Legislative Update – May 15, 2023
Dear neighbors,
This weekend I had the honor of attending a ceremony alongside Senate Environment Chair Foung Hawj honoring the sacrifice of Hmong-Lao SGU Veterans. May 14 is Hmong Special Guerilla Units (SGU) Remembrance Day, a designated state holiday. I was proud to attend and continue to raise awareness and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Hmong community. You can learn more about the history of the SGU here.
Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Renewal
Last week, the House passed legislation to renew and modify the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, on a vote of 87-41. The legislation proposes a constitutional amendment to be on the ballot in the 2024 general election that would extend the dedication of lottery proceeds to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) through December 31, 2050.
The ENRTF is a constitutionally dedicated fund that may be spent only on the “protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.” The fund was created in 1988 when 77% of Minnesotan voters approved an amendment to the constitution to create long-term, consistent funding for the environment and natural resources. 40% of the net proceeds from the state lottery go into the fund. Over the past 30 years, the ENRTF has provided over $875 million to nearly 1,800 projects around the state.
Whether it’s funding cutting-edge research at the U of M, starting programs to get underserved communities outdoors, or funding the DNR’s conservation efforts, the ENRTF is a critical piece of our work protecting the environment. Minnesotans recognize the value of protecting, preserving, and enhancing our water, air, soil, and wildlife and that is why I was proud to vote to reauthorize the fund. You can read more in this Bluestem Prairie article.
Agricultural Pesticides and PFAS
I wanted to take a moment to highlight this recent article from MinnPost: “‘So many unknowns.’ Minnesota will study PFAS in agricultural pesticides ahead of a near-ban in 2032”. The article addresses recent discoveries of “forever chemicals” in agricultural pesticides and how the legislature is responding to this, including legislation I authored to address the issue.
As I said in the article, this is a stunning discovery because if PFAS are in pesticides that are being purchased and spread with the pesticide, that is very concerning. I will continue to fight for legislation to ensure we know about PFAS contamination and do something about it.
Higher Education Budget
Last week, the House approved the final version of our Higher Education Budget Bill. This bill will address tuition, declining enrollment, and other issues in our higher education system. Notably, the budget provides free college to students with household incomes under $80,000. This budget is a life-changing investment into our communities and our futures. It will help alleviate the state’s labor shortage and ensure others are not burdened by student debt. I was proud to support this legislation and will continue supporting increased education investments.
Stay in Touch
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the legislative session. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my legislative assistant Sam O'Neill at 651-296-3305 or via email at samuel.oneill@house.mn.gov.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative