Legislative Update – April 19, 2024
We have about one month remaining in the 2024 legislative session, and our committees met this week to present and pass policy and supplemental budget bills in various issue areas. These bills will only have one more committee stop before they are voted on by the full House. From banning junk fees to lowering health care costs, I am proud of the legislation we’re moving forward to support workers and grow the middle class.
In between committee hearings and House floor sessions, I was glad to meet with advocates from Moms Demand Action, a gun violence prevention group, and meet with students from Carleton College. I also had visits from Northfield Promise on Education Partnership Coalition’s (EPC) annual Day on the Hill, and Habitat for Humanity housing advocates from Rice County!
I was glad to talk to Faribault-native Jaqueline Borromeo, who works at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as well as college student Matti who is interested in a career in agricultural and environmental policy. I also met with Merri, who was at the Capitol as part of Northfield's Youth in Government program!
You can hear more about the past week in the legislature and the bills I am working on in my weekly radio interview with KYMN 95.1 The One by clicking the link below.
House Floor Votes
The House continues to pass policy bill packages in major issue areas building on the work of our historically productive 2023 session and improving the lives of Minnesotans. In the past week, the House has passed:
- A human services policy bill that continues to make tangible progress for Minnesotans with disabilities, those in recovery from substance use disorder, and recipients who rely on our waiver services to help them thrive.
- An environment and natural resources bill that supports native fish, expands opportunities to protect prairies, and prepares for a digital outdoor recreation licensing system.
- A commerce policy bill focusing on consumer and child protections, debt reform, net neutrality, and more. It also ensures that gender-affirming care is covered under insurance plans.
- A minor cannabis policy bill that takes into account recommendations from the newly created Office of Cannabis Management.
- A housing policy bill that looks out for renters by clarifying and strengthening tenant’s rights.
Bills Moving Forward
This week committees in the House began taking action on smaller supplemental budget bills that build on last year’s progress. I am glad to report that I have multiple pieces of legislation moving forward as a part of a number of these budget bills!
Our 2024 Agriculture bill focuses on improving water quality and soil health and addresses drinking water contamination caused by nitrogen fertilizer in the southeast corner of Minnesota. That final bill includes my bill modifying pesticide applicator licenses, and a bill closing a loophole in the state definition of honey. It also includes my bipartisan proposal to create a working group to look into a carbon or ecosystem services credit system in Minnesota that would directly benefit farmers!
The 2024 Environment and Natural Resources bill also includes several provisions of mine, including my requiring environmental impact statements for large animal operations, legislation strengthening protections for state land near ATV trails, clarifying the definition of public waters, and the disclosure of drain tile on agricultural land upon sale. I'm hoping many of these bills can survive the Conference Committee process when it will be combined with the Senate's version of the bill.
Join a State Board, Council, or Committee!
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State recently released a notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications. Any Minnesotans interested in public service are encouraged to apply! There are positions for people from all backgrounds and professions, from cosmetologists to engineers.
You can find the full list of vacancies here.
Stay Connected!
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