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A Non-Partisan Publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives + February 10, 1995 + Volume 12, Number 6

HF401-HF530 Session Weekly is a non-partisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Of­ Minnesota House of Representatives • rel5ruar¼ 10, 1995 • Volume 12, Numl:ler o fice. During the 1995-96 Legislative Session, eac.h issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and upcoming committee meeting schedules, and pro­ t C • vides other information. The publication is a service of the Minnesota House. No fee. DWI odds - Minnesota's DWI laws are working, but the chances of getting caught while driving under the influence aren't very good. Experts suggest a dedicated alcohol To subscribe, contact: tax that would fund efforts to enforce the state's DWI laws ...... Page 4 Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office A captive audience - With many school districts facing transportation budget 175 State Office Building troubles, the state may let gym shoe companies, fast food chains, and others help pay St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 for the ride. A bill to allow advertising inside school buses is moving through the (612) 296-2146 or House ...... Page 5 1-800-657-3550 TDD (612) 296-9896 Open lockers - Students may not have privacy rights when it comes to their school lockers. A bill in the House would allow school authorities the right to search lockers Director at any time ...... : ... Page 5 Grant Moos Prairie home companions-Northern States Power Co. (NSP) is looking for a good home in Goodhue County to store its nuclear waste. The 1994 legislature allowed NSP Editor to store spent nuclear fuel outside its power plant at Prairie Island. Under the same law, Peg Hamerston NSP will be allowed to store more if it can find a site away from Prairie Island but in Assistant Editors Goodhue County...... Page 6 John T. Tschida Felony docs -A bill to automatically suspend the licenses of Minnesota doctors when K. Darcy Hanzlik they are convicted of a felony "reasonably related" to their practice is on its way to the House floor...... Page 9 Writers Nick Healy, Mordecai Specktor, Hitch a ride with the Legislature - Minnesota is now one of several legislatures in Jean Thilmany recent years to hop on the information superhighway and make available a wide array oflegislative information on the Internet...... Page 15 Art & Production Coordinator Paul Battaglia No rookie- This is Rep. Mike Osskopp's first term as a legislator, but he's been here before. The radio talk show host has covered the halls of the Capitol and is ready to air Photographers his conservative message in the House ...... Page 18 Tom Olmscheid, Laura Phillips, Andrew VonBank He has a practical view - Involvement in neighborhood politics provided the springboard for Rep. Matt Entenza's legislative candidacy. "You see what people's daily Staff Assistants lives are like and what people need and what they don't need," he said. "You get a more Toinette Lisa Battle, Carl Hamre, practical view." ...... Page 19 Matthew A Niewohner

INSIDE ~) PRINTED WITH ~SOVINK

Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is pub­ Highlights ...... 3 lished weekly during the legislative session by the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Feature: Internet access ...... · ...... 15 Information Office, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Second Class postage New members: Osskopp, Entenza ...... 18, 19 paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes Bill Introductions (HF401 - HF530) ...... 20 to Session Weekly, Publklnformation Office, Committee Schedule (Feb. 13 - 17) ...... 24 Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave.,St. Paul, MN 55155..:1298.

Printed on recycled paper which is 100% recycled, On the cover: Ionic columns adorn the State Office Building. 20% post-consumer content. - Photo by Tom Olmscheid

2 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 Week in Review ... Feb. 2 - 9, 1995 hts

'The fat fifteen' ... ol ing the line on local government salaries bill to cap the salaries of most local government officials at "Less than adequate talent puts taxpayers $78,500 was approved by the House Local Government and at risk," said former Hennepin County Com­ missioner Jeff Spartz, now vice president of Metropolitan Affairs Committee Feb. 7. Capital Partnership Inc. But managers who currently earn more than that need not worry. The Spartz called it "penny-wise but pound bill was successfully amended by committee Chair Rep. Dee Long (DFL­ foolish." Mpls) to exclude them from the salary cap. Joel J amnick of the League of Minnesota Cities said he would be leery of advising cities Bill sponsor Rep. Steve Wenzel illustrated $78,500. All other elected officials and em­ to comply with the bill if it became law the need for HF339 by drawing attention to ployees would be limited to the salary of the because of what he considers potential pay what he called "The Fat Fifteen," a list of the state commissioner of finance, currently equity problems. 15 highest paid local public officials. The list $78,500. Proponents of the bill, however, dismissed includes annual salaries such as $103,596 for The bill would apply to city, county, met­ that claim. Minnesota's pay equity law is the Hennepin County administrator, $96,205 ropolitan, and regional units of government designed to eliminate gender-based wage for the Ramsey County human services direc­ but would not apply to school districts. Un­ inequities. tor, and $94,068 for the Minneapolis city der current law, school officials cannot earn Wenzel said his opponents will continue engineer. more than 95 percent of the governor's sal­ to argue that government needs to offer g~od "In 84 of the 87 [Minnesota] counties there ary, which would amount to $108,780. wages to get good service. But, he said, too isno problem," said Wenzel (DFL-Little Falls). Many metro area local government offi­ many forget that government jobs entail a But some cities and counties in the metro­ cials and professional associations oppose desire for public service. politan area have not been fiscally respon­ the bill and label it "micro management" If some want higher paying jobs, they can sible with salaries, he said. from the state. go to the private sector where taxpayer dol­ The bill would limit the amount a city or Hennepin County Commissioner Mike lars aren't involved. county attorney could earn to 95 percent of Opat said local governments would have "I don't care what [source] in the private the state attorney general's salary which difficulty retaining top managers if salaries sector pays their salaries," Wenzel said. amounts to $84,981. An elected county sher­ were capped. In particular, he said he's con­ Another successful am~ndment to the bill iff would be limited to the salary of the state cerned government could be set up as a limits the salaries of private consultants hired commissioner of public safety, currently training ground for the private sector. by a state agency or local government to 95 percent of the salary of the chief executive officer for that agency or local government. 'The fat fifteen: 15 highest .. paid public officials' The amendment was offered by Rep. Joe Opatz (DFL-St. Cloud). 1. Hennepin County Administrator ...... $103,596 HF339 now goes to the House Govern­ 2. Ramsey County Administrator ...... $102,762 mental Operations Committee for further 3. Anoka County Administrator ...... $98,528 discussion. 4. Hennepin County Assoc. Adm in. Corrections ...... $97,392 - K. Darcy Hanzlik 5. Hennepin County Assoc. Adm in. Public Works ...... $97,392 6. ·Hennepin County Assoc. Adm in. Enterprise ...... $97,392 7. Hennepin County Assoc. Admin. Human Resources ...... $97,392 8. Hennepin County Library Director ...... $96,852 9. Minneapolis City Coordinator ...... $96,257 10. Ramsey County Human Services Director ...... $96,205 11. Hennepin County Dept. Director General Services ...... $95,052 12. Rochester General Manager Utilities ...... $94,197 13. Minneapolis City Engineer ...... , ...... $94,068 14. Washington County Administrator ...... $92,280 15. Dakota County Administrator ...... $91,400

Source: Government personnel departments as of 1994.

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 3 some economic ground. (See Oct. 3, 1994, It would·be a "four-to-six-year process" to AGRICULTURE issue of the Chemical Marketing Reporter.) have all duties transferred to the new depart­ So what can be done about the problem? ment, Kohl explained. If approved, the gov­ looking for manure Greg Buzicky of the state Department of ernor would appoint a commissioner for the Agriculture suggested that farmers should new department on July 1, 1995. Educa­ So what's behind the recent dramatic in­ concentrate on using fertilizer more efficiently. tional and social programs serving children crease in fertilizer prices? And Rep. Gene Hugoson (IR-Granada) and families would transfer to the proposed It appears a lot of things acting together - suggested the state should do more to en­ department by July 1, 1966. In the second ranging from problems in Russia to a massive courage livestock production so more ma­ year, more programs would be evaluated for explosion in Iowa - helped cause a 20- to nure could be used as fertilizer. inclusion. 40-percent increase in fertilizer prices since While that may be a noble goal, Buzicky The new department would require last spring. said it's not a complete solution to the prob­ $150,000 in start-up costs, mainly for the And although many farmers may want to lem. salaries and support of two commissioners point fingers at the large companies that "There just isn't enough manure to go during the transition year, said Kohl. produce anhydrous ammonia (a widely used around - at least in the agricultural sense." The proposal calls for the Department of fertilizer), there's probably only some truth Education and the State Board of Education to the charge. to be abolished. More than $2.7 billion of The House Agriculture Committee began state spending for K-12 education programs its inquiry Feb. 6 into the cause of the recent CHILDREN would transfer to the new department after price increases. July 1, 1996. Testimony from two Minnesota fertilizer New· department for kids John Petraborg, deputy commissioner for distributors and a review of several articles on the Department of Human Services (DHS), Draft legislation that would eliminate the the subject listed the following major causes: told committee members that the new de­ present Department of Education and create • Worldwide production of ammonia, from partment would emphasize developmental a department of children and education ser­ which most fertilizer is made, is down. programs to help children learn. More than vices was heard before the K-12 Education Exports of ammonia from Russia have $45 million for child care subsidies would be Finance Division Feb. 3. dropped significantly because of technical transferred from DHS to the new department The new department would" organize state failures and contractual disagreements with in 1997. government so that it makes sense for chil­ countries that contain parts of the ammo­ Committee chair Rep. Alice Johnson (DFL­ dren and families," said Linda Kohl, director nia supply line. Spring Lake Park) asked whether the educa­ of Minnesota Planning. • Worldwide demand for ammonia for non­ tion and employment transition boards called Kohl said that about 245 programs spread agricultural purposes - primarily in the for under the new department constituted a among 32 state agencies would be trans­ textile and carpet industries - is up. Am­ new bureaucracy. The legislation would pro­ ferred to the new department. Most pro­ monia is used in the production of both vide $2 .5 million in fiscal year 1996 to estab­ grams would come from the departments of nylon and acrylic fibers. lish this series of regional boards, which education, human services, economic secu­ • Worldwide demand for ammonia for agri­ would expand and manage youth appren­ rity, and health. cultural purposes is up for two reasons. ticeship and work-based learning programs. First, the worldwide supply of grain is at its Johnson suggested that there might be "exist­ lowest level in 20 years so farmers around ing regional structures out there that can be the world want to make up the difference built on." in the coming growing seasons. Second, The proposal, which has not yet been U.S. farmers traditionally use much more formally introduced, is expected to be dis­ fertilizer following record crops, which cussed further later this session. occurred in many parts of the U.S. last year. • The United States is a net importer of ammonia. Because it is in such short sup­ CRIME ply, much of it is being sold closer to the ports at which it enters the U.S. Distribu­ Drunk, driving, and untouched tors can avoid additional shipping costs by selling ammonia closer to its port of entry. Minnesota's DWI laws are working, but That hits the Midwest the hardest. the chances of getting caught while driving • The explosion of the Terra Industries plant under the influence aren't very good, accord­ south of Sioux City - Iowa's largest pro­ ing to a University of Minnesota law profes­ ducer of nitrogen-based fertilizers - on sor. Dec. 13, 1994. The plant was a major "The public would really be frightened if supplier of fertilizer to sou them and south­ they knew how few police officers are on the Daniel Martig, a second-grader at Lino Lakes western Minnesota. Elementary School, told members of the House street" during peak drunk driving times, said • Price gouging. In the past, the profit margin Judiciary Finance Committee Feb. 7 about his Steve Simon, one of the state's foremost au­ for producing ammonia has been very activities in the youth intervention "Be a Buddy thorities on DWI law. Program." Barb Swanson, executive director • thin. Some sources say those producers are Simon gave members of the House Judi- now using the short supply to make up of the Forest Lake Youth Bureau, also testified.

4 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 ciary Committee an overview of the state's tice of the policy would have to be distributed School buses for sale DWI laws during a Feb. 8 hearing. to parents and students. After midnight, on any given day of the Farrell argues that students don't have a With many school districts facing trans­ week, 8.8 percent of drivers on the road are right to privacy when it comes to school portation budget troubles, the state may let legally drunk, according to Karen Sprattler of lockers. gym shoe companies, fast food chains, and the Department of Public Safety. "The locker is public property, owned by others help pay for the ride. • A bill that would allow advertising inside And the odds of being arrested are about 1 the school and used by a student for [his or in 1,000, Simon said. her] convenience," he said. school buses was approved by the House "The chance of getting caught is not as Bob Meeks of the Minnesota School Board Education Committee Feb. 9. great as people think it is," Simon said. Association said many local school districts The advertising would provide money for Law enforcement efforts have become fo­ have policies regarding locker searches, but schools at no cost to the state and makes cused on more violent crimes like domestic are afraid to enforce them for fear of a costly sense with "budget crunches all over the violence. court challenge. With no law to guide offi­ place," said Rep. David Tomassoni (DFL­ To increase arrest rates, the system needs cials, they are frustrated, he said. Chisholm). money. Simon advocates a dedicated alcohol "We have a responsibility to provide a safe "If you have to go out and pay $100 for a tax that would fund efforts to enforce the environment to students and staff. ... There's pair ofNikes, you might as well get a little bit state's DWI laws. He cited a recent University no right to privacy," Meeks said. back into your school district," said Tomas­ of Minnesota survey that indicated 87 per­ An Oct. 7, 1994, incident at Harding High soni, sponsor of the bill (HF326). cent of surveyed Minnesotans also support School in St. Paul led to the proposed legis­ Under the bill, school districts would be such a tax. lation. allowed to set their own standards for ads to Simon praised the state's DWI laws as Two students were shot following a school be placed on buses and to reach their own "extremely comprehensive and complete," assembly. A fell ow student was later charged deals with private bus companies. and called the license plate impoundment with the assaults. Lockers were not individu­ The bill would require that all advertising and intensive probation programs "unique in ally searched following the incident because proceeds to districts be deposited in their the country." school authorities had "constitutional ques­ transportation accounts. When it comes to The 1991 Legislature approved a law that tions," Farrell said. Instead, a trained dog was ad content, the bill only requires that districts strengthened the state's license plate im­ brought from Arizona to "sniff out" gunpow­ devise policies and that ads comply with poundment law for repeat DWI offenders, der from the more than 1,800 student lock­ those policies. which Simon called "cheap and effective." ers. The search yielded nothing, but eight or Setting standards for what types of ads to Not only are the laws working, but they're nine lockers were opened where the dog accept could be fertile ground for debate. also having a deterrent effect. indicated a gunpowder scent. Several committee members expressed As proof, he cited the declining number of Farrell said the bill has been carefully concern that advertisers could push religious first-time DWI offenders. In 1986, nearly 61 worded to match a Milwaukee school district messages or stake out a position on teen percent of all DWI arrests were first-time policy that has been court-tested. pregnancy and abortion. offenders. In 1994, that percentage had A challenge to that policy based on a "I don't see how a school district, once it dropped to less than 50 percent. violation of the Fourth Amendment to the opened itself for advertising, could prohibit That means many Minnesotans are getting U.S. Constitution, which protects against religious advertising," said Rep. Steve Kelley the message to not drink and drive. unlawful search and seizure, did not succeed. (DFL-Hopkins). But targeting the chronic DWI offender is The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the And advertising on an issue such as abor­ the real challenge. search policy and the U.S. Supreme Court tion could cause "a serious problem one way "Tough penalties have little effect unless declined to review the case, Farrell said. or the other" in a district, he added. there is a fear of getting apprehended," Simon Richard Neumeister, a citizen lobbyist in­ As originally written, the bill also would said. volved in data privacy issues, spoke against have allowed advertisements on the outside And when the odds of arrest stand at 1,000 the bill. He said it violates the Minnesota of buses - which could bring in still more to 1, it seems repeat offenders have little to Constitution by allowing a search "without money. fear. reasonable suspicion or cause." But the committee approved an amend­ · He also argued that students do have a ment to allow ads only inside buses after right to privacy, that they "just don't waive by hearing concerns about safety risks involved EDUCATION walking through the [school] door." with disturbing the highly recognizable yel­ A 1994 law mandated that schools track low and black bus exteriors. and report to the Department of Education Rep. Warren Limmer (IR-Maple Grove) Searching school lockers any incidents involving dangerous weapons questioned the appropriateness of allowing School authorities could search the lockers on school property and in school buses car­ advertisers to target young school bus pas­ of Minnesota students at any time, under a rying students. sengers. bill heard Feb. 6 by the House Judiciary The department's first report shows that "I. don't like to see children as a captive Committee . betweenJuly 1993 andJuly 1994 there were audience in a money-raising endeavor," he The proposal (HF 107), sponsored by Rep. 872 weapons incidents. Sixty-five of those said. ' • Jim Farrell (DFL-St. Paul), states that a locker were exclusively gun incidents. Eighty-four Last year the Legislature gave permission inspection could take place "for any reason at of the state's 381 school districts did not to the Department of Natural Resources to • any time, without notice, without student report. sell advertising space in its publications. consent, and without a search warrant." No- Continued testimony on HF107 is ex­ HF326 now goes before the full House for pected next week. its consideration.

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 5 that the LCMR be abolished, although a bill ENERGY to do that has not yet been introduced. The LCMR, which is composed of eight Prairie Island revisited House members and eight senators, has been criticized for circumventing the legislative Northern States Power Co. (NSP) is look­ process and for adding pork in LCMR mem­ ing for a good place in Goodhue County to bers' districts. store its nuclear waste. But LCMR Director John Velin explained Jim Alder, manager of regulatory projects that the LCMR funding recommendations for NSP, told members of the House Environ­ are always modified by the Legislature and ment and Natural Resources Committee Feb. that they must be approved by the Legislature 8 that NSP is working with the Environmen­ in order to become law. tal Quality Board (EQB) to find a suitable About 90 percent of the LCMR funding storage site. comes from a 2-cent per pack tax on ciga­ The 1994 Legislature allowed NSP to im­ rettes and state lottery earnings, with smaller mediately put five casks next to the power Byron White, secretary of the Mdewakanton Tribal amounts coming from two smaller funds. plant at Prairie Island to store its spent nuclear Council, gave an update on above-ground storage Historically, LCMR funds have been used fuel. of high-level radioactive waste to the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee to finance a variety of environmental projects, Under the same law, NSP will be allowed Feb. 8. ranging from the construction of bike trails to four additional casks if, by Dec. 31, 1996, it environmental education in the schools. has a storage site away from Prairie Island watts of windpower in operation now, and A total of 4 73 proposals for funding in the ready for federal approval. (The utility also bids were received in mid-January for an­ next biennium were submitted to the LCMR, would have to contract for 100 megawatts of other 100 megawatts of windpower. She said which whittled the list to 86. Funding for windpower by that date.) the utility will develop 425 megawatts of those projects is proposed in HF132, which In testimony Feb. 7 before the El~ctric windpower by 2002. is sponsored by LCMR Chair Rep. Phyllis Energy Task Force, Alder explained that the Kahn (DFL-Mpls). storage site must be away from the 100-year Dale Nelson of the Department of Finance flood plain of the Mississippi River and its ENVIRONMENT told members that the state's general fund is tributaries. The site, which by law must be in under "tremendous pressure" and that there Goodhue County, also can't be built on lime­ Abolishing the LCMR isn't enough money to fund additional envi­ stone bedrock, which is susceptible to frac­ ronmental projects. turing. Most of Goodhue County rests on Should money raised through a portion of And Ron Nargang, DNR deputy commis­ limestone, which has significantly reduced the state's cigarette tax and lottery earnings sioner, said he would prefer that construc­ the site possibilities. be used to finance part of the general environ­ tion of trails and parks be financed through Three to five acres would be needed to mental budgets of several state departments, the sale of state bonds rather than through store the casks, along with a 20-acre "con­ agencies, and boards? the LCMR. trolled buffer space" around the storage site. Or should it be used to fund specific envi­ But Rep. Steve Trimble (DFL-St. Paul) If no local landowners are willing to sell to ronmental projects that are suggested by likened the governor to a "bully on the play­ NSP, Alder said the utility "might have to citizens through a series of "natural resources ground" who doesn't get his way. "Destroy­ exercise eminent domain" to gain possession congresses" operated by the Legislative Com­ ing the LCMR because it's not giving you of a suitable site. (Eminent domain is the mission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR)? what you want-I think that's terrible," said power to take private property for public The issue - brought to the fore by Gov. Trimble. use.) Ame Carlson-was hotly debated at meet­ Alder said that an application for a site ings of the House Environment and Natural certificate would be submitted to the EQB by Resources Finance Committee Feb. 6 and 7. Learning about garbage mid-summer. The environmental assessment The controversy surrounds the governor's process would take between 12 and 18 proposal to divert about $14 million of the School children are taught that reducing months, and a final decision about the site LCMR's proposed $34.6 million budget (40 garbage and recycling are good for the envi­ would come in late 1996, he said. percent) over the next two-year spending ronment. In the future they may learn the Finally, N SP would be allowed to use eight cycle to clean up rivers and preserve prairies hazards of openly burning garbage, espe­ more storage casks - for a total of 1 7 - and forests, proposals that weren't included cially the health danger from dioxin emis­ unless the Legislature enacts a law by June 1, in the LCMR's recommendations. sions, under a proposed amendment to the 1999, to revoke the authority to do so. Such The money would go directly to the Min­ state's Waste Management Act. legislative action could be taken if the utility nesota Pollution Control Agency, Depart­ Members of the Legislative Commission has not begun constructiop. of an alternate ment_of Agriculture, Board of Water and Soil on Waste Management (LCWM) Feb. 6 heard storage site or has not contracted for an Resources and the Department of Natural public testimony on this and other proposed additional 125 megawatts of windpower and Resources. amendments to the act. 50 megawatts of biomass energy. The governor argued in his proposed bud­ Educational materials about the hazards of Glynis Hinschberger, manager for energy get that the clean-up and preservation projects open burning would be distributed by the resource planning at NSP, told environment were a higher priority than some of the LCMR's Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) • committee members that NSP has 25 mega- recommended projects. And he has proposed which took over the solid and hazardous

6 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 waste management duties of the Metropoli­ • Establish a statewide goal for reducing the gress, deciding what duties the states should tan Council. A dioxin is a toxin that studies total amount of solid waste from all sources. have will be critical." have shown can cause cancers, birth defects, The OEA would develop a strategy to reduce Anderson said Minnesota taxpayers should and fetal deaths in domestic and wild ani­ mixed solid waste in Minnesota by a mini­ not have to pay additional costs resulting mals. Scientists disagree on whether it can mum of 10 percent by 2001. from the shift of federal programs to the state. contribute to cancer in humans. " Add packaging made with post-consumer If at least 26 states pass similar resolutions, • Other proposed amendments to the Waste recycled materials to the hierarchy of pre­ the state would send six legislators and the Management Act would: ferred packaging materials that was estab­ governor (or another constitutional officer) • Require metropolitan counties to submit a lished by the 1994 Legislature. to the conference, which probably would be detailed request to the OEA director before • Require that legal briefs and documents held this fall. they dispose of "unprocessed" mixed mu­ submitted to the courts be on paper contain­ The state delegations would then attempt nicipal waste in a landfill. Under current law, ing at least 10 percent post-consumer re­ to compile a document, dubbed the "States' mixed waste generated in the metropolitan cycled content, if such paper is available. Petition to Congress," to send a unified mes­ area must be sorted to weed out what can be Colorado has such a law. sage to Congress on various issues and spe­ recycled, what can be burned as fuel, and The draft amendments to the Waste Man­ cifically calling for a stop to "unfunded man­ what can be composted, so that at least 65 agement Act are expected to be introduced in dates." percent of the total weight is removed. Cur­ bill form and considered by the House Envi­ As of Feb. 9, the proposal has been intro­ rently, counties don't ask permission before ronment and Natural Resources Committee. duced in 3 7 state legislatures. It has been they dispose of mixed garbage in a landfill. approved by legislatures in eight states and They only explain why they did it after the by one chamber in eight others. fact. The resolution is now pending in the Sen­ • Enable greater Minnesota counties to re­ GOVERNMENT ate Rules and Administration Committee. quire towns, cities, and companies to weed out garbage that can be recycled, burned as Reining in the feds fuel, and composted, as is done in the metro­ The board that works politan counties. The House is backing a plan to join other • Reduce the administrative burden on the states in an effort to rein in the federal govern­ Described by some as a "dinky agency that OEA by consolidating, into one biennial re­ ment. works," a House panel heard pleas Feb. 7 to port, several annual and biennial reports that House members Feb. 6 voted 75-56 to keep the Board of Government Innovation it must by law submit. approve a resolution (HF22) calling for a and Cooperation alive. • Instruct governmental units - including national "Conference of States" designed to The board was created by the 1993 Legis­ towns, cities, state agencies, and school dis­ send a message to the U.S. Congress. lature and has a three-pronged mission to: • tricts - not to expose themselves and tax­ "By passing this resolution, Minnesota will grant waivers of state rules to local units of payers to potential liabilities by disposing of join in a national movement seeking to re­ government; provide grants to cooperating waste at an inferior'facility. The intent is that store the balance between the state and fed­ units of government; and facilitate mergers of governmental units should set a good ex­ eral governments," said House Speaker Irv local governments. ample and not try to cut costs at the expense Anderson (DFL-Int'l Falls). "With the Bal­ Gov. Arne Carlson has targeted the board of the environment. anced Budget Amendment advancing in Con- for elimination, which would bring a cost savings of $3.4 million over the next bien­ nium. But several people described how the state board has helped to improve government efficiency. "We need the board," said Cherry Merritt, program manager for Hennepin County's Department of Economic Assistance. Her agency successfully sought a board waiver to eliminate biannual income verification re­ ports for fixed income Medical Assistance recipients. Merritt told members of the Government Efficiency and Oversight Division of the House Ways and Means Committee that she sought help from the state Department of Human Services (DHS) to help identify clients who would be affected by the change. She said there was a "lack of enthusiasm" on the part of DHS to help. Rollie Beach, an employee of CEI, which manufactures high tech gaming equipment, showed the Instead of an independent board waiving Gambling Division of the House Governmental Operations Committee a pull-tab dispensing rules, Gov. Carlson would give that authority • machine Feb. 3. to state agencies-the very bodies who make

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 7 the rules and are charged with enforcing quires that all Minnesotans have health in­ "We may as well get into every behavior them. Some members see that as a conflict. surance as of July 1, 1997. people have and start telling them how much Since state agencies make the rules, "I can "I believe it's unrealistic to pursue that they can eat," Hasskamp said. understand the reluctance" in waiving them, deadline, particularly without federal health Both bills also would allow employers to Merritt said. "There's ownership there." care reform," Van Dellen said. create medical savings accounts. Employees Myra Peterson, a Washington County com­ He said his bill pushes for universal cover­ could contribute a portion of their income to missioner, said just having the board to en­ age through "market reforms." It would call the account, and employers also would con­ courage grant applications is "enough of a on the commissioner of human services to tribute an unspecified amount. The funds carrot" to get governments to cooperate. Her develop several low-cost health care options. could then be withdrawn to pay for medical grant application to fund a transportation Another bill (HF254), sponsored by Rep. expenses. Money not drawn from the inter­ needs assessment in south Washington Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth), keeps the est-bearing accounts could be withdrawn at County was denied, but the project is going universal coverage mandate but calls for an year's end (and taxed as income), or it could ahead anyway. additional 40 cent-per-pack cigarette tax. carry over to the next year, Huntley said. The final needs assessment report is now This tax - over and above the current 48- Each bill will next be heard in the being written, and the cities of Newport, cent per pack tax on cigarettes - would MinnesotaCare Finance Division. Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park will be replace the existing 2 percent provider tax on working with the Metropolitan Council Tran­ the. gross revenues of health care providers. sit Operations to discuss its findings. The additional cigarette tax would begin in Health care needs "It is a mighty program for so few dollars," July 1995 and increase an additional 40 cents she said. in each of the next five years until it reached Although MinnesotaCare has helped sub­ Since its inception, the board has awarded $2 per pack in the year 2000. Huntley ex­ sidize health care costs for 78,000 low in­ 52 grants totaling $3.24 million. It received pects the tax to raise about $ 120 million the come Minnesotans, the state could do more 355 grant applications totaling $20.1 mil­ first year and about $100 million the follow­ to help disabled citizens and those with lion. It has received 33 requests for waivers ing year. The funds would go to the health chronic health problems afford care, say some from rules or procedures, 11 of which were care access fund earmarked to pay for groups. approved. Minnesota Care. Specifically, Minnesotans for Affordable Jim Gelbmann, executive director of the Huntley's bill would also require Health Care and the Consortium for Citizens board, and his staff of two are currently snowmobilers, all-terrain vehicle drivers, with Disabilities have asked the state to let working with five pairs oflocal governments motorcyclists, and bicyclists to wear helmets single adults buy into Medical Assistance looking to merge. Between 1973 and 1993, or face a $25 fine. His bill also would increase (MA), also known as Medicaid, without hav­ Gelbmann said, there were only three such the fine for not wearing a seat belt from $25 ing to impoverish themselves to meet the mergers. to $100 and make violating the law a primary income eligibility requirements. A decision on whether to continue funding offense. Currently the fine can be levied only Both groups hope such legislation will be for the board will be made later this session. if an officer stops a driver for another offense. introduced this session. Rep. Kris Hasskamp (DFL-Crosby) said MA is a federal and state program that the proposed helmet law meddles with offers health care to those in desperate need. people's personal lives. The program is attractive because, unlike HEALTH

MinnesotaCare changes

Two bills heard by the House Health and Human Services Committee Feb. 9 would substantially change the way Minnesota Care, the state's subsidized health coverage pro­ gram, is administered. Both bills (HF254, HF2SS) seek to repeal the regulated all-payer option portion of the current MinnesotaCare law. The all-payer option, set to be implemented by July 1, 199 7, would require the state to set the prices and fees charged by health care insurers, including the government. It also would re­ quire insurers and providers to operate un­ der uniform rules. "Price controls won't work. A competitive market should regulate insurance costs," said Rep. Todd Van Dellen (IR-Plymouth), spon­ Jacob Sparrow, who at birth was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, showed his flexibility while being sor of HF2SS. held by his father, Roger, during a hearing of the Minnesota Care Finance Division Feb. 7. Jacob's Hf 25 S also would repeal the universal mother, Cindy, explained how Minnesota allows her family to buy into the state's Medical coverage mandate in current law, vYhich re- Assistance health care coverage forJacob's long-term care. The program helps families afford care their private insurance companies won't cover.

8 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 private health plans, it covers many long­ Sanctions for convicted docs den is upon the health professional to seek a termhealth care needs such as: in-home care; hearing and to prove that his or her license on-going physical, speech, and other therapy; A bill to automatically suspend the licenses suspension shouldn't be permanent. on-going mental health services; and the of Minnesota doctors when they are con­ necessary equipment for various disabilities. victed of a felony "reasonably related" to their But under current MA guidelines, most practice is on its way to the House floor. Full disclosure • The bill (HF231), sponsored by Rep. Steve people have to impoverish themselves - quit their jobs to meet low-income require­ Kelley (DFL-Hopkins), also would apply to A bill to close a loophole and make sure the ments and sell their homes - before they can physician's assistants, physical therapists, or state Board of Medical Practice receives the qualify for help, said Ann Henry of the Min­ other health professionals licensed by the names of all physicians who have malpractice nesota Disability Law Center. state Board of Medical Practice. It won ap­ settlements or awards against them is on its Groups addressing the MinnesotaCare Di­ proval Feb. 7 from the House Health and way to the House floor. vision of the House Health and Human Ser­ Human Services Committee. The bill (HF226), sponsored by Rep. Steve vices Committee Feb. 7 asked for the option Under the bill, the license suspension would Kelley (DFL-Hopkins), was approved Feb. 7 to pay into the plan for their long-term cov­ be automatic following such a conviction and by the House Health and Human Services erage while still keeping their jobs and homes. a doctor would have to request a hearing to Committee. No one is asking for a freebie, Henry said. In get his or her license reinstated. Reinstate­ Current law mandates that insurance com­ addition to buying into the MA plan, they ment would only occur if health profession­ panies provide reports to the board detailing would agree to buy or keep their private als can demonstrate they have been rehabili­ malpractice settlements or awards involving insurance for traditional health care. tated by "clear and convincing evidence." physicians. Currently, under federal law, states can The bill does not define a felony that is In practice, however, clinics, hospitals, allow families with children the option of "reasonably related" to a medical practice, and other entities were paying off malprac­ paying into MA to receive long-term care not but Kelley said some obvious examples would tice settlements against physicians and not offered by their private insurers. But no such include a doctor convicted of sexually as­ reporting it to the Board of Medical Practice. option is offered to childless adults. saulting a patient or filing fraudulent Medi­ Since the paying organizations weren't insur­ Such an option may have helped Iva Ander­ care or Medicaid claims. ance companies, they weren't technically re­ son of Minnetonka. She has multiple sclero­ The board currently has the authority to quired to report. sis, and in 1993, her doctor recommended a suspend a professional license, but it first The bill specifically requires medical clin­ power wheelchair to help with shoulder holds a hearing, said bill proponent Leonard ics, hospitals, political subdivisions, and other trouble due to her manual wheelchair. Boche, executive director of the Board of entities that provide malpractice coverage on She told the committee her private insur­ Medical Practice. behalf of a doctor, physician's assistant, physi­ ance company said a power wheelchair wasn't Dave Renner, director of legislation and cal therapist, or other health professional necessary and refused to pay for it. public policy for the Minnesota Medical As­ under the board's jurisdiction, to report all Anderson, who works for the Minneapolis sociation, opposed the bill. He said it shifts malpractice settlements and awards to the Public Library, said she persisted with letters the responsibility of license regulation from board. They must report the health and pleas from her doctor but got nowhere. the Board of Medical Practice to the courts. professional's name, the date and dollar "I was told I had two arms I could make it go. He said he didn't want to be viewed as amounts of all settlements and awards, and I made it go all right. It made me go right into "protecting slime-bag physicians" but be­ the allegations in the claim or complaint surgery," she said in a later interview. lieves the law is too broad and unclear .. leading to the settlement or award. In 1994, she was in an operating room to Boche told the committee he is concerned The board is pushing for the bill so it can fix tears in the tendons in her rotor cuff. about potential public safety problems be­ use the information to conduct its own inves­ A power wheelchair would have been pre­ cause of the lag ·time between when a health tigations into doctors and other professionals ventive medicine, she told the committee. professional is convicted or pleads guilty to a to see if disciplinary actions, such as the Instead of paying for the wheelchair, the felony and when their license is actually suspension or loss of a license, is necessary. insurance company ended up paying tens of suspended. · The bill requires the reports be made within thousands of dollars in surgery, hospital, and Renner said he believes Minnesota law 30 days of any settlement or award. therapy bills. already grants the board the authority to Leonard Boche, executive director of the Eventually, a private fund-raiser helped suspend a license immediately and later hold Board of Medical Practice, said the board her buy an electric wheelchair. a hearing. currently hears about doctors who are self­ Henry said the people she represents would Current law does grant the board the au­ insured or who work for small clinics with like the state to step in and require a broader thority to temporarily suspend a license with­ private insurance companies. However, they benefits package both in Minnesota Care and out a hearing, but the board must find that rarely hear about malpractice settlements or in private health plans. Currently, the doctor "has violated a statute or rule awards from health professionals practicing MinnesotaCare doesn't offer long-term care which the board is empowered to enforce in "mega-clinics." and private health insurers drop customers, and continued practice by the doctor would such as those yvith disabilities or chronic create a serious risk of harm to the public." problems, when they become too costly to Current. law also puts the burden on the maintain. board to seek a hearing to issue a final concl u­ But they're realistic, Henry said. They know sion. • they'd face a strong lobby against such an Kelley's bill would reverse the process: the idea, so they're asking the state to let them suspension would be automatic and the bur- buy into MA.

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 9 HIGHER EDUCATION

U2000

By following its U2000 plan, the Univer­ sity of Minne_sota could join the ranks of world-class research institutions by the tum of the century, a House panel was told Feb. 6. But Nils Hasselmo, university president, told members of the University of Minnesota Finance Division of the House Education Committee he needs the state's financial help to get the job done. Some lawmakers questioned exactly what "world class" meant and asked Hasselmo how he would know when the university had reached that status. "It's clear U2000 is a process, but a process leading to what is not as clear as it could be " division chair Rep. Becky Kelso (DFL­ Moorhead State Univ_ersity masc_ot Scorch the Dragon, also known as first-year student Ryan Shakopee) told Hasselmo. "I don't get a pic­ S~l~est~r, held u~ a sign along with other state university students during a rally for affordable tmt10n m the Capitol rotunda Feb. 8. The rally was part of the Minnesota State University Student ture of what selective areas you will be a Association's annual lobby day. world-class institution in or what a world­ class institution is. I think a good picture of only a one-time proposed appropriation for Pfutzenreuter said the university will need the goals are missing." U2000. more than a one-time appropriation for The U2000 plan, originally unveiled in "Even with technology you have to have U2000. 1993, calls for strengthening undergraduate sustained investment. You can't make a one­ programs, raising faculty salaries to attract time investment and let it sit," Hasselmo said. and keep quality faculty, and upgrading the university's research environment, Hasselmo More dollars for higher ed said. The soon-to-be merged Minnesota higher "You can't make a simple statement about More money for the 'U' education system is seeking $1 billion in state the university because it's so many things," The University of Minnesota is seeking appropriations for the next biennium, sys­ Hasselmo said. "But I'm concerned we haven't $995 million in state funds for the 1996-97 tem administrators told Higher Education been able to lay out the footprint of the biennium - 9.6 percent over what it re­ Finance Division members Feb. 8. University of Minnesota as quickly and com­ ceived in 1994-95 - so it can continue its A 1993 law caps the amount of money the petently as we should." University 2000 plan, give faculty a long­ system should receive in the 1996-97 bien­ In 1994, Hasselmo said the university overdue raise, and maintain its buildings. nium at $895 million. The request exceeds would need to spend about $256 million And to supplement those state funds, the that cap by $118.5 million to account for over the next six years to accomplish the university also plans to increase tuition 4.8 inflation, enrollment increases, the cost of plan's goals. He expected 20 percent of that percent during each of the next two years, transferring technical college employees to funding to come from the state. Richard Pfutzenreuter, the university's asso­ state employment, and funding for new pro­ But last year Gov. Ame Carlson vetoed the ciate vice president of finance and opera­ grams, said Ed McMahon, vice chancellor for $9 .1 million the Legislature had intended for tions, told members of the University of administration and budget. U2000. The money would have been used to Minnesota Finance Division Feb. 8. In his budget proposal for the 1996-97 improve the libraries and laboratory equip­ A 1993 law caps the amount of state funds biennium, Gov. Ame Carlson has recom­ ment and to better maintain classrooms. appropriated to the University of Minnesota mended $905 million for the merged state Hassdmo said he plans to ask the Legisla­ for the upcoming biennium at $908 million. university, technical college and community ture this year to reapprove funding for the The university is requesting $87.7 million college system. vetoed items. The university has not formally above that cap. That proposal would "put us 11 percent requested a specific state appropriation yet Gov. Ame Carlson has recommended the below where we are today," said Jay Noren, this session. university receive $60.8 million above the the system's chancellor. That's a $94 million In his budget recommendations for the cap, or $968.9 million, for the biennium. shortfall, of which $68 million is necessary to 1996-97 biennium, Gov. Ame Carlson pro­ That proposal includes a $53.8 million one­ maintain current services and $26 million is posed the University of Minnesota receive time appropriation to help the university estimated to be needed to bring technical $968.9 million instate money, $53.8million reach its University 2000 goals. college employees, who are presently local of which would make up a one-time only The U2000 plan is designed to bring the _ employees, into state employment under the appropriation for U2000. University of Minnesota into the ranks of merger. Hasselmo said the governor's recommen­ world-class research institutions by the tum The merger is slated for July 1. The Higher dations trouble him because they represent of the century. (See related story this page). Education Board created to oversee the sys-

10 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 tern won't have the authority until then to The county in which the case is heard re­ other bill that would require kegs to be deal with a shortfall. ceives an additional $ 7 to $10 in law library registered. Similar proposals sponsored by "The governor's budget is unrealistic, It fees, depending on the county. McGuire have stalled at the Legislature in can't be accomplished without financially Horner estimated the Minnesota Supreme past years, but have been adopted by a hand­ crippling us," Noren said. Court budget would have lost about $1. 4 ful of states, including North Dakota. Such a shortfall, if made up solely through million and the state's counties about By registering kegs at the point of sale, tuition increases, would result in a 20 percent $104,000 if Clark's proposal would have police, for the first time, could trace confis­ increase in 1995 and a 9 percent hike the been law in 1994. The $1. 4 million would cated kegs to buyers and stores, McGuire following year, he said. have to be made up by reallocating from said. The system would most likely address a other funds, Horner said. shortfall through a tuition increase, enroll­ HF136 moves next to the House Judiciary ment cut, and "draconian layoffs," he said. Committee. Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal) said INSURANCE he expects to see continued merger costs in the future. But Noren disagreed. INDUSTRY Selling off life insurance "If contracts are negotiated sensibly I don't anticipate additional costs. I'm comfortable Infected with the AIDS virus and seriously in saying we will see a savings over time," Keg ban tapped out ill, Adam Tillis decided to sell off his life Noren said. insurance assets to receive at least some of his The party may be over for a proposal to ban investment before his death. retail sales of keg beer, but a House DFLer That was three years ago. Tillis is still alive, still plans to slow the flow of alcohol to but the company that purchased the rights to HOUSING minors. his life insurance benefits, once he does die, A bill to ban the retail sale of kegs was will have made a killing. Landlords' eviction costs tabled indefinitely Feb. 6 by the House Regu­ After five "stressful and sometimes humili­ lated Industries and Energy Committee. ating" months working out a viatical settle­ Landlords would pay just half of the court The bill (HF 102), sponsored by Rep. Mary ment (getting death benefits early), Tillis filing fee to evict a tenant provided the pro­ Jo McGuire (DFL-Falcon Heights), would made a deal he lived to regret. ceeding takes just one court appearance, ban the retail sale of any container holding "When all was said and done, I was ill, I under a bill approved by the Housing Com­ more than five gallons of beer, including kegs was needy, and I was ready to accept any mittee Feb. 7. and "party balls." Beer wholesalers would be crumb thrown my way," he said Feb. 8 in HF136 is sponsored by Rep. Karen Clark allowed to sell kegs only to on-sale establish­ testimony before the House Financial Insti­ (DFL-Mpls), who said that the $122 state ments and municipal liquor stores. tutions and Insurance Committee. "The filing fee required to begin legal eviction The elimination of keg sales would reduce crumb upon which I settled was 22 percent of proceedings is burdensome to property own­ underage drinking by putting an end to so­ the face value of my policy." ers - particularly if they have to evict more called keggers, McGuire said. Tillis urged the lawmakers to support a bill than one tenant. "It doesn't solve the entire problem," she (HF 217) to regulate viatical settlements, a Such unlawful detainer eviction proceed­ said. "We wish it would." now growing business most often dealing ings are typically handled with a single court Jerry Ruettimann, a crime prevention spe­ withAIDS patients. The committee approved appearance because tenants often fail to ap­ cialist for the Roseville Police Department, the bill, sponsored by committee Chair Rep. pear. said he has confiscated scores of kegs from Wayne Simoneau (DFL-Fridley). "No matter what happens, even if the case teens who have abandoned traditional kegger Under the agreements, those who face is dismissed, you pay," she said. "It's such a sites such as vacant fields in favor of elabo­ certain death agree to sell off a portion of their hardship on property owners. In my district, rately planned parties in warehouses and life insurance policy to receive some cash on some landlords have almost had to empty homes. their investment before they die. Those who buildings because of drug problems." At those parties, underage drinking in­ buy the insurance policy do so as an invest­ Property owners pay the filing fee for each creases because beer is cheap and plentiful, ment. They receive the remaining value of the eviction they seek Ruettimann said. policy after the person actually dies. Jack Horner, a lobbyist for the Minnesota "They drink faster and they drink more," The bill would require companies and Multi-Housing Association, told committee he said. "It's cheaper. It's easier to transport." individuals who provide viatical settlements members that that fee is not in any way tied But the bill was opposed by members of to be licensed by the state and subject to state to actual court costs for such cases. the beer-sales industry. oversight. The commissioner of commerce "Unlawful detainers use little of the court John Berglund, executive director of Min­ would set standards for evaluating settlement resources - three or four pieces of paper, nesota Licensed Beverage Association, said contracts. such as a summons and a copy of the lease," the "prohibition or ban" on kegs would do Policy buyers would be required to receive said Horner. "The fee is the same as for all little to reduce underage drinking but would a physician's statement showing the would­ civil proceedings. So you could have a case cause a costly inconvenience for the "99-plus be seller is of sound mind. They'd also need that required 10 to 20 hours of court admin­ percent" of keg buyers who have legitimate to obtain a signed and witnessed statement istrator filing time and it would cost the same intentions. from the seller stating that he or she under­ • as an unlawful detainer." Although the keg ban proposal appears stands the consequences of the contract and A large portion of the filing fee, goes to the stalled, McGuire said she plans to offer an- consents to it. state's Supreme Court budget, Clark said.

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 11 Disclosure requirements in the bill would area's parks, roads, sewage, and other re­ Of the council's $93.3 million request, allowill people to knowwhat they are getting gional systems. $52.8 million would fund the Metropolitan into and what options are available to them, In addition to state dollars, the council Council Transit Operations (formerly the Simoneau said. The bill requires policy buy­ receives transportation funding from a com­ Metropolitan Transit Commission), the ers to inform those selling their life insurance bination of sources, including federal appro­ agency running the metropolitan area's buses. policies of alternatives to viatical settlements, priations, property tax revenue, and ride The state appropriated $32.8 million to the including the fact that some insurance com­ fares. The total budget for the next biennium busing system in the 1994-95 biennium, but panies are willing to offer them early pay­ is $34 7 million. costs increased $14. 5 million during the ments of their policy benefits. spending period and they continue to climb, The buyers must also make sure the seller Solem said. The system cannot make up the knows they can cancel up to 30 days from the difference with a rate hike, because ridership date the deal is signed, or 15 days from the would decrease, he said. Instead, the council date they receive the money. is in the process of cutting 800,000 miles of Bob Tracy of the Minnesota AIDS Project annual bus service to help cut costs. said viatical settlements "emerged" as a result The other main component of the funding 1' of the spread of AIDS. A victim of the disease request is $31. 7 million for Metro Mobility. may be interested in reaching such a settle­ The transit service provides rides to approxi­ ment to get money for medical expenses, to mately 24,000 people with disabilities around take care of his or her estate, or simply to the Metropolitan area. make a lifelong dream come true, Tracy said. For the last biennium, the state appropri­ But the "young industry" already provides ated $29.3 million to Metro Mobility. The many "notorious examples" of unscrupulous transit service effectively collapsed in Octo­ dealings, he said. ber 1993 when a new management company Tillis used himself as an example of how began to run the system for the Regional easily a seriously ill person can be duped. Transit Board. The governor then ordered "After I had recovered from an acute ill-. National Guard members to serve as drivers ness, I realized I had been taken advantage for Metro Mobility's vans and buses until the of," he said. "I thought I should have known system could be stabilized. better. That alone is testament to the power The Metropolitan Council, rather than an terminal illness will have upon one's judg­ outside management company, now man­ ment." ages the Metro Mobility program. Tillis, who had experience in the insurance Nacho Diaz, manager of the Office ofTrans­ field before he agreed to his settlement, has portation and Transit Development, told di­ since helped form a company, Via ti Care Ltd., vision members ridership fell off after the that aims to provide fair deals for the termi­ crisis but then began climbing steadily. From nally ill. July to December 1994, ridership increased If enacted into law, the bill would take effect by about 2,000, from 22,000 to 24,000 us­ Jan. 1, 1996. HF 217 now moves to the House ers, he said. Governmental Operations Committee. "That's a significant increase," Diaz said. "With our budget request, we're strictly try­ ing to keep our head above water. Even if the request is met, it's questionable as to whether TRANSPORTATION we'll be able to maintain service levels." Funding levels for the transportation pro­ grams will be determined later in the session. Transit funding

The Metropolitan Council needs $93.3 million in state funds to run its transportation Legislation to authorize the construction of a region-wide public safety radio system for programs through the next biennium, Ex­ government agencies, including emergency Busing to the Capitol ecutive Director Jim Solem told members of responders, in the Twin Cities metropolitan the House Transportation Finance Division area was introduced at the Capitol Feb. 6. If you come to the Capitol during Feb. 7. Flanked by law officers and others, Rep. the session, taking the bus might make The governor has proposed $89 million in Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins) and Sen. Ted better sense than trying to-park a car. Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park) explained that Freeway express bus service is avail­ spending for the agency to operate metro­ the proposal would allow local units of politan area buses and the Metro Mobility government to share channels on the 800 able: Bus number 94B, for example, program. megahertz radio band in their two-way radio takes you directly to the Capitol and Last year, the council absorbed the Metro­ communications. This would allow different the State Office Building. Call Metro­ politan Transit Commission and the Regional law enforcement agencies to better coordinate politan· Council Transit Operations at their joint efforts. Pictured are examples of Transit Board under a new state law. The (612) 373-3333 for route, schedule, the different radios that have been used by fare, and other information. council is also charged with planning and local governments. coordinating the development of the Metro '.·· ...

12 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 ,

Truckin' and drinkin' Legislative Commisssions A bill that would suspend the commercial Legislative Coordinating Commission Legislative Commission on drivers' license of a trucker who is arrested for (LCC) Minnesota Resources (LCMR) driving under the influence in the family car 85 State Office Building ...... 297-3697 65 State Office Building ...... 296-2406 was given preliminary approval by the House LCC Central Accounting Legislative Commission on Feb. 1. The vote was 93-29. 198 State Office Building ...... 296-8890 Pensions & Retirement Bill sponsor Rep. Charlie Weaver (IR­ 55 State Office Building ...... 296-2750 Anoka) said the punishment would "level the Claims Qoint Subcommittee on Claims) playing field" by giving a trucker the same 198 State Office Building ...... 296-0099 Legislative Commission on Planning & Fiscal Policy punishment an ice cream truck driver or Geographic Information Systems 90 State Office Building ...... 296-0134 delivery person would face. (GIS) Oversight Office/Subcommittee But Rep. Wayne Simoneau (DFL-Fridley), 70 State Office Building ...... 296-0098 Legislative Commission to Review Administrative Rules (LCRAR) who called the bill "a knee-jerk reaction to a Legislative Advisory Commission (LAC) 55 State Office Building ...... 296-1143 very small problem," said truckers should Fourth Floor, Centennial Office Building not lose their livelihood because of actions in 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 ...... 297-7881 Legislative Commission on Waste Management (LCWM) their personal lives. Audit Commission/Office of 85 State Office Building ...... 297-3604 According to the Department of Public Legislative Auditor Safety, 500 commercial vehicle drivers had First Floor, Centennial Office Building Legislative Water Commission their personal licenses revoked last year, and 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-4708 300 Centennial Office Building, Third Floor, Southwest 40 people were arrested for driving their Legislative Commission on Children, 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 ...... 297-7905 commercial vehicles under the influence. Youth & Their Families Weaver's bill would require both personal 60 State Office Building ...... 282-6289 Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) and commercial licenses be taken away for a Legislative Commission on the P.O. Box 441, Highway 53 DWI in a personal vehicle. The licenses would Economic Status of Women Eveleth 55734 ...... 218-749-7721 be revoked concurrently for the same dura­ 85 State Office Building ...... 296-8590 tion as a personal license revocation. Toll-free number ...... 1-800-657-3949 Mississippi River Parkway Commission Pioneer Building, Suite 1513 First-time DWI offenders lose their licenses Legislative Commission on 336 Robert St., St. Paul 55101 ...... 224-9903 for 15 days, second-time offenders for 90 Employee Relations days, and third-time offenders for 180 days. 85 State Office Building ...... 296-2963 Electric Energy Task Force 85 State Office Building .... , ...... 297-3697 (See Feb. 3, 1995, Session Weehly, page 11) Legislative Commission on HF35 is expected to come before the House Health Care Access Great Lakes Commission for a final vote Feb. 13. 375 State Office Building ...... 296-0173* 569 State Office Building ...... 296-2228* G-9 Capitol ...... 296-4261 * State Advisory Council on Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Airport Planning Long Term Health Care G-24 State Capitol ...... 296-3205* 375 State Office Building ...... 296-0173* 517 State Office Building ...... 296-5091 * G-9 Capitol ...... 296-4261 *

Perhaps county governments have heard Frequently called numbers Rep. Phyllis Kahn's (DFL-Mpls) repeated at­ tempts to trim the number of Minnesota Secretary of the Senate Counsel and Research, Senate counties. 231 Capitol ...... : ...... 296-2344 G-17 Capitol ...... 296-4791 Jim Gelbmann, executive director of the Voice maiVorder bills ...... 296-2343 Research, House Chief Clerk of the House Board of Governmental Innovation and Co­ 600 State Office Building ...... 296-6753 211 Capitol ...... 296-2314 operation, told members of the Government Legislative Reference Library Index, Senate 645 State Office Building ...... 296-3398 Efficiency and Oversight Division of the House 110 Capitol ...... 296-2887 Revisor of Statutes Ways and Means Committee Feb. 7 that two Index, House 700 State Office Building ...... 296-2868 pairs of Minnesota counties in different parts 211 Capitol ...... 296-6646 Governor's Office of the state are now looking to combine. Information, Senate 130 Capitol ...... :...... 296-3391 One of the board's tasks is to assist in the 231 Capitol ...... 296-0504 Attorney General's Office merging of governmental units. Information, House 102 Capitol ...... 296-6196 Gelbmann, who called the move "unprec­ 175 State Office Building ...... 296-2146 Secretary of State's Office edented," declined to name the counties for Committee Hotline, Senate ...... 296-8088 180 State Office Building ...... 296-3266 fear it would jeopardize the ongoing negotia­ Committee Hotline, House ...... 296-9283 Capitol Security tions. Sergeant at Arms, Senate B-4 Capitol ...... 296-6741 Senate Chamber ...... 296-7159 Emergency ...... 296-2100 Sergeant at Arms, House TDD* Senate ...... 296-0250 • 45 State Office Building ...... 296-4860 TDD* House 296-9896 or 1-800-657-3550

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 13 innesota's representation in .ashington

U.S. Senators U.S. Representatives 103 Cannon House Seventh District Office Building Collin Peterson (DFL) Senator First District Washington, D.C. 20515 714 Lake Ave. Rod Grams (IR) Gil Gutknecht (IR) (202) 225-2871 Suite 107 2013 Second Ave. N. 1530 Greenview Drive S.W. FAX: (202) 225-6351 Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 Anoka, MN 55303 Suite 108 (218) 84 7 -5056 (612) 427-5921 Rochester, MN 55902 FAX: (612) 427-8872 (507) 252-9841 Minnesota Wheat 1-800-862-8632 Fourth District Growers Building ) U.S. Senate FAX: (507) 252-9915 Bruce F. Vento (DFL) 2600 Wheat Drive 261 Dirksen Senate Galtier Plaza, Box 100 Red Lake Falls, MN 56750 J' ij, Office Building 4 25 Cannon House 175 E. Fifth St., Room 727 (218) 253-4 356 Basement 40, Room 3 Office Building St. Paul, MN 55101-2901 Washington, D.C. 20515 (612) 224-4503 110 Second St. S. Washington, D.C. 20510 Suite 112 (202) 225-2472 FAX: (612) 224-0575 (202) 224-3244 Waite Park, MN 56387 FAX: (202) 228-0956 FAX: (202) 225-3246 2304 Rayburn House (612) 259-0559 Office Building 1314 Longworth House Washington, D. C. Senator Second District 20515-2304 Office Building Paul Wellstone (DFL) David Minge (DFL) (202) 225-6631 Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2165 Room 100 N. 542 First St. S. FAX: (202) 225-1968 2550 University Ave. W. Montevideo, MN 56265 FAX: (202) 225-1593 St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 269-9311 (612) 645-0323 1-800-453-9392 1-800-642-6041 FAX: (612) 269-8651 Fifth District Eighth District Martin Olav Sabo (DFL) 205 E. Fourth St. James L. Oberstar (DFL) 417 W. Litchfield Ave. 462 Federal Courts Building Willmar, MN 56201 Chaska, MN 55318 231 Federal Building 110 S. Fourth St. (612) 231-0001 (612) 448-6567 Duluth, MN 55802 Minneapolis, MN 55401 FAX: (612) 448-6930 (218) 727-7474 (612) 348-1649 105 S. Second St. 938 Fourth Ave. FAX: (612) 348-1647 Brainerd City Hall Virginia, MN 55792 Windom, MN 56101 501 Laurel St. (218) 741-1074 2336 Rayburn House (507) 831-0115 Brainerd, MN 56401 Office Building FAX: (507) 831-0118 (218) 828-4400 U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20515 717 Hart Senate 1415 Longworth House (202) 225-4 755 13065 Orono Parkway Office Building Office Building FAX: (202) 225-4886 Elk River, MN 55330 Washington, D. C. Washington D.C. 20515 (612) 241-0188 20510-2303 (202) 225-2331 Chisholm City Hall (202) 224-5641 FAX: (202) 226-0836 Sixth District 316 Lake St. William P. Luther (DFL) Chisholm, MN 55719 1811 Weir Drive (218) 254-5761 Suite 150 Third District 2366 Rayburn House Woodbury MN 55125 Jim Ramstad (IR) Office Building (612) 730-4949 8120 Penn Ave. S. Washington, D.C. 20515 Suite 152 1419 Longworth House (202) 225-6211 Bloomington, MN 55431 Office Building (612) 881-4600 Washington, D.C. 20515 FAX: (612) 881-1943 (202) 225-22 71

14 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 Information systems ... • 'If you can get to the Internet, you can get to us'

he 80 miles between Rochester, Minn., On March 16 of this year, the "Legislative Rep. Virgil Johnson (IR-Caledonia), vice and the Minnesota Legislature in St. Gopher Design Group" will be presented chair of the Select Committee on Technol­ Paul used to create a major obstacle for with the 'John R. Finnegan Freedom ofinfor­ ogy, said the Internet access will also benefit Lauri Hassinger. mationAward," which recognizes Minnesota the public by making it possible for the She'd wait days to receive copies of bills institutions and individuals who recognize Legislature to make better decisions. from the Capitol, then spend hours poring the power of information to effect change. Since the Internet contains legislative in­ over them. She has a personal interest in The goal of the Internet access is to provide formation from a variety of state legislatures, family law and takes the time to write law­ as much information as possible in a user­ including information on their bills, laws, makers with her opinions. friendly format to increase citizen participa­ and publications, lawmakers and staff can But beginning in 1994, Hassinger only had tion in the legislative process, said Rep. Gene more easily determine what has been tried to wait minutes to track a child custody bill PelowskiJr. (DFL-Winona), chair of the Se­ elsewhere and learn from other state's suc­ that she had a personal stake in. From her lect Committee on Technology, which over­ cesses and failures. personal computer, Hassinger monitored leg­ sees the House's computer operations and "We are part of the United States," said islation via the Internet, or information su­ Internet access. Johnson. "It is kind of stupid to legislate in a perhighway, as easily as if she were at the vacuum." Capitol in St. Paul. Most of the information on the Minnesota The idea was first pushed by former Rep. Legislature found on the Internet has been Marc Asch of North Oaks. Minnesota is one What's on.the Gopher? available for years in a printed format, but the of several legislatures in recent years to hop The following information will be avail­ public had to either come to the Capitol in St. on the information superhighway and make able to the public on the Minnesota House Paul to retrieve it or have it sent by mail, said available a wide array of legislative informa­ and Senate legislative Gopher: Grant Moos, director of the House Public tion, including the full text of House and • Daily bill and resolution introductions. Information Office. • Text of bills and resolutions. Senate bills, Minnesota Statutes, committee • Bill tracking, so people can track the status "Just about everything we've ever written hearing agendas, House daily journals, and of bills as they travel from committees to is, or will be, on the Internet," said Moos, who bill-tracking information. the House and Senate floors. ( Only official added that the daily and weekly House sched­ "If you can get to the Internet, you can get House and Senate action is recorded.) ules are among the most sought after docu­ to us," says Charlie Fastner, former informa­ • House Research Department bill summa­ ments. ries. These are often handed out at com­ tion systems manager for the House DFL mittee hearings and serve to summarize Internet users can also find out which Caucus who now works for the Senate. what a particular bill is designed to do. lawmakers serve on which committees, final With the use of a computer and modem, The summaries often break down a bill by vote counts on bills, answers to frequently the public will also soon be able to commu­ article and section,. so people can more asked questions about the Legislature, and nicate with most lawmakers through e-mail easily find out what the various parts of even directions on how to get to the Capitol. the bill hope to accomplish. In addition, the 1994 House and Senate and obtain brief biographies of each House • Final votes on a bill by the House. and Senate member. • Weekly and daily committee schedules for rules are on-line (the rules for the 1995-96 "There is no easy way to know what is the House and Senate. session have not yet been adopted), as well as going on up there [at the State Capitol]," says • · Biographies of representatives and sena­ easy to-read summaries of what was ap­ Hassinger, an employee at the Mayo Clinic in tors, their committee assignments, and proved by the 1994 Legislature, what was Rochester who uses the Internet about twice office numbers. vetoed, and what simply died. • Minnesota Statutes. a week to look up bills on everything from • Directions to the Capitol and what services "It's so unbelievably helpful to people," family law to crime and health care. "It has are available upon arrival. said Marilyn Cathcart, director of the Legisla­ always been such a maze. But this is a god­ • People and the Process - A Legislative Study tive Reference Library. She said people fre­ send." Gttide. This roughly 140-page document quently call her and say thanks for making it And the service has improved for 1995. is full of lesson plans, information, and available. activities for juniorand senior high school Only the House was on-line during the 1994 classroom teachers and students. Although assembling the information for legislative session. But during the interim the • New Laws 1994. This 141-page publication the Internet was a lot of work, nearly every­ Legislative Reference Library spearheaded compiles easy-to-read articles on all the one involved with the project says it will pay the drive to organize a variety of legislative laws passed during a legislative session. It off in the long run because so much informa­ information, with the bulk coming from the is organized by subject with House file, tion is now organized in a way that it will be Senate file, and chapter indexes in the House Public Information and Senate Publi­ back. It is published every year after each easy to find. cations offices. session. "The best spirit of collaboration led to the Then, with the technical expertise of the • Session Weekly and Senate Btiefly. These Legislature joining the Internet," said Cathcart. Office of the Revisor of Statutes, the informa­ two publications, one published by the Fastner, who helped establish the elec­ tion was put on-line. On Oct. 11, 1994, House and one by the Senate, come out tronic hookup, says the Internet finally gives Senate information - and much more data weekly and contain articles that describe the public equal footing with lobbyists when and track the various bills as they travel from the House - was added. • through each body, respectively. it comes to following legislation. The Minnesota Legislature's Gopher is now recognized as one of the best in the country.

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 15 Internet access . • • I far Sin reater innesota

Farm families have long turned to the distance charges that were required in the past. Public Internet Access Sites Minnesota Extension Service for informa­ The local connection was made possible tion, whether it be on "Dead Turkey Han­ through a joint effort of numerous indepen­ dling" or "Making Fresh-Pack Pickles." dent telephone companies that formed the Now those Minnesota families - from Plymouth-based MEANS Inc. with the idea Crookston in the northwest to Winona in the of bringing modern telecommunications ser­ southeast - can turn to their local county vice to rural Minnesota. extension office, school, or library to tap yet "Throughout the state people are abso­ another vein of information: access to the lutely thrilled that it's a local telephone, call," Internet, or information superhighway. said Julie Beaton, the marketing manager for Beginning this month, three sites in Greater Polaris Telcom, which is the marketing arm Minnesota (Alexandria, Crookston, and Du­ of MEANS Inc. luth) will make computers available so out­ She explained that most of the 64 indepen­ state folks will get an easier chance to see first­ dent Minnesota telephone companies that hand what the Internet is all about. are participating in the project charge about Every month thereafter, additional seven $12.95 per month for up to 10 hours of sites will be added until a total of 60 "commu­ Internet connect time. nity access centers" are established over the Interested people would also need a soft­ next nine months under the Access Minne­ ware package to get connected such as the sota program. one offered by Fergus Falls-based Communi­ "I think the desire to have it is very big," said It is hoped that the sites, which will be cating for America, which is $75 per year, Rae Montgomery, an extension educator at the selected based on community interest, readi­ said Beaton. But any software program, such University of Minnesota who is helping coor­ ness, and technical considerations, will serve as Gopher developed by the University of dinate the project. "For many people these sites as a catalyst to help revitalize Greater Minne­ Minnesota (which is free for non-commercial will be a first introduction to the Internet." sota. purposes), will work. The $1. 5 million project is funded in part And although private individuals and busi­ The local connect charges for Internet ac­ by a $425,000 grant from the U.S. Depart­ nesses won't be able to hook up to these cess are roughly comparable to those offered ment of Commerce's National Telecommu­ Internet sites, at least one private company is by many private on-line services that are nications and Information Administration. bringing the Internet to Greater Minnesota. available in larger metropolitan areas. The rest of the support came primarily from Nearly300Minnesotacommunities-from And bringing that access to Greater Minne­ the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Ex­ Ada to Zumbrota Falls - are now able to sota has led some to compare the Internet tension Service and the state Department of connect to the Internet through a local tele­ connection of the 1990s to the rural electri­ Administration's MNet. phone call, which eliminated the costly long- fication projects of the 1930s and 1940s.

Ada Clarissa Greater Minnesota sites that now have Pelican Rapids Thief River Falls Akeley/Nevis Clearbrook Perham Twin Valley Albany Climax direct connection to the Internet Perley Ulen Alexandria Crookston Peterson Underwood Ashby Crosby-Ironton Pierz Upsala Freeborn Houston Miltona Avon Crosslake Pillager Urbank Freeport Huntley Minerva Badger Dakota Pine Island Vergas Frost Hutchinson Minnesota Lake Bagley Dalton Plummer Verndale Garfield Karlstad Mission Barnesville Deer Creek Preston Viking Gary Kasson Monticello Battle Lake Deer River Princeton Wadena Gatzke Kelliher Moorhead Baudette Delavan Randall Walcott Glendorado Kimball Morristown Becker Dent Red Lake Falls , Walker Gonvik LaCrescent Motley Beltrami Detroit Lakes Richmond Wannaska Goodridge Lake Newfolden Bertha Donaldson Rochester Warroad Grand Rapids Lake Benton New Munich Bertha/Hewitt Eagle Bend Rock Dell Watkins Granger Lake Bronson New Prague Big Lake Easton Roosevelt Waubun Great Bend Lancaster New York Mills Blackduck Eden Valley Roseau Wells Greenbush Lanesboro Nielsville Blue Earth Eitzen Rushford Whipholt Greenwald Lengby Nimrod Brainerd Elgin Sebeka Williams Grey Eagle Leonard Nokay Lake Brandon Elmore Shelly Winger Grygla Lincoln Northome Breckenridge Emily Shevlin Winnebago Gully Little Falls Northwest Angle Bricelyn Erhard Silver Lake Wolf Lake Hallock Longville Ogema/White Earth Brooks Erskine Squaw Lake Wolverton Halma Maine Oklee Brownsville Evansville St Charles Zimmerman Halstad Malung Oronoco Buffalo Eyota St Cloud Zumbrota Falls Hancock Mantorville Osage Bygland Fargo St Hilaire Hendrum McIntosh Osage/Ponsford Byron Faribault St Martin Source: Henning Melrose Osakis Caledonia Fergus Falls Staples Polaris Telcom Hokah Menahga Ostrander Campbell Fertile Stevens· Holdingford Mentor Ottertail Canton Fisher Stewartville Holmes City Middle River Outing Carlos Flom Strandquist Holt Millerville Parkers Prairie Chatfield Fosston Strathcona

These Greater Minnesota sites can now access the Internet with a local telephone call through Polaris Telcom. More outstate sites may have local telephone access through a different system. For more information, see the Q &A section on page 17.

16 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 Q: What is the Internet? Other Go A: The Internet is an interna­ tional network of computers minnetu11ta first created by the federal Minnl3sota Le islature government in the late 1960s • as a way to connect the computers of research­ ~ About the Minnesota House and Senate Legislative Gopher ers working with the military. Since then, this ~ What's new on the Minnesota House and Senate Legi slat i ve Gopher computer network has grown to include uni­ [n About the Legi slat i ve Branch of Minnesota government versity, government, research, and commer­ ffi:a Minnesota House of Representatives cial computers throughout the world. Cd Minnesota Senate ffiJ Capitol area information Q: How do I connect to the Internet? ffi:aLegislation and bill tracking A: If you can get an account on a computer at an CB:] Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Session Laws Internet site, you are all set to hook up to the [IJ Legi slat i ve Reference Library Legislature's electronic information center. 13J)Joint 1egisl at ive departments and commissions Without this direct access, however, you Cd Other Minnesota government information services must buy a connection to a commercial ser­ fill Other gopher and information servers vice that has a" gateway" onto the Internet and ~ Vesterday·s gopher usage report have a modem on your computer to connect l3J) Current session schedules to the telephone line. The University of Min­ nesota Alumni Association (612-624-2323) © 1991-95 University of Minnesota. + offers a low-cost access package, but many Internet surfers with gopher client software should take the above route from the Home Gopher Server people subscribe to services such as America to get to the Minnesota Legislature. Online (1-800-82 7-6364) or E-World (1-800- tides and more. You can now begin your sota Legislature's Gopher is a collaborative 775-4556). Some of these popular commer­ electronic perusal of legislative activity. effort involving several legislative offices. Most cial services charge a flat monthly fee (as little of the information exists in printed form, but as $10 per month for basic services) or charge Q: How do I connect to the Minnesota has never before been gathered in one place. A subscribers only for the time they spend con­ Legislature with gopher client software? majority of the information has been com­ nected to the service's computers. piled by the House Public Information Office A: Point your gopher client to and the Senate Publications Office. Others gopher.revisor.leg.state.mn.us (Port 70) Q: Do I have to pay for a long-distance call providing information include the Chief Cler k's to get connected? Office, the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, the Q: I don't have gopher client software, If Legislative Reference Library, and the House A: No, not if you live in the Twin Cities metro­ how can I telnet to connect? politan area or several other areas of the state. Research Department. (See related article on page 16). For more A: Telnet to the University of Minnesota Go­ information about Internet access in Greater pher at consultant.micro.umn.edu, and login: Q: Why isn't this or that there? gopher. Or, via dial access, 612-626-2400, Minnesota, call Plymouth-based Polaris T elcom A: Please remember, this gopher server is a access>consultant. micro. umn. edu, and lo gin: at (612) 230-4412 or 1-800-944-1492. work in progress. It represents an enormous gopher. amount of work by several staff people; no Q: Once I'm connected, how do I find additional staff was hired to work on the Q: How can I connect to the Minnesota Minnesota legislative information? project. Eventually full search capabilities will Legislature though America Online? A: To find the Minnesota Legislature, you exist to make portions of Minnesota Statutes must be sure your Internet connection has A: Click on the "Go To" menu at the top of the and bills easier to locate. Bills also will be access to Gopher, a system of connections to screen, then scroll down to "keyword." Type as sorted by author and topic, but these options various databases.Not all commercial services a keyword: Internet, then click on the gopher are not yet available. Questions or comments have full Gopher capabilities, so investigate icon. Scroll through these successive menus: on the content of the gopher can be E-mailed before you sign up with one. (The Gopher is so Government and Politics, Govt. Center at Twin to: [email protected]. named because computer scientists at the Cities Free Net, and Minnesota Legislature. University of Minnesota developed it and be­ Q: Do House and Senate members have E­ cause its job is to go fer information.) Q: How do I track a bill on the Internet? mail addresses? Once you connect to Gopher, a menu of A: From the main menu of the House and options will appear on your computer screen. A: Yes, all House members and some senators Senate Legislative Gopher, select Legislation To navigate your way to the House informa­ have E-mail addresses. A complete list of and bill tracking. Then select How to follow a tion files, you must select the following menu addresses will be published in a future issue of bill using this gopher. This file explains the items in this order: Other Gopher, North the Session Weekly. For a list of some E-mail process in great detail. America, USA, Minnesota, Minnesota Legisla­ addresses for House members, go to the House ture. of Representatives folder on the main menu, Q: Where does all this information come When you open up the Minnesota Legisla­ then select Member Information. The E-mail • from? addresses are listed there. ture file, you will have access to all the infor­ mation described in the accompanying ar- A: The information provided on the Minne-

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 17 New members I sho host airs agenda in House This is Rep. Mike Osskopp 's (IR-Lake City) decision to run: because KDWA's radio waves Osskopp's conservative political views were first term as a legislator, but he's been here didn't permeate his home district, no one well known to his listeners. So it was no before. knew his name there. And, while his talk surprise that he emphasized government ac­ 'Tm not a complete show brought him popularity in Dempsey's countability and property tax reform during rookie to the House be­ district, residents there recognized only his his campaign. cause I've hung around radio name, Mike Ryan. "It appears those things will be like moving here as a journalist," But Osskopp has always been involved in mountains," Osskopp said. "But my district Osskopp said. local community affairs. Eight years ago he has one of the largest senior populations in Since 1991, Osskopp, started a Lake City branch of the Fellowship the state. These people are really being hurt. using his radio name, of Christian Athletes (FCA). The national Some are being forced from their homes due Mike Ryan, has been a organization, founded in the 1950s, uses to rising property taxes." Rep. Mike Osskopp mainstay on KDWA in professional athletes to talk to high school He also thinks politicians need to become Hastings, Minn. In that athletes about Christian values. The program more accountable to the constituents they role, Osskopp trod the Capitol beat for his also serves as a youth ministry program in a serve. radio station and for the Minnesota News town that doesn't have youth pastors in any "I want to put the trust back into main­ Network, which shares news for an affiliation churches, Osskopp said. stream government. When I was in high of radio stations. For the past three years, he The FCA is now thriving in Lake City. school, politicians and pastors were the people also has hosted a conservative radio talk Many people who know him from his work you trusted the most. Now they're not. Nei­ show which, he boasts, received higher rat­ with that organization acted as delegates to ther is the media. I work as a journalist, too, ings than the Rush Limbaugh show for their the IR nominating convention, said Osskopp, so I get a triple whammy," he said. relative radio listening markets. who faced five other contenders for the IR Now, he said, he wants to do everything he Guests on his show included Rep. Jerry endorsement as well as a primary challenger. can to earn his constituents' respect. Dempsey (IR-Hastings), House Minority Leader Osskopp holds the FCA in such high es­ - ] ean Thilmany Steve Sviggum (IR-Kenyon) and Rep. Kevin teem because he worked with the organiza­ Knight (IR-Bloomington). When then-Rep. Bob tion during his stint as a professional golfer. Waltman (IR-Elgin) announced his retirement, He turned pro between his junior and senior District 29B Osskopp's radio guests thought he had a shot years of high school in Milwaukee. To earn Population: 32,761 at winning the open legislative seat. Professional Golf Association status he ap­ Distribution: 21.94 percent urban; 78.06 "So I talked about it with my wife and here prenticed for three years at a Denver country percent rural I am," Osskopp said. He announced his candi­ club. That's where he met his wife, Monica, Counties: Goodhue, Wabasha Largest city: Lake City dacy in December 1993 and couldn't work who is a Lake City native. He then toured Location:. southeastern Minnesota during his campaign. He's now on leave. His from 1976 through 1980, but didn't make a Unemployment rate: 4.47 percent radio show may be resumed after session, lot of money. Residents livihg below poverty level: 8.28 percent depending on how busy he is with legislative "I starved," Osskopp said of the time. 1992 presidential election results: duties. He later landed a job at a Milwaukee bank­ Bush/Quayle ...... 33.05 percent "I've worked six weeks in the past year, the ing firm and eventually transferred to a job in Clinton/Gore ...... 35.65 percent Perot/Stockdale ...... 28.80 percent six weeks after I was elected," he said. St. Paul and settled in Lake City. They have Other: ...... 2.50 percent Osskopp faced a strange problem after his two children, Jeniffer, 14, and Tom, 11.

Agriculture ...... 297-2200 Revenue Commerce ...... 296-4026 Minnesota State Agencies Taxpayer Assistance ...... 296-3781 Corrections ...... 642-0200 Toll Free ...... 1-800-652-9094 Education ...... 296-6104 Human Services ...... 296-6117 Trade and Econ. Development 297-1291 Employee Relations ...... 297-1184 Economic Security ...... 296-3711 Office ofTourism ...... 296-5029 Job Information ...... 296-2616 Labor and Industry ...... 296-6107 Transportation ...... 296-.3000 Finance ...... 296-5900 Military Affairs ...... 282-4662 Veterans Affairs ...... 296-2562 Gaming Natural Resources ...... 296-6157 State Information ...... 296-6013 Gambling Control Division .. 639-4000 Public Safety ...... :... 296-6642 MN State Lottery Division .... 635-8100 Driver and Vehicle Services .. 296-6911 House Information ...... 296-2146 Toll Free ...... 1-800-4 75-4000 Fire Marshal ...... 64 3-3080 Senate Information ...... 296-0504 MN Racing Commission ...... 341-75 55 Liquor Control ...... 296-6159 Health ...... 623-5000 State Patrol ...... 297-3935 Human Rights ...... 296-5663 Pollution Control ...... 296-6300 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3704 Public Service ...... 296-7107

18 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 1 I !,

New members ... • f·p·\. Entenza focuses on 'education, ucahon, Involvement in neighborhood politics pro­ 12 Education Finance Division and was one the east side of St. Paul or Minneapolis is not vided the springboard for Rep. Matt Entenza's of the most respected members of the Legis­ doing well, that ultimately affects us." (DFL-St. Paul) legislative candidacy. lature. Before his election to the House, Entenza Entenza, who is origi­ Entenza considers himself lucky as a first­ worked in the Minnesota Attorney General's nally from Worthington, term legislator to be appointed to that com­ Office from 1990 to 1993 prosecuting fraudu­ Minn., attended mittee. He vows to carry on Vellenga's legis­ lent telemarketers who were "ripping off' Augustana College in lative priorities: "education, education, and vulnerable citizens. That experience provides Sioux Falls, S.D., then education." a solid footing for his current position as Macalester College in St. "Education funding and fairer education chair of the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee Paul. After several years financing were the keyissues for me," Entenza of the House Commerce, Tourism, and Con­ of graduate work at Ox­ said. "That wasn't the only issue but that's sumer Affairs Committee. ford University and really the issue I talked about consistently "It was a great white hat job. It was loads of Rep. Matt Entenza teaching high school in through the whole campaign." fun because they were all people who couldn't England, he returned to his old St. Paul "I'd like to see that [the schools] arefunded believe they were being sued," Entenza re­ neighborhood. fairly, so that kids from poorer communities calls. The con artists he went after - many His affection for the neighborhood and the get the same education as children who live posing as fund raisers for charitable causes­ birth of his three children strengthened his in wealthier communities." "felt really invincible." resolve to work on grassroots issues. He worked He is also concerned about the soaring cost He recalled "a fake minister out of Texas" as a volunteer and served on the board of the of St. Paul schools, which translates into who set himself up as the trustee for families Mississippi Market Co-op in St. Paul. burdensome property taxes for homeowners with children who needed organ transplants. While serving on the Merriam Park Com­ in his district. "He stole almost a million bucks," Entenza munity Council, he became involved in many His St. Paul constituents are well-educated said. The man was sued and several families issues, including those of planning, city bud­ and well-informed, said Entenza. Half of got their money back. Unfortunately, about get, zoning, environment, and economic de­ them are renters, many living in the apart­ 50 other families around the country never velopment. ments along Grand Avenue. The district in­ saw their money again. He says political experience at the local level cludes three colleges: Macalester, Concordia, - Mordecai Specktor - on a community council or school board­ and the University of St. Thomas. is good preparation for the Legislature. In addition to the many college students, "You see what people's daily lives are like the district also has many senior citizens, he District 64A and what people need and what they don't said. need," he said. "You get a more practical "It's a district that will support a candidate Population: 32,735 Distribution: 100 percent urban view." who's trying to look at the bigger picture," he County: Ramsey And in addition to experience with local said, adding that most support the effort to Largest city: St. Paul politics, Entenza is also no stranger to state look after the "overall health of the metro­ Location: urban Metro Unemployment rate: 3.90 percent politics-particularly when it come to issues politan area." Residents living below poverty level: 9 .15 involving health care. He is married to Lois Entenza backs the thrust of proposals of­ percent Quam, who has been a key player in the fered by Rep. Myron Orfield (DFL-Mpls) that 1992 presidential election results: Bush/Quayle ...... 21.17 percent shaping of state health care policy for several would allow the inner cities to share some of Clinton/Gore ...... 62.54 percent years. the wealth of the more affluent suburbs. Perot/Stockdale ...... 14.56 percent Entenza succeeds former Rep. Kathleen "In the scheme of things, my district is Other: ...... 1.73 percent Vellenga, who most recently chaired the K- doing relatively well," Entenza said. "But if

It seemed like a good idea back in the Task Force, told members of the House Judi­ 1970s to put breath-alcohol testing devices ciary Finance Committee recently that bar in bars. Patrons could drop in a coin, blow in owners realized that they had better remove the tube, and find out if they were too sloshed the devices or face a lawsuit. to drive themselves home. The 1991 Legislature barred people from But instead of deterring inebriates from to see who could register the highest reading successfully suing a bar that has a breath­ getting behind the wheel of a car, the ma­ on the devices, which typically display a alcohol testing device for any liability result­ chines turned into a drinking game. Accord­ white, yellow, and orange light to reflect ing from such a test provided a variety of ing to University of Minnesota Law School blood-alcohol concentration levels. conditions are met. • professor Steve Simon, drinkers had contests Simon, who chairs the Legislature's DWI

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 19 In the Hopper. Feb. 3 - 9, 199 5

:ti HF401-HF530

Monday, February 6 HF4 l l-Bertram (DFL) HF421-Smith (IR) Governmental Operations Judiciary HF401-Rukavina (DFL) . Early retirement option provided temporarily Noncustodial parent child care authorized in Labor-Management Relations for certain teacher retirement association mem­ certain cases. Minimum wage increased and adjustment pro­ bers. vided based on the consumer price index. HF422-0sskopp (IR) HF412-Bertram (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance HF402-Rukavina (DFL) Education Comprehensive Health Insurance Association International Trade & Economic Development Community colleges, state universities, and tech­ lifetime benefit limit increased. Affirmative Enterprise Program expirati_on date nical colleges required to use construction plans repealed. prepared through the Department of Adminis­ HF423-Van Engen (IR) tration. Judiciary HF403-0tremba (DFL) DWI; snowmobile, motorboat, and all-terrain Environment & Natural Resources HF413-Wenzel (DFL) vehicle forfeiture provided for violation of cer­ Todd County tax forfeited land sale authorized. Transportation & Trans it tain driving while intoxicated offenses, and Trunk Highway No. 131, marked Trunk High­ vehicle forfeiture law expanded . HF404-Peterson (DFL) . way No. ll5, named and designated as Veter­ Labor-Management. Relations ans Memorial Highway. HF424-Hasskamp (DFL) Employers required to grant paid leaves to Governmental Operations employees donating blood. HF414-Peterson (DFL) Firefighter state aid funding increase provided. Labor-Management Relations HF405-Simoneau (DFL) Businesses receiving state financial assistance HF425-Hugoson (IR) Education required to pay a living wage. Agriculture School enrichment partnership program estab­ Farm corporation land use and ownership re­ lished, matching funds provided, revenue use HF415-Huntley (DFL) strictions removed. specified, and money appropriated. Labor-Management Relations Minimum wage increased and adjustment pro­ HF426-Simoneau (DFL) HF406-Luther (DFL) vided based on the consumer price index. Transportation & Transit Judiciary Finance Parking violation delinquent fine notification, Undercover buy fund and witness and victim HF416-Skoglund (DFL) recording, and collection system established; protection fund biennial reports required. Transportation & Transit vehicle registration prohibited pending park­ License plate issuance provided to certain per­ ing violation fine payment; parking violation HF407-Osskopp (IR) sons subject to an impoundment order. warrant issuance prohibited; and fee imposed. Health & Human Services Day training and residential services for persons HF417-Luther (DFL) HF427-McCollum (DFL) with developmental disabilities and serious Health & Human Services Education mental illness funding system established, com­ Public assistance payments paid directly to bat­ Elementary and secondary education trust fund petitive bidding process implemented, and ad­ tered womens shelters, battered woman defini­ established in state treasury, and constitutional visory committee established. tion modified, and appeals and payment re­ amendment proposed. quests directed to Department of Human Ser­ HF408-Cooper (DFL) vices commissioner. HF428-Jacobs (DFL) Transportation & Transit Regulated Industries & Energy Motor carrier driver physical examination and HF418-Hackbarth (IR) Domestic hydropowerpurchase credits byutili­ certification by licensed physicians, osteopaths, Judiciary ties allowed; biomass and wind power mandate and chiropractors authorized. Child support order modification grounds es­ provisions modified; and preferred generation tablished by existence of other children. source provisions modified. HF409-Tunheim (DFL) Education HF419-Pellow (IR) HF429-Ness (IR) Interactive television revenue increased forcer­ Environment & Natural Resources Labor-Management Relations tain combined or consolidated school districts. Pollution Control Agency required to meet with Workers' compensation benefits and proce­ affected party prior to issuance of an dures modified, and penalties provided. HF410-Winter (DFL) administraive penalty order. · Agriculture HF430-Vickerman (IR) Crop disaster insurance program designed and HF420-Jennings (DFL) Labor-Management Relations established, and money appropriated. Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Workers' compensation benefits and proce­ Municipal drainage authorities required to dures modified, and penalties provided. maintain town.road bridges and culverts con­ structed on drainage systems.

20 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 HF43i-Orfield (DFL) HF443-Dempsey (IR) Thursday, February 9 Taxes Capital Investment Metropolitan area property tax equalization Bond issuance provided for acquisition and HF454-Wejcman (DFL) provided. betterment of public land and buildings, and Judiciary Finance money appropriated. Inmate wages used to pay room and board HF432-Sykora (IR) charges, and mandatory savings eliminated. Health & Human Services HF444-Van Dellen (IR) Child abuse investigation liability provisions Education HF455-Wejcman (DFL) modified, attorney fees provided, abuse inves­ Student disciplinary sanctions related to speech Judiciary Finance tigation protocols established, and data access limited, and civil cause of action provided. Inmate wage deduction provisions modified. provided. HF445-Skoglund (DFL) HF456-Hasskamp (DFL) HF433-Winter (DFL) Judiciary Finance Environment & Natural Resources Finance Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Criminal Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area appro­ Windom tax increment financing district ex­ Assessment Program enhancements provided, priated money for operation and maintenance. empted from certain restrictions. and money appropriated. HF457-Perlt (DFL) HF434-Carlson (DFL) HF446-Leppik (IR) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs Education Health & Human Services Mortgage loan negotiator and mortgage broker General education formula allowance increased, Acupuncture practictioner licensure by Board regulatory provisions modified. and money appropriated. of Medical Practice established, and rules and penalties provided. HF458-Wejcman (DFL) HF435-Jacobs (DFL) Health & Human Services Regulated Industries & Energy HF447-Winter (DFL) Children and education services department Gas utility performance-based gas purchasing Environment & Natural Resources established, and money appropriated. regulation authorized. Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Program expanded to include municipal grants. HF459-Lourey (DFL) HF436-Ostrom (DFL) Education Education HF448-Kelley (DFL) Independent School District No. 588, Askov, IndependentSchoolDistrictNo. 2397, LeSueur­ Judiciary capital loan discharge provided, and school Henderson, provided a levy adjustment. Tenant screening services authorized to report district maximum debt service levy provisions court record information related to unlawful modified. HF437-Johnson, V. (IR) detainer filings. Environment & Natural Resources Finance HF460-Entenza (DFL) Environment and natural resources and agri­ · HF449-Mulder (IR) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs cultural appropriations provided for: natural Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Department of Commerce service of orders disaster relief purposes, school land adminis­ Pipestone County bond issuance authorized for regulated and enforcement powers modified, tration, and petroleum tank release assistance. county cou~thouse repair. and notaries public regulated.

HF438-Sykora (IR) HF450-Pelowski (DFL) HF46 l-Wagenius (DFL) Education Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Taxes Higher education system merger implementa­ Soil and water conservation district supervisors Senior citizen's property tax deferral program tion delayed. authorized to hold certain city or town offices. established.

HF439-0nnen (IR) HF451-Knoblach (IR) HF462-Trimble (DFL) Transportation & Transit Rules & Legislative Administration General Legislation, Veterans Affairs & Alternative fuel vehicle permit fee partial refund Tenth Amendment; federal government me­ Elections allowed, and money appropriated. morialized to conform to the limits expressed Minors 16 years of age or older allowed to vote by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitu­ in school district elections, and constitutional HF440-Winter (DFL) tion. amendment proposed. Agriculture Horse feed and bedding exempted from sales HF452-Kelley (DFL) HF463-Johnson, R. (DFL) tax. Health & Human Services Governmental Operations Physician assistants registered by the Board of State trooper retirement contribution rates and HF441-Jennings (DFL) Medical Practice, and rules and penalties pro­ annuity formulas modified. Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs vided. Business license electronic filing and retrieval HF464-Mahon (DFL) provided, and money appropriated. HF453-Weaver (IR) Transportation & Trans it Judiciary License plate impoundment limited to self­ HF442-Swenson, D. (IR) Parenting and ethics education curricula estab­ propelled motor vehicles . Judiciary Finance lished; disruptive students barred from open Public defense, criminal justice, corrections, enrollment program; school buffer zones estab­ HF465-Pugh (DFL) • and judicial appropriations provided. lished; lengthened schoolyear repeal removed; Governmental Operations tort liability limit increased; and money appro­ West St. Paul city attorney authorized to partici­ priated. pate in a retirement incentive program.

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 21 HF466-Pugh (DFL) HF478-Peterson (DFL) HF490-Greenfield (DFL) Health & Human Services Governmental Operations Health & Human Services i Nursing home moratorium exception provided, Annuity increment provided to certain teachers Nursing home moratorium exception provi­ ,I and total replacement rates established. based on the difference between certain teacher sions modified. \ ,/ salaries and average metropolitan area school HF467-Wejcman (DFL) district teacher salaries. HF491-Greenfield (DFL) • Housing Health & Human Services Housing inspection cause of action for damages HF479-Bakk (DFL) Long-term care facility ancillary service provi­ limited. Environment & Natural Resources sions modified. State park additions and state wayside deletions HF468-Anderson, I. (DFL) provided. HF492-Lourey (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Health & Human Services Koochiching County tax forfeited land sale au­ HF480-Simoneau (DFL) Long-term care facility payment provisions thorized. Financial Institutions & Insurance modified. Insurer bad faith remedy and cause of action HF469-Greiling (DFL) provided. HF493-Jefferson (DFL) Judiciary Governmental Operations Uniform Condominium Act; attorney fee award HF481-Marko (DFL) Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund health provided. Health & Human Services insurance administrative provisions modified. Osteoporosis prevention and treatment pro­ HF470-Orfield (DFL) gram established, and money appropriated. HF494-Bertram (DFL) Judiciary Transportation & Transit Uniform conflict oflaws-limitations act adopted. HF482-Wenzel (DFL) Milk truck length limitations extended and Transportation & Transit weight restrictions eased. HF471-Greenfield (DFL) Recreational trailer three year registration op­ Judiciary tion provided. HF495-Workman (IR) Seat belt violations; peace officers authorized to Economic Development, Infrastructure stop drivers and 1.ssue citations for seat belt HF483-Pellow (IR) & Regulation Finance violations without first observing a moving Local Government & Metropolitan Affairs Department of Transportation and Department violation. County commissioner salaries limited, and other of Public Safety appropriated money. compensation and conditions of service modi­ HF472-Van Dellen (IR) fied. HF496-Kraus (IR) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs Education & Elections HF484-Paulsen (IR) School district superintendent past buyout ar­ Term limits; legislative and executive service Health & Human Services rangement disclosure required. limited and constitutional amendment pro­ Correctional guard HIV exposure notification posed. provisions modified. HF497-Anderson, R. (DFL) Health & Human Services HF473-Trimble (DFL) HF485-Winter (DFL) Medical Assistance noninstitutionalized patient Governmental Operations Environment & Natural Resources monthly allowance deduction provisions modi­ Human development center established, and Waste combuster operation permitted by Pol­ fied. money appropriated for planning and develop­ lution Control Agency in certain cases. ment. HF498-Dauner (DFL) HF486-Peterson (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy HF47 4-Commers (IR) Agriculture Clay County authorized to issue an on-sale Environment & Natural Resources Value-Added Agricultural Product Loan Pro­ intoxicating liquor license. Dakota County authorized to sell certain tax­ gram eligibility expanded, and money forfeited land to Eagan. appropriated. HF499-Wejcman (DFL) Health & Human Services HF475-Rhodes (IR) HF487-Pelowski (DFL) Prescription drug price negotiation authority General Legislation, Veterans Affairs Education granted to Department of Administration com­ & Elections State university and college library appropria­ missioner, statewide drug formulary established, School district general elections held annually. tions exempted from the one-third debt service and pharmacists required to post signs relating requirement. to generic drug substitution. HF476-Knoblach (IR) Financial Institutions & Insurance HF488-Cooper (DFL) HF500-Abrams (IR) Bank and trust company annual financial state­ Ways &Means Governmental Operations ment publishing requirements eliminated. Petroleum tank release cleanup fund site assess­ Legislative regular session meetings in even­ ment payment provided prior to tank removal. numbered years required to begin on the fourth HF477-McCollum (DFL) Tuesday in March, and constitutional amend­ Transportation & Transit HF489~Cooper (DFL) ment proposed. Trunk Highway No. 36inNorthSt. Paul pedes­ Health & Human Services trian-bicycle overpass construction required. Uncertified boarding care home defined, and county payment rate changed.

22 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 HF501--Dawkins (DFL) HF51 l-Lourey (DFL) HF521-Sviggum (IR) Financial Institutions & Insurance Health & Human Services Governmental Operations Comprehensive Health Association disabled Senior Citizen Nutrition Program reporting re­ State department and legislative appropriations enrollees covered by· Medicare premiums quired, funding increased for congregate din­ provided. regulated. ing and home-delivered meals, and money appropriated. HF522-Swenson, D. (IR) • HF502-Winter (DFL) Judiciary Finance Environment & Natural Resources HF512-Koppendrayer (IR) Bomb Disposal Unit and Hazardous Material Town road, bridge, or culvert projects exempt Taxes Response Team member reimbursement pro­ from Pollution Control Agency permit fees. Local government property tax aid provided for vided, tort claims and workers' compensation prope,rty exempted due to Bureau of Indian provisions clarified, and money appropriated. . HF503-Bishop (IR) Affairs action, and money appropriated. Environment & Natural Resources HF 523-Erhardt (IR) Water supply systems and wastewater treat­ HF513-Cooper (DFL) Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs ment facilities classified and operators certified Health & Human Services Canada; Minnesota-Ontario fish importation by Department of Health and Pollution Control Nursing home moratorium exception provided. restrictions removed. Agency, and money appropriated. HF514-Rest (DFL) HF524-Larsen (IR) HF504-McCollum (DFL) Governmental Operations Judiciary Environment & Natural Resources Municipal Board composition provisions McGruff Program safe houses renamed McGruff Park, recreation area, and natural and scenic modified. houses. area grants provided to school districts and municipalities. HF515-Rest (DFL) HF525-Jennings (DFL) Governmental Operations Health & Human Services HF505-Olson, E. (DFL) Local government incorporation, detachment, Public assistance provider hearings permitted, Education and annexation authority transferred to the state agency hearing conduct modified, medical Independent School District No. 36, Kelliher, Office of Strategic and Long-Range planning assistance prior authorization requirements capital loan qpproved, money appropriated, and the Office of Administrative Hearings, and modified, and prior authorization advisory task and bonds issued. money appropriated. force established.

HF506-Clark (DFL) HF516-Lourey (DFL) HF526-Trimble (DFL) Housing Health & Human Services Environment & Natural Resources Lead abatement provisions modified and Managed care health plans required to pro­ Waste management and treatment procedures recodified, and money appropriated. vided certain enrollees with expanded geo­ modified in unincorporated areas. • graphic access to primary care physician HF507-Koppendrayer (IR) services. HF527-Mariani (DFL) Education Regulated Industries & Energy Education finance appropriations bill. HF517-Rest (DFL) Telecommunication Access for Communica­ Health & Human Services tion Impaired Persons (TACIP) Board equip­ HF508-Onnen (IR) Education Now and Babies Later (ENABL) teen ment recipient eligibility requirements Health & Human Services pregnancy reduction program established, and modified. Health and human services public assistance money appropriated. provisions modified, program integrity pro­ HF528-Mariani (DFL) vided, child support enforcement modified, HF518-Rest (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy health care finance and administration modi­ Taxes Telecommunication Access for Communica­ fied, and money appropriated. Dependent care income tax provisions tion Impaired Persons (TACIP) Board equip­ modified. ment eligibility restricted for persons in resi­ HF509-Clark (DFL) dential care facilities where suitable telephone Housing HF519-Greenfield (DFL) service is provided. Affordable home investment account estab­ Health & Human Services lished, and money appropriated. Nursing facility subacute care definition pro­ HF529-Pugh (DFL) vided, and rule waivers sought by Department Judiciary HF510-Clark (DFL) of Human Services and Department of Health Eminent domain notice of pendency provisions Health & Human Services commissioners. modified. Pesticide poisoning treatment included as an emergency service for general assistance medi­ HF520-Milbert (DFL) HF530-Kahn (DFL) cal care eligibility purposes, pesticide poison­ Taxes Commerce, Tourism & Consumer Affairs ing reporting and education required, and Jenkins Act; Congress memorialized to amend Baseball; Congress memorialized to repeal money appropriated. the Jenkins Act to require tobacco tax informa­ baseball's antitrust exemption and to create a • tion report filing and increase related penalties . publicly appointed board to govern baseball.

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 23 Coming Up Next Week ... Feb. 13 - 17, 1995 Ii .,

Tour begins at 10 a.m. Please R.S.V.P. to com­ of state, election expense allocation changed, Schedule is subject to change. mittee staff at 296-4247.) election materials retained, terms and election For information updates, call House frequency clarified, and certain election dis­ Calls at (612) 296-9283. All meetings lOa.m. tricts dissolved. are open to the public. (After the bill is heard, the full committee will JUDICIARY adjourn and the Subcommittee on Veterans Basement Hearing Room Affairs will convene at approximately 1 p.m. MONDAY, Feb. 13 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Betty McCollum. Agenda: Sandra Chr. Rep. Wes Skoglund Curtis, AFSCME.) 8a.m. Agenda: SF75 (Betzold); HF262 (Leighton) Filing of mechanics' liens. 2:30p.m. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HF107 (Farrell) School locker statewide in­ INFRASTRUCTURE & spection policy established. The House meets in Session. REGULATION FINANCE HF72 ( Greiling) Residential rental building and 300N State Office Building manufactured home park managers and care­ After Session Chr. Rep. Jim Rice takers required to undergo criminal background Agenda: Briefings by Workers' Compensation checks, and landlord requirements and notice St. Paul Delegation Court of Appeals, Mediation Services, Electric­ specifications provided. 300S State Office Building ity Board. Chr. Rep. Steve Trimble REGULATED INDUSTRIES & ENERGY Agenda: Presentation by St. Paul Port Author­ K-12 Education Finance Division/ 10 State Office Building ity concerning the civic center. Presentation by EDUCATION Chr. Rep. Joel Jacobs Ann Bitter, president, Children's Museum. SOON State Office Building Agenda: HF358 (WolD Public Utilities Com­ Chr. Rep. Alice Johnson mission rehearing application time limit provi­ 4p.m. Agenda: Public testimony on the Governor's sions modified. recommendation for a Department of Children HF382 (WolD Small electric utility franchise Higher Education Finance Division/ and Education Services. If necessary, finish rate regulation exemption provided. EDUCATION Article 3 (Special Education). HF389 (WolD Public Utilities Commission rate Basement Hearing Room suspension period provisions clarified. State Office Building 8:30 a.m. HF354 (Vickerman) Small gas utility franchise Chr. Rep. Tony Kinkel rate regulation exemption provided for inci­ Agenda: HFl 46 (Hasskamp) Brainerd Techni­ ENVIRONMENT & dental utility service. cal College appropriation use authorized for NATURAL RESOURCES FINAN CE HF374 (Dempsey) Large electric power gener­ athletic facility relocation. Basement Hearing Room ating plant certificate of need proceeding ex­ Stanley Edin, president, Brainerd and Staples State Office Building emption provided in certain cases. Regional Technical College. Sally Ihne, presi­ Chr. Rep. Chuck Brown HF248 (Solberg) Pumped hydropower added dent, Brainerd Community College. Agenda: Minnesota Department of Agriculture to list of preferred alternative energy sources, budget presentation, Elton Redalen, commis­ and incentive payments provided for pumped 4:30 p.m. sioner; William Oemichen, deputy commis­ hydropower facilities. sioner. HF4 35 Qacobs) Gas utility performance-based Joint Higher Education Finance Division and gas purchasing regulation authorized. University of Minnesota Finance Division/ Health & Human Services Finance Division/ (There may be additions to the agenda.) EDUCATION HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Basement Hearing Room 10 State Office Building Reports, Mandates, Litigation and Free State Office Building Chr. Rep. Lee Greenfield Speech Issues Working Groupf}oint Higher Chrs. Reps. Tony Kinkel, Becky Kelso Agenda: Continuation of the Governor's bud­ Education Finance Division and University Agenda: Financial Aid Report, Kerry Fine, House get recommendations for Minnesota Depart­ ofMinnesota Finance Division/EDUCATION Research. ment of Human Services. Community mental 300S State Office Building health and state operated services. Economic Chrs. Reps. Tony Kinkel, Becky Kelso 6:30 p.m. self-sufficiency. Agenda: To be announced. Joint Legislative Commission on Children, 9:45 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Youth and Their Families/ The Children's Cabinet AGRICULTURE GENERAL LEGISLATION, 5 State Office Building Tour VETERANS AFFAIRS & ELECTIONS Chrs. Sen. Jane Ranum, Linda Kohl Chr. Rep. Steve Wenzel 300N State Office Building Agenda: Discussion of the draft version of the Agenda: Tour of the Minnesota Department of Chr. Rep. Tom Osthoff Family Impact Checklist. Agriculture. (Group will depart from the east Agenda: SFl41 (Sams); HF103 (OsthofD School doors of the State Office Building at 9:45 a.m. board membership plans reviewed by secretary

24 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 TUESDAY, Feb. 14 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES WEDNESDAY, Feb. 15 i<' 10 State Office Building Sa.m. Chr. Rep. Bob Anderson Sa.m. Agenda: HFS (Anderson, R) Welfare reform EDUCATION provisions modified, and money appropriated. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 200 State Office Building The committee will provide 35 minutes of INFRASTRUCTURE & • Chr. Rep. Lyndon Carlson testimony time opponents and proponents. To REGULATION FINANCE Agenda: HF294 (Cooper) Teachers provided testify, contact Tim Adams at 297-1934. 300N State Office Building continuous licensure. Chr. Rep. Jim Rice Report of School Bus Safety Advisory Commit­ Sales & Income Tax Division/TAXES Agenda: Briefings by Head Start of Minnesota tee by Glenn Gramse, Department of Public 200 State Office Building and Spanish Speaking Affairs Council. Safety. Chr. Rep. Bob Milbert Agenda: Department bills, Minnesota Depart­ Higher Education Finance Division/ JUDICIARY FINANCE ment of Revenue. EDUCATION SOON State Office Building 300S State Office Building Chr. Rep. Mary Murphy 12:30 p.m. Chr. Rep. Tony Kinkel Agenda: 1993-94 initiatives and reports. 1994 Agenda: MT CSA representatives. Continuation Juvenile Justice Bill fiscal requirements on 96- CAPITAL INVESTMENT of discussion of governor's budget proposal and 97 budgets. SOON State Office Building merger, Ed McMahon, .vice chancellor, Admin­ Chr. Rep. Henry Kalis istration and Budget, MnSCU; Judy Borgen, Agenda: Department of Finance Report on assistant vice chancellor, Finance, Minnesota MinnesotaCare Finance Division/ matching money as mandated by the 1994 State University System; Jay Noren, interim HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES bonding bill. chancellor, Higher Education Board. 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Roger Cooper COMMERCE, TOURISM & Health & Human Services Finance Division/ Agenda: Primary care initiatives of the Univer­ CONSUMER AFFAIRS HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES sity of Minnesota Medical School. 10 State Office Building 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. John Sama Chr. Rep. Lee Greenfield Transportation Finance Division/ Agenda: To be announced. Agenda: Continuation of budget overview of ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, governor's recommendation for Department of INFRASTRUCTURE & 12:45 p.m. Human Services. REGULATION FINANCE SOOS State Office Building K-12 Education ·Finance Division/ Property Tax & Tax Increment Financing Chr. Rep. Bernie Lieder EDUCATION Division/TAXES Agenda: Department of Public Safety budget Tour 200 State Office Building presentation. Chr. Rep. AliceJohnson Chr. Rep. Ted Winter Agenda: Tour of Foley and Cold Spring school Agenda: Minnesota's payment in lieu of tax 8:30 a.m. districts. (Tour group will leave at 12:45 p.m. policy. Tour group will meet in Foley Elementary School ENVIRONMENT & Gym at 3:30 p.m. Tour group will meet in 8:30 a.m. NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE Racori High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m.) Basement Hearing Room ENVIRONMENT & State Office Building 2:30p.m. NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE Chr. Rep. Chuck Brown Basement Hearing Room Agenda: Office of Environmental Assistance Government Efficiency & Oversight Divi­ State Office Building budget presentation, Ed Garvey, director. sion/WAYS & MEANS Chr. Rep. Chuck Brown SOOS State Office Building Agenda: Office of Environmental Assistance lOa.m. Chr. Rep. Howard Orenstein budget presentation, Ed Garvey, director. Agenda: Oversight of Commission on Reform Financial Aid and Tuition Policy Working and Efficiency implementation. 10 a.m. Group1oint Higher Education Finance Divi­ sion and University of Minnesota Finance 6:30 p.m. ENVIRONMENT & Division/EDUCATION NATURAL RESOURCES 300S State Office Building TAXES 200 State Office Building Chrs. Reps. Tony Kinkel, Becky Kelso Brooklyn Center City Council Chambers Chr. Rep. Willard Munger Agenda: To be announced. 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway Agenda: HF218 (Lourey) Minnesota rock, gem, Chr. Rep. Ann H. Rest and mineral interpretive center designed, and GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS Agenda: Public testimony on governor's bud­ money appropriated. Basement Hearing Room get proposal. HF351 (Dempsey) Red Wing provided com­ State Office Building bined sewer overflow grants, and money appro­ Chr. Rep. Phyllis Kahn priated. Agenda: HF123 (Opatz) Public contract over­ HF419 (Pellow) Pollution Control Agency re­ sight provided for certain state and metropoli­ quired to meet vvith affected party prior to tan government contracts. issuance of an administrative penalty order.

February 10, 1995 / SESSION WEEKLY 25 HFXXXX (Mccollum) New language to repeal 2:30p.m. Agenda: Presentation of the governor's 1996- M.S. 1994, 85.019, Grants-In-Aid for recre­ 97 biennial budget recommendations for ational betterment. Working Group Task Force on Legislative MinnesotaCare, Minnesota Department of Hu­ HF121 Qohnson, V.) Blufflands trail system in Commissions/WAYS & MEANS man Services. Winona County extension authorized. 400S State Office Building HF361 (Farrell) Contamination cleanup grant Chr. Rep. Mike Delmont 8:30 a.m project costs to include site tests and studies. Agenda: Continuation of testimony from legis­ HF260 (Munger) Western Lake Superior sani­ lative commissions on overviews, objectives ENVIRONMENT & tary district bonding authority allocation pro­ and accomplishments. NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE vided. Basement Hearing Room 4p.m. State Office Building FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & Chr. Rep. Chuck Brown INSURANCE University of Minnesota Finance Division/ Agenda: Pollution Control Agency budget pre­ 10 State Office Building EDUCATION sentation, Charles Williams, commissioner; Ann Chr. Rep. Wayne Simoneau 5 State Office Building Glumac, deputy commissioner. Agenda: Continuation of Feb. 8th agenda. Chr. Rep. Becky Kelso HF182 (Simoneau)Automobileinsurancemedi­ Agenda: Overview of Agriculture and Exten­ lOa.m. cal expense benefits regulated; benefits offered sion Service, Eugene Allen, vice president, In­ through managed care plans; Department of stitute for Agriculture, Forestry and Home Eco­ GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS Commerce benefit certification provided; and nomics, and director, Agricultural Experiment Basement Hearing Room premium reductions and rules required. Station; Gail Skinner-West, interim director, State Office Building Minnesota Extension Service. County exten­ Chr. Rep. Phyllis Kahn JUDICIARY sion cluster legislative contacts. (Interactive Agenda: HF123 (Opatz) Public contract over­ Basement Hearing Room hearing in room 5 State Office Building.) sight provided for certain state and metropoli­ State Office Building tan government contracts. Chr. Rep. Wes Skoglund 7p.m. Agenda: Report on juvenile programming for HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES youthful offenders, Joel Alter, Office of the Government Efficiency & Oversight Divi­ 10 State Office Building Legislative Auditor. sion/WAYS & MEANS Chr. Rep. B~b Anderson 5 State Office Building Agenda: HF331 (Clark) Patients bill of rights 12:30 p.m. Chr. Rep. Howard Orenstein privacy provisions modified. Agenda: Interactive T.V. hearing. Citizens in HF446 (Leppik) Acupuncture practitioner li­ Business Regulation Division/ International Falls (Rainy River Community censure by Board of Medical Practice estab­ COMMERCE, TOURISM & College) and Marshall (Lyon County Court­ lished, and rules and penalties provided. CONSUMER AFFAIRS house) will give their ideas on government SOON State Office Building efficiency. TAXES Chr. Rep. Loren Jennings 200 State Office Building Agenda: HF44 l Qennings) Business license Chr. Rep. Ann H. Rest electronic filing and retrieval provided, and THURSDAY, Feb. 16 Agenda: Department bills. Minnesota Depart­ money appropriated. ment of Revenue. 8a.m. TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT 12:30 p.m. 10 State Office Building EDUCATION Chr. Rep. Jim Tunheim 200 State Office Building COMMERCE, TOURISM & Agenda: HF280 (Sviggum) School bus driver Chr. Rep. Lyndon Carlson CONSUMER AFFAIRS employment requirements modified. Agenda: HF34 l (Skoglund) Compulsory edu­ 10 State Office Building HF52 (Bertram) Drivers' license and state iden­ cation requirements modified for children un­ Chr. Rep. John Sama tification card holders allowed to wear headwear der the age of seven. Agenda: To be announced. in drivers' license and identification card pho­ HF107 (Farrell) School locker statewide in­ tographs in certain cases. spection policy established. Elections Division/ HF216 (Huntley) Motor vehicle registration HFl 46 (Hasskamp) Brainerd Technical College GENERAL LEGISLATION, VETERANS fleet definition modified. appropriation use authorized for athletic facil­ AFFAIRS & ELECTIONS ity relocation. 300N State Office Building 1 p.m. Chr. Rep. Richard Jefferson JUDICIARY FINANCE Agenda: HFl 42 (Lieder) Precinct caucus, state, INTERNATIONAL TRADE & SOON State Office Building and presidential primary dates changed, absen­ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Chr. Rep. Mary Murphy tee ballot deadline modified, voters guide dis­ World Trade Center Building, 3rd Flr. Execu­ Agenda: 93-94 initiatives and reports. CHIPS tribution provided, presidential primary bymail tive Board Room demonstration project. Maximizing federal re­ allowed, filing fee increased, duties modified, 30 E 7th St., St Paul, Minnesota imbursement. Out of home placement. and money appropriated. Chr. Rep. Mike Jaros (No vote will be taken.) Agenda: Overview. Legislative priorities. Tour MinnesotaCare Finance Division/ of the Minnesota Trade Office. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Roger Cooper

26 SESSION WEEKLY/ February 10, 1995 2:30 p.m.

The House meets in Session .

Should African-Americans be given submit the question to a separate vote FRIDAY, Feb. 17 the right to vote? This was one of the of the people. The Democrats disagreed. • tough questions facing those who crafted At the last minute both sides agreed Sa.m. the original Minnesota Constitution in to settle the question by limiting the 1857. vote to whites while at the same time Health & Human Services Between 1820 and 1857, no state making the constitution easy to amend. Finance Division/ constitution adopted by a newly formed "In this way each party could argue HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES state had allowed African-Americans to that it had won - the Democrats that 10 State Office Building vote and seven states that previously Black suffrage had been ruled out, and Chr. Rep. Lee Greenfield had made no distinction among races the Republicans that it could be easily Agenda: Continuation of budget overview of changed their laws to disenfranchise permitted whenever the people were the governor's recommendations for the De­ African-Americans. ready to vote for it," wrote the Minne­ partment of Human Services. Public testimony. And while Minnesota Republicans sota Historical Society in Minnesota: Political Mave1ick. Higher Education Finance Division/ favored equal suffrage, they were con­ After two failed attempts to amend EDUCATION cerned that if it were included in the Basement Hearing Room constitution, voters would surely reject the constitution in 1865 and 1867, State Office Building it. Democrats were open in their oppo­ African-American men, American In­ Chr. Rep. Tony Kinkel sition to the idea. "White Supremacy dian men, and mixed-blooded males Agenda: Testimony from members of boards of Against Negro Equality!" screamed a over the age of 21 won the right to vote directors of Interfaculty Organization (IFO), headline in the St. Paul Pioneer and Demo­ in 1868. Minnesota Community College Faculty Asso­ crat. Minnesota voters approved the equal ciation (MCCFA), and United Technical Col­ After each political party had forged suffrage amendment by a 5 6. 7 percent lege Educators (UTCE). its own constitution, representatives to 43.3 percent margin. The final vote from both sides gathered to mold them was 39,493 in favor of the amendment K-12 Education Finance Division/ · into one document. On the equal suf­ and 30,121 against it. EDUCATION frage issue, the Republicans wished to SOON State Office Building Chr. Rep. Alicejohnson Agenda: Article 5, facilities and equipment.

Transportation Finance Division/ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE & REGULATION FINANCE SOOS State Office Building Chr. Rep. Bernie Lieder Agenda: MnDOT budget presentation.

10 a.m.

ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Willard Munger Agenda: To be announced. "The First Vote" drawn by A.U. Waud appeared in Harper's Weekly magazine in TRANSPORTATION & 1867. In the south, African-Americans voted TRANSIT in large numbers after the Civil War. In 10 State Office Building Minnesota, African-Americans men were Chr. Rep. Jim Tunheim first granted the right to vote in 1868 after Agenda: HF395 (Marko) Road powered elec­ two prior attempts to grant suffrage to all tric vehicle (RPEV) demonstration project and men failed study appropriated money. Additional bills may be added.

February 10, 1995 / SESSIONWEEKLY 27 ...... -l.

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

Speaker of the House: Irv Anderson Majority Leader: Phil Carruthers Minority Leader: Steven A. Sviggum

Minnesota agriculture Number of Minnesota farms, December 1994 ...... ,. 85,000 For more in 1983 ..... -..... -...... , ...... ,...... 102,000 County with the most farms, (Steams), 1992 ...... _ ...... '...... J,275 information • County with the fewest, (Cook), 1992 ...... '...... 15 • • Average farm size, in acres, 1993 ...... ,. 341 For general information, call: Increase in the average size of a farm, 1983-1993, in acres ...... 4 3 House Information Office Average government payments per farm, 1992 ...... :...... $4,795 (612) 296-2146 or Average annual gross income per Minnesota farm, 1992 ...... $90,631 1-800-657-3550 Average net.income ...... ;...... : ...... $16,824 Total agricultural workers, April 1994 ...... ,...... ;...... 130,000 Number of those workers hired by farmers ...... 16,000 National rank,sugar beet production, 1993 ...... ,...... 1 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: 1 National rank for sweet corn,. flax, sunflowers, and Chief Clerk s Office spring wheat production, 1993 .. ;...... :···································· ...... 3 (612) 296-2314 Tons of fertilizer used between July 1, 1992, and June 30, 1993, in millions of tons ...... ;...... , ...... 2.1 National rank ...... ;...... - ...... - ... ;...... ;...... 6 To find out about bill introductions or All cattle in Minnesota, 1994, in millions .... ;...... , ...... :. 2.75 the status of a specific bill, call: Cattle slaughtered by commercial operations, 1993, in millions ...... 1 House Index Office Calves born in Minnesota, 1993 ...... ,...... , ...... 980,000 (612) 296-6646 State record number ofcalves born, 1944, in millions ...... 1.87 All hogs in Minnesota, 1994, in millions ...... : .... 4.6 Approximate ratio of hogs to humans, 1994 ...... , ...... ;...... 1:1 For up-to-date recorded message giving committee meeting times and Percent of the day that a pig spends grazing ...... 31 agendas, call: That a pig spends rooting ...... , .... , ...... 21 House Calls (612) 296-9283 Chickens on Minnesota farms, December 1994, in millions ...... '...... ;..... 13.46 Eggs produced in 1993, in billions ...... ;...... ·...... , ...... 2.69 County with the most beef cows, 1994, (Fillmore) ..... ; ...... 21,400 Coµnty with the fewest, (Ramsey) ...... ; ...... 200 .8111111118 .. 111111111111 County with the most milk cows, 1994, (Stearns) ...... ,.: ...... 67,700 111111111111111

County with the most hogs, 1993, (Renville) ...... 143,700 Telecommunications Pounds of American cheese manufactured in Minnesota, 1993, in millions ... _571.8 Device for the Deaf (TDD) Gallons of ice cream made, 1993, in millions ...... , ...... _ ...... 40.6 Telecomm·unications device for the deaf. To ask questions or leave messages, call: Sources:. Minnesota Agriculture Statistics,. 1994, Minnesota Agricultural Statistics. Service, TDD Line (612) 296-9896 or Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Bringing Home the Bacon, The Humane Fanning Association. 1-800-657-3550