Week in Review: March 20-24

This week brought an agreement between legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz on the session’s budget targets, with nearly $18 billion in new spending proposed.

Lawmakers now have the framework they need to assemble the 2023 omnibus bills that will comprise the bulk of the state’s budget for the next two fiscal years. That work has already begun behind the scenes but will be unveiled to the public over the next few days as several committees have already noted on the House schedule.

Have a good weekend, get some rest if you are able, and here’s a look back at what you may have missed over the past week.

AGRICULTURE

Ag omnibus policy bill sails through committee to House Floor

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17860

Pollinator protections among provisions in ag policy bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17840

BONDING

Higher demand equals more than $30 million ask for Minnesota’s children’s museums

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17850

More than a dozen urban organizations make combined $136 million funding request

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17833

Health care simulation training center — and $8 million funding ask — aims to treat workforce ills

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17830

BUDGET

Walz, legislative leaders announce budget targets for 2023 session

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17838

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Commerce panel amends recreational marijuana bill to reduce personal possession limit

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17832

CIVIL LAW

Judiciary panel advances bill to reform aiding and abetting felony murder law

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17867

Changes to Board of Pardons could make clemency more attainable

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17835

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Minnesota sports boosters seek $50 million from state lawmakers to lure more marquee events

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17847

EDUCATION

Lawmakers consider proposal to accelerate gender-neutral bathroom construction in K-12 schools

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17870

House committee votes to extend unemployment benefits to hourly school workers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17857

Bill would fund air ventilation overhauls in public schools

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17852

House panel approves update to 37-year-old school nurse staffing law

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17851

Lawmakers consider mandating MN schools carry naloxone as teen opioid overdoses spike

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17846

ELECTIONS

House committee advances proposed doubling of public campaign reimbursement

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17844

EMPLOYMENT

Labor committee's omnibus policy bill heads to House Floor on party-line vote

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17862

ENERGY

House passes bill to unlock federal funds for renewable energy projects

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17864

Grants could help state catch up with electric school buses

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17854

Climate finance authority could unleash federal funds upon state projects

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17842

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Legislation seeks to keep Dakota, Ojibwe languages alive

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17848

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

House passes bill to establish Minnesota as a ‘trans refuge’ state

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17865

House bill aims to ‘make a big difference’ with education savings accounts for all MN newborns

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17856

With some federal funding lost, legislator proposes $20 million for HIV/AIDS support services

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17837

House passes bill that could establish Minnesota as a safe haven for reproductive health care

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17831

HIGHER EDUCATION

Governor proposes more than 12 percent hike in higher education funding

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17836

HOUSING

Metro sales tax might foot bill for statewide rental assistance program

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17868

Lawmakers weigh down payment assistance program for Minnesota’s first-time homebuyers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17853

Critics chastise $120 million relief program proposed for nonprofit housing providers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17843

One possible solution to the homeless crisis? Communities of tiny homes on holy ground

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17839

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Proposed redrawn Met Council district map gains committee approval

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17866

PUBLIC SAFETY

House passes private prison prohibition

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17863

Communication crisis: Officials seek $250 million to upgrade obsolete portable emergency radios

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17841

STATE GOVERNMENT

Omnibus government bill proposes changes to definition of legislative day, altered session start date

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17859

Open space relocation, building demolition could be among changes coming to State Capitol area

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17845

TAXES

House Property Tax Division report heads to taxes committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17869

State might take a smaller bite of pull tab revenue

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17861

Renters, cities and counties big beneficiaries of Property Tax Division report

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17849

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation chair says metro sales tax increase could pay for better buses, safer trains

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17858

No fare — or, no fair? Free ride pilot project included in bus improvement bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17855

Proposal to dedicate auto parts sales tax revenues could mean more money for local roads, bridges

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/17834