motion prevailed.
The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
REP. TIM WILKIN, CHAIR
Robert Freeman
Committee Legislative Assistant