Week in Review March 3-7

It was a big week for state funding appropriators. Minnesota’s latest budget outlook shows a worsening picture for state finances in the near and far term, setting the stage for lawmakers’ work for the next two-plus months at the Capitol.

The state surplus for the 2026-27 fiscal biennium is now predicted to be $456 million, down from $616 million in November. In the fiscal 2028-29 biennium, the projected General Fund shortfall is now predicted to be just shy of $6 billion instead of the $5.1 billion forecasted in November.

On the legislation front, the House had two attempts this week to prohibit transgender athletes from participating on girls’ sports teams.

HF12, which would limit participation on elementary and secondary school sports teams to athletes born as females, brought crowds of supporters and opponents to the Capitol Monday as the House had a lengthy debate on the Floor. The House failed to garner the 68 votes needed to pass it and then tabled it.

On Thursday, the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved along party lines HF1233, which would exempt women and girls’ sports teams from the Minnesota Human Rights Act and allow those teams to prohibit transgender athlete participation.

The House also considered the right to self-defense with HF13. Filed in response to a 2024 Minnesota Supreme Court decision, the bill would allow a person to use reasonable force in self-defense regardless of whether a reasonable possibility to retreat existed. The bill fell one vote short of 68 votes to pass on the House Floor on Thursday and was tabled.

Have an enjoyable weekend. Here’s a look back at this week in the House:

AGRICULTURE

Bonding boost sought to keep farmers ‘state bank’ flush with funds

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18542

High-tech help may be on the way to keep avian flu at bay

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18561

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Minnesota lawmakers seek to extend health insurance waiver

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18548

House panel considers sales ban on flavored nitrous oxide

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18556

House panel debates proposed exemptions to state’s cadmium, lead ban

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18557

CIVIL LAW

House bill would allow girls’, women’s sports teams to exclude transgender athletes

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18570

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

$14 million bill aims to invest in consumer-led independent living centers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18546

Workforce committee considers $2 million for small business development center

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18569

EDUCATION

Legislation to bar transgender athletes from girls sports falls short of passage in House

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18545

Education policy panel approves bill to let schools opt out of mandates

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18553

ELECTIONS

Bill would require reporting of campaign contributions from outside districts

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18543

House committee chair wants greater elections confidence through overhauled protocols

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18564

ENERGY

Divided House energy panel OKs measure to eliminate renewable energy fund

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18550

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

House bill proposes delay in PFAS ban for some ATVs, other sport vehicles

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18549

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Bill seeks to fix ‘unsustainable’ medical assistance rates

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18547

Education vs. punishment at crux of bill that could modify home- and community-based services

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18558

Rare disease advisory council seeks bump to base funding

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18562

Quartet of nursing homes could see modified property rate increases

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18567

HOUSING

House lawmakers show support for legislation limiting reach of HOAs

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18551

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Debt increase approved for potential armory upgrades, construction

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18555

PUBLIC SAFETY

Tougher penalties proposed to curb ‘staggering rates’ of contraband smuggled into state’s prisons

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18554

Violent, repeat offenders shouldn’t get chance for downward sentencing, say bill supporters

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18565         

Bill to expand right to self-defense in Minnesota fails House vote

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18572

STATE GOVERNMENT

Legislative leaders set 2025 committee deadlines

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18541

Minnesota’s budget outlook worsens in both near, long term

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18566

State lawmakers aim to fix decades-long neglect of land survey monuments

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18568

TAXES

Legislation proposes overhaul of Minnesota’s child care tax credit

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18552

Bill would eliminate Minnesota’s lower income tax tier

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18559

Minnesota’s seniors could see property tax increases capped under House bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18560

Bill would increase funding for soil and water conservation districts

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18571

TRANSPORTATION

House panel considers bill to halt proposed Rondo land bridge

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18544

Town roads, bridges would get funding boost under bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18563