Capitol Letter for April 18

Please Join Us in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda on April 28 at 2 pm

We need YOU to learn, raise your voice, and take action at our LWVMN Lobby Day!

A healthy democracy is fueled by healthy communities, and active participation from its citizens. Amidst federal cuts impacting Minnesota and legislators negotiating our state budget, LWVMN will host a Lobby Day at the Minnesota State Capitol to "Stand Up for Healthy Communities".

We will hear both about the impacts of federal actions and how we can advocate for solutions. Speakers include the MN Dept. of Health Commissioner, those directly serving our communities, and inspiring leaders. This rally will bring together Minnesotans of all backgrounds to share our desire for healthy, strong, informed and civically active communities.

We will have Lobby Day signs, T-Shirts, and pre-formatted cards that you can sign, add comments to, and deliver to your State Officials at the Capitol. There will also be tables represented by partner organizations and the issues that we are supporting along with a toolkit for action that anyone can use during and after the event. We hope you can join us! You can also share the event and watch for a recording on Facebook.

Learn more and RSVP here!
 

  • LWVMN Observer & Lobby Corps Member Carol Seiler

    There were many bills discussed. The hearing ran from 9:00 am to around 3:30 pm.

    First up was SF 2981 presented by Sen. Cwodzinski and was concerned with the office of Inspector General (IG) within the Department of Education provisions modifications. Adosh Unni, MN Dept. of Education, provided testimony regarding the Inspector General in place to identify fraud, abuse, recovery of funds. It specifically covers confidential data remaining confidential, clear direction to what gets referred to the IG, and an amendment to clarify provisions. Rich Neumeister, who has a long time involvement with privacy and open government issues on all government levels gave testimony. Sen. Limmer had questions around the amendments. Sen. Westrom asked for a recap of what the data privacy provisions require. Sen. Kreun asked why the expedited process is included. Sen. Howe asked how would A2 get back to Education if it was laid over. Suggested changes to the expediting the rule making amendment. Mr. Neumeister responded about not including the rule piece. Sen. Kreun objected. No decision made.

    SF 1750 - Sen. Lucero. This bill puts many restrictions on how Home Owner Association Boards function. There were both fans and opposition to many of the changes that this Committee wants to make to the Minnesota Common Ownership Interest Act (MCIOA). The provisions in the bill would effectively derail HOAs and Cooperatives, require them to rewrite their governing documents and rules and regulations at a significant expense, limit the amount of fines requiring all owners to fund the difference between the fine and the cost of repair/replacement of the damages done (if there were damages). It would require common ownership groups to register their organizations for a fee. Sen. Kreun suggested that there needed to be some changes prior to the finalization of the bill. It has bipartisan support.

    SF 2457 & SF 2794 presented by Sen. Klein. Comes from the Dept. of Commerce and relates to insurance provisions. SF 2457 - Sam Smith, Dept. of Commerce clarified how information gathered by insurance is classified and will make data public. The Dept. worked with the insurance industry, and the bill should be sent back to Commerce. Sam Smith presenting SF 2794 which was also referred back to Commerce.

    SF 1035 - Sen. Port related this bill to her own victimization from campus sexual violence. The bill addresses the response to campus sexual violence, and harassment with the purpose to codify grievance procedures across the state. Sen. Kreun questioned preponderance of evidence. Suggested changing language - Amend A6 delete 112. Sen Kreun had specific concerns about lines in the document. Sen. Port responded that the use of technology such as Zoom would be used to take victim statements and said that face-to-face testimony inhibits the victim. Sen. Kreun was very verbose and took control of the discussion. Sen. Howe asked Senate Counsel, Priyanka Premo, a question regarding no formal miranda warning or nothing that would prohibit information gathering. Melissa Watschke, Title 9 Administrator for the Higher Education Commission, testified saying that smaller institutions were concerned about additional costs and privacy concerns. Amendment adopted.

    SF 1962 presented by Sen. Pappas. She moved that the A1 authors amendment be adopted. This bill relates to the right of a mortgagee to postpone a foreclosure sale date. Due on-sale clauses limitation in some instances provisions and private right of action provisions. Also includes language clarification. Sen. Kreun had questions about the language. Ron Elwood, Mid-MN Legal Aid said the right to postpone has been very successful. Sen. Pappas recommended it be passed and moved to the Senate floor.

    SF 2499 presented by Sen. Mohamed who described the bill as the need for emergency medical services be shared with only essential details with personal information safeguarded. Testimony by Dylan Ferguson, Director of Emergency Services, and others indicated that the data would be useful in the moment. Sen Howe said that High Density isn't a company but a nonprofit of different government entities that support law enforcement. Sen. Limmer said that there is no explanation of language difference between A1 and the original. A1 provides clarification. Sen. Anderson indicated that access is restricted to public health and also includes geo access restrictions. It is HIPPA compliant and has access tracking. This is data being provided already but is manually input. The primary purpose is timely data for public health and law enforcement. It is supported by the Hennepin County Sheriff and the BCA. Sen. Pappas recommended it pass and be referred to Health and Human Services.

    SF 2735, Sen. Seeberger presented the bill requiring removal and disposal of abandoned water craft. There is bipartisan support between Minnesota and Wisconsin. It would make abandonment a misdemeanor. Col. Rodman Smith, Enforcement DNR, indicated that other states are working on similar legislation. It provides a framework for cities and counties on how to locate owners, and hold them accountable for taking care of the problem. Sen. Limmer said that any law that voids licenses because of infractions is good; this is in fish and game law. Sen. Howe questioned the difficulty in finding the owner. Col. Smith said that investigative efforts have been successful. Sen. Carlson asked if you can go retroactively and find abandoned property in deep water, find the owner, and take action.

    SF 1578, Sen. Seeberger said that outdated fire safety measures dated long before the current fire code (50-100 years). Dan Krier, State Fire Director was on hand to answer questions and discuss the bill. Sen. Howe said he would like to see the date it goes into statute; being laid over for possible inclusion.

    SF 2689, Sen. Johnson Stewart presented the bill to protect medical assistance stating that 1 in 4 depend on Medicaid. Nicholas Wanka, Attorney General's Office Director of Medical Fraud, said that the bill adds power to City Attorneys. They already have some authority: subpoena, financial records. It would recodify the Medicaid fraud provision penalty. Welfare fraud carries criminal penalties. Make similar provisions for Medicaid fraud. Mirror MAP Act penalties for insurance fraud. Sen. Kreun had concerns about increasing the Attorney General's authority citing that more transparency is needed. Sen. Clark asked a number of questions. Sen. Limmer asked if there isn't already authority to investigate fraud. The current law is in need of revision. It doesn't include enough penalties. The amendment passes and is being passed to state and local government.

    SF 2966 - Sen. Kunesh discussed how the government agency expansion in the emergency and public safety community chapter of law will affect native communities. Sen. Limmer asked if all tribal communities have resources in their public safety? Is there any problem from a resource perspective. Megan Gallagher, Department of Public Safety, said they have no opinion at this time.

    SF 2966 was laid over. HF688, Sen Westlin talked about service dog provisions in relation to modification in housing accommodation for persons with disabilities. The bill prohibits HOAs from not allowing the training of service dogs in their communities. Jeff Johnson, Executive Director of Candy Canines, said his organization has been around for many years. It costs about $45,000 to train a dog. They have prison inmates training dogs. Sen. Howe said other provisions allow service dogs in units. There are laws that prohibit discrimination of service dogs. Sen. Limmer asked if it overrides leases/rental agreements that prohibit an animal in the home adding HOAs to housing accommodation. HF688 was moved to the Senate floor.

    SF 3018 - Sen. Oumou-Verbeten presented a court procedure for a change of gender to vital records clarification. It is a particular problem if transition was done in MN, but the individual was born in another state. Rep. Johnson testified that based on a constituents experience, Dr. Celeste Noether heard from a person who moved to MN from the South where transition isn't allowed. She/he applied to have the court order to change her name and gender identity. Could it be changed in other states? Sen. Kreun asked if this was taking the name change statute and including gender change to the birth certificate. Sen. Oumou-Verbeten said we cannot order another state to make changes; it is up to that state. Sen. Kreun had a question on the process. Is this available to minors as well. If a minor must be approved by a legal guardian or next of kin. Sen. Anderson asked if a minor sues their next of kin or parents when they reach age 18? Senate Counsel responded. Sen. Howe said it only address name change; should also be changed to gender identity. Sen. Kreun suggested it not include minors. The bill was laid over.

    SF 3007, Sen. Hoffman said the bill specifies conditions in which a missing person may be considered endangered; establishing the Public and Local Alert Advisory Board (Autism, Dementia, cognitive impairment). Maren Christenson Hofer, Multicultural Autism Action Network and mother of an autistic child, indicated that Somali children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning. Ms. Hofer asked for approval of the bill and hopes to raise awareness of Autism in the Somali community. Sen. Howe asked a question about sounding an alert. No decision.

    SF 2371, Sen. Dibble discussed medical cannabis provision modifications. Only provisions within the Committee's jurisdiction. Section 10. Discrimination is not allowed if enrolled in a cannabis program. Eric Taubel, Interim Director of Cannabis Management, said the bill is specific to protecting enrollment in a cannabis program in housing. Protects patients from adverse action. Sen. Limmer asked if it would affect leased property? Does it override lease agreements? Is there a conflict with the indoor act or does it still apply in common areas? Sen. Howe said if I have a smoke free environment, this would override the smoke-free rule? No decision.

    SF 1024, Sen Wiklund, MNSure premium subsidy program establishment providing a sunset for the MN premium security plan and appropriation. Remove lines 4.7 through 4.14. Amendment approved. Sen. Howe asked if we deleted data sharing. Sen. Kreun asked if MNSure has data sharing now. Wiklund said no need for data sharing.

    SF 2776-Sen. Westlin. The bill refers to Department of Human services policy bill sections on background studies, Department of Corrections reconsiderations, kickback crimes, and appeals division worker protections. Ari Diddian of MN Dept. of Human Services reviewed all the changes to the bill, modifying human services background studies, Dept. of Corrections reconsiderations , kickback crimes, appeals division worker protections. The biggest change prohibits kickbacks in public programs. Sen. Limmer said it was a very expensive provision and would recommend not addressing it this year. Kristy Graume, MN Dept. of Human Services said she has heard concerns that Sen. Limmer expressed. They are talking about 35 judges. Sen. Westrom said in addition to fiscal issues, where do we draw the line. Needs a bigger policy discussion.

    SF 2776 was laid over.

Additional State NEws Coverage

The MN Legislature began its Easter/Passover break on April 11 and will return to session on Monday, April 21. Please see our Legislative Session 2025 webpage for links to our testimony and Action Alerts on priority issues, find our bill tracker, and more.

Before the legislative break, lawmakers were faced with multiple deadlines to hear bills and approve budget targets. Some bills were only heard in either the House or the Senate, and Committees in each body had different spending targets. If a bill is to pass, it will have been incorporated into an omnibus bill (or can be added as an amendment) which both bodies will vote on separately. The constructed omnibus bills are then sent into a Conference Committee to reconcile differences. Because neither Democrats nor Republicans have a majority unlike in the previous two years, the bills will need bipartisan agreement in order to pass and must be signed by Governor Walz. The legislative session is scheduled to end on May 19, and a budget must be agreed to by July 1. The Governor can call a special session at any time to revise our state budget and vote on policy after adjournment.

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