Legislative UpdateFriends and Neighbors, Committees are in full swing, and we are finally moving forward on legislation that matters to Minnesotans. Unfortunately, we lost three weeks of this legislative session because Democrats failed to show up for work, playing political games instead of focusing on the needs of our state. Now that we’ve been back a couple of weeks, I am committed to making up for lost time and ensuring we work with purpose to get things done. On top of the legislative work, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with people from the MN Association of Physician Associates, People's Energy Cooperative, the National Kidney Foundation, and the MN Chamber of Commerce. It's always good to see constituents and stakeholders advocating for good policy and staying involved in the political process. If you're ever down at the capitol, don't hesitate to swing by. You can schedule a meeting through my assistant, Rebecca, by emailing her at Rebecca.Reiners@house.mn.gov. This week, I want to update you on two of my bills that are one step closer to becoming law, our efforts to protect fairness in women’s sports, and the continued fight to ensure that elections remain open and fair to all candidates. SAVI Bill & Election Fairness Bill Move Closer to PassageTwo of my bills have received their second reading—meaning they are well on their way to becoming law. They may still have a few more committee stops, but once they receive a third and final reading and subsequent floor debate, they will be passed out of the House. The SAVI Bill (HF 289): My Strategic Allocation and Value Initiative (SAVI) bill, first introduced in 2011, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. This tool empowers state workers to identify and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending—something that could have saved taxpayers millions when Democrats spent the entire $18 billion surplus last session, putting us on the path to a $5.1 billion deficit. I’m pushing to reinstate SAVI so we can better manage the budget and avoid financial mismanagement in the future. The Special Election Filing Bill (HF 66): This bill would establish a 10-day filing period for special elections, ensuring that all candidates—including third-party candidates—have a fair opportunity to run. Why is this important? When Senator Kari Dziedzic sadly passed away just before the new year, Governor Walz called a special election with only an 8-hour filing period, making it nearly impossible for some candidates to file. Many people were out of town visiting family and missed their opportunity to enter the race. Even worse, third-party candidates need to collect signatures to appear on the ballot. An 8-hour window is simply not enough time for that process to happen. By implementing a reasonable 10-day window, we ensure that every qualified candidate has a chance to run, maintaining fairness in our elections and giving Minnesotans real choices at the ballot box. Protecting Women’s Sports: Science and Fairness Must PrevailMen and women are biologically different, and this reality is evident in every level of competition. The Olympic records alone tell the story—men consistently run faster, jump higher, and lift more than women. Even with hormone treatments, biological males retain significant advantages in size, muscle mass, and bone density, which not only leads to an unfair playing field but also poses a higher risk of injury for female athletes competing against them. That’s why I’m supporting the Preserving Women’s Sports Act (HF12), which ensures that women and girls have the opportunity to compete on a fair and level playing field. I have previously introduced a version of this bill that clearly defined eligibility by chromosomal differences—stating that individuals with a Y chromosome would not be eligible for female sports. This approach eliminates ambiguity and ensures fairness without relying on vague definitions of male and female that can be misinterpreted or manipulated. However, this version is still a good bill and is crucially important to protecting the integrity of women’s athletics. This is not about excluding anyone—it’s about protecting the integrity of women’s sports and ensuring that female athletes aren’t losing scholarships, championships, or their safety because of unfair competition. The data is clear: women deserve the right to compete against their biological peers, and I will continue working to uphold science and fairness in athletics. Continuing the Fight for YouThe work is far from over, but I am committed to making sure that every bill I support is focused on real solutions that improve the lives of Minnesotans. Whether it’s fiscal responsibility, election fairness, or defending women’s sports, I will always stand up for common sense policies that benefit our state. As always, I appreciate hearing from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts, concerns, or questions. Have a great weekend, and I look forward to continuing this fight for you! Rep. Duane Quam |