Dear Neighbors,
The 2018 Legislative Session began on Tuesday, and I wanted to share a few of the bills that I am working on and introducing this first week of the legislative session.
Now more than ever is the time to work on advancing common sense gun violence prevention bills. I was inspired by the energy so many of you brought to the halls of the Capitol for the Protect Minnesota rally to end gun violence yesterday. That is why I am doing everything I can to push these bills I am co-authoring with my colleagues in the House of Representatives:
HF 2891 (Murphy, E.) - Health Department allowed to collect information on firearm ownership. This bill would allow Minnesota to collect de-identified data on gun ownership for the sole purpose of public health research and epidemiologic investigation.
HF 1605 (Pinto) - Law enforcement and family members enabled to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing firearms if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others. This is a gun violence prevention bill that would help family members and law enforcement to assist individuals who may be a danger to themselves or others.
HF 1669 (Pinto) - Criminal background check required for firearm transfers. If you are selling a gun to someone, you should be responsible to run a criminal background check on that individual.
Other bills I’m working on -
Protections for student renters: Legislation that provides leasing protections for student renters, you can read about that bill here.
Criminal penalties for police officers who commit sexual misconduct: Legislation that would establish criminal penalties for police officers who have sexual relations with persons in custody. I believe that no one can actually consent, while in the custody of a law enforcement official. The goal of this legislation is to close the loophole described here.
Punishing criminal acts against peaceful protesters: Legislation that would increase penalties for offenses against protesters. The goal is to help prevent attacks on protesters, such as the individual who drove into protesters in Charlottesville, North Carolina.
Ensuring voter education and participation: Legislation that would require landlords to provide tenants with information on voter registration. More people participating in democracy is the goal.
Environmental Justice Legislative Commission: Legislation that would create an Environmental Justice Legislative Commission. The goal of this commission would be to strive for the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or economic status with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
These are just a few of the new bills I am introducing. In my e-updates, I will try and share a few bills each week that I am either introducing, I am co-authoring, and/or that are important to me and you as my constituents. Please contact me if you have questions at 651-296-4257 or rep.ilhan.omar@house.mn and sign up for my email updates here.
I had a chance to visit with Governor Dayton during his coffee reception for returning legislators this week!