A NONPARTISAN PUBLICATION APRIL 12, 2002 ESSION VOLUME 19, NUMBER 11 Weekly SMINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

In this issue:

TOBACCO ENDOWMENT FUNDS

DIGITAL TV OVERRIDE, NEW LAWS, AND MORE

HF3713-HF3714 ESSION S Weekly Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office. During the 2001-2002 Legislative Session, each issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and upcoming committee meeting schedules, and provides other information. The publication is a service of the Minnesota House. No fee. CONTENTS To subscribe, contact: Minnesota House of Representatives HIGHLIGHTS Public Information Office 175 State Office Building Banking • 5 Government • 7 Local Government • 11 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Business • 5 Health • 8 Recreation • 11 (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 Crime • 5 Higher Education • 9 Safety • 12 TTY (651) 296-9896 Elections • 6 Housing • 9 Technology • 14 Environment • 6 Industry • 10 Transportation • 14 Director Gambling • 6 Insurance • 10 Veterans • 14 LeClair G. Lambert Game & Fish • 7

Editor/Assistant Director Michelle Kibiger Assistant Editor FEATURES Mike Cook At Issue: Technology — Now 35 years old, public broadcasting receives a Art & Production Coordinator Paul Battaglia relatively small percentage of its budget from state and federal sources. • 15

Writers People — Rep. George Cassell (R-Alexandria) is planning a run for the David Maeda, Lisa Hilton, Minnesota Senate this fall. He is leaving the House after this term, having been Sarah McKenzie, Theresa Stahl paired in the same district as Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake). • 16 Chief Photographer Tom Olmscheid People — Rep. Bob Milbert (DFL-South St. Paul) will step down from his seat in the Minnesota House after 16 years in the Legislature. • 17 Photographers Andrew Von Bank, Becky Ekstam Policy — Legislators draw on a number of sources, including other states, to Office Manager find ideas for Minnesota laws. • 18 Nicole Wood

Staff Assistants Christy Novak, Kelli Lin Foster

Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is published weekly during the legislative session by the Min- DEPARTMENTS/RESOURCES nesota House of Representatives Public Information Office, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage paid It’s a Fact: Arbor Day assets 4 Bill Introductions (HF3713 – HF3714) 22 at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. Resources: Committee Schedule (April 15-19) 22 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Minnesota House of Representatives Reflections: State Capitol motifs 23 Session Weekly, Public Information Office, Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Members by Term 19 Minnesota Index: Smoking statistics 24 Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., Governor’s Desk St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. (CH280,CH315 - CH332) 21

Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 30% post-consumer content. On the cover: A sure sign of spring are the tulips that grace the desk of Rep. Mary Murphy in the House Chamber.

—Photo by Tom Olmscheid

2 April 12, 2002 IRST READING F

Conference committees meet, Targeted spending House members discuss progress House, Senate plans differ on using tobacco endowment Legislative leadership and House and Sen- monies to help solve state budget deficit ate conferees have not yet reached agreement on the major issues to be resolved before the Legislature adjourns this spring. Those issues include the following: BY SARAH MCKENZIE literature, health officials emphasized the im- • Final budget balancing legislation — A defi- onferees questioned the effectiveness of portance of statewide prevention efforts as a cit of $440 million is still projected at the end of the 2002-03 biennium, despite a statewide smoking prevention campaigns way to reduce costs down the road. nearly $2 billion fix already enacted in law; CApril 5, in light of a House plan to drain During discussion of proposed health and • Construction and transportation bonding; $325 million from the state’s tobacco endow- human services spending cuts at the confer- • Anti-terrorism and response to bioterrorism ment in order to reduce the remaining pro- ence committee meeting, Rep. Kevin Goodno threats; jected budget deficit for the biennium. (R-Moorhead), a conference committee co- • Stadium plans; and • State-employee contracts. High on the list for scrutiny — Target Mar- chair, distributed song lyrics reportedly per- Conference committees continue to meet ket, the aggressive youth-led campaign to curb formed by a Chicago punk band at a Target to review differences in the House and Senate smoking among Minnesota teens, that receives Market event in October 2001. versions of bills. In fact, many of those com- a small, though visible, portion of the The Alkaline Trio lyrics, “I need a beer to wash mittees are taking public testimony, which is a endowment funds. it all away without a trace/And then I’ll drink 23 bit of a departure from the traditional nego- tiation process, though conference commit- Legislators have not yet been able to reconcile more to wipe this stupid smile off my (exple- tees are open to the public and are allowed to differences in the House and Senate budget tive) face,” prompted Goodno to ask whether take testimony. Target Market has enough Members of the House of Representatives state oversight. discussed the situation on the House floor “We’re sending incon- April 9 and expressed concern regarding when sistent messages if we tell differences will be resolved. Rep. Len Biernat (DFL-Mpls) said schedules kids ‘don’t smoke’ but the made it appear as if their work was slowing band that’s hired tells down. He asked House Majority Leader Tim them it’s OK to drink 23 Pawlenty (R-Eagan) if the House could adjourn beers,” Goodno said. by April 12. He also suggested the House Health Commissioner should recess until negotiated budget targets were established. Jan Malcolm, testifying “Why are we meeting here if we don’t have before the committee, said any targets?” Biernat said. “We seem to be spin- she was troubled by the ning our wheels here and it’s beginning to be lyrics but defended the very, very frustrating.” program, pointing to Pawlenty answered that he didn’t know when the House would adjourn. He noted that studies showing a 25 per- negotiations with Senate Majority Leader PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID cent drop in teen smoking Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine) have slowed because Target Market participants from around the state rally in the Capitol rates in the past two years. Moe said he wasn’t ready to negotiate specific Rotunda March 25. The group may lose some of its funding as legislators She said Target Market spending targets, but would prefer to let both decide how to alleviate the state’s budget deficit. needs to strike a balance sides air out differences. plans, though both bodies have appointed con- between keeping teens engaged and maintain- “Your points that you raise are exactly the points that the speaker and I made to Sen. Moe ference committees to negotiate a compromise. ing adequate adult supervision of youth events. last week,” Pawlenty said. “Please know that we The House plan to plug the remaining Alana Petersen, executive director of Target have been aggressively sharing your concerns $439 million budget shortfall mainly on the Market, said she understands why the lyrics with the Senate.” endowment, which would cover about 75 per- raised concerns but questioned cutting the The Legislature has used 98 legislative days cent of the projected deficit. In addition, the group’s funding based on them. as of April 11. The Minnesota Constitution al- lows for 120 legislative days in a biennium. A House plan proposes further spending cuts for “In the future, we will certainly do further legislative day is counted any time the House the biennium, largely in the areas of health and research on the bands that play at our events,” or the Senate meets in session in either cham- human services. Petersen said. “I hope this incident does not ber. The Senate plan would keep the tobacco detract from the fact that this program is In addition, the constitution requires that endowment intact and instead raise revenues working to reduce youth smoking.” the Legislature adjourn by the first Monday after the third Saturday in May, which is to erase the remaining deficit, including a Conference committee co-chair Sen. Doug May 20 this year. 60-cent cigarette tax hike. Johnson (DFL-Tower) said he suspected that the (M. KIBIGER) While legislators pointed to examples of song was not representative of Target Market’s Target Market-sponsored events and overall work to combat teen smoking.

Session Weekly 3 Target Market is funded by statewide grants drawn from interest generated by the tobacco endowment, which was created in 1999 after the state secured a $6.1 billion legal settlement with the tobacco industry. Money set aside for Arbor Day assets the endowment totaled $521 million — Publications focus on promoting the value and proper roughly 9 percent of the settlement. Under the House “phase two” budget plan, planting of woodlands to Minnesotans statewide youth anti-smoking grants would be It has been said that while other holidays a community and urban forestry law re- reduced from $17.8 million a year to look backward to some historical event, quiring several state agencies to further re- $2.3 million. Arbor Day alone looks forward, according search and provide information on suitable The cuts were included in a supplemental to a Nebraska historian. tree varieties. health and human services budget bill The custom of setting aside a special day Under the law, the departments of Agri- (HF2515), sponsored by Goodno. The House to honor and plant trees was first established culture, Natural Resources, and Children, passed the bill 72-60 on March 14. The Senate in that Great Plains state in 1872. Families and Learning were encouraged to referred the measure to its finance commit- The idea took root across the country and expand forestry programs in the schools tee, but it included the elements of its budget Minnesota adopted the tradition in 1876 af- and reinstitute Arbor Day activities. reconciling proposal into one large bill. ter the Legislature approved $2,500 for the And the legislation urged the Transpor- Grants for local anti-smoking programs, state forestry association to encourage partici- tation Department to consider planting however, would be maintained at the pation by offering $25 to $50 premiums to trees in conjunction with solid noise walls $4.4 million level under HF2515. the most fruitful tree-planters in each county. along urban freeways. Malcolm said the statewide programs bolster In 1957, the Legislature officially recognized The following year, lawmakers approved the local efforts, arguing the overall program is the first Friday in May as Arbor Day, and un- the creation of the Minnesota Releaf Program on track to save millions in the future from der the law public as part of a national averted tobacco-related health problems. schools were autho- effort to promote and However, some legislators have argued the rized to devote half of fund the planting and statewide grants duplicate other Minnesota the school day to “illus- maintenance of trees anti-smoking efforts. trating the future value to reduce atmo- The Minnesota Partnership for Action to the state of cultivat- spheric carbon diox- Against Tobacco and Blue Cross and Blue ing, planting, and ide levels and Shield of Minnesota have also received funds developing the trees promote energy from the endowment. The partnership has a and forest resources.” conservation. court-ordered mission of focusing on urging The law was repealed Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society Today, National Ar- current smokers to quit while Blue Cross and in 1959 as part of a gen- The Minnesota Valley Women’s Club and high bor Day is recognized Blue Shield’s focus is on reducing risks asso- eral overhaul of the school students planting trees on Arbor Day annually on the last in 1957 in Richfield, Minn. ciated with a wide variety of chronic diseases. state’s education laws. Friday in April. Rep. Alice Seagren (R-Bloomington), a Interest in Arbor Day activities rose again Minnesota’s observance extends into Arbor House conferee, also asked how much Target in the 1970s as the movement gained momen- Month, celebrated each year in May to coin- Market spends on advertising. tum and many of the state’s trees were plagued cide with the optimum planting season. Malcolm responded that the group spends by Dutch elm and oak wilt diseases. Homeowners who embrace the notion of about $6.5 million annually on its advertising A 1990 report to the Legislature titled Arbor Day could feel it in their pocketbooks campaign. Professional advertisers work with “Minnesota’s Community and Urban Forests: with a reduction in heating and cooling costs. Target Market teens to develop anti-smoking Opportunities and Recommendations” from A recent energy conservation tip from marketing strategies, she said. the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Commit- the Department of Commerce suggests that Rep. Philip Krinkie (R-Shoreview), a House tee advised lawmakers of the contributions of properly placed canopy trees could reduce conferee, pressed Malcolm for more specific woodlands to the quality of life in the state. air conditioning costs by up to 25 percent. information related to the rate of return on “In the past, trees were considered pri- The energy guide recommends that Minnesota tax dollars funding the teen marily for their beauty or amenity value,” homeowners plant trees to shade west and anti-smoking campaign. the committee explained. “It is now known east windows and create windbreaks by plant- He called for a cost-benefit analysis to com- that trees have key roles in a community’s ing evergreens on the north and west sides of pare the amount the state spends versus the economic and neighborhood vitality, as well the property. Air conditioners should be amount of money saved by the programs. as its livability and desirability.” shaded, but leave room for the air flow. Malcolm said the department has used soft- Properly planted trees provide wildlife habi- “For greatest benefit, the tree should have ware based on Centers for Disease Control tats, control soil erosion, reduce noise pollu- a broad crown of dense foliage during the data to project a future savings of $480 mil- tion, increase property values, save energy, and hottest times of the year and drop its leaves lion annually from achieving a 30 percent re- cut carbon dioxide emissions, the report said. just as the furnace kicks in as fall approaches,” duction in teen smoking in Minnesota. The report also emphasized the impor- the department advises. “Planting one or The health commissioner also pointed to tance of public education and technical as- more trees this April would be a great way to studies based on anti-smoking campaigns in sistance in the care and proper planting celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day and other states indicating for every $1 spent on techniques of climate-appropriate trees. the benefits will last for years to come.” prevention, $3.63 is saved on medical costs. Subsequently, the 1990 Legislature passed (N. WOOD)

4 April 12, 2002 IGHLIGHTS A PRIL 4 - 11, 2002 H

“The bill still accomplishes the main objec- 100,000 residents are allowed to issue one li- BANKING tive of conformity between federal and state cense up to a maximum of 200 for every 1,500 credit unions,” Stang said. people. Cities with a population between Money transmitter licensing During committee hearings, bank represen- 20,000 and 99,999 are allowed to issue up to A new law will reduce finan- tatives said the bill would give credit unions 18 licenses, plus one for every 2,500 popula- Signed cial requirements for licensing an advantage over banks. However, credit tion greater than 45,000. by small-business money transmit- union spokespeople said banks dominate the Hotels possessing on-sale intoxicating li- the ters. Gov. Jesse Ventura signed governor market and the bill is not a threat to the bank- quor licenses that have hotel rooms with cabi- the legislation April 8. ing industry. nets, which dispense liquor for a fee, are A 2001 law requiring money State-chartered credit unions have slowly exempt from the state’s 1 a.m. bar closing time transmitters, such as Western Union, to be li- been converting to federally chartered credit on those sales, under the law. censed established requirements that were dif- unions, which has resulted in a loss of state The new law is effective April 6, 2002. ficult for some smaller establishments to meet. tax revenue. Stang said he believes the bill, HF3058/SF2739*/CH218 All money transmitters were held to a should it become law, will be enough incen- $100,000 net worth requirement, though tive to keep state-chartered credit unions from many of the smaller businesses did not reach converting. that mark. The bill would allow state-chartered credit CRIME Under the new law, the net worth require- unions to assess “reasonable charges” for its ment for licensure is a minimum of $25,000 member services, and to impose late charges Pay to stay behind bars for money transmitters with three or fewer for, as an example, a missed loan payment. Gov. Jesse Ventura signed a locations in Minnesota. An expansion of power originally written Signed new law April 8 that will allow Money transmitters with four to six locations into the bill is now gone. The bill had included by counties to charge inmates for are required to have $50,000 net worth, and for provisions that would have allowed more the room and board. those with seven or more locations, requirements governor types of insurance to be sold, and therefore Sponsored by Rep. Maxine are a net worth of $100,000 and an additional more commissions to be earned. It also would Penas (R-Badger) and Sen. Leo net worth of $50,000 for each location above have permitted more authority for acquiring Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids), the law will allow seven, up to a $500,000 maximum. property and for entering into lease agree- counties to collect fees from inmates only if The new law also adjusts legal requirements ments with members. the person has the ability to pay. that the businesses carry surety bonds for a The bill would lower the number of people Beginning Aug. 1, 2002, county boards will certain percentage of their net worth. in a group that can join an existing credit be able to charge inmates for room, board, and The $50,000 current bond requirement is union. This is a disadvantage to credit unions, clothing, as well as necessary medical, dental, dropped to $25,000 for money transmitters which would rather expand existing locations or other correctional services. The law will give with three or fewer locations. The amount than add new ones. counties civil means to collect the money. would not change for money transmitters with The bill passed in the House April 4 on a Keith Carlson, representing the Metropoli- four or more locations and would be capped 109-22 vote. The Senate concurred with the tan Inter-County Association, told the House at $250,000. House changes April 9 on a 52-0 vote. The Crime Prevention Committee Feb. 26 that The new law is effective April 9, 2002. Senate sponsor is Sen. Don Samuelson counties are frustrated because offenders of- The House passed the measure by a 129-0 vote (DFL-Brainerd). ten are arrested while carrying thousands of April 3, and the Senate passed it 62-0 April 2. dollars in cash. Rep. Dan McElroy (R-Burnsville) and Sen. Currently, that money is returned to them Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins) sponsored the when they leave, and county taxpayers are left legislation. BUSINESS to pick up the tab. HF3464/SF3174*/CH326 The law will allow county boards to waive Liquor licenses, 1 a.m. exemption the fees if the person doesn’t have the means Six cities in the state have the to pay, if payment is unlikely, or if it would Signed authority to issue additional li- unduly harm the person’s family. Credit union legislation by quor licenses, under a new law It will also require offenders to pay other Laws governing state credit unions would the signed by Gov. Jesse Ventura obligations, such as fines and child support be more in line with those regulating their fed- governor April 5. payments, before money would be taken for eral counterparts, under a bill awaiting the Sponsored by Rep. Doug Stang the jail expenses. governor’s signature. (R-Cold Spring) and Sen. James Metzen The House passed the measure 108-22 But the legislation is not as far as state credit (DFL-South St. Paul), the law gives the cities April 2, and the Senate approved it 64-0 unions had hoped. of Albert Lea, Brainerd, Coon Rapids, Eden March 8. Provisions in the bill (HF2751/SF2650*) Prairie, Proctor, and West St. Paul the author- HF2841/SF2533*/CH322 that had bank representatives worried were ity to issue additional liquor licenses. softened by a successful amendment offered Generally state law limits the number of by the bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Doug Stang intoxicating liquor licenses that a city may is- (R-Cold Spring). Stang said there is no longer sue. For example, cities with more than opposition to the bill.

Session Weekly 5 Escape, endangerment provisions Board as a way to address issues with the laws required to buy the cleaner fuel if it is “rea- A convict who tampers with administered by the board. sonably available at similar costs” to other fu- Signed electronic monitoring devices The bill would change criminal penalties for els and if the blend is compatible with the by will be subject to escape penal- violations now prescribed by campaign fi- vehicle’s motor. the ties, under a new law signed by nance law to civil penalties of up to $1,000. It also directs state agencies, when replac- governor Gov. Jesse Ventura April 4. Further, it would make it illegal for politi- ing vehicles, to purchase new cars capable of Effective Aug. 1, 2002, the new cal committees and funds to donate money to running on the cleaner-burning fuels for the law states that people who are sentenced to a candidate at amounts greater than the fleet if they are available and comparable in electronic monitoring as a condition of their amount legally allowed. The law now only price to other vehicles. sentence, parole, or probation, will be consid- bans the candidate from accepting such The requirement comes after the governor ered escapees and subject to the same penal- contributions. let a bill become law March 15 requiring all ties if they tamper with the monitoring The bill would also allow a political candi- diesel fuel sold in the state contain 2 percent devices. date, who has agreed with his or her oppo- biodiesel as of March 2005. The requirement The new law is a culmination of several ad- nent to prescribed spending limits, to be will become effective earlier than 2005 if the justments to criminal statutes. released from the limits if the opponent does state’s production capacity reaches a certain In addition, the new law clarifies that a per- not adhere to them. level and a state or federal tax credit for pro- son is guilty of child endangerment if he or Questioning the need for the bill, Rep. Philip duction is passed. she is selling, manufacturing, or possesses the Krinkie (R-Shoreview) said he asked the board The law also requires public entities — in- materials to manufacture controlled sub- why estimates show no fiscal impact of a bill cluding all government, court, and school stances in the home environment. Such a situ- that contains fines. He said he was told that buildings — to have recycling containers. ation, depending on the circumstances and the board does not expect to collect any money Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount) and effect on the child, may warrant a felony pen- from the fines. Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May Township) were alty of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 “This is a classic example of a dog chasing the sponsors. fine, under the new law. its tail around the barn,” Krinkie said. HF3519/SF2675*/CH312 Previous law considered possession and use Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth) said in the presence of a child to be endangerment. what is not in the bill is as notable as what is. The new law also provides that in juvenile He said the bill does not address the escalat- GAMBLING proceedings where the sole purpose is a peti- ing costs of campaigns, even local ones, caused tion for habitual truancy children, parents, in particular by independent expenditures Bigger gaming pots guardians, or custodians do not have the right from political parties. The cry of “bingo” might reverberate over to a public defender. However, if out-of-home Rhodes said the bill was not meant to be a a greater distance, under a bill passed 92-39 placement is ultimately required, the court campaign finance reform bill similar to the by the House April 9. may appoint legal counsel at public expense, one recently passed by the federal government. A provision in an omnibus gambling policy under the law. That section is effective Instead it is a housekeeping effort brought bill (HF3073), sponsored by Rep. Mike July 1, 2002. forward by the state board to better adminis- Osskopp (R-Lake City) and Sen. Jim Finally, the new law expands juvenile court ter the campaign finance program. Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), would allow linked jurisdiction over offenders who committed a The Senate bill sponsored by Sen. John bingo games in the state. qualifying act or were charged by juvenile pe- Hottinger (DFL-Mankato) passed 65-0 Osskopp said that currently an American tition prior to their 21st birthday, but did not March 26, but the Senate did not concur with a Legion post, a VFW, and an Elks Club might have their cases fully resolved before turning House amendment added to the bill. The differ- be holding separate bingo nights each with a 21. Those cases would be settled in the juve- ences between the House and Senate versions $500 prize pool. The bill would allow those nile system, along with those who either failed will be negotiated in a conference committee. establishments to link themselves via satellite to attend a court hearing or somehow ab- or other technology so the multiple sites could sconded from placement. combine their pools into a $1,500 pot. Rep. James Clark (R-New Ulm) and Sen. Electronic bingo devices would also be al- Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids) sponsored the ENVIRONMENT lowed under the bill. Osskopp said those de- law. It passed the House 131-2 on March 26 vices allow players to play multiple cards at and 63-0 in the Senate on March 27. Friendlier fuels the same time. The player punches the bingo HF2840/SF2580*/CH314 A state agency will be directed caller’s selection into a device that determines Signed to buy cleaner-burning fuels for what cards contain the number-letter by its fleet under a new law. combination. the Fuels that meet the state’s stan- The bill would also allow veterans organi- governor dard will include a 20 percent ELECTIONS zations more flexibility in spending net prof- biodiesel blend, compressed its from lawful gambling. Financing changes natural gas, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas or Current law lists a number of purposes for The House passed a bill 124-10 on April 4 petroleum gas, and a 70 percent ethanol blend. which organizations such as VFW or Ameri- that would make changes to the state’s cam- Gov. Jesse Ventura signed the measure into can Legion posts may use lawful gambling paign finance laws. law on April 4. The House passed the bill profits including paying taxes, contributing to Rep. Jim Rhodes (R-St. Louis Park), the 128-1 on March 26 and the Senate concurred a community arts organization, or helping a House sponsor, said the bill (HF3379/ 62-0 the next day. The measure takes effect person or family suffering from poverty or SF3384*) was brought forward by the state Aug. 1, 2002. homelessness. Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Under the law, a state agency will be The bill would add the paying of utility bills

6 April 12, 2002 for a building owned or leased by and used as the primary headquarters of a veterans organization to the list. Organizations would also be allowed to pay up to $5,000 per year in net costs for meals and other membership events, limited to members and spouses under the measure. Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo Township) offered an unsuccessful amendment that would have raised the legal gambling age from 18 to 21 on pull tabs, tipboard, paddle wheel and raffle tickets, and bingo games not exempt or excluded from licensing. He pointed out a similar amendment was approved during the House debate on stadium funding and that more families are having to address problem gambling by youth. Rep. Doug Stang (R-Cold Spring) offered an unsuccessful amendment to Anderson’s amendment making 60 the maximum age for those betting games in the state. Stang said that in addition to more problem youth gambling Ed Boggess, resource manager of the Department of Natural Resources wildlife division, testifies dur- ing a discussion of the omnibus game and fish bill at the April 10 House-Senate conference committee in the state, the number of problem gamblers meeting to resolve differences in the bill. among retired people is also increasing. Osskopp opposed the amendment saying it The House passed the bill 103-28 on would prohibit some forms of gambling but April 2 after it cleared the Senate by a 56-4 GOVERNMENT still allow people under age 21 to go to a vote on March 22. The Senate, however, re- Public TV upgrade casino. fused to agree to House changes, which A bill that would provide A companion bill in the Senate awaits prompted the conference committee. Vetoed $7.8 million to public television committee action. Other issues to be discussed include a provi- by sion in the Senate-passed version of the bill that stations to assist them with a the conversion from analog to digi- would restrict all-terrain vehicles to roads and governor designated trails in state forests. Currently ATV tal signals is now law. By a 113-20 vote April 8, the GAME & FISH users are permitted to ride off of the trails. Senate language also calls for an environ- House voted to override Gov. Jesse Ventura’s Restricting duck decoys mental review of proposed off-road vehicle veto. The Senate did the same 53-5 one day Senate conferees made a case April 10 for trails unless the DNR commissioner concludes later. provisions in that body’s game and fish bill the paths wouldn’t have a significant effect on The override was the ninth time during the not contained in the House version, includ- the environment. Ventura administration that a veto has been ing a ban on motorized duck decoys. At the April 10 meeting, conferees also con- overridden. Testifying before the conference committee sidered a Senate proposal to ban recreational The law also provides $7.8 million in bonds on the bill (HF2920/SF2674*), Sen. Doug shining in motor vehicles — an activity where to the Metropolitan Council for design and Johnson (DFL-Tower) argued that the duck people use car headlights to spot deer. construction of bus garages. decoys give hunters an unfair advantage. Sen. Kenric Scheevel (R-Preston), who A mandate from the Federal Communica- “Electronic duck decoys are very effective,” originally sponsored the measure, said the tions Commission requires that all public tele- Johnson said, who added as an avid practice has created safety hazards on the vision stations convert to a digital signal by outdoorsman he’s typically averse to impos- roads and irritated some landowners when May 2003. ing restrictions on hunters. “They go against headlights are flashed on their property. Beginning in 2003, stations will still be able fair chase. This is a reasonable restriction.” The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to broadcast with an analog signal provided Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount), the testified in opposition to the recreational shin- they have a digital signal, as well. Once 85 per- House sponsor, said he favored allowing the ing ban. Tom Keliher, who represents the as- cent of the homes in the station’s market are Department of Natural Resources to continue sociation, said stepped-up enforcement of the capable of receiving a digital signal, the sta- regulating duck hunting by imposing limits state’s trespassing laws would better address tion will be required to stop using its analog on harvesting instead of banning technology. the problem. transmissions. The DNR has planned to study the use of Committee members also considered a Sen- In making the motion to override the veto, the decoys. ate measure that would require all snowmo- Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester), the House The committee deferred a vote on the issue biles sold in the state to be installed with sponsor, said that without the preliminary until a meeting scheduled for April 11, after emergency hazard lights. funding 10 public television stations in the this edition of Session Weekly went to press. Representatives of snowmobile manufac- state would “go dark by May 1, 2003.” Conferees were expected to iron out the re- turers objected to the requirement, arguing “Public television benefits to the state of maining differences between the House and that there is limited demand for the safety Minnesota are incredible,” Bishop said. Senate positions on the bill at that meeting. features. Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul) agreed,

Session Weekly 7 saying that Ventura doesn’t understand the It would potentially reduce drug prices by Minnesota prescription drug dedication fund. strong support public television has from 20 percent to the Medicaid rate. The program would take effect Jan. 1, 2003. people throughout the state. Those with prescription drug coverage Participating pharmacies would be required “Gov. Ventura is out of touch and it’s time through a private, state, or federal health in- to sell discounted drugs to eligible customers. for the Legislature to take the lead and make surance plan would not be eligible. Drugs that In turn, the pharmacies would be eligible for sure the public gets the service it demands,” are available by at least three manufacturers state reimbursement based on rebates from he said. would not be included in the discount drug manufacturers. The initial $7.8 million appropriation was program. “I’ve been committed from the beginning contained in the state government finance law Bill supporters, including a number of state to this program even though I originally had passed during the 2001 special session and medical groups, pharmacists, and the Minne- concerns about its impact on pharmacists and signed by Ventura. The law required the De- sota Senior Federation, called the committee’s creating another bureaucracy,” Bradley said. partment of Administration and the Minne- action an important step toward securing leg- Supporters acknowledged that the bill is sota Public Television Association to negotiate islation that would ease the financial burden coming out of committee very late in the ses- an agreement specifying state and local ben- faced by many senior citizens. sion — several weeks beyond finance commit- efit for the digital capability before the money Meanwhile, the measure’s lead opponent, tee deadlines. However, they are still hopeful would be distributed in the form of grants to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactur- of the bill’s success, which will require certain local public television stations. However, the ers of America, argued that the industry is al- deadline requirements to be waived, before the governor advised the commissioner of admin- ready taking steps to make drugs more Legislature adjourns this spring. istration not to sign the agreement so the affordable for lower-income people. The Senate passed a bill calling for a similar grants were never disbursed. Randy Morris, who represents the pharma- program in May 2001. However, that bill In his veto message, Ventura wrote that the ceutical trade group, said the industry sup- (SF765), sponsored by Assistant Majority bill doesn’t provide an adequate level of di- ports expanding insurance coverage like Leader John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), does rect benefit for the state given the investment adding a drug benefit to Medicare instead of not contain the income limit. being made. He said the bill “adds to the state’s state-level discount programs, which are di- Committee members voted down an obligations at a time when we have depleted rected specifically at consumers. Morris also amendment offered by Rep. Betty Folliard our reserves and there is still a gap between raised the possibility that the industry might (DFL-Hopkins) that would have eliminated revenues and expenditures, both in the cur- eliminate its programs to offer free drugs to the income limit. Similarly, an amendment rent budget and the next.” some lower-income customers if the state offered by Rep. Luanne Koskinen (DFL-Coon Speaking against the override motion, launches its own discount program. Rapids) that would raise the “mean’s test” to Rep. Philip Krinkie (R-Shoreview) said at- Under the bill, the program’s startup costs 300 percent of federal poverty failed. tempting to override the veto was premature would be funded by transferring $6.5 million The committee had previously endorsed and that the Legislature should first deal with from a state cash flow account to the HF2646 and considered it for possible inclu- the remaining $440 million budget deficit for sion in an omnibus health and human services this biennium, as well as the bonding bill. spending bill. The House Health and Human Effective April 10, 2002, the new law will Services Policy Committee also approved the fund the public television appropriation by bill in February. transferring a general fund appropriation to the Met Council for the bus garages. The De- partment of Finance will then sell bonds and appropriate the proceeds to the council. Dental safety concerns Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon) is the The state would require that the Minnesota Senate sponsor. Board of Dentistry be informed of dental pro- HF197*/SF107/CH280 fessionals who are unable to practice because they have been impaired by an illness or drug use, under a bill passed by the House on HEALTH April 4. The bill (HF3193/SF2957*) applies to den- Drug savings tists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. The House Health and Human Services Fi- It passed 134-0. nance Committee approved a prescription House members approved an amendment drug discount program April 9 — a measure to the bill that reduced its scope. Before the designed to make the drugs more affordable revision, individuals would have been required for lower income Minnesotans. to report “any conduct” by a dental profes- The bill (HF2646), sponsored by Rep. Fran sional that might warrant disciplinary action. Bradley (R-Rochester), now goes to the House In the form passed by the House, the bill Ways and Means Committee. more specifically relates to professionals “un- The measure would direct the Department able to practice with reasonable skill and of Human Services to establish a drug dis- Marty Gates from the Minnesota Senior safety” stemming from a physical or mental Federation’s metro unit addresses the House condition or substance abuse. count program that would be available to Health and Human Services Finance Committee Healthcare facilities would be required to Minnesotans at a maximum 250 percent of April 9 in support of a bill that would establish a federal poverty levels — those who earn at prescription drug discount program. report any disciplinary action taken against most $21,475 annually. the dental professional to the state Board of

8 April 12, 2002 Dentistry along with notice if the individual “imminent” doesn’t give law enforcement Agents who violate the act could be assessed resigned. enough discretion. a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per incident. Additionally, dental associations would be Leaving the word “imminent” in law means The law calls for a contract to clearly state obligated to report any termination of mem- there has to be a gun at someone’s head be- that signing with an agent could affect the stu- berships related to a dental professional’s fore police can act, said Rep. Fran Bradley dent-athlete’s eligibility. It will also give stu- impairment. (R-Rochester). dent-athletes 14 days to cancel an agreement The disclosure requirement would also ap- The bill would also require the state Depart- after it is signed. Furthermore, once an agree- ply to any licensed health professional with ment of Human Services to conduct a study ment is signed the student-athlete’s school knowledge of the individual’s inability to and report to the Legislature regarding the must to be notified within 72 hours, or before practice. unmet health needs of Minnesotans. the next game, whichever is earlier. Healthcare facilities and individuals that In response to a recent Minneapolis shoot- Leppik said the National Collegiate Athletic submit reports to the Minnesota Board of ing death of a Somali man, Rep. Karen Clark Association (NCAA) supports the plan, as do Dentistry in good faith would be immune (DFL-Mpls) added an amendment requiring representatives from the University of Min- from criminal prosecution and civil liability, the department to also study the specific men- nesota and St. Cloud State University. under the bill. tal health needs of the immigrant and refugee The House passed the law 81-47 March 26, Rep. Dan McElroy (R-Burnsville) and Sen. communities. and the Senate 63-0 on April 4. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd) are the bill The amended bill was approved 122-10. The HF2719*/SF2827/CH332 sponsors. It passed the Senate 62-0 on Senate version, sponsored by Sen. Linda March 12. Berglin (DFL-Mpls) was repassed April 9 by a The Senate repassed the bill April 11 by a vote of 54-3. The bill now goes to the gover- vote of 61-0. It now goes to the governor’s nor for approval. HOUSING desk. Affordable housing costs Cities will soon be able to take HIGHER EDUCATION Signed steps to ensure affordable hous- Definition change by ing remains affordable for low- The House passed a bill April 8 that would Agent registration the to moderate-income households make it easier for mentally ill people to be Agents wanting to associate governor for up to 20 years, under a new taken to a medical facility if they pose a dan- Signed with student-athletes in Minne- law signed by Gov. Jesse Ventura ger to themselves or others. by sota will need to pay to do so, on April 5. The bill (HF2735/SF2457*) would strike the the under a new law. The new law is effective Aug. 1, 2002. word “imminent” from the law used by law governor The law was signed April 10 by Often, cities grant housing developers enforcement to determine if a person poses Gov. Jesse Ventura. breaks on regulatory provisions, such as zon- an “imminent danger” to themselves or Sponsored by Rep. Peggy Leppik (R-Golden ing. Typically the units are affordable at first, others. Valley) and Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan), but cities had no ability to require the owner Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville), the the new law will require agents to register with to keep those costs manageable for lower-in- House sponsor, said the bill has wide support the state commerce commissioner before con- come families. in the medical and law enforcement fields, and tacting a prospective client. It takes effect The new law will require cost qualifications had little opposition. Jan. 1, 2003. to maintain affordability over time. But some representatives felt the change Drafted by the National Conference of Cities will be allowed to impose the follow- would give too much authority to police and Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, the ing requirements on affordable housing: family members of mentally ill people when law is designed to standardize state regulations • certain sale prices or rents for the affordable deciding whether the person should be sent that govern agent conduct with student-ath- units; to a mental hospital. letes. Leppik said it has been enacted in 11 • maximum income limits for buyers or Speaking in opposition, Rep. Mary Liz states and is pending in many others. renters of the units; Holberg (R-Lakeville) said police are often Although there have been no problems in • means for maintaining long-term called upon to break up arguments and other Minnesota that she is aware of, Leppik said affordability, by using equity sharing, for heated situations where people are not behav- there have been “too many issues nationwide example; and ing rationally. of the unethical performance of agents jeop- • land trust agreements for the units. Police aren’t medical professionals and ardizing the eligibility of student-athletes.” A land trust is when an organization, usu- shouldn’t have to determine whether some- An agent wishing to register in the state will ally a nonprofit, leases a lot to developers, who one needs to be placed in an institution, she be required to pay a $500 fee that would be pay rent on the land over time. Developments said. valid for two years. Renewals will cost $400. built on leased land are much less expensive “We need to tread very carefully when we Parents wishing to represent their own chil- than those built on purchased land. take away the rights of an individual,” she said. dren will be exempt from the fee. A city would be allowed to impose such re- Greiling said the bill would free police from Agents contacted by student-athletes, but quirements for up to 20 years. making such decisions because they would be not yet registered with the state, must do so The law was amended during debate on the able to take the person for medical treatment within seven days, under the new law, and they House floor with a provision not directly related immediately instead of placing the person in cannot enter into an agreement until regis- to the other housing portion. The new language jail first and then figuring out what to do with tered. Included on the registration will be the will also allow cities or towns to prepare a state- them. agent’s formal training, experience, and other ment of potential housing fiscal changes. Other supporters said that the word individuals represented by the person. The fiscal note would report regulation

Session Weekly 9 changes that could increase or decrease costs approval, two Alexandria utilities to formal- for a housing development. The changes could BATAAN MEMORIAL ize a relationship to provide local niche ser- include the location, height, width, type of vice. The new law says that the city may enter foundation, number of stories, or design of into a joint venture with Runestone Telephone residential housing in a city or town that has Company and Runestone Electric Association. adopted the state building code and is located The legislation passed by a 130-0 vote in the in a county with a population of 30,000 or House March 7, and by a 63-0 vote April 3 in more, according to the new law. the Senate. The sponsors are Rep. Ken Wolf The statement would also explain the long- (R-Burnsville) and Sen. James Metzen term implications, alternatives to, and ratio- (DFL-South St. Paul). nale for the proposed changes. HF3125*/SF2987/CH329 Rep. Ray Vandeveer (R-Forest Lake) and Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) sponsored the legislation. The House passed the bill 127-0 on March 26, and the Senate 56-6 on April 2. INSURANCE HF3169/SF2881*/CH315 Scoring regulation The House passed a bill 131-2 on April 4 that would regulate the use of the insurance practice known as “credit scoring” in deter- INDUSTRY mining automobile and homeowner policies in the state. Low-powered technician license Sponsored by Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston) PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK Instead of sending licensed elec- and Sen. Dave Johnson (DFL-Bloomington), Signed tricians to work on low-powered Members of Brainerd American Legion the bill (HF2492/SF2363*) would prohibit by Post #255 present the colors during an electrical systems, companies will insurers from rejecting, canceling, or not re- the soon be able to use a “power-lim- April 9 dedication ceremony of a plaque commemorating the Bataan Death March. newing automobile or homeowners insurance governor ited technician,” a person licensed The plaque is located in the Court of Honor in whole or in part solely on the basis of credit to perform and supervise work on on the State Capitol grounds. information. technology circuits and systems. Credit scoring, which differs from a credit A new law will create licensing require- report, attributes a “score” to a person based ments, as well as modify, existing statutes to The House passed the legislation 131-0 on April 3, and the Senate 63-0 the same day. The on personal borrowing and spending habits. allow this type of electrical work. Gov. Jesse The practice was developed by mortgage lend- Ventura signed the legislation April 8. Senate sponsor is Sen. Dan Stevens (R-Mora). HF1683/SF2150*/CH328 ers to determine the risk of an applicant in It is effective Aug. 1, 2002. defaulting on a loan. “After many years of debate … this is the The bill would require insurers who use end result of a compromise,” said Rep. Erik New telecommunications laws credit scoring in their underwriting to file the Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie), the House sponsor. scoring methodology and information that A new law signed by Gov. Jesse The new law clarifies previous law, which supports the insurer’s use of a credit score with Signed Ventura on April 8 makes minor the state Board of Electricity interpreted to the Department of Commerce. by changes to the state’s telecom- mean that only licensed electricians could per- It also prohibits credit scoring if the scor- the munications statutes. form any kind of electrical work, even when ing incorporates gender, race, nationality, or governor Effective Aug. 1, 2002, the new there was not a safety concern, Paulsen said. religion of an insured person or applicant. law will instruct the state com- “Companies were being hamstrung and not Davids, an insurance agent, said that the bill, merce commissioner to contract with a tele- being able to do their work,” he said. as introduced, would have prohibited the use phone company that meets the department’s Some examples of non-dangerous wiring of credit scoring altogether but that to get approval instead of a local consumer group, work are installation of burglar alarms, land- something passed this session he worked with as is required in current law, to provide tele- scape lighting, telecommunications, stereo the interested parties to reach a compromise communication relay services to its hearing- wiring, and other low-voltage wiring systems. agreement. impaired consumers. Electrical unions had previously opposed Rep. Andy Westerberg (R-Blaine), also an In addition, the new law will change the the law because they thought electricians insurance agent, expressed concerns with the name of the fund used to pay for the services would lose some business, Paulsen said. But bill as it was introduced but said he supports to more clearly reflect that the funds provide this year the unions agreed with the legisla- the current version. He said that credit scor- access for communication-impaired people. tion after supporters in the Senate passed the ing, like the discount some companies offer “Telecommunication Access for Communica- law, he said. for students who get good grades, could be an tion-Impaired Persons” will be changed to A power-limited technician is defined in the indication of the type of driver that a person “Telecommunications Access Minnesota new law as a licensed person having the expe- may be. Fund.” rience and knowledge to install, repair, or su- Westerberg said that credit scoring doesn’t Further, telephone companies will be per- pervise the installing or repairing of electrical raise the overall rates that are charged but can mitted, upon a customer’s approval, to send a wiring for technology systems. This technician shift the costs from some insured people to customer’s bill electronically instead of by is permitted to supervise up to five unlicensed others. paper. people, whereas a licensed electrician can The Senate, which passed the bill 65-0 supervise up to two people. The new law also allows, upon local

10 April 12, 2002 March 14, did not concur with the amended Senate approved the law 60-0 on April 4. of government as the basic planning unit for version April 8. The differences will be HF3497/SF3015*/CH331 the area. discussed in a conference committee. Rep. Jerry Dempsey (R-Red Wing) ques- tioned why the bill was needed and why the state should mandate how neighborhood LOCAL GOVERNMENT organizations should structure themselves. New insurance fraud division Wagenius said the bill would allow neigh- A new law will create an insur- Neighborhood organizations borhood organizations that are also nonprofit Signed ance fraud division in the state that Certain nonprofit neighborhood organiza- corporations to use the options offered under by will be charged with investigating tions would be allowed greater flexibility in the bill, but the provisions would not be the and prosecuting a crime for which membership voting, under a measure passed mandatory. governor consumers ultimately pay. by the House 87-45 on April 9. Bob Johnson, executive vice The bill now heads to the governor, since president for the Insurance Federation of Min- the Senate repassed the amended bill 49-3 the nesota, said the legislation has broad-based same day. RECREATION industry and bipartisan support. Current laws governing nonprofit corpora- Brooklyn Park baseball proposal “It is a crime that is increasing everybody’s tions require that when a vote is to be taken With much of the potential baseball sta- insurance premiums and everybody agrees we on matters such as amending the corporate dium site discussion focused on Minneapolis should stop it,” he said. “All insurance compa- articles or bylaws, the board must notify the and St. Paul, it was Brooklyn Park’s turn at bat nies do is reflect the cost, and consumers lose.” voting members of the election date no more April 5 as city officials presented their vision Signed by Gov. Jesse Ventura April 10, the than 60 days prior to the vote. Only members of a plan before the House-Senate stadium new law will authorize the transfer of a small notified are allowed to vote on the matter. conference committee. division in the Department of Labor and In- Sponsored by Rep. Jean Wagenius Mayor Grace Arbogast said the city is the dustry that currently handles workers’ com- (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Jane Ranum sixth largest in the state and fourth largest in pensation insurance fraud to the Department (DFL-Mpls), the bill (HF3445/SF3238*) the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Of its 27 of Commerce. The new law provides the would allow neighborhood organizations that square miles about seven to eight miles is un- framework for a larger division that will are also nonprofit corporations the option of developed land. handle all types of insurance fraud. allowing others to vote without meeting the She said the city has been working for five Currently, local law enforcement authori- mandatory notice requirement. years to develop a family-oriented entertain- ties handle these cases. The bill would allow members who are on ment district in the city. The plan would in- No new positions will be created, and no a pre-existing membership list or who have a clude retail businesses, restaurants, theaters, new money is designated for the division in valid driver’s license or state identification card and other recreational establishments. A base- the new law. However, Johnson said his orga- with an address in the defined neighborhood ball stadium would anchor the district. nization will be back next year with a bill to boundaries to vote. Members would also be Because adequate infrastructure is already grow the division. allowed to vote if they can show proof of own- in place, the city would be the perfect host for Insurance fraud is estimated to constitute ership of a business or property within the the ballpark, said City Manager Curt Boganey. 10 percent of all claims filed in Minnesota, in- neighborhood or have someone vouch for He also pointed to plans for a parking lot ad- cluding auto, health, life, and disability. The their residency. jacent to the facility that would allow fans to average household pays $1,000 annually due Wagenius said her own neighborhood tailgate before games, similar to what occurred to insurance fraud, Johnson said. group, which under current law has to exclude at the former Metropolitan Stadium in Under the new law, the division is respon- certain residents from voting because of the Bloomington, as an additional benefit. sible for initiating an investigation when “there nonprofit corporation notification require- The city estimates that it could generate is reason to believe insurance fraud has been ments, brought the issue to her. around $6 million per year from the parking or is being committed,” and to report incidents The bill would apply to neighborhood or- fees. Boganey said the city is also considering of alleged insurance fraud to law enforcement ganizations that represent a defined geo- a hotel/motel tax, an admissions tax for events authorities, such as the attorney general or graphic area and have been accepted by a unit in the stadium, personal seat license fees, and county attorneys. The changes in the law are effective Aug. 1, 2002. The new law also makes it a crime to em- ploy or use a “runner,” “capper,” or “steerer.” The terms, recommended by Attorney Gen- eral Mike Hatch, describe a person who pays people to bring others to medical clinics to commit insurance fraud related to auto insur- ance. These actions are currently against the law, but this provision better equips prosecutors for charging people with crime. The new law was sponsored by Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston) and received a 131-1 vote from the House on April 3. Also sponsored by Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), the Brooklyn Park City Manager Curt Boganey and Mayor Grace Arbogast present a proposal to build a ballpark in their city to members of the House-Senate stadium conference committee April 5.

Session Weekly 11 a countywide rental car tax. within 1,500 feet of a park or school, and flashing their vehicle’s lights or sounding its Rep. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka), who within that same distance from each other. siren. serves on the board of the Minnesota Orches- Some members expressed worry that the Current law requires emergency vehicles to tra, said the site is the same one where the or- new restrictions would leave sexual offenders do both while passing through an intersection. chestra unsuccessfully tried to build an with few choices about where they can live. Supporters said the change would allow amphitheater. The orchestra pursued the am- Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester) said the police the ability to sneak up on criminals who phitheater for three years, before abandoning restrictions are unneeded because sexual of- may otherwise flee the scene of a crime when the plan in February 2001. fenders are properly supervised by the state. they hear sirens approaching. Abrams asked whether city residents would If the state Department of Corrections re- That part of the bill went into effect support a 35,000- to 40,000-seat facility when quests the changes, then the Legislature should April 6, while other provisions will be effec- it rejected the 20,000-seat amphitheater. comply but otherwise it shouldn’t leave of- tive Aug. 1, 2002. Unlike the amphitheater project, Arbogast fenders “living on a cloud,” he said. The law passed the House 128-0 on April 2 said she has received only a couple of calls In order to make community notification and the Senate 57-0 on March 26. against the city pursuing the baseball stadium. meetings more effective, a provision was HF2706*/SF3076/CH319 Recently elected Rep. John Jordan amended in that would require information (R-Brooklyn Park) said when he was out cam- to be presented to the community in up to paigning there was “50 to 1” support for the three different languages that would be deter- Color-coded licenses stadium in the community. mined by the city council. Chartreuse is a pale, yellow-green color. The conference committee has not taken House Minority Leader Tom Pugh It is also the color some lawmakers want action on the stadium plan. (DFL-South St. Paul) offered an amendment placed along the top of driver’s licenses of that would have extended the statute of limi- people in the state on temporary visas. tations for sexual abuse victims to collect civil Lawmakers debated whether the state damages from abusers. However, it was ruled should require the color-coding during an SAFETY not relevant to the bill, which deals primarily April 4 House-Senate conference committee with criminal provisions, and debate was not meeting on anti-terrorism bills. Tougher sentences heard on the issue. The House has included the color-coding pro- The House passed a bill April 9 that is de- The bill passed the House 130-1 and will vision in its bill (HF2622) but the Senate’s plan signed to crack down on sexual offenders. now be discussed in a House-Senate confer- (SF2683) has no such requirement. The bill (HF3613/SF3172*) would extend ence committee. The Senate, which originally Rep. Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) and Sen. Jane the probation period to 10 years if an offender passed its version 63-0 on Feb. 14, did not Ranum (DFL-Mpls) are sponsoring the bills. has multiple sex offense convictions, includ- agree with House amendments. Sen. David Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver ing convictions in other states. Knutson (R-Burnsville) is the Senate sponsor. said the colored stripe would send a signal to It would also create a felony offense for police to help determine when people might people who harass or stalk children with have overstayed their visas and are in the coun- sexual or aggressive intent if the offender is try illegally. more than three years older than the victim. Make way for emergency vehicles Since 15 of the 19 terrorists involved in the Those found guilty could be sentenced to up Drivers who don’t pull over for Sept. 11 attacks were in the country illegally to 10 years in prison and fined up to $20,000. Signed emergency vehicles could soon and slipped by law enforcement, the system Fifth-degree sexual crimes would be added by face harsher penalties. needs to be tightened, Weaver said. to the list of behaviors that can determine a the Gov. Jesse Ventura signed a Others said color-coding licenses would give pattern of harassing conduct, under the governor measure into law April 5 that will store clerks and others a way to discriminate measure. allow emergency vehicle drivers against the visa holders and would not deter Rep. John Tuma (R-Northfield), the House to call in the license plate numbers of drivers terrorists. sponsor, said the bill is an attempt to “make who get in their way. Sen. Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins) said it’s life difficult for sex offenders.” The new law makes it a petty misdemeanor unclear how the color-coded licenses would House members amended the bill a num- for drivers who simply refuse to yield because prevent terrorism, since the terrorists had been ber of times during debate. they don’t know the law or don’t notice the in the country legally for awhile before their Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount) added vehicle, but a misdemeanor for those who in- visas expired. a provision that would extend the advance tentionally impede the emergency vehicle. Supporters said the state already issues eight notice that a level 3 sex offender must give Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. different color-coded licenses for various before moving into a new residence. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) sponsored the classes, including a different color for drivers Level 3 sex offenders have committed the law. under 21, and lawmakers haven’t complained most serious offenses under the state’s system Entenza said the law should be changed about age discrimination. of categorizing offenders. because drivers are refusing to yield to emer- But that is a different scenario, Kelley said. The bill would require offenders to give 21 gency vehicles more and more frequently. “Every 16-year-old trying to buy cigarettes days notice, up from the current standard of The new law gives emergency vehicle driv- is breaking the law,” Kelley said. “Foreign na- five days. In cases where that is not possible, it ers similar authority to call in license plates tionals on a temporary visa are not all would require a notice to be posted at the resi- that school bus drivers have to report drivers terrorists.” dence until public meetings can be held to who drive through a bus stop sign, he said. The state is concerned about discrimination inform neighbors. Also included in the bill is a provision that but also has to balance the need for security, Also added to the bill was a restriction pro- allows law enforcement personnel to pass Weaver replied. Discrimination will continue hibiting level 3 sex offenders from living through red lights or stop signs while either to be against the law, and there are legal

12 April 12, 2002 “It may be obvious, but driver’s licenses don’t permit anyone to carry out crimes,” Saavedra said. That may be true, but that doesn’t mean the state should make it easy for terrorists by not doing everything it can to trip them up, Tuma responded. Terrorists aside, Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-St. Paul) asked what the new require- ments would mean for average drivers who already face long lines to renew their licenses. Weaver said the change shouldn’t signifi- cantly affect the amount of time it takes to get a license.

Coordinated response In the chaos following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks many hospitals nearest the attacks were overwhelmed with victims, while those a little further away stood by ready to help, frustrated Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver shows legislators some examples of color-coded licenses they weren’t being used. during the April 4 meeting of the House-Senate conference committee working to reconcile differences The problem was that ambulance person- between two anti-terrorism packages. nel did not know which facilities had room channels for people who are discriminated checking identification, Weaver said. for the injured, according to Dr. R.J. Frascone, against, he added. Because Minnesota law currently accepts a medical director of emergency medical ser- Rep. John Tuma (R-Northfield) said the driver’s license from other states as proof that vices at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. He spoke color-coding might prevent discrimination identification is valid, those individuals could April 9 before the House-Senate conference since immigrants who are in the country le- then return to Minnesota and legally obtain a committee meeting on anti-terrorism bills. gally and permanently would be issued a red- license, he said. In order to avoid such confusion, Minne- coded license, not a chartreuse one. Sponsored by Rep. Rich Stanek (R-Maple sota has two Medical Resource Control Cen- “The majority of immigrants will get a li- Grove), the House version (HF2622) includes ters (MRCCs) in the Twin Cities metropolitan cense that looks just like mine,” he said. a provision that would require two forms of area that direct ambulance transfers coming After discussing the provision for a few identification from people from other states into the area. hours, Weaver was asked whether the Depart- and countries applying for licenses in Minne- The control centers involve a radio control ment of Public Safety even needed legislative sota. The Senate plan (SF2683) does not in- facility that coordinates ambulances, hospitals, approval to implement the new color-coding. clude such a provision. It is sponsored by and patients. It is critical when responding to Weaver said the department didn’t seek leg- Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls). a terrorist attack such as the ones in New York islative approval when it began placing color- Rep. John Tuma (R-Northfield) said the and Washington D.C., Frascone said. coded stripes on other licenses. change would ensure that people cannot ob- Minnesota has two centers, but Ramsey Ranum asked Weaver if he would go ahead tain licenses without proof of identification. County is cutting funding for the eastern cen- with the color-coding even if the Legislature Sen. Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins) ques- ter, and it will close without assistance from doesn’t approve the plan. tioned whether invalid licenses from other the state, Frascone said. “I hadn’t thought of that,” he replied. states were the problem. The Senate’s anti-terrorism plan (SF2683), The conference committee has taken no “Isn’t the real problem the birth certificate?” sponsored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls), action on the anti-terrorism proposals. he asked. “That’s the easiest document in this includes a 25-cent increase in the 911 sur- whole mess to forge.” charge. Under the plan, one cent of the in- Weaver agreed that forged documents are a crease would pay for the centers, which cost problem, but said the bill includes small steps about $350,000 a year to operate, Frascone Legitimate licensure to begin improving the system. said. The House bill (HF2622), sponsored by About 4,500 people tried to acquire a Min- Immigration attorneys Benjamin Casper Rep. Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) has no such nesota driver’s license with fake identification and Jorge Saavedra, spoke against the pro- increase. last year, Public Safety Commissioner Charlie posed change. Ramsey and Hennepin counties currently Weaver told a conference committee April 4. Immigration law is among the most con- pick up most of the cost of the centers. The committee is working to sort out dif- fusing and complex portions of federal law Some committee members asked why hos- ferences between the House and Senate anti- and states will not be able to keep up with pitals don’t kick in the money needed to co- terrorism bills and create a joint proposal. changes, Casper said. ordinate services. Some of those turned down for a license in Besides, he argued, if terrorists are deter- Hospitals see it as a public health and safety Minnesota because they couldn’t produce mined to do damage, they could pay another issue, Frascone said. “Hospitals think patients proper identification were able to obtain li- $1,000 or so to buy false identification, or not magically arrive. They won’t budge on this.” censes in other states that aren’t as good about obtain a license at all. The east center currently directs about

Session Weekly 13 40,000 patients into the Twin Cities metropoli- providers to hand over information on the compromise plan to raise the gas tax 5 cents tan area, and the Hennepin County center off-chance anything turns up. beginning in 2004. directs about twice that, Frascone said. No action was taken on the bills. Ron Lifson, the coalition chair, expressed frus- “We learned an essential lesson from tration with legislators, saying it’s time for the (Sept. 11),” he said. “We cannot manage a large state to do something about its transportation terrorist attack without an MRCC.” TRANSPORTATION problems. The committee took no action on the bills. “We are at the same place we are at every Flashing red for funerals year with transportation,” he said. “The House A new law signed April 5 by and the Senate pass vastly different packages Signed Gov. Jesse Ventura will allow the and then point fingers.” TECHNOLOGY by driver of a funeral home motor- The coalition’s plan is the middle ground, the cycle or vehicle to use a flashing he said. Wiretap use expansion governor red light to warn drivers that a Jim Wafler, president of the Highway Con- Technology was the theme at an April 4 funeral procession is following. struction Industry Council and a member of the meeting of a House-Senate conference com- The change is effective Aug. 1, 2002. coalition, told members that there are more than mittee working on an anti-terrorism package. Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud), the House $785 million in unmet transportation needs pro- Sponsored by Rep. Rich Stanek (R-Maple sponsor, said police in Greater Minnesota often jected in the state over the next decade. Grove), the House bill (HF2622) would ex- do not have time to lead funeral processions, The 5-cent increase would cost the average pand the crimes for which law enforcement leaving funeral home employees to do so. driver about $50 annually, a modest amount officials can use wiretaps to investigate and Since funeral home vehicles were previously compared to the estimated $600 a year the would make it easier for police to obtain a not allowed to use a flashing red light, it was average driver spends sitting in traffic, he said. judge’s authorization for a roving wiretap. often dangerous for drivers when the proces- Kuisle defended the House plan, saying the Instead of a traditional wiretap warrant that sion passed through an intersection, he said. House is being more realistic about its spend- would cover one telephone or communication In the past, drivers could recognize a funeral ing. Almost everything in the state has some device, roving wiretaps are used to track any procession because cars in the procession would unmet needs, he said. device used by the person being tapped. have their lights on, Knoblach said. However, Other representatives also expressed reluc- The bill would also allow law enforcement many cars now drive with their lights on all the tance to increasing taxes. to treat voicemail messages and other stored time as a safety feature, so other drivers may not No action was taken on the bill. communication the same as property when realize when cars are part of a procession. Members of the conference committee will conducting a search warrant. An earlier version of the law called for fu- continue to meet to discuss differences be- The Senate’s anti-terrorism plan (SF2683) neral homes to be able to control traffic lights tween the plans but said it is unlikely they will has no comparable provisions. It is sponsored like law enforcement and emergency vehicles, take action until spending limits are set by the by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls). but the House removed that provision. House and Senate leadership. Currently, police have the authority to take The House passed the measure on tapes out of answering machines when search- March 27 by a vote of 129-0 and the Senate ing a home for evidence, explained Scott passed it 58-2 on April 2. The Senate sponsor Hersey, an assistant Dakota County attorney. VETERANS was Sen. Dave Kleis (R-St. Cloud). But getting access to messages stored in re- HF3076/SF2612*/CH316 Veterans home admission mote locations, such as voicemail systems, re- Gov. Jesse Ventura signed a new quires a separate permit. Signed law April 4 changing the criteria Sen. Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins) pointed Gas tax dilemma by used to determine a veteran’s eli- out that many forms of communication that Representatives of various transportation the gibility to qualify for residence in seem to be taking place in real time are in fact governor groups had an opportunity to tell members the state’s veterans homes. stored in a computer. of House-Senate conference committee their Under previous requirements, For example, instant messages sent via the thoughts about a proposed gas tax increase state tax refunds and rebates could not be con- Internet may technically be stored but most that legislators do not agree on. sidered as means of support when a veteran was consumers would think of it as live commu- The April 8 debate centered in the commit- applying for admission into a home. Earnings nication, he said. tee, convened to negotiate an agreement on that a resident received from participating in a In addition, cellular phones often error- transportation funding and bonding, around work therapy program were also excluded. check and buffer digital signals before the sig- competing Senate and House plans to pay for The new law, sponsored by Rep. Sondra nals arrive at their destination, which could transportation needs across the state. Erickson (R-Princeton) and Sen. Dan Stevens be considered stored communication. The Senate plan, sponsored by Sen. Dean (R-Mora), includes federal tax rebates among Members also discussed a provision in the Johnson (DFL-Willmar) would increase the the admission criteria that cannot be consid- House bill that would allow Internet service gas tax by 6 cents to pay back about $5 billion ered when determining income. providers to turn over information that may borrowed over 10 years. The House plan, Erickson said the law will allow veterans to cause harm to life or limb if not disclosed and HF3364, sponsored by Rep. William Kuisle get into the homes more easily. would grant them immunity from lawsuits (R-Rochester) would spend about $750 mil- The state has five veterans homes located when doing so. lion in a combination of expected increases in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapo- Although some members pointed out that in current transportation funds and sale of lis, and Silver Bay. providers wouldn’t have time to screen infor- trunk highway bonds. The new law, which passed 130-0 in the mation to determine whether it contains Among the long list of testifiers were about a House and 63-0 in the Senate, is effective for threatening material, Rep. John Tuma dozen members of the Minnesota rebates issued after June 30, 2001. (R-Northfield) said the bill would allow Transportation Coalition, which offered a HF2647/SF2569*/CH313 14 April 12, 2002 T ISSUE: TECHNOLOGY A

development of public telecommunications and of diversity of its programming depend on free- Public broadcasting dom, imagination, and initiative on both local Now 35 years old, public funding makes up a small and national levels.” Today, the national Public Broadcasting Sys- percentage of public television and radio ventures tem (PBS) operates on an annual budget of nearly $320 million, and National Public Radio (NPR) has an operating budget of about BY THERESA STAHL federally mandated conversation to digital $123 million. Federal funding, through the cor- ublic radio and television broadcasting technology — an item Minnesota public tele- poration, totals about 11 percent for PBS and received Congress’ blessing in 1967 when vision stations have struggled to secure pub- 20 percent for NPR. They also receive funds from Pfederal lawmakers created the Public lic funding for with two gubernatorial vetoes. membership contributions, corporations, Broadcasting Act. In the federal act, the U.S. government estab- colleges and universities, and state governments. It designates the mission of public broadcast- lished an organization to oversee public broad- Congressional appropriations to the corpo- ing as promoting “programs of high quality, di- casting, recognized public telecommunication’s ration were $5 million in fiscal year 1969, and versity, creativity, excellence, and innovation, role in communities, and promised to create and are $365 million for fiscal year 2003, according which are obtained from diverse sources … with maintain an annual budget to fund the mission to the corporation’s Web site. In 1999, public strict adherence to objectivity and balance in all described in the act. broadcasting’s revenue totaled $2.1 billion. programs … of a controversial nature.” “It will give a wider and, I think, stronger Locally, Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) However, the federal act also provided that voice to educational radio and television by and Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) are the public broadcasting only receive a portion of providing new funds for broadcast facilities,” largest public broadcasting entities, with its budget from the government, in particular Johnson said. station affiliates across the state. so that it would maintain some autonomy “It will launch a major study of television’s Federal and state funding accounted for about from government interference. use in the nation’s classrooms and their po- 11 percent of what Twin Cities Public Television “It will get part of its support from our gov- tential use throughout the world. Finally, and received in support and revenue, and about ernment,” said President Lyndon B. Johnson most important, it builds a new institution: 7 percent of what public radio received, accord- when he signed the act. “But it will be care- the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.” ing to each station’s 2001 financial statements. fully guarded from government or from party The nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation is not Production grants and individual contribu- control. It will be free, and it will be indepen- an entity of the federal government. Governed tions, each at nearly 30 percent of what TPT dent — and it will belong to all of our people.” by a board of directors, it is an organization cre- brings in, contributed the most funds in 2001. Now, 35 years later, both the national and the ated by Congress that is commissioned to help Individual memberships accounted for Minnesota public broadcasters receive less than develop public telecommunications. 21 percent of MPR’s 2001 total budget, and a quarter of their overall budgets from public The 1967 act contains reasons Congress ad- grants accounted for 22 percent. entities. In fact, Minnesota’s public radio and vocated for public radio and television broad- However, state allocations for public broad- television ventures receive less than 10 percent casting. It makes a stong case for developing casting are currently in a downward trend. of their overall budgets from the state. broadcast media for “instructional, educational, In 1999, Gov. Jesse Ventura recommended And public broadcasting will change with a and cultural purposes.” that all state funding for public broadcasting The act claims be phased out by the 2002-03 biennium. public telecom- Though legislators did not provide for com- munications are plete phase-out of funding, appropriations were “valuable local reduced in both 2000 and 2001 by about 20 per- community re- cent. Allocations for 2002-03 held constant, aside sources” for ad- from a matching grant dedicated to converting dressing national public television from analog to digital signals. and local issues Ventura has also established a pattern of through out- vetoing legislative appropriations for public reach programs, broadcasting, claiming his desire that certain as well as ad- projects be funded from non-state sources. dressing “the He vetoed an appropriation for digital televi- needs of un- sion conversion, which is mandated by the Fed- served and eral Communications Commission by 2003, in underserved 1999, saying it expands the state’s role in an ac- audiences.” tivity. He vetoed funds for the conversion again PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID Further, the this session, but that veto was overridden by the Minnesota public television stations will receive $7.8 million to aid in the conversion act states that Legislature (see related story, page 7). to a digital signal after the House and Senate overrode Gov. Jesse Ventura’s veto. “expansion and

Session Weekly 15 EOPLE P

lightly,” he said, but “after a lot of consulta- tion with my children, and a lot of prayer, and Hoping to change chambers consultation with my wife,” he decided to run. Cassell pledges to seek another legislative term, Having worked in education, he said, “I’ve been on the receiving end of legislation that I’ve but this time it will be in the Senate had to implement, and sometimes it didn’t make a whole lot of sense. I thought maybe I can put a little rationale into some of that, particularly in BY THERESA STAHL patriotism in its classrooms,” he said. terms of what schools have to deal with.” s a young man serving in the United He said that if he’s elected he’ll try to con- In March, new legislative boundaries put States Coast Guard in Greece, vince Senate members to help the bill become him in the same district as Rep. Torrey ARep. George Cassell (R-Alexandria) law. Or, as he put it, “I’d like to go over there Westrom (R-Elbow Lake), whom Cassell said would stand on the quarterdeck of his ship, and straighten ‘em out!” he said, laughing. he won’t run against. watching with anticipation the U.S. Navy Sixth But he is serious about teaching students the “I’m humbled by his decision,” Westrom Fleet moving toward the coast. values he said this nation was founded upon. said. “I take it as a high compliment.” Seeing the American flags flying in the “I think young people need to understand The redistricting of Senate boundaries has breeze, a knot would form in his stomach. the underlying values that brought our coun- paired Sen. Charles Berg (R-Chokio) against Sen. “It just makes me so proud,” he said. try forward, the tremendous sacrifice of our Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples). Berg will not seek Cassell’s patriotism is strong. The students in founding fathers, and, more recently, the re-election, and the new borders place Sams at the many classrooms people who have pro- the edge of the district and Cassell at the center. he has taught know it, tected and have given “He’s so well-rounded,” Westrom said of and over the past two their lives” for those Cassell’s qualifications. “He’s got a lot to offer years of sponsoring values, he said. the voters and a lot to offer the Senate.” Pledge of Allegiance Cassell’s entire pro- But when the opportunity presented itself, legislation, much of the fessional career has re- Cassell had doubts about running. state has learned it too. volved around young “This was not an easy choice, either,” he said. Soon to be departing people. After serving Again, he turned to his children and his wife, the Minnesota House in the Coast Guard for Carol. of Representatives to four years, he earned “I said to George, ‘Look at this map,’” Carol vie for a Minnesota a bachelor’s degree in said. “‘You are the right person, in the right Senate seat, Cassell will education from the place, at the right time and I know you’ll run be remembered for his University of Wiscon- for the right reasons.’” efforts to require stu- sin-River Falls. Cassell wants to stay in the Legislature be- dents across the state to While teaching in a cause he feels he has more to offer to help recite the pledge. small, rural school he make government more efficient. “He certainly has earned his master’s de- “Thomas Jefferson said government and lib- led the charge,” said gree at the University of erty are on a collision course,” he said. “The more Rep. Paul Marquart Wyoming. Later, while government grows, the more liberty goes down.” (DFL-Dilworth). serving as a school “I want to prevent government from infring- Marquart, whose principal and special ing on liberties. … We’ve got a lot of work to district is also located education director in do.” in northwestern Min- PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK Minnesota, he earned nesota, noted the sin- Rep. George Cassell, a leading proponent of requir- his doctorate in educa- cerity of Cassell’s ing the Pledge of Allegiance in school, speaks on the tional administration. STEPPING DOWN speeches about the bill House floor. Cassell is leaving the House after this He worked as a super- Rep. George Cassell on the House floor. term to run for the Senate. intendent in Wyoming Republican “You can tell when he talks that it is truly and Idaho before spending his last 10 years in District 10B — Alexandria coming from his heart,” Marquart said. that position for the Alexandria school district Terms: 2 In 2001, the Pledge of Allegiance bill passed until his retirement in 1997. Career Notes: In his four years in the the House but not the Senate. This year, it passed Shortly thereafter, Cassell was contacted House, Cassell has served on a variety of the House again and awaits a full Senate vote. about running for office when the state rep- committees, including education, agricul- Cassell said he debated whether to run for resentative from his district decided not to ture, environment policy, and higher edu- another term in the Legislature, and decided seek re-election. He said that after 25 years of cation finance. He sponsored legislation there is work yet to be done. being in a public position as superintendent, that would require public and charter “I want to see a government that respects he was looking forward to some anonymity. school students to recite the Pledge of Al- life, that respects family values, that wants “It was not a decision that was done very legiance at least once a week.

16 April 12, 2002 EOPLE P

“He is an environmentalist in the best tra- dition,” she said. “There are core values that I Hockey heritage believe motivate him to respect nature and to After eight terms working to aid the state’s youth, Milbert protect resources. He has an intuitive sense about how to protect the environment and to laces up with a different team — his family protect our children’s future.” House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty (R-Eagan), who also grew up in South St. Paul, BY SARAH MCKENZIE called Milbert a strong and smart advocate with hen Rep. Bob Milbert (DFL-South an “ability to build coalitions and friendships.” St. Paul) ponders his impact as a state “We need more public servants like him,” Wlawmaker, he can point to 61 new ice he said. rinks around the state. Before he was elected to the House, Milbert Milbert, who won’t seek re-election after 16 served on the South St. Paul City Council. years, sponsored the “Mighty Ducks” legisla- Frustration with a zoning ordinance sparked tion, which has provided more than $18.4 mil- Milbert’s political ambitions. The city blocked lion in state grants since 1995 to provide more his efforts to build a garage for his home, but ice sheets for hockey in local communities. after some wrangling with the city Milbert was Spurred by an explosion in youth hockey par- eventually able to construct the garage. ticipation — particularly among girls — the Angered by the restriction, Milbert decided program has awarded grants up to $250,000 for to run for city council in 1972. He was elected new facilities and $50,000 for renovations. The and served for 12 years. state grants have leveraged $122.8 million in Then in 1986 Milbert was elected to the local private and public dollars. House. House Minority Leader Tom Pugh, a fellow Virginia Lanegran, who served on the city South St. Paul DFLer who played hockey with council with Milbert and worked as his House Milbert in high school, called the legislator a campaign manager, said that although the “tireless advocate” for his constituents in Dis- legislator’s work on athletics often receives more trict 39B, which includes South St. Paul and attention, he has been champion of education Inver Grove Heights. and establishing uniform property taxes. “His experience and creative ideas will be PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID Milbert currently serves as co-chair of the missed,” Pugh said. “It will be difficult to fill Rep. Bob Milbert, a leader in creating athletic op- House Ethics Committee and also serves on the his shoes, and his skates.” portunities for Minnesota youth, is leaving the body’s Rules and Legislative Administration and Milbert played hockey while at Dartmouth House after his term expires this year. Taxes committees. He is the DFL lead for the College in New Hampshire where he earned a the state help for the kids golf facility,” Milbert Taxes Committee’s Property Tax Division. geography degree. said. “It will surely be a model for other states Milbert had the following advice for his While some lawmakers have decided to leave when it is finally completed. The kids will have successor: “Be true to your word and treat ev- the House because of redistricting, Milbert said a place that they can call their own without eryone with respect and dignity — emphasis he’s decided to step down to spend more time competing with adults for tee times.” on everyone. If you follow that advice, you will with his wife and three children. He will also fo- In addition to his sports advocacy, Milbert have a rewarding and successful tenure as a cus on his job as president of Milbert Company, has focused on child safety and environmen- legislator.” a franchise of the Culligan water company. tal issues while serving in the House. Milbert’s daughters, Melissa and Megan, share At the beginning of his legislative career, TEPPING OWN his hockey gene. They played for national cham- Milbert sponsored legislation bolstering safety S D pionship hockey teams at Harvard University standards for residential garage door openers and the University of Minnesota, respectively. Rep. Bob Milbert after the accidental deaths of four Minnesota DFL Megan Milbert, 22, said she admires his children. The law has become a national model. work to increase involvement in athletics. District 39B — South St. Paul Milbert also carried the House game and fish Terms: 8 “He’ll be known as someone who wanted full bill for six years and authored an amendment to opportunities for Minnesota youth,” she said. Career notes: Milbert authored legisla- the state constitution preserving hunting and tion that has provided more than A member of the Minnesota Amateur Sports fishing rights ratified by Minnesota voters. $18 million in state grants to assist local Commission since 1994, Milbert successfully The amendment was adopted Nov. 3, 1998. communities in adding ice rinks. The law- pushed for a bonding request along with other Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) called maker also sponsored a bill that added commission members to build a youth golf Milbert a “thoughtful member committed to a clause in the state constitution preserv- course at the National Sports Center in Blaine. good public policy.” ing hunting and fishing rights. “I have never worked as hard as I did to get

Session Weekly 17 OLICY P

Having a precedent in another state can also help a bill’s chances of being passed in Ideas are everywhere Minnesota. Anti-terrorism and Internet privacy are two examples of A bill (HF3625/SF2908*) that would regu- late Internet service providers and require legislation passed in other states being discussed in Minnesota companies to label unsolicited e-mail mes- sages, was taken in part from similar laws in Tennessee, California, and elsewhere. BY LISA HILTON complicated issues will require more time, and House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty innesota may not have a lot in some changes are prescribed by state law, leav- (R-Eagan), who sponsors the bill in the House, common with New Mexico or Hawaii, ing little room for flexibility. told the House Civil Law Committee on Feb. 21 Mbut what happens in the chambers of Occasionally lawmakers will use laws in sur- that similar laws have worked well in other states. other state legislatures can have an impact on rounding states as an argument for changing The bill was constructed from bits and Minnesota laws. laws in Minnesota. pieces of other state’s laws, with careful atten- Although constituents, lobbyists, legislators, Rep. Phyllis Kahn’s (DFL-Mpls) failed at- tion given to what does and doesn’t work in and others bring forward most ideas for bills, tempt to extend Minnesota’s bar hours was other state’s proposals, according to staff. many of the ideas proposed each year are based on the fact that bars in neighboring Sometimes legislators even notice different based on, or affected by, laws of other states. states are open until 2 a.m. Supporters of a laws while traveling and return home armed This year is no exception. bill allowing the sale of fireworks in with ideas for improving life in Minnesota. Numerous bills and amendments address- ing problems that other states have attempted to solve by passing laws have surfaced in the “We take our cue from what other states House. Among them are regulating Internet privacy and preventing terrorism. are doing, and they take their cue from us. Further, legislators who come up with ideas It’s a circular process.” at home often begin the process of turning the —Tracy Fischer, House Republican Caucus research consultant idea into law by checking to see how similar laws have worked elsewhere. Thomas Todd, director of the nonpartisan House Research Department, said the depart- Minnesota used a similar argument that sell- Rep. Bob Milbert (DFL-South St. Paul) re- ment takes many requests from House mem- ing fireworks is legal in surrounding states. cently encouraged the House to adopt differ- bers to find laws from other states. But even laws in non-neighboring states can ent speed limits for trucks hauling large loads Tracy Fischer, a research consultant for the affect changes in Minnesota laws. after noticing that states such as Montana, House Republican caucus, said representatives During testimony on the House anti-terror- Idaho, and Oregon limit trucks to 55 mph. also ask partisan researchers to look into other ism bill (HF2622) Public Safety Commissioner But just because laws exist in other states state’s laws. Charlie Weaver said Minnesota should doesn’t mean they will gain support in Min- Researchers use numerous sources, includ- strengthen its driver’s license laws because some nesota. Other members of the House rejected ing legislative organizations like the Council other states don’t require any proof that identi- Milbert’s idea, saying there was no evidence on State Governments and National Confer- fication is valid when people apply for a license. the laws worked well in those states. ence of State Legislatures, its publications, and Minnesota also has been the source of ideas analysts to track how laws in other states are borrowed by other states. working and to provide background and re- For example, the state’s CriMNet system has Where to find information search material for legislators. served as a model for other states wanting to Such research can take anywhere from a copy the statewide criminal justice informa- House Public Information Office half-hour to days or weeks, and large interim tion system, Fischer said. 175 State Office Building (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 projects can require temporary research assis- In addition, Minnesota’s law allowing mothers to turn over infants to hospitals or The House Public Information Office is a tants, Todd said. nonpartisan office that provides committee other safe places was among the first in the But researchers usually don’t do extensive re- meeting schedules; legislator information; and search into other states’ laws absent a specific nation and was used as a model for other publications, including the Session Weekly request, he added, and what other states are do- states. The legislation was so popular that two newsmagazine, educational brochures for all ing is not always of interest to lawmakers. years after the program began in 1999 over half ages, and member directories. All informa- Dan Kane, a research consultant for the the states had adopted similar laws. tion is available at no charge. House DFL caucus, said the amount of re- “We take our cue from what other states are Most of what this office publishes can be search done is in part dictated by subject ar- doing, and they take their cue from us,” Fischer viewed on the Legislature’s World Wide Web eas and committee assignments. Often more said. “It’s a circular process.” page. To connect, point your web browser to: http://www.leg.mn

18 April 12, 2002 ESOURCES R

Minnesota House of Representatives Member’s Term Information Alphabetically by representative

Jim Abeler ...... 2nd Bill Hilty ...... 3rd Mike Osskopp ...... 4th Ron Abrams ...... 7th Mary Liz Holberg ...... 2nd Tom Osthoff ...... 14th Bruce Anderson ...... 4th Mark Holsten ...... 5th Mary Ellen Otremba ...... 3rd Irv Anderson...... 15th (non-consecutive) Larry Howes ...... 2nd Dennis Ozment ...... 9th Thomas (Tom) Bakk ...... 4th Thomas Huntley ...... 5th Erik Paulsen ...... 4th Connie Bernardy ...... 1st Carl Jacobson...... 1st Tim Pawlenty ...... 5th Len Biernat ...... 3rd Mike Jaros ...... 13th (non-consecutive) Michael Paymar...... 3rd Dave Bishop ...... 10th Loren Geo Jennings ...... 9th Gene Pelowski Jr...... 8th Greg Blaine...... 1st Jeff Johnson ...... 1st Maxine Penas ...... 1st Lynda Boudreau ...... 4th Ruth Johnson ...... 2nd (non-consecutive) Doug Peterson...... 6th Fran Bradley ...... 4th Sheldon Johnson ...... 1st Thomas W. Pugh ...... 7th Mark Buesgens ...... 2nd John Jordan ...... 1st Jim Rhodes ...... 5th Lyndon R. Carlson ...... 15th Al Juhnke...... 3rd Michelle Rifenberg ...... 3rd George Cassell ...... 2nd Phyllis Kahn ...... 15th Tom Rukavina ...... 8th James T. Clark...... 3rd Henry J. Kalis ...... 14th Connie Ruth...... 1st Karen Clark ...... 11th Margaret Anderson Kelliher ...... 2nd Leslie J. Schumacher...... 4th Roxann Daggett ...... 4th Tony Kielkucki ...... 3rd Alice Seagren ...... 5th Gregory M. Davids ...... 6th Jim Knoblach ...... 4th Marty Seifert ...... 3rd Jim Davnie...... 1st Luanne Koskinen ...... 3rd Anthony “Tony” Sertich ...... 1st Andy Dawkins ...... 8th Philip Krinkie ...... 6th Rod Skoe ...... 2nd Steve Dehler ...... 5th Gary W. Kubly ...... 3rd Wes Skoglund...... 13th (non-consecutive) Jerry Dempsey...... 5th William Kuisle ...... 3rd Nora Slawik ...... 2nd (non-consecutive) D. Scott Dibble ...... 1st Dan Larson ...... 2nd Steve Smith ...... 6th Dan Dorman ...... 2nd Rob Leighton ...... 4th Loren A. Solberg ...... 10th John Dorn ...... 8th Ann Lenczewski...... 2nd Rich Stanek ...... 4th Rob Eastlund ...... 1st Peggy Leppik ...... 6th Doug Stang ...... 3rd Matt Entenza ...... 4th Bernie L. Lieder...... 9th Steve Sviggum ...... 12th Ron Erhardt ...... 6th Arlon Lindner ...... 5th Dale Swapinski ...... 2nd Sondra Erickson ...... 3rd Eric Lipman ...... 1st Howard Swenson ...... 4th Geri Evans ...... 3rd (non-consecutive) Tim Mahoney ...... 2nd Barb Sykora ...... 4th Tim Finseth ...... 5th Harry Mares...... 4th Mark Thompson ...... 1st Betty Folliard...... 3rd Carlos Mariani ...... 6th Kathy Tingelstad ...... 3rd Doug Fuller ...... 2nd Sharon Marko ...... 4th John Tuma ...... 4th Chris Gerlach ...... 2nd Paul Marquart ...... 1st Ray Vandeveer ...... 3rd Mark S. Gleason ...... 2nd Dan McElroy ...... 4th Jean Wagenius ...... 8th Kevin Goodno ...... 6th Mary Jo McGuire...... 7th Neva Walker ...... 1st Barbara Goodwin ...... 1st Bob Milbert ...... 8th Dale Walz...... 1st Gregory Gray ...... 2nd Carol L. Molnau...... 5th Scott Wasiluk ...... 1st Mindy Greiling...... 5th Richard Mulder...... 4th Andrew Westerberg ...... 2nd Bob Gunther ...... 4th Joe Mullery...... 3rd Torrey Westrom ...... 3rd Bill Haas ...... 4th Mary Murphy ...... 13th Tim Wilkin ...... 2nd Tom Hackbarth ...... 3rd (non-consecutive) Robert “Bob” Ness ...... 5th Ted Winter ...... 8th Elaine Harder...... 4th Bud Nornes...... 3rd Ken Wolf ...... 5th Alice Hausman ...... 7th Mark Olson ...... 5th Tom Workman ...... 5th Debra Hilstrom ...... 1st Joe Opatz ...... 5th

Session Weekly 19 Members by Term

15th Irv Anderson* Mark Holsten Mary Ellen Otremba Lyndon R. Carlson Thomas Huntley Michael Paymar Phyllis Kahn Arlon Lindner Michelle Rifenberg Carol L. Molnau Marty Seifert 14th Henry J. Kalis Robert “Bob” Ness Doug Stang Tom Osthoff Mark Olson Kathy Tingelstad Joe Opatz Ray Vandeveer Tim Pawlenty Torrey Westrom 13th Mike Jaros* Jim Rhodes Mary Murphy Alice Seagren 2nd Jim Abeler Wes Skoglund* Ken Wolf Mark Buesgens Tom Workman George Cassell 12th Steve Sviggum Dan Dorman 4th Bruce Anderson Doug Fuller 11th Karen Clark Thomas (Tom) Bakk Chris Gerlach Lynda Boudreau Mark S. Gleason 10th Dave Bishop Fran Bradley Gregory Gray Loren A. Solberg Roxann Daggett Mary Liz Holberg Matt Entenza Larry Howes 9th Loren Geo Jennings Bob Gunther Ruth Johnson* Bernie L. Lieder Bill Haas Margaret Anderson Kelliher Dennis Ozment Elaine Harder Dan Larson Jim Knoblach Ann Lenczewski Rob Leighton Tim Mahoney 8th Andy Dawkins Harry Mares Rod Skoe John Dorn Sharon Marko Nora Slawik* Bob Milbert Dan McElroy Dale Swapinski Gene Pelowski, Jr. Richard Mulder Andrew Westerberg Tom Rukavina Mike Osskopp Tim Wilkin Jean Wagenius Erik Paulsen Ted Winter Leslie J. Schumacher 1st Connie Bernardy Rich Stanek Greg Blaine 7th Ron Abrams Howard Swenson Jim Davnie Alice Hausman Barb Sykora D. Scott Dibble Mary Jo McGuire John Tuma Rob Eastlund Thomas W. Pugh Barbara Goodwin 3rd Len Biernat Debra Hilstrom 6th Gregory M. Davids James T. Clark Carl Jacobson Ron Erhardt Sondra Erickson Jeff Johnson Kevin Goodno Geri Evans* Sheldon Johnson Philip Krinkie Betty Folliard John Jordan Peggy Leppik Tom Hackbarth* Eric Lipman Carlos Mariani Bill Hilty Paul Marquart Doug Peterson Al Juhnke Maxine Penas Steve Smith Tony Kielkucki Connie Ruth Luanne Koskinen Anthony “Tony” Sertich 5th Steve Dehler Gary W. Kubly Mark Thompson Jerry Dempsey William Kuisle Neva Walker Tim Finseth Joe Mullery Dale Walz Mindy Greiling Bud Nornes Scott Wasiluk

* - non-consecutive terms

20 April 12, 2002 M ARCH 27 - APRIL 11, 2002 OVERNOR’S DESK CHAPTERS 280, 315 - 332 G

Tracking new laws, vetoes

Once a bill has passed both the House and But if a bill is passed during the last three session, or within three days after the Senate in identical form, it’s ready to be sent days of session, the governor has a longer governor receives the bill at any other time. to the governor for consideration. The gov- time to act on it. He or she must sign and Policy items contained in appropriations ernor, who has several options when con- deposit it with the secretary of state within bills may not be line-item vetoed. In order sidering a bill, can: 14 days after the Legislature adjourns “sine to veto such an item, the governor is • sign the bill and it will become law; die” (Latin for adjournment “without a date required to veto the entire bill. • veto the bill; certain”). If the governor does not sign a bill A two-thirds vote of the members in each • line-item veto individual items within an within this time frame, it will not become house is needed to override a veto. But be- appropriations bill; law, an action known as a “pocket veto.” The cause only the governor can call a special • or do nothing, which can have two differ- governor is not required to provide a rea- session of the Legislature, anything vetoed ent effects. The timing of these actions is son for the veto. after the Legislature adjourns is history — as important as the actions themselves. Only on appropriations bills can the gov- at least until the next year. In the second year of the biennium (even- ernor exercise the line-item veto authority. The governor’s veto authority is outlined numbered years), a bill passed by the Legis- This option allows the governor to elimi- in the Minnesota Constitution (Article IV, lature and presented to the governor before nate the appropriation items to which he or Section 23). the final three days of the session will be- she objects. As with all vetoes (save pocket This information is also available on the come law unless the governor vetoes it by vetoes) the governor must include a state- governor’s Web site (www.governor.state.mn.us). Select the “Policy” link, then click on 2002 Bill returning it to the Legislature within three ment listing the reasons for the veto with Tracking. days. The governor normally signs the bills the returned bill. Here, too, the timetable is Key: and files them with the secretary of state, either 14 days after adjournment for bills CH=Chapter; HF=House File; SF=Senate File but his signature is not required. passed during the final three days of the

CHHF SF Description Signed Vetoed

280 197* 107 Noncommercial television station and metro bus garage grant provided. 3/27 315 3169 2881* Housing; municipal low-income housing authority specified. 4/5 316 3076 2612* Funeral procession escort private vehicle authorized to use flashing red lights. 4/5 317 3029 2680* Energy building code requirements changed in certain instances. 4/5 318 3058 2739* Cities additional liquor licenses; hotel rooms liquor cabinets hours of sale restrictions exemption. 4/5 319 2706* 3076 Obstruction of emergency vehicle during emergency duty misdemeanor penalty provided. 4/5 320 3030 3322* Metropolitan Council existing service capacity external use provided. 4/8 321 3034 2949* Background check public criminal history data expanded. 4/8 322 2841 2533* Criminal offenders county correctional services costs payment. 4/8 323 2684 2678* Natural resources department provisions modifications. 4/8 324 3432 3352* Dry cleaner environmental response and reimbursement. 4/8 325 3209 3054* Petrofund consultant and contractor registration period modifications. 4/8 326 3464 3174* Money transmitters act small business category. 4/8 327 1763 1811* Public drainage systems jurisdiction transfer. 4/8 328 1683 2150* Technology circuits or systems contractors and power limited technicians. 4/8 329 3125* 2987 Telecommunications access for communication-impaired persons program renamed. 4/8 330 2988* 3023 Insurance licenses, fees, and coverages regulated; health care administration simplified; and technical modifications. 4/8 331 3497 3015* Commerce Department insurance fraud prevention; crime of employment of runners. 4/10 332 2719* 2827 Uniform athlete agents act providing student athlete agent registration adopted. 4/10

- veto overridden by the Legislature *The legislative bill marked with an asterisk denotes the file submitted to the governor.

Session Weekly 21 ILL INTRODUCTIONS A PRIL 8 - 9, 2002 B HOUSE FILES 3713-3714

Monday, April 8 Tuesday, April 9

HF3713—Molnau (R) HF3714—Opatz (DFL) Governmental Operations & Jobs & Economic Development Finance Veterans Affairs Policy Fingerhut Companies, Inc.; employees extra un- Teacher retirement additional benefit provided for employment benefits provided. teachers previously covered by the money purchase program.

OMMITTEE SCHEDULE A PRIL 15 - 19, 2002 C

Schedule is subject to change. http://ww3.house.mn/scripts/ MONDAY, April 15 For information updates, call House Calls lyris.pl?join=houseschedule and fill out at (651) 296-9283. the subscription form on the Legislature’s 1 p.m. Web site. All meetings are open to the public. THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION. Sign language interpreter services: House committee schedules are also (651) 224-6548 v/tty. available on the Web site at To have the House committee schedule http://www.house.mn/hinfo/ TUESDAY, April 16 - FRIDAY, April 19 delivered to your e-mail address direct schedule/index.htm. your Web browser to : No meetings have been announced.

No solicitors Minnesota not the only state to consider or implement ‘do-not-call’ lists Consumers fed up with solicitors’ calls can a fee of $2.55 every five years. and is for home numbers only. Violators can add their name to a “do-not-call” list — which In Idaho, consumers are charged $10 to be charged a civil penalty of up to $2,000. restricts telemarketers from calling people in be on the list for three years. Subscribers may Since Missouri’s no call list law became ef- about half the states in the country. register as many residential, mobile, and fective in July 2001, Attorney General Jeremiah Minnesota’s do-not-call legislation, passed pager numbers as they wish. A three-year Nixon has filed lawsuits against several the House and awaits action in the Senate. It renewal costs $5. Telemarketers share the telemarketers, according to its Web site. Vio- mimics laws in about 25 other states. Provi- cost, contributing $300 over three years to lators face up to $5,000 in fines for each call. sions vary from state to state, but telemarketers purchase the list plus quarterly updates. Here are some of the cases: In October must be aware of regulations in each state Idaho’s costs take care of administra- 2001, 17 telemarketers were ordered to pay where they do business, or they may face sig- tive work, creating and maintaining a da- $162,500 for violating Missouri’s no call nificant financial penalties. tabase, as well as costs associated with law; in August 2001 a nationally known Since January 2002, Texans have been able investigating complaints. “The result of alarm system company was sued for re- to add home or business numbers to one of the user fee approach is that the people peated violations; in January 2002, a Spring- two no-call lists for a price. who benefit from this optional service will field travel agency was sued, and 10 For a fee of $2.25 every three years, some- pay for it,” the state’s Web site offers as an telemarketers paid $50,000 for violations. one can be added to the statewide do-not-call explanation to why no taxes were imposed One eye-catching case involved television- list, which applies to any telemarketer calling for the service. ad psychic Miss Cleo who was ordered to pay a Texas residential phone number. A second Solicitors must pay $500 annually to ob- $75,000 for calling Missourians after receiv- list, named the “electric no call list,” prevents tain Tennessee’s do-not-call list, which has ing a warning from Nixon. Said Nixon, “She calls from retail electric providers and been in effect since July 2000. The program should have seen this coming.” telemarketers calling about electric service for is free to residential telephone customers, (T. STAHL)

22 April 12, 2002 Minnesota Memorials

About this time during the second year above them in the House chamber that give of a biennium, members, staff, and lobby- a unique and restful tone to the Capitol’s ists wait for House and Senate leaders and largest room. conferees to reach tough decisions on what During this session’s brief pauses in bud- to include in the state’s budget package. get activity, lobbyists crowd the hallways A plan for them as they wait could be to and balconies of the “Grand Floor” where refresh their memories about the Capitol both the House and Senate chambers are Spanish-American War plaque building. located. As they sit on ornate antique Minnesota was the first state to clarify inac- All around them, they could study the benches designed by Gilbert, lobbyists are curate information on its memorial to soldiers painstaking lengths that architect Cass Gil- uniquely connecting with the glorious cre- serving in the Philippines during the Spanish- bert took to provide a workplace for lawmak- ation of functional furniture and space that American War. A new plaque, placed near the ers to reflect upon. In doing so, they could lend a stately air to the marble column vis- previous memorial, was unveiled Feb. 4, 2002. appreciate past history and how it directs his- tas of the second floor. The authorization for the new plaque tory in the making. Although the desks passed the House three years ago this week. When Gilbert de- in the House chamber For eight years the Philippine Study Group signed the State Capitol, have been refurbished of Minnesota sought the addition below the he was not satisfied to and restored, Gilbert’s first plaque, which will remain. The Minne- erect just another meet- hallway benches, art or- sota Filipino community viewed the initial ing place and office naments, and basic de- plaque as inaccurate and racially insensitive. building. He chose to sign remain as they It was placed in the Capitol in 1948. plan and oversee con- were initially perceived. The memorial honors the 13th Minnesota struction of an edifice Benches on the sec- that was functional, the ond floor are made of Volunteer infantry regiment, sent in 1898 to fight Photo courtesy of North Star Statehouse by the Spanish in the Philippines. However, Ameri- heart of civic life, and a Thomas O’Sullivan. thick English oak slabs cans actually ended up fighting the Filipinos, timeless center of gov- A Cass Gilbert drawing for one of the with contrasting wood who were seeking independence from Spanish ernment, both inside State Capitol benches. inlays. Specifically, the rule. The Spaniards had relented by the time the and out. benches were minutely Minnesota regiment arrived, and they granted Gilbert accomplished his goal, and then detailed in 1903 by Gilbert to include control of the Philippines to the United States. some. He completed the exterior and inte- carved scroll and leaf motifs with richly But the Filipinos continued to fight for full rior of the building by personally direct- carved backs. independence. One war account estimates that ing every detail of its construction to Gilbert placed another 14 benches on the 220,000 Filipinos and 4,000 Americans died ensure that the citizens of Minnesota first floor for visitors. The benches are in the war, which lasted from 1898 to 1902. would have a lasting trophy that exempli- made of attractive white oak, but they are U.S. troops ultimately prevailed in the con- fied all their attributes and showcased what not as ornate. The first floor benches are flict and maintained control of the Philippines the state represents. more unassuming, but do have similar until independence was granted in 1946 after Not only did the architect design the fur- motifs as those one floor above. World War II. niture, he hired the top artists of the Ameri- The architect was so thorough with the Designed by Ann Klefstad, a Duluth artist, the can Renaissance movement to highlight the Capitol that, according to Thomas new plaque avoids prior language offensive to Capitol walls. Elmer E. Garnsey, who deco- O’Sullivan in North Star Statehouse, Filipinos, and corrects historical inaccuracies. rated the U.S. Supreme Court, became “Gilbert even sought special colors, metal The original plaque referred to Philippine sol- Gilbert’s chief interior decorator for the switchplates and rubber spittoons to har- diers as “insurgents,” when they were actually masterpiece. monize these essentials with a grand fighting for the independence of their homeland As members vote on bills and wait for a scheme.” and the ability to govern themselves. Critics of final budget compromise, they might —LECLAIR GRIER LAMBERT the original plaque also suggested the reference spend some time reflecting on the extraor- to Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo as dinary artwork and ornaments placed high “Chief Aguinaldo” was offensive. In addition to the study group, the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board, the Minne- sota Historical Society, and the state Department of Administration were involved in planning the addition to the memorial, using a $10,000 appropriation from the 1999 Legislature. Complaints about similar plaques have been lodged in California, Illinois, and other states. (M. COOK)

Session Weekly 23 MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55155-1298

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: STEVE SVIGGUM MAJORITY LEADER: TIM PAWLENTY MINORITY LEADER: THOMAS W. PUGH

INNESOTA M INDEX FOR MORE INFORMATION

Smoking statistics For general information, call: House Information Office Percentage of Minnesotans age 18 and older who smoke cigarettes, 2001...... 20 (651) 296-2146 or National percentage ...... 22.7 1-800-657-3550 State percentage in 1985...... 27.8 In 1995 ...... 20.5 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: Percentage of adult men who smoke, 2001...... 53 Chief Clerk’s Office Women...... 46 (651) 296-2314 Smokers with at least some college education, as percent ...... 52 Adults in the state that have never smoked, as percent ...... 54 To find out about bill introductions or Average number of cigarettes puffed by a Minnesota smoker each day ...... 15 the status of a specific bill, call: Percentage of smokers that take their first drag within 30 minutes of waking...... 46 House Index Office (651) 296-6646 Within 5 minutes ...... 17 Estimated number of Minnesota teens that become new daily smokers For an up-to-date recorded message each year ...... 15,000 giving committee meeting times and Percentage of high school students that are smokers ...... 32.4 agendas, call: Percentage of those who tried to quit in previous year ...... 61 Committee Hotline Percentage of Minnesota adult smokers that have made at least one (651) 296-9283 attempt to quit in the previous year ...... 46 Of those, percentage making multiple attempts ...... 76 Those making six or more attempts...... 25 The House of Representatives can be reached on the World Wide Web at: Percentage planning to quit in the next six months ...... 43 http://www.house.mn Those planning to quit in the next month who have also tried quitting recently, as percent ...... 20 Percentage of the estimated 47 million adult smokers in the United States Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired. that want to quit ...... 70 To ask questions or leave messages, Percentage able to do so annually ...... 2.5 call: Light state smokers (fewer than 15 cigarettes daily) who are strongly TTY Line (651) 296-9896 or confident they could quit smoking permanently if they want to, as percent ...... 53 1-800-657-3550 Percentage of heavy smokers (25 or more cigarettes daily) ...... 22 Smokers listing physical cravings or feelings of withdrawal as barrier to Check your local listings to watch quitting, as percent ...... 67 House committee and floor sessions Risk of weight gain ...... 32 on TV. Former smokers who quit within three previous years that used a product or Senate Information service for assistance ...... 28 (651) 296-0504 Percentage of current smokers that tried to quit in previous year using 1-888-234-1112 assistance in their latest attempt ...... 36 Smokers, as a percent, that would use a nicotine patch “if cost were not an issue” ...... 75 Senate Index Approximate percentage of annual Minnesota deaths related to smoking...... 17 (651) 296-5560 Minnesota adults using other forms of tobacco, as percent ...... 4 This document can be made available in alternative Sources: Quitting Smoking: Nicotine Addiction in Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Health, formats to individuals with disabilities by calling Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, (651) 296-2146 voice, (651) 296-9896 TTY, or July 2001; Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; American Lung Association. (800) 657-3550 toll free voice and TTY.

24 April 12, 2002