Legislative Update - The End of Session & Our June Town Hall

Dear Neighbors, 

The 2024 legislative session ended, much as it began - with Democrats delivering big for the people of Minnesota. We passed a strong deal with drivers and Uber/Lyft, paid family and medical leave, and gun violence prevention. In addition, we sent several of my bills to the Governor including:

• More than $100 million in new investments to prevent homelessness and build/preserve more affordable homes
• The strongest worker protection bill in the country for contractors using tax credits for publicly-financed housing
• Our bill to end the Minneapolis 2040 lawsuit and allow cities to plan for more homes without fear of frivolous litigation
• Enhanced accountability for Big Pharma to fund administration of the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Law

It has been an honor these last two years to serve our community and work together to improve the lives of Minnesotans. This is the right way to govern. This is the right way to make our community and state a better place for all.

There’s a lot to cover when it comes to what we accomplished this session, which is why I hope you can make it to the District 51 Town Hall we’ll be hosting on Thursday, June 20th, from 6-7:30pm at Richfield City Hall.

I’ll be joined by our incredible District 51 Team - Sen. Wiklund and Rep. Coulter, each of whom I know have their own individual accomplishments to discuss in addition to being champions of our DFL agenda. We hope to see you there!

Big Picture - What Passed?

Regardless of whether you can join us for the Town Hall, I want to give you a quick overview of what we passed into law this year. 

Last year, the Legislature passed our major two-year budget bills, and this year we 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 - which have now been signed into law. 

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 Chair of the Housing Committee, 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 tenants’ rights package. 

E-Bike Rebate - Available June 5th

The new e-Bike Rebate we passed into law is taking effect soon! Applications for the rebate go live on Wednesday, June 5th and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. The rebate is worth 50-75% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum value of $1,500 off the cost of the e-Bike.

Individuals and retailers must apply to the Minnesota Department of Revenue to take part in this program. If approved, individuals will receive the rebate certificate by email. They will then have two months to go to an approved retailer and purchase a discounted e-bike.

Retailers will mark the certificate as redeemed and apply the discount amount at the time of purchase. They will then have one month to request reimbursement through the retailer portal.

CBS News wrote about the rebate program recently and you can read more here.

Free Park Day - June 8

Summer is just about here and Minnesota state parks and trails are waiting! The next Free Park Day is Saturday, June 8th with free admission to everyone - no vehicle permits needed!

Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there's a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. 

With a free day each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new - or visit an old favorite at a new time of year! Whether you stay the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime. Find a state park near you using the DNR’s ParkFinder tool.

Stay Connected

With the legislative session over, I’m looking forward to being back in our community full-time! Though committees won’t be meeting, that doesn’t mean the work stops, so please continue to reach out with any question, comments, or ideas you may have to make Minnesota better! 

Always feel free to email me at rep.michael.howard@house.mn.gov or give my office a call at 651-296-7158.

You can also stay up to date by following my official Facebook page, subscribing to these regular email updates if you haven’t already, and checking my legislative webpage for the latest information from my office. 

In partnership, 

Michael Howard