Dear Friends,
It’s been another busy week in Saint Paul. I have highlighted two bills below, which I have authored to address local issues and recently received committee discussion and/or action. I have also highlighted a bill that passed on the house floor earlier this week that I feel will be of particular interest.
ADDRESSING CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT
Many Minnesota communities are dealing with a growing problem: catalytic converter thefts. It is not just an inner-city issue. Last year, I was approached by some Albert Lea law enforcement personnel who were concerned about the increase in local catalytic converter thefts and seeking some legislative action on this issue. It was too late to address this issue last session so I have authored a bill this session.
My bill that would make possession of an unauthorized catalytic converter a crime. This bill recently received some discussion in the public safety committee. Catalytic converters contain valuable metals, which is why we are seeing large numbers of them stolen across our state. They are also very expensive for the vehicle owner to replace.
This proposal would make it a misdemeanor offense to possess a used catalytic converter that is not attached to a motor vehicle unless it was marked with a date of removal and the vehicle’s ID number, or it is has been certified for reuse as a replacement part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The crime would become a gross misdemeanor if the person possessed more than one catalytic converter. Anyone convicted of the crime would also be forced to pay restitution to any identifiable victim.
The bill is based off local ordinances that have been approved by a number of cities in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Shakopee.
There are other proposals that address this topic making their way through the process, but I believe the best way to tackle the catalytic converter problem is to target criminals and hold them accountable - not target or burden business like automobile dealerships, or others that deal with catalytic converters. I will keep you posted on the bill’s progress as session moves forward.
PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION FLEXIBILITY BETWEEN LOCAL SCHOOLS
This week, in the House Education Policy Committee, I presented my bill that would provide clarity in law so nonpublic schools and public school districts would have greater flexibility when transporting nonpublic students to school. By mutual agreement, these schools may agree to an alternative transportation arrangement for transporting nonpublic school students.
This legislation clarifies options for this voluntary arrangement if the school district is contracting for bus and transportation services. It would provide a win-win situation for both public and private schools that would like to utilize mutually agreed upon arrangements that would best solve local school transportation issues.
UNDOCUMENTED DRIVERS LICENSES BILL PASSES HOUSE
On Monday, a DFL top priority bill, HF 4, passed in the House on a fully partisan, all Democrat vote. This bill allows undocumented immigrants to apply and qualify for a non-Real ID compliant Class D drivers license or state ID card. This is an extremely partisan bill with serious concerns and implications for our election process.
I can certainly understand the need for human dignity and compassion in this situation. I can also understand the argument that this may provide a benefit of having more insured cars on the road. However, giving undocumented immigrants the same Class D drivers license as Minnesota citizens WITH NO SPECIAL MARKINGS OR LIMITATIONS is problematic. Pair this with the DFL plan to pass into law later this year automatic voter registration for drivers license applications and we have a serious election integrity issue.
The opportunity for voter fraud and election confusion is ripe here. Imagine the confusion for the undocumented person who gets an election ballot in the mail because they were unintentionally registered to vote when they applied for their drivers license or state ID? Am I supposed to vote or not vote?
As legislators, we are charged with making good and sound policy. Republicans attempted to modify this legislation with amendments that would have made clear markings on these undocumented drivers licenses and IDs to make sure there would be no voting confusion. These reasonable provisions were completely ignored.
I am going to be blunt here: what other reason would there be for refusing to clearly identify a non-citizen state ID other than wanting to affect the outcome of an election by making it easier to commit voter fraud? This doesn’t make sense!
Every illegal vote disenfranchises a legal voter, and that includes minority voters. This is not right. I certainly hope that the Senate can stop this bill.
LOCAL VISITORS
I always love having visitors come to the Capitol from our local communities and here are some of my favorites!
This local Flatlanders group, a chapter of A.B.A.T.E Minnesota, came to the Capitol to advocate for motorcycle issues. This is a great bunch of people who hail from the city of Albert Lea and surrounding areas. They come every year for a “Day on the Hill” to advocate for their passion, which is motorcycles and motorcycling. I always receive a lot of valuable feedback from this group on many different subjects, including motorcycles. Thank you for coming, Flatlanders! It was great to see you!
Have a good weekend,
Peggy