Week in Review: Feb. 26-March 1

The 2024 legislative session has reached the end of its third week and, with Thursday’s February 2024 Budget and Economic Forecast, leaders now have the updated figures needed to fill in the fiscal blanks and make decisions about what will, and won’t, get done this year.

One issue that it appears will soon be resolved is up for debate before the full House at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

An update to use-of-force standards for school resource officers, HF3489, is on the Calendar for the Day. The bill attempts to provide clarity to a 2023 law that led some police departments to pull the officers from schools amid confusion about how students can be restrained in certain situations.

There is no meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee Monday, so House hearings won’t begin until the afternoon when the capital investment, commerce, veterans and military affairs and human services committees are each scheduled to gather at 1 p.m.

Have a good weekend and here’s a look back at what happened over the past week.

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

House commerce panel advances bill to limit aerosols used in ‘huffing’

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18102

EDUCATION
Legislators seek to double funding, number of schools served in BARR education program

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18112

Legislation seeks to broaden access to school-based child care

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18110

House education committee hears Walz policy bill that would bar book bans in Minnesota public schools, libraries

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18107

EMPLOYMENT

‘Burning flesh smoke,’ other chemicals should be better ventilated in health care facilities, medical professionals tell lawmakers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18115

ENERGY
Bill could boost technologies that relieve electric grid congestion — but some question need for mandate

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18105

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Big bump in buffer penalties could be coming under bill that clears environment committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18106

Invasive species center among projects included in nearly $80 million environmental trust fund bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18100

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Overworked nurses must be allowed to refuse more patients, House lawmaker proposes

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18114

Bill proposes change to family residential service rate in effort to maintain care

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18104

Caregivers could gain more access to respites under panel-approved bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18103

HOUSING

More legal options proposed for renters when a promised unit isn’t ready

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18108

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
Lawmakers consider new reporting requirements for VA grants

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18101

PUBLIC SAFETY

House bill to toughen gun storage laws clears public safety panel

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18113

STATE GOVERNMENT

Minnesota’s projected budget surplus balloons to $3.7 billion, but fiscal pressure still looms

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18109

TRANSPORTATION

Traffic safety camera bill wins approval in transportation committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18111