Week in Review: May 3-7

Conference committees worked in fits and starts on their omnibus bills this week, doing what they could to lay the groundwork, and find harmony where possible, that will allow them to hammer out agreements once legislative leaders provide final budget targets.

The billions-dollar question now is when, or possibly if, that agreement will come. Substantial progress is unlikely until it does, or until the respective bodies decide their differences can’t be reconciled and each moves ahead on its own.

Conferees did adopt same and similar language in some bills over the last few days and that work may continue in at least a few conference committees over the weekend with the state government, environment, health and human services and public safety panels each set to hold Saturday meetings.

But the schedule this time of year is subject to change on very short notice, so it’s best to check the Combined Legislative Meeting Calendar regularly for updates.

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

As the clock continues to countdown to this session’s May 17 deadline, here’s one last look at what you may have missed this week:

AGRICULTURE

Conferees cultivate plan to resolve differences in agriculture and broadband legislation

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15943

EDUCATION

House, Senate begin work on bridging $620.5 million divide on education bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15947
 

EMPLOYMENT

Omnibus pension and retirement bill gains committee approval

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15954

ENERGY

A loan against the vortex: House panel approves price spike protection

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15948

Conferees find House wants renewables, Senate health reinsurance

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15942

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Money matches up in House, Senate Legacy bills — but not where to spend it

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15951

Path to compromise on omnibus environment bill as conference committee kicks off

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15944

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Lawmakers get to work on crafting compromise HHS budget bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15950

HOUSING

Differences in omnibus housing bills highlighted in first conference committee meeting

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15941

PUBLIC SAFETY

Bill to create alternative to custody warrants passes House

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15953

Police reform proposals get lukewarm Senate response in conference committee

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15952

Public safety omnibus bill conferees start task of resolving major differences in policy provisions

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15940

STATE GOVERNMENT

Compromise on elections proposals, other measures needed as House, Senate start negotiations on omnibus state government bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15939

TAXES

American Rescue Plan means changes for Minnesota taxpayers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15949

Tax bills bear big differences on the bottom line

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15946

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation conferees begin work while waiting for final budget target

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15945