STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTYTH-SECOND MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY- SEVENTH SESSION
JUDICIARY POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Westrom, Chair of the Civil Law Committee, called the joint Civil Law and Judiciary Policy and Finance Committee meeting to order at 8:18 A.M. on March 28, 2012, in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Judiciary Policy and Finance Committee members present:
SHIMANSKI, Ron, Chair LAINE, Carolyn
MAZOROL, Pat, Vice Chair LIEBLING, Tina
JOHNSON, Sheldon, DFL Lead LESCH, John
ALLEN, Susan SCHOMACKER, Joe
ANDERSON, Diane SMITH, Steve
CORNISH, Tony SWEDZINSKI, Chris
GRUENHAGEN, Glenn VOGEL, Bruce
WARDLOW, Doug
Judiciary Policy and Finance Committee Members excused:
CHAMPION, Bobby Joe
HILSTROM, Debra
KRIESEL, John
Civil Law Committee Members Present:
WESTROM, Torrey, Chair
DRAZKOWSKI, Steve, Vice Chair
GRUENHAGEN, Glenn
HILTY, Bill
HOPPE, Joe
HORTMAN, Melissa
LESCH, John
MAZOROL, Pat
SCOTT, Peggy
SIMON, Steve
WARDLOW, Doug
Civil Law Committee Members excused:
HILSTROM, Debra
HOLBERG, Mary Liz
MAHONEY, Tim
PEPPIN, Joyce
PETERSON, Sandra
RUNBECK, Linda
A quorum was present at 8:18am for the Judiciary Policy and Finance Committee.
A quorum was not present for the Civil Law Committee at the beginning of the meeting.
Representative Gruenhagen moved approval of the March 22, 2012 Judiciary Policy and Finance Committee minutes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
An informational hearing was held on HF 1536 and HF 1474.
Representative Shimanski presented HF1536. Mandatory retirement date for judges modified, and incumbency designation eliminated for judicial offices.
Testifying:
Michael Harasyn, Judicial Commonsense
Chris Kumpula, Citizen
Bob Tatreau, Tenth Judicial District Committee
Dale Nathan, Minnesota Coalition for Parents and Children
John Magrath, Minnesota Coalition for Parents and Children
Nancy Haas, Minnesota District Judges Association
Judge Jeff Thompson, Minnesota District Judges Association
Judge Teresa Warner, Minnesota District Judges Association
Tim Kinley, Citizen
Representative Mazorol assumed the gavel at 8:35am.
Representative Anderson presented HF 1474. Judicial election districts created, mandatory judge retirement date amended, optional retirement dates created, and partial forfeiture of annuity imposed if elected retirement date results in governor appointment.
Chairman Shimanski assumed the gavel at 9:16am
A quorum was present for the Civil Law Committee at 9:20am.
Testifying:
Bonn Clayton, Republican Party of Minnesota
Dale Nathan, Minnesota Coalition for Parents and Children
Bonnie Roy, Citizen
Chris Kumpula, Citizen
Michael Harasyn, Judicial Commonsense
Bob Tatreau, Tenth Judicial District Committee
Tim Kinley, Citizen
Judge Jeff Thompson, Minnesota District Judges Association
Judge Teresa Warner, Minnesota District Judges Association
Jean Lee, Children's Hope International, R and R Family Centers
Lea Banken, Citizen
Representative Drazkowski moved approval of the March 22, 2012 Civil Law Committee minutes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Shimanski adjourned the meeting at 10:06 am.
_____________________________ _____________________________
SHIMANSKI, Ron, Chair LAINE, Carolyn
_____________________________ _____________________________
MAZOROL, Pat, Vice Chair LIEBLING, Tina
_____________________________ _____________________________
JOHNSON, Sheldon, DFL Lead LESCH, John
_____________________________ _____________________________
ALLEN, Susan SCHOMACKER, Joe
_____________________________ _____________________________
ANDERSON, Diane SMITH, Steve
_____________________________ _____________________________
CHAMPION, Bobby Joe SWEDZINSKI, Chris
_____________________________ _____________________________
CORNISH, Tony VOGEL, Bruce
_____________________________ _____________________________
GRUENHAGEN, Glenn WARDLOW, Doug
_____________________________ _____________________________
HILSTROM, Debra Brian Theis
Committee Legislative Assistant
_____________________________
KRIESEL, John