Legislative Update - A Shorter Week with Big Results

Hello Friends, 

This was a shorter week than usual at the Minnesota House, with the capitol complex closing in anticipation of this week’s snow. Though it wasn’t a full week, we still managed to get a lot of important work done, mostly during Monday’s House floor session. 

A big shout out to Shakopee’s Chief Tate for joining us at the State Capitol to speak to the importance of combating catalytic converter theft and advocating for the provisions in our bill that we passed on Monday with bipartisan support, House File 30.

This bill, which I co-authored, seeks to crack down on the theft of catalytic converters by prohibiting anyone from possessing a used, unattached catalytic converter unless the owner has the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle, and the date the converter was removed from the vehicle. It prohibits the sale and purchase of catalytic converters by anyone other than registered scrap metal dealers, and would impose a fine of up to $10,000 for unlawful possession and sale.

Minnesota ranks in the top five for catalytic cover thefts. In November of 2022, a federal takedown of a catalytic converter theft ring of over a half-billion dollars included more than a  dozen search warrants across Minnesota.

Banning Conversion “Therapy”

Another bill we passed on Monday, House File 16, was no stranger to me, as I had previously voted to pass it during the 2019-2020 biennium - another example of the second life legislation is getting with the new DFL trifecta. This bill would ban the discredited practice of conversion “therapy” on children and vulnerable adults.

Medical experts, survivors, and friends of those impacted by the practice of conversion therapy have made it clear - this “therapy” is nothing more than a damaging pseudo-science that only serves to further stigmatize and harm people. It’s time for Minnesota to stand with science and support our LGBTQ+ neighbors.

The bill would also remove funding from Minnesota’s Medical Assistance (MA) for the practice. Conversion “therapy” has been identified by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatry Association as a dangerous and discredited practice that has traumatized many LGBTQ+ Americans.

Establishing the Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls

The last bill I’ll lift up from this week is House File 55, which would create an Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. Black Minnesotans have told us they experience a lack of urgency from our public institutions when Black women and girls are reported missing. This new office will set strong standards for promptly sending alerts and supporting the community members closest to the pain of not knowing what happened to a missing family member or loved one.

Modeled after the Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives established in 2021, the bill would enact recommendations in the December 2022 report of the Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force and would be dedicated to preventing and ending the targeting of violence against Black women and girls.

Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have on these bills or our other legislative work. Heading back to St. Paul on Monday. 

Stay safe out there! 

Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov

Jared Margolis, Legislative Assistant | Jared.Margolis@house.mn.gov