Week in Review: Jan. 16-20

Working into the night is commonplace around the Capitol Complex, although the hours tend to get longer as the legislative session stretches into the spring. But there have been several lengthy days already this year, including an evening hearing this week of the House Ways and Means Committee and Thursday’s floor session that centered on abortion and prompted several hours of emotional debate.

Whether that’s a sign of things to come — an indication that the 2023 legislative session is moving more quickly than in past years or, as is most likely the case, nothing at all — remains to be seen. But it does bear watching as February nears and the pace really picks up.

Monday’s schedule includes meetings of the rules, ways and means, veterans, human services and commerce committees as well as a joint hearing of the capital investment and housing panels.

Members also have a 3:30 p.m. floor session with two bills on the Calendar for the Day – HF26 would unlock over $300 million in federal funding for transportation projects; while HF27/SF40* would extend unemployment benefits for some Iron Range workers.

But before then, have an enjoyable weekend. Here’s a look back at what you may have missed over the last week.

AGRICULTURE

$50m to refill coffers of popular lending program called for ‘to foster next generation of farmers’

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17538

CIVIL LAW

Judiciary panel OKs bill allowing notaries to perform civil marriages

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17520

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

$100m proposal to replace all MN lead water service lines within decade gains first approval in House

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17528

EDUCATION

House bill places Minnesota’s dearth of teachers of color under the spotlight

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17532

ELECTIONS
Political spending by ‘foreign-influenced’ corporations in MN elections could be curtailed

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17527

EMPLOYMENT

Updates to food processing, ag worker labor laws clear key committee

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17542

House labor committee advances plan to give all Minnesotans paid sick leave

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17525

ENERGY

Energy panel approves faster path toward carbon-free utilities

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17533

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

House committee accepts recommendations on environmental trust fund spending

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17524

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

House passes bill to enshrine abortion rights in state law

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17543

‘Positive abortion alternatives’ program could be renamed ‘positive pregnancies’ under bill heard in House

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17541

Bill proposes reimbursement boost for child care providers in state assistance program

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17534

Ban on conversion therapy moves forward on party-line committee vote

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17531

Students from across Minnesota urge lawmakers to mandate menstrual products in schools

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17529

Designated support person for pregnant patients finds bipartisan support

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17521

HIGHER EDUCATION

Amid enrollment declines, Minnesota State makes budget request

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17540

Campus projects not glamorous — but they’re overdue, higher ed officials say

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17530

HOUSING

‘Pathway Home Act’ aims to provide more than $200 million for variety of homeless services

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17539

Evictions on the rise in MN— a crisis ‘bigger than before’ the pandemic, committee hears

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17526

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

With remote meetings now common, House panel OKs measure modifying limitations on members of certain public bodies

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17535

PUBLIC SAFETY

Lawmakers advance bill seeking $280 million to fund ‘innovative’ crime prevention programs

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17537

NE Minneapolis firefighters museum could climb the ladder, earn state designation

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17536

House panel hears bill to expand bias crime laws, improve incident reporting

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17522

AG’s office seeks funding boost to aid prosecution efforts in Greater MN

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17519

TAXES

Taxpayer receipt touted as a tool of transparency

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17523