Dear neighbors,
It’s been a particularly busy week at the Legislature. Here’s an update on what I’ve been working on.
Recognizing Jim Leach
On Thursday, we recognized Jim Leach for his 37 years of service. Jim is the Fish and Wildlife Director for the Department of Natural Resources and has forged strong relationships with hunting and fishing organizations, tribal governments, and conservation groups. Jim has worked hard to protect our fish and wildlife and their habitats. I’m grateful for his efforts and wish him all the best in his retirement.
Funding for Cybersecurity
Yesterday, the House passed HF 14, a bill that would free up $6.6 million in federal funding for election security. In March 2018, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which provided grants for states to improve their cybersecurity. Minnesota was the only state that didn’t claim the funds ahead of the 2018 election. Read more about the bill in this Session Daily piece.
Chronic Wasting Disease
Last Friday the DNR announced the discovery of CWD in a wild deer in Crow Wing County. This was the first case of CWD in a wild deer found outside of southeastern Minnesota. The animal was discovered just half a mile from a deer farm that has tested positive for CWD.
Governor Walz included funding for containing the CWD outbreak in his budget recommendations, which he announced on Tuesday. In response, I proposed two amendments to HF 850. The first would invest in deer management research, surveillance, and disease response. The second would provide the University of Minnesota with funding to develop a better test for CWD. Read the Session Daily column or watch the Environment and Natural Resources Finance hearing for more information.
MNLARS
My proposal to allocate more funding for the continued development and improvement of the MNLARS system passed through two committees this week. HF 861 was heard in Transportation Finance and Policy on Tuesday and Judiciary Finance and Civil Law on Thursday. It will be in Ways and Means on Monday and hopefully on the House floor soon.
Governor Walz also included funding for MNLARS in his budget recommendations. With this new governor and a new legislature, we have an opportunity to look at things with fresh eyes and make sure that this system works for Minnesotans. Learn more about Governor Walz’s proposal and my bill by reading this Fox 9 story.
Protecting Pollinators
On Wednesday, we heard HF 721 in Environment and Natural Resources Policy. This bill would prevent the use of neonicotinoids, an insecticide, on wildlife management areas.
In 2013, we passed a statute that says that our wildlife management areas must have pollinator habitat. If we spray pesticides on our public lands, that endangers all the work and money that’s gone into maintaining those habitats, not to mention the wildlife that makes the ecological chain of life work. Read this Bluestem Prairie article for more of my thoughts on this important issue.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative