Senator Rosen legislative update: distance learning and healthcare grants, plus the latest on COVID

Neighbors,

I hope you all are doing well. Between Zoom meetings, Committee Hearings, and Floor Sessions, it has been a busy couple of weeks at the Capitol as we continue to battle COVID-19. As I work through tough decisions and discussions, you remain my priority.

I want to thank many of you for contacting me to express your concerns about the extension of the stay at home order. While the Governor does have has the ability to extend the peacetime emergency for 30-day increments, it takes action by both the House and Senate to end his peacetime powers. I do think it is time to start working on a plan to open Minnesota back up. I will continue to work hard at the Capitol and put the needs of you, my constituents first, while balancing public health with our needs to get our economy up and going. I will also continue to work with the Governor and the House on this issue.

Although the Capitol may be “closed”, my office is still open. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any legislative concerns or questions you may have. I and my staff are here to help. We are back to work in Floor Sessions, Committee Hearings, and the COVID-19 Working Group via Zoom Conference calls. You can watch these committees live from Senate.mn.

Do you or someone you know own a small business and would like to reopen? You can submit a plan for opening to the Governor and the proper agency. Please click here and fill out the form. Our staff will ensure your plan reaches the Governor’s office.

I have included many updates below, please take a look.

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Distance Learning and Healthcare Grants:

I want to share with you some very important information for our schools and healthcare providers. SF 4494 appropriates $20 million on a one-time basis to expand access to broadband internet service. This bill is currently awaiting a hearing and vote on the Senate Floor.

$8 million is for a “distance learning broadband access grant program” within the Department of Education for school districts and charter schools to provide temporary broadband access to students currently lacking Internet access so that the students may participate in distance learning during the peacetime public health emergency related to COVID-19.  The application for funds must describe a school district’s or charter school’s approach to identify and prioritize access for students unable to access the Internet and may include a description of local or private matching grants or in-kind contributions; schools may partner with other community groups to provide access.  The commissioner must establish a maximum per-pupil amount for grants awarded under this section based on the number of districts and charter schools that apply for a grant, and the availability of federal money for a similar purpose.  Up to 5% of funds may be used to reimburse reasonable costs incurred by the Department of Education to administer this program.  Any funds that remain unexpended on September 30, 2020, are transferred to the border-to-border broadband fund.  The commissioner of education must report to the legislature regarding the number of districts and charter schools that received grants and the number of students that were provided Internet access. The report must also identify the costs to administer the grant program and the amount transferred to the border-to-border broadband fund.

$2 million is to award grants to reimburse licensed health care providers that purchase and install telemedicine equipment in order to provide COVID-19-related health care services to Minnesotans.  The commissioner of employment and economic development must award grants under this section on a first-come, first-served basis, and must consult with the commissioner of health to determine areas of the state with the greatest need for telemedicine equipment.  Up to 5% of these funds may be used to reimburse the reasonable costs incurred by the Department of Employment and Economic Development to administer the program.  Any funds that remain unexpended on September 30, 2020, are transferred to the border-to-border broadband fund.  The commissioner is required to report to the legislature data regarding the number and size of the grants, identify the costs to administer the grant program, and report the amount transferred to the border-to-border broadband fund.

An additional $10 million is appropriated to the border-to-border broadband fund.  Before July 1, 2021, the appropriation is targeted for development of broadband in unserved areas, defined as areas with no wireline broadband availability with speeds of at least 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload.  Beginning July 1, 2021, the grants may be used for all uses of the program, providing access to both unserved and underserved (defined as access to wireline broadband with speeds of at least 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload but less than 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload).  Grants are available for 55% of total project cost if the grant is matched by 10% or more from a nonstate entity.

Frontier Settlement:

Recently, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ordered rebates and bill credits to Frontier Communication customers (both current and former) for inadequate services, based on negotiated terms between the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Frontier.

Customers of Frontier should have received a direct mailing starting on April 13th, 2020 but the Commerce Department is alerting local community leaders and organizations and the media in order to ensure that as many consumers are aware of the rebates and credits as possible. For more information, please visit Frontier’s website or the Minnesota Department of Commerce website.

Executive Order Update:

On Friday, April 17th Governor Walz issued EO 20-38, which expands allowable outdoor recreational activities, allowing 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. You can view all executive orders at mn.gov.

On Thursday, April 23rd the Governor issued He also released two new executive orders:

  • EO 20-40 allows workers in certain non-critical sectors to return to safe workplaces. Beginning April 26, 2020 at 11:59 pm, workers for Non-Critical Exempt Businesses (as defined in the EO) may return to work upon their completion of the requirements in the EO. All workers who can work from home must continue to do so.

The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has provided a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan template and instructions as a model plan that can be adjusted to fit the specific needs of each business. NOTE: businesses are not required to submit the completed plan to DLI for approval, but it must be made available upon request. DLI has also created an Employer Preparedness Plan requirements checklist.

  • EO 20-41 authorizes and directs the Commissioner of Education to extend the distance learning period. Under this executive order, schools will continue “distance learning”  throughout the remainder of the current school year. This EO also waives the requirement for students to complete the state’s civics test questions for this school year (the state’s MCA tests were canceled previously).

On Thursday, April 30, Governor Walz announced that he is extending his stay at home and public accommodation closure orders through May 18th, but is adding a limited exception for retail that can operate through curbside pickup. He also mentioned that they’re nearing a plan to allow for limited elective surgeries but released no further details on that plan.

  • EO 20-48 allows customer-facing retail businesses that sell goods to engage in curbside or outside pick-up and delivery, as long as customers do not enter the business premise.

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Session Update:

Tuesday, April 14

  • HF3100 – On Tuesday the Minnesota Legislature unanimously passed legislation that would provide insulin to those in need and implement measures to help people before they reach a crisis point.

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. The new law creates standard criteria for these assistance programs and stipulates an application must be approved or denied within ten days.

This is a huge victory for the countless Minnesotans who depend on insulin every single day. The reforms Republicans passed last year helped most people get access to more affordable insulin, but we knew there were still gaps to close. This bill not only provides assistance for people who are in an emergency situation, but it also provides a path to help people avoid ever reaching a crisis point.

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

The Senate is leading the fight to reduce the costs of health care and prescription drugs with innovation. In 2017, Minnesotans had limited options, fewer providers, and double-digit cost increases in the health insurance market. The Minnesota reinsurance plan stabilized the costs, opened up more options, especially for rural communities, and has become a model program for other states. In 2020, the Senate began exploring reimportation programs that would allow Minnesotans access to lower-cost drugs available in other nations. The federal government for the first time ever announced an openness to approving reimportation plans in individual states last December.

  • HF4556 – Individuals without health insurance are not immune to COVID-19. This bill allows the uninsured to use medical assistance for COVID-19 testing and treatment if they need it. We all know just because we’re in a pandemic doesn’t mean every aspect of life has stopped. People are still planning their weddings, they are making wills, people are patiently waiting for their day in court, and they need their commercial driver’s licenses to be renewed. This legislation provides flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic so people can carry on with these important activities that require government support or approval.

Local governments too need to continue to meet and make decisions. This bill adjusts the open-meeting laws allowing them to continue their important work and on the front lines of the pandemic. However, accountability and transparency is still important, so they must provide roll-call votes and limit these remote meetings to only three times a year and only under a state of emergency. SF4556 also includes $1.25 million in funding to Second Harvest Food back to support the increasing demands on local food shelves.

Thursday, April 16

  • SF4489 passed in the Senate 65-2. This 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 declaration. The alcoholic beverages will be required to be sold in the original, unopened packaging, and be limited to 72 ounces per order for beer and 750 milliliters per order for wine. The governing body of any municipality may vote to prohibit off-sale alcohol within its jurisdiction.
  • SF2184  will allow telemedicine evaluations to be used to prescribe medications for erectile dysfunction.
  • SF3125 provides coverage for routine patient costs that are incurred in the course of a clinical trial if the medical assistance program would provide coverage for the same routine patient costs not incurred in a clinical trial.
  • The Senate also voted on the Confirmation of Dennis Olson, Jr., for the Office of Higher Education. Mr. Olson was confirmed in the Senate. Mr. Olson’s appointment for the Commissioner of Higher Education Office expires on January 2, 2023.

Monday, April 20

  • SF1098 – On Monday I am proud to say a bill I chief authored passed the Senate 63-2. We continued to deliver on our promise to make prescription drug costs more transparent and more affordable. By an overwhelming bipartisan vote, the Senate approved Senate File 1098, the Prescription Drug Transparency Act. Watch my floor presentation here.

Health care costs are still the number one issue on people’s minds. Even in the midst of this COVID pandemic, there is rarely a day that I don’t get a call or email from someone worried about how they will afford their medicine. It is unconscionable that someone’s prescription can double in one-months’ time without any explanation. Consumers deserve transparency and accountability from the pharmaceutical industry. This is a reasonable bill that empowers the consumer and simply asks pharmaceutical companies to justify the prices they charge. Getting prescription drug costs under control will make a big dent in families’ overall cost of health care.

Under the legislation, drug manufacturers must submit information about drugs that have seen price increases of 10% or more over the last 12 months or 16% or more during the previous 24 months for name-brand drugs, or generic drugs that have had price increases of 50% or more during the previous 12 months. Documentation must include the following:

  • Name of the drug and the net price increase
  • A list of factors leading to the price increase
  • Names of any generic versions of the drug that are available
  • The introductory price approved by the F.D.A. and year-over-year increases
  • Costs incurred by the manufacturer associated with the prescription drug, including manufacturing, marketing, and distribution
  • Net profit and sales revenue on the drug for the previous 12 months
  • Total amount of financial assistance the manufacturer has offered through patient assistance programs
  • Any agreements between the manufacturer and another entity about delaying the production of generic alternatives
  • SF3358 establishes guidelines and a structure for the operation of amusement park rides and allows minors, ages 16 and 17, to be employed. Thorough safety requirements are established in the bill and include training on operating procedures, duties of their assigned position, park safety procedures for unusual situations, and evacuation plans for the amusement ride. This legislation restores the park’s ability to hire the employees they need to operate and provides many young adults with an excellent employment opportunity.
  • SF3197 requires county agencies that issue variances for family child care providers to publish on the county website and update accordingly the policies and criteria for issuing variances, and to annually distribute the policies and criteria to licensed family child care providers in the county.
  • The Senate also voted on the confirmation of Valerie Means for the Public Utilities Commission. Ms. Means was confirmed by the Senate and will serve as the Commissioner for the Public Utilities Commission until January 6, 2025.

Thursday, April 23

  • Passage of Motions and Resolutions, watch here.

Monday, April 27

  • SF4486 My bill, COVID-19 federal funds account, provides legislative oversight to the nearly $2 billion in federal COVID funds for the state.

The Minnesota Senate passed bipartisan legislation today to provide oversight of the $1.9 billion in Federal stimulus money delivered to the state as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) passed on March 27, 2020. Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) pledged to work with the Walz Administration on how the money would be used to cover existing and future costs used to fight the COVID-19 virus in Minnesota.

The Federal government moved very fast to get this stimulus money sent to the states and we need to make sure it gets spent to cover our costs for COVID and help us prepare for the impending budget deficit in 2021. I look forward to working with Governor Walz and Commissioner Frans at Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) to use the Federal money to help our state get through this challenge.

The money to states is part of the Federal CARES Act to cover costs that:

  • Are necessary expenditures incurred due to COVID-19.
  • Were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of the date of enactment of this section.
  • Were incurred during the period that begins March 1, 2020, and ends Dec. 30, 2020.

In addition to state funding, the CARES act also includes funding for large counties, cities, and townships to help them with their COVID related costs.

  • SF3159  This bill increases reimbursement for education costs of volunteer ambulance attendants.  It increases from $600 to $900 for successful completion of an initial education course and from $275 to $375 for successful completion of a continuing education course.  Reimbursement rates have not been increased since 2007, and the class costs have been increasing.  Funding comes from unspent funds of the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB).
  • SF3017 makes small changes to the existing Self-directed Caregiver Grants statute. Currently, there is $340,000 of unspent grant funds available for caregivers.  New provisions require the Board on Aging to work with area agencies on aging and caregivers in administering grants. The bill also increases oversight by requiring a progress report of the grants program to the Legislature.   The bill increases grant access to family caregivers by removing priority to consumers of the Senior Linkage Line.
  • SF2919 modifies the Minnesota Athletic Trainers’ Act by modernizing and aligning definitional language and scope of practice with the athletic trainers’ current clients. It directs the revisor to change the terms “patient” and “athlete” to “individual.”  This change will correctly identify care recipients as “individuals” and not limit the athletic trainers’ services to people who identify as “athletes.” Currently, athletic trainers frequently provide training and care to individuals who are not defined as “athletes.”
  • SF979 requires child care providers to complete certain training (first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma training) before the license holder’s license expires in the second year after the prior training. This bill makes a similar change for other training (child passenger restraint systems and supervising for safety). This bill requires providers to complete these training before the license holder’s license expires in the fifth year after the prior training. This bill does not change the frequency that these training must be completed from what is in current law.
  • Confirmation – Thom Petersen, Department of Agriculture – I am very proud to announce the Confirmation of Commissioner Thom Peterson for the Department of Agriculture. Thom is a hard worker who certainly sets our Ag industry as his priority. I am thankful for Commissioner Petersen’s leadership and truly believe he is the best choice for this position. Commissioner Petersen was confirmed by a unanimous vote in the Senate.

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Committee Update:

Tuesday, April 21

  • Finance Committee: In the Finance Committee Monday we heard from Commissioner Myron Frans from Minnesota Management and Budget regarding the May Budget Projection. We also heard my bill, SF4486, a bill for COVID-19 establishing a coronavirus relief account. This bill passed through committee and is awaiting a hearing on the Senate Floor.
  • Health and Human Services Committee: In HHS we heard SF4476 (Senator Nelson’s bill, COVID-19 advance research, development and implementation of tests necessary to respond to pandemic grant appropriation) and SF4500 (Senator Benson’s bill, COVID-19 serological testing grant program establishment and appropriation). Both of these bills were laid on the table.

Wednesday, April 22

  • Finance Committee: In Finance committee on Wednesday we only had one item on our agenda, SF4494 (Senator Westrom’s bill, COVID-19 telemedicine equipment grant program establishment; distance learning broadband access grant program establishment; appropriations). This will was laid on the table after great discussion.

Thursday, April 23

  • Energy and Utilities Committee: In Energy, we heard SF4409 (Senator Rarick’s bill, Energy Conservation and Optimization Act of 2020). We as committee members received many letters in support of SF4409. After a good discussion, this bill passed through committee and is on it’s way to the Senate Floor.

Friday, April 24

  • Health and Human Services Committee: Today in HHS we heard from State Agencies regarding MN COVID-19 testing expansion. Presentations were made by Daniel Huff from the MN Department of Health (MDH) and Myron Frans, Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB).

Wednesday, April 29

  • Finance Committee: On Wednesday we heard from Senator Westrom and his bill, SF4494, COVID-19 telemedicine equipment grant program establishment; distance learning broadband access grant program establishment; appropriations.

Thursday, April 30

COVID-19 Working Group Update:

COVID-19 working group meetings continue. I am honored to be apart of this group. Senator Gazelka established this working group to focus on the Senate response to the current COVID 19 threat. Working group membership is comprised of 9 Senators and 2 additional Senators for each meeting. The Working Group hearings will be focused on different topics and this gives the Caucuses an opportunity to choose a Member more closely connected with the agenda of a particular hearing.

Past Hearings:

You can watch past hearings at www.facebook.com/MNSenate/.

  • April 2nd – Health Care System Response.
  • April 3 – Economic Relief and Recovery.
  • April 6th – Minnesota Department of Management and Budget about state budgeting.
  • April 7th – Long-Term Care community.
  • April 8th – Transportation
  • April 13th – Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Transportation, and Local Government

All working group meetings are live-streamed at www.facebook.com/MNSenate/.

Unemployment:

Several weeks ago, and as a result of the unprecedented number of new unemployment insurance applicants, the Minnesota Department of Employee and Economic Development (DEED) made the difficult decision to alter their phone schedule to prioritize application calls and password reset calls.
That meant that some people who needed to talk with the department had to wait.

Most people can get answers to their questions by visiting www.uimn.org; however, DEED is aware that some people really need to talk to them directly to resolve issues. This week, DEED resumed taking calls from a broader set of customers, including those who have questions about their account or
payment status.

Due to unprecedented call volumes, DEED also released a new call schedule to better serve Minnesotans. Below is the new schedule, and the numbers to call are 1-877-898-9090 or TTY – users: 1-866-814-1252.

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Critical Sector Email:

If you still have questions about whether you or your employees are eligible for a Critical Worker exemption, please email CriticalSectors@state.mn.us, and the Governor’s office will work with agency subject matter experts to review and respond as quickly as possible.

Online Portal for Minnesota Businesses:

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus unveiled 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 extraordinary circumstances.

“We have taken aggressive and unprecedented measures to confront this pandemic, and we are seeing the positive effects of those actions. Now, it’s time to begin the lengthy process of reopening our economy and getting people back to work in a safe manner,” said Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake), chair of the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee. “Governor Walz has directed his administration to determine which businesses and workers can return to work, provided they follow ‘appropriate social distancing, hygiene, and public health best practices.’ Senate Republicans are encouraging individuals and businesses from across Minnesota to go to our online portal and let us know their plans to safely resume operations.”

Please share this information with your friends and family. The website can be found at: https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/openMN.

Farmers Mental Health:

Farmers have access to free mental health resources, which will now be provided exclusively via phone or video chat with one of Minnesota’s Rural Mental Health Specialists – available remotely and at no cost. Information is here: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/mnfarmerstress/copingstress

Besides 911, if you encounter someone with an imminent plan, there is a crisis line in every county that you can refer to for 24/7 help; the number varies by county. More information can be found at https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/health-care/adult-mental-health/resources/crisis-contacts.jsp

I know financial stress can often be a trigger in these sorts of situations. Once immediate safety needs are dealt with, Minnesota’s Farm Advocate program could potentially be of help. The assistance is one-on-one and is available to farmers at no cost. Farm Advocates are helpful when a farmer is considering a major financial decision, and receive training on lender policies, bankruptcy laws, mediation, tax laws, USDA Farm Service Agency loan programs, Farm Credit Services, and all other government programs affecting agriculture. More information about farm advocates can be found here:
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/commissionersoffice/farmadvocates

COVID-19 Resources:

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