Legislative Update – March 25, 2025
Dear neighbors,
District 53 showed up big this weekend for our Saturday town hall, and it was great to see how engaged our community is during this critical time. While federal Republican lawmakers hide from their constituents, I appreciated the almost 200 of you who showed up to ask us questions and share your perspective. This is democracy in action.
Local Projects
Last week, I introduced multiple bills to benefit our district and local communities. I introduced HF2772, a bill providing funding to repair and preserve the Serbian Home in South St. Paul. The Serbian Home, built in 1924, is currently on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, as it was a community center for immigrants working largely in the meatpacking industry and is now used as a community space. I look forward to advocating for this bill in the Legacy Committee.
I also authored legislation regarding the removal and disposal of abandoned boats. This bill, authored by me and Senator Seeberger, was drafted in response to issues in our region with negligent owners abandoning boats on the river, and feedback from law enforcement that they didn’t have the proper tools to address situations like this. I’m hoping this bipartisan bill will move through the process quickly and become law this session.
Bird Flu Update
I’m calling for added safeguards for poultry and dairy workers, retail milk testing, and wastewater monitoring to address H5N1 avian influenza after the Board of Animal Health detected bird flu in a Stearns County dairy herd yesterday.
The potential disaster of a bigger avian flu outbreak in Minnesota calls for a ‘trust but verify’ approach. While the BAH points out that pasteurized milk kills bacteria and viruses, further testing and monitoring is necessary to protect the public, not to mention the people who work with potentially affected poultry flocks and dairy herds
The unpredictability of federal funding to monitor and address threats like avian flu poses a significant challenge, but Minnesotans deserve additional proactive steps to protect workers and assure trust in our food supply. You can read my full press release here.
This week in the Agriculture Committee, I will be chairing a hearing on DFL-led legislation to better address avian influenza and how we must act proactively to protect workers, consumers, and all Minnesotans.
Stay in Touch!
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the year. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-6828.
For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative