April 6, 1990 Volume? Number9
Minnesota House of Representatives
As the pace quickens in the remaining days of this Legislative Session, House page Bob Boyd uses a skateboard in the Capitol tunnel to deliver bills and other documents.
Minnesota-made pulltabs -11111111111111111111 Clower says a manufacturer once told him that if he didn't buy all his pulltab Pulltabs sold in Minnesota would have products from him, he'd have both his to be manufactured in the state under an legs broken. amendment the Taxes Committee Quinn says 20 manufacturers have approved April 4. . licenses to sell equipment in the state, but Rep. Joe Quinn (DFL-Coon Rapids) because they're in 16 different states, says requiring the pulltabs to be made in they escape regulation and oversight by Minnesota would give the state more state officials. The provision would take control over the industry. effect July 1, 1992. "If we do not get control of manufac The committee also removed a sunset turing and distribution [of pulltabs] ... it provision within the bill that would have will be absolutely impossible for us to get phased out lawful gambling in Minnesota any control of gaming in Minnesota," after July 1, 1993. The sunset would have says Quinn, the author of a major lawful required the Legislature to reauthorize gambling regulation bill. lawful gambling for it to have continued. Bill Clower, a pulltab distributor for 13 The provision calling for Minnesota years, says a small number of man~fac made pulltabs was amended to a major turers control the industry by grantmg gambling regulation and enforcement credit, fixing prices, restricting supply, bill, HF2005, which passedthe House and occasionally threatening violence. April 5. Salary freeze ------Knickerbocker attempted to add the amendment to HF2419, the state A proposal to freeze scheduled department's budget bill. increases in legislators' salaries in 1991 and 1992 was rejected by the House on a 68-51 vote April 2. Taxes or fees? ------Bill sponsor Steve Sviggum (IR The Appropriations Committee has no Kenyon) told lawmakers they should business imposing taxes and calling them forego their 6 percent salary increases in fees, the House decided April 2 when it 1991 and 1992 to help alleviate the deleted two fees from the state depart state's budget shortfall. Salaries are ments' appropriations bill. scheduled to increase from the current Fees on cigarettes and liquors are, in $26,395 per year to $29,657 in 1992. reality, taxes, says Rep. Paul Ogren Sviggum says that since lawmakers (DFL-Aitkin), who sponsored the authorized cuts in several other areas of amendment to eliminate the additional state government, it's only fair that tax/fees on cigarettes and alcohol. legislators share the burden. The bill would have required cigarette Rep. Paul Ogren, (DFL-Aitkin), distributors to pay a one-cent fee per however, called the Independent carton, and spirits manufacturers and Republican measure "pure politics," distributors to pay a .002-cent tax per adding that lawmakers make little money liter on liquors and wines. when compared to city councilmen and The fees could have been used to help county commissioners. "Legislators earn the Department of Revenue enforce an absymal salary, and that's the truth," current tax laws, says Rep. Phyllis Kahn he says, and adds that a vote on the (DFL-Mpls), chair of the Appropriations proposed salary freeze would really be "a Committee's State Departments Division. matter of self respect and whether or not But Ogren, the Taxes Committee chair, we have any." says the issue should have been decided "I happen to think I'm worth the salary by his panel because "a tax is a tax is a I'm getting," says Rep. Phyllis Kahn tax, just like a rose." (DFL-Mpls), whose state departments' Kahn defends the division's authority bill was given final approval by the to establish fees. She says the Appropria House on a 68-56 vote. tions Committee decides policies regarding fees, and these were in fact fees, not taxes. 'No' to fewer legislators --- HF2419 was sent to the Senate for The House decided that fewer isn't further discussion. necessarily better when it defeated an amendment that would have reduced Boards' drug sanctions legislative membership from 201to147. "We have the largest Senate in the Business and professional licensing United States," argues amendment boards would be required to establish sponsor Rep. Jerry Knickerbocker (IR policies on sanctions that would be Minnetonka), noting the state has the imposed on board members who are 11th largest House of Representatives in convicted of drug offenses if a bill the the country. House approved April 3 becomes law. Having fewer legislators means the Under an amendment attached to the ones in office must be more knowledge omnibus drug bill (Kelly, DFL-St. Paul), able and more accountable, Knicker licensing boards would be required to bocker says. Also, they would serve the determine the sanctions, ranging from a interest of the entire state instead of their warning for a first offense and/or the representative district. revocation of a license for serious or Opponents say the amendment would repeat offenses. Some type of discipli make it harder for constituents to talk to nary action would be required under the their representatives because of poten bill. tially greater distance. They also say the "It's important we stop seeing the measure would lead to a professional casual user as a benign problem," says legislature, rather than the current citizen Rep. Linda Runbeck (IR-Circle Pines), legislature. author of the amendment. "We need to
2 SESSION WEEKL YIApril 6, 1990 make them more accountable." Video pulltab machines One way to do that, Runbeck says, is to A proposal to give Minnesota pulltab tie people's drug use to their employ gamblers another game of choice was ment. defeated on a 75-49 vote on the House HF1843 was approved on a 128-2 vote. floor April 5. A similar bill is pending before the The provision that was approved Senate. earlier by the Appropriations Committee Real cheese would have permitted the installation of 100 video pulltab machines in charitable Suspicious about that cheese dog you gambling establishments on a trial basis. ate for dinner last night? A bill that Monitoring these machines would give would require restaurants and retailers the state information on whether video who use artificial cheese to post signs pulltabs are less susceptible to skimming noting that fact passed the House April 4 and rigging than paper pulltabs. on a 83-48 vote after a lengthy debate. Video pulltab machines are electronic "I believe consumers have a right to devices that visually simulate the peeling know what they're eating," says bill open of a pulltab when a coin or token is sponsor Andy Steensma (DFL-Luverne), inserted into the machine. Winning adding that it was a "pro-dairy" bill for tickets are determined by an electronic Minnesota. chip. The machines don't dispense Opponents of the measure, however, money. call it "negative advertising" and say it "There are a lot of ways to cheat in might intimidate establishments from Jerry Wetterling gave the invocation before paper pulltabs," said Rep. Don Frerichs using cheese for fear of scaring off the House floor session April 4 and asked (IR-Rochester), during the committee customers who are unable to eat it for the safe return of his son, Jacob, who meeting. Sellers know which pulltabs are because of medical reasons. was abducted last October. He was joined high-percentage winners, he said. They Some lawmakers also asked about the by his wife, Patty, at right. Chief Clerk may sell these to friends and/or collect a cost of developing and enforcing rules for Edward A. Burdick is on the left, and percentage of the winnings. On the other the bill. Steensma's measure contains no House Speaker Robert Vanasek is behind hand, video pulltabs can't be manipulated appropriation. them. in this way, according to some people Lawmakers rejected an amendment Other exchange areas within the seven who testified at the meeting. "I've been offered by Rep. Steve Sviggum (IR county metro region could also enter the told video pulltabs are 99 percent Kenyon) that would have exempted BAS but they would have to petition the foolproof," he said. "And I don't know establishments from posting signs if they Public Utilities Commission for "local how anyone would rig it. It's a real game provided customers, upon request, a call" status and meet a variety of condi of chance." notice of foods served that contained tions. These conditions include that at Rep. Peter Rodosovich (DFL-Far artificial cheese. least half the customers in the area ibault) questioned the 99 percent fool HFl 73 awaits Senate action. requesting the extended service make one proof rate and spoke against the video or more calls per month to the area they pulltab machines. Local call status------want included in the toll-free zone. "If the Gambling Control Board is right Several metropolitan area legislators and 80 percent of Minnesota's charitable People from New Prague and other spoke against the measure because of gambling is out of compliance, why are outlying suburbs currently have to pay anticipated increased costs. we adding another level of gambling long-distance rates for some calls made "The Twin Cities already encompasses before we have the current problems to Minneapolis. But that could change if the largest telecommunications area," under control?" asked Rodosovich in the a bill the House approved on a 113-13 says Rep. Ron Abrams (IR-Minnetonka). committee meeting. vote April 3 becomes law - although it "This bill will expand it more and metro Legalized use of video pulltab ma may result in increased telephone rates people will have to pay these costs." chines is part of a major bill (SF2018) for metro telephone users. Under the bill, existing BAS members that tightens charitable gambling regula The measure, sponsored by Rep. Joel would pay 25 percent of the expansion tions. Jacobs (DFL-Coon Rapids), would allow costs and people petitioning for the The use of video pulltabs is expected to eight area telephone exchanges whose extended service would pay the rest be reconsidered in conference committee. wire services are located within the seven While actual phone bill increases county metro region to become part of depend on the number of areas added to the metro Extended Area Service (EAS) the metro EAS, Abrams says metro if residents in the exchange approve phone bills could go up as much as 24 admittance after being informed of the cents per month. costs involved.
April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 3 ture, Transportation and Semi-State Division of the Appropriations Commit tee. The proposal would entitle the owners of honeybee colonies to the fair market value of lost honey production because of the pesticide spraying. It would also compensate owners for the cost of replacing the colonies damaged or destroyed by the pesticides. Compensation by the Department of Agriculture would only apply after insurance policies, federal programs, and other types of compensation for loss of honeybee colonies and honey production State Court Administrator Sue Dosal, Court Personnel Director Judith Rehak, and Chief have been exhausted. Justice D. D. Wozniak of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, left-right, listen intently to the HFl 808 will go to the Appropriations debate on the state departments appropriati ns bill April 2. Committee for further consideration.
Governor's veto boats before transporting them from one Targeted group businesses -- body of water to another. Businesses run by women, minorities, A bill that would have given judges Eurasian water milfoil, a carpet-like and the handicapped would be targeted discretion concerning pre-sentencing plant that spreads rapidly once introduced for more state contracts under a bill the reports was vetoed by Gov. Rudy to a body of water, has contaminated 17 House approved on a 129-1 vote, April 3. Perpich. lakes and several rivers in and around the The bill would establish a program for "By eliminating pre-sentence investi Twin Cities metro area, says Rep. Wes state agencies to purchase goods and gations for may defendants, this bill Skoglund (DFL-Mpls), sponsor of the services from these targeted businesses. would remove the opportunity for the milfoil bill in the House. He says the It would also give the Department of crime victim to address the court, request weed could be controlled by chemical Administration the authority to require restitution, or express a sentencing treatment or harvesting. prime contractors to subcontract portions preference," Perpich wrote in his veto "This is an ounce of prevention type of a contract to targeted businesses. message. The Senate sponsor of the bill bill," says Skoglund. "If we don't do This program is one way to remedy asked that it be vetoed because several something, it's going to be in every other past discrimination against members of groups raised opposition to it after it was lake in the state." · these targeted groups, says Rep. Richard approved. The measure had no known Skoglund says boat owners who don't Jefferson (DFL-Mpls), author of the bill. opposition as it moved through the House remove the milfoil before moving their · In addition, the bill would allow small and Senate. boats to another body of water could be businesses located in economically It would have given judges the charged with a misdemeanor offense. disadvantaged areas to be given priority authority to waive a pre-sentencing report The bill (SF1670) was unanimously on their bids for state contracts. The in cases where the defendant would go to approved by the House and was sent back small businesses would be given prefer prison under the state's sentencing to the Senate for reconsideration. The ence when the bids are up to 4 percent guidelines. House changed the Senate's version of more than the lowest one. Judges have such powers now in the bill, so the measure now must be Businesses can be classified as misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor approved again by the Senate. economically disadvantaged if they are a cases. The bill the governor vetoed would The Department of Natural Resources rehabilitation facility or work activity have extended that power to certain recognizes 11,842 lakes in the state. felony cases. program, if they are located in an area The bill, vetoed April 3, was the first of designated as a labor surplus area by the the 1990 session that the governor didn't United States Department of Labor, or if sign. Honeybee compensation --- the business is located in a county where the median income for married couples is People whose honeybee colonies less than 70 percent of the state median. Eurasian milfoil suffered losses during the spraying for Jefferson says the bill is in reponse to a grasshoppers during the recent drought Department of Administration and Lawmakers, hoping to keep 11,825 of would be compensated by the state under University of Minnesota study that Minnesota's 11,842 lakes free of Eurasian a bill approved April 3 by the Agricul- concluded businesses run by women, water milfoil, approved a bill April 4 that minorities, and the handicapped are would require boat owners to clean their discriminated against. A measure similar to HF2230 is pending in the Senate. 4 SESSION WEEKL YIApril 6, 1990 Racial bias in the courts 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Gambling 'strike force' 111111111111111111111111111111111 would give the Attorney General's Office the primary jurisdiction over county The Minnesota Supreme Court would A proposal to add a seven-person attorneys in prosecuting charitable receive $25,000 from the Legislature in criminal investigation team to the gambling violations. 1991 to establish a task force to study Department of Revenue to probe tax The state departments' bill, which racial bias in the court system if a bill the fraud in the lawful gambling industry was passed the House on a 68-56 vote, awaits Appropriations Committee approved approved by the House April 2 - despite Senate action. April 4 becomes law. strong objections from many House The study would examine the extent to members. which racial bias exists in the courts, A bid to remove the team, which would including the discriminatory treatment of enforce charitable gambling tax laws and Land trust 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 litigants, witnesses, jurors, judges, deal with other criminal violations in the A proposal that would allow commu attorneys, and court personnel who are lawful, or charitable, gambling industry, nity residents to own land in their members of minority races. was narrowly defeated on a 60-61 vote. neighborhoods as a way of ensuring It would try to identify minority Rep. Joe Quinn (DFL-Coon Rapids) decent and affordable housing was representation or under representation in offered an amendment to the state presented to members of Financial various positions within the court system. departments' bill that would remove what Institutions and Housing Committee The study group would also examine he called the "strike force," saying the division during a St. Paul neighborhood sentencing patterns to find out if the Department of Revenue doesn't want housing tour March 30. length or conditions of sentences vary enhanced police powers to enforce Rep. Andy Dawkins (DFL-St. Paul) based on defendants' race. charitable gambling tax compliance. told the committee's Housing Division The task force would report its findings He added that the Department of Public that he'll ask the Legislature for a $3 and recommendations to the Legislature Safety is more qualified to do the million appropriation next session to set by January 1993. policing of charitable gambling. up about 10 community land trusts "We have a police force in this state, throughout the state. we have people with guns and flak Dawkins says the community land trust jackets, we have Freer freebies people licensed and Free community newspapers may not trained to go be tossed out of their distribution boxes underground," says like yesterday's news thanks to a bill the Quinn. governor signed. But Rep. Phyllis The law would prohibit exclusive Kahn (DFL-Mpls), contracts to display free newspapers for the sponsor of the distribution in public places such as malls state departments or in business entrances. When the bill bill that called for was first heard in the Commerce Com language to create mittee, neighborhood newspaper officials the team, says that said they discovered their publications those two divisions had been removed because they were not aren't qualified to included in the exclusive contracts. deal with criminal They also said the cost of such con tax investigations. tracts was imposing a financial burden on "We're looking at some smaller community newspapers. tax policy and Bill sponsor Rep. Alice Hausman seeing if we're (DFL-St. Paul) says the measure doesn't getting our proper prohibit the contract, but bars its exclu tax money. We're siveness. A business owner may sign a not looking at contract with a newspaper distributor for blazing guns going space, but the owner may also allow the into the VFW display of free journals. clubs." she says. The law (HF2594) went into effect Currently, the March 31 and applies to contracts entered department has four into or renewed on or after that date. positions to enforce charitable gambling tax laws. Quinn's amend Stan Bourassa of Edina looks over the ment also attempted to remove a provi members' seating chart outside the House sion in the state departments' bill that chamber April 2.
April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 5 proposal would help curb t?e state's. Low-income housing money from the housing trust fund: continuous flow of dollars mto housrng In addition, the Minnesota Housmg A proposed tax exemption for low development, and would put stability Finance Authority, with other state income housing developed by local back into the neighborhoods. agencies, would study needs and services His proposal calls for community housing authorities with nonprofit . for the homeless. residents to buy and perpetually own the organizations was removed from a ~Ill The bill, HF2283 (Jefferson, DFL land in their neighborhoods, fix up run the Taxes Committee approved Apnl 3. Mpls), will be considered next on the down structures on the property, and then Property tax payments would have House floor. sell the dwellings at an affordable price to been replaced by a service charge on the amount of rent collected on a housing people with low and moderate incomes. Drug programs "The land trusts would ensure that the unit which would have made the pro~rty eligible for a federal tax credit. long-term affordability of l~w ~ost. A bill that would allocate $2. 7 million for housing and commercial buildmgs is Jerry Boardman, president of the . drug-related programs was approved April Minnesota Association of Local Housmg always there," says Greg Finzel~, director 2 by the Appropriations Committee. of the Summit-University Planmng Finance Agencies, says the exemption Community-based crime and drug could have lowered rents on low-income Council, which has established a land prevention programs would rec~ive . trust task force. housing an additional 36 percent ~y $450,000 under the bill, and an mtens1ve Land trusts allow neighborhood qualifying for the federal tax credit.. community supervision program for less He also says granting the exemption residents to control the land so they can serious offenders would receive a develop it the way they want to, adds St. could greatly increase the availability of $650,000 appropriation. . low-income housing. Paul resident Emmy Treichel. The intensive supervision program 1s But Rep. Paul Anders Ogren (DFL Members saw a cooperative in designed to track offenders as they are Treichel, s neighborhood where residents Aitkin), chair of the committee, says released from prison - a time, prison exempting that amount of property from received low-interest loans to buy and officials say, when offenders are most property taxes could have a big impact on develop low-income housing as a w_ay of likely to repeat their crimes. maintaining and stabilizing their neigh state revenue. He says the proposal If the state approves the programs, the should be examined during the interim borhood. federal government would chip in and possibly considered again next Treichel says the coop helps stop land additional money to fund the two developers from "buying neighborhood session. programs. The bill also establishes a local houses cheap, doing a sloppy job The intensive supervision program rehabilitating them, and becoming government housing ~ccount for ~~habili would allow Department of Corrections tation and modernization of transitional absentee landlords." officials to remove offenders from prison and public housing units, and hoi:n~ and return them to society under con ownership programs would be ehg1ble for trolled conditions. Offenders in the program would be subject to unan nounced searches of their homes, automobiles, and bodies. In addition, offenders would be subject to urinalysis and breath tests and be required to hold frequent meetings with probation officers. The bill, authored by Rep. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), also would appropriat~ $500,000 for the expansion of sent~ncmg to service and work-release correct10nal programs; $400,000 for the expansion of chemical dependency treatment programs in prisons; and $200,000 for the expan-. sion of programs for victims of domestic assault and abuse where alcohol or drugs were involved. Another $450,000 would be appropri ated to fund pilot projects for local chemical dependency treatment pro grams to use drug testing programs as a conditlon of probation, and to implement chemical dependency assessments for Sh awn Sear, s left, had to duck under the balloon. bouquet he delivered to House Speaker drug offenders. Robert Vanasek on the speaker's birthday Apnl 2. HF1843 will go to the House floor for further consideration. 6 SESSION WEEKLY/April 6, 1990 Environmental ed program Inver Hills fire The Appropriations Committee Inver Hills Community College now approved a bill April 2 that would has about $2 million in state funds to establish an environmental education defray repair and cleanup costs caused by program for public school students in a fire on campus in early March. kindergarten through grade 12. Gov. Rudy Perpich signed the emer The program would provide students gency funding measure on March 30; the and Minnesota citizens with an under money was available the following day. standing of ecological systems, the cause The state will sell bonds to cover the and effect relationship between human costs. attitudes and behavior and the environ While fire damage was confined to the ment, as well as other environmental roof of the 10-year-old college center, issues. extensive smoke and water damage The purpose of the educational affected the entire building. Fire officials program would be to develop an aware traced the blaze to a faulty coffee pot. ness of environmental issues so people would become committed to work toward maintaining a healthy environment. The Department of Education would be responsible for in-service teacher training in environmental education. Access review panel The physically disabled would have Nine-year-old Tony Stanius spent a school better access to some buildings, if a bill holiday with his father, Rep. Brad Stanius, the Appropriations Committee approved and played a little solitaire during floor Minimum wage April 5 becomes law. session April 2. Small-business employees would earn The measure would establish an access a minimum of $4 an hour while workers review board that would consider at larger firms would earn $4.25 an hour applications for waivers from the state under provisions of a House bill awaiting building code to install stairway chair Early retirement incentive the governor's signature. lifts. The legislation, effective next January, The chairlifts would provide limited Executive branch employees who would affect not only about 150,000 accessibility for the physically disabled to choose to retire early can get state-paid Minnesotans now working for minimum buildings that have no other access, and health insurance for themselves and wage, but also people not covered by a buildings where access is deemed dependents if an amendment to the state federal law that goes into effect in April architecturally impossible according to departments budget bill becomes law. 1991. the state building code. The House adopted the amendment The Senate passed the companion bill In reviewing applications, the board April 2. to HF1839 (Kelly, DFL-St. Paul), on would examine other possible access Eligible employees would have to March 30, the same day the House options, and require certain criteria to be exercise this option before July 1, 1990, approved the measure on a 118-14 vote. met before approving an application. be at least 55 years old, and have worked Supporters of the House bill success The proposed board's decision to for the state for 25 years. fully defeated attempts to grant restaurant approve an application would have to be Amendment sponsor Rep. Bob. owners a delay in providing the minimum unanimous. The measure, HF2769, Johnson (DFL-Bemidji) says 130 of the wage increase for their employees who moves next to the House floor. 959 eligible employees indicate they receive tips. would be willing to retire under this proposal. Johnson says this measure could save the state $3.5 million if the agencies choose to leave those positions unfilled, or fill them at lower salary levels. Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) supported the amendment, but added that this measure wouldn't save the state any money this biennium, but could save money in the next two-year spending cycle.
April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 7 A measure that would limit the flush No more than 40 percent of political volume of new and replacement toilets to contributions to U.S. House and Senate 1.6 gallons of water after 1992 was campaigns could come from political approved by the Appropriations Commit action committees (PACs) under an tee April 5. The toilets would have to amendment to a campaign fundraising meet the standards of the American bill (HF2666) the House passed March National Standards Institute. Rep. Phyllis 29. The bill, which is designed to curb Kahn (DFL-Mpls) offered the amend campaign spending, would also outlaw ment to HF1948, which pertains to well fund-raisers during legislative sessions. water construction.
One pound of marijuana has an County fairs would be appropriated estimated street value of $2,000 and The Department of Finance would be $130,000 under an amendment to the produces approximately 1,100 joints, required to submit a quarterly revenue state departments bill, HF2419, adopted says Rep. Marcus Marsh (IR-Sauk forecast to the House Appropriations by the House April 2. Rep. Henry Kalis Rapids), quoting Bureau of Criminal Committee and to the Senate Finance (DFL-Walters) says that since the Apprehension statistics. An amendment Committee under a measure the House governor has declared 1990 as the year of offered by Marsh to the omnibus drug bill approved April 2. Rep. Bill Schreiber the county fair, the Legislature should (HF1843) approved April 3 would lower (IR-Brooklyn Park) attached the amend appropriate money for them. The money the threshhold from 224 pounds to 22. 5 ment to the state departments bill, would pay for premiums at county fairs pounds for the crime of possession of a HF2419, saying it's important that others across the state. The appropriation would controlled substance in the first degree. besides the governor have access to go to the Department of Agriculture, revenue forecasts. which would distribute the money to the • • • various county fairs. More interaction between buyers and • • • • • • sales personnel would be required if a bill that would restrict cigarette vending Authority to create a new state high People in the gaming industry could machines is signed into law. On March school hockey tournament would be be required to be fingerprinted by the 30, the House accepted Senate changes to returned to the Minnesota State High Department of Public Safety's Division Rep. Bob McEachern's (DFL-Maple School League (MSHSL) under a bill the of Gaming Enforcement under a measure Lake) bill that would restrict locations for House approved April 3. The bill, approved by the House April 5. The pro the machines and require them to have a SFl 727 (Milbert, DFL-South St. Paul), vision would apply to anyone working device that a clerk must activate to repeals a law passed last year requiring for licensed lawful gambling-related or release cigarette packs. HF2042 awaits the league to operate a two-tier hockey ganizations, including organizations con the governor's signature. tournament. The Senate passed the bill ducting gaming, and distributors and March 1; it now awaits the governor's manufacturers of gaming equipment. signature. The MSHSL earlier agreed to Refusal could lead to license revocation. work with high school hockey coaches on A person convicted of crossing a state The measure would also require winners a new format for the state tournament. of $50 or more to produce identification or international border into Minnesota before they could collect their money. while in possession of a controlled SF2018 now moves to conference substance may be sentenced to up to 35 committee for further review. years in prison and fined up to $1.3 million under a major drug bill approved
Ill • • April 2 by the Appropriations Commit tee. HF1843 will go to the House floor Farm families experience disabling for further consideration. accidents at a rate far higher than the average Minnesotan family, according to a legislative study that drew heavily from Automobile safety awareness week insurance company reports. In response will be observed the third week iil. March to dangers on the farm, the Appropria if a bill passed by the House on a 129-0 tions Committee April 4 approved a bill vote April 3 becomes law. Public schools (HF2495) that would create a program would be encouraged to discuss car designed to pinpoint and correct farm safety topics such as the hazards of safety problems. drinking and driving, the use of seat belts, driver courtesy, and pedestrian safety. HF2016 is waiting for the governor's signature. 8 SESSION WEEKLY/April 6, 1990 Ogren, Johnson: A study in contrasts i i 1 ' It hardly qualifies as the legendary doesn't wince at the prospect of a rumble. tum for the worse. Thrilla from Manilla boxing match of He, too, carries a big stick and seems to And in contrast to Ogren's aggressive two decades ago, particularly when the swing it at will. style of politicking, Johnson is all sparring will be over the size of the "I'm often quite confrontational," sweetness. state's budget reserve and tax policy admits Ogren, who was appointed Taxes "The key is to develop a relationship details. Committee chair late last year. with the House conferees, to develop a But political insiders are eagerly While the face-off in the circular arena level of trust with them," he says, adding watching the matchup in the Tax Confer of Room 15 lends itself to the boxing that some earlier House Taxes Committee ence Committee between Sen. Doug analogy, it's anything but exciting. The chairs also had reputations as tough meetings drone on for hours and the volume of debate on tax details seem to obscure the progress. But that hasn't stopped some from discussing the match-up. "Dougie's more of a velvet glove over the iron fist and Ogren has more of a bare-knuckles sort of style," says Wayne Cox, a lobbyist for the Minnesota Citizens for Tax Justice. The primary dispute to be resolved this year is the size of the budget reserve. Johnson and the Senate want it to remain at $550 million; Ogren and the House want it scaled back to $450 million, and to use the extra $100 million to help defray a portion of the expected $145 million budget shortfall this biennium. Both men appear firmly entrenched in those positions, and the adjournment date Rep. Paul Ogren of this legislative session could hang in the balance. What will happen this year? Johnson (DFL-Cook) and Rep. Paul "Historically, the Senate bests the Ogren (DFL-Aitkin). House as a rule," says Cox. "But they The two veteran lawmakers, who may have met their match with Paul Sen. Doug Johnson began the critical face-off this week, are Ogren because he's such a strong-willed, negotiators. among the most powerful and forceful tough competitor." "My style in negotiating with Paul will members of the Legislature. But they are Ogren concedes that Johnson's be low-key and amicable. We have a a study in contrasts. experience on tax issues (he's served on good working relationship." Johnson is the smiling, immovable every tax conference committee since But that doesn't mean he's about to legend who has been Senate Taxes and 1974 dating back to his tenure in the change his mind on the budget reserve. Tax Law Committee chair since 1979. By House) gives him a clear advantage. Just how entrenched is he? most accounts Johnson has come away But Ogren says the House position just 'Tm very firm to stay at $550 million," the winner in his negotiations with five plain makes more sense. he says. previous House Taxes Committee chairs "Doug is very clever and he's very during his 11-year tenure as the chief charming but he has a bill that is far less architect of Senate tax policy. popular with legislators than the House He's short, a bit round, and viewed as bill. So he'll have to be as clever and something of a soft-spoken charmer. But charming as he can," says Ogren. he carries a big stick and his foes say he Johnson, of course, begs to differ. isn't afraid to use it. He says it's only prudent to maintain Ogren, on the other hand, is tall and the $550 million reserve so the state angular, and who, by his own admission, won't have to inflict massive budget cuts or increase taxes if the economy takes a April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 9 r
Conference committees meet to work " Prostitution-penalties for patrons " Wild land arson-penalties (HF2131). out differences between the Senate and (HF1846). "Water statutes-recodification (HF771). House versions of a similar bill. .. Public furniture-flammability require " Eurasian water milfoil regulation The speaker of the House and the Sub ments (HFl 730). (HF2092) committee on Committees in the Senate "Long-term care insurance--changes • Wild rice-promotion council establish appoint members from their respective (HF2474). ment (HF2253). houses to the conference committees. " Life insurance-cancellation renewal • Presidential primary-changes But as a practical matter, it's really the (HF2500). (HF2325). majority leader who appoints members " Labor disputes-security guards, agents " Motor vehicle registration-harassment from the Senate. (HF1928). (HF1952). Either three or five members from each " Wildlife management-farmer agree " Driver's licenses-electronic pictures house are appointed to the committees, ments (HF1960). (HF2294). depending on the topic. And the composi " Seed potatoes-growing area restric " Comprehensive health insurance-data tion of the committees usually has a mix tions (HF2025). (HF2343). of both DFLers and Independent " Peace officers-jurisdictional increase Republicans. (HF2056). Whenever there is a difference between the House and Senate version of a com panion bill, a conference committee must be named unless one side agrees to accept the other house's language. Another important function of confer ence committees is to balance the total financial picture of the state budget. They are a sort of clearinghouse to balance available state revenues with ap propriations made in several different committees in both the House and Senate. The leadership in the House and Senate keeps a tight rein on the various com mittees to ensure that more money isn't spent than is available. The following major spending bills are now being debated in conference committees: "Omnibus tax bill (HF2478). "Omnibus school aids bill (HF2200). Sen. Doug Johnson, on left at head oftable, is a veteran of several tax conference committees. He is shown here at last year's conference committee. • Omnibus Agriculture, Transportation and Semi-States bill (HF2617). " Omnibus higher education bill (HF2269). • Omnibus health and human services bill (HF2621). Conference committees on the bonding and state departments appropriations bills were named late April 5. The following bills are also being discussed in conference committees: " Department of Administration changes (HF257).
10 SESSION WEEKLY/April 6, 1990 From Roosevelt to Roseau, legislators States Olympic Committee of the state's have spoken their minds - even when it support for the XXVI Olympiad and for has little or nothing to do with state the enactment of a national health business. insurance program. They do so in the form of resolutions: The Legislature also passes resolutions those stiff, formal expressions of law to ratify state and federal constitutional makers' collective thought. amendments. Last year, they adopted a In 1945, for example, lawmakers let resolution that called on members of the the family of President Franklin Roosev U.S. Congress to delay their pay raises elt know they were thinking of them until after the next election occurs. when the popular president died in office. The Minnesota resolution was an They passed a resolution of condolence. attempt to ratify a proposed U.S. consti This year, when tiny Roseau's hockey tutional amendment that was first team won the state hockey tournament in suggested back in 1789, but has yet to be Hoosier-like fashion, legislators once adopted. again spoke their collective minds: Resolutions are also used to adjourn "BE IT RESOLVED ... the House of the Legislature or invoke changes in rules Representatives of the State of Minnesota governing its operation. congratulates the Roseau High School Resolutions are treated much like bills. Rams Hockey Team for winning the They usually have bill numbers, move 1990 State High School Hockey Tourna through committees, and are voted on by ment." both houses of the Legislature. Some Resolutions run the gamut of legisla resolutions even have the effect of law if tors' feelings. Iran and the Soviet Union, they're signed by the governor. for example, each have been targets of recent resolutions. House advisories Legislators used resolutions to con demn Iran for its treatment of author In 1973, then-Speaker Rep. Martin Salman Rushdie; they also memorialized Olav Sabo created House "advisories," Congress and the president to try to halt which are internal requests for studies on Iranian persecution of its Baha'i minor particular issues. ity. Advisories are introduced like bills and Resolutions targeted at the Soviet are sent to committees for study, usually Union have protested discrimination during the interim. against Jews, and asked that it provide They start with the words "a proposal exit visas for Soviet Jews being held as to study ..." and usually involve an issue prisoners of conscience. a legislator is concerned about. But there have also been a number of This year, 14 advisories have been resolutions on the domestic front. They introduced. Among them are proposals to have been used to ask for more funding study the possibility of a state-sponsored from Congress for agriculture, environ group health insurance plan, affirmative ment, and veterans' programs. action programs for Minnesota financial Resolutions have also dealt with less institutions, and links between cancer and pressing topics. For example, a 1984 exposure to electromagnetic fields. resolution proclaimed that Minnesota and Depending on the outcome of their Bavaria had become sister states. studies, representatives may or may not Other resolutions notified the United choose to introduce a bill on the topic.
April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 11 As It Happens March 29 -April 5, 1990
Tuesday, April 3 Domestic abuse-prosecution HF1884/SF1860 (Pappas, DFL- Petroleum tank cleanup fund St. Paul)-recommended to pass as changes APPROPRIATIONS amended. HF1816/SF1725* (Sparby, DFL (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Monday, April 2 Thief River Falls)-recommended to Drugs-penalty increases pass as amended. Physician assistants-drug dispensation HF1843/SF1759 (Kelly, DFL-St. Paul)- Drug distributors-licensing HF1887/SF1798 (Danner, DFL recommended to pass as amended. HF1847/SF1758* (Greenfield, DFL- Hawley)-recommended to pass as (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Mpls)-recommended to pass as amended. amended. Nurse practitioners-drug (SF on Senate Floor) dispensation Higher education-midwestern Bone marrow donors--education HF1845/SF1821 * (McLaughlin, DFL compact HF1889/SF1903* (Weaver, IR Mpls )-recommended to pass as HF2024/SF2248 (K. Olson, DFL Champlin)-recommended to pass as amended. Sherbum)-recommended to pass. amended. Gambling-task force (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Truck safety-annual inspections recommendations Lake Superior authority- HF1898/SF2030 (Lasley, DFL HF2005/SF2018 (Quinn, DFL- establishment Cambridge)-recommended to pass as Coon Rapids)-recommended to pass HF2459/SF1866* (Jaros, DFL-Duluth) amended. as amended; re-referred to Taxes recommended to pass as amended. Committee. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Flexible gas rates-regulation (SF in Senate Finance Rural health care-omnibus bill HF2520/SF2158 (Jacobs, DFL- Committee) HF1965/SF1896 (Cooper, DFL- Coon Rapids)-recommended to pass as Bird Island)-recommended to pass as Environmental education program amended. amended. HF2383/SF2160 (K. Nelson, DFL (SF on Senate Floor) Mpls )-recommended to pass as (SF in Senate Finance Committee) amended. Wednesday, April 4 Dept. of Health-housekeeping bill (SF in Senate Finance HF2021/SF1838* (Rodosovich, DFL Committee) Drivers' licenses-permit fees Faribault)-recommended to pass. HF972/SF1162* (Bauerly, DFL Child protection-omnibus bill Sauk Rapids)-recommended to pass. Agricultural contracts-mediation, HF2390/SF2188 (Vellenga, DFL arbitration St. Paul)-recommended to pass as Judicial system-racial bias study HF2060/SF1779 (Bauerly, DFL amended. HF1158/SF1081 * (Dawkins, DFL Sauk Rapids)-recommended to pass. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) St. Paul)-recommended to pass as (SF in Senate Finance Committee) amended. Workers' compensation-loggers Farm products-redefinition, penalties HF2616/SF2375 (Begich, DFL Fire protection-advisory council HF2061/SF2037 (Bauerly, DFL- Eveleth)-recommended to pass as establishment Sauk Rapids)-recommended to pass as amended. HF1453/SF1255 (Simoneau, DFL amended. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Fridley)-recommended to pass as (SF in Senate Finance Committee) amended. Judges-staggering terms (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Toxic pollution-prevention HF2751/SF2054* (Kelly, DFL- HF2198/SF2173 (Munger, DFL St. Paul)-recommended to pass as Community dispute resolution Duluth)-recommended to pass as amended. program amended. HF1478/SF1001 * (Orenstein, DFL (SF on Senate Floor) St. Paul)-recommended to pass. Commercial drivers' licenses--changes Technology assistance review panel HF2238/SF2060 (Lasley, DFL HFl 728/SF1520* (Greenfield, DFL Cambridge)-recommended to pass. Mpls )-recommended to pass as (SF in Senate Finance Committee) amended.
12 SESSION WEEKLY/April 6, 1990 Public employees-insurance plan Well construction, ownership Agriculture, Transportation & Semi HF2323/SF2246 (Simoneau, DFL requirements State Division/APPROPRIATIONS Fridley)-recommended to pass. HF1948/SF2126 (Price, DFL (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Woodbury)-recommended to pass as Friday, March 30 amended. DWI repeat offenders-license plates Drugs-penalty increases (SF on Senate Floor) HF2420/SF2177 (Rest, DFL-Mpls) HF1843/SF1759 (Kelly, DFL-St. Paul) recommended to pass as amended. Wastewater treatment grants recommended to pass as amended; re (SF in Senate Finance Committee) requirements referred to Appropriations Committee. HF1949/SF1925 (Winter, DFL-Fulda) (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Claims against the state-payment recommended to pass as amended. HF2812/SF2619 (Lieder, DFL Gambling-task force (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Crookston)-recommended to pass. recommendations (SF on Senate Floor) Metropolitan water management HF2005/SF2018 (Quinn, DFL- regulation Coon Rapids)-recommended to pass as Home Buyers' Bill of Rights HF2007/SF1894 (Price, DFL amended; re-referred to Appropriations HF556/SF188* (Osthoff, DFL Woodbury )-recommended to pass as Committee. St. Paul)-recommended to pass. amended. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Thursday, April 5 (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Tuesday, April 3 License plates-term change Veterans Home Board-surplus HF946/SF838* (Steensma, DFL facilities HF2023/SF253 l (Steensma, DFL Grasshopper control-program Luveme)-recommended to pass. Luveme)-recommended to pass. modifications Greenhouse effect-reduction (SF in Senate Finance Committee) HF1808/SF1674 (C. Nelson, DFL HF1617/SF1473 (Kahn, DFL-Mpls) Barrett)-recommended to pass as Technical colleges-agricultural recommended to pass. amended; re-referred to Appropriations (SF on Senate Floor) programs Committee. HF2035/SF1718 (Wenzel, DFL (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Grasshopper control-program Little Falls)-recommended to pass as modifications amended. Truck safety-annual inspections HF1808/SF1674 (C. Nelson, DFL (SF in Senate Finance Committee) HF1898/SF2030 (Lasley, DFL Barrett)-recommended to pass as PCA property-disposition Cambridge)-recommended to pass as amended. HF2353/SF2396* (McGuire, DFL amended; re-referred to Appropriations (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Falcon Heights)-recommended to pass Committee. Farmer-Lender Mediation Act as amended. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) extension HF1815/SF1750 (Sparby, DFL MA-case management services Technical colleges-agricultural Thief River Falls)-recommended to HF2379/SF2073 (Welle, DFL programs Willmar)-recommended to pass as pass as amended. HF2035/SF1718 (Wenzel, DFL- amended. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Little Falls)-recommended to pass; re (SF in Senate Finance Committee) referred to Appropriations Guardianship-conservatorship proceedings Minneapolis, Koochiching County Agricultural contracts-mediation, HF1882/SF1400* (Abrams, IR bond deposit refunds HF2446/SF2055 (Kahn, DFL-Mpls) arbitration Minnetonka)-recommended to pass as recommended to pass as amended. HF2060/SF1779 (Bauerly, DFL- amended. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Sauk Rapids)-recommended to pass as Charitable gambling-changes amended; re-referred to Appropriations HF1891/SF1853 (Kelly, DFL-St. Paul)- Farm safety audit-pilot project Committee. recommended to pass. HF2495/SF2345 (Dille, IR-Dassel)- (SF in Senate Finance Committee) (SF on Senate Floor) recommended to pass as amended. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Farm products-redefinition, penalties Nursing home Medicare certification Board of Medical Examiners HF2061/SF2037 (Bauerly, DFL- HF1911/SF1813* (Welle, DFL procedures Sauk Rapids )-recommended to pass as Willmar)-recommended to pass. HF2582/SF2216* (Greenfield, DFL amended; re-referred to Appropriations Mpls )-recommended to pass as Committee. amended. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) State Building Code-handicapped access HF2769/SF2346 (Kalis, DFL-Walters) recommended to pass as amended. April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 13 (SF on Senate Floor) Commercial drivers' licenses--changes Waste Management Act--changes HF2238/SF2060 (Lasley, DFL HF2108/SF1996 (Wagenius, DFL Cambridge)-recommended to pass as Mpls)-heard; re-referred to Appropria amended; re-referred to Appropriations tions Committee. Committee. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) CONCURRENCE & REPASSAGE (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Essential employees-arbitration Thursday, March 29 awards Farm safety audit-pilot project Dept. of Commerce--commun. HF2332/SF2145 (Begich, DFL HF2495/SF2345 (Dille, IR-Dassel) regulations Eveleth)-recommended to pass as recommended to pass as amended; re HF1985*/SF2547 (Skoglund, DFL amended; re-referred to Appropriations referred to Appropriations Committee. Mpls )-repassed as amended by the Committee. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Senate (132-0). (SF in Senate Governmental Operations Committee) Service brakes-requirements State Departments Division/ HF2124*/SF2074 (Bertram, DFL APPROPRIATIONS Mpls., Koochiching County-bond Paynesville)-repassed as amended by deposit refunds the Senate (133-0). Friday, March 30 -1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 HF2446/SF2055 (Kahn, DFL-Mpls) Potato research-promotion council Rural health care-omnibus bill recommended to pass as amended; re changes HF1965/SF1896 (Cooper, DFL- referred to Appropriations Committee. HF2374*/SF1889 (Bauerly, DFL- Bird Island)-recommended to pass as (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Sauk Rapids)-repassed as amended by amended. State Building Code-handicapped the Senate (133-0). (SF in Senate Finance Committee) access Garage door openers-regulation Toxic pollution-prevention HF2769/SF2346 (Kalis, DFL-Walter) HF2393*/SF2261 (Milbert, DFL- HF2198/SF2173 (Munger, DFL recommended to pass as amended; re South St. Paul)-repassed as amended by Duluth)-recommended to pass as referred to Appropriations Committee. the Senate (133-0) amended; re-referred to Agriculture, (SF on Senate Floor) Transportation & Semi-State Division. Friday, March 30 -11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 (SF in Senate Finance Committee) TAXES Tuesday, April 3 Tobacco vending machines Monday, April 2 restrictions Gambling-task force HF2042*/SF1923 (McEachem, DFL Workers' compensation-loggers recommendations Maple Lake)-repassed as amended by HF2616/SF2375 (Begich, DFL HF2005/SF2018 (Quinn, DFL- the Senate (131-0). Eveleth)-recommended to pass as Coon Rapids)-recommended to pass as amended; re-referred to Appropriations amended. Administrative procedures Committee. (SF in Senate Finance Committee) restrictions (SF in Senate Finance Committee) HF2462*/SF2252 (Gruenes, IR- Public housing-low-rent, St. Cloud)-repassed as amended by the Tuesday, April 3 Section 8 changes Senate (132-0). HF2117/SF1822* (Osthoff, DFL Greenhouse effect-reduction St. Paul)-recommended to pass as Wednesday, April 4 HF1616/SF1473 (Kahn, DFL-Mpls) amended. recommended to pass as amended; re State park permits-agent sales referred to Appropriations Committee. Housing Finance Agency-loans, HF2350*/SF2408 (McGuire, DFL-Falcon (SF in Senate Finance Committee) grants HF2283/SF1950 (Jefferson, DFL Heights )-repassed as amended by the Guardianship--conservatorship Mpls )-recommended to pass as Senate (124-0). proceedings amended. HF1882/SF1400* (Abrams, IR (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Minnetonka)-recommended to pass as CONFERENCE COMMITTEE amended; re-referred to Appropriations Committee. Wednesday, April 4 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Well construction, ownership Motor vehicle registration--changes requirement HF1981 */SF2084 (A. Johnson, DFL HF1948/SF2126 (Price, DFL Spring Lake Park)-repassed as amended Woodbury)-recommended to pass as by Conference (128-0). amended; re-referred to Appropriations Committee. (SF in Senate Finance Committee)
14 SESSION WEEKL YIApril 6, 1990 SPECIAL ORDERS Home loans-securities regulation Eurasian water milfoil-regulation HF2234/SF1848* (O'Connor, DFL-St. HF2092/SF1670* (Skoglund, DFL Thursday, March 29 Paul)-passed as amended (130-0). Mpls)-passed as amended (131-0). Rights-of-way-map, plot filings Metropolitan telephone service Child care funding-county payments HF1784/SF2541* (Dempsey, IR expansion HF2132/SF1726* (Greenfield-DFL New Ulm)-passed (132-0). HF2327 /SFl 743* (Jacobs, DFL-Coon Mpls)-passed (130-0). Environ. offenses-statute of Rapids)-passed as amended (113-13). Veterans Home Board- limitations Minnesota Project Outreach Corp. woman members HF2184/SF2355* (Wagenius, DFL changes HF2138*/SF1989 (Blatz, IR Mpls)-passed (133-0). HF2534/SF2360* (Otis, DFL-Mpls) Bloomington)-passed (129-0). Wild rice-promotion council passed (130-0). (SF in Senate Veterans & Military establishment Affairs Committee) Hockey-two-class tournament repeal HF2253/SF2299* (Clark, DFL-Mpls) HF1826/SF1727* (Milbert, DFL-South Public employees-vesting passed as amended (132-0). St. Paul)-passed (118-10). HF2148*/SF2577 (R. Johnson, DFL Presidential primary-changes Bemidji)-passed as amended (131-0). HF2325/SF2421 * (Scheid, DFL Wednesday, April 4 (SF in Senate Governmental Operations Brooklyn Park)-passed as amended Committee) (127-3). Food ingredients-consumer information Street vacation-notification Data practices-omnibus bill HFl 73* (Steensma, DFL-Luveme) HF2187 /SF1980* (Leider, DFL HF2365*/SF2200 (Pugh, DFL passed (83-48). Crookston)-passed (128-0). South St. Paul)-passed as amended City, county assessors-appointments (133-0). Liability insurance-claim denials HF1897/SF1942* (Winter, DFL HF2189/SF1897* (Bauerly, DFL- (SF in Senate Rules & Administration Sauk Rapids)-passed as amended Committee) Fulda)-passed as amended (113-15). (129-0). Election, ethics-changes Timber sales-multiple sale locations Public insurance adjusters HF2666*/SF2334 (Scheid, DFL HF1939/SF1879* (Kinkel, DFL- regulations Brooklyn Park)-passed as amended Park Rapids )-passed as amended HF2205/SF2130* (Skoglund, DFL (127-0). (131-0). Mpls)-passed as amended (130-0). (SF in Senate Finance Committee) Veterans-redefinition HF2001/SF1794* (O'Connor, DFL- Helmer Myre, Newstrand Woods Monday, April 2 ---11111111111111111111111111111111111111111 St. Paul)-passed as amended (130-0). state parks HF2219/SF2079* (Rodosovich, DFL State Departments-omnibus bill Vocational-technical board-changes Faribault)-passed (130-0). HF2419*/SF2306 (Solberg, DFL HF2011/SF1927* (Price, DFL Bovey)-passed as amended (68-56). Woodbury)-passed (129-0). Sexual assault victims-notice of risk (SF in Senate Finance Committee) HF2277 /SF2046* (Pappas, DFL- Detroit Lakes--detached banking St. Paul)-passed (131-0). facilities Tuesday, April 3 HF2057*/SF1871 (Dauner, DFL Drought emergencies-task force Drugs-penalty increases Hawley)-passed (87-41). HF2299/SF2172* (Solberg, DFL HF1843*/SF1759 (Kelly, DFL-St. (SF laid over) Bovey)-passed (131-0). Paul)-passed as amended (128-2). Crime victims' rights, reparations Education task force-member (SF in Senate Finance Committee) HF2063/SF1873* (Seaberg, IR-Eagan)- changes Automobile safety awareness week passed as amended (130-0). HF2381/SF2136* (K. Nelson, DFL Mpls)-passed (131-0). HF2016/SF1971 *(Swenson, IR-Forest Track abandonment-standards Lake)-passed as amended (129-0). HF2064/SF1752* (Brown, DFL Forestry--expansion, maintenance Revisor's bill-statutory corrections Appleton)-passed as amended (131-0). program HF2382/SF2127* (Lasley, DFL HF2220/SF2072* (Milbert, DFL-South Blue Earth County-office St. Paul)-passed (130-0). Cambridge )-passed as amended appointment (129-0). Set-aside program-targeted groups HF2078/SF2119* (Dom, DFL HF2230*/SF2075 (Jefferson, DFL Mankato )-passed (95-31). Child protection-omnibus bill Mpls)-passed as amended (129-1). HF2390*/SF2188 (Vellenga, DFL- Body armor-penalties St. Paul)-passed as amended (131-0). (SF in Senate Finance Committee) HF2086/SF2134* (Kelly, DFL St. Paul)-passed (130-0).
April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 15 Social workers assaults-penalties Friday, March 30 increase Credit unions- 16 SESSION WEEKLY/April 6, 1990 Tuesday, April 3 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111- Wednesday, April 4 Cemetery-land transfer Students-HECB HF2650*/SF2455 (Waltman, IR-Elgin)- HF1067*/SF1551 (Trimble, DFL- Chapter 380. St. Paul)-Chapter 393. Effective: Aug. 1, 1990. Effective: Aug. 1, 1990. Asbestos abatement--changes Legal newspaper-deadline change HF2407*/SF2481 (K. Olson, DFL HF2018*/SF1909 (Bertram, DFL Sherbum)-Chapter 381. Paynesville)-Chapter 395. Effective: Aug. 1, 1990. Effective: day after enactment (April 5, 1990). Corporal punishment HF2685/SF2048* (Pelowski, DFL Plat monuments-tampering penalties Winona)-Chapter 382. HF1785*/SF2141 (Dempsey, IR- Effective: retroactive to Aug. 1, 1989. New Ulm)-Chapter 396. Effective: Aug. 1, 1990, with qualifica Regent candidate advisory tions recommendations HF2418/SF2159* (Otis, DFL-Mpls) Revisor's bill--changes Chapter 383. HF2084*/SF1986 (Milbert, DFL Effective: Aug. 1, 1990. South St. Paul)-Chapter 401. Effective: Aug. 1, 1990. Labor-management committees mediation Cemeteries-unlawful body removal HF 2608/SF2381 * (Rodosovich, DFL HF2706/SF2432* (Blatz, IR Faribault )-Chapter 384. Bloomington)-Chapter 402. Effective: day after enactment (April 4, Effective: Aug. 1, 1990, with 1990). qualification. Well drilling vehicle-tax exemption Aviation Training Center-remodeling HF2621/SF2039* (Kalis, DFL HF2059*/SF1895 (L. Carlson, DFL Walters}-Chapter 385. Crystal)-Chapter 410. Effective: day after enactment (April 4, Effective: day after enactment 1990). (April 5, 1990). Upsala-boundary commission HF2683/SF2383* (Bertram, DFL Paynesville)-Chapter 386. Effective: Aug. 1, 1990. Animal ownership-restriction HF2099/SF1968* (Simoneau, DFL Fridley)-Chapter 387. Tuesday, April 3 Effective: day after enactment (April 4, 1990). Felony-pre-sentence investigation Public safety-fire code changes HF2481 */SF2237 (Peterson, DFL HF2080/SF1692* (Brown, DFL Princeton)-Chapter 390. Appleton)-Chapter 388. Effective: day after enactment (April 4, 1990) with qualifications. County performance bonds HF2156*/SF2517 (Pelowski, DFL Winona)-Chapter 389. Effective: Aug. 1, 1990. St. Louis County-solid waste management HF2386*/SF2270 (Rukavina, DFL Virginia)-Chapter 400. Effective: day after enactment (April 4, 1990) with exceptions. April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 17 House member's desks often get buried in bills during a day in session. Overflowing waste baskets are a common sight on the House floor. Some of the 2,000 plus bills introduced each session fall between the cracks. A member studies one of a multitude of copies of a bill. Paper covers the table in the retiring room behind the House chamber. Trees can rest a little easier when the Minnesota Legislature is not in session. About three million sheets of paper flowed fast and furiously through the Capitol during the 1989 Legislative Session, says Dan Olson, the Capitol's sergeant of supply. Bills, resolutions, daily journals, agendas, and other assorted pieces of paper were among those consumed during the 1989 session. Laid end to end, that paper would have stretched from the top of Minnesota's border to the bottom and half way up again - 634 miles altogether. Of those three million pieces of paper used last session, 80 percent were legal-sized, says Olson. The 8.5 x 14 legal-sized paper is used primarily for the 2,000 plus bills - and copies of those bills - circulated through the Capitol each session. The state Capitol and State Office Building recycled 96 tons of paper during the 1989 Legislative Session, according to statistics from the Department of Administration's Resource Recovery Program. Jeff Anderson, coordinator of the state recycling program, estimates that about half of the paper used at the state Capitol during session is recycled. Stockpiles of amendments await distribution to lawmakers. 1111 1111 1111 I ' I r t 'i I ' f I This year more than 160 Minnesota high school and college students have pushed aside their government textbooks and let experience be their teacher. The High School Page and College Intern programs, both part of the Minnesota House of Representatives' Educational Programs division of the Sergeant at" Arms Office, give students an opportu nity to become directly involved in Minnesota's legislative process. High School Pages During their week stay, high school pages get a first hand look at how a bill becomes a law. They meet with their district representatives, serve on the House floor handing out bills and vote tallies, participate in seminars, and attend committee meetings. Pages also get the opportunity to meet and discuss ideas with the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and a Minnesota High school page Pelina Wilson of St. Paul straightens out a member's desk before session. Supreme Court justice. College Interns "The High School Page Program has others stay for a month or a semester. The been so successful that it is hard to College interns perform a variety of majority are students at the University of accommodate all of the applicants," says tasks for lawmakers, ranging from Minnesota, but many are from outstate LeClair Lambert, educational programs conducting research, constituent work, schools. Some interns are Minnesota coordinator, noting that over 500 students and surveys to monitoring committee residents but are attendingschools in from around the state apply each year. meetings and summarizing reports or Wisconsin. About 125 high school pages - 14 per bills Tom Keliher, an economics major at week - have served during the 1990 Interns, usually juniors or seniors, are the University of Minnesota, is an intern session. paired with representatives based on for Rochester Rep. David Bishop. Keliher All interested Minnesota high school "what they want to accomplish, and what says he has "learned the legislative juniors are eligible to participate. High the needs are of a House member," says process from the top down." schools nominate the student. Ideally, one Lambert. "Later in my life I would like to page is chosen For example, if the student is interested become an elected official. Right now, I from each of in health issues, they would likely intern want to learn about the process and this is the 134 for a Health and Human Services the perfect way to go about it," he says. legislative Committee member. Interns, who are not "You couldn't pay for an education like districts. paid, are mainly political science majors, this." The House reimburses at least 80 but Lambert says this is not a prerequi Prior to the internship, the student and percent of a student's lodging and site. member-supervisor must complete a "basic working agreement" which transportation expenses. Lambert says "As long as they have an interest in outlines mutual responsibilites and that most metro students stay at home state government, we try to accommodate individual goals in the internship. A during their week as a page. House staff them," he says. report or research paper is usually members supervise the students from Most interns apply for college credit. required by the student's college at the 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. After that, The interns are given weekly briefings end of the internship. they're on their own. Many students will that feature a guest speaker or discussion Lambert says his job is mainly to use their free time to tour the Capitol and leader who focuses on different aspects provide advice and help with any visit with other pages from around the of the legislative process, or current problems that may arise during the state. The High School Page Program is issues facing lawmakers. Lambert says the interns number about internship. 15 years old. 35 this session. Most come for a quarter; 20 SESSION WEEKL YIApril 6, 1990 In the Hopper March 30 -April 5, 1990 HF2816-HF2826 Friday, March 30 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 HF2825-Milbert (DFL) SF2195-Morse (DFL) Taxes Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with HF2816-Kalis (DFL) Taxation; repealing the lawful gambling combined HF2311-Greenfield (DFL) Transportation receipts tax; providing for refunds; appropriating Waste; prohibiting certain types of low-level Motor carriers; providing rules exemptions for money. radioactive waste from being disposed of at other certain private and agricultural carriers. than licensed facilities; providing for a task force HF2826-C. Nelson (DFL) on radioactive waste deregulation. HF2817-Bishop (IR) Economic Development Rules & Legislative Administration Resolution; memorializing the president and SF2236-Dahl (DFL) Legislative enactments; providing for the correction Congress of the United States to prevent the severe Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with of miscellaneous oversights, inconsistencies, cutbacks in local programming on KCCO/KCCW HF2695-Kahn (DFL) ambiguities, unintended results, and technical errors TV in Alexandria and Walker. Environment; defining facility and employer for of a noncontroversial nature. purposes of infectious and pathological waste regulations; clarifying persons subject to infectious HF2818-Kinkel (DFL) and pathological waste requirements. Environment & Natural Resources House Advisories Waters; prohibiting certain ice blocks upon the Tuesday, April 3 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 _ surface of frozen waters. Monday, April 2 _ 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 HF2819-Segal (DFL) SF1520-Lantry (DFL) HA48-Carruthers (DFL) Appropriations Health & Human Services Governmental Operations Health; abortions; preventing abortions for birth Human services; creating a technology assistance A proposal to study the feasibility of permitting the review panel. control purposes. transfer of accumulated sick leave from metropoli tan agencies to state employment. HF2820-Trimble (DFL) SF1799-Waldorf (DFL) Education Appropriations Tuesday, April 3 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Education; providing for aid for courses with Higher education; authorizing an appropriation for independent study when pupils complete the a parking deck at Moorhead State University to be HA49-Gutknecht (IR) specified hours; making adult high school used to acquire land and construct parking spaces. Health & Human Services graduation aid conform to aid for other secondary A proposal to require the House Health and Human SF1854-R. W. Peterson (DFL) pupils. Services Committee to study "Rule 53." Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with HF1890-Pugh (DFL) Monday, April 2 Thursday, April 5 Government data practices; establishing procedures for computerized comparisons of data; requiring HF2821-0renstein (DFL) RASO-Dawkins (DFL) matching agreements; providing for contesting of Judiciary Environment & Natural Resources data; requiring reviews and reports; imposing Civil actions; adopting the discovery rule for A proposal to study proposed legislation regarding penalties. medical malpractice statutes of limitation. registration, regulation and use of off-road recreational vehicles. SF1891-R. W. Peterson (DFL) HF2822-Poppenhagen (IR) Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with Taxes HA51-0tis (DFL) HF2223-Pugh (DFL) Taxation; repealing the lawful gambling combined Governmental Operations Trusts; changing certain trust requirements. receipts tax; providing for refunds; appropriating A proposal to study location of state offices outside money. the metropolitan area. SF1994-Merriam (DFL) Appropriations Tuesday, April 3 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111• Revenue bonds and notes; stating the intent of the Legislature not to appropriate money from the HF2823-Runbeck (IR) First Readings/Senate Bills general fund to pay for revenue bonds or notes. Taxes SF2282-Frank (DFL) Taxation; property; providing for valuation of Friday, March 30 Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with manufactured home parks; classifying manufac HF2426-Rice (DFL) tured home parks; limiting valuation increases for SF1104-Pogemiller (DFL) Contracts; providing for enforcement of certain manufactured home parks; requiring a notice to Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with contracts. park residents. HF1101-Greenfield (DFL) Probate; adopting the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act SF2382-Dicklich (DFL) Thursday, April 5 111B11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111ii1111111l (1987); correcting cross-references. Appropriations Energy conservation; appropriating oil overcharge HF2824-Dempsey (IR) SF1790-Solon (DFL) money for energy conservation projects that Education Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with directly serve low-income Minnesotans. Education; establishing a program providing HF1997-Jaros (DFL) general education revenue for lower-income pupils Health; establishing a legislative task force to study who attend nonpublic schools participating in the the regulation of health insurance premium rates program; establishing certain requirements and and health care costs. restrictions. April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 21 SF2396-Morse (DFL) Thursday, April 5 ------Appropriations Environment; regulating the disposition of property SF1807-Freeman (DFL) acquired for response action; appropriating money. Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with HF1877-Schreiber (IR) SF2489-Lessard (DFL) Local government; permitting the issuance of Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with obligations by the Hennepin County Board for a HF2656-Rukavina (DFL) public safety building; permitting Rosemount to State lands; authorizing the sale of certain tax incur debt for an armory; requiring a planning forfeited land in Koochiching and Lincoln counties; process and public hearing. authorizing the private sale of certain state lands in Scott, Hubbard, and Fillmore counties; appropriat SF2018-Lantry (DFL) ing proceeds of the Scott County conveyance; Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with authorizing the sale of certain surplus land in Lake HF2005-Quinn (DFL) County; authorizing the sale of certain trust fund Lawful gambling; defining lawful purposes for land in St. Louis County; authorizing the sale of expenditures of gambling profits; establishing surplus land in Grant County for recreational licensing qualifications for organizations and purposes; authorizing the sale of certain wildlife manufacturers; requiring organizations to report land in Washington County to IndependentSchool monthly on expenditures and contributions of District No. 834. gambling profits; authorizing the gambling control board to require recipients of contributions of Wednesday, April 4 gambling profits to register with the board; authorizing summary suspension of gambling SF1847-Reichgott (DFL) licenses for failure to file tax returns; authorizing a Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with limited number of video pull-tab devices and HF2038-0renstein (DFL) establishing standards and requirements for them; Human rights; amending the definition of age; requiring inspection and testing of gambling clarifying medical information obtainable from equipment; requiring permits for gambling prospective employees; clarifying protection for premises; requiring gambling managers to be pregnant employees; prohibiting threats against licensed; requiring that employees of organizations home owners and renters; prohibiting discrimina conducting lawful gambling be registered with the tory business practices; clarifying the meaning of board; requiring local gambling taxes and business necessity and continuing violations; renumbering definitions. SF1903-Merriam (DFL) Appropriations Health; providing programs and incentives for persons to volunteer as bone marrow donors; requiring the commissioner of health to educate residents about the need for volunteer bone marrow donors; requiring paid leave for employees to donate bone marrow; requiring a bone marrow donor drive to encourage state employees to volunteer as bone marrow donors; appropriating money. SF2347-Solon (DFL) Appropriations Environmental protection; approving state membership in the Great Lakes Protection Fund. SF2430-Solon (DFL) Referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison with HF2770-0sthoff (DFL) Financial institutions; establishing a system for the evaluation and rating of community reinvestment by depository financial institutions owned by interstate holding companies; providing uniformity with federal financial institutions regulatory practices; regulating public disclosure of uniform rating; requiring notice to the commissioner of proposed acquisitions of control; regulating Minnesota transmission facilities; allowing equal access by other transmission facilities; permitting interstate banking with an additional reciprocating state. 22 SESSION WEEKLY/April 6, 1990 Coming Up Next Week ... April 9 - 13, 1990 This schedule is subject to change. For information updates, call House Calls WEDNESDAY, April at (612) 296-9283. All meetings are open to the public. Before Session RULES & LEGISLATIVE Monday, April 9 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 ADMINISTRATION Retiring Room Capitol Before Session Chr. Dee Long RULES & LEGISLATIVE Agenda: Special Orders ADMINISTRATION Retiring Room Capitol 12:30 p.m. Chr. Dee Long The House will meet in session. Agenda: Special Orders 1:00 p.m. THURSDAY, April The house will meet in session. Before Session RULES & LEGISLATIVE TUESDAY, April 10---- ADMINISTRATION Retiring Room Capitol Community Stabilization & Chr. Dee Long Development Subcommittee/ Agenda: Special Orders ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 300S State Office Building 12:30 p.m. Chr. Rep. Karen Clark The House will meet in Session. Agenda:Housing and job impact information relating to current Light Rail Transit proposals: both loss/displacement and opportunities for communities. Before session RULES & LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION Retiring Room Capitol CONFERENCE Chr. Dee Long COMMITTEES Agenda: Special Orders meet at the call of the chair, who is also the chief author of the bill in 12:30 p.m. conference. For current information concerning these meetings, call The House will meet in session (612) 296-2146. April 6, 1990/SESSION WEEKLY 23 Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office 175 State Office Building" St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 (612) 296-2146 1-800-657-3550 Speaker of the House: Robert Vanasek Majority Leader: Dee Long Minority Leader: William H. Schreiber Lilfu® ~®~U ~~®ITITU® Rep. Jeff Bertram wore a "Jacob's Hope" button and ribbon to show his continued support for Jacob Wetterling and his family April 4. Legislators were asked to wear the buttons and ribbons for the remainder of session.