Week in Review: March 11-15

Friday’s House hearings were the first of the 2024 legislative session, but they may only be a preview of what could be a very active schedule at the same time next week.

The first of two committee deadlines is Friday, March 22. By that date, committees in both bodies must act favorably on bills that are not major appropriation or finance bills.

A look at next week’s schedule now shows several hearings where committees plan to discuss and vote on what will likely be their major package of policy bills for the year, so extra time and evening meetings are already planned.

Have a good St. Patrick’s Day weekend (it’s Sunday) and here’s a look back at what happened over the past week.

AGRICULTURE
Cat, dog breeders data no longer sheltered under proposal OK’d in agriculture committee

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18165

CONSUMERS

House passes expanded price-gouging legislation

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18158

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Lawmakers aim to boost broadband equitability across the state

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18157

EDUCATION

Local optional revenue increase could add millions to school funding

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18185

Libraries may be prohibited from banning books due to viewpoints, ideas or opinions

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18177

Education committee OKs funding for Increase Teachers of Color Act

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18173

Education panel considers cell phone policy to keep students on track — and offline

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18167

Conference committee adopts House language on school resource officer bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18160

ELECTIONS

All Minnesota cities, counties could be permitted to use ranked choice voting

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18169

EMPLOYMENT

Minimum pay rates for rideshare drivers proposed under bill that clears House commerce panel

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18174

Workforce panel approves bill extending unemployment insurance to striking workers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18171

ENERGY
ECO update seeks to ease fuel switching, electrification efforts

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18166

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health panel approves proposal to provide medical debt relief

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18184

Overdrawn food banks in line for cash infusion

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18179

Prisoners could opt out of court-ordered treatment programs with religious aspects

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18176

Pharmacies would continue vaccinating against flu, COVID-19 under proposal in House

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18170

As green burial movement grows, state officials consider whether to sanction human composting

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18164

House panel gives go-ahead to basic income pilot program

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18162

Bill would require sober houses to have supply of opiate antagonists

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18156

HIGHER EDUCATION

Agency’s higher ed bill is mostly tweaks, but foster students express displeasure

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18180

State would pick up more of the tab for new campus projects under bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18161

HOUSING

Powerless no more: Tenants could gain rights in utility disputes

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18175

Quashing public financing for corrupt developers at heart of bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18168

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Memorial Day monetary cap contribution could be lifted

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18178

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
Minnesota schools could be eligible for Purple Star designation

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18154

PUBLIC SAFETY

Public safety panel hears bill to establish Office of Animal Protection

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18186

Measure to ease rules on obtaining postconviction relief heads to House Floor

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18181

Proposal would allow local governments to ban weapons on land they own, lease

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18163

Crumbling infrastructure creating a crisis in Minnesota’s prisons, corrections ombudsperson says

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18155

STATE GOVERNMENT

Voters may weigh in on potential full-time Legislature, proposed redistricting commission

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18172

TAXES

Child tax credit would expand to 18-year-olds under bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18182

TRANSPORTATION

Citing yearly gridlock, lawmakers push for more state fair transportation options

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18183

House panel sends bill that would limit train length to next stop

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18159