Legislative Update- April 25, 2022

Dear Neighbors,

We have four weeks remaining of the 2022 legislative session! According to the Minnesota Constitution the legislative session must end on May 23, 2022. Over the next two weeks the Minnesota of Representatives will pass our House Position Omnibus bills  in the following areas: 

• Climate and Energy
• K-12 Education  
• Public Safety / Judiciary 
• Transportation 
• Environment 
• Taxes 
• Legacy 
• Agriculture 
• Housing 
• Labor / Commerce 
• Health and Human Services 
• Capital Investments 

These omnibus bills contain many provisions on the topic area and upon passage will go to a Conference Committee with five members of the Minnesota House and Senate appointed by the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader of the Senate. At which time, the Senate and House will bring their proposed Omnibus bills to negotiate on a middle ground that will ultimately pass into law this session. 

If there is a specific proposal you want more details on or would like me to track, please email me at Rep.kelly.morrison@house.mn.

LCCMR Bill Advances 

Last week, the Minnesota House passed the LCCMR recommended appropriations bill from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. This fund was established after Minnesota voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1988. Revenue is generated by the Minnesota State Lottery. Since 1991, the fund has provided approximately $700 million to more than 1,700 projects. A list of all 74 projects that will protect, preserve, and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources can be found here.

On the House Floor, I spoke in support of the pollinator provisions included in the bill. It’s a good bill full of creative problem solving and scientific inquiry that will benefit the entire state.

More than 1,100 Minnesotans Benefited from MN Insulin Safety Net Program

A recent report from the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy showed more than 1,100 Minnesotans used the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program in 2021, providing access to over $6 million worth of insulin and more than doubling its usage from the previous year. The program, which provides both emergency access to and long-term assistance with insulin, was established in 2020 when the Minnesota Legislature passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. Alec’s mother, Nicole Holt-Smith, led efforts to get this nation-leading law across the finish line.

It was an honor to be a member of the bicameral conference committee which negotiated the final agreement on the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. I think we can all agree that no one should lose their life because they can’t afford the medicine they need to live. One House proposal under consideration would cap insulin, inhalers, and EpiPens at $25. I welcome and appreciate your thoughts on enacting a new law like that in Minnesota.

Physician’s Task Force Recommends Anxiety Screening for Children

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recently published a recommendation for all children and adolescents ages 8-18 be screened for anxiety. The benefits of early detection and treatment help ensure students can learn, thrive, and be successful in and out of the classroom. The pandemic has impacted mental health across the board, and we should invest a portion of the budget surplus to help meet the needs of our kids who are struggling. I’m pleased to share that my bill to add mental health screening (with parental permission) in Minnesota schools has been included in the final education omnibus bill we will vote on this week.

Community Spotlight

Thanks to Wayzata Parks and Trails for hosting an Earth Day tree giveaway last week. What a great way to mark the day and encourage tree planting. I’ll be planting a couple of swamp white oaks! 

I am very grateful to the Rev. Dr. Anne Miner-Pearson for a beautiful Easter sermon at Trinity Episcopal Church and for her many years of ministry. Wishing everyone hope, peace and renewal this season.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime with questions, input, or ideas at rep.kelly.morrison@house.mn or 651-296-4315. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance!

Have a great week.

Take care,

Kelly