The Snapshot provides constituents with a glimpse of major pieces of legislation that was discussed in committee(s) during the previous week. For more in-depth coverage refer to the House website, or for a full snapshot report click week-in-review-ending-feb-13-2009.
WEEK IN REVIEW Ending Feb 13, 2009
AGRICULTURE, RURAL ECONOMIES AND VA AFFAIRS
Monday was dairy day in Ag Finance, and later in the week, there was continuing testimony on the University of Minnesota 2009 agriculture special appropriation bill from commodity and farm groups. Ag Policy heard from the DNR and MDA about invasive species control.
VA Affairs: A resolution on POW-MIAs; and a bill extending a property tax exclusion for spouses of deceased disabled veterans was heard.
CULTURAL AND OUTDOOR RESOURCES FINANCE
The Department of Finance gave an overview of the Governor’s budget recommendations, and his proposal for allocating the new constitutional amendment revenues.
EDUCATION – EARLY CHILDHOOD
The Early Childhood Education Committee toured New Horizons Academy on Rice Street in St. Paul and also heard bills to clarify Head Start funding.
EDUCATION — K-12 POLICY & OVERSIGHT
The committee heard about the Governor’s proposed college of education reforms, his State of Minnesota Mid-Career Alternative Route to Teaching (SMART) proposal and his proposed funding for Math & Science Teacher Academies, as well as from the Science Museum of Minnesota regarding the museum’s teacher professional development.
EDUCATION – K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE
The House K-12 Finance Committee heard the New Minnesota Miracle (HF 2) and considered the bill for possible inclusion in the committee’s eventual Omnibus K-12 Finance Budget Bill, discussed current assessment costs and learned more about the related budget request from the Governor, as well as other potential options.
The committee also heard HF 780 (Dittrich), which prohibits the payment of management costs from Permanent school trust land proceeds. Instead, the bill provides a General Fund appropriation to cover management costs.
ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY
Armed with a motto, “Compost happens,” and some real compost, Rep. Gardner urged support for HF 403, which requires that any plastic bag containing yard waste that’s delivered to a yard waste facility in the Metro area must meet accepted standards for compostable plastics.
ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE
Testimony and member questioning continued from last week’s hearing on (HF 18 – Interim Financing for Outdoor Heritage Fund.) Rep. Dill offered an amendment that precludes use of the funds for hiring an Executive Director. On the committee’s first roll call of the year, the bill passed 12-5.
GAME, FISH AND FORESTRY
The committee heard a bill (HF 436) authored by Rep. Drazkowski that reinstates a deer hunting season in Southeast Minnesota. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) originally established the season, and then later changed it. The author criticized DNR’s management decision to change a season that hunters like.
The Committee also received and critically examined a DNR report on “Uncased Firearms” in anticipation of hearing HF 128, which allows hunters to transport uncased rifles, shotguns and crossbows in their vehicles if they are unloaded.
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
The Committee heard and defeated Rep. Emmer’s Voter ID bill, HF 57. The bill would have required voters to show a state-issued photo ID before voting. Testifiers indicated the measure would have made it more difficult for the elderly and students to vote.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES POLICY & OVERSIGHT
People over age 19 who were adopted and wanted to obtain access to their original birth certificate would be able to under a bill (HF 328- Murphy, E.), passed by the Committee on Thursday. The Governor vetoed a similar bill last year (Ch. 330).
The Committee also passed a bill (HF 550 – Ruud) that would create a statewide assessment and response plan to reduce the rate of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in Minnesota by 2014.
HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH
The Housing and Public Health Committee heard testimony by health-related boards, such as the Board of Nursing and the Board of Pharmacists.
The Committee heard and passed a bill by Rep. Kalin (H.F. 680), which creates a framework for using federal stimulus funds for energy and weatherization improvement projects on public buildings and homes. The bill is a product of the Green Jobs Task Force and requires the Office of Economic Security to develop an action plan for use of the funds in coordination with other state agencies.
LABOR & CONSUMER PROTECTION – MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES
The Labor & Consumer Protection Committee passed the Homestead-Lender Mediation Act, (HF 354 – Hilstrom) which requires that before lenders initiate foreclosure proceedings, they must first engage in mediation with the homeowner.
TAXES
The Tax Committee continued an overview of the Governor’s tax recommendations this week.