Week in Review: March 6-10

It was a hectic week that had a little bit of everything: extended hearings, night meetings, a lengthy floor session, and the obligatory ill-timed snowstorm. Things wrapped up today with a handful of hearings to help a few more bills meet the session’s first committee deadline.

Now the clock begins to tick down to the March 24 second committee deadline, by when committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body. The third, and final, deadline is Tuesday, April 4 at 5 p.m.

Speaking of the clock, don’t forget to set yours ahead one hour this weekend as Daylight Saving Time begins.

And a reminder that Monday is Sovereignty Day in the House with a full schedule of events planned in the House Chamber and the Capitol beginning at 9 a.m. There will be no regular floor session and the only meeting is the House Ways and Means Committee which is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. or 15 minutes after the Sovereignty session adjourns.

Have an enjoyable weekend and here’s a look back at what you may have missed over the last few days.

AGRICULTURE

Ag panel approves bill that would let cities exterminate use of some pesticides

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17787

BONDING

House OKs nearly $400 million in one-time funds on capital investment bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17757

House gets bonding bill over the line, passes $1.5 billion capital investment package

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17756

CONSUMERS

Legislation proposes pair of new protections for used vehicle buyers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17777

Bill proposes requiring antitheft devices in Kia, Hyundai vehicles that lack them

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17754

CIVIL LAW

'Clean Slate Act’ would offer expungement for certain non-violent offenses

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17759

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Lights, camera, tax credit! Bill aims to entice more filmmakers to shoot in Minnesota

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17794

Economic development panel approves measure to revive Angel Tax Credit

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17775

U of M, small towns could team up for sustainable infrastructure project development

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17772

EDUCATION

Student-led organizations seek more than $2 million to prep schoolkids for future careers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17784

Lawmakers hear grant proposal to fund 400 future teachers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17774

Lawmakers hear House DFL’s proposed policy overhaul of Minnesota K-12 schools

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17768

Proposed wage, benefit increases for non-licensed school staff sparks lively House debate

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17762

ELECTIONS

DFLer seeks ‘true early voting’ with elections bill heard in House

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17770

EMPLOYMENT

House OKs expanded protections under Women’s Economic Security Act

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17792

House panel advances labor legislation targeting working conditions for rideshare drivers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17791

‘Retirement crisis’ looms in Minnesota, lawmaker says, and legislators seek a solution

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17782

Funding boost sought for program helping people with significant disabilities find employment

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17771

ENERGY

Legislators consider expanding energy assistance program for low-income Minnesotans

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17776

New Minnesota greenhouse gas reduction goals could be on the way

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17766

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MPCA could sniff out issues with objectionable odors, take action under proposed legislation

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17779

Public educational radio stations look to dial in key state support

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17773

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Culturally specific mental health services could be expanded with proposed grant

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17789

House passes bill to codify protections for Native American kids, families

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17788

House lawmaker wants any funds awarded in MN vape lawsuit to pay for tobacco prevention, treatment efforts

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17785

Proposal would pick up the tab for more than a million prepared meals

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17780

Bill sponsor says language would add clarity to Minnesota Human Rights Act on gender identity discrimination

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17769

Panel approves measure to establish state agency focused on children, families

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17760

HIGHER EDUCATION

Scholarships could be a tool to replenish shrinking paramedic pool

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17783

U of M presents bumped-up budget request, proposed reacquisition of university hospitals

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17764

HOUSING

Helping Black households exchange leases for mortgages the goal of House bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17778

Lawmakers consider millions for grant programs targeting Minnesota’s housing shortage

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17767

Homeless youth could collect monthly stipends under House proposal

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17755

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans committee approves funding for renovation project at Minneapolis home

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17753

PUBLIC SAFETY

Bill seeks to lower number of PTSD retirements among first responders

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17786

Panel approves bill proposing ‘innovative solutions’ to improve public safety

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17763

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

More than $275 million proposed to accelerate broadband access across state

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17765

STATE GOVERNMENT

Collective bargaining changes, employee email access, part of bill to modify public employment agreement

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17761

TAXES

Tax committee joins the Social Security subtraction conversation

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17790

TRANSPORTATION

Legislators advance bill they hope will increase Metro Transit safety

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17793

Skol! MN drivers could show support for local teams with new specialty plates

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17781

Seeking more regional balance, bill proposes tweaking Corridors of Commerce program

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17758