Week in Review: March 19-23

Although the flurry of activity in advance of Thursday’s first committee deadline has paused – and the MNLARS debate may temporarily return to a slow simmer – another self-imposed cutoff is already approaching.

The second committee deadline – when committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body, is March 29, and the House begins its Easter/Passover break the following day.

But before looking ahead let’s take a look at what you may have missed this week.

Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture committee hears ditch mowing proposals

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13138

More could qualify for beginning farmer tax credits

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13160

BONDING

Blaine’s National Sports Center seeks $2.5 million for maintenance facility

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13147

Minnesota’s last one-room school seeks dollars to expand

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13149

Nearly $26 million sought for multi-county medical examiner's office

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13161

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Still not closing time for Sunday liquor sales talk at Capitol

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13142

Bill would exempt hair braiding from state cosmetology laws

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13145

CIVIL LAW

Punish organizers for ‘bad actors’? Bill would create felony for ‘vicarious liability’

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13132

‘Delete friend request’: Bill would bar employers from accessing employees’ social media accounts

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13157

EDUCATION

Reducing student suspensions at core of omnibus E-12 policy bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13135

Funding increases for student mental health finds bipartisan support

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13154

Committee considers grant program to improve school building safety

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13163

Education omnibus bill proposes new school district rating system

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13167

ENERGY

House lawmakers advance plan to expand solar energy rewards program

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13140

ENVIRONMENT

Bill approved to prevent Legacy-funded art projects from promoting domestic terrorism, criminal activity

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13126

Bipartisan bill would use 3M settlement dollars to test private wells

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13136

PCA water fees make a splash with some legislators

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13148

Proposed grants would turn emerald ash borer-infected trees into biomass fuel

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13152

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Abortion ultrasound viewing bill headed to House floor

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13134

Work requirement for Medicaid advances in House

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13144

Committee approves relaxing child care provider rules

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13146

Bill to rescue smoking cessation program advances with bipartisan support

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13159

HIGHER EDUCATION

Committee approves measure to reform U of M regents selection process

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13141

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

House passes bill allowing towns to donate to local food shelves

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13129

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

‘Simple fix’ would stop taxing half of veterans’ civil service pensions

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13127

Who cares for Minnesota's abandoned cemeteries?

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13168

PUBLIC SAFETY

No votes — again — on gun-control bills in House public safety committee

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13137

‘Huffing’ and driving could be charged, penalized like a DWI

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13139

Cameras in the courtroom? Consent would be required by many under proposal in House

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13150

Snowmobile, ATV privileges could be revoked after DWI

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13143

Legislators aim to close off-road DWI loophole

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13166

Still no voting for felons on probation

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13162

Bill aims to ensure peace officers can be armed

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13165

STATE GOVERNMENT

Starting Line: A solution to the state's lieutenant governor conundrum?

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13125

House OKs bill to close loophole in bidding process for water tower repairs

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13128

Technical changes for mortgage loan originators’ licensing get House OK

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13130

Bill would require state govt. plan to conduct business during declared emergencies

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13133

Proposal would help fund cybersecurity measures in state government

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13158

TAXES

Committee considers offering tax credits to Hollywood

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13153

TRANSPORTATION

Lawmakers pass, governor signs compromise MNLARS funding bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13164

House, Senate agree to MNLARS funding compromise

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13156

House, Senate pass differing versions of bills to fund MNLARS fixes

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13131

Omnibus transportation policy bill proposes sweeping changes to Met Council

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13155