Week in Review: Feb. 15-19

With just a bit more than one full week left in February and the Legislature’s first committee deadline on the horizon March 12, more and more of the 1,348 bills that have so far been introduced are being heard and moved through their respective committees and divisions.

The past few days saw bills that would legalize marijuana, raise and lower taxes, ban flavored tobacco and establish a new state agency focused on helping the youngest Minnesotans.

Members also spent considerable time working with state officials to dissect and discuss the various provisions of the budget proposal Gov. Tim Walz released last month as the much anticipated February forecast is to be released one week from today.

The numbers in that economic outlook will serve as the framework lawmakers will work within as they attempt to craft the state’s budget for the 2022-23 biennium before they’re constitutionally mandated to adjourn on May 17 – now 88 days away for those keeping track of such things.

That work will continue on Monday with a House Ways and Means Committee meeting at 10:30 a.m., followed by four more committee meetings at 1 p.m. and a floor session at 3:30 p.m., although there are no bills on the Calendar for the Day. But as last Thursday’s unexpected floor debate on the State Aid for Emergencies account bill illustrates, anything is possible.

Be sure to check the weekly schedule for updates on the days ahead, and here’s another look at what you may have missed last week.

Stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.

AGRICULTURE
Costs of soil friendly farming would be defrayed under approved bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15630

Pandemic-related funding boost for Farm to Foodshelf program could be extended

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15613

BONDING        

Bonding committee approves measure to help cover costs of recovery from last summer's civil unrest

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15614

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Recreational cannabis bill clears first committee in House

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15633

CIVIL LAW

Fibbing about Fido to skirt a ‘no pets’ policy? Bill would make it illegal

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15636

EDUCATION

Students in residential facilities could have better access to extra learning opportunities

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15641

Proposal would establish a new state agency focused on early childhood

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15637

Education committee considers ‘Seizure Smart Schools’ legislation

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15631

More children could be eligible for early learning opportunities this summer

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15617

New teachers could have better access to mentorship opportunities

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15611

ELECTIONS

‘Technical’ elections bill approved by committee on partisan vote

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15646

EMPLOYMENT

Bill held over would eliminate ‘Social Security offset’ that reduces unemployment payouts

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15612

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

No Child Left Inside grant program could get $2 million

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15642

Air-quality permits could get additional scrutiny in underserved communities

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15619

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Extension considered for pandemic-prompted changes to home and community-based services

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15639

Multiple approaches could bring more dentists to rural Minnesota

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15634

Mental health workforce shortage, cultural competency demand range of solutions

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15629

Proposed ban on flavored tobacco moves ahead

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15628

Parents of maltreated children could have greater say in day care provider appeals

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15624

Allowing raw cannabis for medical use could cut costs, improve access

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15622

Divided House committee approves price controls on prescription drugs creating ‘affordability challenges’

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15621

Study proposed to develop consumer protections for state's sober home residents

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15615

HIGHER EDUCATION

Minnesota State, U of M leaders tell lawmakers big repair bills need big bonding

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15638

Walz proposes $149 million increase in higher education funding — with some program cuts

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15635

HOUSING

Housing panel OKs legislation that could offer eviction protections, expunge records

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15640

Support program for Twin Cities homeless adults could be expanded

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15625

Legislation could protect low-income tenants in apartments primed for rent hikes

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15616

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Repeal of local government compensation cap gets OK by House division

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15627

Met Council reform measure met with House panel's approval

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15626

PUBLIC SAFETY

Bill proposes tougher penalties for sex trafficking

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15647

SAFE account bill fails to gain enough support, tabled for second time

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15645

Overhaul of criminal sexual conduct statutes moves forward

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15643

Public safety panel OKs bill to grant limited immunity to victims of sexual assault possessing or under influence of drugs

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15618

STATE GOVERNMENT

Proposal would have Greater MN bars, restaurants fully open sooner

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15648

House subcommittee continues debate over legislative response to Walz's emergency powers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15623

TAXES

Walz’s tax bill would net revenue bumps from corporations and high earners

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15644

Auditor’s report says use of tax increment financing down, but revenue up

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15632

Paying taxes on PPP loans? That, and more, would change under tax conformity bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15620