Legislative Update - The First Month of Session

Dear Neighbors, 

We’re wrapping up our first month of the 2023 Legislative Session, and we’re already moving at a record pace of delivering on our promises to Minnesotans. Just hours ago, Governor Walz signed the first bill introduced by the House and Senate into law. This bill, the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, is a direct response to the extreme actions made by the US Supreme Court last summer when they overturned Roe v. Wade and undid half a century of legal precedent. 

In addition to this bill, we’ve already made $100 million in tax cuts, including removing the tax on student loan forgiveness, and passed bills like The CROWN Act, expanding Minnesota’s Human Rights Act.

Our productivity so early in session is thanks in large part to the voter-delivered DFL trifecta, with the DFL holding slim majorities in the Minnesota House and Senate, and Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan maintaining their offices. While we’ve made meaningful progress in these last few years, Minnesotans have been tired of the gridlock holding us back. 

That all changes this session. 

Chair of Human Services Finance

This session, I am deeply honored to serve as Chair of the House Human Services Finance Committee. When we meaningfully invest in human services, we are investing in the everyday resources Minnesotans deserve and depend on.

We’ll cover a large variety of issues, but I’d like to highlight a recent hearing we held on homelessness, and the solutions available to us. I spoke about recent events within our community surrounding this issue. We can and must do better.

100% Clean Energy by 2040

The last eight years globally have been the hottest on record, and Minnesota is among the top states currently seeing rapid changes to our climate. Scientists know climate change driven by fossil fuels is impacting our environment, infrastructure, and our health. While Minnesota has long been a leader in clean energy, partisan gridlock in recent years has hindered attempts to combat climate change.

Last week, we passed the 100% by 2040 bill, a landmark piece of legislation I’m co-authoring that will help our state address climate change head-on and prepare for a carbon-free future. Action at the state level is urgently needed to help the U.S. meet our climate goals. This legislation would require the state’s utilities to use entirely carbon-free sources for electricity production by 2040. This would put us on track with over 20 other states that have also adopted similar goals.

Not only is this legislation critical to protecting our climate, but it also makes economic sense. Wind power is the cheapest form of electricity, and producing solar energy is cheaper than building new fossil fuel plants or importing fossil fuels from other states. This bill ensures we remove barriers to setting up carbon-free and renewable power sources and invest in jobs right here in Minnesota. I voted in support of this bill on the House floor, and will continue working to address and combat climate change this session.

Driver’s Licenses for All

A piece of legislation I’m proud to co-author is the Driver’s Licenses for All Bill, which we passed off the House floor last night. The opportunity to obtain a driver’s license is something that should be available to all members of our community, regardless of immigration status. A driver’s license is often essential for economic security, and a necessity for all of our communities to be safe commuting and traveling on our roads. 

I am so grateful to all of the advocates and our community members who have fought for this critical legislation for almost two decades. We have a real opportunity to improve the lives of communities that have been ignored far too often, far too long. I spoke to the importance of this bill on the House floor. 

This bill is one step closer to becoming law as it moves through committees in the Senate. 

Stay Connected

As things are already moving fast at the Minnesota Legislature, and I want to make sure you have the tools and resources available to you to stay in the loop. For my work, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.

I also invite you to contact my office with any questions or comments you may have at (651) 296-4257 or rep.mohamud.noor@house.mn.gov. My legislative assistant, Sebastian, or I will be happy to assist you. 

For broader legislative information, you can access the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services for nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication.

It’s an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House. 

Sincerely, 

Mohamud Noor

State Representative

District 60B