Legislative Update: February 16, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

In addition to getting new bills ready for our legislative session, I’ve been busy meeting with advocates, leaders, and residents in our community to identify how we can build on our historic accomplishments from last year to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing Minnesotans. I’ve enjoyed meeting with you all.

This year, I will continue to serve as Committee Chair of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues to serve as an active, collective voice to meet the needs of Minnesotans.

Thank you for your phone calls, emails, and visits. I’m looking forward to continuing working together for our community and Minnesota in 2024. Please reach out to my office if I can be of any help in the future. 

Here is an update from Saint Paul.

Local Bills Of Interest

I introduced several bills this week that impact our local community:

• HF3346 is a bill that would allow Anoka County to build the county jail outside of the city of Anoka.  This bill is getting a hearing in the State and Local Government Committee next week.
• HF3608 would appropriate $500,000 to Haven for Heroes, an Anoka non-profit serving homeless veterans.  The money would allow Haven for Heroes to restore the auditorium building at the historic state hospital and use it in support of their mission.
• HF3609 appropriates $14.5 million to Anoka Ramsey Community College’s Coon Rapids campus to build new laboratory space for their biology, chemistry, physics, natural sciences, and engineering programs.

Child Tax Credit

Beginning with tax year 2023, the Minnesota Child Tax Credit will offer up to $1,750 per qualifying child, with no limit on the number of children claimed. With this nation-leading credit, we are cutting child poverty by one-third. This is a refundable credit, meaning taxpayers can receive a refund even if they do not owe any taxes otherwise – but you must file to receive it. In all, nearly 300,000 Minnesotans are eligible for this credit lawmakers enacted last year.

More information about this valuable credit is available from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. There are also more than 170 free tax preparation sites across the state for low-income Minnesotans and seniors.

Strengthening Consumer Protections

Last session, I authored legislation to ban price gouging in times of emergencies. Minnesotans should not be subjected to price gouging, especially during an emergency when they’re trying to survive and care for themselves and their family. 

This week, we took another step in protecting consumers. In the Commerce Committee (which I Chair), we heard our first bill of the year to address the large increases Minnesotans have seen in their homeowner’s insurance this past year.  This legislation will expand Minnesota’s price gouging protections to include typical and needed services after severe weather emergencies.  

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5513.

It’s an honor to represent our Coon Rapids and Anoka families in St. Paul.

Sincerely,

Rep. Zack Stephenson

Minnesota House of Representatives