Week in Review: April 13-17

It was a week of an impeachment attempt, omnibus bills and last committee meetings for many retiring lawmakers.

A resolution on impeachment investigations of a state officer that targeted Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison didn’t move forward after the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee deadlocked on it Wednesday.

Finance bills were required to be through most committees by 5 p.m. Friday, with the exception of the House Capital Investment, Taxes, Ways and Means, and Rules and Legislative Administration committees. Omnibus finance bills that were approved this week included:

• human services;
• health;
• workforce;
• higher education; and
• public safety.

Finance bills for children and families, judiciary, energy and Legacy failed to garner the support needed to move out of committee before the deadline.

The House also passed its first omnibus bill of the session: a liquor bill that contains the “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” provision.

Now attention turns to the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Floor — and legislative leaders’ negotiations room — to see which bills will continue to advance as the May 18 end of session nears. With four weeks left, House leaders said their first negotiations meeting was encouraging Thursday.

As a reminder, per Article 4 of the state constitution bills cannot be passed on the final day of the biennial session:

Sec. 21. No bill shall be passed by either house upon the day prescribed for adjournment. This section shall not preclude the enrollment of a bill or its transmittal from one house to the other or to the executive for his signature.

Have a good weekend. Go Wild and Wolves. Here’s a look back at the week:

AGRICULTURE

House panel debates ban on burning pesticide containers

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19074

BONDING

'We are all just a crisis away': Lawmakers push to fund expanded emergency housing

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19079

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Omnibus liquor bill that includes ‘Grandparents’ Happy Hour’ passes House

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19075

Minnesota AG's Office seeks changes to scam restitution fund

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19092

CIVIL LAW

Minnesota lawmakers move toward Medicaid work requirements under pressure of federal cuts

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19083

Tied judiciary committee halts bill to boost security for Minnesota courtrooms, judges

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19101

EDUCATION

House panel advances bill to repeal automatic special education funding cuts

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19085

House Republican school safety package stalls; DFL proposal up next

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19086

House DFL school safety proposal fails committee vote, echoing Republican effort

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19102

EMPLOYMENT

Proposed grant program targets health care labor shortages

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19077

House workforce panel advances omnibus bill that would overhaul state grant process

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19099

ENERGY

State eyes $3 million study to harness heat from wastewater

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19084

After heated debate, energy committee rejects DFL omnibus bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19088

ENVIRONMENT

Department of Natural Resources policy bill unveiled, held over

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19082

Concerns over Roseau Lake project bog down Legacy finance bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19093

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Upgrades to ‘Oregon Trail’-era county IT systems would be prioritized under bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19078

Human services finance bill focused on federal compliance, program integrity

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19090

GOPers on House children and families panel balk at omnibus bills in final scheduled meeting

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19097

Human services committee rejects sustained funding hike for Medicaid fraud investigation unit

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19103

Health finance bill would prioritize compliance with federal ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19104

HIGHER EDUCATION

Lawmakers wrestle with financial aid deficit as they approve higher ed omnibus bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19105

HOUSING

House committee OKs $162 million housing investment with no General Fund impact

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19096

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

House proposal seeks solutions for rural vets facing long drives for mental health care

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19091

PUBLIC SAFETY

Public safety committee unveils $14.4 million supplemental budget bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19087

Public safety committee advances $14.4 million supplemental funding bill

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19095

STATE GOVERNMENT

Renovated State Office Building on track for September '27 reopening, House lawmakers hear

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19080

Deadlocked House rules panel rejects impeachment resolution against Walz, Ellison

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19094

House leaders search for middle ground, term first negotiations 'encouraging'

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19098

TAXES

House GOP pushes for $4 billion property tax refund as DFL warns of risks to MN's hospitals, schools

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19081

Proposed tax on preferred sports seating would fund shelters, housing

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19089

From Roseau to Owatonna, local governments lobby St. Paul for local sales tax power

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19100

TRANSPORTATION

Legislation aims to align transit, road projects and housing development

https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/19076