Legislative UpdateDear Friends and Neighbors, Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope this message finds you well and feeling the love as we kick off a brand-new session at the Capitol. It’s been an exciting start—especially since it’s our first week in the operating majority since 2018—and I’m pumped to get to work! House Republicans have wasted no time, with several important pieces of legislation already moving through the process. Our top priorities are picking up speed, and we’re doing everything we can to get them to the House floor for a full vote. The energy here is contagious, and there’s a real buzz as we tackle the issues that matter most to you. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to keep you in the loop as we move forward! House File 22: Protecting Parents' Rights I am proud to introduce House File 22, the "Parent’s Bill of Rights"—legislation that reaffirms the fundamental role of parents in raising their children. I truly believe that parents, not the government, should have the final say in decisions that impact their child’s education, healthcare, and upbringing. This bill protects parental rights by ensuring: - The right to direct your child’s education and upbringing.
- Full access to school and medical records.
- Informed consent before any medical interventions, biometric scans, or recordings of your child.
- Prompt notification if a government entity suspects a criminal offense has been committed against your child.
No government agency, school, or institution should undermine a parent’s right to make decisions in their child’s best interest. House File 22 doesn’t create new rights but rather recognizes the rights parents already have. It’s about ensuring transparency and accountability in the systems that affect our families and keeping government overreach in check. I am committed to standing with Minnesota parents and fighting for policies that support strong families. If you have any thoughts or questions about this bill, I encourage you to reach out to my office—I value your input and appreciate your support. Let’s work together to protect parental rights in Minnesota and empower families to thrive! You can read more about House File 22 here. Standing Up for Fairness in Girls’ Sports Earlier this week, House Republicans sent a letter to the Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) seeking answers about the MSHSL's public statement that they intend not to comply with President Trump's Executive Order protecting girls sports in Minnesota. We stand with the overwhelming majority of Minnesotans who believe in safeguarding the safety, fairness, and integrity of girls’ athletics. Every young female athlete deserves a level playing field, and we will continue fighting to ensure their rights are protected. This isn’t just about sports—it’s about preserving the hard-earned opportunities that generations of young girls have fought for. We will not stand by while these opportunities are threatened. We are committed to defending fairness, championing equal opportunities, and ensuring that all girls can compete in a safe and fair environment. The voice of Minnesotans will be heard, and we will stand firm in this fight for justice and equality in sports!  LGA Funding and Tax Policy With a testifier from the League of Minnesota Cities, introducing a bill addressing tax policy and Local Government Aid (LGA) funding for Stewart.  Staff Spotlight: Shaelong Yang This week, I want to take a moment to give a special shout-out to someone who’s been an absolute rock star on my team—my amazing CLA, Shaelong Yang. Shaelong’s unwavering support as I begin my second term in the House has meant so much to me. His attention to detail, commitment to getting the facts right, and steadfast loyalty to God, our country, and his beautiful family make him an invaluable part of my team. Thanks to his dedication, I’m able to be a better legislator, and I’m beyond grateful to have him by my side. Shaelong, thank you for everything you do! Your hard work, loyalty, and passion for serving are deeply appreciated, and I’m lucky to have you helping to represent our district! Please Reach OutAs always, I’m here to listen and serve you. Please feel free to reach out to my office at 651-296-4228, by email at rep.dawn.gillman@house.mn.gov or follow me on Facebook for more frequent updates! Thank you for the honor of representing District 17A. Together, we will keep working toward making Minnesota a better place to live for all. Sincerely, Representative Dawn Gillman
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 17A |