Week in Review: March 13-17

Mid-March is here and, looking at the calendar, we’re more than halfway through the 2023 regular legislative session. Spring begins on Monday, budget targets could soon follow, and then it’s omnibus budget bills, lengthy floor debates and likely conference committees.

For now, however, it’s the heart of the session with nearly 60 House meetings held this week and two dozen already scheduled for next. It’s a number that is certain to grow over the next few days.

Have an enjoyable weekend, get some rest, and here’s a look back at what you may have missed over the past week.

AGRICULTURE

Legislation to create indemnity fund aims to make grain sellers whole when buyer fails

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17804

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

More than $60 million proposed to support statewide historic, cultural preservation projects

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17825

BONDING

Local officials pitch capital investment panel on need for Duluth, St. Cloud airport projects

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17810

CIVIL LAW

House lawmakers OK bill to help people retrieve property from towed vehicles

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17823

Bill proposes expanded access to public defenders in child protection cases

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17798

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Special state fund proposed for targeted groups to support emerging developers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17812

EDUCATION

House bill would mandate smaller K-12 class sizes, boost funding formula

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17827

Lawmakers hear plan to fund, provide American Indian education to all Minnesota students

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17820

Holocaust survivor urges lawmakers to mandate genocide studies in Minnesota classrooms

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17814

Programs striving to close student opportunity gaps ask lawmakers for $13.4 million

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17799

Early educator licensing change sought to help students and teachers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17797

ELECTIONS

House elections committee approves expanded use of ranked-choice voting

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17826

Grant money proposed to improve polling place access

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17807

EMPLOYMENT

Bill seeks $1.9 million to provide job training for people with disabilities

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17809

House panel OKs measure supporters say will improve safety standards at oil refineries

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17803

ENERGY

Bill could help recycle landfills for use as solar sites

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17813

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Could environmental bill be swan song for lead sinkers in some Minnesota lakes?

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17815

Bill proposes considering cumulative impact of environmental stressors in MPCA’s permitting process

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17806

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Bill would direct health department to analyze costs, benefits of universal health coverage

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17821

Safety grants could help defend human services providers from workplace violence

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17811

Bill to help retain nurses at Minnesota bedsides clears House health panel

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17802

HIGHER EDUCATION

Scholarship program proposed to address Minnesota’s persistent police staffing shortage

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17819

Emergency fund for MN college students in need of a major boost, advocates tell higher ed committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17801

HOUSING

House passes $50 million in funding for homeless prevention program

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17822

Housing omnibus bill could overhaul tenant, landlord law

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17805

PUBLIC SAFETY

Potential for release proposed for juvenile offenders with life sentences

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17828

Public safety panel advances bill to prohibit no-knock warrants

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17816

Policy-only omnibus public safety bill heads to House floor

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17800

STATE GOVERNMENT

Committee OKs $40 million to replenish the state’s disaster contingency account ahead of spring flood season

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17818

House panel considers allowing MN secretary of state to use federal election safety funds without legislative approval

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17796

TAXES

Property taxes going up? You might have a refund coming

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17808

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation bill could update license fee collection, distribution in effort to better match customer needs

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17824

Transportation panel greenlights bill that could charge developers for street improvements

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17817