 Legislative Update from Rep. Sandra FeistNeighbors, As May ushers in blooming flowers and warming days, my final month in session has begun. Among the familiar chaos the end of session brings, and in preparation to pass the torch to whoever will represent District 39B next, I’ve spent some time reflecting on the institution, history, and legacy of the Minnesota House. Over time, the different spaces have become associated with the memories of negotiations, the heartbreak of setbacks, and the elation of breakthroughs. I took some time to capture and truly appreciate the gorgeous architecture and artwork that is the setting for my work.  The staff at the Minnesota Historical Society, who conduct tours for visitors, were kind enough to let me visit the rooftop — a rare privilege with a fantastic view. You can learn more about the Capitol's history at the Minnesota Historical Society website. If you ever come down to Saint Paul to visit, I encourage you to take advantage of one of their free Capitol tours! I’ve also been reflecting on the work I've done over the past six years. I first ran for office as an immigration attorney seeking new ways to serve immigrants, who are such an integral part of our community. It was an act of frustration with the federal system and a sense that I could do something more and new through state politics. Little did I know that this issue that I care so deeply about and have worked on for so long would be thrown to the forefront of a brutal partisan attack by the Federal government. I’m still an immigration attorney, and I’m still frustrated with the system, but despite the chaos that is happening nationally, I’m proud knowing that I made significant progress for Minnesota’s immigrants, including: - Protecting immigrant victims of crimes.
- Changing the definition of gross misdemeanor in Minnesota to ensure it isn't unjustly considered a felony for immigration purposes.
- Protecting immigrant victims of labor trafficking.
- Expanding access to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) for neglected, abandoned, or abused immigrant youth.
- Creating the Office of New Americans within the Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
I know I’ll be leaving the Capitol proud of these accomplishments, among others outside of the realm of immigration. In fact, I was gratified to be included in the top 10 most effective lawmakers in Minnesota by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. Transparently, there is so much intangible, invisible work that goes into being effective and I question whether data collection could ever truly objectively capture "effectiveness." Regardless, it's nice to see that someone is trying to lift up lawmakers who are effective in passing bills into law. And it’s certainly nice to be recognized for my efforts! That said, no one can be an effective legislator without a great team behind them. Last week, I was proud to pass my bill to update the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act on the House Floor with a 134-0 unanimous vote. This lengthy bill was the result of extensive work by experts, so I took a moment on the House Floor to share the amount of dedication, expertise and care that went into passing this bill. Here is the breakdown: - The Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) began working on this bill in 2018.
- The initial work was done by attorneys who collectively have over a hundred years of specialized experience dealing with common interest community law.
- Over a hundred hours of collective work.
- Vetted by the MSBA’s 1,000-member Real Property Section.
- THEN vetted by the MSBA’s legislative committee.
- THEN distributed for review by external stakeholders.
Legislators get a lot of glory for being the last person to carry the football across the finish line, but in reality, lawmaking is a team sport and it takes a collective effort between lawmakers and community members to pass a good bill.  In future sessions, I know that the work will continue to ensure that we protect the rights of immigrants in our state and provide them opportunities to live full lives contributing to our economy, our healthcare systems, and our communities. I’m confident that once I turn my attention back to immigration law, my colleagues and the next class of leaders will continue the work. I want to be clear – though this month wraps my time in session drafting bills and passing proposals into law, I remain your State Representative until 2027 comes. Though the second half of the year is slower around the halls of the House, please continue to reach out to me with ideas or issues I can help solve. You never know — it could inspire legislation that I pass along to those who remain! |