Week in Review: March 22-26

The 2021 legislative session began 81 days ago which, depending on your perspective, may seem like the blink of an eye or an eternity.

Either way, the House and Senate will begin their Passover/Easter break Saturday, meaning no meetings are scheduled until members return Tuesday, April 6.

If you are able to get away, enjoy some much-needed rest. But spare a thought for those who will spend much of next week trying to get caught up or preparing for the rush to the third committee deadline, April 9, and the end of session May 17.

Have a Happy Passover and Easter.

Here’s one last look at what you may have missed this week.

AGRICULTURE

Pesticide scrutinized for affecting child brain development could be banned

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15826

BUDGET

House leadership proposes $52.5 billion budget for upcoming biennium

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15831

CONSUMERS

House passes bill prohibiting price gouging during public emergencies

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15830

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Bill would fund study on effectiveness of state programs to aid small businesses

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15825

EDUCATION

Committee hears proposal that aims to reduce childhood hunger

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15851

Proposal could stabilize regional public library systems’ state funding

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15847

Funding sought to help teachers teach economics and personal finance

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15837

House passes $104.5 million student summer learning package

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15832

ELECTIONS
Elections panel hears bill requiring early voting instructions in languages other than English

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15849

EMPLOYMENT

House lawmakers pass extension of COVID-19 workers' comp presumption for certain workers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15859

House passes recall protections for laid-off hospitality workers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15858

House passes measure prohibiting employers from asking about past salaries

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15857

House passes paid sick and safe time mandate

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15856

Extension of COVID-19 presumption included in approved bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15838

ENERGY

Installing solar could get cheaper with tax credit

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15850

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Some critical habitat license plate revenues could get new uses

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15855

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Customized living program for adults with disabilities could see funding boost

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15862

Committee begins discussion of governor’s human services budget

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15840

Committees hear request for $2 million to fund community-based chemical dependency recovery organizations

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15839

House votes 130-3 to expand mandatory reporters of child maltreatment

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15829

Proposal to address long-standing inequities in vaccination rates is heard, held over

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15828

HIGHER EDUCATION

Applying for college? Proposed pilot program aims to simplify the process

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15844

Revised Walz budget would increase Minnesota State funding, reinstate proposed program cuts

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15836

HOUSING

Tax credits for donations to affordable housing projects proposed under bill OK'd by House committee

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15852

LEGACY

Omnibus legacy bill steps into the spotlight

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15865

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Omnibus veterans and military affairs bill — including last-minute amendments — gains approval

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15860

Homeless vets could get housing support through proposed omnibus bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15845

PUBLIC SAFETY

Act aims to change how corrections system measures inmate success while behind bars

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15863

House panel OKs expedited police release of deadly force video footage to family of victims

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15854

House committee approves bill to add ‘more timely’ expansion to bias crime laws

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15833

House passes measure requiring fire sprinkler systems in tall residential buildings

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15827

STATE GOVERNMENT

Racial equity impact note could be needed for proposed legislation

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15848

TAXES

State could collect more from profit shifters under bills

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15846

Property Tax Division wraps up its report, calls it a session

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15843

New tax bracket for state’s highest earners gets first hearing in House

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15835

Local projects would get a boost from property tax division report

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15824

TRANSPORTATION

Relatives may no longer be able to oversee at-home driver’s knowledge tests

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15864

Electric vehicle drivers could get a charge out of visiting county buildings

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15861

Lawmakers take first steps toward land bridge over I-94 reconnecting St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15853

Cameras could be used to catch work zone speeders

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15834