Legislative Update- May 18, 2023

Dear Neighbors,

We’re in the home stretch of the 2023 legislative session on track to finish by our constitutionally required date to adjourn, May 22. So far we’ve completed budget area compromises with the Senate in the following areas: Veterans and Military Affairs, Housing, Higher Education, Legacy, Agriculture, Early Education, Public Safety and Judiciary, K-12 Education, and Jobs, Economic Development, and Labor.

As a member of the House Public Safety Committee, I’d like to share with you some highlights from the Public Safety budget compromise that’s on its way to the governor.

Support for law enforcement and victims is central to the bill, carrying significant investments for both. The legislation includes law enforcement priorities with a $5 million investment I’m carrying in police officer recruitment. Victims and survivors will also receive the assistance they need through advocacy programs, housing supports, and state-paid sexual assault exams.

I made time to pay my respects to our fallen officers at the Peace Office Memorial this week at the Capitol.

In response to increasing gun violence among our children and fallen peace officers, the bill includes a number of violence prevention measures. It implements criminal background checks to keep guns out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them. It also includes a red flag law, creating an effective tool to prevent those likely to cause harm from doing so. We’re also investing in gun violence prevention research grants to determine the next best steps to end gun violence. 

Historic Investments for ISD #196

Yesterday, the Minnesota House passed House File 2497, the K-12 Education budget. The bill delivers $2.2 billion in transformational investments to Minnesota’s schools, including a reduction of the Special Education cross-subsidy by nearly half with a $662 million investment.

As the third largest school district in the state, Eagan-Apple Valley-Rosemount has been hit hard trying to catch up on Special Education funding shortfalls, so all our kids can access the tools they need to be successful. Education is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and our bill stabilizes funding and and protects it so we can count on it in the future by indexing it to inflation. I was proud to support this for our students.

Replacing Lead Pipes Statewide

This week, the governor signed Chapter 39, House File 24 into law, legislation we passed to deliver $240 million for replacing water service lines containing lead. These grants will be available to community public water suppliers of a community water system, municipalities, suppliers of other residential drinking water systems, and anyone eligible for grants or loans under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Minnesota Department of Health estimates there are about 100,000 water service lines in the state leaching lead into the drinking water flowing through them. Coming in contact with lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. In children, lead can also slow development or cause learning, behavior, and hearing problems. Clean water infrastructure is critical, and I’m glad we got this done.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.john.huot@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4306 with questions or input. I appreciate hearing from you!

Thank you for the honor of serving our Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Eagan neighbors at the State Capitol. 

Take care,

John