Neighbors,
We have been spending many late nights in committee this week as we work to pass bills out of committee before the deadline.
Updates on My Bills
As the committee deadline expires tonight at midnight, here is an update of my policy bills heard last week in committee:
HF1509 – my bill to allow micro distilleries such as J. Carver the ability to sell bottles of their product on-site – has been included in the Liquor Omnibus bill. I am very excited to discuss this measure on the floor and see it passed to help our Minnesota small businesses.
HF5330 – which will create a specialized “Start Seeing Motorcycles” license plate – will be included in the Transportation Omnibus bill. This important measure will increase awareness among motorists to look and listen for motorcyclists.
Learn More About HF372
At the beginning of the legislative session, I sat down with Sarah Alain of House Information Services to discuss HF372, my firearms bill that passed the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance committee last week. It was great to have the opportunity to inform the public of the purpose of the bill: to remove a redundant step that hampers your ability to freely exercise your Second Amendment right. You can see my interview and the entire committee meeting here.
Hot Topics: Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Immigrants
Many of you have reached out to me to share your thoughts on HF97, which would grant driver’s licenses to immigrants who have come to the United States and Minnesota illegally. I am opposed to this bill for multiple reasons. First, while we all agree that Minnesota is a great place to live and work, it is important that we encourage legal immigration. This bill sends a message that Minnesota will not acknowledge federal law and will support illegal immigration. This bill also condones unlawful hiring practices by allowing the use of the licenses in job applications. Finally, I believe this bill is a bad bill fiscally. California recently implemented a similar proposal, and has had to implement new offices as well as new staff to process the influx of specialized license requests. This bill is not in the best interests of the taxpayers.
Visitors to the Capitol
Thank you to those of you that have stopped by or emailed me to discuss your thoughts as we hit the halfway point in the legislative session! This week, Carver resident Katarina Christianson served as a high school page. It was great to see Kat and hear her thoughts on our work thus far in the legislature. She has a bright future ahead of her!
My son David visited me for his 16th birthday, joining me in committee and on the floor.
I also had the chance to meet with the Watertown-Mayer Mock Trial team. Thanks to these future lawyers for stopping by!
Continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts. You can meet with me in St. Paul by scheduling an appointment with my Legislative Assistant, Natalie, at (651) 296-5999. You can also email me directly at rep.jim.nash@house.mn, or connect with me via Facebook here.
It is an honor to work for you.
Rep. Jim Nash