Legislative Update – May 24, 2024

Legislative Update – May 24, 2024

2024 Session Wrap-Up

The 2024 Legislative Session adjourned on May 20, and this two-year biennium has been one of the most productive in state history! This term, we worked towards a better future and made strides to help Minnesotans who are struggling in our state.

I'm proud of our progress on issues like gun violence prevention, combatting climate change, and strengthening consumer protections- priorities that previously stalled under divided government. But there is still more work to do.

House DFL lawmakers will continue working with our neighbors and community members to lower the cost of living, deliver economic security for working families, and ensure everyone has the tools they need to thrive.

As session was coming to a close last week, I sat down with Iowa State Rep. JD Scholten to talk about the end of our session and some comparisons with our neighboring state.

You can hear more about the end of the legislative session on in my weekly radio interview with KYMN 95.1 The One by clicking the link below.

Weekly KYMN Interview

Bills Passed into Law!

This year I was proud to author several pieces of legislation that made it across the finish line and will soon be law!

I passed a bill that allows college campuses to hold an on-campus early voting location if the students or administration make that request (HF 3447), and a provision protecting local honey producers by ensuring labeling is consistent with federal regulations (HF 5147). 

In my first ever pensions bill, (HF 4656) teachers and other public employees with student debt can have their student loan payments count as their contribution to achieve an employer match of their pension! We also passed a modified version of my public waters definition bill (HF 3385), and were able to win funding for an update of our Public Waters Inventory which will clarify what water is private and what is considered public in Minnesota.

Agriculture and Environment

As I mentioned in last week’s update, I was selected to serve on two conference committees, working alongside committee chairs from the House and Senate to build the strongest bills possible. As a first-term legislator, I was proud to bring my voice to both the Agriculture and Environment conference committees to advocate for our district, our farmers, and our environment!

Our final Agriculture agreement had many important provisions, but an incredibly important piece of our work this year was addressing elevated nitrate levels in southeast Minnesotans' drinking water, where karst geology can make groundwater especially susceptible to contamination from nitrogen fertilizer. Our bill includes $2.8 million for nitrate treatment systems and another $1.5 million for other initiatives such as soil health in southeast Minnesota.

In the Environment and Natural Resources agreement, I fought for provisions that protect our water and soil for future generations. I secured $300,000 in tree planting grants for Northfield, and we passed policies that set goals to get a report and then reduce road salt and nitrogen fertilizer. We also provided the Department of Natural Resources and Pollution Control Agency funding to increase penalties on bad actors who put profit over environmental protection.

End of Session Action

I am proud of all the bills we carried across the finish line, but as a member of the Environment and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Education Finance, and Elections committees, I’m especially proud of our efforts there!

We also passed a gun violence prevention bill that includes tougher penalties for straw purchasers and a ban on binary triggers, a bill that will increase wages for rideshare drivers while keeping companies operating in Minnesota, a health occupational licensure and scoping bill, legislation improving our child welfare services and addressing racial disparities, and a tenant’s right’s package.

Working alongside the Governor and our Senate counterparts, we reached final agreements on all major budget bills. You can find nonpartisan summaries about the final agreements here: Transportation, Labor and Housing, Energy and Agriculture, Public Safety and Judiciary, Commerce and Cannabis, Jobs and Economic Development, Environment and Natural Resources, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Human Services, Health, and Elections.

Stay Connected!

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