Dear Friends,

This week the Senate returned on April 14 from our previously agreed upon recess as we have navigated the first month of the COVID-19 crisis. This past Tuesday, we were able to pass another relief package as well as pass the important insulin emergency bill that has been worked on for over a year.

The Senate will now be meeting in floor sessions at least twice a week until our Constitutional deadline for adjournment of Monday, May 18.

We will continue to work in modified ways to work on necessary COVID-19 response legislation as well as other important matters. Committees have begun meeting virtually and will continue to do so as needed.

These continue to be challenging times for individuals, organizations and businesses, but I remain hopeful that we are getting closer to getting back to a new normal. We need to continue to find ways to safely reopen our economy and ways of life. Once we do, there will remain much work to do to help our struggling economy recover.

Please take a few minutes to read highlights and updates from the past week.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY

This past week I participated in online hearings in both the E12 and the Tax Committee.

In the Senate E12 (Education) Committee, we had robust discussion and testimony on legislation that will provide additional funding for school districts.

First, the legislation would ensure that all state funds appropriated for this school year are released even if some of the conditions for eligibility have not been met due to students learning from home. Second, it would provide maximum flexibility for schools to transfer funds among their various accounts so local school boards can make determinations about which areas need additional support. Lastly, it modifies school funding formulas so that full funding will be in place for the upcoming school year regardless of impacts due to the present unique circumstances.

In the Senate Tax Committee, we had a hearing to discuss much needed measures to help businesses in Minnesota to respond to the COVD-19 crisis, including the need to extend sales taxes, estimated income taxes business property taxes, the angel investment tax credit, and much more.

INSULIN LEGISLATION

This past Tuesday, Senate Republicans passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act to assist diabetics with the high cost of insulin through a safety net program for emergencies and a long-term assistance program.

Following extensive bipartisan work and compromise over the past year, this bipartisan legislation will save lives by securing access to insulin for those Minnesotans in need without delay. We have been committed to finding a solution that will make a real difference, and this bill does just that to address the insulin problem.

The bill requires insulin manufacturers to provide a 30-day supply of insulin for free to individuals in urgent need but struggling to afford the life-saving drug. Additionally, patient assistance programs through drug companies, which have been questioned as too onerous and cumbersome with limited qualifications, must be made accessible and transparent with their application and approval process. An application for assistance is based on standardized requirements and must be approved or denied within ten days.

In 2019, Senate Republicans instituted reforms to address the cost and emergency needs of insulin and other life-saving drugs. Pharmacies are obligated to provide a 30-day supply if a prescription runs out and the patient needs a refill before they can see their doctor for a renewal. Legislation in 2019 also stopped health plans from charging patients more than the wholesale cost of insulin to prevent profiteering off the drug and required Pharmacy Benefit Managers to regularly communicate discounts and rebates with the pharmacy for the patient to use first.

FOURTH COVID-19 RESPONSE BILL

On Tuesday, the legislature also passed a fourth bill responding to needs related to the COVID-19 crisis. Smaller than the previous two bills, the legislation was filled with mostly technical changes to allow crucial government services to continue and prevent unintended mistakes or statutory deadlines from negatively impacting people’s everyday lives.

The bill mainly focuses on the necessary government services related to commercial driver’s licenses, marriage applications, wills, court proceedings, farmer-lender mediation, child support, and tab fees.

The legislature has adapted to using technology as the main form of meeting under COVID-19, and this bill allows for local governments to utilize technology for remote meetings in order to continue their work. Finally, there is a one-time appropriation of $1.25 million to the Second Harvest food bank to support the increasing demands on local food shelves.

BEER AND WINE TO GO

Legislation I co-authored with Senator Housley that allows restaurants to temporarily offer to-go sales of beer and wine passed the Senate on Thursday. It’s expected to pass the House today and be signed by the Governor soon.

The circumstances our restaurants and bars are operating under, if they are able to operate at all, is devastating. And, their day-to-day business has been disrupted is a major way. The stress for them is bigger than any virus, this is their livelihood.

This legislation is one small way that we can help the restaurant and bar industry during these unprecedented times. It will help give them additional revenue without adding labor to the curbside model.

The bill will temporarily allow all establishments with current on-sale liquor licenses to sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption, in addition to their takeout food offerings, for the duration of the peacetime emergency. The alcoholic beverages will be required to be sold in the original, unopened packaging, and be limited to 72 ounces per order for beer (6-pack) and 750 milliliters (one bottle) per order for wine. The governing body of any municipality may vote to prohibit off-sale alcohol within its jurisdiction.

GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER

Over the past week, Governor Walz has signed three new Executive Orders to address the COVID-19 crisis.

The big news of today was of Governor Walz’s newest executive order, Executive Order 20-38, which, “allows Minnesotans to engage in a range of activities, including golfing, boating, fishing, hunting, and hiking, as long as they follow new outdoor recreation guidelines. These guidelines include maintaining 6-foot social distancing, avoiding crowded areas, and staying close to home.”

Under the order, facilities that may reopen or remain open include bait shops, shooting ranges and game farms, public and private parks and trails, boating, marina services, dock installation and boat/off-highway vehicle sales (by appointment only).

All can open at 5 a.m. tomorrow.

More information on the rest of the Executive Orders from the last week are listed below.

Executive Order 20-37 (April 17, 2020)
Extends regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers operating in Minnesota originally provided for in Executive Order 20-06.

Executive Order 20-36 (April 15, 2020)
Directs a 10% salary reduction for the Governor and his commissioners for the remainder of the year.

Executive Order 20-35 (April 13, 2020)
Extends the peacetime emergency originally declared in Executive Order 20-01 to May 13. This simply extends the state of a peacetime emergency 13, NOT the Governor’s stay at home order which is still set to expire May 4.

Executive Order 20-34 (April 10, 2020)
Directs the Commissioner of Health to share limited health date with the Department of Public Safety, 911 dispatchers, and first responders.

A full list of the Governor’s executive orders relating to the COVID-19 crisis can be found here.

GREAT RESOURCES RELATED TO COVID-19

• Senate Republicans have established a new online portal for Minnesota businesses and workers to share feedback on reopening Minnesota’s economy. The website asks users to share plans for enhanced safety and social distancing protocols amid the extraordinary circumstances. The website can be found here.
• The Legislature has allocated funding for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to issue relief grants to veterans impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Information on that program can be found here.
• Many Minnesotans are experiencing layoffs or furloughs from their jobs. Updates on unemployment benefits and the application can be found here.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading this week’s update.

Please continue to follow the Governor’s stay at home order so that we can continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and get our lives back to a new normal, and our economy back open and on its way to a full recovery.

It looks like it will be a beautiful spring weekend. I hope you’ll join me in getting outside to enjoy the nice weather while still following social distancing guidelines.

As always, please reach out to my office if we can be of service.

You can reach me with your concerns and questions at 651-296-9261 or reach me by email at sen.paul.anderson@senate.mn.

Stay well.

Sincerely,

Paul T. Anderson
State Senator