Week in Review: Jan. 19-22

Overviews continued this week with many House committees and divisions spending their time listening to background briefings from the officials and agencies they oversee.

A number of those presentations focused on the impact COVID-19 continues to have on Minnesotans, and the House Education Policy Committee took action on the issue Wednesday by approving HF4, one of the session’s first bills.

It would help students and schools cope with the pandemic through new investments, policy provisions and a modification for general education revenue calculations. The bill now heads to the House Education Finance Committee.

Big-picture overviews are scheduled to continue next week in several meetings and more bills are popping up on agendas as well. However, new items may be added and agendas may change over the weekend, so be sure to check the weekly schedule for any updates.

But before we look ahead, here’s one more look at the last 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

Mental health outreach to farmers expanded during pandemic

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15479

CIVIL LAW
Lawmakers briefed on Guardian ad Litem program, coronavirus-related challenges

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15483

In fighting discrimination, human rights commissioner cites successes — but warns more work to be done

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15467

EDUCATION

MN schools quickly spent COVID relief funds, committee hears

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15484

Proposal aims to help students recover from pandemic-related learning loss

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15480

EMPLOYMENT

Temporary change could alter MN employers’ unemployment tax rates

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15478

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Dry cleaners would have first crack at funding under bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15487

House climate panel considers quickening push to carbon-free energy

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15486

PCA: Greenhouse gas emissions dropping, but not nearly enough

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15472

Environment committee approves 2020 lands bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15471

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

With state's demographics shifting older, permanent council could help focus MN's 'age-friendly' efforts

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15485

Health commissioner: MN on track with vaccination plans, prepping for expansion

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15481

'You can see people under pressure' — pandemic exacerbates behavioral health problems

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15477

COVID-19's impacts on MN health care spending complex – and long-term effects unknown

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15474

Department of Human Services’ work to improve procedures are ongoing

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15470

House panel gets rundown of programs that support young children

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15469

HIGHER EDUCATION

Higher education students share personal experiences, common concerns

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15482

HOUSING

Homelessness result of 'dysfunctional society,' testifiers say

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15476

PUBLIC SAFETY

Progress made in implementing police reform law, testifiers tell lawmakers — but much remains to do

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15490

Lawmakers learn more about prisons’ work to contain coronavirus

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15473

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Greater MN seeking more funding for broadband connections in rural areas

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15475

STATE GOVERNMENT

Governor's emergency powers pose questions that House subcommittee seeks to answer

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15491

House rules committee holds over resolution affirming election results, condemning local and national violence

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15488

AG's office seeks additional $9.8m to meet mission protecting Minnesotans

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15468

TRANSPORTATION

Pandemic having deep impact on state's transportation systems

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15489