Dear Neighbors,
This week was full of long floor sessions as the House debated and passed multiple omnibus bills on various issues. With legislative business now done for the week, here is an update with an overview of these bills as well as some news on a bill I have been working on.
HSA Bill Becomes Law
Yesterday Governor Dayton signed into law my bill to protect up to $25,000 in health savings accounts from creditors and bankruptcy trustees. While other properties were protected by Minnesota state exceptions, there was nothing in statute about healthcare savings. More and more people have been using health savings accounts in recent years, and people deserve to have the money they save for healthcare expenses shielded. I am glad to see that HSA savings are now protected by law in Minnesota, and I am thankful for the support of the governor and my legislative colleagues.
Tax Bill
The House on Monday passed the tax bill I discussed in last week’s update. This legislation will simplify Minnesota’s tax code to allow filers to fully benefit from federal tax reform and provide additional tax relief to middle-class Minnesotans. It will also deliver our state's first income tax rate cut in nearly two decades, allowing Minnesotans to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Health and Human Services and Transportation Bill
On Tuesday, the House voted to approve a health and humans services and transportation package. The health and human services portion focuses on reducing health care costs for Minnesotans; combatting the opioid crisis; protecting vulnerable adults; preventing fraud and abuse of public programs; and preventing a wage cut for those that care for our disabled community.
The bill’s transportation portion builds on the successes of last year’s legislation that consisted of one of the largest investments in roads and bridges in history without raising the gas tax. This year’s transportation plan uses surplus funds leveraged with trunk highway bonds to spend $385 million on transportation needs this year. The plan is again heavily focused on investments in roads and bridges. Included in the funding is $25 million for county roads, $6.6 million for city roads, $2 million for township roads, and $7 million for Small Cities Assistance Program for cities under 5,000.
Public Safety Bill
The House also passed this year’s Public Safety omnibus bill on Tuesday. This legislation accomplishes our ultimate goal of ensuring the safety and security of Minnesota families and children.
Highlights of the Public Safety bill include:
- Increasing the penalties for protesters who illegally choose to obstruct highways and transit
- Protecting law enforcement officers by increasing the penalty for physically assaulting officers
- Preventing local governments from disarming officers who are in good standing and not under investigation or subject to disciplinary action.
- Cracking down on sex offenders by strengthening and closing loopholes in Minnesota law surrounding criminal sexual conduct
- Increasing penalties for child pornography offenses
Additional highlights from other omnibus bills passed in the House this week include:
- Funding for three new veterans homes in Greater Minnesota with excess Stadium Reserve Funds
- Requiring nitrogen fertilizer rules proposed by the Department of Agriculture to have legislative approval
- $35 million in bonding revenue for farmer loans through Rural Finance Authority
- Closing loopholes regarding the operation of a snowmobile or ATV for those who have been convicted of a DWI
Stay In Touch
In the final weeks of the legislative session, please feel free to contact me if you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government. I can be reached via phone at 651-296-3201 or by email at rep.mary.franson@house.mn. I value your input and would love to hear from you.
I truly represent the best!
