Greetings from the Floor,
Conference committees continued to meet this week to discuss differences between the House and Senate on major budget bills. The general trend this week has been for the conference committees to adopt same and similar provisions between the House and Senate. Joint targets (budget targets agreed to by the Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader) have not been set, but I’m hearing progress on those will be made by early next week (the Tax target was set today at $1.15 billion – the House position was $1.3 billion and the Senate position was $900 million).
Bills passed off the House floor this week were as follows:
HF 809: Prohibit the use of Medical Assistance funds for abortions
HF 812: Require licensure for facilities that perform abortions
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These were the most controversial bills of the week. Both bills were passed by the Legislature during the 2011-12 session, and vetoed by Gov. Dayton. The bills passed largely along party lines this year, although a few members on both the DFL and GOP sides crossed the aisle with their votes. This is a very emotional and personal matter, and why I feel women need to be able to make the best decisions for themselves with their families and doctors. Outside entities and institutions should not make these decisions for women. Also, HF 812 would require health care professionals who work at these facilities to register with the Department of Health; this information would then be public and cause a serious public safety concern.
HF 1712: Modifies collaborative practices between dental hygienists and dental assistants
SF 341: Allows hospitals owned and operated by governmental entities to invest hospital funds in securities
SF 562: Establishes additional minimal standards for health care providers to treat children with Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention services
HF 859: Technical policy changes for the Department of Transportation
HF 985: Freezes current case law around the responsibility of a landowner to not be liable for injury to a trespasser
HF 1118: Allows a purchaser of a condo or townhome to cancel the purchase agreement via electronic communication
HF 1226: Technical policy changes for the Department of Revenue
HF 1538: Modifies the process for condo and townhome associations to file suit for construction defect claims
HF 1542: Clarifies process for suits against businesses for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act
HF 1702: Allows for children over age 10 to be appointed public attorneys
The Capital Investment Bill has yet to receive much attention in the House. The Senate and governor have shown a desire to pass a Capital Investment Bill this year. The Senate has last year’s bill that did not become law ready to go. However, like a Tax Bill, the Capital Investment Bill must originate in the House. I have heard some indication that the House Majority is showing more interest in passing a Capital Investment Bill. At the same time, I’ve heard that members of the House Majority would like to see a Tax Bill passed before a Capital Investment Bill. It seems as though these two issues may again be linked together in final session negotiations, and resolution will likely come at the end of session. I’ll continue fighting for projects in our area like the Moorhead underpass, Clay County resource recovery facility and improvements to MSUM.
Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,
Ben