Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on March 23, 2022, and heard three bills. First, Senator Rood presented a bill to increase civil citation fines for snowmobile and off-highway vehicle trespass-related violations. Testimony from the Department of Natural Resources supported the bill as a deterrent, saying the current penalties are too low, some riders treat the fine as a cost of doing business, and the change is not expected to generate meaningful revenue. Members discussed a technical amendment clarifying that the citation applies to violations of the full statutory sections rather than only the word “trespass.” The committee agreed to send the bill to the consent calendar. The committee then took up Senate File 1040, which would add law enforcement supervisors to the list of bargaining units eligible to collectively bargain under Chapter 179A. Senator Howe said the bill would give supervisors, including state trooper supervisors, the opportunity to form a bargaining unit but would not guarantee one. He argued law enforcement supervisors have unique workplace concerns and fewer protections. Senator Marty asked about the number of affected positions, but no total was available. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and place it on General Orders. Finally, Senator Coleman presented Senate File 2644, which would allow Eastern Carver County Schools to use lease levy authority for a new pupil transportation hub. The bill was described as a way to replace an outdated bus facility and avoid major repair costs, with no state aid or levy impact beyond existing authority. Senator Kiffmeyer raised a caution about taxpayer capacity and future levy needs, but said she would support the bill. The committee then voted to recommend passage and place the bill on General Orders. The meeting ended with notice that only one bill was expected the next day before adjournment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met with a chaplain-led prayer, a roll call establishing a quorum, and notice that an addendum was available. The chamber received official communications and House messages announcing passage of House Files 2919 and 3001, then adopted the committee reports, agenda, and addendum. Several Senate and House bills were read for the second time, and Senate File 4198 was referred to the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. Under motions and resolutions, the Senate approved a motion to withdraw Senate File 3893 from the Judiciary, Public Safety, Finance and Policy Committee and return it to the author. Senator Newton then moved to withdraw Senate File 4103 from the Taxes Committee and re-refer it to the Veterans Affairs Committee, explaining that the bill concerns disabled veterans and should begin in the veterans committee; the motion was supported as having concurrence from both chairs and prevailed. The Senate also adopted the author’s motions as a group. At the end of the session, Senator Bach was excused from the day’s proceedings. The Senate then agreed to adjourn until Thursday, March 24, at 11 a.m., and the meeting adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate File 181, as amended, dealing with replacement of electric utility load control receivers. Senator Rarick explained that utilities need to replace thousands of these devices to better manage peak demand and support renewable integration, and that current Department of Labor and Industry interpretation requires permits for each replacement. The amendment would allow utilities to use a Class A electrical contractor for the work, require the contractor to report any deficiencies, give homeowners 10 days to be notified and up to six months to correct problems, and require disconnection of the device if repairs are not made. Supporters from the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, East Central Energy, the Electrical Association, and the Center for Energy and Environment said the bill would reduce unnecessary permitting costs and delays, preserve load management programs, and still maintain safety because licensed electricians would perform the work and new installations would still be inspected. The IBEW and the Department of Labor and Industry raised concerns that the amendment was too broad, could move the parties away from agreement, and should not weaken inspection standards. After questions about Class A contractor licensing and inspection timelines, the committee voted to pass Senate File 181 as amended to General Orders. The committee then heard Senate File 3942, also amended, which would direct a study of electrical inspector compensation. Senator Rarick said the bill responds to concerns that rural electrical inspectors are not paid comparably to journeyman electricians and face added travel burdens, and that a study by the Office of the Legislative Auditor would help determine whether the Department of Labor and Industry’s pay formulas should be adjusted. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Contract Electrical Inspectors Association, who said many fee levels have not been updated for years and that rural inspectors face changing costs and long distances. The Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying inspectors are paid through contract percentages tied to permit fees rather than salaries, that recent internal reviews already raised compensation on many outstate contracts, and that a further study was unnecessary. Committee members asked about how inspectors are paid in metro versus rural areas and how the formulas account for current economic conditions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 3687, a one-page bill that would update Minnesota’s ATV definition by changing tire requirements and increasing the allowable dry weight from 2,000 to 3,000 pounds. Senator Johnson said the change is intended to accommodate heavier electric ATVs and future trail use. Polaris’s J.R. Burke supported the bill, citing the importance of ATVs to Minnesota’s outdoor economy, Polaris’s Minnesota jobs and investment, and growing consumer demand for electric and cab-equipped machines. He said the bill would help Minnesota keep pace with other states that already allow similar or higher weights. A Duluth dealer, Peter Gasser, also supported the bill, saying the ATV market has shifted toward family-oriented, multi-passenger machines and that the added weight would help with electric models and cross-border trail use with Wisconsin. ATV Minnesota representatives Ray Bone and Perry May said their organization now supports the weight increase after earlier internal concern, emphasizing that the 65-inch width limit remains unchanged and is the key trail-protection standard. They argued that current trails, bridges, and boardwalks can handle 3,000-pound machines and that the change would allow electric and larger models without expanding trail width. Laura Price of the DNR’s Parks and Trails division said the department is not opposed to the bill and supports the tire-related simplification and the move toward electric vehicles, but prefers waiting for the state ATV trail inventory and master plan before changing the weight limit because the full impacts on crossings and bridges are not yet known. In contrast, Gary Payne testified against the bill, arguing that heavier ATVs conflict with climate and energy goals, encourage more fossil-fuel use and erosion, and reduce the multiple-use character of public lands. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion; no vote was taken.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on March 23, 2022, and first took up Senate File 4179. Senator Kiffmeyer moved the A3 amendment, which Minnesota Management and Budget described as technical changes clarifying that the bill applies to the state rather than local governments, that state bonds cannot be used as collateral, and that collateral may be deposited with the Federal Reserve Bank or a trust department of a commercial bank. With no questions, the bill as amended was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then heard Senate File 4002, the governor’s budget bill, beginning with a spreadsheet overview from MMB. Attorney General Keith Ellison testified in support of additional funding for his office, arguing that its general fund appropriation has remained flat for 20 years despite inflation and increased workload. He requested $2.3 million for operating adjustments and additional funding for criminal enforcement, saying the office needs more staff to help county attorneys handle complex crimes such as sex trafficking and white-collar offenses. Senators Carlson and Pratt asked questions about prosecutorial priorities and whether the office could have acted on a recent party caucus issue; Ellison declined to engage on that matter and refocused on criminal victimization. Commissioner Tarek Tomes of Minnesota IT Services supported funding for cybersecurity tools, cloud migration, application modernization, and federal cyber grant leverage, saying the state faces urgent and evolving cyber threats. Commissioner Alice Roberts Davis of Administration outlined requests for the state match for the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, HR and financial services improvements, fleet fund revenue loss, grants administration, the Private Cemeteries Act, enterprise translations, elimination of the Open Meeting Law advisory opinion fee, AMPERS funding, COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims, and a one-time 2.5 percent COLA for retirees. Deputy Commissioner Britta Rayton of MMB described the need for sustainable ERP funding, including one-time stabilization money, a data warehouse upgrade, lifting the statutory $10 million billing cap, additional evaluation staff, capital budget outreach, Children’s Cabinet support, the governor’s COVID-19 emergency response fund, and the one-year COLA increase. Nicole Freeman of the Secretary of State’s office testified on a $200,000 HAVA match for federal election funds. After testimony, the committee laid over Senate File 4002 for possible inclusion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee met on March 23, 2022, and first took up Senate File 3594, a layover bill by Senator Nelson. The bill would appropriate $210,000 from the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs for grants to youth shelters in the Rochester southeast and central Minnesota regions, with the goal of reducing racial disparities in youth shelter use and expanding mobile crisis-style services so youth and families can be served closer to home. Testimony from Dan Farr of 180 Degrees emphasized rural service gaps, the difficulty of reaching youth across many counties, and the importance of trusted adults and family support; he said the program currently serves more than 250 youth annually and could reach about 400 with the funding. The committee also briefly discussed the presence of students in the room. SF 3594 was laid over. The committee then heard House File 2746, a bill from Senator Howe to make technical corrections to the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program for firefighters. Howe explained the bill clarifies the definition of critical illness, who is eligible, the effective date for diagnoses, and shifts program oversight from the Office of Justice Programs to the State Fire Marshal’s office. Testimony from Minnesota Firefighter Initiative representatives described the program as already operating statewide, with training, mental health support, and critical illness insurance claims being processed, mostly for cancer and cardiac issues. Members asked several questions about why the bill broadens covered conditions, how the insurance policy works, whether benefits are tied to service, how claims are processed, and whether payments can be made more than once; witnesses said the changes align the statute with the private insurance policy already purchased and that Securian handles claims administration. The committee also discussed whether the benefit is separate from regular health insurance, whether it applies to active or former firefighters, and whether payments are taxable. Witnesses said the program is an additional, employer-style benefit for active firefighters, not a replacement for health insurance, and that tax treatment depends on the recipient’s circumstances. Senator Baker moved that House File 2746 be recommended to pass and sent to the Finance Committee. The motion prevailed on a voice vote. The committee then moved on to Senate File 3329.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 16, 2022 meeting and then heard House File 4221, which would remove Hennepin County’s remaining statutory restriction on paying reasonable allowances or per diem to members of county boards and advisory bodies. Representative Nelson and Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley said the change would align Hennepin County with the rest of the state and help recruit a broader, more diverse group of residents to serve. The committee voted to re-refer the bill to the State Government Finance and Elections Committee on an 8-0 roll call, with one member not responding. The committee then took up House File 4141, a zoning-related bill from Representative Elkins that would extend existing protections for manufactured housing to modular apartment buildings by adding the relevant building code chapter to state law. Testimony from former MHFA commissioner Mary Tingerthal emphasized that modular construction is already regulated under state building code, can reduce cost and construction time, and has strong Minnesota industry examples. Representative Elkins said the bill was a negotiated compromise among stakeholders. An A1 amendment offered by Representative Macklin, which would have shifted the fee approach to a per-trip model, was rejected on a roll call, and the bill was then re-referred to the State Government Finance and Elections Committee. Finally, the committee heard House File 4271, also from Representative Elkins, which would raise the reporting threshold for city building inspection fee information from $5,000 to $7,000 and standardize the method used to calculate construction cost estimates for permit fees. Testifiers said the change would reduce reporting burdens and create more consistent valuation practices without a fiscal note. Representative Quam asked about repeat inspections and whether the bill addressed reinspection practices; Scott McClellan of the Department of Administration said it did not change inspection procedures, only the valuation basis. Representative Macklin offered an A1 amendment to replace square-foot valuation with a per-trip fee structure, but Elkins opposed it as inconsistent with the negotiated stakeholder compromise, and the amendment failed 6-3. The bill then passed the committee and was re-referred to the State Government Finance and Elections Committee. The committee also began hearing House File 4441, which would allow limited remote participation by local officials for family or medical reasons under the open meeting law, with support from Dakota County and the Minnesota Inter-County Association; the transcript cuts off before any final action on that bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 3933, as amended, which would prohibit social media companies with more than one million Minnesota account holders from using algorithms to target user-created content to people under 18. Senator Chamberlain argued the bill is aimed at protecting children from harmful, addictive algorithmic targeting rather than censoring content, and said it would move next to Civil Law. Testifiers in support, including Dr. Brynn Austin, Catherine Myers of Live More Screen Less, and Marie Hampton, described research and personal observations linking algorithm-driven feeds to eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and lost time and attention among youth. They urged lawmakers to hold tech companies accountable and protect children’s well-being. Opponents, including Maya McKenzie of the Entertainment Software Association, Carl Zabo of NetChoice, and Tyler Dears of TechNet, said the bill is overbroad, vague, and likely to sweep in video games and other online services. They argued it could chill community-building features, force platforms to collect more personal data to verify age and location, and create legal uncertainty and private litigation risk. Zabo also raised constitutional concerns, including First Amendment, equal protection, and Commerce Clause issues, while Dears said algorithms are widely used for beneficial purposes and that the bill could undermine existing parental tools and privacy efforts. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SF 3933 as amended and re-refer it to Civil Law. The committee then briefly took up several liquor-related local bills. Senate File 623, allowing Sauk Rapids to issue an on-sale liquor license for a concessions contract at Bob Cross Regional Park, was laid over for possible inclusion. Senate File 3371, authorizing a seven-day temporary liquor license for a county fair, was also laid over. Senate File 2920, as amended, was heard for a Madelia wine bar to sell off-sale wine produced by a winery; the amendment was adopted and the bill was supported by local testimony from Brent Christensen, who said it would help the business and downtown economy in Madelia.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Deacon Nathan E. Allen of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call that established a quorum. The journal from the previous day was approved as corrected, and reports from standing committees and divisions were adopted without objection. House File 3545 received its second reading, and House Files 4502 through 4573 were introduced and given first reading. Representative Winkler, from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration, reported bills designated for the calendar for Thursday, March 24, 2022, including Senate File 3372, House File 4165, and Senate File 3472, with prefiling requirements for amendments established for those bills. Under motions and resolutions, non-controversial motions were adopted, and Representative Nash moved to return House File 4471 to its author; the motion prevailed after Nash described it as a bonding request that had gone too far. During announcements, Representative Schumacher honored former State Representative Vern Long of Pipestone, who died at age 96, noting his service in the House from 1963 to 1974, his committee leadership, and later service on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. Members observed a moment of silence in his memory. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2022, and adjourned.

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house