Legislative Update – April 9, 2025
Dear neighbors,
This week, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office gave members of the Capital Investment Committee an update on the status of PFAS litigation, an issue that has deeply affected communities in our district.
I asked a series of questions about the relationship between cities that have opted into PFAS settlements and those coming to the legislature for funding on projects to address PFAS contamination in their area. You can watch my comments here.
The reality is that there will not be enough funding from these settlements to cover the cost of these necessary infrastructure projects, so the state and taxpayers will have to step up if those needs are going to be met.
That’s why Representative Fue Lee and I have introduced legislation to impose a gross revenues tax on companies that manufacture and sell products containing PFAS to be used in a special cleanup account. I will continue to advocate for projects in our district to address PFAS contamination while also pushing for legislation ensuring that companies like 3M that pollute, not the general public, should pay the bulk of the costs.
Addressing EAB in Washington County
This week in the House Capital Investment Committee, I presented a bill to fund Washington County’s wood waste and diseased tree utilization program. You can watch the presentation here.
Wood waste is a growing problem in our region due to Emerald Ash Borer, and I was glad to be joined by Washington County Commissioner Bethany Cox to testify about the importance of this funding ask.
Agriculture Committee Budget
This week, the Agriculture Committee passed our 2025 budget bill out of committee. In a tied House, we must work together, and I’m proud to report we reached a bipartisan agreement while still delivering a strong budget that improves Minnesotans’ lives.
DFLers fought to:
- Address the Trump administration’s chaotic cuts to programs that keep Minnesotans fed, winning increases to the Local Food Purchasing program and the Farm to School program.
- Tackle corporate consolidation and level the playing field for emerging small farmers by increasing funding for the Down Payment Assistance Program.
- Protect workers and consumers from bird flu by increasing workplace protections for farm and meat processing workers and ensuring retail testing of milk and poultry products.
You can read my full press release here. Next, the bill will move to the House Ways and Means Committee before heading to the floor for a full vote.
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