Week in Review: Jan. 9-13

Whether you celebrate, are superstitious, or don’t care: Happy Friday the 13th.

The legislative session’s second week wraps up today with no hearings scheduled. But the past few days saw more movement for bills on high-profile issues including abortion, child care, marijuana legalization, driver’s licenses for all and free school meals. 

The House also passed its first bill, tax conformity legislation, which Gov. Tim Walz quickly signed into law.

Members, staff and the public now also have a better grasp of what the next few months should hold as committee deadlines were announced along with the dates for this year’s spring break, which will begin Tuesday, April 4 at 5 p.m. and run through April 10.

House offices will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but activities will begin at their regular time Tuesday with several committees already scheduling morning meetings at 8:30 and the House holding a floor session at 11:30 a.m., although there are no bills on the day’s calendar.

Here’s a look back at what you may have missed and have an enjoyable holiday weekend.

BUDGET

House bonding committee hears of billions in federal funds available for MN capital projects

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17498

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

House lawmakers begin path toward MN marijuana legalization with first committee approval

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17507

CIVIL LAW

Bill to simplify marriage dissolution name change headed to House Floor

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17513

House passes CROWN Act prohibiting discrimination based on hair

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17508

Judiciary panel approves proposal to boost funding for public defenders

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17501

CONSUMERS
Bill to ban price gouging during emergencies clears commerce committee

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17499

EDUCATION

No-cost school meals for all students clears first committee

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17510

ELECTIONS
Preregistration proposal an effort to ‘make voting a lifelong habit,’ sponsor says

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17506

House elections panel advances bill to restore ex-offender voting rights

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17505

EMPLOYMENT

Workforce panel OKs extended unemployment benefits for iron ore mine workers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17504

ENERGY

How much will feds help finance Minnesota’s shift to clean energy?

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17502

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

House environment panel advances ‘Lawns to Legumes’ pollinator program

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17509

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Second abortion rights bill gains House committee approval

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17514

More than $30 million could be available to address child care crisis

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17512

HOUSING

Housing insecurity disproportionately impacts Minnesotans of color, lawmakers hear

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17503

PUBLIC SAFETY

Proposed office would address ‘disturbing trend’ of missing, murdered Black women and girls

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17515

STATE GOVERNMENT

Legislative leaders set 2023 committee deadlines

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17516

TAXES

With bipartisan support, House passes tax conformity bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17497

TRANSPORTATION

Testifiers urge MN lawmakers to act fast on federal funds for road construction

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17511

Supporters say renewed ‘driver’s license for all’ push about safety, dignity

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17500