SATURDAY EDITION: Staying in the Legislative Loop with Lucy

Dear Neighbors,

We’re in the final hours of the 2024 legislative session and continue to work every day in either conference committee or on the House Floor until midnight. We continue to amend bills, listen and engage in vetting legislation, and pass final Senate/House revised bills or ‘conference committee reports’ to reflect updated provisions. The bill is then wrapped up and ready for the governor’s signature.

Legislation Update

Here is a look at the additional legislation and conference committee reports the House has recently passed:

• The Human Service Policy conference committee report, which continued the work of historic investments to help our most vulnerable. This bipartisan legislation clarifies several items in last year’s bill, which makes improvements for Minnesotans with disabilities, those in recovery from substance use disorder, and recipients who rely on waiver services.
• The Health Supplemental Budget and Policy conference committee report. This strong bill takes meaningful action to enhance health insurance coverage, improve health care access, increase patient protections, reform Emergency Medical Services, and help address mental health in Minnesota. 
• The Elections Committee Supplemental Budget conference committee report. The policy provisions of the report focus on improved voter access and election transparency. It targets policy areas where the state can improve voter turnout and ensure that if voting is restricted, voters have a means of redress. It enhances disclosure requirements for those seeking to influence elections, expands voter access and comprehension, and increases election transparency.
• The Higher Education Supplemental Budget conference committee report. The legislation invests in the Kids on Campus Initiative in the Minnesota State system to establish Head Start Programs on college campuses, providing access to affordable childcare to students.
• The K-12 Education & Children & Families Budget conference committee report, which invests in READ Act funding, pilot program of funding for paid student teaching, more resources to address chronic absenteeism, and more.
• The Agriculture Supplemental Budget conference committee report, which includes the reauthorization of the Food Safety and Defense Task Force, farm-to-school grant funding, creates the first Spanish language commercial pesticide applicator exam, addresses the groundwater nitrate crisis, and more.
• The Climate and Energy Budget and Policy bill, which includes reforms to the permitting process for clean energy projects, support for geothermal energy power, and additional investments and policies to ensure we reach the 100% Clean Energy by 2040 goal the Legislature set last year.
• The conference committee report cracking down on hidden "convenience" fees to ensure Minnesotans have fair, upfront pricing for event tickets, restaurant meals, hotels, credit cards, and more.

Keep in Touch

We’ll keep working up until midnight tomorrow, when we’re constitutionally required to adjourn. 

Thank you for the honor of representing our Chanhassen and Chaska residents and families at the State Capitol. Please contact me anytime with questions or input. I appreciate your continued engagement in this important legislative work.

In community,

Lucy