STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
LABOR AND CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION
of the
COMMERCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Jim Davnie, Chair of the Division, called the fifth meeting to order at 1:05 P.M. on, February 25, 2009, in the basement hearing room of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Davnie, Jim, Chair
Fritz Patti, Vice-Chair
Lillie, Leon
Mack, Tara
Mahoney, Tim
Murdock, Mark
Nelson, Michael V.
Sanders, Tim
Simon, Steve
Solberg, Loren
Zellers, Kurt
Members excused:
Representative Davnie called the meeting to order at 1:05 P.M. A quorum was present.
Representative Zellers moved adoption of the February 13, 2009 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Simon moved approval of HF362 be recommended to pass and sent to the Commerce and Labor committee.
HF362 (Knuth) Homeowner's written notice requirement to building contractor of construction defect eliminated.
Testimony was given by:
Lisa Frenette - Builders Association of Minnesota
J. Robert Keena
Representative Solberg moved an oral amendment on page one line 1.12 reinstate "written" and insert after written "or actual" and on page 2, line 2.12 after contractor reinstate "in writing" and after in writing insert "or otherwise".
The oral amendment was incorporated.
Representative Simon moved HF362 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to Commerce and Labor committee.
The motion prevailed.
Representative Solberg assumed the chair.
Representative Davnie moved approval of HF549 be recommended to pass and sent to the Commerce and Labor committee.
HF549 (Davnie) Debt management and debt settlement services regulated.
Handouts were given to division members:
"Legal Aid who supports HF549"
"The Better Business Bureau of the Southland, Inc."
"Federal Trade Commission Protecting America’s Consumers"
"Baltimore Sun - Consuming Interests"
"Centers – Debt Settlement Sets a Costly Trap"
"MN Association of Collectors, Inc. – Dated February 25, 2009"
Testimony was given by:
Jeff Harrington, Assistant Minnesota Attorney General
Darryl Dahlheimer, Program Manager Lutheran Social Service
Westley Young, Association of Settlement Companies
Jenna Keehnen, Executive Director, The United States Organizations for Bankruptcy Alternatives
Kevin Murphy, Deputy Commissioner Commerce Department
Representative Davnie moved approval of amendment
H0549A2.
The amendment was adopted.
Representative Davnie moved an oral amendment on page three, of HF549 line 3.23 strike the "9" before the period and insert "10".
The oral amendment was incorporated.
Representative Davnie moved HF549 to pass as amended and be recommended to pass and re-referred to Commerce and Labor committee.
The motion prevailed.
Representative Davnie resumed the chair.
Representative Simon moved approval of HF330 be recommended to pass and sent to the Commerce and Labor committee.
HF330 (Scalze) Homeowners provided with a longer period within which to notify contractors of construction defects.
Testimony was given by:
Patrick Lee O’Halleren, Attorney
Lisa Frenette - Builders Association of Minnesota
Representative Simon moved HF330 to pass and be recommended to pass and re-referred to Commerce and Labor committee.
The motion prevailed.
The meeting adjourned at 2:22 P.M.
REP. JIM DAVNIE, CHAIR
Mary Elizabeth Faust
Committee Legislative Assistant