Legislative Update: April 26, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

As we enter the final stretch of the 2024 legislative session, I'm proud of the progress we've made together, building a stronger Minnesota for working families. We're committed to securing fair wages, affordable healthcare, and investments to empower our communities.  

Keeping you informed, here are some recent developments from the Capitol.

Happenings around the District:

It’s policy bill time!  Now is the time when we closely track individual bills as they are packaged into committee-specific policy bills.  I continue to be grateful for community members that have testified in support of bills.  Officer Tom Ehrenberg of the Woodbury Police Department testified in support of increasing regulations of virtual currency kiosks.  Constituent and co-founder of Art from the Inside Antonio Espinosa testified in support of funding for art therapy for incarcerated people.  Lastly, local daycare provider Tom Leonzal testified in support of a bill that prevents HOAs from closing neighborhood daycares.

Recently, the House had the privilege to hear from two of our local leaders in Washington County as they testified for our communities.  Washington County Commissioner Michelle Clasen joined the Capital Investment Committee to go over the proposed update on the Washington County Public Works Building.  As Washington County’s population continues to grow, so does demand for county services. This is particularly true in the quickly growing southern part of the county where their public works shop is beyond capacity, leaving them to store snow plows at a rented location off-site. The bill, HF3754, provides $10 million in bonds for a grant via DEED to design and construct a public works south shop and environmental center. 

Woodbury Public Works Director Mary Van Milligen testified on water infrastructure projects in Woodbury. Woodbury has been long involved with water safety, banning PFAS, implementing a tiered water rate structure, and curbing usage through “smart irrigation.” The Woodbury water tower proposal was featured in a bonding tour last fall, and Director Milligen was asked to return to the Capitol for a Capital Investment committee hearing that focused on PFAS.  Our community is a leader in the east metro in addressing both the quality and quantity of our water.  I’m grateful to Commissioner Clasen and Director Milligen for participating, and you can watch their hearings here and here.

Finally, I am very grateful for the public’s attendance at our first joint city council workshop, which took place on March 27th.  It was a great opportunity to have the City Council and State Legislators in the same room, with a public forum, to discuss bills, concerns, and celebrations across Woodbury.  I appreciated the conversations, and hope to maintain open and collaborative conversations.

From the Floor:

Now that committee hearings have ended, I am spending a lot more time on the House Floor.  I expect bipartisan, vital, and technical clean-up bills to be on upcoming schedules.  You can see what’s coming next on the House’s “Calendar for the Day.”  Last year, we passed legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis, along with the possession and growing of cannabis plants for personal, recreational use. However, buying cannabis legally at a licensed retail business in the state is not set to begin until early next year. The Cannabis Policy bill we passed last week is meant to expedite the process of setting up a good, legitimate marketplace for cannabis to displace the illicit marketplace that is currently in place. You can read more about what the bill contains here. 

We also passed a strong Tenants’ Rights Policy Bill, which includes provisions to safeguard tenants’ right to organize, protect tenant survivors of domestic violence, clarify tenants’ rights to emergency services, and prohibit rental discrimination based on public assistance. More details in the bill are included here. 

Free Park Day 

Get your hiking boots ready -- Saturday, April 27 is the next free entrance day to all Minnesota parks! Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there is a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a free day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new! Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime. Be sure to get out and visit our wonderful parks!

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 Minnesotan interested in public service is 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.

Keep in Touch

Your voice is important to me! You can contact me at rep.amanda.hemmingsen-jaeger@house.mn.gov, by phone at 651-296-7807, on Facebook, or through Instagram with your questions, concerns, or ideas for session. I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature and look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,

Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger

State Representative