Push to second deadline
This Thursday, March 29, is the second legislative deadline upon which committees much act favorably on bills, or companion bills, that met first deadline in the other body. Similar to last week, committees will meet, recess, and reconvene in the evening to complete their agendas. Starting Friday, the legislature will be on break in observance of the Easter and Passover holidays and will return on Monday, April 9.
State Contracts
This morning, the Senate too up a bill and passed that would ratify the state contracts for public employees, which includes IFO and the Minnesota State Administrator Plan. This action follows a months-long debate over the merits and viability of the contracts, which were rejected by a legislative panel on a party-line vote last October. Specifically, Rep. Marion O’Neill (R-Maple Lake), who chairs the panel, said she has not received sufficient financial data to support the proposed pay increases of 2% and 2.25%. In one of the earliest floor sessions this year, DFL House members moved to ratify the contracts alongside approval of legislative funding, but the motion failed.
The House will review the same bill on Thursday afternoon in the State Government Finance Committee. Additionally, the committee will consider a bill, authored by Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa), that would limit public employee unions from requiring political contributions and further prohibits that any money received as dues be used for political expenditures. Lastly, the bill disallows public employers from having payroll deductions for employees’ political giving. Another bill, authored by Rep. O’Neill, would require the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) to create a uniform performance appraisal system with three categories for employees that either exceed, meet, or do not meet expectations. This bill, which will be heard in the same committee on Thursday, further stipulates that no employee who did not meet expectations may receive a raise the following year.
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This Week at the Capitol
Monday, March 26
9:00 a.m.
Subcommittee on Workplace Safety and Respect
Room: Capitol 120
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda:
Expert Testimony:
Steven Smith, Nichols Kaster
Ellen Sampson, formerly with Stinson Leonard Street
Tina Marisam, University of Minnesota Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action office
Laura Kushner, League of Minnesota Cities
Kiesha Mayes, UnitedHealth Group
Emma Denny, Halunen Law Firm
Kelly Jeanetta, Kelly A. Jeanetta Law Firm, LLC
Minnesota Management and Budget testifying on the January report "Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy and Procedures Report"
Attachments
10:15 a.m.
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Jim Knoblach
Agenda:
Discussion regarding Governor's supplemental budget recommendations (Commissioner Frans and MMB staff will appear before the committee);
Overview of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (Commissioner Tingerthal and MHFA staff will appear before the Committee)
HF2739 (Hertaus): Wayzata; U.S. Highway 12 designated as Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highway.
HF2908 (Wills): Rosemount; U.S. Highway 52 designated as Warrant Office Dennis A. Groth Memorial Bridge.
HF2967 (Lohmer): Collection of information on the connection between pornography and sex trafficking required, and authorized penalty assessment expanded to include additional crimes.
HF3232 (O'Neill): Solar energy incentive program modified.
HF3371 (Fenton): Criminal penalties established for peace officers who have sexual relations with persons in custody.
11:00 a.m.
Senate in Session
1:00 p.m.
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy
Room: 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Sen. Jeremy R. Miller
Agenda:
S.F. 2064-Draheim: Accessibility requirements for public buildings modification.
S.F. 3580-Bakk: Taconite assistance area definition modification; taconite economic development fund use clarification and 2018 distribution transfer authorization.
S.F. 3773-Miller: Extended employment rules effective date delay.
S.F. 3630-Dibble: Workers compensation court of appeals judges salary basis determination adjustment
3:00 p.m.
Senate E-12 Finance
Room: 1100 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Sen. Carla J. Nelson
Agenda:
S.F. 3125-Dahms: Extended time to pupils enrolled in career and technical education courses expansion.
S.F. 3335-Ruud: Online learning providers requirement to generate online learning aid for courses offered to nonpublic pupils authorization and appropriation.
S.F. 3516-Nelson: Voluntary prekindergarten participants to be served through a mixed delivery of services requirement.
S.F. 2398-Dziedzic: Project SUCCESS grant authorization and appropriation
3:30 p.m.
House in Session
Tuesday, March 27
8:30 a.m.
Senate Local Government
Room: 1100 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Sen. Dan D. Hall
Agenda:
H.F. 1975-Koran: Water tank service contracts bidding exception modification.
S.F. 2783-Koran: Public contracts progress payments and release of retainage within a certain time period requirement.
SF 2783 A-5 (PDF)
S.F. 3525-Jasinski: Metropolitan airports commission (MAC) political subdivision compensation limit exemption.
S.F. 3399-Hall: Uniform municipal contracting law contract ranges increase.
S.F. 3003-Anderson, B.: Adjutant general authority clarification.
S.F. 1274-Bakk: City and town historical societies use of city and town expenditures authorization.
S.F. 3297-Wiger: St. Paul McCarron\'s treatment process improvements project design-build process authorization
10:15 a.m.
House Agriculture Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agenda:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) presentation on supplemental budget recommendations and update on MDA programming.
HF2888 (Backer) Mental health counseling for farm families and farm business operators funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF3255 (Swedzinski) Mental health counseling funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF2896 (Poppe) Mental health counseling and advocate services funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF3515 (Poppe) Farmers' Legal Action Group grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
10:15 a.m.
House Government Operations and Elections Policy
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Tim O'Driscoll
Agenda:
HF3611 (Matt Grossell): Law enforcement agencies required to issue firearms to peace officers.
HF4169 (Joe Schomacker):Nurse Licensure Compact created, and money appropriated.
HF3823 (Joe Schomacker): Minnesota Health Policy Commission established, and money appropriated.
HF3445 (Ron Kresha): Rulemaking modified.
HF3018 (Matt Bliss): Task Force on Charitable Gambling Taxation established, and money appropriated.
HF2389 (Glenn Gruenhagen): Alternative pain management pilot program established, and evaluation of pilot program required.
HF4114 (Tim Miller): Compensation to businesses provided for loss of business opportunity from sale and closure of biomass energy plant, account created, and money transferred.
HF3735 (Mary Franson): Wells and borings licensure and registration requirements modified, and health commissioner directed to amend rules.
1:00 p.m.
House State Government Finance
Room:b10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sarah Anderson
Agenda:
HF2722 (Jenifer Loon): Address; publication of home address for registered businesses prohibited, and availability specified.
HF2902 (Joe Schomacker): Program evaluation duties transferred from the management and budget commissioner to the Legislative Budget Office.
HF2809 (Matt Grossell): Emergency operations and continuity of government provisions amended; and adoption of emergency operations and continuity of government plan by the legislative branch, judicial branch, and state constitutional officers required.
HF3721 (Sarah Anderson): Contingent fee arrangements with outside counsel prohibited.
HF3198 (Barb Haley): Legislative auditor requested to study and report on disparities in health insurance rates, and money appropriated.
Additional bills may be added to the agenda
1:00 p.m.
Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections
Room: 1200 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer
** Committee will recess and reconvene in room 1100 at 6:00pm**
** Bills may be added or removed to meet deadlines**
Agenda:
S.F. 3325-Koran: Ranked-choice voting political subdivision establishment or enforcement prohibition.
S.F. 3754-Kiffmeyer: Exclusive representative fair share fee charge to nonmembers prohibition.
S.F. 3764-Kiffmeyer: State agencies dedication of portion of information technology expenditures to cyber security enhancements requirement.
S.F. 3658-Kiffmeyer: Fiscal notes effective dates and legislative budget office provisions modifications.
S.F. 3512-Utke: Acquisition of real property in fee approval requirement.
S.F. 3300-Ingebrigtsen: Ignition interlock requirement for repeat driving impaired offenders; driving without a license after DWI-related offense not a payable offense.
S.F. 2857-Ruud: Small business environmental-improvement loan program borrower and loan conditions modifications; disposal facility certificates rules modification requirement.
S.F. 3705-Johnson, M.: Red River basin commission recognition, membership, duties, and appropriation.
S.F. 2979-Mathews: Child welfare workforce stability study; Minn-LInk study; child welfare training system modification; child welfare caseload study and appropriation.
S.F. 2777-Westrom: Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans commission provisions modification
1:00 p.m.
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Jenifer Loon
Agenda:
HF3529
- (McDonald): Charter school property exemption expanded.
HF3592
- (Pugh): Minnetonka; Independent School District No. 276 fund transfer authorized.
HF3879
- (Lee): Summer and after-school STEM programming funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF3001
- (Poston): Service cooperatives included in definition of governmental units for purposes of joint powers.
HF4117
- (Urdahl): Government and citizenship credit required for high school graduation.
3:00 p.m.
House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: HF3985 (Daniels): Minnesota State Colleges and Universities required to provide affordable textbooks for a percentage of courses, and report required.
HF3852 (Zerwas): State grant provisions amended.
HF3899 (Barr, R.): University of Minnesota resident undergraduate tuition relief provided.
HF3638 (Nornes): Minnesota State College and Universities Board of Trustees funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF2574 (Dean, M.): Rare diseases advisory council established.
3:00 p.m.
House Capital Investment
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Dean Urdahl
Agenda:
HF3796 (Jenifer Loon): School safety facility grans authorized for school districts to enhance safety for students and staff, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF2842 (Sandy Layman): Itasca County funding provided for radio infrastructure, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF2866 (Sandy Layman): Deer River; sewer and water system improvement funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF3760 (Jean Wagenius): Public school district grant program to install solar energy systems established, and money appropriated.
3:00 p.m.
Senate E-12 Policy
Room: 1100 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Sen. Eric R. Pratt
Agenda:
S.F. 3572-Chamberlain: Dyslexia screening by school districts requirement.
S.F. 3030-Hoffman, J.: Girls in Action program appropriation.
S.F. 3013-Eichorn: Early learning scholarship program child eligibility and administration modification; targeted home visiting grant program for high-risk populations establishment; appropriation.
S.F. 2703-Anderson, P.: Sanneh Foundation programs funding increase and appropriation
Wednesday, March 28
10:15 a.m.
House Government Operations and Elections Policy
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Tim O'Driscoll
Agenda:
HF2924 (Marion O'Neill): State employee group insurance proposed changes required to be submitted separately to the Legislative Coordinating Commission.
HF3171 (Debra Kiel): Health commissioner required to convene the older adult social isolation working group, report required, and money appropriated.
HF3606 (Drew Christensen): Counties, cities, and Towns prohibited from regulating auxiliary containers.
HF3536 (Joe McDonald): Physician Assistant Advisory Council member term limits eliminated.
HF3873 (Tony Albright): Workers' Compensation Advisory Council recommendations adopted, and Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals quorum requirements modified.
HF3672 (Sheldon Johnson): Credit for past military service modified.
1:00 p.m.
House State Government Finance
Room:b10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sarah Anderson
Agenda:
HF1007* (Jeff Howe): State agency criteria required to be met before suing a local government.
HF3963 (Rod Hamilton): Department of Agriculture/Department of Health Laboratory Building funding provided to correct safety, energy, and operational efficiency problems; bonds issued; and money appropriated.
HF4035 (Tony Jurgens): Hastings; City Hall preservation and rehabilitation funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF4105 (John Poston): Wadena Armory funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF4109 (Josh Heintzeman): Brainerd Armory funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF3217 (Bob Loonan): Pari-mutuel horse racing provisions relating to licensing and regulation modified.
Additional bills may be added to the agenda
*HF 1007 will be heard pending re-referral
1:00 p.m.
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Jenifer Loon
Agenda: State Academies Bonding Requests
HF2378
- (Baker): Music education online access for children and students in rural Minnesota grant program created, report required, and money appropriated.
HF3600
- (Loon): Legislative auditor requested to compare revenue generation and spending between school districts and charter schools, and report required.
HF3870
- (Peterson): Voluntary prekindergarten participants required to be served through a mixed delivery of services.
3:00 p.m.
House Capital Investment
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Dean Urdahl
Agenda:
HF3298 (Jenifer Loon): Eden Prairie; SouthWest Transit bus garage and maintenance facility funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF53 (Sheldon Johnson): St. Paul; Wakan Tipi Center funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF3222 (Barb Haley): Wabasha; National Eagle Center and riverfront area improvement funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated
3:00 p.m.
Senate E-12 Finance
Room: 1100 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Sen. Carla J. Nelson
Agenda: S.F. 2748-Pratt: Teacher license revocation, suspension, denial, and teacher discharge grounds expansion; mandatory reporting expansion.
3:00 p.m.
House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Nornes
Agenda:
HF3817 (Knoblach) - Minnesota State Colleges and Universities required to transfer its central office to the campus of a college or university governed by the board.
HF3051 (Nornes) - Loan forgiveness appropriations limited.
HF3415 (Nornes) - Notice to a sexual assault victim required to include information about the availability of legal advocacy services.
HF3900 (Nornes) - Higher education policy provisions modified.
Thursday, March 29
10:15 a.m.
House Agriculture Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agenda: Informational hearing on foreign animal disease preparedness.
Presentation from Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Presentation from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
Presentation from the University of Minnesota
Presentation from former MDA Commissioner Gene Hugoson
Presentation from Dr. Mike Eisenmenger
Presentation from Mark Luecke, CEO, Medgene Labs
Presentation from Mitch Abrahamsen, Recombinetics
10:15 a.m.
House Government Operations and Elections Policy
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Tim O'Driscoll
Agenda:
HF3153 (Bob Loonan): Local recycling programs matching funds requirement modified.
HF3210 (Bob Loonan): County authorization for storm and sanitary sewer systems modified.
HF3338 (Brian Johnson): Security screening systems added to ionizing radiation-producing equipment, and rulemaking authorized.
HF3142 (Dan Fabian): All-terrain vehicles allowed in certain state campgrounds.
HF2023 (Ilhan Omar): Spoken language health care interpreter registry system established, and money appropriated.
1:00 p.m.
House State Government Finance
Room:b10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sarah Anderson
Agenda:
HF3518* (Marion O'Neill): State pay increases for state personnel required to be tied to performance.
HF3723* (Steve Drazkowski): Exclusive representatives prohibited from requiring political contributions, and state prohibited from facilitating payroll deductions for political purposes.
HF4067* (Marion O'Neill): Labor agreements and compensation plans ratified.
HF4084 (Brian Daniels): Minnesota State Academies track funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF4087 (Brian Daniels): Minnesota State Academies dormitory renovation funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF4088 (Brian Daniels): Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf security corridor funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF4146 (Brian Daniels): Minnesota State Academies asset preservation funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
Additional bills may be added to the agenda
*HF 3518, 3723 and 4067 will be heard pending re-referral
March 30 – April 8
Legislative Break
