Legislative Update – April 9, 2024
Dear Neighbors,
We are halfway through the 2024 Legislative Session, and the House is now focused on passing policy bill packages in major areas, as well as putting together small supplemental budgets to continue our work improving the lives of Minnesotans.
This week I was glad to meet with constituents from South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Last session we funded a mental health crisis hotline statewide, passed gun violence prevention measures, and increased mental health care access and support. There is still much more work to do, and I thank Michael and Crystal for taking the time to come to the Capitol.
I also wanted to share information on the South St. Paul Arts Council, which has several upcoming events, including a free performance by the Bluegrass group The Double Down Daredevils this Friday from 7:00-10:00 pm at the Croatian Hall. More info and future events can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/sspartscouncil/events/community-arts-events
House Floor Votes
The House has begun passing policy bill packages in major issue areas building on the work of our historically productive 2023 session and improving the lives of Minnesotans. So far the House has passed:
- A public safety package that passed unanimously and includes bipartisan provisions that protect victim-survivors and make our system more just.
- Bills supporting our Departments of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs, which passed with unanimous support!
- A bipartisan higher education policy bill that includes the clean energy sector in our Workforce Development Scholarship Program and expands support in higher education for students who have a disability.
- An early education policy bill focused on strengthening our pre-kindergarten and school readiness programs.
- A bipartisan transportation policy package that improves road safety, DVS wait times, child passenger safety, and consumer protections.
- An election bill that addresses voting rights, election disinformation, and school board appointments.
Environment Committee Updates
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee has put together a policy bill package that will help the DNR transition to a digital game and fish licensing system, expand protections for native prairies, and implement recommendations on state oversight for feral hogs and native rough fish. The 2024 Environment and Natural Resources Policy bill will be up on the House floor next week, alongside the 2024 State Lands bill.
Legislative Audit Commission
Yesterday the Legislative Audit Commission, which I am a co-chair of, met to finalize topics for evaluation in 2024. The Commission selected the following topics for evaluation (click on the links for background information). OLA will complete evaluations on the five topics by early 2025.
I also successfully moved to have OLA conduct a financial audit of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Faculty Pay Processing in 2025. You can find more information about the Legislative Audit Commission here, and find a video recording of yesterday’s meeting here.
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. You can contact my Legislative Assistant Sam O'Neill at 651-296-3305 or via email at Samuel.ONeill@house.mn.gov.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative