Capitol Letter for April 14, 2023
The Capitol Letter™ is a recurring publication that provides reports from LWV Minnesota volunteer Observer Corps and Lobby Corps members on what is happening in the current legislative session.
Lobbying by LWVMN
The Minnesota House passed the Democracy for the People Act late Thursday evening! LWVMN submitted testimony on our support for the bill, HF3, and we have attended lobby days with We Choose Us and consistently written to our Legislators this session, including to Representatives on the Floor. We showed our commitment to protecting and expanding democracy on Thursday, and will have another opportunity to learn more and express our support when the Senate votes on the bill. This is a top LWVMN legislative priority that will securely register hundreds of thousands of voters. See coverage from WCCO.
Listen to the conversation hosted by Clean Elections MN with Secretary of State Steve Simon and Minnesota Senate President Senator Bobby Joe Champion about the new Restore the Vote law in Minnesota! The discussion on the new law and its implementation made clear that there is a lot of work ahead for all of us to ensure its success so that newly eligible voters become registered and know they’re able to vote.
Observer Reports
House Ways and Means - Tuesday, April 11
LWVMN Observer Corps Member Cindy Holker
HF2310 and HF2754 were discussed individually below but motions were made to combine the bills into one Omnibus bill as HF2310, and it was placed on the General Register prevailing along a party line vote.
HF 2754 - Climate and Energy Budget Bill. Two amendments were heard on the bill. These included technical changes to line up with the appropriations spreadsheet and a provision that called for a $10 million fee to go to the Prairie Island Indian Community from Xcel Energy to cover risk to the Community due to their proximity to Xcel’s nuclear power plant. The cost will be passed to customers (estimated to be 17 cents per month). Republican opposition was focused on why with the surplus the state has, should this fee need to be passed onto customers? Bill author Rep. Acomb noted that there is still conversation to be had and that it will take place in conference committee. Rep. Novotny asked why just the Prairie Island Community gets such funds when the people he represents across the river are just as at risk? This amendment passed on party lines. Discussion on the bill itself included overall concern about the level of spending in light of the $17 billion surplus, but there was also concern about the weatherization and pre-weatherization provisions. Rep. O'Neil was concerned that the pre-weatherization funds allocation included a long laundry list of what was included and felt we would be repairing long-term issues with houses before turning funds to actual weatherization including roof repairs, broken windows, mold abatement, etc. Rep. Acomb stated that most of the repairs under this provision were for vermiculite removal (asbestos insulation). Bill was laid over to be included in the Omnibus Bill
HF2310 - Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Budget Bill. This bill was described by Rep. Hansen as a problem solving bill, finally fixing issues that have been identified for years such as Emerald Ash Borer, PFAS issues, Chronic Wasting Disease and invasive species. Equally important, this bill addresses environmental justice issues. Two amendments were passed, the A18 and A17. Biggest concern on the bill was once again the level of spending. Most importantly, the increase in fees to residents that are incorporated in the bill like park fees, fishing and hunting licensees, and watercraft fees. Rep. Garafollo stated that the overall level of spending is resulting in a larger government and can not be sustained for the long haul. He asked if this bill simply set up a base for continued excess spending or were these really one time appropriations. Rep. Hansen stated that he hoped the 94 million trees to be planted dealing with Emerald Ash Borer would be one time spending in addition to tackling Chronic Wasting Disease. Bill was passed onto the General Register as stated above. Listen to Minnesota Gov. Walz on Natural Resource Topics and read Legislators on Fee Increases
House Ways and Means - Wednesday, April 12
LWVMN Observer Corps Member Paul Huffman
The Committee reviewed the House Elections Omnibus, HF1723, for inclusion in the Government Budget Omnibus (HF1830). The previous delete all amendment (DE1) was incorporated and published as the 1st engrossment on 4/11. Two amendments were approved in the hearing. The first was an author's amendment (A11) that removed all of the items included in HF3, the Democracy for the People Act, as that bill received a floor vote on its own on Thursday, April 13 (and passed). The second amendment (A12) was provided by the author (Rep. Freiberg) with little explanation as to the basis for the amendment other than "leadership told me to present this." The amendment changes the boundary between Senate District (SD) 9 and SD12 (HD9B and 12B) in west central MN (near Alexandria) to align the boundary with a lakeshore rather than a township (see map). Only about 139 people are affected in this rural area and both Senate and House districts are represented by Republicans. This change was proposed and ultimately not adopted in the 2022 session because it got caught up in efforts to add other district changes which would have benefited some specific legislators, but this change appears to have no effect on representation. Rep. Klevorn, vice chair of the 2022 House Redistricting Committee and a member of this Committee, was able to explain that the change was needed now, because it could accompany required Met Council redistricting. The Amendment ultimately passed 17-6 with 1 abstention. HF1830 passed as amended.
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee - Wednesday, April 12
LWVMN Observer Corps Member Marti Micks
SF1049 (Dibble and Pappas) - Transit Rider Investment Program. Seeks authorization to issue "administrative" citations for transit fare evasion, reducing the consequence to a petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor and surcharges for nonpayment of citation. Reclassifies and reorganizes personnel to improve transit rider's experience. Sworn officers are dealing with issues (weapons, narcotic, liquor and assault offenses), so non-sworn officers would issue administrative citations. This is needed because courts aren't processing the citations. This would not reduce number of sworn officers but would work in cooperation. Transit personnel would also be authorized to administer opiate antagonists. Recent audit showed that less than 3% of fare evasion ticket citations recuperate "lost" fares. Met Council staff, Jud Shetnan and Lesley Kandaras consulted with cities that have similar issues, such as Seattle. Met Council seeks to reduce citation penalty (example $35 -$100 could be graduated structure), so there can be some consequences. Motion to send SF1049 back to Transportation Committee passed.
Senate Finance Committee - Wednesday, April 12
LWVMN Observer Corps Member Marti Micks
SF2909 (Latz) - Omnibus Judiciary and Public Safety. This is a wide ranging bill with appropriations for the multiple smaller bills included that may or may not become law. Senate Counsel Chris Turner read the long list of appropriations and the committee agreed with the Governor's recommended budget amounts. The bill includes $880 million over the $2.7 billion base, with $710 million in ongoing spending (tails). Public safety sector would get $650 million in 24-25 and $450 in tails, judicial system would get $230 million in 24-25 and $260 in tails. These include amounts that would be incurred if universal background checks and ERPO or "red flag" laws were passed. Three appropriation amendments passed: A28 - Felony murder accomplice relief should be determined by district judge within 90 days. With court backlogs, it was explained that the 90 day deadline sets some urgency for judge so arrested person is not incarcerated needlessly. Sen. Latz explained that the statute by case law is directory not mandatory, A32 balances the appropriations, and A33 safeguards the Housing bill grants. Sen. Champion wanted "oversight of for-profits" added to the amendment which currently only speaks to grants for "nonprofits." Sen. Pappas said that she would work on its wording. All amendments passed and SF 2909 passed, but not unanimously. Additional, Sen. Champion asked about whether increasing fentanyl penalties would harm certain demographic group. There was no information on drug use by race of fentanyl.
Senate Omnibus Labor Budget Bill
LWVMN Observer Corps Member Audrey Kramer
SF2782 (McEwen) - This is a broad and robust bill providing protection for workers, defining what employers can and cannot do by law when employer and workers have conflicts. Author Senator Jennifer McEwen explained, "The work place has an inherently unfair power balance for the worker, and my purpose was to design a bill creating a greater power balance for the worker." SF2782 creates appropriations for the Department of Labor and Industry, Worker's Compensation Court, and the Bureau of Mediation Services. The Omnibus Labor Budget Bill broadly covers law especially for food processing, nursing home workers, combat sports participants, worker safety at meat and poultry processing plants, penalties employers must pay when in violation of Packinghouse Workers' Bill of Rights, the voiding of "non-compete" agreements as unenforceable, prohibition of employer retaliation on whistleblowers, and determination of how indemnification settlements are handled between building contractors. The bill contains so much more, of course!
Labor Committee - March 30, 2023 - SF2782 was challenged by eight unsuccessful amendments from GOP members who felt that the bill went too far in burdening the employer with for example, inflation based penalties (Sen. Gruenhagen). Senator McEwen forcefully rebutted each of the eight GOP amendments put forth. The DFL legislators passed five amendments successfully on a partisan vote before SF2782 passed on a majority vote.
Finance Committee - April 12, 2023 - The intended plan was to review the bill's appropriations, hold a discussion on the bill, and then fold SF2782 into SF3035 (Champion), the Omnibus Economic Development bill, which further broadens the worker range of recipients for grant programs. Here are a few: LGBTQ entrepreneurs, Latino Economic Center, Grand Portage Tourism, technology innovation, Enterprise MN (small manufacturing), the Promise Act (for veterans), YMCA Minneapolis, Boys & Girls Club, and Work Programs for older adults. The one complaint was grant recipients had to ‘anti-up’ a matching amount to be considered for the grant funds. Senator Champion and Senator Marty also had to take a break to resolve a specific funding problem on which they disagreed. Champion didn't want "for profit" and "non-profit" organizations treated the same. Senator Pratt's A-24 Amendment to reduce funding did not pass. SF2782 was successfully passed by members and is now encompassed into Senator Champion's bill SF3035, the Omnibus Economic Development bill, which passed.
Minnesota House News
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Please learn more at our 2023 Legislative Session Webpage.