Week in Review: Jan. 25-29

With the introduction of his $52 billion budget proposal this week, Gov. Tim Walz made the first major move of the 2021 legislative session, setting the stage for the hearings, debates and negotiations to follow as lawmakers work to arrive at a balanced budget for the biennium that starts July 1, 2021.

As members begin hearings on the various aspects of that proposal, several major bills were already by House committees this week, including HF9, a package of campaign and elections reform proposals, and HF38, which would appropriate $30 million for the state’s disaster assistance contingency account.

Both bills provoked sharp debate with members agreeing on certain aspects of each but also finding serious disagreements on policy and where money should go.

And, by the way, committee deadlines were unveiled.

Overviews are expected to continue next week but more and more bills are also popping up on agendas, including HF40 in the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee, which would establish a rental assistance program for low-income households.

Be sure to check the weekly schedule for updates on the days ahead, and let’s take one more look at what you may have missed last week.

Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.

AGRICULTURE

Farmer-lender mediation window could be extended a third time

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15494

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Legacy Committee hears of COVID-19 impact on the arts

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15512

BONDING
Committees told capital projects should be ready for climate change

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15532

Hearing focuses on bringing more equity to bonding projects

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15524

Could bonding help rectify racial disparities?

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15500

BUDGET

Tax increases on wealthiest, budget reserves key pieces of Walz's budget proposal

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15504

Minnesota well-positioned for recovery, state economist tells lawmakers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15496

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Committee approves 15% cap on food delivery services fees

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15516

CIVIL LAW
House sends legislation to governor extending remote marriage license options

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15529

Bill would permit Minnesota to enforce Canadian orders of protection

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15520

Bill would speed up process for getting U-visa protections

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15505

District court judges present their case to judiciary committee

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15498

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Disagreement flares over use of disaster assistance dollars to rebuild following civil unrest

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15510

EDUCATION

Interventions in early childhood could prevent life-long skills gaps

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15525

‘Increase Teachers of Color Act of 2021’ clears education committee on party-line vote

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15517

Possible solutions offered to student social-emotional and academic challenges

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15499

Education committee reviews racial disparities, poor student outcomes

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15495

ELECTIONS

‘Common sense’ or 'hyper-partisan?' Elections bill clears House committee on party-line vote

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15530

Vote delayed on package of DFL-backed election changes

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15521

EMPLOYMENT

Laid-off service workers could get recall protections

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15513

Legislation proposes paid sick leave for nurses, essential workers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15506

ENERGY
Debate continues on clean energy standard bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15527

Energy efficiency act on its way to the House floor

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15503

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Bill would require timely update to state's invasive species plan

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15523

Escaped deer provision reinserted into floor-bound natural resources bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15502

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Interstate compact could expand access to mental health services, continuity of care

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15515

More pandemics? Health division hears how public health and climate change converge

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15514

Bed shortage for inpatient psychiatric treatment impacting care and access, lawmakers hear

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15511

Proposed MinnesotaCare expansion aims to aid undocumented immigrants, small businesses, families

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15508

HIGHER EDUCATION

Minnesota State system request funds for campus stability, equity

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15519

U of M leaders make lowest funding request in 20 years

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15507

HOUSING

MN renters need stronger protections, advocates tell House panel

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15522

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Plan aims to make local government website accessibility ‘a right for all’

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15509

PUBLIC SAFETY

House panel hears about public safety concerns in Greater Minnesota

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15531

House panel hears similarities, challenges of policing in Greater Minnesota

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15528

STATE GOVERNMENT

Legislative leaders announce 2021 committee deadlines

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15518

House passes resolution to ‘denounce violence’ and ‘support our democracy’

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15497

Select committee report: Bring a racial justice lens to legislation

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15493

TRANSPORTATION

Testifiers tout economic benefits of transportation spending

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15501

Transportation members updated on state’s infrastructure present and future needs

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15526