Legislative Update – April 9, 2024
Dear Neighbors,
We have passed the mid-point of the 2024 Legislative Session, and the House is now focused on passing policy bill packages in major areas, as well as putting together small supplemental budgets to continue our work improving the lives of Minnesotans.
I have been continuing to meet with constituents and advocates on a range of issues as we put together these bills, including constituents from AFCSME on their Day at the Capitol. I also was able to take a tour of Repowered, an electronics recycling facility in Saint Paul last Friday. It was a great opportunity to learn about the process and talk about how we can reduce barriers and encourage more recycling in the future.
Policy Bills Passed
Yesterday the House unanimously passed the 2024 Public Safety Policy Bill, which included HF3812, my legislation expanding Minnesota's "Good Samaritan" law to help save more lives of those experiencing drug overdoses. The bipartisan change would make sure the law protects those assisting someone who is calling 911 to report a potential overdose. I was glad to be on the floor with Public Safety Chair Kelly Moller and Colleen Ronnei from Change the Outcome who helped us pass this bill!
Last week, the House began passing policy bill packages in major issue areas building on the work of our historically productive 2023 session and improving the lives of Minnesotans. So far the House has passed:
- Bills supporting our Departments of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs, which passed with unanimous support!
- A bipartisan higher education policy bill that includes the clean energy sector in our Workforce Development Scholarship Program and expands support in higher education for students who have a disability.
- An early education policy bill focused on strengthening our pre-kindergarten and school readiness programs.
- A bipartisan transportation policy package that improves road safety, DVS wait times, child passenger safety, and consumer protections.
- An election bill that addresses voting rights, election disinformation, and school board appointments.
- A public safety package that passed unanimously and includes bipartisan provisions that protect victim-survivors and make our system more just.
Climate and Energy Committee
The Climate and Energy Committee has continued to hold hearings on a range of legislation that update our energy laws, support clean energy sources, and reduce costs for residents. One piece of legislation I authored would support counties, cities, or towns that want to use geothermal energy sources.
Another bill I’ve introduced would require the Public Utilities Commission to develop a cost-sharing process for distribution system upgrades. This legislation was in part inspired by my own experience installing solar panels on our home.
Our project triggered the need for a new transformer, and if we wanted to continue our project, we would have to pay for the total cost of the improvements, even though the expanded capacity went above our project’s needs. The result was the potential project after ours would not be required to pay for any of this capacity.
My bill seeks to fix this problem by sharing the cost and expanding on a pilot program that Xcel Energy has for small rooftop projects. You can read more about the proposal here.
Environmental Funding Survey
 Did you know that a portion of Minnesota’s lottery proceeds go towards protecting our environment and natural resources through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund? Since 1991, the ENRTF has provided approximately $700 million to over 1,700 projects around the state. The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources is now gathering input about the future of Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund spending and taking feedback about what environmental issues are most important to you. Make your voice heard about how to improve Minnesota's environment & natural resources. |
Staying in touch
Please reach out if you have any questions or feedback you would like to share. You can contact me by email at rep.patty.acomb@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-9934.
Sincerely,
Patty Acomb
State Representative