Legislative Update
Last Friday marked the third and final legislative deadline at the Capitol, and with most committee negotiations now wrapped up, our focus shifts to full House debates on major budget bills. Last week, the House passed several pieces of legislation, and I’ve continued working on bills to improve developments in our district.
Improving Care Facilities
I am proud to announce that my bill (HF 2647) has made it through the committee and onto the general register. By updating the requirements for assessments, reassessments, and resident monitoring in assisted living facilities, this bill ensures that residents receive the personalized care they need in a timely and efficient manner. The flexibility for assessments, along with more frequent check-ins based on individual needs, will help improve care quality and responsiveness. This bill is a significant step forward in making sure that assisted living facilities are better equipped to support residents with changing health needs, and I am proud to be part of this effort to enhance care in our state.
Community Infrastructure
Over the past few weeks, I've made progress on a series of bills that will secure funding for infrastructure projects in our district.
City of Mountain Lake
HF 864 - This bill provides funding that will be used to design and construct public infrastructure, including streets, clean drinking water, and sanitary and stormwater sewer systems, to support the expansion of housing in the city.
Lake Benton
HF 874 - This bill provides funding to the Public Facilities Authority for a grant to the city of Lake Benton. The grant will be used to design and construct water and sewer infrastructure along the U.S. Highway 75 corridor in conjunction with the ongoing reconstruction of U.S. Highway 75.
City of Ruthton
HF 1155 - This bill provides funding that will be used to design, construct, and equip the replacement of aging and failing municipal infrastructure. This includes improvements to the water distribution system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, the construction of a new water tower, and the reconstruction of city streets.
Improving Access for Rural Water and Sewer Lines
HF 1665 - This bill allows rural water and sewer districts to install pipelines within public road rights of way. These districts will follow the same rules as other utilities, including notifying local governments and ensuring public safety. This change makes it easier to expand essential infrastructure in rural communities.
Investing in Slayton's 34th Street
HF 866 - I’m carrying a bill this session to secure funding for the city of Slayton. The money will be used to design and rebuild 34th Street from Juniper Avenue to 160th Avenue.
This road is an important route for residents, businesses, and emergency services. Upgrading it will improve safety and support local growth. I’m committed to making sure communities like Slayton get the resources they need to keep moving forward.
Passed in the House Last Week
Last week, the House passed several bipartisan bills addressing a wide range of issues. These include funding for livestock and crop damage compensation, updates to student attendance laws, and increased privacy protections for tenants. Memorial highway designations were approved to honor local heroes, and new laws aim to improve veteran services, landlord-tenant transparency, and access to justice for American Indian families. Additional bills modernized local government operations, clarified foreclosure procedures, and expanded vehicle tinting exemptions for medical caregivers.
HF 601 (Burkel) This bill appropriates funds in fiscal year 2025 to compensate for livestock losses caused by wolves and crop or fence damage caused by elk, and supports prevention and claim investigation efforts.
HF 854 (Baker) Kandiyohi County; Trunk Highway 23 segment designated as Sergeant Joshua A. Schmit Memorial Highway
HF 1027 (West) Mortgage foreclosure redemption and surpluses provided
HF 1722 (Davids) U.S. Highway 63 segment designated as Officer Jason B. Meyer Memorial Highway
HF 2554 (Witte) Burnsville; Elmstrand Finseth Ruge Heroes Memorial Bridge designated
HF 62 (Keeler): This bill consolidates and references existing statutes related to student attendance to improve clarity and accessibility without making substantive changes.
HF 2067 (Keeler): This bill updates student attendance laws to expand valid absence reasons, improve reporting, and require outreach for students with extended unexcused absences.
HF 1471 (Momanyi-Hiltsley): This bill requires cities and towns to provide landlords with a copy or digital link to the Attorney General’s landlord-tenant guide when issuing or renewing a rental license or similar document.
HF 1662 (Rehrauer): This bill allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to access certain human services data (with consent) to verify eligibility and connect veterans with benefits under programs like the State Soldiers Assistance Program and the Veterans Stable Housing Initiative.
HF 1723 (Zeleznikar): This bill updates St. Louis County’s personnel and administrative statutes by modifying which county positions are classified as unclassified civil service, repealing outdated appointment rules, and eliminating an obsolete provision allowing county funds for historical work.
HF 2184 (Feist): This bill exempts the Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families and federally recognized Indian Tribes from paying court fees in certain family law and civil proceedings, ensuring better access to justice in matters like child support, guardianship, and civil commitments.
HF 2296 (Howard): This bill strengthens tenant privacy protections by clarifying that landlords are strictly prohibited from disclosing a tenant's status as a victim of violence or any related information, regardless of any other signed documents, and imposes penalties for violations.
SF 1075 (Joy): This bill expands exceptions to Minnesota's vehicle window tinting laws by allowing drivers to use medical tint exemptions prescribed to close family members or individuals they care for, provided specific documentation and vehicle details are included.
Check Out My Session Daily News Coverage Here
House committee approves human services policy bill addressing fraud, mental health care - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives
Let’s Stay in Touch
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I always welcome feedback and would be happy to meet with you to discuss any issues that matter to you. You can reach me at rep.joe.schomacker@house.mn.gov or call 651.296.5505 to schedule a visit.
Have a great weekend and thank you for your continued support!
Joe Schomacker