Week in Review: Feb. 4-8

Another busy week in the House, another week closer to spring and to committee deadlines, which were approved during Thursday’s House Floor session. The first deadline, by when committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin, is now five weeks away.

House lawmakers will work to keep pace next week with a full slate of meetings scheduled, beginning with Monday’s House Ways and Means Committee meeting at 9:45 a.m., when six bills are set to be debated. The House is also scheduled to meet in session at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

But before looking too far ahead, 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

Bill proposes additional funds to stem growing struggle for some to access healthy food

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13547

BONDING

State’s colleges and universities seek more than $380 million for capital projects

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13545

CIVIL LAW

A barrier to justice' — advocates push for change in state's definition of sexual harassment

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13566

Bill would extend time limits to establish non-paternity

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13543

House OKs bill allowing homeowners to reject racially restrictive covenants

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13538

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

State’s disaster assistance account is running on empty

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13558

EDUCATION

Auditor's report highlights state's ‘complex and fragmented’ early childhood programming

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13565

Students are never too young to suffer from stress, legislators told

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13561

Bill would increase funds for English language learners

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13557

Special education providers feeling buried by paperwork

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13552

School lunch participation solid, but breakfast program lags

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13546

EMPLOYMENT

Update could help clarify unemployment insurance questions

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13563

Bill to toughen penalties for wage theft advances in House

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13560

State funding could help more people escape cycle of payday loan debt

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13542

ENERGY

Renewable energy storage a potential ‘game changer’ division learns

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13567

Bill would mandate move toward carbon-free electricity by 2050

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13548

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Researchers seeking fast, accurate test to halt spread of chronic wasting disease

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13568

Outdoor heritage bill, appropriation change held over

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13551

FAMILY

Starting Line: Addressing Greater Minnesota’s child care provider shortage

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13540

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Drug cost hikes could be subject to attorney general's review

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13553

Broad approach to prevent elder abuse encouraged by working groups

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13537

HIGHER EDUCATION

Technology the focus Minnesota State’s funding request

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13559

House committee hears pair of bills aimed at helping lessen load of student debt

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13544

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

House panel advances bill giving tax credits to employers who hire veterans

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13549

PUBLIC SAFETY

Bill seeks to provide post-conviction relief extension

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13569

STATE GOVERNMENT

Legislative audit ‘very positive’ for Public Facilities Authority

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13562

Reimbursement authorization sought for disabilities council members

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13556

Committee deadlines for 2019 unveiled

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13541

TAXES

Farmers, business laud tax conformity measures

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13564

Tax-free puppy purchase? Tax exemption for pet adoptions from nonprofit shelters considered

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13555

Mobile home cooperatives could receive tax credit for land under the residence

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13539

TRANSPORTATION

House panel hears bill to reimburse motorists overcharged by much-maligned MNLARS

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13550