Organ donation

For Melissa Roberts, the issue was a "no-brainer": her mother needed a kidney transplant to stay alive and she knew it was the right thing for her to do.

But if it weren't for the support of her family, employee benefits she receives through Hennepin County, and a grant to offset costs, she said she wouldn't have been able to afford the costs associated with paying the bills while she was out of work for six weeks following the procedure.

To answer these concerns, the House Taxes Committee heard two bills that would allow individuals to deduct money for travel, lodging, and lost wages related to organ donations transplantation. The bills will be considered for inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

The first, HF2048, sponsored by House Majority Leader Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie), would allow a deduction of up to $10,000. The other, HF2278, sponsored by Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights), would allow a maximum deduction of $7,500.