Legislative Update: 05.02.25

Legislative Update

Friends,

As we near the end of the legislative session, we're in the final stretch of negotiating key committee bills on the House floor. While several bills have already passed, others are still actively being debated. Below, I’d like to highlight some of the important bills that have successfully passed this week, which I had the privilege of working on and helping shape through my committee involvement.

SF 1959 - Veterans and Military Affairs

This week, I spoke out during the debate on the Veterans Bill to advocate for an amendment that would prevent limiting options for our veterans seeking benefits. When service members return home, they shouldn’t have to fight through red tape to access the support they've earned. It's critical that we get these benefits to them quickly - right when they need them most by offering them more options.

Unfortunately, the amendment did not move forward. But I will not stop working on this issue. Using my own experience with the benefits process and speaking with other veterans, I will continue to push for solutions to ensure that veterans are not left without options.

That being said, there are still several important wins in the Veterans and Military Affairs Bill that I’m proud to support:

Improved Access to Benefits: Enhanced eligibility verification tools will ensure veterans can more easily access key programs like the Veterans Stable Housing Initiative.

Expanded Mental Health Support: Increased funding for mental health services to help address the alarming rise in veteran suicides.

Fairness for National Guard Members: Provides pension credit for National Guard members activated during state emergencies, ensuring they are treated fairly.

Honoring Gold and Blue Star Families: A new memorial at the State Capitol to honor the sacrifices of Gold Star and Blue Star families.

I remain committed to fighting for the rights of our veterans and ensuring they get the care and benefits they deserve, without delay.

HF 2431 - Higher Education Finance and Policy

This week, the Higher Education omnibus bill passed, preserving critical funding levels to address a significant shortfall in Minnesota’s State Grant program. Rather than increasing spending, we took a more responsible approach by reallocating existing funds, eliminating inefficiencies, and cutting back on funding for underused programs and organizations that don’t require taxpayer support.

• Investing in Students: The bill reallocates $36.4 million in the first biennium and $38.3 million in the tails to directly address the State Grant Program shortfall.
• Eliminating Funding for Well-Financed Organizations: It removes funding for entities that are financially stable and don’t need state assistance.
• Refocusing Resources: Redirects funding from inactive, underperforming, or misaligned programs to ensure that limited resources are directed toward programs that directly benefit students.

This legislation showcases the effectiveness of having Republicans involved in the process. We’ve maintained essential student services and funded grant programs without resorting to the typical spending increases of the past. Instead, we’ve reprioritized existing funds and trimmed unnecessary expenses – ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.

HF 2432 - Public Safety/Judiciary Finance 

This bill reverses years of soft-on-crime policies and puts public safety first by holding criminals accountable, backing law enforcement, and supporting victims.

• Tougher Penalties: Cracks down on violent crime with harsher consequences for sex traffickers, inmates who assault staff, and those who expose kids to fentanyl.
• Support for Law Enforcement: Invests over $8 million annually in officer training, use-of-force education, and local department support.
• Smart Reforms: Improves accountability with extended arson prosecution windows, continued probation fee collection, and a working group on Brady-Giglio transparency.
• Responsible Spending: Cuts $23 million in wasteful spending and redirects it to one-time court cybersecurity and IT upgrades—without expanding government.
• More Oversight: Increases transparency at the Met Council by applying public data laws to key members.

HF 1354  - Public Safety Policy

This public safety bill strengthens school safety, increases penalties for dangerous offenders, improves inmate care, enhances support for victims and first responders, and boosts transparency in law enforcement.

• School Safety: Requires schools to promote anonymous threat reporting and report active shooter incidents to state authorities.
• Tougher Penalties: Increases penalties for repeat unlicensed drivers who cause serious harm.
• Jail Reform: Ensures inmates receive prescribed medications and honors mental health court orders.
• Protecting the Vulnerable: Expands missing persons alerts to include those with cognitive impairments.
• Victim Support: Strengthens victim notification laws and expands access to services.
• Firefighter Support: Clarifies mental health and illness care benefits under the Hometown Heroes program.
• Transparency: Improves reporting from the Fusion Center and expands background checks for certain licenses.

The Final Stretch of Session

As we enter the final days of this legislative session, our focus is on finalizing the state budget. Throughout this process, I am committed to ensuring that the shared priorities of our district are being heard and represented. I am here to serve everyone in our district, and I encourage you to reach out and share your thoughts and concerns, so we can continue working together to improve our community and our state.