Legislative Update – May 24, 2024
2024 Session Wrap-Up
Dear Neighbors,
The 2024 Legislative Session adjourned on May 20, and this two-year biennium has been one of the most productive in state history. This term, we worked towards a better future for Minnesotans and made progress on so many challenges currently facing our state.
We made great progress tackling issues like gun violence prevention, combatting climate change, and consumer protection, priorities which previously stalled under divided government. But there is still work to do.
House DFL lawmakers will continue working with our neighbors and community members to lower the cost of living, deliver economic security for working families, and ensure everyone has the tools they need to thrive.
After setting a transformational two-year budget last year, House DFLers built off 2023’s historically productive session by enacting more solutions to grow the state’s middle class and ensure all Minnesotans have the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their families.
Bills Passed into Law
This year I was proud to author several bills that made it across the finish line and will soon be law. I passed legislation alongside Senator Kelly Morrison making it easier for patients using methadone, a highly effective medication used to treat Opioid Use Disorder, to access their treatment (HF 4014).
Senator Morrison and I also passed bipartisan legislation with Colleen Ronnei of Change The Outcome expanding Minnesota's "Good Samaritan" law to help save more lives of those experiencing drug overdoses (HF 3812). The change would make sure the law protects those assisting someone who is calling 911 to report a potential overdose.
Climate and Energy
As Chair of the Climate and Energy Committee, I was proud to be the author of our 2024 Climate and Energy budget and policy bill, which ensures we can hit our clean energy goals by making smart, targeted investments in solar and geothermal as well as reforming our permitting process and electric transmission system to ensure Minnesota remains a clean energy leader.
Last year the Legislature made historic investments in addressing and combatting climate change, lowering energy costs for working families, and setting a 100% Clean Energy by 2040 goal. This year’s budget builds upon that progress, and working alongside the Senate and Governor, we passed a bill that will help lower Minnesotans’ energy bills, support clean energy and green jobs, and combat climate change.
End of Session Action
Last year the Legislature passed our major two-year budget bills, and this year the House built on that progress by passing small supplemental budgets alongside more substantial policy changes in major committee areas. Working alongside the Governor and our Senate counterparts, we reached final agreements on all major budget bills.
You can find nonpartisan summaries about the final agreements here: Transportation, Labor and Housing, Energy and Agriculture, Public Safety and Judiciary, Commerce and Cannabis, Jobs and Economic Development, Environment and Natural Resources, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Human Services, Health, and Elections.
These are all great bills, but as a member of the Climate and Energy, Health, and Sustainable Infrastructure committees, I’m especially proud of our efforts there.
We also passed a gun violence prevention bill that includes tougher penalties for straw purchasers and a ban on binary triggers, a bill that will increase wages for rideshare drivers while keeping companies operating in Minnesota, a health occupational licensure and scoping bill, legislation improving our child welfare services and addressing racial disparities, and a tenant’s right’s package.
Staying in touch
Please reach out if you have any questions or feedback you would like to share. You can contact me by email at rep.patty.acomb@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-9934.
Sincerely,
Patty Acomb
State Representative