Week in Review March 24-28

With little fanfare happening on the House Floor this week, the focus was on committees as the first two deadlines to approve bills looms next week.

The House Education Finance Committee heard Gov. Tim Walz’s education budget proposal, which would cut more than $240 million in spending in the 2026-27 biennium and $445 million in the 2028-29 biennium.

The proposal for digital driver’s licenses on a smartphone was heard by the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.

Lawmakers on the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee gave the thumbs up to a bill requiring licensed child care centers to install and maintain video security cameras beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Still concerned about the Commerce Fraud Bureau’s move to the BCA, the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee heard a bill to reverse the change.

Have a restful weekend. Here’s a look back at this week:

AGRICULTURE

Deer farmers, DNR clash over fence rules intended to curb spread of chronic wasting disease

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18639

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

House members aim to reverse fraud investigators’ move to BCA

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18644

Supporters say pricing fairness bill would level playing field for local grocers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18654

Omnibus liquor bill includes provision allowing 17-year-olds to serve alcohol in restaurants

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18664

CIVIL LAW

House legislators push for mandatory child care center video surveillance

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18665

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Legislators propose $5 million funding to aid hosting of hockey’s world juniors

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18642

Special Olympics organizers seek state funding to support next year’s USA Games in Twin Cities

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18643

EDUCATION

‘Cohesive response’ proposed to combat chronic absenteeism in Minnesota schools

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18651

Bill aims to limit costly, time-intensive data requests to schools

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18659

Panel hears governor’s proposal to cut $685 million from education budget over next four years

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18668

ENERGY

Energy assistance expansion could help cool things down

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18650

House bill could boost state’s green ammonia industry

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18666

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Research on controlling invasive species among projects in $103 million environmental trust fund bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18667

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health panel advances bill requiring consent for sensitive medical exams on anesthetized patients

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18640

Lawmaker proposes new Department of Direct Care and Treatment

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18641

House bill would lower eligibility barriers to mental health services

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18656

Proposed alternative path to midwife certification clears House committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18657

Bill would correct wording in law, ensure visitation rights for nursing home residents

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18663

HIGHER EDUCATION

Proposed scholarship aims to attract new law enforcement officers, avoid looming workforce crisis

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18649

HOUSING

House bill could unlock new affordable housing options

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18648

Lawmakers eye creation of $10 million loan program for affordable housing

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18652

PUBLIC SAFETY

State law enforcement struggling with deluge of body cam data, seeks change in law

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18646

Statewide model standards sought for safer traffic stops

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18653

STATE GOVERNMENT

Bill aims for consistency in reporting misuse of public funds

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18645

TAXES

Bill seeks to halt parade of tax exemption requests

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18647

Tax committee considers expanded renter’s credit

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18655

TRANSPORTATION

Digital driver’s licenses? House lawmakers consider bill to put IDs on your smartphone

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18658