Transcript Highlights:

• Shelby, Michael, Bob, Ashley, Mike, Sharon Goldbush, Eric, and Indiana, thank you very much.
• Before we say goodbye, I just want to apologize to Eric.
• Thank you to Eric. Hopefully, he may be a little smarter than that. But we appreciate you so much.

Bills: HF2442

Keywords: climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy, solar incentive, Made in Minnesota, community solar gardens, transportation electrification, electric vehicles, grid-enhancing technologies, microgrid, University of St. Thomas, Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, petroleum tank fund

Transcript Highlights:

• So Senator Eric your area of concerns?
• Thank you so much, Senator Eric. today. Thank you so much, Senator Eric.
• Senator Eric, uh Mr. Mson, Thank you. Senator Eric, uh Mr.
• The chair thanked Senator Eric.
• Thank you, Senator Eric. Any thank you. Thank you, Senator Eric.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric is going to be our MnDOT appointee for this group.
• <00:00:47.920> Rudin I'm joined by my colleague Eric Rudin I'm joined by my colleague Eric
• <00:00:53.120> is himself when we go around but Eric is himself when we go around but Eric
• >> Eric<00:19:46.160> Rudin, >> Eric Rudin, >> Eric Rudin, >> Senator<
• >> Eric<00:25:26.720> Rudin. >> Eric Rudin. >> Eric Rudin. >> Yes.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel Working Group. Commissioner Nancy Doenberger opened with introductions from members representing state agencies, legislators, utilities, local governments, industry groups, advocacy organizations, and others. The group then elected its leadership: Senator Anne Johnson Stewart was nominated and unanimously elected chair, and Representative Steve Elkins was nominated and unanimously elected vice chair. Senator Johnson Stewart said she would ensure all viewpoints are heard and asked MnDOT to continue running the meeting for practical reasons. Austin Turman of the Legislative Coordinating Commission reviewed the authorizing legislation. He explained that the working group must analyze electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, develop a roadmap with policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding consistent with the Minnesota Constitution, and study other states’ approaches to equitable fuel assessment methods for electric vehicles. The group’s report is due February 13 and will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. Turman also briefly reviewed open meeting law requirements, noting the group must operate publicly when a quorum discusses official business, though public comment is not required. Members then discussed the purpose of the group and the need to find a fair replacement or supplement for declining gas tax revenue as EVs increase. Senator Johnson Stewart emphasized balancing system funding needs with user-based fairness, including differences in vehicle weight and road use. Representative Murphy stressed the need to consider rural Minnesota, taxpayer impacts, and current science, including climate and CO2 issues. Drive Electric Minnesota said EV drivers should pay their fair share and not be overburdened, while the Department of Revenue said it wants to administer the new EV charging-station tax fairly. A trucking representative highlighted that passenger vehicles and freight vehicles have very different operating and charging needs, suggesting the group consider those differences in any fee structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Eric Killins. I'm the sales manager for Granite State Solar.
• My name is Eric >> Sure. Hi, everyone.
• Eric Killins with >> Name again? I'm sorry.
• Mine's more of a reflection, Eric. It's nice to have you sitting there.
• This is for Eric. costs. It's things like what Senator costs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Eric Nauman, and the folks that worked with him for hearing us and putting this into something
• <00:45:46.880> Chair,<00:45:47.840> Eric I really want to thank Mr.
• Chair, Eric I really want to thank Mr.
• Chair, Eric Nauman,<00:45:48.680> and<00:45:48.800> the<00:45:48.880> folks<00:45
• Nauman uh to 4511 and then I'll ask Eric Nauman uh to explain<01:09:51.960> this<01:09:52.160

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Hawaii Primary Care Association, Eric Obby.
• Up next, Eric Obi, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, in support. shots<00:19:09.600> Aloha<00:
• Eric Obi, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, in support.
• Eric Obi, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, in support.
• Association Eric Association Eric Obby<00:31:40.240> okay<00:31:40.360> all<00:31:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 327, relating to internships, drew broad support from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Hawaiʻi, DBEDT, P20, HFIA, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, with suggested amendments to clarify the internship purpose, limit some responsibilities to the state executive branch, and address staffing and reporting details. The committee later recommended passing SB 327 with amendments, including changes to the internship language, private-sector references, work-hour limits, reporting requirements, and a deferred effective date for further discussion. Senate Bill 716, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a step toward modernizing unemployment insurance, and the committee recommended passage with housekeeping and technical amendments. Senate Bill 717, relating to collective bargaining, would allow certain exempt employees to grieve suspensions or discharges. The City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Human Resources Development said the issue should remain a collective bargaining matter, while HGEA and United Public Workers supported the bill. DHRD opposed changing the statute and pointed to existing internal complaint procedures. The committee nevertheless recommended passing SB 717 with amendments and deferred the date for further discussion. Senate Bill 742, relating to data sharing, would create a data sharing and governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and include appropriations. OETS, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi, DOE, Hawaiʻi Kids Can, Hawaiʻi P-20, and others supported the measure, with OETS estimating a total cost of about $2.64 million, including software, consulting, and six FTE. The committee recommended passage with amendments and a deferred effective date, and noted the budget request in the committee report. The final measure, Senate Bill 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, would shift the program from opt-in to opt-out and appropriate startup funds; former Senator Brian Taniguchi and AARP supported it, while Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi opposed it over costs and burdens on small businesses and concerns about adding mandates before the program is implemented. The committee recessed briefly on a proposed AARP amendment, then returned and indicated support for the opt-out language before taking the bill up for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of those veterans is Eric Golnick, who will testify today about waiting more than a year to be connected
• If that is indeed true, stories like the ones Eric and Paige will share and the countless others that
• with Chairman Bost, my counterpart in the House, to strengthen the Mission Act and give veterans like Eric
• Eric Golnick, a Navy veteran and an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention for veterans and
• My name is Eric Golnick. I'm a U.S.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank also our staff, our nonpartisan staff, Nora Pollock, Eric Sylvia, Casey Mum, who have
• Sylvia, Casey Mum, who have done a Eric Sylvia, Casey Mum, who have done a tremendous<01:26:38.159><
• I've got my spreadsheet for Eric Nman.
• Um I've got my spreadsheet for Eric<02:17:42.240> Nman.
• We came into uh the session Eric Nman.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I read the agenda and the minutes from the last meeting, and I would move that Chair Eric... thank you
• Chair Eric, my colleague Rick Ship will present the next section of the presentation.
• Chair Eric, my colleague Rick Ship will present the next section of the presentation.
• Chair Eric, my colleague Rick Ship will present the next section of the presentation.
• Sher Eric, oh, I'm sorry. I recognize Representative Robbins. I will get to you next, Paul.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee met and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair noted that agency overviews from the Office of Higher Education and other state agencies were not available, so the committee proceeded with University of Minnesota presentations instead. The committee also reviewed posted committee rules. University of Minnesota representatives gave an overview of the university’s research enterprise, describing it as a system of five campuses with a possible expansion to St. Cloud, and highlighting research strengths across campuses in agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, and the Twin Cities flagship campus. They said the university has more than $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures, receives most of its research funding from federal sources, and is ranked highly for both overall research and interdisciplinary research. Examples discussed included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Forever Green initiative, and research tied to sustainable crops, health, and commercialization. Members asked questions about specific research areas, including biodegradable or renewable plastics, wheat research, food dyes, health and environmental toxins, and the market for winter camelina and winter pennycress. University staff said they could follow up with more detailed information and explained that the winter crop work is intended to become market-driven over time, while also improving soil health and creating new revenue streams for farmers. They also clarified that the university’s federal research funding includes money from NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and other agencies, and that the “other” funding category includes foundations, subawards, and internal university seed funding. The committee then heard a second University of Minnesota presentation focused on partnerships, commercialization, and workforce development. Testimony highlighted collaborations with industry and government partners such as U.S. Steel, 3M, Medtronic, Cisco, and defense-related industry leaders, as well as programs supporting microelectronics, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation fuels. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee ended the segment by moving on to the next testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, while you, Representative Eric, have a lot of experience looking at those, I'm not sure that
• Representative Eric, I appreciate that because that's how I feel too.
• have a lot while you representative Eric have a lot of<00:36:33.480> experience<00:36:33.960>
• representative Eric you thank you<00:37:01.720> madam<00:37:01.960> chair<00:37:02.880
• Did that answer your question, Representative Eric?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from State Auditor Judy Randall and Deputy Legislative Auditor Jody Mason Rodriguez on the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s 2023 report, “Oversight of State-Funded Grants to Nonprofit Organizations.” Randall explained that the report takes a broad look at how Minnesota manages grants, building on earlier work that helped lead to the Office of Grants Management (OGM) in 2007. She emphasized that the new recommendation-tracking booklet in members’ packets is meant to help the legislature see which audit recommendations have been implemented, partially implemented, or not implemented, and to support oversight rather than assign blame. Rodriguez summarized the report’s findings: Minnesota’s grants management policies contain many important practices, but they often lack enough detail for agencies to implement them consistently. The office found pervasive noncompliance in recent years and identified weak statutory enforcement as a major reason. She reviewed how grants flow from the legislature to agencies and then to nonprofit grantees and subgrantees, and noted that state agencies spent an average of about $514 million annually on nonprofit grants from fiscal years 2018 through 2022, awarding grants to about 2,400 nonprofits. The report found OGM policies partially reflected 17 of 24 recommended grant-management practices, but examples of missing detail included no required risk-based monitoring, no minimum standards for progress reports, telephone-only monitoring visits allowed, and no deadline for closeout reviews. The auditors said some recommendations have been acted on since the report, including 2023 statutory changes that led OGM to revise its pre-award financial review policy and set a timeline for closeout reviews, though other recommendations remain only partially implemented. They also discussed repeat compliance problems across agencies, including conflict-of-interest documentation, and said agencies are beginning to improve by automating checklists and disclosure processes. In response to member questions, the auditors said training is important and should likely be required for grants staff, though not necessarily with highly specific statutory language; they also said grant managers vary widely across agencies, making baseline training especially useful. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the presentation, and the chair noted that OGM would be invited for a future presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Eric, she'll see. Welcome. She had a remote issue.
• Hi, my name is Michelle Schultz, and this is my son, Eric. Eric went...
• Hi, my name is Michelle Schultz, and this is my son, Eric.
• Eric, come on.
• Eric, let's go ahead and talk. You talked.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special legislative commission on the future of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children held a hybrid public hearing focused on the hospital’s future, admissions, staffing, infrastructure, and whether the facility should be preserved, expanded, or reimagined. Opening remarks from legislators, commissioners, parents, and union representatives emphasized that Pappas provides a unique combination of medical, rehabilitative, educational, and residential services for children with complex needs, and several speakers argued that the hospital is effectively being depopulated through reduced admissions and ongoing discharges despite public assurances that it remains open. Multiple speakers urged the commission to extend its authorization and continue its work before any closure or major change can occur. Testimony from labor leaders, including AFSCME, SEIU Local 509, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association, described a “silent closure” in practice, with staff reporting confusion about the hospital’s status, declining census numbers, blocked admissions, and uncertainty about the workforce’s future. They called for immediate action to stop admission denials and unnecessary discharges, and some proposed short-term solutions such as temporary modular structures to address infrastructure barriers and allow admissions to resume. Parents and former patients testified that Pappas provided life-changing independence, specialized therapy, and campus-based supports that they said could not be replicated elsewhere, and they criticized alternative placements as inadequate. Commissioner Robert Goldstein of the Department of Public Health said the administration supports keeping Pappas open and funded while the commission works, but he argued that admissions must comply with hospital-level-of-care rules and that the campus’s deteriorating infrastructure limits the kinds of children who can safely be served there. He said the department is continuing admissions for appropriate patients, working to expand outreach and services, and exploring long-term options, including broader statewide models of care. Commissioners pressed him on whether discharge status or lack of a clear discharge plan had been used as a barrier to admission, and requested de-identified data on patients recommended for admission but denied. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is Eric, and at just 20 months, his pediatrician referred Eric to me.
• Within weeks, Eric was diagnosed with ASD.
• Because his insurer accepted my diagnosis, Eric began treatment within six weeks.
• Today, at nearly four years of age, Eric is thriving.
• Eric thrived; Sam and Michael lost precious time that they will never get back.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of health insurance and public health bills, with most speakers focused on expanding coverage for specific treatments and services. Bills discussed included H. 1187/S. 792 on rehabilitation counselors, H. 1173/S. 692 on patient navigation, S. 2600 on scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, S. 2599 on medically necessary treatment for port wine birthmarks, H. 1164 on licensed educational psychologists for child and adolescent mental health services, S. 754/H. 1254 on autism diagnosis and treatment by nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, S. 714/H. 1137 on infectious disease response and coverage, and S. 791 on making nature a prescriptive therapeutic intervention. Speakers generally argued these bills would improve access, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and address gaps in current insurance reimbursement rules. Testimony in support emphasized personal stories and clinical evidence. Cancer patients and providers described the benefits of patient navigation and scalp cooling for dignity and quality of life during treatment. Boston Children’s Hospital staff and families said port wine birthmark treatment is medically necessary, can prevent complications, and should not be denied as cosmetic. Rehabilitation counselors and school psychologists argued their services are effective, cost-saving, and underused because they cannot bill insurance. Autism advocates said current insurance statutes are outdated because nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists already provide evaluations and should be recognized for reimbursement to avoid delays in early intervention. Public health and GLAD Law testimony supported stronger infectious disease coverage to remove barriers to testing, treatment, and PrEP access. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 1172, a bill requiring insurance coverage for detransition-related care. Supporters said it would ensure coverage for medically necessary care for people who regret or reverse gender transition, while opponents argued it would legitimize anti-trans narratives or, conversely, that detransition care is needed because transition procedures can cause harm. The committee also heard strong support for S. 791 from advocates who described nature access as a health intervention that could help with trauma, anxiety, substance use recovery, and environmental justice, with claims that insurance coverage and reduced park fees would improve access. No votes were taken during the transcript, and the chair repeatedly thanked speakers and moved through the long list of public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'm going to turn it over to Eric. He's the real expert on this. Mr.
• turn<00:02:56.280> it<00:02:56.360> over<00:02:56.560> to<00:02:56.680> Eric
• <00:02:57.080> He's<00:02:57.320> the going to turn it over to Eric.
• He's the going to turn it over to Eric.
• Eric Gibson, Director of Kentucky Emergency Management, sir. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric Poole, is that right? Florida Association of Counties. Good afternoon, you're recognized.
• Again, Eric Poole, Florida Association of Counties.
• And my last question is in regards to the DSAP that Eric Poole mentioned: is this being addressed in
• review it and my last question is in regards to the DSAP that Eric Poole mentioned is this being addressed
• We both were county commissioners at the same time, and so it's always great to hear Eric Poole, you

Bills: S0002, S0026, S0354, S1112, S1192, S1220, S1352, S1670

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Transcript Highlights:

• members for either any of the uh nonpartisan<00:15:19.600> representative<00:15:20.160> Eric
• nonpartisan representative Eric. nonpartisan representative Eric.
• Chair and Senator Eric, pardon me, Welcome<00:16:17.600> to<00:16:17.839> committee.
• Chair and<00:16:30.399> Senator<00:16:30.839> Eric,<00:16:31.839> pardon<00:16:32.160
• Chair and Senator Eric, pardon me, Thank you, a follow-up, Representative.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 2563, the Omnibus Legacy Bill, was presented as a roughly $779 million package funding projects across Minnesota through the four Legacy funds: Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Chairs Vang and McDonald described the bill as a responsible one-time spending measure with no ongoing base funding, emphasizing habitat restoration, water protection, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the spreadsheet, explaining that the bill largely follows the recommendations of the relevant councils and governor, with some additions such as a Wilderness Inquiry partnership, an Ash River sewer extension, competitive grant funding, and several arts and history projects. Staff highlighted the major allocations and structure of the bill: Outdoor Heritage funding for land and habitat projects, Clean Water funding for water-quality work, Parks and Trails funding following the traditional 40-40-20 split, and Arts and Cultural Heritage funding for the State Arts Board, Minnesota Historical Society, Humanities Center, Indian Affairs Council, Department of Education, and other recipients. They also noted policy provisions requiring Clean Water Council recommendations to be broken out by fiscal year, requiring recent 990 forms for arts grantees, limiting arts funds from being used for capital construction except in specified cases, and extending a prior appropriation for the Sunni Lee memorial project. Members asked about land acquisition, the new 990 requirement, and reduced funding for children’s museums; chairs and staff responded that Outdoor Heritage includes land acquisition, the 990 is simply a documentation requirement, and children’s museum funding is lower because more money is now placed in a competitive grant pool. The chairs said the bill reflects compromise and an effort to keep the bill relatively clean of earmarks, while also noting that a Department of Revenue transfer of more than $31 million from legacy funds affected available funding and forced difficult choices. After discussion, the committee laid the bill over, with the chair noting it was also being done in honor of Representative Mary Murphy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I rise to adjourn in memory of Eric Lopez, the principal of Baldwin Park High School.
• Eric began as a social studies teacher, then became an assistant principal at three different schools
• Beyond his professional achievements, Eric was a man of many talents and interests.
• Eric was a friend to everyone he met. He was such an amazing person.
• Speaker, I respectfully ask that we adjourn in memory of Eric Lopez. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions, including unanimous consent requests and a re-referral of AB 506. The chamber then moved through a series of guest introductions and second-reading items before taking up several resolutions recognizing awareness days and cultural observances. Members adopted ACR 41 on Down Syndrome Awareness Week/Day and HR 24 on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month after extensive bipartisan remarks focused on family experiences, inclusion, bullying, funding for services, and support for people with disabilities. The Assembly also adopted ACR 48 recognizing Women in STEM Day, ACR 49 recognizing California STEM Robotics Day, HR 18 celebrating Nauruze, and ACR 2 marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each resolution drew co-authors and supportive comments from members across the aisle. The body then debated and passed AB 248, which would remove the state wage cap on county jail inmate labor and allow counties more discretion; supporters framed it as local control and rehabilitation, while opponents argued it would raise costs and conflict with voter sentiment. The Assembly also passed AB 100, a budget-process measure moving a large package of bills to the Senate, and used a substituted roll call for the remaining related bills. Consent calendar items were approved, and the chamber concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric Lopez, Johnny D. Giles, and Roger Diamond, before adjourning until March 24, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, seeing none, I will call Eric Toell, director of the Office of Cannabis Management, when you're
• none<00:09:02.959> I<00:09:03.079> will<00:09:03.399> call<00:09:03.920> Eric
• all right seeing none I will call Eric all right seeing none I will call Eric tabell<00:09:04.839
• My name is Eric Toell. I'm the interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management.
• My name is Eric Toell. I'm the interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's your average Freiberg, Niska, Zainab Mohamed, Eric Lucero bill. Um, so, um, okay.
• average Freiberg, Niska,<00:09:31.400> Zainab<00:09:31.839> Mohamed,<00:09:32.440> Eric
• Niska, Zainab Mohamed, Eric Lucero bill. Niska, Zainab Mohamed, Eric Lucero bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 1944, authored by Representative Freiberg, was heard and then laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would move Minnesota to permanent standard time until Congress authorizes states to adopt permanent daylight saving time, at which point the state would make a one-time switch. An A1 amendment updating the years was adopted without opposition. Freiberg said his broader goal is to eliminate the clock change, and he noted the proposal has bipartisan support. Testimony was strongly in favor of the bill. Dr. Roxanne Pritchard, a University of St. Thomas psychology professor and neuroscientist, said permanent standard time better aligns with human biology, supports sleep and mental health, and could reduce insomnia, heart attacks, and car accidents associated with the spring time change. J.P., president of Save Standard Time and a co-chair of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, argued that daylight saving time causes chronic sleep deprivation, increases accidents and illness, and does not actually save energy or improve productivity. He said standard time provides a more balanced and honest clock, especially for children, commuters, outdoor workers, and service personnel. Members asked a few brief questions, including whether the bill would be laid over for inclusion in another bill and whether it would align Minnesota with other places to avoid travel oddities. The chair confirmed it would be laid over, and no votes were taken beyond approval of the A1 amendment. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.
• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.
• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.
• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.
• Eric Rudine, Government Affairs: I don't think there's a specific length.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1590 is now before the House for final passage: an act establishing a sick leave bank for Eric
• House Bill 1590 is now before the House for final passage: an act establishing a sick leave bank for Eric
• House Bill 1590 is now before the House for final passage: an act establishing a sick leave bank for Eric

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.