Legislative update from Rep. Mike Freiberg

Neighbors,   

I am honored to be returning to Saint Paul as your State Representative for the sixth time. Being a public servant and working to put our families first has been and continues to be one of my greatest joys. I am especially excited for all the work we’re going to do this session now that the DFL has control of the House, Senate, and Governor’s office, creating the “trifecta.” There’s plenty of work to be done, so let’s get to it.  

Safeguarding Elections

This session, I will be chairing the Elections Finance and Policy Committee. Given the attacks on our democracy in the past few years, this work is critical to ensure safe and fair elections for Minnesota.  

Last week, we passed two important bills out of the committee. HF 28, known as the “Restore the Vote Act” would restore the right to vote to individuals convicted of a felony upon completion of incarceration imposed and executed by a court for the offense. HF 110 would allow individuals to pre-register to vote at age 16. 

Today, we heard HF 117, a bill that tightens up regulations on outside money used to influence Minnesota elections, and HF 205, a bill that clarifies the prohibition of soliciting near polling places. Both bills have passed out of the committee.  

Reproductive Rights

I am also serving on the State and Local Government Committee. Last week, we passed the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act out of committee in its final hearing before heading to the House floor. To see some of the hearing, click here.  

This bill protects Minnesotans’ right to contraception, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, the right to abortion, and ensures the right to privacy for personal reproductive health decisions. It also prevents interference by anti-choice politicians who seek to enact or defend medically unnecessary barriers to comprehensive reproductive health care. Politics has no place in a doctor’s office.  

The bill will be taken up for a vote on the House floor tomorrow, and I will proudly vote to pass it. 

Adult-use Cannabis Legalization

Last week was a big week for several pieces of important legislation. I am also serving on the Commerce Finance and Policy committee. Last week, we heard HF100, a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis, and passed it out of committee.  

Our bill creates a safe, well-regulated, and legal marketplace, including best practices for consumer protection, health, and public safety. It also includes a robust expungement program, so people who have disproportionately been caught in the criminal justice system due to cannabis can move on with their lives. 

HF 100 still has about a dozen stops to make in various committees before we vote on the House floor. We are doing our due diligence to make sure this bill does right by Minnesotans.  

In addition to this bill, I introduced HF 175, which expands and increases access to the medical-use cannabis program to Tribal nations in Minnesota. This is an important and overdue expansion of the program, and I’m excited to get it done. 

New Secular Caucus

I am proud to announce that I am co-chair of the new Secular Caucus, along with Rep. Hollins, Sen. McEwen, and Sen. Marty. In response to the rise in Christian Nationalism, we believe it is important to have a legislative Secular Government Caucus to support our constitutional separation of church and state. 

The purpose of the caucus is to promote public policy based on reason, science, and moral values. We oppose discrimination against all people, whether religious or nonreligious; atheists, agnostics, humanists and seekers; championing freedom of thought and conscience. 

Upcoming Town Hall

Rep. Frazier, Sen. Rest, and I will be holding a town hall on Jan 28th at 10:00am at the Crystal Community Center. We want to hear from you! 

Please come and share your thoughts with us as we dive into the new session. The event is nonpartisan and everyone in the community is welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you.  

Redistricting Update

As a result of redistricting and retirements, you may be in a new district and/or have a new state representative. To find out if your state representative or senator has changed, click here. To change your email subscription, visit the Subscriber Preferences Page. If you have questions or experience technical difficulties with this subscription service, please click here. 

Stay Connected

To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. 

You can also stay up-to-date with the latest by following my Facebook page or my Twitter.  

To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.mike.freiberg@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4176, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe. 

It is an honor to continue to serve you.  

In solidarity,  

Rep. Mike Freiberg