Friends,
The middle of March is the perfect encapsulation of life in Minnesota: this past Monday we had a metro-wide school-canceling snowstorm and now we see 50-degree weather by the following Thursday. State Hockey Tournament & Springtime as a Minnesotan!
With such a short session, things are moving quickly at the Capitol. Many of the bills I have authored were heard this week and one is hitting the floor on Monday. Read about them below and have a great weekend!
Rep. Smith presenting a bill to committee
My Bills in Committee this Week
Small Business & Family Farm Estate Tax Fairness Bill: House File 3274 is a bill that extends certain estate benefits regarding the continuous ownership of small business and qualified farm property to spouses of the deceased to satisfy a 3-year ownership period. Qualified property can see an increase in the amount exempt. Current law penalizes small businesses and farms owned by families that have had the misfortune of both of their parents passing away within three years of each other.
Expansion of Police Training Center: House File 3155 is a bonding project that will expand the Maple Grove North Public Safety Training Facility. The bill appropriates $4 million to expand the training facility by approximately 17,000 square feet. This includes predesign, design, construction, furnish, and equipping the facility. The facility is currently a training resource for Law Enforcement and open to the public. See video of my testimony on this important proposal here.
Enacting the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts: House File 1609 is a bill to modernize Minnesota's laws with regards to Notaries. Bringing Minnesota's notary laws in line with international standards. It will introduce a web-based notary system to Minnesota. This will allow a Minnesota notary to serve as a notary for international transactions, an increasingly important factor.
Rep. Smith presenting his bill to the Capital Investment Committee along
with the support of local law enforcement
Business Organization Bill on Floor Monday
On Monday, I will be presenting one of my bills on the House Floor. The bill, HF 2764, will modernize our business organization laws, making them more in line with that of Delaware where many businesses are incorporated passed another committee this week. Delaware is the national leader in business law and it will help to make Minnesota a more attractive place for companies to form and expand into.
Rep. Smith meets with constituents in his office
Federal ADA Lawsuit Abuse Reform
This week I spoke with Congressman Erik Paulsen about Congress' response to the abuse of ADA lawsuits that many small businesses in Minnesota are facing. Over the last few years, I have authored multiple new laws that have stopped unscrupulous lawyers from misusing Minnesota law; however, they have used the federal law to continue harassing businesses. Congressman Paulsen confirmed the House is working on a fix to this issue and a bill should be forthcoming to fix the problem
Rep. Smith visits with constituents outside his office
Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am honored to serve you at the Capitol. If you are going to be at or around the Capitol, please stop by or schedule a meeting. My email address is Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, phone number 651-296-5502, and by mail: 375 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis