STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
LABOR AND CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION
of the
COMMERCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Jim Davnie, Chair of the Division, called the first meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. on, February 9, 2007, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Davnie, Jim, Chair
Benson, John, Vice-Chair
Anderson, Sarah
Dittrich, Denise
Fritz, Patti
Gunther, Bob
Hornstein, Frank
Howes, Larry
Laine, Carolyn
Nelson, Michael
Peterson, Neil W.
Scalze, Bev
Shimanski, Ron
Swails, Marsha
Representative Davnie called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. A quorum was present.
A division overview was given by Anita Neumann and Tom Pender of House Research from the Minnesota House of Representatives. A handout of the presentation was given to division members.
A question from Representative Howes of Ms. Neumann to bring to the division OSHA and Federal results of second hand smoke studies. Representative Howes also requested that the second hand smoke legislation be heard before the division.
Representative Shimanski moved adoption of the January 19, 2007 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Scalze moved adoption of the January 26, 2007 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The office of the Legislative Auditor gave the division an overview of the "Prevailing Wages Evaluation Report" - copies were provided to division members. Prevailing Wages is available at (www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us). Presenting to the division were Jim Nobles, Director and John Yonkers, Project Manager both from the Office of Legislative Auditor. A copy of the presentation was also given to division members, copy attached.
Roselyn Wade, Director of Labor Standards from the Minnesota Department of Labor, gave the departments concerns regarding the Legislative Auditor's report. DOLI adjustments were made as the report was being written and they made budget requests.
Representative Swails requested a summary of the Department of Labor testimony.
An overview was given to division members by Phil Raines, Director of Legislative Affairs, ABC Minnesota and Robert Heise, President, of the Association of Building Contractors, a handout "Minnesota’s Outdated Prevailing Wage Law…", was given to division members.
John Nesse, representative of the QCC, Quality Construction Coalition gave testimony in support of local prevailing wage laws in current format.
Harry Mullander, of the St, Paul Building Trades, testified on behalf of prevailing wages.
Representative Benson, moved the approval of HF532, relating to consumer protection: regulation certain contracts entered into by military service personnel.
Representative Benson, moved the approval amendment
H0532A1.
THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
HF532 (Winkler) relating to consumer protection, relating certain contracts entered into by military service personnel, authorizing cancellations. Representative Winkler gave testimony regarding HF532.
Brian Bergson, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Attorney General’s office testified on behalf of HF 532.
Colonel Eric Ahlness, Director of Government Relations, for the Minnesota National Guard, testified on behalf of HF532.
Representative Benson renewed his motion that HF532 as amended be passed and referred to the committee on Commerce and Labor.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting adjourned at 11:35 A.M.
REP. JIM DAVNIE, CHAIR
Mary Elizabeth Faust
Committee Legislative Assistant