2018 Legislative Session has begun
The Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives began the 2018 Legislative Session yesterday with floor sessions that consisted of mostly approval of procedural resolutions. In addition, the two new members who won the Feb. 12 special elections were also sworn into office yesterday. Sen. Karla Bigham, DFL-Cottage Grove, and Rep. Jeremy Munson, R-Lake Crystal, took the oath of office following the convening of session. The Senate consists of 34 Republicans and 33 Democrats, while the House has 77 Republicans and 57 Democrats.
As the session gets started, expect to see a funding bill be taken up soon in the hopes of getting something to Governor Mark Dayton’s desk in the coming weeks. The Legislature is currently operating on reserve funds after a lengthy legal battle, where Supreme Court justices sided with Gov. Dayton’s line-item veto last session that eliminated legislative funding for the next two years. House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said he is anticipating lawmakers will send a funding bill to Dayton’s desk either this week or early next week. Dayton has said he’s willing to sign a clean bill. A conference committee has been scheduled for this evening at 8:00 p.m. to discuss the legislative budget. Since the Legislature operates on a biennial cycle, bills from the last regular session may be taken up for action this session without re-introduction.
Other things to watch for this session include the upcoming release of the February economic forecast. A legislative leader panel, which included Gov. Dayton, met with members of the media last week to talk about the 2018 legislative session. All legislative leaders and the Governor agreed that the state’s current financial situation is stronger than the November economic forecast prediction of a $188 million deficit.
The release of the February forecast, which is scheduled for Feb. 28, is used by the Legislature and Governor to ensure enacted budgets remain on track and in balance. The four legislative leaders predicted a surplus of between $600 million and $1 billion. Gov. Dayton did not give a specific number, but said he expects a surplus.
The second year of the biennium is traditionally considered a bonding year, when lawmakers work to pass an infrastructure bill for the state of Minnesota. During the legislative leader panel, Gov. Dayton reiterated his support for the $1.5 billion bonding proposal he made in January to fund a number of projects across the state, including $274.5 million for Minnesota State.
House Speaker Daudt said the Legislature passed “the largest bonding bill in state history” during the 2017 session to make up for not passing a bonding bill the previous year, but indicated that he’s open to discussion.
House Minority Leader, Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said a “healthy sized” bonding bill is the single most important thing that can be done to create jobs in Minnesota. Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said he’s interested in a billion dollar bonding bill and then looking at an additional bill that funds maintenance around the state.
Lawmakers have three months to pass legislation before adjournment on May 21, 2018. We will continue to keep you updated throughout the session.
Important Dates
Traditionally, lawmakers take a recess during session for the Easter/Passover holidays so lawmakers can spend time in their districts. This year, the recess is scheduled from March 30-April 8, 2018. Legislative activity may resume at 8 a.m. on April 9.
Wednesday, February 28: February Budget Forecast
Wednesday, March 14: Governor’s State of the State Address
Friday, March 30 - Sunday, April 8: Legislative Break
Monday, May 21: Last Day of Session
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This Week at the Capitol
Wednesday, February 21
8:30 a.m.
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Roger Chamberlain
Agenda: Overview of the Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) 2017.
Presentation by Senate Counsel
Presentation by Department of Revenue
Thursday, February 22
8:15 a.m.
House Education Innovation Policy
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda:
Overview from the MN Department of Education
HF 2737 (Erickson) - Directory of cross-references to statutes governing school district flexibility created.
11:00 a.m.
Senate in Session
1:00 p.m.
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Jenifer Loon
Agenda: Office of Higher Education Updates: Alternative Teacher Preparation Grant Program; Student Teaching Grant Program; and Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
Minnesota Department of Education Updates: Grow Your Own Residency Programs; Agriculture Educator Grants; Teacher Governed School Grants; Career Certification Incentive Revenue Program; Recovery Program Grants; and
CTE Consortium Funding
Lakes Country Cooperative: Northwest Regional Partnership/Statewide Partnership
HF2845
(Loon): Singing based pilot program to improve reading appropriation clarified.
1:00 p.m.
House State Government Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sarah Anderson
Agenda: Legislative Auditor’s Special Review of Employee Gainsharing Program
3:30 p.m.
House in Session
Looking Ahead
Monday, February 26
3:00 p.m.
Senate E-12 Finance
Room: 1100 Minnesota Senate Building
Chair: Sen. Carla Nelson
Agenda: Minnesota school’s telecommunications status and Internet Access Equity Aid program
Tuesday, February 27
1:00 p.m.
Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda:
Presentation on the University of Minnesota Regent Selection Process. The committee will hear a presentation from non-partisan senate staff as well as members of the Regent Candidate Advisory Committee.
Most recent bill introductions related to higher education (compiled by Government Relations team) can be found
HERE
(updated Feb.21, 2018)
