Dear Friends,

The second committee deadline has come and gone, which means that most bills must have had a hearing in both the House and the Senate. These deadlines are meant to ensure there is enough time to adequately vet and debate legislation before the end of the legislative session on May 21.

As we head into Easter and Passover week, I’d like to wish to everyone a blessed time of year. This week is for gathering with family and friends connecting with our faith. Next week, the legislature will be on break for Easter and Passover, returning on April 9 to begin the final stretch of the session.

Mental health crisis centers

Pension reform

Earlier this week, the Senate passed a landmark reform package to close the state’s unfunded public pension liability gap, which is one of the largest in the nation. The bill closes unfunded pension commitments by implementing a series of benefit reforms, increasing employer and employee contributions, adjusting retiree cost of living adjustments, and with some state funding. The overhaul will save Minnesota $6.1 billion over a 30-year period, $3.4 billion of which is immediate savings.

Ditch mowing

Legislation is moving through the Senate to enact another one-year moratorium on the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) ditch mowing mandate. Last year, legislation was passed that placed a moratorium on MnDOT’s ability to enforce unfavorable restrictions on farmers’ and landowners’ abilities to mow or bale along state highway rights-of-way.

After a series of statewide listening sessions, MnDOT issued a report to the legislature, which did not include substantive policy recommendations. This year’s legislation would enact another one-year moratorium on MnDOT enforcing the ditch mowing rule to allow for further public input and meaningful recommendations for how to move forward.

Fireworks

A bill to legalize the sale of certain fireworks in Minnesota has passed several Senate committees and awaits action by the full body. Currently, Minnesotans head across the border to buy fireworks – most of which are technically illegal in Minnesota. The bill would legalize more types of consumer fireworks and authorize local governments to impose an annual sales permit fee for consumer fireworks. The fate of this bill is uncertain as it has been taken up numerous times in the past, only to be squashed by legislators or the Governor. I’ll keep you updated.

Veterans’ Voices

Legislation to appropriate $50,000 from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund to promote the Veterans’ Voices radio program was passed through committee this week. The Veterans’ Voices radio program is used to educate communities about the experiences of and contributions made by Korean War and Operation Desert Storm Veterans. This type of educational programming is vital for ensuring future generations are aware of the sacrifices made by those who have gone before them. The bill received a favorable committee response and will continue to work its way through the legislative process.

Bonding update

Bill hearings

With it being the second committee deadline, committees have been going strong all week to hear various bills. Two of my bills were heard in the committee this week:

• SF3289 (Transportation Finance & Policy Committee): This bill appropriates $4,500,000 million in fiscal year 2019 for a grant to Rochester to acquire and install a CAT II approach system at the Rochester International Airport. The appropriation would require local matching funds.
• SF2843 (Commerce & Consumer Protection Finance & Policy Committee): This bill relates to credit unions and provides certain parameters by which they may amend their bylaws.

Both bills received a favorable reception from committee members and were laid over for possible inclusion in forthcoming larger transportation- and commerce-related bills.

Visitors at the Capitol