STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
February 15, 2007
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, REFORM, TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS
MINUTES
Representative Gene Pelowski, Chair of the Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Committee, called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 15, 2007, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Pelowski, Chairman
Morgan, Vice Chair
Anderson, S.
Brod
Emmer
Hilty
Howes
Kahn
Kalin
Nelson
Olson
Peterson, N.
Poppe
Simon
Winkler
Wollschlager
A quorum was present.
Representative Morgan moved that the minutes of February 1, 7, and 14 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Scheduled for hearing was: H. F. 768 (Kalin)
A bill for an act relating to elections; making it easier to vote by absentee ballot; etc.
Representative Kalin moved HF 768 be recommended to pass and placed on the General Register.
Representative Kalin amended his motion that HF 768 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
Representative Kalin moved to amend HF 768 (see attached
H0768DE1 amendment). THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Kalin explained HF 768, as amended.
Testifying on HF 768, as amended:
Beth Fraser, Director of Governmental Affairs, Minnesota Secretary of State
Mai Thor, Advocate, Voting Rights Coalition
Brad Lehto, Legislative Director, Minnesota AFL-CIO
Ann Higgins, League of Minnesota Cities
February 15, 2007
Page Two
Representative Brod moved to amend HF 768, as amended:
Page 3, line 22, after the period, insert:
"
An agent under this clause must be a person previously known by the voter."
Page 4, line 32, before the period insert, "
and that the voter previously knew
the agent"
Discussion was held.
THE MOTION FAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Anderson, S., moved to amend HF 768, as amended.
Matt Gehring, House Research, drafted the following amendment for the committee's consideration:
Page 4, line 26, strike "
designate" and insert "
have"
Page 4, line 27, after the period, insert "
The agent must be designated by the
appropriate county auditor."
Rep. Anderson, S., withdrew her amendment.
Rep. Anderson, S., moved to delete Section 5 of the bill.
THE MOTION FAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Kalin renewed his motion that HF 768 be recommended to pass, as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
A roll call vote was requested by Representative Brod on the motion.
Voting aye: Representatives Pelowski, Hilty, Howes, Kahn, Kalin, Morgan, Nelson, Peterson, N., Poppe, Simon, and Winkler.
Voting nay: Representatives Anderson, S., Brod, Emmer, Olson and Wollschlager.
There were 11 ayes and 5 nayes, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Scheduled for hearing was: H. F. 75 (Pelowski)
A bill for an act relating to elections; changing a prohibition on certain expenditures, etc.
Chairman Pelowski moved that HF 75 be recommended to pass and placed on the General Register.
Chairman Pelowski explained HF 75.
Chairman Pelowski renewed his motion that HF 75 be recommended to pass and placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 A.M.
_________________________________________
REP. GENE PELOWSKI, CHAIRMAN
_________________________________________
Kathy L. Anderson, Committee Legislative Assistant