Summer Legislative Update

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Neighbors,

It is already the middle of July, and this is an excellent time to explore our local communities and travel to other parts of the state. Check out the Explore Minnesota website to plan your next getaway or staycation. Enjoy your adventures!

Several new laws took effect on July 1, among those are laws related to supplemental funding, education policy, restrictive employment covenants, school boards and more. You can read about the new laws here.

Summaries of all laws passed by the 2024 Legislature are available online from nonpartisan House Public Information Services here.

Rochester Public Schools Free Meals Information

Rochester Public Schools are still offering their 2024 Summer Meal Program. You can find more information here on how to access meals for your kids.

Summer EBT 

Summer EBT is a new food support program providing funds for income-eligible families with school-aged children to buy groceries while school is out for the summer. More information is available here.

Foster Care and Adoption Event

As part of their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion series, the Fernbrook Family Center is holding a Foster Care and Adoption event on August 15. You can learn more here.

Lawns to Legumes Funding

If you want your lawn to be more pollinator-friendly, Minnesota residents can now apply for spring 2025 Lawns to Legumes funding. The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching, and gardening resources.

Anyone can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitats in their yards. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you must reapply to be considered for spring 2025 funding. 

Apply online at Blue Thumb’s website. For more information about Lawns to Legumes, visit BWSR’s website.

Share your Input on Prescription Drug Pricing 

DFLers are interested in hearing from Minnesotans about how prescription drug prices impact their health care, what affordability concerns exist, and which drugs might benefit from pricing transparency. If you are interested in providing your insights, you can complete the Public Input on Prescription Drug Price Transparency in Minnesota form to share your experiences and help guide the Minnesota Department of Health’s ongoing drug price transparency work.

Stay Connected with the Legislature

It is an honor to represent you at the Capitol and I am always grateful you read my e-updates during and after the legislative session. During an election period, however, legislators cannot use state resources for unsolicited communications because it might create an unfair advantage for incumbents. Subsequently, this is my last update until after the election.

I am still available to help with the state-level problems, so please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback. Thank you for joining me in our work together to improve the state and our community.

Sincerely,

Kim Hicks

State Representative

Representative Kim Hicks

413 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-4378
Email: rep.kim.hicks@house.mn.gov (replies to this newsletter are not monitored)
Website: https://www.house.mn.gov/25A
Legislative Assistant: Madison Bailey, 651-296-5517