Week in Review: Jan. 3-6

It was an eventful first week of the 2023 legislative session as members were sworn in and committees met for the first time, even taking action on a couple major issues, all while the state was hit with a winter storm that caused white-knuckle commutes and made just getting to and from the Capitol a minor miracle.

DFL leaders – who simultaneously control the House, Senate and governor’s office for the first time in a decade – also held a press briefing to discuss their top legislative priorities for this session. They include abortion rights, paid family medical leave, child care and education funding.

And the session’s first bill, HF1, that would codify reproductive rights in state law, received its first hearing and was approved by the House Health Finance and Policy Committee on a party-line vote Thursday.

While you catch your breath and get ready for Monday, when a half-dozen committees have hearings scheduled and the House holds a 10 a.m. floor session, take a look back at what you may have missed over the last few days.

BUDGET

Should inflation be included on both sides of the budget forecast ledger?

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17493

CIVIL LAW

Judiciary panel OKs bill to amend MN Human Rights Act to prohibit hair discrimination

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17494

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Committee considers what one state can do about climate change

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17492

Environment, natural resources committee plays catch-up in approving land-use bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17491

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Bill to codify right to abortion in Minnesota clears first committee hurdle

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17495

STATE GOVERNMENT

DFL leaders, holding all the cards at Capitol, tout their 2023 to-do list

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17489

House lawmakers gather in St. Paul with swift action expected on at least one priority

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17488

TAXES

Tax panel approves federal conformity changes

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17490