It was the week of the policy bills. Here’s what was approved ahead of Friday’s first and second committee deadlines:
However, the week began with House leaders announcing committee budget targets and the House Ways and Means Committee approving a budget resolution.
Have a great weekend before next week’s financial flurry before the April 11 deadline for most committees to approve appropriation bills.
A reminder that the Easter/Passover break will begin April 11 at noon with the Legislature in recess until April 21 at noon.
Here’s a look back at the week:
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture committee lays over governor’s updated budget proposal
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18691
BUDGET
House leaders release committee budget targets
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18670
Ways and Means Committee OKs House budget resolution
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18684
COMMERCE AND BUSINESS
House committee weighs bans on pet shops selling cats, dogs
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18673
House commerce panel beings work on omnibus cannabis bill
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18687
Commerce panel OKs omnibus cannabis bill
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18695
Commerce policy bill advances in House
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18699
EDUCATION
Education policy bill tackles teacher shortages, student health
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18682
Bill seeks $96.5 million annually to secure funding for early learning scholarships
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18683
Education policy bill advances to House Floor
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18692
ELECTIONS
Omnibus elections policy bill clears committee, heads to House Floor
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18693
EMPLOYMENT
Workforce committee considers funding boost to youth employment programs
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18675
Proposed changes to environmental regulations help stall miners unemployment bill in committee
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18686
House panel considers bill extending unemployment benefits to striking workers
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18702
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Bill proposes more scrutiny for water usage at large data centers
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18705
ENERGY
Legislation proposes state policies on large data centers
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18677
GAME & FISH
House environment panel considers year-round bass fishing season
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18679
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Bill proposes fines, state teams to fix mental health assessment delays
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18672
House legislation takes multi-pronged approach to combatting homelessness
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18689
House health committee approves ‘lean, mean’ policy bill
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18696
House committee approves human services policy bill addressing fraud, mental health care
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18698
HIGHER EDUCATION
Residency requirement proposed for Minnesota college aid program
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18678
Bill proposes state higher education savings plan for newborns
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18704
HOUSING
Legislators hear bill aiming to close racial gap in homeownership
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18680
MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
State funding sought as federal cuts threaten veteran meal program
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18688
House bill seeks $5 million for Black veterans support program
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18690
PUBLIC SAFETY
House public safety committee begins work on omnibus policy bill
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18681
House GOP bill proposes clawing back $42 million in violence-prevention funding
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18694
STATE GOVERNMENT
Tribute to House’s longest-serving female member proposed with grant program name change
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18671
Omnibus state government bill aims to tighten reins on fraudulent spending
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18676
State government policy bill heads to House Floor
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18697
Bill aims to amend state constitution with explicit equal rights guarantees
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18701
As Minnesota’s senior population grows, lawmakers see need for healthy aging push
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18703
TAXES
Conversions from commercial to housing in Minneapolis, St. Paul could get a boost from TIF
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18674
Taxes committee considers governor’s sales tax changes, other proposals
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18685
DFL bill proposes new tier for state’s wealthiest to offset potential federal cuts
https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18700