Greetings Senate District 5!

Session is moving quickly along here in St. Paul. We’ve already passed first and second deadlines and had our session break. As we barrel quickly towards our May 21st adjournment I wanted to provide you a quick update on legislation I’ve been advancing as well as a few other priorities from our caucus. As always, please stay tuned to my Facebook for updates!

Wild Rice and the MPCA’s Sulfate Standard

This session, I introduced legislation to lift restrictions on mining in Minnesota and keep household water bills low. The bill, SF 2983, is necessary to protect jobs in Northern Minnesota after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) attempted to implement strict new water regulations without compelling scientific justification. The legislation will ensure that the MPCA can’t just reissue a slightly altered version of their water regulations, saving residents and communities across Greater Minnesota millions of dollars.

That legislation was passed out of the Finance Committee on Tuesday.

Flag Island

A few weeks ago I heard from many concerned citizens about Little Pipe Island, also known as Flag Island on Leech Lake. Due to action taken this winter, a controversy with the DNR revolving around veterans’ memorial that had been established on the island. As a result of significant public outcry and our office’s communication with local DNR officials, we were able to reach an agreement to allow the memorial to stay. This issue will be important again in the future, and I look forward to doing everything in my power to ensure the memorial is around to be seen by visitors for years to come.

School Saftey

This past week I joined Several Bemidji-area leaders at a Bemidji High School forum to tackle the cause, and look into solutions to, for school violence.

Service Animals Protection

Prompted by a rise of individuals misrepresenting their pets as service animals, I introduced SF 2646 to establishes penalties for individuals who commit this offense and put real service animals and their owners at risk.

It amazes me that we need this legislation to stop people who are taking advantage of a system intended to aid in the daily life of disabled Minnesotans that rely on the assistance of their service animals. When people misrepresent their animals, they damage the reputation and acceptance of valid service animals and diminish people with disabilities who truly need these animals to assist them. These animals are often untrained and cannot handle challenging public spaces, which poses additional safety risks for customers and businesses.

The bill would make a misrepresentation of a service animal a petty misdemeanor and a $100 fine for the first offense and a misdemeanor for any subsequent offense. If enacted, Minnesota would join a list of 20 states that have passed similar laws.

MNLARS Reform

This session, we’ve already passed a bipartisan compromise bill that will add strict oversight and accountability, as well as additional funding, to fix the failed licensing and vehicle registration system known as MNLARS. The legislation appropriates $9.65 million from existing funds for driver and vehicle services for immediate I.T. related expenses. The bill also includes strict oversight measures, including a quarterly report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and a mechanism for the legislature to shut off all funding if development benchmarks are not met.

The bill requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Minnesota IT Services (MN.IT) officials to submit a proposed timeline, including quarterly benchmarks, for a fully-functional program to the MNLARS Steering Committee by May 15. As the software is developed, the committee must approve any additional quarterly appropriation, provided the quarterly benchmarks are being met.

MNLARS and MN.IT have both been a complete mess for many months, and I’m happy to see this legislation put in the necessary oversight to get this project back on track to relieve the headaches and confusion its caused thousands of Minnesotans.

Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act

Senate Republicans announced a new proposal to prevent elder abuse in long-term care facilities and repair the broken state reporting system that failed thousands of families by leaving serious cases of abuse uninvestigated. The Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act is the final product of hundreds of conversations with Minnesotans across the state who experienced abuse, family members of vulnerable adults, and care providers.

The bill includes increased oversight and accountability of the Office of Health Facility Complaints, stricter abuse prevention measures, a new streamlined and transparent complaint processes, and additional protections for consumers against misleading marketing practices.

Even once these reforms are adopted the legislature will continue to search for additional measures to protect Minnesota’s aging population. The bill also establishes the Assisted Living Licensure and Dementia Care Certification Task Force, the Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults Task Force, and the Assisted Living Report Card Working Group who will continue to investigate the elderly abuse crisis until Minnesota seniors are safe.

School Safety

Senate Republicans continue to advance multiple bills this year focused on improving school safety, adopting a comprehensive approach to mental health and facilities security. Three of the proposals introduced so far provide new flexible funding for school safety, while a fourth addresses a state emergency evacuation regulation that could inadvertently put students at risk. Coupled existing school safety funding and established school resource officers, this new legislation will guarantee that our schools and children are safer.

• SF 3243: Allows school districts to use long-term facilities maintenance revenue for remodeling and equipping existing school facilities to increase the safety and security of students and staff.
• SF 2754:  Provides one-time revenue for safe schools that can be used for a variety of things including mental health, school counselors, structural building improvements, and more.
• SF 3068: Creates a new grant program for public school districts to conduct professional safety audits of their local schools and identify any potential areas for improvement. Districts may receive up to 100% of their costs reimbursed through state grants.
• SF 2900: Allows schools to modify their emergency drill procedure by not forcing the institution to fully empty the building every time an alarm sounds. Currently, schools must fully evacuate, even in the instance of a verified false alarm. The perpetrator in Parkland exploited this.