Dear neighbors, It’s another busy week at the Minnesota Legislature! In addition to chairing a committee, attending public hearings, and meeting with Minnesotans, I’m presenting three bills this week.  Enjoying the winter weather while I check my bee hives. I hope you’ve had an opportunity to get outdoors recently. Update on My BillsI presented HF 2618 - legislation that would require local governments to allow natural landscapes like pollinator gardens and native plants - to the State Government Finance and Elections Committee this morning. Members of the committee voted to advance the bill. I also presented a bill to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. HF 2819 allows conservation officers and other licensed peace officers to issue civil penalties for violations of certain snowmobile provisions and increases penalties for these violations. It also clarifies Minnesota’s trespass law for those operating a snowmobile or off-highway vehicle. These simple steps would help deter illegal and destructive behavior. The bill advanced with unanimous, bipartisan support! The Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee will hear HF 2917 on Thursday. This legislation, which has bipartisan support, would modify the way Minnesota allocates revenue generated by a 6.5 percent in-lieu-of-sales tax on lottery tickets. It would increase the amount of revenue that’s directed to the Game and Fish Fund and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, providing the state with more funds to preserve and enhance our parks, trails, recreation areas, zoos, and more. Renaming the South St. Paul Post Office On August 30, 1933, Officer Leo Pavlak was killed by members of the infamous Barker-Karpis gang during a payroll robbery that took place outside the post office in South St. Paul. I introduced a resolution yesterday asking Congress to rename the South St. Paul Post Office in memory of Officer Pavlak . You can read the resolution here. Please let me know if you have questions, ideas, or feedback. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or call (651) 296-6828. Sincerely, Rick Hansen
State Representative |