OSC Legislative Update: April 12, 2019

Legislative Update

April 12 - 2019

Well, the legislature made it to the spring break, so now legislators will return back to their districts for a week, to hear from their constituents about is most important to them. Leadership from both parties will likely be pushing their own caucus priorities and advocates will be stepping up their efforts to pass or defeat certain legislation.

The House and Senate were both busy this week moving key omnibus finance bills through the process, in what will eventually be the set up for budget negotiations. Stark differences remain between the DFL House, GOP Senate and Governor Walz.

Two major bipartisan events took place on Tuesday. The first was the 9th annual Minnesota Congressional Hotdish Competition in Washington DC. Rep. Betty McCollum picked up her 2nd win with a dish called "Hotdish A-Hmong Friends". Rep. Betty McCollum Wins 9th Annual Minnesota Congressional Hotdish Competition

The second event took place in St. Paul at the biennial legislative " Ranger Party " held at Mancini's, on West 7th. This event is a chance for legislators, staff, lobbyists, and other capitol regulars to gather for a night of fun but this year had added meaning, as funds were raised for the Tom Rukivina Scholarship fund.

Governor's Office

This morning, Governor Walz signed the H ands-Free bill (passed by both the House and Senate earlier in the week), making it illegal to use a cell phone while driving - "in all but rare instances". Your first offense will come with a $50 fine, but the penalty jumps higher for repeat offenses. The new law takes effect in August.

Senate sends hands-free bill to Walz

In a news release issued last night, his office announced that Governor Walz has signed Emergency Executive Order 19-30, "declaring a peacetime state of emergency in the State of Minnesota....ordering the Minnesota National Guard to provide assistance and emergency relief services as needed for stranded motorists across the state. The release highlighted Freeborn, Marshall, Mower, and Steele Counties as places drivers could encounter dangerous conditions".

Gov. Walz signs Emergency Executive Order for storm affected counties

House Omnibus Bills

The House has now moved most of its budget bills out of committee and out of Ways and Means. This sets up the floor debates that will take place the week after break. Below are the most recent version of bills that are available. The Capitol Investment bill is still in committee.

Agriculture HF2200		Judiciary HF2705
Spreadsheet Language		Spreadsheet Language
Capitol Investment HF2529		Legacy HF653
Spreadsheet		Spreadsheet Language
Early Childhood		Public Safety HF2792
HHS Items Spreadsheet Education Spreadsheet		Spreadsheet Language
Education Finance HF2400		State Government HF1935
Aid Spreadsheet Tax Spreadsheet Levy Spreadsheet Language		Spreadsheet Language
Environment Finance HF2209		Taxes HF2125
Spreadsheet Language		Spreadsheet Language
Health & Human Services HF 2414		Transportation HF1555
Spreadsheet Language (warning: this is over 1,000 pages; do not attempt to read when tired, unless sleep is your goal in doing so)		Spreadsheet Language
Jobs & Economic Development HF2208		Veterans & Military Affairs HF2086
Spreadsheet Language		Spreadsheet Language

Senate Omnibus Bills

The Senate committees released their omnibus budget bills this week but unlike the House, most bills still need to go through Finance and Taxes (when applicable), before they are ready for a floor vote.

Agriculture SF2226		Jobs & Economic Development SF2611
Spreadsheet Language		Spreadsheet Language
Capitol Investment		Judiciary SF802
Not Released		Spreadsheet Language
Commerce SF2474		Legacy SF836
Spreadsheet Language		Spreadsheet
Education Finance SF7		State Government SF2227
Aid Spreadsheet Levy Spreadsheet Language		Spreadsheet Language
Energy and Commerce Finance SF1692		Taxes
Spreadsheet Language		Not Released
Environment Finance SF2314		Transportation SF1093
Spreadsheet Language		Spreadsheet Language
Health & Human Services SF2452 SF92		Veterans & Military Affairs SF2358
Health Spreadsheet Health Language Human Service Spreadsheet Human Service Language		Spreadsheet Language

Trump is visiting Minnesota

President Trump will be making his first visit of an official nature on Monday (as opposed to a campaign rally). This is sure to activate both his base and the opposition, equally. He will be visiting a business in Burnsville.

Anytime a President visits it is newsworthy, but this President tends to make a little more news than most, so we'll see. Given that he is visiting on tax day, I would expect much of his talk to be about taxes... and maybe - given her national news coverage of late - we might also hear some mention of MN 5th CD Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar.

Trump Visit

Top Legislative News

A few bills are still working their way through final committee hearings. Here are some that were in the news this week:

Prescription Drugs

Increased oversight of pharmacy benefit managers aimed at improved transparency, lowered costs

Fair Repair

Want to fix your own iPhone? Minnesota could be first to pass right to repair laws

Driving

'Freedom to Drive Bill' Passes in the House

Conference committee strikes agreement on distracted driving bill

Minnesota House votes to allow driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants

Renters' Rights

Renter's rights bill passes Legislative hurdle

What's Next?

Next week will be pretty much "radio silence" at the Capitol, as legislators take a well deserved Spring/Easter/Passover break. But that doesn't necessarily mean "no work", since most will spend this time in their districts, hearing from their constituents.

When they return on the 23rd, bills will begin to see full floor votes in both bodies (get your popcorn ready for the debates that will surely ensue) ... and then the Conference Committees will take over, to hash out what are
sure to be MANY remaining differences.

May 1, the next legislative deadline, will be the last day for both bodies to pass all major finance bills and appoint conference committees.

To all my regular readers there will be no newsletter next week, just a heads up. I am always pleasantly surprised when people say they read this, but none the less thank you!