Legislative Update – February 16, 2024
Dear Neighbors,
This session the legislature will come together to craft a local jobs and infrastructure bill, sometimes referred to as a “bonding” or “capital investment” bill, that funds critical infrastructure needs across our state. As a member of the Capital Investment Committee, I have introduced bills to:
- Predesign a new swimming pool and aquatics center in South St. Paul. (HF3359)
- Fund improvements to the water treatment plant in Inver Grove Heights. (HF3225)
- Construct a multiuse water, engineering, and utilities facility in Cottage Grove (HF3163)
- Support water and sewer infrastructure in Newport. (HF3025)
I’ve also authored legislation to preserve the cultural heritage of Croatian immigrants at the Hrvatski Dom Croatian Hall in South St. Paul. (HF3355) which would be funded using Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage lottery funds. These projects have been developed in partnership with our local governments, and I will keep you updated about their status as the year progresses.
Environment Committee Hearing
On Wednesday, the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which I chair, had our first meeting of the 2024 legislative session, which you can watch here. We advanced legislation expanding opportunities to protect native prairie with no opposition and heard a bill that allows pictures of physical game and fish licenses to suffice as proof of license.
Then I presented a bill allocating dedicated funds from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which uses lottery dollars to protect our land, water, soil, air, and wildlife. This bill was crafted by the bipartisan Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) which passed recommendations for 101 projects across the state. You can learn more about the proposals here. The bill passed unanimously and will continue moving through the legislative process.
Child Tax Credit
Nearly 300,000 Minnesota households are eligible for the nation-leading Child Tax Credit the DFL passed last year! With our Child Tax Credit, families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent. Democrats are cutting child poverty by one-third with this rebate.
You can claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return. The $1,750 credit is for each child 17 years old and younger, with no limit on the number of children.
Minnesota families: If you qualify, file your taxes to make sure you claim the benefits available to you. More information, including qualification criteria, is available here: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/child-tax-credit
Other News and Updates
The Star Tribune published a story Thursday with an overview of some issues likely to come up in the Environment and Natural Resources area this session and covers this week’s House Environment Committee Meeting.
On Friday at 9:00am, the Legislative Audit Commission, which I co-chair, is meeting to hear a presentation on the evaluation of the Department of Human Services and its licensing division. You can find a link to the live-streamed hearing and more information here.
Stay in Touch!
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the year. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my Legislative Assistant Sam O'Neill at 651-296-3305 or via email at Samuel.ONeill@house.mn.gov.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative