Legislative Update – July 9, 2024
Dear Neighbors,
I want to start by highlighting a great story from our district. WCCO covered the efforts of local artist Jaclee Slaba to restore and repair the iconic statue of Lucy from the Peanuts which has stood outside the South St. Paul Library for years and will now be headed to the new Kaposia Library. Read the full story here: Twin Cities artist repairing Peanuts' Lucy statue for South St. Paul library.
The South St. Paul Mayor’s Task Force is raising money to cover the relocation and restoration through a local lemonade stand on July 12 from 11:00-2:00 pm at 7th and Shoreview. Learn more here.
Another quick reminder, as of July 19, state election law prohibits legislators from sending out any proactive communications to constituents until after the election—which includes these email legislative updates.
Though my updates will be paused during that time period, I am still able to respond to individual constituents who write in with their questions, comments, or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.gov
Water Use Policy
I spoke with a reporter from the Minnesota Reformer on a story about the Niagra Bottling plant, which bottles and Minnesota water and sells it nationwide. Read the story here: Minnesota water bottle plant receiving millions in subsidies.
These issues of water transfer, whether it’s by train or by millions of plastic bottles, are going to continue to grow in concern. As we continue to deal with the effects of climate change, I am dedicated to ensuring we protect our groundwater for future generations.
In the past years, we have taken important steps forward in water use policy and water protection, but there is still more to be done. Here are some highlights from legislation the state has enacted in the past:
- Creating Sustainable Diversion Limits, including clarify requirements for determining whether groundwater appropriations negatively impact surface waters and clarifying that groundwater appropriation permits may only be issued if they avoid known negative impacts to surface waters.
- Expanding the DNR Water Law Enforcement Authority, including allowing them to address repeat and serious violations, allow cumulative penalties, and more.
- Creating a White Bear Lake Area Water-Use group to ensure communities in the White Bear Lake area have access to sufficient safe drinking water.
- Funding to the University of Minnesota to develop a 50-Year Clean Water Plan.
July’s New Laws
On July 1, several new policies and investments we passed at the State Capitol this year took effect, including $43 million to improve student literacy. We can make all the investments in education we want, but none will be that impactful if our children are falling behind on reading.
Other highlights of the new laws taking effect include making sure our driver’s license exams utilize plain language, criminalizing “deep fakes” to influence an election, and investing nearly $80 million in lottery proceeds covering more than 100 projects to protect Minnesota's natural resources.
You can read about these new laws and more in this summary of what was enacted on July 1.
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