Legislative Update -
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
This week was bustling with committee hearings, rallies, and the implementation of the power sharing governance agreement. With the Minnesota House returning to a 67-67 tie, committees will be co-chaired by Democrats and Republicans and are comprised of equal numbers of members from both parties. Our co-chairs and committee members will use their power to restore a focus on bread-and-butter economic issues that have been absent while Republicans have run the House with a 67-66 advantage. I'm incredibly excited to dive into the important work before the Human Services Finance and Policy, Judiciary Finance and Civil Law, and Public Safety Finance and Policy committees this year. These areas are vital to our community, and I'm honored to contribute.
Alongside my responsibilities as Assistant Caucus Leader, I'm proud to continue to collaborate across the aisle and advocate for positive change, building an equitable budget that ensures all Minnesotans can thrive.
Another special moment from this week was welcoming State Representative David Gottfried to the House of Representatives. I'm thrilled to welcome him to our dynamic team of legislators. His experience and perspective will be invaluable as we all work together to serve the people of Minnesota.
Committee Hearings
This week, DFLers held the gavel for the first time this legislative session, and I was proud to introduce several bills I'm carrying this year in various committees. I presented House File 1166, a bipartisan bill to establish a Disability Services Technology and Advocacy Expansion Grant, which will enhance education and understanding of assistive technology and remote support resources available to people with disabilities and our aging population. This grant will help bridge the technology gap and empower individuals by connecting them with life-changing assistive technologies. Thank you, Alaina and the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM) for your leadership in this field. Watch my bill presentation here.
I want to highlight a particularly important testimony delivered by Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz during our bill presentation on bipartisan House File 2127 in the Judiciary Committee. He spoke in favor of my amendment, which adds property records to current law and reinforces the judicial security legislation I carried and passed last year.
In the current climate of heightened political violence, judges and their families increasingly find themselves targeted with threats, intimidation, and, in some cases, death. I will do everything I can to ensure members of our judicial branch have secure records to prevent harm to themselves and their loved ones. Watch his remarks here.
At the intersection of all three of my committee assignments, I’ve authored and presented House File 2260 to address some very real concerns in our care systems. This legislation is part of a broader bipartisan package making changes in the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
We had a very robust and informative hearing on House File 44, which aims to inform consumers of the presence of ortho-phthalates in products they purchase and/or consume. Harmful chemicals have had devastating impacts in our community, and this is another step in addressing the health risks we face. Many thanks to Lori Olinger and team for doing such excellent work and testifying on this bill. You can view the bill hearing and discussion here.
For access to information regarding committee hearings, please refer to the following link.
Minnesota Council on Disability's 2025 Legislative Forum
I was deeply honored to speak at the Minnesota Council on Disability's 2025 Legislative Forum and discuss critical legislation we’re championing to support disability communities across the state with State Rep. Kim Hicks (DFL-Rochester). This session, I'm carrying several important bipartisan bills to help advance and uplift our neighbors living with disabilities:
- House File 2406 addresses the current backlog of MnCHOICES assessments that has led to wait times up to 8 months to access much-needed services.
- House File 2004 ensures that individuals can access vital support services and night supervision when traveling or attending out-of-state postsecondary education.
- House File 382 addresses the Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) by increasing the competitive workforce factor in payment rate calculations for specific services, aiming to improve access to quality care and support for individuals with disabilities. It also promotes a viable upward career path for future leaders dedicated to serving the disability community for the long-haul.
To follow the bills I'm sponsoring this year, please visit this link.
Portal for Minnesotans Navigating Widespread Federal Education Cuts
In yet another public assault on our nation, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing an abrupt dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, uprooting federal investments and supports for our schools. In response, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) launched a public feedback portal at education.mn.gov for parents, students, teachers, and community members to submit detailed accounts of the ways recent Executive Orders and abrupt federal education cuts are impacting schools and children across our state. I encourage you to share this information with loved ones, friends, and neighbors who work in our school systems or have children in our public school system.
It's an immense honor and privilege to represent your voices and values, and I remain committed to working tirelessly on your behalf. Together, we will continue to build a brighter future for our community and for Minnesota. If you If you ever need anything from me, always feel free to reach out to me at 651-296-4342 or rep.brion.curran@house.mn.gov. Check out my official Facebook, including the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus page.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Stay Connected!
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Sincerely,
Brion Curran
State Representative