Session Weekly March 31, 2006, Volume 23, Number 5

a nonpartisan publication ★ ★ ★ ESSION S Weekly MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES VOLUME 23, NUMBER 5 • March 31, 2006

Inside: Boxing back in the ring, Connecting the metro, When medical devices fail, more

This Week’s Bill Introductions HF3918-HF4067 ESSION S Weekly Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services office. During the 2005-2006 Legis- lative Session, each issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions, and provides other information. No fee. ontent To subscribe, contact: c s Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services 175 State Office Building Highlights 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Agriculture • 5 Family • 10 Local Government • 14 (651) 296-2146 or Bonding • 5 Government • 10 Recreation • 15 1-800-657-3550 Children • 5 Health • 11 Safety • 15 TTY (651) 296-9896 http://www.house.mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp Crime • 6 Higher Education • 11 Technology • 16 Education • 7 Human Services • 13 Transportation • 16 Elections • 8 Immigration • 13 Veterans • 17 Director Barry LaGrave Environment • 9 Law • 14 Editor/Assistant Director Lee Ann Schutz Bill Introductions (HF3918-HF4067) • 21-23 Assistant Editor Mike Cook Art & Production Coordinator Features Paul Battaglia Writers First Reading: Containing health care costs legislation seen as labor of love • 3 Nick Busse, Patty Janovec, At Issue: U of M Rochester campus may get base funding • 18 Bao Ong, Irene Voth Chief Photographer At Issue: Bills connect the metro through planned transit • 19 Tom Olmscheid At Issue: Who should pay when medical devices fail? • 20 Photographers Andrew VonBank, Sarah Stacke Minnesota Index: Domestic Abuse • 24 Staff Assistants Christy Novak, Rebekah Raymond

Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is pub- lished weekly during the legislative session by Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services office, 175 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage paid at Minneapolis, Minn. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Session Weekly, Public Information Services office, Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298.

Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 30% post-consumer content. On the cover: The spiral staircase in the State Office Building is a busy place March 28 with members of several groups spending the day meeting with House members to express their concerns on various issues.

­—Photo by: Tom Olmscheid

 March 31, 2006 irst reading F★ ★ ★

photo by tom olmscheid Recognizing the impact of the rising cost of health care for employers, the state and patients like Joanna Craighead, the House created a special division to look for alternatives to the current health care system. Containing health care costs Even though there’s disagreement, crafting legislation seen as a labor of love

By Bao Ong chiropractor, Abeler said, “We’re here. How both sides.” t first glance, the goal seems simple: do we make it better — not worse?” Abeler said he has seen health care problems increase the quality and access of Both parties and Gov. Tim Pawlenty are increase in Minnesota firsthand because of his health care while cutting costs for anticipating a $176 million surplus in the background in the health care field. Between consumers. The reality surround- Health Care Access Fund, which is expected 2001 and 2004, the group coverage market Aing the issue: political division among to grow in the next three years. has gone down 8 percent and there has been a Republicans and DFLers on the best solution, Abeler appears to be full of ideas on how to 30 percent increase in the number uninsured bills pitting the private and public sectors spend that money on the ongoing health care people, he noted. against each other, and citizens demanding debate. He has proposed a handful of bills The most comprehensive of Abeler’s bills is legislators not forget their needs. aimed at reforms in the private sector giving HF1862. The House recognized the contentious consumers more choices, whereas DFLers It contains a variety of provisions dealing with and challenging issue of health care cost have called for more state action. the efficiency and cost of health care. Some of last year and created the Health Care Cost However, Abeler’s division has a big those reforms include:evidence-based practice Containment Division of the House Health challenge on its hands: the Health Care Cost standards and guidelines; electronic billing Policy and Finance Committee. and Containment Division is not authorized to assistance; requiring medical clinics to develop Since last year, the division has been spend money. Abeler said crafting legislation free patient brochures on prescription programs focusing on finding better alternatives to is a creative process; it is a labor of love. offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers; and the current health care system. Rep. Jim “You’ll never get support from everybody,” a state Web site providing health care cost and Abeler (R-Anoka), chair of the division, is said Abeler. “It’s about how do we compro- quality information for consumers. Other one of those leading the way. A practicing mise. Things can only change with input from First Reading continued on page 4

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly  First Reading continued from page 3 The details parts of the bill bring changes to charity Consider HF1862 the “parent bill” coming out which is used by local government employees care by health care providers, the Public of the division. House Files 2831, 2832 and 2438 all and employers who choose to enroll in it. The Employees Insurance Program (PEIP), private carry parts that comprise HF1862. But because of requirement to offer life insurance was elimi- sector health coverage provisions and service the short session, HF1862 was divided into sepa- nated and the Minnesota Employees Insurance cooperatives. rate bills so that each could go to their prospec- Program was originally in the bill and left out tive committees instead of having one bill move when the House Commerce and Financial Insti- Although there have been questions about around from committee to committee. Abeler said tutions Committee voted it down. cost with some parts of the bill, members from he will amend HF1862 according to changes made • Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) would both parties have supported measures promot- in the three smaller bills. be permitted to impose higher deductibles. ing more transparency and consumer access. The following is an overview of HF1862, which Current laws allow yearly deductibles of up to PEIP and evidence-based practice guidelines awaits action by the House Governmental Opera- $2,250 per person and $4,500 per family. That tions and Veterans Affairs Committee:• rate changes to $5,000 and $10,000, respec- are some of the most dividing issues in Abeler’s The first section addresses evidence-based tively. The annual out-of-pocket maximums of bill. practice standards and guidelines. Health-related $5,000 per person and $10,000 for each family Nancy Hokkanen testified at the House boards and provider organizations would be per- would also be implemented. There would also Health Policy and Finance Committee on March mitted to establish practice standards for treating be a lifetime maximum benefit of $3 million. 21 against evidence-based practice. “For families patients within their scopes of practice; however, a HMOs are not allowed to cap lifetime benefits health insurance provider would not be required in the present system. like mine, evidence-based medicine restricts ac- to cover treatments, testing or imaging based on • Service cooperatives would be permitted to cre- cess to proper medical treatment and promotes standards developed by the boards or provider ate and operate a health reinsurance and stop- unhealthy alternatives,” she said. organizations. This section would also require the loss pool. Smaller districts will sometimes join Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL-Long human services commissioner to encourage and each other to form a service cooperative when Prairie) said many schools in her district assist providers to adopt and use electronic billing other health care options are too expensive. cannot afford to offer health insurance. She for state programs from existing resources. The • The last article in the bill is geared toward mal- commissioner would also be permitted to post practice cases. It would prohibit the use of an is concerned about the PEIP and service health information on the agency Web site. apology made by a health care provider as cooperative guidelines and their consequences • Last session the division approved an amend- evidence in any civil action or related arbitra- on affordable health care. ment for charity care by health care providers. tion proceeding. In constructing the bill, Abeler said he has The current bill would eliminate a discount A companion bill (SF1640), sponsored by Sen. made it a point to accept suggestions from all payment provision enacted in 2005. Sheila Kiscaden (DFL-Rochester), awaits action by • The Department of Employee Relations runs the the Senate Finance Committee. sides — legislators from both parties, citizens, Public Employees Insurance Program (PEIP), state departments and lobbyists.

Somber rally

photo by sarah stacke Cara Ruwersma and Nadine Sanders of St. Cloud attend the 2006 Violence Against Women Action Day Rally March 29 in the Capitol Rotunda. The event was sponsored by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women. Ruwersma and Sanders both live at Anne Marie’s Alliance in St. Cloud, a private non-profit corporation dedicated to provid- ing safe shelter, support and referral services for battered women and their children.

 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 ighlights M a r c h 23 - 30, 2006 H★ ★ ★ AGRICULTURE The Senate vote came less than two weeks Policy and Finance Committee approved the ★ after its capital investment committee had its bill March 28 and referred it to the House first meeting. Civil Law and Elections Committee. There is Food law provisions “I think they started that meeting at no Senate companion. A bill that makes several technical changes about 6:10 and at about 6:14 they banged it to the Department of Agriculture’s regulations through the committee,” Dorman said. “For regarding commercial feeds was passed 132-0 some reason we couldn’t have a budget target Spending resolution by the House March 27. because we had to have that process.” Three days after failing to adopt a budget HF3670, sponsored by Rep. Rod Hamilton House testifiers came from Albert Lea to resolution to set the limit on changes in expen- (R-Mountain Lake), changes specific terms International Falls and addressed issues from ditures for the remainder of this biennium, the in the current commercial feed law, including agriculture to education to parks to zoos. House approved the measure 69-65 March 30. defining “brand name,” replacing “registrant” One of the more high-profile, and expensive, It was defeated 68-63 March 27. with “license holder” and adds “specialty issues is a new Duluth Entertainment and Before the House Ways and Means Committee pet foods” to the department’s rulemaking gave its approval March 29, Rep. Jim Knoblach Convention Center. (R-St. Cloud) said, “This resolution is identical to purview. Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson noted that the the resolution we had last time except for one The bill also requires that if a commercial $33.7 million request would cover one-half of thing. We have a cash flow account proposed feed is determined to be adulterated or the costs. Thirty percent would come from an of $351 million, instead of $350 million, and a misbranded, the person whose name appears increase in the city’s food and beverage sales budget reserve of $652 million, instead of $653 on the label must provide a manufacturer’s million. I want to make sure there’s no question tax that was approved by voters Feb. 28. The about whether or not there’s a problem for this investigation report to the commissioner center and University of Minnesota would being identical to the last resolution. Also, the within 30 days. each contribute 10 percent. state budget has grown somewhat since the The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. The funding is in the governor’s recommen- last time we established a cash flow account, Betsy Wergin (R-Princeton) is the sponsor. dations, but the Senate recommended zero. and so having a little more in it to cushion cash “I was floored,” said Bergson, who indicated flow might also make sense.” The resolution proposes to spend $88 mil- that Sviggum pledged to him it would be in lion in various items that would likely be part of the House bill. a target resolution the committee is expected BONDING Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) voiced to adopt in the near future. “This should be ★ support for $300,000 to renovate and sufficient with the other monies available from purchase additional testing equipment for other sources to meet the emergency-type Testimony accepted here needs that we have in the second year of the A week after the nearly $990 million Senate the Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory in biennium when we are not normally passing capital investment bill (SF3475) was unveiled, preparation for the potential introduction of a new budget,” Knoblach said. the House Capital Investment Committee avian influenza. The $317 million in the tax relief account is took testimony on the plan March 28. “This is our due diligence to do all we can proposed to be transferred to the General Fund to be ready for this,” he said. so it would be available for tax relief. “That is “I thought we ought to have a little public the amount of money left over as surplus at the testimony and find out the good, bad and end of the last biennium, June 30, 2005,” Kno- ugly before we put our bill together and see blach said. By law, that money goes into the tax if we can come up with something that will CHILDREN relief account. The money could also be used to give us an improved package for the state of ★ offset the loss of if the court rules against the Minnesota,” said Committee Chair Rep. Dan state in the health impact fee case. Safe place for newborns Opponents, including Rep. Lyndon Carlson Dorman (R-Albert Lea). He expects a House According to at least one legislator, efforts to (DFL-Crystal), continue to want to know what bill to be unveiled next week, and on the follow surrounding states via a bill expanding road the House is heading down and what House floor by Easter. the budget targets may ultimately look like. the timeframe for hospitals to accept newborns Dorman explained it was important to have Carlson said some members of his caucus have would protect more children. a target number before finalizing the bill, and expressed an interest in property tax relief, and Currently, unharmed newborns can be left approaches to how that might take place. that he and House Speaker Steve Sviggum with a hospital employee within three days of “We have as pretty good idea where the (R-Kenyon) met with Senate Majority Leader birth without question. HF3597, sponsored governor wants to take the state,” said Rep. Dean Johnson (DFL-Willmar) and Sen. Keith Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls). “We’d by Rep. Judy Soderstrom (R-Mora), would Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), the Senate Capital like a better sense of what carpet ride we’re on increase the timeframe to seven days. Investment Committee chair. over here in the House. … We’re just trying to The bill prohibits a hospital from disclosing see if you can lay some cards on the table.” “At that time Sen. Langseth explained to the mother’s identity, and allows the parent By House rule, “In the even-numbered year, me that we needed a lot of process — and in or an “interested person” to call 911 or an after the budget resolution is adopted by the the Senate they had a lot of process — to put Committee, the Committee must adopt a reso- emergency medical services provider to take the bill together and see how it all works with lution setting limits for each budget category the newborn. It would also prohibit local committee hearings and whatnot. I thought represented by the major finance and revenue social service agencies and the Department that sounded good. But I said that I really bills.” of Human Services from conducting a search “Once we’ve established this and we know think we ought to have a target. As we went for relatives of the newborn received by a what we’re working with then we go forward to forward, my understanding is the speaker hospital. set up targets,” Knoblach said. “It’s the process tried to meet with them last week, but so far we’re going to use again this year.” The House Jobs and Economic Opportunity calls have went unreturned,” Dorman said.

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly  Family members wanting to take the child CRIME from the hospital would undergo genetic ★ testing to determine if they are actually related, said Soderstrom. Furthermore, she Driving under a controlled substance said such a law would help prevent mothers The definition of a DUI may be broadened from leaving their newborns to die in in two ways. dumpsters. Sponsored by Rep. Doug Meslow (R- Rep. Fran Bradley (R-Rochester) questioned White Bear Lake), HF3647 was held over the ability of mothers of newborns to call 911 March 23 by the House Public Safety Policy and emergency medical services personnel to and Finance Committee for possible inclusion take away their child. But Rep. Tim Wilkin in its omnibus bill. (R-Eagan) said oftentimes these mothers are Meslow said that the law is straightforward desperate when they call for help. regarding driving under the influence of “We’re trying to protect a child that alcohol, but it is ambiguous as it relates to someone doesn’t want,” said Soderstrom. “We the crime of driving under the influence of a want to give them (mothers) extra time to find controlled substance. safe care.” The law only applies if someone is under the influence of something on a specific list of controlled substances, and that list has proven Safety first to be incomplete, Meslow said. Parents often say child passenger safety is a “The group of controlled substances that top concern. A bill proposing child passenger can affect the ability of someone to drive a restraint system training requirements motor vehicle is expanding faster than we can attempts to add more assurance. keep up in statutes. And existing statute does HF3368, sponsored by Rep. Brad Finstad not refer to metabolites of those controlled (R-New Ulm), changes child passenger substances, so it may be they are still under systems by adding training requirements for the influence of that controlled substance but photo by andrew vonbank child care providers. that metabolite is not contained within our statute,” Meslow said. Susie Maher, whose son was murdered eight The bill would require the programs years ago, testifies before the House Public licensed by the Department of Human The bill would broaden the prohibition Safety Policy and Finance Committee March 28 Services serving children less than 9 years old against driving while impaired by controlled in support of a bill that would provide $150,000 to complete child passenger restraint training, substances to include metabolites, and create for Victim Intervention Program, Inc. which targets school age children. a new gross misdemeanor offense for driving my surviving son.” It also adds an exemption program for under the influence of a drug provided that Housed in the homicide units of the individuals using only buses or school buses person has had an impaired driving incident Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments, to transport children. The House Jobs and in the previous decade. Victim Intervention Program, Inc. is a Economic Opportunity Policy and Finance “The (attorney general) tells us that they nonprofit organization that offers counseling Committee approved the bill and referred it have to rescind revocations when they show and support to help where it can. to the House floor. up in court and they have proof that a person “Without VIPI, I can only imagine the But Rep. Tim Wilkin (R-Eagan) had used cocaine, but all they have for proof anger, bitterness, revenge and heartache we concerns about discriminating against from the blood test is the metabolite, or the might still be suffering today,” Maher said. certain providers. He questioned the bill normal bodily chemicals produced when a “The program showed me the way to help using the term “child care center” instead of body processes the cocaine,” said Steve Simon, myself and my family, my extended family a more general “child care providers.” His director of the Minnesota Criminal Justice and my son’s friends, all kinds of ripples in amendment to include individual child care System DWI Task Force, which recommended the pool that were hugely important to healing providers was approved. the bill. He said that each drug has a fairly and coming to some way of accepting where Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) also unique signature because each drug has a our life went.” had questions about how the bill would different chemical structure. Sponsored by Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Her- deal with buses carrying children of various A companion bill (SF3517), sponsored by mantown), HF3869 would appropriate $150,000 ages. Chad Dunkley, Minnesota Child Care Sen. Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids), awaits to the program in the current biennium for Association president, said buses already have action by the Senate Crime Prevention and expansion across the Twin Cities metropolitan seat belts that meet safety standards. Public Safety Committee. area. The bill was held over for possible inclusion A companion bill (SF3087), sponsored by in the committee’s omnibus bill. Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-St. Peter), awaits The program has two paid positions, with action by the Senate Finance Committee. Offering emotional support Susie Maher’s son, Joshua, was murdered the rest of its efforts coming from volunteers, in St. Paul eight years ago. many of whom also abruptly lost a loved one. Moving? “When I got that death notification my life More than 95 percent of incoming funds go Please help save postage costs by turned upside-down and inside-out,” she told towards client care and programs. keeping us informed of address the House Public Safety Policy and Finance “This organization serves in a spectacular changes. Call (651) 296-2146 or Committee March 28. “I had no idea how to way and the demand is huge,” said Tim Lynch, (800) 657-3550. help myself face what I was facing, much less homicide commander of the St. Paul Police

 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 Department. The program also serves as a in (offering) the Chinese language, or whether summer with somewhat longer breaks liaison between the authorities and families it would be better to have the leadership in all during the school year. Rep. Randy Demmer keeping them up-to-date on an investigation, world languages, and let local communities (R-Hayfield), the bill’s sponsor, said this would rather than having the family continually decide, I think that is one issue the committee help move Minnesota to a world-class system calling investigators. could wrestle with.” for students. After a lengthy discussion, the “Who’s going to be there for you,” Maher measure was tabled. asked. “I hope they’re the same people that Ted Blaesing, superintendent of White were there for me, that offered me hope and Longer school year Bear Lake Area Schools and president gave me the vision and the tools to take myself Minnesota students almost had their summer of the Minnesota Association of School from that painful place to living in honor of vacations cut short, but a bill supporting Administrators, said adding school days to my loved one.” a longer school year stalled in the House the calendar would help level the playing A companion bill (SF3498), sponsored by Education Finance Committee March 23. field for Minnesota students with their world Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls), was laid over by HF3528 would add seven days to the counterparts who are in school longer each the Public Safety Budget Division of the Senate current 170-day school year; teachers would year. Finance Committee for possible inclusion in be given three or four more days for training Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) an omnibus bill. and there would be a shorter break in the noted there would be a tremendous cost to increasing the school calendar. She wanted to know if that would be the responsibility of EDUCATION the local districts or if the state would bear ★ the burden. Demmer said there is no expenditure Language Chinese proposed at this time. “If we start looking at Minnesota students may have a greater the money, we get the cart before the horse. opportunity to learn the language and culture We need to be talking about what the vision of China. should be for education … and then we’ll find Sponsored by House Majority Leader Erik the way and make that investment.” Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie), HF3910 would Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) wanted to make Mandarin, the primary language of the know what would be done with the extra time Chinese, more available to state classrooms, allotted. “I see more days, I don’t see what Mary Ann Nelson, assistant commissioner of we are going to do with the days.” He said Academic Excellence for the Department of students get many days off during the school Education told the House Education Policy year, and if more days are the issue, then and Reform Committee March 24. Approved maybe that is where days could be added. by the committee, the bill, which has no Rep. John Dorn (DFL-Mankato) would Senate companion, now goes to the House welcome a discussion on how to use the Education Finance Committee. currently allotted days more effectively. “I There are now about 16 teachers across don’t know how many school days are lost to the state teaching Mandarin. The bill would vacations and workshops.” appropriate $250,000 in fiscal year 2007 to A companion bill (SF3203), sponsored by begin a statewide effort to develop and expand Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina), awaits action by Chinese language instruction. the Senate Education Committee. “This is a wonderful bill. China is a rising power,” Rep. Lynn Wardlow (R-Eagan) said. He told the committee about the opportunities School choice that are open to his son, an attorney fluent in A bill that would give some public school Mandarin. students the option to attend private schools Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) favors was defeated 15-13 by the House Education the bill, but is concerned about the partisan Policy and Reform Committee March 23. process that brought the bill to the committee. “Since 1925, the law of the U.S. has been She said that last year the world language that people have the freedom to choose their teachers spearheaded a bipartisan effort to schools — wait a minute, people of means raise the awareness to the growing importance have the freedom to choose their schools,” of world language curriculum, but a resulting said Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan), sponsor bill was not acted upon. of HF3504. The world language teachers are “bitterly In an effort to put an end to what he sees disappointed,” she said, that the state is making as a two-class education system, he said the decision to provide the opportunity only photo by tom olmscheid the General Education Access Grant bill, for the Chinese language. Ted Blaesing, superintendent of White Bear Lake commonly known as the voucher proposal, She said that some see the importance of Area Schools and president of the Minnesota would offer the “poorest of the poor” the same Association of School Administrators, discusses local control in deciding which languages opportunity as more affluent people to choose should be offered in a district. “Whether it is a proposal to extend the school year during a hearing of the House Education Finance Com- the schools which they would like to attend. a good idea for the state to provide leadership mittee March 23. The bill calls for access grants covering

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly  tuition and fees to be made available to eligible Board of Teaching. found that problematic as well, and would be students in the Minneapolis and St. Paul Opponents said the bill would, in part, willing to work on the language. school districts. undercut the current teacher training system Dr. William Green, interim superintendent at colleges and universities and potentially risk of Minneapolis Public Schools, said that Minnesota’s status as having quality teachers. Helping disabled voters Minneapolis students already have several They also said other alternative pathways Townships would no longer have to provide educational choice options, including magnet now exist, such as summer sessions, on-site special voting equipment for disabled voters, schools and open enrollment. training and online training. under a bill heard by a House committee “Public school choice means parents and “This will lower quality and hurt student March 28. students choose schools. Private schools learning because it may put less qualified HF2608, sponsored by Rep. Bud Heidgerken choose rich students they enroll,” he said, teachers into the classroom,” said Rep. Sandra (R-Freeport), would alter a state law that adding that this bill would provide a tax Peterson (DFL-New Hope). “I’m concerned extends certain provisions of the federal subsidy to the private schools to do what they that it takes the actual recommending to Help America Vote Act to local elections. already do, select which students they serve. the Board of Teaching out of the higher ed Specifically, a requirement that local Louis King, a Woodbury resident, said the institutions and places it in the hands of local governments provide blind and visually current system is not working for inner-city school districts. … This creates a two-track impaired voters with special voting machines children. He told the committee that, as an system. I want to be sure that the four-year that allow them to vote without human ROTC recruiter and instructor, he notices institutions are the ones making that final assistance would no longer apply to township a different Minnesota. “This issue is about determination and the final recommendation elections. a people willing to use any means necessary to the Board of Teaching for who gets Heidgerken told members of the House to ensure that their children have access licensed.” State Government Finance Committee that to quality education. … You could go into “The board already issues hundreds and some township governments have had to a kindergarten class filled with African- hundreds of waivers in this state a year to spend as much as 10 percent of their tax American children and tell half of them to allow folks who have less science and math revenue on the machines, which are needed proceed to the first grade. The other half, experience to teach because we have a shortage by only a handful of residents. we’d say, not so fast — go straight to jail or of teachers,” said Rep. Karen Klinzing Kent Sulem, attorney for the Minnesota the welfare lines.” (R-Woodbury). Association of Townships, said the estimated Rep. John Dorn (DFL-Mankato) is A companion bill (SF2764), sponsored by costs associated with the machines were often concerned about the financial implications Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), awaits in the thousands of dollars. He added that with the possibility of up to 50,000 students action by the Senate Education Committee. in some cases, no one is even asking for the being eligible to participate in a voucher machines. program. “I do believe the bill is not ready for Judy Sanders, testifying on behalf of the prime time.” ELECTIONS National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) sponsors ★ said blind voters want to have the same privacy a companion bill (SF2962), which awaits afforded to non-disabled voters. action in the Senate Finance Committee. Polling place buffer zones “We have always appreciated the help A bill that would clarify the buffer zone we’ve received at the voting booth, but that around polling places was approved by the was in the day when there was no other House Civil Law and Elections Committee alternative.” Alternative teacher training March 27 and now moves to the House A bill that would have created an alternative Sanders suggested postponing any floor. legislation until after this year’s fall elections teacher training program was rejected 70-62 HF1596, sponsored by Rep. Tom Emmer March 27 by the full House. to see how bad the problem actually is. (R-Delano), is primarily directed at protesters Committee Chair Rep. Marty Seifert Sponsored by Rep. Sondra Erickson and solicitors. Under current statute, they are (R-Princeton), HF2680 would provide an (R-Marshall) encouraged both sides to work not allowed within 100 feet from the entrance out an agreement on their own, but added alternative path to teacher licensure for of the polling place. The bill would extend that qualified professionals wanting to leave their that he sympathizes with the townships’ distance to within 100 feet of the “property line position. careers and become K-12 teachers in areas of any private or public parcel of property on experiencing teacher shortages: math, science, “We’ve got to follow the common sense test, which a building containing a polling place is folks. And it’s tough to justify this for every world languages, English as a second language located.” and special education. single precinct and every single situation,” A companion bill (SF1317), sponsored Seifert said. During the one-year program, an applicant by Sen. Pat Pariseau (R-Farmington), would need to complete a pre-introduction The committee tabled the bill because it failed March 22 in the Senate Elections first must be acted on by the House Civil Law program; 200 hours of specified instruction Committee. leading to a license and up to 15 graduate and Elections Committee. “This isn’t far enough, as far as I’m A companion bill (SF2591), sponsored credits towards a master’s degree; on-the-job concerned,” Rep. Matt Dean (R-Dellwood) mentoring arranged by an employing district; by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), awaits said. After witnessing intimidation in the action by the Senate Elections Committee. and a one-week workshop that includes analysis last election, he said, “It made a very stark and reflection on the first year of teaching. impression on me that we needed to do If the evaluation team gives its approval and something stronger than what I see here.” If you have Internet access, visit the the teacher passes a subject assessment test for Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finalyson) said that each area to be taught, the candidate would Legislature’s Web page at: it would be difficult for people to determine http://www.leg.mn receive a standard entrance license from the the location of a property line. Emmer said he  Session Weekly March 31, 2006 Uniform dates for elections Division of the Minnesota Pollution Control Last year, elections in Minnesota were Agency, said that, as part of an emissions held on 102 different days. Sponsored by impact study being conducted by the agency Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan), HF587 would and paid for by a wood finishing business in specify that elections could only be held on Avon, the school’s air will be monitored and five specific days throughout the year. analyzed. Buesgens told the House Civil Law and Sandusky said he would direct that the Elections Committee March 27 that the monitoring take place despite the usual number of local elections held on various agency modeling procedures, which would days is confusing to voters. “We are all for accurately determine the air quality impact maximizing voter turnout, and the way to do of the business’s emissions on the school and that is by setting specific dates in the year.” on all public facilities in Avon. Approved by the committee and sent to Following the meeting, Sandusky explained the House floor, the bill would require that that modeling is a process of analyzing a elections be held on the fourth Tuesday in business’s emissions to ascertain if hazardous January, the second Tuesday in March, the levels of toxic compounds are present. third Tuesday in May, the first Tuesday after The process is more cost and time efficient the second Monday in September and the first than the alternative of citywide ambient Tuesday after the first Monday in November. monitoring and is “very accurate,” Sandusky It also calls for uniformity in the time of day said, although the accuracy decreases in direct that polls can be open. proportion to the distance from the emissions Opponents said that voters are aware site. He added that the half-mile from the when there is an election on an issue relating Avon business to the school would not affect specifically to their local jurisdiction. the modeling accuracy. Ann Higgins, intergovernmental relations Regarding his decision to honor the request representative with the League of Minnesota from Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls) to Cities, said that many cities have provisions in monitor the air in the Avon school and place where issues can be brought before the provide a report to the city, Sandusky said local voter. She explained there are regulations there is a “general public misperception” photo by andrew vonbank specifying how long after a local unit of about asthma. Joseph Carruth, director of environmental affairs government calls for an election that it must Documentation exists, he said, that of the for Mercury Waste Solutions, Inc., demonstrates be held. “The bill would delay that process by many variables that may be contributing to the use of a waste florescent bulb container dur- the growing incidence of asthma nationwide, ing his March 23 testimony before the House making it subject to the requirements of this Environment and Natural Resources Committee. law to have those elections on other dates.” lifestyle — particularly exposure to cigarette He spoke in support of a bill that would require A companion bill (SF827), sponsored smoke — is the largest contributor. disclosure regarding disposal of lamps contain- by Sen. Pat Pariseau (R-Farmington), was ing mercury. tabled March 22 by the Senate Elections While 90 percent of the state’s mercury Committee. Mercury reduction pollution comes from out-of-state sources, the The day may come when people who catch bill, as amended, would require the six largest fish in Minnesota’s lakes and streams won’t coal-fired generating plants in the state to reduce ENVIRONMENT fear that eating their catch will subject them emissions according to procedures approved by ★ to mercury poisoning. Yet, fillet aficionados of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Air quality test all ages would be advised to review the Health David Thornton, agency commissioner, The city of Avon may not get $6,000 to Department’s Web site regarding safe levels of said that requiring reductions from the conduct an air quality study, despite the efforts fish consumption. generating plants, which are owned by Xcel of Rep. Larry Hosch (DFL-St. Joseph). HF3712, sponsored by Rep. Tom Hackbarth Energy or Minnesota Power, would reduce “We don’t have any dollars,” said (R-Cedar) and approved March 23 by the the greatest amount of mercury for the cost. Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount), chair House Environment and Natural Resources A companion bill (SF3398), sponsored of the House Agriculture, Environment and Committee, is also known as the Mercury by Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls), awaits Natural Resources Finance Committee. Emissions Reduction Act of 2006. Its goal is to action by the Senate Rules and Administration The committee held HF2886 over March reduce, by 90 percent, the amount of mercury Committee. 29 for possible inclusion in its omnibus bill. released over the Land of 10,000 Lakes by the A companion bill (SF2526), sponsored by end of 2015. The bill now awaits action by the Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville), awaits House Regulated Industries Committee. Timber permit extensions action in the Senate Finance Committee. Classified as a heavy metal, mercury is a Many Minnesotans enjoy mild winters, But Avon will get something: ambient neurotoxin, which means it adversely affects especially mild winters with lots of snow. monitoring in the elementary school and the the nervous system. The more mercury, the But for those who contract to harvest the assurance and peace of mind that may bring greater the risk, and the greatest risk is to timber from state forests, mild and snow-filled to the parents of the school children. fetuses and young children because their winters may mean fewer work days, since Mike Sandusky, director of the nervous systems are still developing. It is the deep snow can prohibit access to harvesting Environmental Analysis and Outcomes major pollutant in two-thirds of Minnesota’s equipment. In addition, the ground must be impaired waters. adequately frozen to minimize equipment March 31, 2006 Session Weekly  damage to the forest environment. Thus, it GOVERNMENT “When you have top promoters that come may take an extra winter or more beyond the ★ into the state — top-ranked, main events, Don terms of the original contract for the timber King — they come into your state and pay to be harvested. Back in the ring huge amounts of money in order to promote HF3039, sponsored by Rep. Greg Blaine A House committee approved a bill to their fights in your state,” Bonsante said. (R-Little Falls) and passed 132-0 on the House re-establish a state boxing commission. For the most part, committee members floor March 27, would permit theDepartment HF3484, sponsored by Rep. Andy Westerberg from both parties voiced enthusiastic support of Natural Resources to extend contracts when (R-Blaine), would create a five-member for the bill. inclement weather disallows the timber to be Minnesota Boxing Commission similar to the Rep. Lloyd Cybart (R-Apple Valley) praised harvested during the contracted time. one the state abolished five years ago. the increase in safety and standards that Passed 59-0 by the Senate March 30, the bill The House Governmental Operations and would result from a boxing commission. now goes to the governor. Veterans Affairs Committee approved the bill Rep. Larry Haws (DFL-St. Cloud) praised March 24. It now goes to the House Commerce the edifying effects of boxing and wrestling and Financial Institutions Committee. programs on youth, adding that passing FAMILY Anoka County Commissioner Scott the bill would help repair the state’s youth ★ LeDoux, a former professional boxer, said amateur boxing program. “They may start having a governmental body charged with with a fighter, but they end up with a Prevention measures regulating boxing contests would not only disciplined athlete,” he said. A group looking to help end domestic increase safety but also help re-establish the Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) successfully violence might get two more years to finish sport in Minnesota. amended the bill by changing the term “tough its work. “There’s no boxing allowed in the state of man” to “tough person” in regard to a type of Sponsored by Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), Minnesota, and what that means to fighters is contest that features boxers of any skill level HF3197 would extend the duration of a that they don’t get a chance to fight at home, or physical condition fighting one-minute 34-member domestic fatality review team they don’t get a chance to fight in front of their rounds. pilot project in the 4th Judicial District until fans, and they don’t get a chance to fight in A companion bill (SF3123), sponsored Dec. 31, 2008. front of their family — and I think that’s just by Sen. Gary Kubly (DFL-Granite Falls), The project is a collaboration of public, wrong,” LeDoux said. awaits action in the Senate State and Local private and nonprofit organizations operating Professional boxer and Minnesota native Government Operations Committee. in Hennepin County. It is set to expire at Anthony Bonsante, a former contestant on the end of this year, with a report due to the NBC’s reality show “The Contender,” spoke to Legislature by Jan. 15, 2007. The bill would the economic benefits of having professional Report faults state council also extend the report due date by two years. boxing in the state. A financial audit of the Council on Black The bill was held over March 23 by the Minnesotans revealed improper expense House Public Safety Policy and Finance reimbursements, mishandling of grant Committee for possible inclusion in its funds and a lack of attendance at council omnibus bill. meetings, an official told a House committee “The purpose of the domestic fatality March 28. review team is to examine deaths resulting David Poliseno, audit manager for the from domestic violence in order to identify the Office of the Legislative Auditor, discussed circumstances that led to those homicides,” the findings of a recent report on the council said Project Director Tim Reardon. “Our goal with the House State Government Finance is to improve identification, intervention and Committee, which took no action. prevention efforts in similar cases.” Among its key findings, the report concluded “Since our team began in 2000, we have that the council committed several infractions implemented well over 24 substantive during fiscal years 2002 to 2005, including: programmatic changes that have resulted • unsupported payroll expenditures; in better support for victims of domestic • per diem overpayments totaling $1,430; violence, and increased the penalties for • improperly spent grant funds totaling those who perpetrate that kind of violence,” $51,000; he said. • receipts not deposited or unaccounted for in According to a Hennepin County resolution the state’s accounting system; and that provided for $30,000 in 2005 to help cover • low attendance at meetings. operational expenses, more than $120,000 of Poliseno said a 2002 audit resulted in in-kind services were donated to the team in similar findings. He added that six of the 12 2004, including 2,736 hours contributed by problems detailed in the 2002 report had not professionals and more than $6,500 of in-kind photo by tom olmscheid yet been resolved at the time of the new one. support in office supplies, meeting space and Former professional heavyweight boxer, Scott Council member Lucky R. Rosenbloom mailing expenses were offered. The team also LeDoux, right, and international boxing referee, urged the committee to carefully scrutinize solicits funding from other sources. Mark Nelson, share a laugh with members of the the council’s practices. He added that his own A companion bill (SF2818), sponsored by House Governmental Operations and Veterans research led him to believe the same types Affairs Committee March 24 while LeDoux testi- Sen. Wes Skoglund (DFL-Mpls), was passed of mismanagement had been going on since 62-0 by the Senate March 29. fies for the re-establishment of a state boxing commission. 1987.

10 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 “There is no excuse, from 1987 to the latest “You better be a little careful of what you ask of caution while the scientists continue their audit, that we keep seeing the same types of for, because you might get it. That governor’s important debate.” mistakes over and over and over again from office may change, and you may not want that But that debate is far from over. While a state organization,” Rosenbloom said. governor to have that additional power over proponents of the bill contend thimerosal Executive Director Lester Collins disputed the legislative branch,” he said. poses a health risk to children as evidenced many of the report’s findings. Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover) by an increase in autism, opponents say there He admitted the council suffered from worries that pressuring legislators to pass a is no study clearly showing that thimerosal “absenteeism,” but dismissed many of the budget before deadline might force them to causes autism. other accusations as misunderstandings compromise their values. Rep. Barb Goodwin (DFL-Columbia relating to paperwork or circumstances that “This pressure to get done on time, with Heights) said the state should move in the were beyond the council’s control. this penalty looming over legislators, may direction of the bill. “Why are we protecting Roger Banks, policy and research analyst provide an incentive to agree to particular that product when there’s risk?” for the council, said many of the financial budget bills that fiscally conservative people Kris Ehresmann, Department of Health troubles within the organization arise from would not consider to be in the best interests director of the immunizations, tuberculosis its small size. of the state,” he said. and international health unit, said most “Smaller agencies do have issues relative Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) had a vaccines for children are already moving to scope and span of control and control different take on the issue. He said he objected toward eliminating as much mercury as mechanisms,” Banks said. to the popular portrayal of last session as a possible. It is flu vaccines — which is even Some committee members weren’t buying “failure.” more important during the watch on bird flu it. “I think that’s a very narrow concept of — that contain mercury. She added that the Committee Chair Rep. Marty Seifert what the job is — to say that it’s better to do July 2007 implementation date was too soon (R-Marshall) said he was “bewildered” something, even if you think it’s the wrong for the state to be ready. at the council’s “chronic problems of thing, than to say, ‘I refuse to do something Mary Ho, a public health nurse in Rice absenteeism.” that does not represent the best interests of County, said the bill “would act as an effective Rep. Greg Blaine (R-Little Falls) said that if my constituents and does not square with barrier to vaccines.” Physicians and doctors some of the problems outlined in the report my own personal philosophy or conscience,’” should determine a patient’s treatment, Ho had occurred in a private sector business, Hilty said. said. those responsible would likely be fired. The bill was held over for possible inclusion “I would encourage you to probably in the committee omnibus bill. step your efforts up, as the leader of your A companion bill (SF2700), sponsored HIGHER EDUCATION organization, to come to grips with this in by Sen. Mady Reiter (R-Shoreview), awaits ★ probably a short period of time,” Blaine told action in the Senate Rules and Administration Collins. Committee. Permission granted A bill granting permission to construct a new building at Minnesota State University, Cutting special session pay HEALTH Mankato was approved 132-0 by the House On March 28, members of a House ★ March 27. committee debated the merits of forcing HF2892 allows the university to “raise legislators to take a pay cut when the Prohibiting mercury vaccinations $24 million to build a 95,000-square foot Legislature fails to pass a budget and goes Immunizations have drastically cut the rate building and give that to the state. They into special session. of diseases like measles, mumps and rubella will also raise $8 million to provide facility HF3187, sponsored by Rep. Joyce Peppin (R- in the United States. But new controversy operations and maintenance endowment,” Rogers), would apply only in situations such as has sprung up around vaccines because said Rep. John Dorn (DFL-Mankato), the the one last year, in which the Legislature failed some contain mercury in a form known bill’s sponsor. Additional monies would be to approve a state budget before the constitu- as thimerosal — which some say causes used for faculty costs and scholarships, he tional deadline and a special session was needed. autism. said. According to the bill, legislators may not receive HF1505, sponsored by Rep. Laura Brod The bill specifies non-state monies are to be per diem living expenses during a special session (R-New Prague), would prohibit the use of used to design, construct, furnish and equip if the session is called because the Legislature vaccines containing mercury or mercury an academic building on the campus. failed to pass necessary budget bills during an compounds. Only a vaccine with the least Basically the role of the Legislature is to odd-numbered year or because the Legislature amount of mercury may be administered if a consent to the agreement to allow $57 million failed to pass an omnibus capital investment bill mercury-free vaccine or vaccine containing a in private dollars to be used by the Minnesota during an even-numbered year. trace amount of mercury is not available. State Colleges and Universities system to build Members of the House State Government The House Health Policy and Finance the addition for the College of Business, said Finance Committee had reservations Committee did not approve the bill March Dorn. about the bill and its potential unintended 24. A companion bill (SF639), sponsored by The college is running out of room for consequences. Sen. Becky Lourey (DFL-Kerrick), was tabled classrooms and space with the growth of Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids) March 29 by the Senate Health and Family programs, University President Richard said the bill had the effect of empowering the Security Committee. Davenport told a House committee. governor, who can veto legislation and keep “My legislation is a reasonable approach The bill now goes to the Senate where a special session going, while disempowering to getting mercury out of vaccines as much Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-St. Peter) is the legislators. as possible,” said Brod. “Let’s err on the side sponsor.

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly 11 Openness in U of M hiring Gopher football stadium stadium on its Minneapolis campus. The Under state law, the process of selecting Benefits of selling one area available for Gophers moved into the Metrodome in 1982 a president for the University of Minnesota public recreation could be reaped by another after spending decades playing at Memorial from a slate of finalists is not classified as form of public recreation. Stadium on campus. private, and a bill (HF3136) sponsored by Approved as amended March 29 by the Before any state money goes toward the Rep. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka) would be House Capital Investment Committee and stadium, the university must prove it has change that. referred to the House Ways and Means received $124 million in non-state sources for Abrams said that while he is “an open Committee, HF263, sponsored by Rep. Ron its share of the project, including student fees. meeting sort of guy,” he is convinced that Abrams (R-Minnetonka), would, in the words The new agreement calls for the prospective an exception needs to be made in the case of of its sponsor, “bring football back to the student share, beginning with entering hiring a university president. campus of the University of Minnesota.” students in 2007, to decrease from $50 to $25 Frank Berman, a member of the Board The bill calls for the state to pay per semester. of Regents, told the House Civil Law and $9.4 million annually for 25 years for “I want a stadium, but I don’t want more Elections Committee March 27 that the 2,840 acres of University of Minnesota land placed on the backs of students,” said Rep. Tim open meeting law and the data practices act near Rosemount, land which Abrams called Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul). He unsuccessfully require that the finalist process of choosing “some of the most pristine park and natural offered an amendment to eliminate any a university president be public, including resources land in the Twin Cities metropolitan student fee increase for the stadium. interviews and deliberations. area.” Upon conclusion of the payments, In addition to Bruininks, others speaking The committee approved the bill and the university would sell the land to the in support of the bill were football coach Glen referred it to the House Higher Education Department of Natural Resources for $1. The Mason and Athletics Director Joel Maturi. Finance Committee. proposal adds $2 million to the initial state Also present were at least two members of the “The open meeting law literally destroys offer of $7.4 million per year. Board of Regents. the ability to find the best person for this “If the university were to continue to This led Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) critical position,” Berman said, adding that manage this parcel, we certainly would and Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) to wonder in 2003, before President Robert Bruininks preserve the natural habitat, particularly if this is the university’s top priority this year. was hired, a search firm said that the open in the environmentally sensitive areas, They and Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud) process would preclude many qualified but probably not an area this large,” said were the only no votes. people from applying. “Worse than the University of Minnesota President Robert Abrams said that in his meetings with application process that thoroughly prevents Bruininks. “This agreement absolutely university personnel, other things rank the most qualified applicants from applying, guarantees an undeveloped natural area for higher, especially its bonding request and its is that the deliberations of the board must be the public in perpetuity.” biomedical initiative. done in public. No one of any stature would The money would be used by the university A companion bill (SF237), sponsored by subject themselves to such a public spectacle,” to help pay down its long-term debt on money Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina), awaits action Berman said. borrowed to build a 50,000-seat football by the Senate Finance Committee. Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover) said that openness allows for the news media and others to be involved in the process, and surfacing information that may not otherwise be made available. “Isn’t there something to be gained by having this process open?” he asked. Mark Anfinson, attorney for the Minnesota Newspaper Association, said the initial slate of candidates is not public, only the finalists are public. “At that point the balance has historically tipped for some public scrutiny.” He added that the internal scrutiny cannot always be trusted to flush out the details of a candidate. He referenced the search to fill the superintendent position with the St. Paul School District where pertinent information about a finalist was “completely missed by the search firm,” but found by a newspaper. “If this bill is adopted, what is to stop every other governmental unit in the state from coming forward and asking for the same photo by tom olmscheid thing?” he said. Seated behind the University of Minnesota’s 1941 national championship football, current football coach Glen Mason, left, reacts when asked by House Capital Investment Committee Chair Dan Dor- A companion bill (SF2678), sponsored by man when one of his teams will win another championship. Mason fired back, jokingly, “When will Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), awaits you build me a stadium?” Mason and Athletics Director Joel Maturi, right, were among university action by the Senate Judiciary Committee. supporters testifying March 29 before the committee for a new on-campus football stadium.

12 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 Drinking, drug use parent notification of four conditions for residency: to have lived A companion bill (SF3160), sponsored As a tool to help colleges deal with underage in the state the last 12 months; be a dependent by Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls), awaits drinking and illegal drug use, parents could of a Minnesota resident; be a student who action by the Senate Finance Committee. be notified if their student is involved in these graduated from a Minnesota high school; behaviors, under HF3848, sponsored by Rep. or to have resided in the state for at least a Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth). year with a General Education Development IMMIGRATION Currently, the Minnesota Data Practices certificate. ★ Act allows institutions to disclose emergency It is estimated the bill would affect about health and safety information. It is unclear, 50 people initially and about 25 per year Immigration bill revised however, whether the law allows for disclosure thereafter, each at a cost of an average of The bill representing Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s of an alcohol- or drug-related incident if it $2,000 per year. policy initiatives on immigration enforcement is only a violation of school policy or even Demmer said a military service constituent went through a number of changes before being state law. Marquart’s bill would clear up of his who had recently moved to the state approved by a House committee March 29. the ambiguity by linking the state law with received $2,500 in financial aid, but was HF3308, sponsored by Rep. Steve Smith the federal law that allows for this type of asked to pay it back when it was learned that (R-Mound), was approved as amended by disclosure. he did not meet the 12-month residency the House Public Safety Policy and Finance The bill was approved by the House Civil qualification. Committee. It now goes to the House Rules Law and Elections Committee March 27, and Legislative Administration Committee. and referred to the House Higher Education “Tonight’s bill is about the failure of our Finance Committee. HUMAN SERVICES state and our local governments to do what Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover) said ★ they can to stop this crime wave by foreign- he understood the importance of reporting born criminals and other criminals in our serious incidents, but wanted to know if Helping the homeless midst,” Smith said. parents could also be receiving a letter stating, Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently provided $10 According to Smith, approximately 500 “Hey, we found a six-pack in Junior’s dorm million in state grants to help end long-term felons in the state prison system and 10,000 in room.” homelessness. A bill in the House requesting the county system are foreign-born. “We don’t “What I’m hearing from school officials less than $1 million hopes to aid the same know if they’re illegal,” he said, “but I believe is this is not to catch the person who has the cause. we should.” He added that their victims might six-pack in their dorm. It is to try to deal with HF3513, sponsored by Rep. Michael have been saved if law enforcement officers the DUIs and to try to deal with underage Nelson (DFL-Brooklyn Center), would had asked about their immigration status drinking when there is a citation … to just appropriate $650,000 toward implementing a before they committed their crimes. let parents know,” Marquart said. statewide Homeless Management Information In order to shore up bipartisan support He added that under federal law, if the System and a capacity building grant for the for the bill, Smith offered to amend it student is under age 21 and the institution Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. by removing or modifying several of its determines the student has committed a The system is a computerized database provisions. Specifically, he offered to: disciplinary violation with respect to such that allows organizations providing services • remove an article prohibiting “sanctuary use or possession, the incident could be for the homeless a way to collect client laws” by local governments; reported. information electronically and easily produce • delete language in the bill that would require A companion bill (SF3589), sponsored by required reports. The additional dollars a “status check” date on state-issued iden- Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), awaits would make the system more comprehensive tification cards of immigrants; action by the Senate Education Committee. by incorporating all emergency shelters, • support a proposal to create an immigra- transitional housing and permanent tion task force that would report to the supportive housing providers. Legislature; The House Jobs and Economic Opportunity • change the name of the proposed “Minnesota Defining residency Policy and Finance Committee held the bill Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit” to Military personnel and certain family over for possible inclusion in its omnibus “Special Crimes Unit”; members could have new exemptions to help bill. • narrow sanctions on employers who hire them qualify for state financial aid programs Rep Andy Westerberg (R-Blaine) and Rep. illegal immigrants; and when a residency issue could be a factor. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) wanted • propose a compromise on the bill’s fake ID HF2817, sponsored by Rep. Randy Demmer to know if the Minnesota Coalition for provisions. (R-Hayfield), would allow those on active the Homeless had statistics for the system. The committee amended the bill as Smith military service in Minnesota, including Numbers are currently tracked by some proposed. It has at least two more committee spouses and dependents; those who have services utilized by the homeless but an stops before reaching the House floor. relocated to the state from a declared upgraded system would enable better tracking A companion, SF3117, sponsored by Sen. presidential disaster area; and those defined of statistics, said Michael Dahl, executive Betsy Wergin (R-Princeton), awaits action in as refugees under federal law, to qualify for director of the coalition. “This provides a the Senate Crime Prevention and Public Safety state aid even if they have not lived in the state common reporting tool. Our services will Committee. in the prior 12 months. reach a different level.” The House Higher Education Finance Michele Merxbauer, a social worker at Committee held the bill over March 27 for Three Rivers Community Action, added that Health coverage services eliminated possible inclusion in its omnibus bill. It has an improved system would allow her to better Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s report released in no Senate companion. manage case loads and reallocate resources. December 2005 states that illegal immigrants Under current law, a student must meet one

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly 13 cost Minnesota between $176 million and no longer be required under HF3691, which After hearing some of the points, Severson $188 million annually. A House bill hopes he is sponsoring. said he wanted more time to work on the bill to stymie those costs — specifically through If the owner of a dog can be identified, they and possibly re-introduce it next year. public assistance health care programs, which would be called. If after five days the owner A companion bill (SF3656), sponsored cost the state $17 million in 2005, according does not claim the dog, it could be disposed of by Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville), to the governor’s report. in a “proper and humane manner,” including awaits action by the Senate State and Local HF2877, sponsored by Rep. Tom Emmer adoption. Government Operations Committee. (R-Delano), would eliminate the State The bill was approved March 27 by the Children’s Health Insurance Program House Civil Law and Elections Committee coverage for undocumented mothers. and sent to the House floor. Park fees for Minneapolis Currently undocumented mothers, under A companion bill (SF2374), sponsored by Minneapolis would be authorized to impose the state program, are covered for prenatal Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), awaits action a park dedication fee of up to $3,000 on all care, labor, delivery and 60 days of postpartum by the full Senate. new housing units within city limits, under services. Emmer said these women will still a bill sponsored by Rep. Frank Hornstein be eligible for coverage during emergency (DFL-Mpls). situations. LOCAL GOVERNMENT HF3095 would give the Minneapolis City “Minnesota has become a magnet for ★ Council and the Minneapolis Park and these women,” said Emmer, who added that Recreation Board joint powers to impose the undocumented mothers flock to the state Putting flags at half-staff fee. The House Local Government Committee because of its generous health care policies. A bill that would authorize local approved the bill March 29. It now goes to the On March 28, the House Health Policy governments to fly the flag at half-staff in House floor. and Finance Committee held the bill over for remembrance of prominent local officials was Hornstein said the fee was necessary to possible inclusion in its omnibus bill. There tabled by a House committee March 28. help expand and improve Minneapolis’ parks is no Senate companion. HF3990, sponsored by Rep. Dan Severson system at a time when it suffers from funding Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL-Long (R-Sauk Rapids), would have allowed counties problems. Prairie) said that although she is pro-life, and municipalities to order the U.S. and “The biggest challenge faced by Minneapolis she can’t support the bill because “we need Minnesota flags flown at half-staff following parks today is reduced funding coupled with to respect the child.” Emmer said there is no the death of “a current or retired municipal the increased use of an aging system,” said impact on the child’s life in the bill. However, official, employee, or public safety officer.” Park Board Commissioner Carol Kummer. Otremba said prenatal care is important to a Severson said he was contacted by a city Kummer said a number of areas in newborn’s vitality and health. council member in his district who wanted to downtown, Uptown and along the light rail Rep. Barb Goodwin (DFL-Columbia know why they couldn’t put the flags at half-staff line were in need of new parks that would be Heights) agreed with Otremba and said it for a recently deceased city fire chief. Currently, partially funded by the fee. She added that was ironic that Emmer would support the bill only the president and governor are authorized other cities are already able to impose a similar because of his pro-life stance. to order flags to be flown at half-staff. fee on housing development subdivisions. Still, proponents of the bill said “Proper etiquette would say that they Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville) Minnesotans are picking up the high would have to contact the governor and get objected to a provision in the bill that would cost of these undocumented immigrants. his permission in order to fly that flag at half- allow any dedication fee ordinance to exclude Rep. Duke Powell (R-Burnsville) said he mast,” Severson said. “This bill takes a little senior and affordable housing from having to frequently listens to his constituents say bit of that etiquette, reads into it and says that pay the fee. undocumented mothers abuse the service. the local municipality can do it, and it is not “Why are you going to pick winners and Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth) said a violation of law.” losers with your new housing?” Holberg the costs would be higher for the state once a Although members of the House said. child is born and has complications because Governmental Operations and Veterans Hornstein answered that he felt some areas it will be considered a Minnesotan and U.S. Affairs Committee generally supported the in Minneapolis suffered a lack of affordable citizen. spirit of the bill, a host of logistical problems housing. arose during the discussion. “We didn’t want to make a real problem — a Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) worried that real crisis, actually, in certain neighborhoods LAW flying the flag at half-staff too often would — even worse by requiring that these ★ take away the meaning of the gesture. “Once affordable units be treated the same as some you’ve put this long list of everybody they can very upscale housing,” he said. When Fido gets loose do it for, how do you say ‘no’ to anybody?” A companion bill (SF2660), sponsored by If Fido is unlicensed, is wearing no Rep. Michael Beard (R-Shakopee) said he Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), awaits action identification tags, gets loose and is picked explored these issues once before, when the by the full Senate. up by animal control, the dog’s description is first Minnesota soldier killed in Iraq turned currently posted around town in at least three out to be from his district. locations. According to Beard, an individual in the Dressing up strip clubs “So presumably three telephone poles have governor’s office is responsible for determining Anyone wanting to open an adults-only to have signs saying, ‘Found: Dog matching when it is appropriate to lower flags to half- live entertainment business would have to description XYZ’,” Rep. Doug Meslow staff. He recommended that Severson and notify city officials before doing so, under a (R-White Bear Lake) said. That posting hasn’t the committee members consult that person bill approved March 27 by the House Local been effective in finding owners, and it would before moving forward on any legislation. Government Committee.

14 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 HF3779, sponsored by Rep. Dean Urdahl lake moratorium on boathouse construction, hadn’t cheated in the bid process. (R-Grove City), would require those owners of boathouses built prior to that year “We were second, and they were first, and who wish to open a business providing have been allowed to maintain only 50 percent there was the investigation of the scandals of “live performances of sexually oriented of the structure in any given year. what Olympic committees had done to get entertainment” to give 60 days notice to local While the bill does not allow owners the site. Atlanta was one of the places that was officials of the business’ intended start date. to increase the area of their boathouse, cited,” she said. The bill now goes to the House floor. they could extend the height by 1 foot to A companion bill (SF3562), sponsored “We’re looking at trying to curtail the accommodate taller boats. They could also by Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm), establishment of live adult entertainment replace the foundational structure as long as awaits action by the Senate Rules and enterprises, particularly in rural Minnesota,” they use only materials nontoxic to aquatic Administration Committee. Urdahl said. life below the high water mark. The bill also According to Urdahl, owners of such allows existing boathouses to be consolidated businesses often mislead local governments or moved off the water onto the owner’s SAFETY about the type of business they intend to property. ★ establish, thereby preventing cities from making Boathouse owners would apply to the “statutory changes” that would prevent such Department of Natural Resources for a Bomb squad reimbursement businesses from entering their communities. permit to renovate, which would also require Minnesota has four departments that As an example, he cited a case in Eden the approval of the local governmental unit provide bomb squad service to the entire state. Valley in which city council members say and proof that the boathouse existed prior to However, their current-year funding has been they were led to believe that what is now a 1997. expended. “gentleman’s club” was going to be a textile The bill now goes to the Senate, where HF3572, sponsored by House Minority plant. Sen. Thomas Bakk (DFL-Cook) is the Leader Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul), would Although committee members expressed sponsor. provide $52,000 in fiscal year 2007 to fund support for the bill, some also expressed bomb squads that provide out-of-area service. concern that the law would be challenged Heard March 28 by the House Public Safety in court on the basis of First Amendment Olympics in Minnesota? Policy and Finance Committee, the bill rights. Minnesota might be taking the first was held over for possible inclusion in the “You can’t deny, under the federal step toward hosting the Olympics, if a committee’s omnibus bill. Constitution, the ability for these facilities bill sponsored by Rep. Melissa Hortman “We’ve had about a 250 percent increase to come into a community,” said Rep. Ann (DFL-Brooklyn Park) becomes law. in the number of calls just over the last two Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington). HF3643 would create a 17-member task years,” Entenza said. A former Bloomington City Council force — including four legislators and The Bloomington, Minneapolis and member, Lenczewski says her city fought the 13 members to be appointed by the governor opening of a topless car wash. While the city — to investigate whether it is in the state’s best found it could discourage such businesses interest to make a bid for the 2020 Summer through some creative zoning, it could not Olympics. unilaterally ban all sex-related businesses The House Governmental Operations and from opening within city limits. Veterans Affairs Committee approved the bill “I don’t know if you’ll get where you want March 28 and referred it to the House Jobs and to go, but I think we should try,” Lenczewski Economic Opportunity Policy and Finance said. Committee. A companion bill (SF3394), sponsored “This is actually a precursor step to making by Sen. Steve Dille (R-Dassel), was a bid,” Hortman said. “What most cities do reccommended to pass by the Senate State and is they put together a committee and they Local Government Operations Committee make a bid. This is a task force to say, ‘Hey, March 27. is it worth it? Should we spend the time and energy putting together a bid?’ ” According to Hortman, Atlanta received RECREATION $4 billion of economic activity when it ★ hosted the 1996 games, and Sydney, Australia received $7 billion in 2000. She said hosting Boathouse replacement the Olympics would send a message that Scenic lake but unsightly boathouse? Minnesota can compete “with any region, There’s good news for public lake enthusiasts anywhere, on any playing field, whether it bothered by the sight of deteriorating be economic or athletic,” as well as send a boathouses: owners may be able to restore positive message to kids about the importance them to better-than-new condition or of physical fitness. photo by andrew vonbank completely replace them under guidelines set She added that Gov. Tim Pawlenty supports Bloomington Police Sgt. Marty Earley, the forth by HF2994, passed 129-3 by the House the bill. city’s former bomb squad commander, testifies March 23. Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls), who March 28 before the House Public Safety Policy and Finance Committee in support of a bill that Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake), the supports the bill, said that Minnesota bill’s sponsor, said that since the 1979 public would reimburse local bomb squads for out-of- would’ve hosted the 1996 games if Atlanta area service.

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly 15 St. Paul police departments would each TECHNOLOGY fuels I think we need to put some incentives receive $15,000, and a joint effort between the ★ in there to get the people to go out there and Brainerd Police Department and Crow Wing buy the vehicles that are going to do that,” County Sheriff’s Office would receive $7,500, Biotechnology zone creations said Rep. Peter Nelson (R-Lindstrom), who based upon the history of responses. A bill that would give the Employment sponsors HF3562 and HF3563. Both bills “Each team will go anywhere in the state. and Economic Development commissioner now go to the House Taxes Committee. All four teams are trained identically,” authority to create one or more biotechnology Sen. Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge) sponsors a said Sgt. Marty Earley of the Bloomington and health sciences industry zones was pair of companion bills, SF3030 and SF3031. Police Department, who spent 13 years as approved March 27 by the House Technology, They both await action by the Senate Taxes commander of the bomb squad. Bioscience and Medical Products Division Committee. Starting about 10 years ago, $50,000 of the House Commerce and Financial HF3562 creates credits for those who was set aside annually to help reimburse Institutions Committee and referred to the full conduct a trade or business and includes up to departments that respond to incidents outside committee. 50 percent credit for the costs of converting a city boundaries. HF3561 is sponsored by Rep. Dan Severson vehicle to an alternative fuel source. The credit Bloomington Police Chief John Laux says (R-Sauk Rapids). He said the bill is necessary can not exceed $500 for a vehicle weighing less the issue is one of fairness to local taxpayers. to help attract applied research companies to than 10,000 pounds and $1,000 for a vehicle “We’ll do it, but we should be able to get areas such as St. Cloud, where universities are weighing at least 10,000 pounds. If the credit reimbursed when we go elsewhere.” available to support projects that would take amount exceeds liability tax limitations, the Before cities received any state bioscience patents to the production phase. excess credit can carryover to the next taxable reimbursement, Earley said sometimes a city The deadline for applying for inclusion year, under the bill. would call for assistance, but when they were into the state’s current bioscience zone was HF3563 would create tax credits from told that it would cost $150 per hour, “they Oct. 15, 2003. The current zone includes federal taxable income. Vehicles that weigh said they’ll get back to us.” three 500-acre sites (Minneapolis, St. Paul less than 10,000 pounds would qualify for a “A couple hours later we’d make the call and Rochester) and provides opportunities $2,000 credit, and those weighing at least that back to them and ask what happened. The for possible tax incentives to qualifying would qualify for a $5,000 credit. answers we got were disturbing,” he said. The businesses within the zone. Rep. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka) said he way the cities took care of a potential bomb Discussion of the bill included questions would be more convinced of the proposals if included dumping it in a river, putting it in a regarding the effectiveness of the original there were more specific standards, “so that dump, shooting it with a high-powered rifle or bioscience zone, the wisdom of adding a you’re not rewarding sport utility vehicles that having the chief open it up. “Luckily nobody zone at some distance to the existing zones, basically have a dual fuel type.” got hurt doing that,” Earley said. and whether the state’s JOBZ program might According to the nonpartisan House A companion bill (SF3341), sponsored by successfully attract bioscience businesses. Research Department, an alternative fuel Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), was laid According to a Department of Employment vehicle is defined as, “one that can run on non- over by the Public Safety Budget Division of and Economic Development report, JOBZ gasoline fuels (such as natural gas, liquefied the Senate Finance Committee March 29 for attracted 217 businesses to Greater Minnesota petroleum gas, and methanol) or a mixture possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. during 2004-2005. containing at least 85 percent non-gasoline Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls) suggested fuel.” the committee consider developing a Firefighter headsets allowed comprehensive marketing plan for the The House passed a bill 133-0 March 23 that bioscience zones and JOBZ. Electric vehicle usage would create an exception in current law for Gene Goddard, bioscience industry Drivers might start seeing electric firefighters operating emergency vehicles to specialist for the department, said that while vehicles on roads with a maximum speed of wear headsets. there is currently no funding for the tax 35 mph, under a bill approved by the House “I didn’t know that people driving incentives, a number of communities have Transportation Committee March 28. emergency vehicles who are wearing headsets expressed an interest in being included in a HF1838, sponsored by Rep. Greg Blaine so they can communicate by radio with each designated zone so they can use that status in (R-Little Falls), would define “neighborhood other are breaking the law,” said Rep. Fran promoting themselves as possible bioscience electric vehicle” and set restrictions and Bradley (R-Rochester), sponsor of HF2697. industry sites. requirements for its operation. The use of headsets also helps prevent A companion bill (SF3260), sponsored by Under the bill, such a vehicle is defined as hearing loss and allows others in the emergency Sen. Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud), awaits “electrically powered motor vehicle that has vehicle to warn the driver of oncoming traffic, action by the full Senate. four wheels, and has a speed attainable in one Edina Fire Chief Marty Scheerer told a House mile of at least 20 miles per hour, but not more committee. than 25 miles per hour on a paved surface.” Current law states, “No person, while TRANSPORTATION The cars are restricted from going on operating a motor vehicle, shall wear ★ roads with speed limits of more than 35 mph, headphones or earphones which are used “except to make a direct crossing” of a street Vehicle tax credit in both ears simultaneously for purposes or highway with a higher speed limit, under Businesses and individuals could qualify for of receiving or listening to broadcasts or the bill. an income tax credit if they switch to using reproductions from radios, tape decks, or other “They’re just little cars that go on slow at least one alternative fuel vehicle, under two sound-producing or transmitting devices.” streets,” said Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar), bills approved by the House Transportation The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. who sponsors a similar bill (HF2734) that he Finance Committee March 28. David Senjem (R-Rochester) is the sponsor. voluntarily laid over. “If we’re serious about using these alternative 16 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 The vehicles would be subject to all the (DFL-Mpls), would allow for such advertising legal guardians and fiancés or fiancées. same requirements as other cars such as turn if authorized by permit, license or franchise. The House Governmental Operations and signals, license plates, windshields and seat “There’s trash on the street, there’s already Veterans Affairs Committee approved it belts, said Juhnke. advertising on the street, there’s garbage cans March 28. It now goes to the House Commerce The transportation commissioner, a county on the street, why not let somebody else pay to and Financial Institutions Committee. board a town board, or a governing body keep those garbage cans maintained and clean Laurie Olmon, a representative for the of a city could further restrict the electric and help keep the street clean and recycle,” National Military Family Association and vehicles. said Ellison. the spouse of a twice-deployed U.S. National The bill now goes to the House floor. The bill was sent to the House Local Guard member, said the leaves-of-absence A companion bill (SF1811), sponsored Government Committee without were a “quality-of-life” issue for military by Sen. Paul Koering (R-Fort Ripley), recommendation with the expectation that service members and their families. was recommended to pass by the Senate Ellison would work on some committee “A deployment is something you can never Transportation Committee, March 28. members’ concerns. totally prepare for,” Olmon said, adding that “It’s one thing on a 30 mph road, but we it has been both emotionally and logistically have requirements about signs, spacing difficult for her to do without her husband for A police officer remembered and signage. There are safety issues when extended periods of time. A bill that would designate portions of you begin to clutter up your roadways with Teresa Rongitsch, who has three sons Interstates 35, 35E and 35W as the Shawn so much information,” said Rep. Mary Liz serving in the military, and whose son-in-law, Silvera Memorial Highway was approved Holberg (R-Lakeville). Michael, was killed in Iraq in June 2005, said by the House Transportation Committee Currently, bus shelters and benches are of- that after losing a family member, any time March 28. ten maintained by private companies who pay she can spend with her sons before they’re HF3805, sponsored by Rep. Ray Vandeveer for advertising, said Pierre Willette, govern- deployed is “ever so important to us.” (R-Forest Lake), would require the mental relations representative for the city of “In this kind of situation, you get really transportation commissioner, in consultation Minneapolis. The city has about 900 contain- upset that your employer has a hard time with the Shawn Silvera Foundation, to adopt ers that they maintain at a cost of $300,000 a understanding,” she said. a suitable marking design and placement of year, he said. The bill would allow the city to Welti said most employers do a “wonderful signs to memorialize the Lino Lakes police save money by allowing advertising. job” of allowing employees time with their officer killed in the line of duty. About 12 cities fall into the category allowed family members in such situations, but some “The sign has a greater appeal, a message for under the bill, said Sue Groth, assistant state don’t see time off as critical to the families. a greater good. It has a message to treasure the traffic engineer from the Department of Trans- A companion bill (SF2688), sponsored by life we’ve been given,” said Jennifer Silvera, the portation. The department would not be in favor Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), has been officer’s widow. of the proposal if containers are on higher speed incorporated in SF2654, also sponsored by The Minnesota Department of Transpor- roads and would cause a safety problem. Vickerman. It awaits action by the Senate tation supports designating the highway in “The frequency of these add to the distraction Finance Committee. memorial to the officer, but the department of drivers,” said Rep. Peter Nelson (R-Lind- is concerned about erecting signs along the strom). He questioned how close the containers Frequently called numbers freeway, said Sue Groth, MnDOT assistant state could be to bus shelters considering they could (Area code 651) traffic engineer. attract insects such as bees, thereby causing Federal and state standards specifically people to have quick reactions that could pos- Information, House say memorial signs should not be placed sibly put them into oncoming traffic. 175 State Office Building...... 296-2146 Toll free...... 1-800-657-3550 on freeways, but rather at rest areas, scenic A companion bill (SF3007), sponsored TTY, House ...... 296-9896 overlooks or recreational areas where parking by Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls), awaits Toll free...... 1-800-657-3550 is available. The department is suggesting action by the full Senate. Chief Clerk of the House placing a memorial at the Forest Lake rest area 211 Capitol...... 296-2314 instead, she said. Index, House 211 Capitol...... 296-6646 Vandeveer said he would work on the VETERANS Sergeant-at-Arms, House placement issue of the memorial as the bill ★ 190 State Office Building...... 296-4860 goes to the House Transportation Finance Committee Hotline, House ...... 296-9283 Committee, its next stop. Time off for troops’ families Information, Senate Families of military service members would 231 Capitol...... 296-0504 A Senate companion (SF3526), sponsored Toll free...... 1-888-234-1112 by Sen. Michele Bachmann (R-Stillwater), get time off from their jobs to attend send-off and homecoming ceremonies for overseas TTY, Senate ...... 296-0250 awaits action by the Senate Transportation Toll free...... 1-888-234-1112 Committee. troop deployments, under a bill sponsored Secretary of the Senate by Rep. Andy Welti (DFL-Plainview). 231 Capitol...... 296-2344 HF2567 would require employers to grant an Voice mail/order bills...... 296-2343 unpaid leave-of-absence for “the actual time Index, Senate Trash can advertising 110 Capitol...... 296-5560 necessary” for an employee to attend a send- Cities with populations of 50,000 or more Sergeant-at-Arms, Senate off or homecoming ceremony for a member may be able to place advertisements on trash Senate Chamber...... 296-7514/296-1119 of their family who has been mobilized for an and recycling receptacles, under a bill heard Committee Hotline, Senate...... 296-8088 active military deployment. by the House Transportation Committee The bill would cover parents, grandparents, March 29. children, siblings, grandchildren, spouses, HF3265, sponsored by Rep. Keith Ellison

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly 17 t issue: higher education A ★ ★ ★

A new educational frontier Bioscience in other states Examples of bioscience investments U of M Rochester campus may get base funding in other states, according to the Roch- ester Higher Education Development Committee: • California is investing $100 million in a By Patty Janovec he said the state would be “foolish” if upper bioengineering and biotechnology n extension of the University of Minne- division classes and graduate classes in areas institute, and $500 million in pension sota is on the horizon in Rochester. of nanotechnology, biosciences and the health funds toward the California Biotechnol- ogy Program. There’s been much talk, and now a sciences were not offered. A • Pennsylvania has committed to invest bill that would put money into the plan was A report by the Rochester Higher Education $2 billion over a 20-year period in the discussed March 29 by the House Higher Development Committee states, “Rochester is biosciences, including $100 million Education Finance Committee. unable to compete with other states in fully for the Life Sciences Greenhouses “I care what happens to our state, what developing a technology-driven economic initiative. happens to the southeast part of Minnesota base, despite having powerhouse institutions • Michigan, through its Life Sciences … it really is important also to have the like Mayo and IBM, because it does not have Corridor initiative, plans to invest signature programs” that are represented in the research university driver.” $1 billion in the biosciences over a this expansion of the university, said Rep. The Rochester Higher Education 20-year period. However, this invest- Fran Bradley (R-Rochester), the sponsor of Development Committee was established by ment level may be scaled back due HF3607. the Legislature in 2005 to recommend a form to programmatic modifications and “We really believe this will be an attraction of higher education that would best meet the budgetary concerns. for education,” he added. unique opportunities in southeast Minnesota, • Georgia has invested more than Held over for possible inclusion in the said Marilyn Stewart, the committee chair. $300 million over a 10-year period to committee’s omnibus bill, the bill appropriates Stewart said the bill before the committee “is build core research facilities and to $5 million in fiscal year 2007 to the Board of not about Rochester, it’s about Minnesota. It’s attract eminent scholars, the majority Regents to establish a branch campus, “to about investment in Minnesota’s economic of whom are in the biosciences. It has foster the economic goals of the region and development in the global economy.” also created a $1 billion Georgia Cancer Coalition. state.” Rep. Gene Pelowski, Jr. (DFL-Winona) said • Texas appropriated $800 million for Bradley said an additional $6.3 million the proposal lacks some answers. seven new or expanded health science would be spent in fiscal year 2009 for funding “Considering that this is such an important research centers. faculty and staff; program planning and document, why is it that we had to use • North Carolina has allocated half of development in the areas of biomedical tax money for this report? Why couldn’t the state’s tobacco settlement to an technologies; engineering and computer Rochester come up with that sum of money endowment that has dispersed many technologies; health care administration and and issue the report?” of the funds to applied research proj- allied health programs, as well as operational Pelowski is also concerned that the proposal ects in the biosciences, including a costs. The appropriations are also in the would benefit Rochester companies, yet they $60 million grant for biomanufactur- governor’s bonding proposal. have little, if anything, invested. “There’s no ing and pharmaceutical workforce The bill states, “It is the intent of the requirement in here that any entity that’s legislature that this be achieved in part going to benefit from all of this is going to by developing new and strengthening contribute any of its resources toward it.” biomedical informatics, that explores and existing partnerships with higher education Bradley reiterated the plan is a statewide seeks to understand biological data from institutions in Rochester and the region investment. Many people from those complex experiments; computational in which the state already has significant institutions were involved in the committee biology, that involves the implementation investment.” meetings in Rochester in developing the of algorithms to understand biological In a January speech, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said campus concept, he said. processes; and biomolecular engineering that his expectations of a branch campus would be The programs that would be offered at the can involve medical device design, fabrication “A world-class institution that leverages the campus would not be duplicative of programs and testing. University of Minnesota’s research capability already offered at other university campuses, A companion bill (SF3239), sponsored by in partnership with industry leaders in Stewart said. The programs would be highly Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), was held Rochester, including IBM, the Mayo Clinic unique, cutting-edge. “There is no intent to look over by the Senate Education Committee for and others.” like the University of Minnesota-Duluth.” possible inclusion in its omnibus bill. With Minnesota’s depth of health sciences, Programs that would be offered include:

18 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 t issue: transportation A ★ ★ ★

Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee. Light rail and corridors According to the Ramsey County Regional Bills connect the metro through planned transit Railroad Authority, the depot was completed in 1923, and “served passenger and freight railroad activities for the metro area and the state of Minnesota.” The structure once By Patty Janovec • an adequate overall New Starts rating functioned as a passenger terminal and illions of dollars go into planning the must be demonstrated and cost-effective concourse. state’s mass transit system that in- requirements must be met. The Central Corridor Partnership received Mcludes buses, express buses, and light New Starts projects require that 50 percent $5.25 million in bonding last year for preliminary rail. From preliminary designs to final de- of the non-federal share of project funding be engineering costs. railroad authority and the signs to actual construction, the state funds committed before a project can move to a final partnership are now requesting that $50 million major portions with help from the federal design phase. from the state to secure a federal match by 2007. government. Brian Sweeney, legislative council for Burl- The governor’s recommendations include $2.5 As the 40-mile Northstar Commuter Rail ington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company, million. Under the project timeline, the corridor from Big Lake to Minneapolis moves into its is concerned about meeting the Americans would be completed by 2011, if all funding is final design stage, completion of the project with Disabilities Act federal requirements. secured. hinges on the state bonding for $60 million in The way the rails order to receive a 50 percent match from the now sit would in- federal government. Final design stages include crease commuter track improvements, stations and maintenance and freight traf- facilities. The project is included in the governor’s fic congestion, he and the Senate’s bonding proposals. said. The stations The funding, “is necessary, absolutely would need to be necessary, per federal rules and guidelines for redesigned because New Starts projects to be passed and approved by the platform re- the state this year,” Bob McFarlin, assistant to the quirements would transportation commissioner, told the House interfere with high/ Transportation Finance Committee March 21. wide freight-loads, Sponsored by Rep. Kathy Tingelstad and cars with lower (R-Andover), HF3342 would appropriate the clearance would $60 million to construct, furnish and equip not clear the plat- the extension of the commuter line as well forms. as fund a small portion of light rail line that “While the letter photo by tom olmscheid would connect the Northstar commuter rail to says that they have The historic St. Paul Union Depot could see new life as a transit hub from a the Hiawatha light rail line. It awaits action by t o m e e t t h o s e $12.5 million state appropriation. the committee. The House has yet to complete requirements, I’m its bonding recommendations. told it is still under active review,” Sweeney The Robert Street Corridor Transitway is A companion bill (SF2846), sponsored by told the committee. also under consideration by the committee. Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), awaits action Also under consideration is HF3251, Sponsored by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL- by the Senate Finance Committee. sponsored by Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. South St. Paul), HF2513 would appropriate According to a letter from the U.S. Paul). It would appropriate $12.5 million to $2 million for environmental studies, pre- Department of Transportation Federal Transit acquire land and structures to revitalize the design and design for a possible 14-mile bus Administration, three conditions must be met historic St. Paul Union Depot. Plans call for and light rail transit line from the Union by the Minnesota Department of Transportation the facility to be used as a transit hub for the Depot to Rosemount. before the partnership for Northstar can enter proposed Central Corridor project linking This expenditure would help determine into the final design phases: downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. if it is feasible to include the project in the • compliance with the Americans with Paul. In future years, it could also be used as a Metropolitan Council’s 2030 Transit System Disabilities Act requirements must be hub for connections coming in from the north Plan. demonstrated; and south metro. A federal transportation bill A companion bill (SF2296), sponsored by • executed agreements with Burlington North- has appropriated $50 million for the depot Senate President James Metzen (DFL-South ern Santa Fe Railway Company must be project, which it says has national and regional St. Paul), awaits action by the Senate Finance provided covering all commuter line right- significance. Committee. of-way access issues:, and A companion bill (SF2812), sponsored by

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly 19 t issue: health A ★ ★ ★

placed on patients and the health care system, When medical devices fail Hauser said. He added that manufacturers were not being asked to pay for “unreasonable Medical implants sometimes face recalls, but who should pay? costs” and “those infrequent random failures, which inevitably occur with any medical product.” For Don Gerhardt, president and chief By Bao Ong In 1999, Peterson said she had a near death executive officer of Medical Alley/MNBIO, egislators agree that implanted medical experience in the Rocky Mountains. She was the bill could create a chilling effect on the devices contribute to quality of life for 14,000-feet in the air when her heart became industry in Minnesota. Gerhardt said the Lcountless numbers of people. They also enlarged. She suffered a heart attack and had Food and Drug Administration is already agree that manufacturers are only human a surgery resulting in an implanted Medtronic working on regulations at the federal level. and make mistakes. But when these devices cardioverter and pacemaker. It would also affect smaller companies that fail — as has been the case for some products On Valentine’s Day 2000, Peterson’s could not take the financial losses a bigger from Minnesota-based companies Medtron- husband read in the Mankato Free Press that her company can afford, Gerhardt noted. He said ic and Guidant — who ends up paying for implanted device was that of the more than the costs remains a point of contention. defective. The couple “When you depend on the device for your 35,000 Minnesotans Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder), said Medtronic was employed by medical sponsor of HF3422, believes manufacturers unresponsive to their life, you depend on the quality.” technology companies carry that burden. His bill would “require questions. Peterson’s — Dr. Robert Hauser, a senior in Minnesota, the manufacturers of certain recalled implantable physician eventually consulting cardiologist at the majority are small devices to be financially responsible for replaced the device. Minneapolis Heart Institute companies attempting medical costs associated with removing and But from December to remain competitive replacing the recalled device.” 2004 until June 2005, Peterson was being in an increasingly global marketplace. “You don’t have to convince me these monitored for a possible defect because of a Susan Alpert, Medtronic senior vice devices are important,” said Cornish. “We’re wire in a ventricle of her heart. It was replaced president and chief quality and regulatory thinking about when something goes wrong in June 2005 but the defective wire, although officer, said the bill drastically changes the and who pays for it.” Cornish said it should turned off, was left inside. She said it is not rewards and risks for smaller manufacturers. not be the consumer. known how many wires can be left in a human Alpert also said there is a clear consensus that The House Health Policy and Finance heart and that one out 100 patients die when the benefits far outweigh the risks. Committee was divided March 24 on which a wire is removed from the heart. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) sides with party should absorb that “We ow ned a Alpert. He asked the testifiers where patients burden and decided to “We’re thinking about when something 1995 Ford Windstar would be without such technology. Hauser lay over the bill for more van with more recalls said, “When you depend on the device for work. A companion bill goes wrong and who pays for it.” than any other van your life, you depend on the quality.” Emmer (SF3266), sponsored — Rep. Tony Cornish on the market at the was also concerned that lawyers might broadly by Sen. Julie Rosen time. We were notified interpret the law for litigation. (R-Fairmont), awaits action by the Senate by the manufacturer of the numerous Still, it was not a clear-cut position for all Health and Family Security Committee. recalls and Ford paid for the complete costs committee members. For Rep. Fran Bradley If the bill passes, manufacturers would pay a involved,” said Peterson. She said companies (R-Rochester), the lack of support from the patient’s entire medical bill, including the cost like Medtronic “create wonderful products medical community caused doubts about the of the replacement device; procedures related to improve and protect the quality of life for bill, he said. to removing, replacing and disposing the many people” but that those manufacturers H o w e v e r, Rep. Barb Goodwi n replacement; any other medical costs associated should have the same responsibility. (DFL-Columbia Heights) said the problem with the removal and replacement of the device; Dr. Robert Hauser, a senior consulting may be best solved by spending money on and up to $100,000 in health complication costs cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute, effective products and addressing defective connected to the recalled device. said current law allows manufacturers a “free devices. Susan M. Peterson only wishes she had that ride.” The costs from recalled devices are option.

20 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 ill introductions M a r c h 27 - 30, 2006 B ★ ★ ★ House files 3918 - 4067

Monday March 27 HF3929-Smith (R) HF3942-Urdahl (R) HF3955-Solberg (DFL) Public Safety Policy & Finance Education Finance Local Government HF3918-Abeler (R) Mental health program report by De- Independent School District No. 463, Lakeview Cemetery Association created Civil Law & Elections partment of Corrections to Legislature Eden Valley-Watkins, fund transfer and tax levy authorized. Medical liability actions regulated and required. authorized. certain health care provider conduct HF3956-Kelliher (DFL) inadmissibility provided. HF3930-Smith (R) HF3943-Peterson, S. (DFL) Rules & Legislative Administration Public Safety Policy & Finance Education Policy & Reform Congress memorialized by resolution HF3919-Nornes (R) Juvenile detention and correctional Child-relevant American Sign Language to repeal the No Child Left Behind Environment & Natural Resources facility umbrella rule compliance ex- usage for second-language skills pilot requirements in the schools. Petroleum tank release cleanup costs emption provided and umbrella rule program established and money ap- provided. amendment required. propriated. HF3957-Erhardt (R) Taxes HF3920-Wilkin (R) HF3931-Smith (R) HF3944-Slawik (DFL) Single sales apportionment adoption Commerce & Financial Institutions Public Safety Policy & Finance Jobs & Economic relating to corporate franchise taxation Mutual insurance holding companies Municipal and county court obsolete Opportunity Policy & Finance accelerated. regulated and related laws modified. references and provisions removed. Child care assistance parent fees modified. HF3958-Erhardt (R) HF3921-Erickson (R) HF3932-Magnus (R) Taxes Civil Law & Elections Regulated Industries HF3945-Thissen (DFL) Alternative minimum income tax Marriage recognized only as legal union Soy-based transformer fluid usage tax Regulated Industries exemption amounts and phase-out between one man and one woman, iden- refunds for electric utilities provided. Renewable energy production incentive thresholds for inflation adjusted. tical or similar legal status creation and receipt eligibility extended. recognition limited and constitutional HF3933-Westrom (R) HF3959-Erhardt (R) amendment proposed. Health Policy & Finance HF3946-Westrom (R) Taxes Hospital construction and modification Environment & Natural Resources Sales and excise tax June accelerated HF3922-Eastlund (R) moratorium and public interest review Stevens County; tax-forfeited land payments reduced. Civil Law & Elections requirements for hospitals eliminated. private sale authorized. Marriage between one man and one HF3960-Simpson (R) woman only recognized as a valid do- HF3934-Ruud (DFL) HF3947-Cornish (R) Taxes mestic legal union and constitutional Transportation Agriculture & Rural Development Application of 4d property tax amendment proposed. Driver education, license examination Rural Policy and Development Center classification extended. requirements and driver’s manual biennial legislative report required. HF3923-Dorman (R) information modified. HF3961-Fritz (DFL) Agriculture & Rural Development HF3948-Emmer (R) Taxes Ethanol producer payment open ap- HF3935-Blaine (R) Civil Law & Elections Nursing home resident tax credit pro- propriation restored and money ap- Commerce & Financial Institutions Municipality exemption for county plan vided, foreign operating corporation propriated. Industrialized-modular building submission provided, tribal identifica- income tax treatment modified and contractors and salespeople licensure tion requirements implemented and money appropriated. HF3924-Nornes (R) required. voter oath established. Higher Education Finance HF3962-Mullery (DFL) Higher Education Office programs and HF3936-Simpson (R) HF3949-Thissen (DFL) Taxes appropriations modified and money Health Policy & Finance Health Policy & Finance Property tax refund payment when appropriated. Campground backflow prevention Medicare Part D individual lim- claimant dies provided. established. ited Medical Assistance coverage HF3925-Olson (R) provided. HF3963-Ruud (DFL) Governmental Operations & HF3937-Demmer (R) Commerce & Financial Institutions Veterans Affairs Environment & Natural Resources HF3950-Lesch (DFL) Data warehouse personal information Municipal boundary adjustment provi- Animal location through artificial Civil Law & Elections disclosure regulated, notice content sions modified, task force established lights and lighting device restrictions Structured settlement transfers regu- requirements provided and financial and money appropriated. modified. lated. institution and health care entity ex- emption removed. HF3926-Beard (R) HF3938-Howes (R) HF3951-DeLaForest (R) Regulated Industries Public Safety Policy & Finance Transportation HF3964-Abeler (R) State conservation objectives provided, Fireworks sale and use authorized and Transportation contracts regulated and Jobs & Economic investments by utilities regulated, licenses provided. indemnification provisions prohibited. Opportunity Policy & Finance conservation consideration required Community action grant money in regulatory proceedings and rate HF3939-Johnson, J. (R) HF3952-Newman (R) appropriated. decoupling study initiated. Civil Law & Elections Education Finance State fund usage for abortion services School district building projects for HF3965-Dill (DFL) HF3927-Smith (R) restricted and constitutional amend- districts serving fewer than 500 pupils Taxes Public Safety Policy & Finance ment proposed. one-year moratorium imposed. Ely sales and use tax authorized. Juvenile controlled substance offender driver’s license suspension or revoca- HF3940-Hoppe (R) HF3953-Demmer (R) HF3966-Sieben (DFL) tion provided and drug paraphernalia Regulated Industries Environment & Natural Resources Health Policy & Finance possession crime modified. Farm winery production of certain Feedlot environmental review Health risk limit development for per- fortified wines authorized. exemption modified. flurooctanoic acid and perflurooctane HF3928-Smith (R) sulfonate required. Public Safety Policy & Finance HF3941-Nelson, M. (DFL) HF3954-Hilstrom (DFL) Substance abuse treatment recom- Public Safety Policy & Finance Public Safety Policy & Finance HF3967-Thissen (DFL) mendations by legislative auditor 911 emergency telecommunications Security responsibilities for the Capi- Transportation implemented. service fee increased, statewide public tol Security Division of Public Safety Metropolitan Council regular route safety radio communication system Department clarified. transit requirements expanded. completion provided, bonds issued and money appropriated. March 31, 2006 Session Weekly 21 HF3968-Solberg (DFL) HF3981-Sieben (DFL) HF3993-Sertich (DFL) HF4005-Greiling (DFL) Local Government Health Policy & Finance Jobs & Economic Taxes Itasca County; revolving loan fund Lead-containing jewelry sale prohibited Opportunity Policy & Finance Elderly income tax subtraction in- establishment to upgrade failing septic and information provision detailing Child care training requirements creased. systems authorized. dangers of jewelry containing lead modified. required. HF4006-Sertich (DFL) HF3969-Loeffler (DFL) HF3994-Nornes (R) Health Policy & Finance Commerce & Financial Institutions HF3982-Paulsen (R) Taxes Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Mortgage originator individual em- Governmental Operations & Independent School District No. 544, Excellence Act adopted providing public ployee licensing plan development by Veterans Affairs Fergus Falls, local sales and use tax access to quality medical imaging and Department of Commerce required and Open source software usage by state and motor vehicle excise tax imposition radiation therapy procedures. money appropriated. agencies for creation of public docu- authorized. ments required. HF4007-Sertich (DFL) HF3970-Thissen (DFL) Local Government Jobs & Economic HF3983-Newman (R) Hibbing Area Redevelopment Agency Opportunity Policy & Finance Agriculture, Environment & Tuesday March 28 dissolved, assets transferred to eco- Mental health training annual provision Natural Resources Finance nomic development authority and debts HF3995-Anderson, B. (R) by foster care providers required. Cedar Mills wastewater treatment and obligations assumed. Ways & Means system money appropriated. Claims against the state settled and HF3971-Thissen (DFL) HF4008-Cox (R) money appropriated. Governmental Operations & HF3984-Thissen (DFL) Education Finance Veterans Affairs Civil Law & Elections Independent School Districts Nos. 721, HF3996-Emmer (R) Open data format usage by state agen- Workers’ compensation system cover- New Prague; 394, Montgomery-Lon- Public Safety Policy & Finance cies required. age of personal injury caused by gross sdale; and 659, Northfield; required License reinstatement fee and surcharge negligence of an employer prohibited. to contract with Holy Cross School to imposed for certain driving offenses, HF3972-Hilty (DFL) provide transportation for Holy Cross state patrol funding provided and Taxes HF3985-Thissen (DFL) students. Pine County Judicial Center construc- Civil Law & Elections money appropriated. tion materials and equipment tax Disability schedule treatment of tho- HF4009-Ellison (DFL) HF3997-Klinzing (R) exemption provided. racic, rib, chest and crush injuries the Commerce & Financial Institutions Health Policy & Finance same as a broken spine required. Sale of toys, games, jewelry and apparel Booster car seats for children public HF3973-Peterson, A. (DFL) containing lead prohibited. awareness campaign required. Regulated Industries HF3986-Thissen (DFL) Energy cost display on utility bills Civil Law & Elections HF4010-Peterson, A. (DFL) HF3998-Abeler (R) required. Employer specification of certain Education Policy & Reform Health Policy & Finance certified managed care plan usage for School closings required during official Nursing home payment rates HF3974-Kahn (DFL) employees authorized if employee’s storm warnings. modified. Governmental Operations & injury occurs on or after the date of Veterans Affairs employer plan implementation. HF4011-Hilstrom (DFL) HF3999-Erhardt (R) State flag design study task force cre- Education Policy & Reform Transportation ated. HF3987-Johnson, J. (R) Integration revenue formula County state-aid highway fund distri- Public Safety Policy & Finance modified. bution formula adjusted, automobile HF3975-Urdahl (R) Public safety appropriations modi- registration taxes modified, motor fuel Higher Education Finance fied; various state agencies, programs HF4012-Lenczewski (DFL) taxes increased, metropolitan transit University of Minnesota supplemental and activities money transfers pro- Education Policy & Reform tax imposed, bonds issued and money funding provided and money appro- vided; certain programs established, Educational mission and competitive appropriated. priated. regulated and modified; and money extracurricular programs interrelation- appropriated. ship advisory task force established. HF3976-Sertich (DFL) HF4000-Erhardt (R) Transportation Jobs & Economic HF3988-Dean (R) HF4013-Lenczewski (DFL) County state-aid highway fund distri- Opportunity Policy & Finance Health Policy & Finance Taxes bution formula adjusted, automobile Work participation rate enhancement Women’s Right to Know Act Working family income tax credit registration tax modified, motor fuel program established. provision modified. increased. taxes increased, metropolitan transit tax imposed, bonds issued and money HF3977-Eken (DFL) HF3989-Severson (R) HF4014-Thissen (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Health Policy & Finance appropriated. Education Policy & Reform Prohibition on usage of lights and light- Nursing facility operating payment Influenza immunizations required for HF4001-Demmer (R) ing devices to take fish modified. rates modified. children in child care facilities. Education Policy & Reform Independent School District No. 535, HF3978-Vandeveer (R) HF3990-Severson (R) HF4015-Otremba (DFL) Commerce & Financial Institutions Governmental Operations & Rochester, property tax certification Civil Law & Elections Building contractors regulated and Veterans Affairs date extended. Certificate of name change after mar- homeowner warranty protection Political subdivisions flying American riage dissolution provided. strengthened. flag at half-staff on certain occasions HF4002-Vandeveer (R) Taxes permitted. HF4016-Eken (DFL) HF3979-Huntley (DFL) City and county levies limited. Environment & Natural Resources Health Policy & Finance HF3991-Dempsey (R) Emergency crop protection assistance Prescription drug discount program cre- Transportation HF4003-Anderson, B. (R) conditions modified. Education Policy & Reform ated, single adult benefit set expanded, Mississippi River Parkway Commission Teacher licensing alternative eligibility income limit and inpatient extended to 2016. HF4017-Finstad (R) hospitalization benefit increased, farmer provided. Health Policy & Finance income definition modified and small HF3992-Thissen (DFL) Minnesota supplemental aid shelter HF4004-Lanning (R) employer option established. Education Policy & Reform needy provision modified to include Public Safety Policy & Finance State payment of facility costs of certain persons moving out of corporate foster West Central Chemical Dependency HF3980-Lieder (DFL) community partnership programs settings. Treatment and Correctional Center Environment & Natural Resources grant program created and money ap- pre-design funding provided and money Marshall County; tax-forfeited lands propriated. bordering public water private sale and appropriated. conveyance authorized. 22 Session Weekly March 31, 2006 HF4018-Anderson, I. (DFL) HF4030-Clark (DFL) HF4042-Dempsey (R) HF4056-Sailer (DFL) Jobs & Economic Public Safety Policy & Finance Public Safety Policy & Finance Education Finance Opportunity Policy & Finance Misdemeanor penalty enhancement Animal cruelty investigations criteria Parent-school partnership pilot pro- Koochiching County; Grand Mound statute expanded to include certain specified. gram to assist children with autism Interpretation Center evaluation grant offenses relating to drug paraphernalia, spectrum disorders established and provided and money appropriated. prostitution and trespass. HF4043-Sailer (DFL) money appropriated. Regulated Industries HF4019-Sertich (DFL) HF4031-Thissen (DFL) Energy conservation investment loan HF4057-Simon (DFL) Jobs & Economic Education Finance program expanded to include grants. Governmental Operations & Opportunity Policy & Finance Community partnership schools grant- Veterans Affairs Carbon monoxide alarms required in in-aid assistance program established HF4044-Sykora (R) State Board of Investment required to all rental dwellings. and money appropriated. Education Finance monitor state investments in compa- Special education study and report pro- nies doing business with Sudan and HF4020-Emmer (R) HF4032-Urdahl (R) vided, and money appropriated. to support shareholder resolutions Governmental Operations & Higher Education Finance that require action to end the crisis Veterans Affairs Textbook cost study provided relating HF4045-Ruud (DFL) in Sudan. Rule of 90 eligibility extended and to higher education. Taxes additional service credit purchase Alternative minimum taxable income HF4058-Juhnke (DFL) authorized. HF4033-Fritz (DFL) modified and exemption amounts Higher Education Finance Agriculture, Environment & increased. Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory Natural Resources Finance funding provided, bonds issued and Steele County; off-highway vehicle HF4046-Ruud (DFL) money appropriated. Wednesday, March 29 recreation site funding provided, bonds Civil Law & Elections issued and money appropriated. Lobbying restriction of one year HF4059-Davids (R) HF4021-Thissen (DFL) imposed for former legislators, con- Jobs & Economic Education Policy & Reform HF4034-Zellers (R) stitutional officers, agency heads and Opportunity Policy & Finance Early learning opportunities unified Taxes certain legislative employees upon Rural Minnesota cultural facilities administrative structure created. Movie, television, documentary and leaving office. construction projects revolving loan music video production sales tax fund established. HF4022-Paymar (DFL) exemption provided. HF4047-Ruud (DFL) Civil Law & Elections Governmental Operations & HF4060-Seifert (R) No smoking lease enforcement Veterans Affairs Taxes actions by tenants authorized. Per diem payments prohibited to mem- Health insurance income tax credit Thursday, March 30 bers during certain special sessions provided. HF4023-Paymar (DFL) Public Safety Policy & Finance HF4035-Erickson (R) HF4048-Murphy (DFL) HF4061-Olson (R) Mental health assessments implemented Education Finance Taxes Transportation for pre-sentence investigations. Teacher training program for qualified Hermantown sales tax revenue use Advertising devices adjacent to professionals established and money modified. roadways authorized under certain HF4024-Paulsen (R) appropriated. circumstances. Governmental Operations & HF4049-Johnson, J. (R) Veterans Affairs HF4036-Klinzing (R) Civil Law & Elections HF4062-Gunther (R) Membership of House and Senate State Government Finance Vulnerable and incapacitated adults Jobs & Economic reduced. Communications, computing and neglect and abuse remedies provided. Opportunity Policy & Finance telecommunications infrastructure Economic development and human ser- HF4025-Hortman (DFL) study funding provided; money HF4050-Clark (DFL) vices programs funding supplemented Environment & Natural Resources appropriated. Jobs & Economic and reduced for various programs and Hennepin County tax-forfeited land Opportunity Policy & Finance forecast adjustments provided. conveyance authorized. HF4037-Gunther (R) City property transfers to nonprofit Jobs & Economic organizations for low-income or moder- HF4063-Hamilton (R) HF4026-Dill (DFL) Opportunity Policy & Finance ate-income housing regulated. Taxes Taxes Clean water legacy phosphorous re- Worthington local sales tax referendum Cook-Orr HealthCare District autho- duction grants and small community HF4051-Bernardy (DFL) time period modified. rized to agree to include Bois Forte wastewater treatment program loans Transportation Finance Band of Minnesota Chippewa lands in provided, bonds issued and money Trunk highway improvements fund- HF4064-Vandeveer (R) the district. appropriated. ing provided, bonds issued and money Taxes appropriated. Local sales tax revenue sharing HF4027-Mullery (DFL) HF4038-Erhardt (R) required. Education Finance Taxes HF4052-Scalze (DFL) Teacher residency program established Residential homestead property first tier Transportation Finance HF4065-Loeffler (DFL) to support effective instruction for taxation valuation limit indexed. Municipal transportation utility fees Education Policy & Reform diverse student populations. authorized. Special education litigation costs HF4039-Nornes (R) reporting required. HF4028-Demmer (R) Higher Education Finance HF4053-Scalze (DFL) Education Policy & Reform Minnesota State Colleges and Universi- Regulated Industries HF4066-Krinkie (R) Non-public school student health ties technical provisions modified and Off-sale liquor license fees raised. Transportation Finance services. authority to control receipts granted. Regional rail authorities abolished in the HF4054-Lenczewski (DFL) seven-county metropolitan area. HF4029-Carlson (DFL) HF4040-Sykora (R) Transportation Finance Agriculture, Environment & Education Finance Interstates 35W and 494 interchange HF4067-Davids (R) Natural Resources Finance ServeMinnesota early literacy ac- funding provided, bonds issued and Agriculture, Environment & Golden Valley flood hazard mitigation tivities funding extended and previous money appropriated. Natural Resources Finance grant provided, bonds issued and money appropriation increased. E85 fuel pump installation reim- appropriated. HF4055-Krinkie (R) bursement provided and money HF4041-Davids (R) Taxes appropriated. Agriculture & Rural Development Metropolitan fiscal disparities law Aquaculture water use permitting fees abolished. limited.

March 31, 2006 Session Weekly 23 Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 175 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155-1298

Speaker of the House: Steve Sviggum Majority Leader: Erik Paulsen Minority Leader: Matt Entenza

innesota m INDEX For More Information

For general information, call: Domestic abuse House Public Information Services office Percent of all violent crime victims in Minnesota that are victims of domestic violence...... 25 (651) 296-2146 or Estimated percent of domestic violence victims that are women...... 90-95 1-800-657-3550 Estimated percent of domestic violence victims that did not report incident to To have a copy of Session Weekly mailed to law enforcement...... 80 you, subscribe online at: http://www.house. Percent of American women that report being physically or sexually abused mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp or call by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives...... 31 (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 Minnesotans that have lost their lives in 2005 as a result of domestic violence or child abuse...... 33 In 2003...... 24 Subscribe to Session Daily e-mail alerts at Minnesota women murdered in 2005 where the suspected, alleged or convicted http://www.house.mn/list/join.asp?listname perpetrator was a current or former, husband, boyfriend or intimate partner ...... 17 =sessiondaily Women murdered in 2005 cases where the suspected, alleged or convicted perpetrator was a family or household member...... 9 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: Children left motherless by the murders of their mothers in 2005...... 18 Chief Clerk’s Office From 1989 to March 10, 2005, Minnesota women strangled to death where the (651) 296-2314 suspected, alleged or convicted perpetrator was a current or former husband, To find out about bill introductions or boyfriend, intimate partner or household/family member...... 41 the status of a specific bill, call: Minnesotans receiving emergency department or inpatient care in 2003 for House Index Office domestic violence injuries...... 1,096 (651) 296-6646 Percent that were women between the ages of 20 and 34...... 95 Those receiving hospital treatment in 2001...... 806 For an after-hours recorded message giving Orders for Protection issued in Minnesota in 2003...... 13,145 committee meeting times and agendas, In 1996...... 14,172 call: In 1989...... 9,767 Committee Hotline Domestic assault criminal cases charged at felony level in Minnesota in 2004...... 113 (651) 296-9283 In 2000...... 56 The House of Representatives can be found Percent of battered women that are victimized again within six months following on the Web at: http://www.house.mn an episode of domestic violence...... 32

Of homeless women in Minnesota, percent homeless in part due to domestic violence...... 33.3 Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired. Domestic violence programs in Minnesota in fiscal year 2004...... 81 To ask questions or leave messages, call: Approximate number of primary and secondary victims receiving services from TTY Line (651) 296-9896 or Minnesota battered women’s programs in fiscal year 2003...... 65,000 1-800-657-3550 Nights spent in a shelter in fiscal year 2004 by battered Minnesota women...... 99,000 Nights spent by battered children in 2004...... 116,000 Check your local listings to watch television coverage of House committees, floor Sources: 2004 Annual Report, A Matter of Life and Death: The Domestic Fatality Review Team; sessions and select press conferences. The 2005 Minnesota Femicide Report and Special Femicide Report: Strangulation and Women and Children Murdered in Minnesota, 1989-2005, Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women; Office of Justice Programs Statistical Analysis Center, Minnesota Department of Public Safety; A Report of the Interagency Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention, Office This document can be made available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling (651) of Justice Programs, Department of Public Safety, January 2005; National Coalition Against 296-2146 voice, (651) 296-9896 TTY, or Domestic Violence. (800) 657-3550 toll free voice and TTY.