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Health and Human Services

SEVENTH MEETING

2007-2008 Regular Session - Thursday, February 1, 2007

STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

MINUTES


Representative Paul Thissen, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 2:17 P.M. on, Thursday, February 1, 2007 in Room 200 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

THISSEN, Paul (Chair)
FRITZ, Patti(Vice-Chair)
ABELER, Jim
ANDERSON, Bruce
BROD, Laura
BUNN, Julie
EMMER, Tom
FINSTAD, Brad
GOTTWALT, Steve
HAMILTON, Rod
HUNTLEY, Tom
LIEBLING, Tina
LOEFFLER, Diane
MURPHY, Erin
NORTON, Kim
OTREMBA, Mary Ellen
RUUD, Maria
THAO, Cy
TSCHUMPER, Ken
WALKER, Neva

A quorum was present.

Rep. Murphy moved that the minutes of January 30, 2007 be adopted. MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Thissen announced the referral of the following bills to the Mental Health Division:

HF 416 Brynaert Mental health certified peer specialist program established.

HF 480 Ruud Minnesota Family Investment Program children's mental health pilot project authorized, and money appropriated.

Rep. Huntley moved that HF 305 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor.

HF 305 (Huntley) Freedom to Breathe Act of 2007 adopted establishing public policy to protect employees and the public from hazards of secondhand smoke and prohibiting persons from smoking in specified areas.

Rep. Huntley offered an oral amendment:

Page 6, delete lines 19 - 21.

THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Huntley and Rep. Severson presented HF 305.

Speaking in favor of HF 305 were:

Pat McKone, President, Minnesota Smoke Free Coalition
Senior Director, Tobacco Control Programs and Policy, American Lung Association of MN
Brian Studenski, hospitality worker from St. Cloud
Willma Jean Schwagel, hospitality worker from Avon
Bonnie Rose Mintz, SEIUMN member
Pong Xiong
Jim Reiland, veteran
Dr. Richard Hurt, Mayo Clinic
Sandy Beitsch

Speaking in opposition of HF305 were:

Charles Sinclair, Tavern League of Minnesota
Mike McFarland, Bowling Proprietors, Paul Bunyon's Bowl
Steve Watson
Charlie Brannon, Rochester
John Alexander, Minneapolis
Sue Jeffers, Minneapolis
Martin Duffy
Dick Kolb, Osseo-Maple Grove American Legion
Mark Wernimont

Rep. Otremba moved the A07-0011 amendment. A division was requested.

9 Aye, 10 Naye

THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.

Rep. Anderson, B. moved the H0305DE1 amendment. A division was requested.

8 Aye, 11 Naye

THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.

Rep. Brod moved the H0305A6 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.

Rep. Huntley moved that HF305, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Rep. Hamilton requested a roll call vote on HF305. The results were as follows:

AYES NAYS EXCUSED

THISSEN, Paul ANDERSON, Bruce ABELER, Jim
BUNN, Julie BROD, Laura THAO, Cy
FRITZ, Patti EMMER, Tom
GOTTWALT, Steve FINSTAD, Brad
HUNTLEY, Tom HAMILTON, Rod
LIEBLING, Tina OTREMBA, Mary Ellen
LOEFFLER, Diane
MURPHY, Erin
NORTON, Kim
RUUD, Maria
TSCHUMPER, Ken
WALKER, Neva



On a vote of 12 AYES and 6 NAYS THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 P.M.


Rep. Paul Thissen, CHAIR


Urszula Gryska
Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
House TV Video:
View Archive

04:26 - Gavel.
04:54 - HF305 (Huntley) Freedom to Breathe Act of 2007 adopted establishing public policy to protect employees and the public from hazards of secondhand smoke and prohibiting persons from smoking in specified areas.
Runs 2 hour, 27 minutes.


HF305 (Huntley) Freedom to Breathe Act
Members of the public wishing to testify should contact Jen McNertney, committee administrator, at (651) 296-3244 or jen.mcnertney@house.mn