 Dear Neighbors, Happy New Year! I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the chilly, but bright start to 2025. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule is a mechanism we have in place to help Minnesotans struggling to pay their heating bills. An important note for renters: lawmakers enacted into state law a minimum heat requirement last year. Temperatures must be set at a minimum of 68 degrees from October to April if the tenant does not control the thermostat. If you have questions about this, please feel free to email me directly at rep.robert.bierman@house.mn.gov or you can click here for more information from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  You’re Invited: First Community Coffee Hour of 2025This Saturday, January 4th at 9:00 a.m. I’ll be at Dunn Bros in Apple Valley (15265 Galaxie Ave.) for a community coffee hour and would love to see you there! Your input is always important to me, but especially now as we prepare for the 2025 session.  I spoke with the Sun Current about my optimism about delivering bipartisan results for Apple Valley and you can read it here. New Laws Take EffectWith the arrival of January 1 also comes a slate of new laws that have taken effect from our work in the 2023-2024 biennium. Fox 9 covered these in a story you can watch here, and a comprehensive list of everything that took effect on January 1 can be found here. Whether it’s banning “junk” fees, protecting renters, prohibiting the sale of deadly “binary triggers” on firearms, or implementing fair prices for concert tickets, there’s a whole host of commonsense measures that are now law in Minnesota. Keep in TouchPlease continue to contact me anytime at rep.robert.bierman@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5506 with input, questions, or ideas. It’s an honor to elevate Apple Valley voices at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Robert Bierman
State Representative |