APRIL 25, 2003 VOLUME 20, NUMBER 16

In this issue:

CONCEALED CARRY PASSES

PERMIT REGULATIONS, RAIL AUTHORITIES, AND MORE

HF1557-HF1579 ESSION S Weekly Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. During the 2003-2004 Legislative Session, each issue reports daily House ac- tion between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and upcoming commit- tee meeting schedules, and provides other information. The publication is a service of the Minnesota House. No fee. CONTENTS To subscribe, contact: Minnesota House of Representatives IGHLIGHTS Public Information Services H 175 State Office Building Agriculture • 5 Environment • 8 Law • 11 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Arts • 6 Ethics • 9 (651) 296-2146 or Local Government • 11 1-800-657-3550 Consumers • 6 Government • 9 Recreation • 12 TTY (651) 296-9896 Crime • 7 Health • 9 Safety • 12 Education • 7 Housing • 10 Taxes • 13 Director Elections • 7 Industry • 10 Barry LaGrave Assistant Director LeClair G. Lambert Editor/Assistant Director FEATURES Michelle Kibiger AT ISSUE: LOCAL GOVERNMENT — Lawmakers are questioning the roles of re- Assistant Editor gional rail authorities, established more than 20 years ago to study Mike Cook utilization of existing railroad facilities. • 14 Art & Production Coordinator Paul Battaglia AT ISSUE: SAFETY — The House has again passed a measure that would Writers change the way concealed weapons permits are granted in Minnesota. • 15 Miranda Bryant, Patty Janovec, Jeff Jones, Tom Lonergan HISTORY — The Board of Animal Health, celebrating its centennial this year, Chief Photographer continues battling animal diseases that could affect humans as well. • 16 Tom Olmscheid Photographers Andrew Von Bank, Kristine Larsen Office Manager DEPARTMENTS/RESOURCES Nicole Wood It’s a Fact: Preserving resources • 4 Bill Introductions (HF1557-HF1579) • 22 Staff Assistants Resources: Minnesota State Government • 17 Committee Schedule (April 28-May 2) • 22 Christy Novak, Joseph Rude Resources: State and Federal Offices • 19 Reflections: Capitol architecture • 23 Governor’s Desk (CH1-CH20) • 21 Minnesota Index: Minnesota nurses • 24 Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is published weekly during the legislative session by the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services, 175 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Session Weekly, Public Information Services, Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155-1298.

Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 30% post-consumer content. On the cover: A group of fifth graders from Orono Elementary School are reflected in a Civil War flag case as they walk through the Capitol Rotunda during an April 17 historic tour. — Photo by Kristine Larsen

2 April 25, 2003 IRST READING F★ ★ ★

for additional traffic capacity projects. The House Environment and Natural Re- Strange roadbed-fellows sources Finance Committee held a hearing April 23 to review the provisions relating to House committees at odds over environmental permit wetlands restoration contained in the omni- bus transportation funding package. process for road projects Specifically, the transportation bill would: • limit native species planting permit require- BY NICOLE WOOD Resources, Minnesota Association of Water- ments; etlands are recognized under state law shed Districts, Association of Minnesota • exempt counties from securing any permits for conserving surface waters and Counties, Pollution Control Agency, and De- for work within rights-of-way on existing W underground moisture, maintaining partment of Transportation — have negoti- roads; and improving water quality, preserving wild- ated a compromise plan that emphasizes early • expand the approved restoration zone for life habitat, providing recreational opportu- coordination between all involved parties. wetlands replacements for certain projects; nities, reducing runoff and stream Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount) has and sedimentation, providing for floodwater reten- added the so-called “alternative consensus lan- • reduce wetlands replacement ratios from 2:1 tion, helping moderate climatic change, and guage” to the omnibus environment and natu- to 1.5:1 for public transportation projects enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape. ral resources finance bill (HF779). in those counties classified as having at least The state’s Wetland Conservation Act, as the Ozment said that while he recognizes the 50 percent but less than 80 percent of the collection of laws protecting the resource is transportation committee is “of a different mind,” wetland acreage, as it existed before the known, emphasizes a “no net loss” approach he believes many of the frustrations are caused state’s settlement, intact. Affected counties in preserving the quantity, quality, or biologi- by the permit process itself rather than the extra would include Anoka, Becker, Benton, cal diversity of wetlands. Chisago, Morrison, Otter Tail, Transportation authorities — Sherburne, and Todd. most often counties — are required Currently, wetlands affected by to replace wetlands values and re- transportation projects in the store native plantings under an ex- seven-county Twin Cities metro- tensive road project permit process. politan area must be replaced in Generally, the local government unit those same counties. The trans- responsible for administering per- portation bill would instead allow mits under the Wetland Conserva- for the replacements within a ma- tion Act is the city or county, but it jor watershed that drains into the also could be a watershed district or defined metropolitan area. soil and water conservation district. While most acknowledged the Although the Legislature has at- need for more flexibility in the tempted to streamline the permit process, critics of the Kuisle trans- process over the years, the paper- portation plan testified that it work can be difficult because a va- could roll back the state’s goal of riety of local, state, and federal no net loss of wetlands, reduce lo- PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK government units have jurisdiction cal control, and perhaps put fed- over wetland areas. Anoka County Highway Engineer Doug Fischer, left, and Anoka County Com- eral funds at risk. missioner Dennis Berg, right, testify before the House Environment and Natu- “In doing this, we can save a lot The House transportation finance ral Resources Finance Committee April 23 during a discussion of environment of money in the way we do roads,” and policy committees heard testi- provisions in the House Transportation Finance Committee’s omnibus bill. mony earlier this session from Kuisle countered. “It’s not an at- groups seeking administrative relief from certain costs related to environmental mitigation. tempt to undo the wetland bill.” requirements under the permit process. The provisions included in the environment Representatives from Anoka County offered In response to frustration over costs, delays, finance bill would: examples of seemingly prohibitive mitigation and duplicative governmental permit require- • provide public transportation authorities costs. The county recently spent more than ments, a revised wetland replacement ratio and with at least a 45-day notice before water- $2 million in environmental costs for a 3-mile other wetlands law modifications are advanc- shed districts revise or establish rules; project, according to County Commissioner ing in the omnibus transportation finance plan • reinstate a process for public transportation Dennis Berg. (HF627), sponsored by Rep. William Kuisle authorities to appeal decisions by water- But others argued the length of road is not (R-Rochester). shed districts to the Board of Water and Soil directly proportional to the environmental Meanwhile, government units who operate Resources; and mitigation needs. “What may be a minor road under the wetlands law and affected stakehold- • allow for transportation authorities to pur- project may be a major water management ers — including the Board of Water and Soil chase credits from the state wetland bank project,” said Tim Kelly, Coon Creek Watershed

Session Weekly 3 District administrator. The Anoka County testimony also high- lighted practical challenges to implementing native grass planting requirements. Incorporating high quality native grasses Preserving resources requires occasional burnings, County High- 1970 committee balanced water conservation with property rights of farmers way Engineer Doug Fischer said, but burning ditches and medians in the high traffic met- Since early in the state’s history, Minnesota’s $6 million. Federal purchases included an- ropolitan area is “quite problematic.” leaders have been aware of the abundance of other 70,000 acres. According to the subcom- However, Bonnie Harper-Lore, restoration wetlands in the state. However, a clear direc- mittee report, 600,000 acres of wetlands in the ecologist with the Federal Highway Transpor- tion for managing those wetlands was lack- state were located on private land. tation Administration, advised the committee ing in the early days. More than 100 years after Several witnesses testified that the state of the federal interest in native plants and statehood, lawmakers were still grappling with should continue acquiring wetlands for warned funding could be withdrawn if inva- the proper balance between maintaining wet- wildlife management. However, they also ac- sive plants are used. lands and maximizing land use, particularly knowledged that local governments’ con- The average cost per acre for a native grass for agriculture. cern regarding the loss of tax revenue from roadside mix averages $200, according to a Back when the Legisla- acquired land was a sig- Minnesota Department of Transportation ture was only meeting ev- nificant concern. (MnDOT) seeding cost comparison presented ery other year, the House “Chairman (Frank) to the committee. Conservation Committee DeGroat (representative “The issue has been cost…but we believe appointed a Subcommittee from Lake Park) concluded the mixture MnDOT has put together is avail- on Preservation of Wet- that part of the problem in- able at a reasonable cost to transportation au- lands to meet during the volves a balance between Digging a ditch on Joseph Dostal thorities,” said Board of Water and Soil interim period in 1970. farm in Beltrami County in 1915. acquiring land bordering Resources Director Ron Harnack. The subcommittee exam- wetlands to control preda- Fischer also said delays could be avoided by ined state policies relating to wetland recla- tors and not removing so much land unnec- exemptions from permit requirements. Profes- mation and management, particularly as it essarily from the tax rolls as to damage the sional standards would ensure voluntary com- related to wildlife management areas. financial position of the local unit of govern- pliance with environmental regulations, he said. Testifiers and members of the subcom- ment,” the report said. “We feel very strongly that local knowledge mittee addressed the value of wetlands to Several farmers also complained about ex- and local control is not only appropriate, but it control flooding and as a method for man- isting practices, saying they went beyond pre- is essential in ensuring that projects are permit- aging wildlife. They also considered the serving existing wetland and they obstructed ted in such a way as to reduce environmental practices existing at the time of draining use of high quality land for farmland. They harm without undue burden,” wrote Julie land that could be used for agriculture. also said they perceived hunters as nuisances Klocker, Sauk River Watershed District admin- The subcommittee made a number of because they didn’t obey existing hunting laws. istrator, in a report submitted to the committee. recommendations, including: However, farmers did support a water “Nobody in a watershed wants to delay or • accelerating wetland acquisition; bank plan administered by the U.S. Depart- add costs to a road project,” Klocker said. • changing laws regarding land drainage; ment of Agriculture. “It’s not an attempt to go after the soil and • encouraging state departments governing Since the report, a number of significant water conservation districts,” Kuisle said. “But we wetlands and wildlife and local govern- laws related to wetlands have been passed, need some rhyme and reason in road projects.” ments to better communicate regarding most notably the Wetland Conservation Act There are very few issues where environmen- selection and management of wetlands; of 1991, which established a “no net loss” talists and the “hook and bullet crowd” see eye • encouraging a wetland banking program; policy with regard to wetland management. to eye, and they typically involve habitat and wet- • making payments to local governments to Simply put, the no net loss policy requires that lands, said Gary Botzek, executive director of the compensate for taxes that were no longer replacing wetlands cannot result in a net loss Fish and Wildlife Legislative Alliance, also speak- collected on acquired wetlands; and of wetland. That has dictated either 2:1 or 1:1 ing on behalf of the Minnesota Environmental • urging greater understanding and coop- replacement ratios in the state. Partnership and the Coalition of Minnesota eration in wildlife area management be- Also, several actions since 1970 have incor- Conservation Organizations. “Let’s not throw the tween hunters and farmers. porated many of the suggested changes of the baby out with the ditch water,” Botzek said. Early water management in the state fo- committee. Between 1979 and 1984, the state While both spending packages fall in line cused on manipulating water to make land conducted an inventory of public waters and for the most part with Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s more suitable for farming, according to an specifically identified all public waters on maps budget recommendations, the governor has analysis of wetland law. Practices in the 1930s for each county. said to the media and through his commis- slowed drainage of waters, and in 1937, a law In addition, practices under the Wetland sioners that he does not support a “retrench- specifically declared all streams and lakes Conservation Act and subsequent amend- ment” in the state’s wetland laws. wholly within the state to be public waters. ments allow for wetland banking and at- The environment package was approved by Later laws further clarified public waters tempt to encourage cooperation between the House Ways and Means Committee and which waters could be drained. In 1951, units of government particularly as they April 23 and referred to the House Rules and a federal program appropriated funds to ac- need to replace wetlands. Legislative Administration Committee. The quire wetlands for wildlife management. (M. KIBIGER) transportation bill awaits a hearing in the By early 1970, the state had acquired Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society House Ways and Means Committee. 180,000 acres of wetlands at the total cost of

4 April 25, 2003 IGHLIGHTS A PRIL 17 - 24, 2003 H★ ★ ★

administer and enforce the program. Funding county fairs ★ AGRICULTURE The state has been monitoring chronic wast- About $360,000 in state grant money for ing disease on a voluntary basis with captive county fairs held in 2002, cut by Gov. Tim Ensuring ethanol funding deer and elk herd owners since the disease first Pawlenty in February, would be restored un- An amendment to the omnibus agriculture appeared in free roaming white-tailed deer in der an amendment to an omnibus agriculture finance bill approved April 23 by the House Wisconsin during the winter of 2001-02. The finance bill approved April 23 by the House Ways and Means Committee removes a refer- first two cases of chronic wasting disease in Ways and Means Committee. ence to a potential $35 million designated to Minnesota were discovered last summer in two Sponsored by Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. develop ethanol production in the state. captive elk. Cloud), the amendment to HF752 would re- The amendment to HF752, offered by Rep. The bill would expand the state’s chronic quire the state to pay county and district agri- Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud), would not affect wasting disease surveillance program to cover cultural societies by July 15, 2003, “the amount the bill’s proposal for $44.4 million in ethanol an estimated 12,000 captive deer and elk in the of aid owed by the state for an annual fair held producer payment funding for 2004-05. The state. Herd owners would be required to reg- in the previous calendar year.” It would also bill’s proposal to allow ethanol producers to ister with the state, meet new requirements for require that future state payments to the agri- collect “catch-up payments” either before or fencing their herds, and submit brain samples cultural societies for county fair reimburse- after June 30, 2010 was also not changed by of deceased animals for testing. ments be made by July 15 in the year after an the amendment. Chronic wasting is a fatal progressive brain annual fair was held. Current law has no set The amendment would restore existing lan- disease in cervidae family animals caused by date for payment. guage so that sufficient money is appropriated an abnormal protein. The disease is not known Pawlenty cut $357,000 in county fair grants from the state general fund to support ethanol. to affect humans. as part of a series of unallotments to balance In February, Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut In March, representatives of the Minnesota the fiscal year 2003 budget. $20.1 million in ethanol producer payments to Elk Breeders Association objected to a fund- Representatives of county agricultural so- help address the state’s fiscal year 2003 budget ing plan proposed by the Pawlenty adminis- cieties have urged legislators to restore the deficit. tration that would have charged deer and elk grant payments that are used as reimburse- The omnibus bill proposes $10.2 million herd owners $200 annually, plus $4 for each ments for cash premiums the fair-sponsoring more in ethanol producer payments for the animal. groups paid to winners of youth group con- next two years than the governor proposed. The bill was referred to the House Rules and tests and other award-winning fair exhibitors. The bill would base the quarterly ethanol pay- Legislative Administration Committee where The governor proposes to eliminate ments at 13 cents per gallon, 3 cents per gal- it may be combined with another omnibus fi- $718,000 in county fair grants for the 2004-05 lon more than the governor’s proposal. nance bill before it reaches the House floor. biennium, but the House Agriculture and For the current biennium, ending June 30, 2003, payments were based on a 20 cents per gallon rate. SUNSHINE CAPITOL The committee referred the omnibus agri- culture finance bill, sponsored by Rep. Elaine Harder (R-Jackson), to the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee where it may be combined with other omnibus finance bills before it reaches the House floor.

Fighting disease Funding to expand a state program that monitors chronic wasting disease in deer and elk was approved April 23 by the House Ways and Means Committee. The language came in the form of an amendment to the omnibus agriculture and rural development finance bill (HF752). Sponsored by Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud), the amendment provides that owners of captive cervidae (primarily deer and elk) pay an annual inspection fee of $10 per ani- PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID mal, not to exceed $100 per herd. The size of Thirteen visiting high school students from Ingolstadt, Germany, take some time to soak up a the herd would be determined by an inven- little warmth from the sun before heading into the Capitol for a tour April 23. The temperature tory animal owners would be required to file topped out at 70 degrees that day. annually with the state Board of Animal Health. The amendment would also establish a cervidae inspection account for the board to

Session Weekly 5 Rural Development Finance Committee re- Sponsored by Rep. Connie Ruth stored the money in its omnibus bill. (R-Owatonna), HF1234 would require cem- The Legislature first granted the county fair etery operators who have been informed or support money to agricultural societies have become aware of a wrongful burial to ex- in 1868. hume the burial container and place it in the proper location. Expenses would be the re- sponsibility of the cemetery. Kathy Pantier of Owatonna told the House ★ ARTS Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Committee April 2 that a cemetery inadvert- Guthrie funding ently buried a body in the plot adjacent to the Construction of a new Guthrie Theater near location in which her granddaughter had been the Mississippi River in Minneapolis would buried earlier. Pantier’s family had purchased begin with $35 million in proceeds from state vacant plots surrounding the granddaughter’s bond sales, under a bill discussed April 23. plot for future interment of family members. HF254, sponsored by Rep. Ron Abrams When the mistake was realized, Pantier said, (R-Minnetonka), was presented to the House the family of the recently buried was asked to Jobs and Economic Development Finance allow the disinterment of that burial container. Committee. It will be considered for inclusion The family refused, she said, and a lawsuit was in a possible House bonding bill. subsequently filed. Funding for a new Guthrie Theater has twice “I know that it’s not going to help our case been approved by the Legislature and twice at all but I’m hoping it would help people in vetoed by former Gov. Jesse Ventura. the future,” Pantier said. “This is like déjà vu all over again,” said Under the bill, both families in any given case Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston), noting his sup- could avoid unearthing a wrongfully buried body port of the bill. by agreeing to leave the situation as is. Other representatives were also quick to of- Ruth said several states have laws regulat- fer their endorsement. “I believe it plays a state- ing burial errors. wide vital role in what makes Minnesota A Senate companion bill (SF1252), spon- work,” said Rep. John Dorn (DFL-Mankato), sored by Sen. Dick Day (R-Owatonna), awaits of the Guthrie Theater. action by the full Senate. Abrams said the Guthrie is an incomparable Joe Dowling, artistic director of the Guthrie The- institution that plays a role in education, not ater, testifies before the House Jobs and Economic only with the University of Minnesota, but also Development Finance Committee April 23 in sup- Phone plan eligibility with every high school in the state. It tours to port of state funding of the theater’s new home to be located along the Mississippi River in A state program that provides a monthly small cities throughout the Upper Midwest Minneapolis. through a program called “The Stuff of telephone service credit to eligible households Dreams.” downtown Minneapolis. It is slated to include would change its participation rules under a The Guthrie was established in 1963 and has three theaters, offices, production and re- bill approved April 23 by the House Jobs and outgrown its current facility, located adjacent hearsal support spaces, classrooms, and a res- Economic Development Finance Committee. to the Walker Art Center, said Guthrie Artistic taurant. Underground parking would Sponsored by Rep. Joe Hoppe (R-Chaska), Director Joe Dowling. The original facility, he accommodate 400 vehicles, with additional HF1115 would require residents participating added, was not designed for additions or ramp parking available off-site. in the state’s Telephone Assistance Plan pro- growth. The theater was designed by world- gram to meet federal Lifeline telephone ser- Construction documents and designs are in renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, and rep- vice discount eligibility requirements to receive place for the new theater, allowing construc- resents his first North American project. Exte- a greater monthly credit on their phone bill. tion to ensue the moment state funding is rior walls will be accented by humongous The bill, referred to the House Ways and available, Dowling said. The project would silkscreen images from past Guthrie productions. Means Committee, was also approved by the employ 1,800 full-time construction workers, A companion bill (SF115), sponsored by House Regulated Industries Committee on create a one-time increase in construction ac- Sen. Larry Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls), was in- April 2. tivity of $336 million, and create an cluded in the Senate’s bonding bill (SF2). Of the approximately 35,000 people in the $82 million annual economic impact com- state program, 25,000 are already participat- mencing with its anticipated 2006 opening. ing in the federal program, said Bonnie Becker, Private funds of $64 million have been director of adult support programs for the state Human Services Department. Telephone pledged, allowing the Guthrie to provide ★ CONSUMERS $90 million of the $125 million cost, Dowling companies providing local service advise said. But many of the private fund pledges are Proper burial phone customers of the program annually. contingent on the project moving forward, Cemeteries that have interred bodies in the The bill would drop the state requirements which is contingent on state funding. wrong burial spaces would be required to cor- for the program, which are income-based and “We can’t do this alone,” he said. rect their mistakes, under a bill approved limited to households with a disabled or eld- The new 250,000-square foot theater would 129-0 by the House April 22. erly (at least 65 years old) member. be located in the historic Mills District in To continue in the program, a state resident

6 April 25, 2003 would have to meet income-based federal pro- put some of their items on the table as well for among police, firefighters, or emergency medi- gram requirements, including participation in reduction.” It passed 108-22. cal workers to be prosecuted for the crime. It Medicaid, food stamps, supplemental security Originally, the bill would have also denied protects both radio signals and official cell income, federal public housing assistance, or desserts to prisoners, but Department of Cor- phone communications from disruption. low-income home energy assistance. rections officials said that provision would In 2001, police arrested a man they called Regulated by the Department of Commerce, actually cost the state money. “We found out the “Burnsville Hacker,” who used amateur the Telephone Assistance Plan is funded by a that that would cost more money to take des- radio equipment to broadcast his own voice monthly charge of 5 cents on each wire line serts away because of calorie needs,” Seifert over police and ambulance frequencies, inter- (not wireless) in the state. The Public Utilities said. rupting conversations between officers, Powell Commission has the authority to charge up The bill’s language would allow enough flex- said. to 10 cents per line monthly. ibility for corrections officials to determine The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. According to the Human Services Depart- which inmates still need three meals on week- Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids) is the sponsor. ment Web site, residents who now participate ends. Seifert said juveniles, women, diabetics, in both the state and the federal Lifeline pro- and the elderly would be among the prisoners gram can receive up to a $9.50 phone bill credit he expects would be exempted from the pro- per month. State program only participants posal. Inmates confined to workhouses and ★ EDUCATION are capped at about $7 a month. work camps would also likely receive three Becker said shifting the eligibility require- meals each day because of caloric needs. Shrinking school board ments to the federal guidelines could lead to Opponents called the bill inhumane and The Duluth School Board would be reduced more people being served in the program at a politically motivated. to seven members under a bill passed 114-12 higher monthly credit. The federal Lifeline “Those people are in jail where they belong by the House April 22. credit is not limited to elderly participants as — as far as I’m concerned they can stay there Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL- the state program is. for the rest of their lives,” said Rep. Carlos Duluth), HF494 would allow the school board Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-Mpls), a co-spon- Mariani (DFL-St. Paul). “But I’m not going to to reduce the number of its members elected sor of the legislation that created the state pro- be accused of supporting and coddling them on an at-large — or district-wide — basis from gram in the mid-1980s, said she was concerned just because I think it’s wrong for state gov- five to three. That would reduce the school that not all state participants in the program ernments to withhold food from people, any board from nine members to seven. would meet the federal guidelines and could people.” The bill, which only affects the Duluth lose the monthly credit. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. School District, would be effective for the The bill would also relieve the Human Ser- Brian LeClair (R-Woodbury) is the sponsor. November 2003 election. The number of vices Department of conducting an annual The cost savings is already accounted for in school board members elected by smaller geo- review of eligible participants. Becker said last the House judiciary omnibus bill currently be- graphic areas within the overall school district year 80 people out of 35,000 were found to be fore the House Ways and Means Committee. would remain at four. ineligible for the program. Dropping the an- Huntley said the Duluth board is organized nual review would save the department under a 1969 state law that allowed nine mem- $314,000 in administrative costs, she said. bers. At that time, the district had 25,000 stu- A companion bill (SF1260), sponsored by Clear communication dents, compared with 11,000 now, he said. The bill would allow the Duluth School Sen. Steve Kelley (DFL-Hopkins), awaits ac- A bill that passed the House 113-15 Board to adopt the change by resolution. The tion on the Senate floor. April 22 would make it a crime to knowingly change would not be subject to a vote by school interfere with emergency communications be- district residents. tween public safety officers. The bill now moves to the Senate where it is Responding to cases where people have CRIME sponsored by Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon ★ “hacked” into police and fire department (DFL-Duluth). emergency radio frequencies and disrupted Brunch and dinner on weekends communications, HF784 would make the ac- Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) said tivity a felony punishable by up to five years Minnesota’s prison inmates would be able to in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. ELECTIONS sleep in on weekends if a bill passed by the Under current law, someone interfering ★ House April 22 becomes law. That’s because with emergency communications would be HF1036 would take breakfast off the table on Boundary, affidavit issues charged with obstructing the legal process, a Minneapolis City Council members elected Saturdays and Sundays in favor of a midday misdemeanor offense. Only when the interfer- brunch, saving the state about $170,000 per last fall outside their current boundary lines ence creates a risk of death, bodily harm, or would have to run for office again under a bill year, according to Department of Finance serious property damage, is it considered a estimates. that passed the full House 81-47 April 22. felony. Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls), the sponsor The bill to restrict inmates to two meals on Rep. Duke Powell (R-Burnsville), the bill’s weekends and holidays is evidence that in a of HF129, said the bill would prevent the state sponsor, said those risks are hard to prove in from entering into a “slam dunk voters rights time of budget cuts to programs for children, court, but that any disruption in the ability of the poor, and the disabled, nearly everything case.” law enforcement or emergency workers to Because Minneapolis held its city council is fair game, said Seifert, the bill sponsor. “If communicate could have serious we are going to look at reductions to those elections in 2001 before redistricting lines were consequences. drawn, some councilors were elected to serve programs, we also need to take a look at the The bill specifies someone must be deliber- child molesters, the rapists, the murderers, and areas not actually within their redrawn district. ately disrupting emergency communications In addition, Kahn said, a case could be made Session Weekly 7 that minorities are underrepresented, a viola- authorities to compensate landowners for per- tion of equal protection for voters under state ON THE JOB TRAINING manent removal of a private bridge if it would and federal constitutions. be less expensive than repairing the bridge and HF129 requires council members serving landowners agree to the situation and waive four-year, unstaggered terms in wards whose any rights to future reconstruction. redrawn population changes by 5 percent or Most county boards in the state also serve more to be elected to new terms at the first as local drainage authorities, with the respon- general election following redistricting. sibility to maintain and replace ditches and Although Kahn’s bill “has some merit,” said bridges. Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-Mpls), the change Rep. Howard Swenson (R-Nicollet), the bill’s would require the only two minorities serv- sponsor, said the legislation was prompted after ing on the council to run against one another. estimates to replace a particular Nicollet County He also added there have been “no cries of bridge over a drainage ditch on private land came color” behind HF129. Ellison emphasized the in at $72,000-$100,000, while landowner com- decision should be made at the local level, not pensation and removal would cost approxi- by the state. mately $35,000. However, the state attorney Under the bill if no election were scheduled general told the drainage authority that current to occur in a year ending in 2, 3, or 4 — such law does not allow for the compensation option, as 2002, 2003, or 2004 — the city must adopt Swenson said. one of two options: the city may provide for A Senate companion (SF1195), sponsored council members to serve the remainder of by Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger their term, if the council members serve at (DFL-St. Peter), awaits a vote on the Senate large from the completion of redistricting to floor. the time when their successors are elected or qualified, or the city may provide for an elec- tion of council members ending in the year 2, Arsenic amounts 3, or 4. Fertilizers containing certain levels of arsenic If the city chooses the second option, the coun- PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID would be banned for sale in Minnesota under a cil member’s election must be a two-year term Jennifer Larson, 6, sits in the arms of her fa- bill approved 124-6 by the House April 22. followed by two four-year terms, or the reverse ther, Rep. Dan Larson, on the House floor as HF258, sponsored by Rep. Dan Dorman ending in a two-year term. Under a second op- part of “Take Your Child to Work Day” (R-Albert Lea), would amend state law that tion, a member whose term otherwise would April 24. governs the agriculture commissioner’s expire a year after elected, would serve at-large rulemaking authority regarding fertilizers. or from the district to which they were elected began in the mid-1980s, it was an evolving in- The bill would prohibit the commissioner from the completion of redistricting to the time from licensing or registering for sale or use when their successors are elected. dustry, and administrators were required to renew their plans with the state every five years, “any fertilizer containing more than 500 parts The bill would also change the affidavit form per million by weight of arsenic.” The com- that candidates must fill out so that the person according to House sponsor, Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings). missioner registers each type of fertilizer that must also include their address. Among things can be sold or used in the state. current law mandates that candidates must state The systems are relatively stable now and changing filing requirements to every 10 years Arsenic is a very poisonous chemical ele- is that they are an eligible voter, they have no ment, compounds of which are used in insec- other affidavit on file as a candidate for any of- will allow solid waste staff to spend more time implementing programs than updating plans, ticides. fice at the same election, and that the name writ- Dorman said the bill is modeled after simi- ten on the affidavit is the candidate’s true name proponents of the legislation have said. Effective Aug. 1, 2003, the new law also lar legislation introduced in Maine that is “tar- or the name by which the person is generally geted at a group of fertilizers” containing known in the community. modifies Office of Environmental Assistance planning rules that solid waste administrators tailings, which are the waste products from the The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. mining process, from an abandoned silver Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls) is the sponsor. have said do not reflect the demographic, re- gional, and geographic differences between mine in Arizona. counties. Last summer, public health and environ- The Senate companion bill was sponsored mental advocates from around the United by Sen. Tom Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids). States called on large retailers Home Depot, ★ ENVIRONMENT HF1054/SF1001*/CH13 Lowe’s, and Target to stop selling a fertilizer made from mining waste that’s heavily con- Solid waste plans taminated with arsenic. An exemption in fed- Solid waste managers in 80 eral law, those advocates say, has made it Signed Greater Minnesota counties and Bridge compensation difficult for states to regulate the sale of the by the Western Lake Superior Sani- A bill that aims to provide drainage authori- fertilizer called Ironite. the tary District will be granted some ties with some alternatives to expensive bridge A companion bill (SF680), sponsored by governor ★ ★ ★ administrative relief under a new repairs passed the House April 22. The vote Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls), awaits law signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty was 130-0. action by the full Senate. April 17. The bill (HF1257) would allow drainage When integrated solid waste planning

8 April 25, 2003 ★ ETHICS No probable cause for complaint While not agreeing with the comments of Rep. Arlon Lindner (R-Corcoran), the House Ethics Committee failed to find probable cause for a violation against him April 24. The 2-2 party-line vote means the committee’s inquiry is now over. If probable cause would have been found, Lindner could have faced a penalty ranging from censure to expulsion. On the House floor March 10, Lindner re- iterated his belief that homosexuals may not have been persecuted during the Nazi Holo- caust. He is also the sponsor of a bill (HF341) PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK that would remove sexual orientation as a pro- Members of the House Ethics Committee deliberate April 24 before failing to find probable cause for tected class under the state Human Rights Act a violation in the case of the complaint against Rep. Arlon Lindner. and in other statutory provisions. On the floor he said that he did not want to “wait until Democratic colleagues like that and I don’t Currently, an individual may designate on America becomes another African continent” think they should be treating us that way.” state income tax forms that $5 go to help can- in regards to HIV/AIDS. Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-Mpls), one of the didates for state office pay for campaign ex- A complaint filed by eight DFLers offered lead complainants in the case, said he does not penses. The individual decides if the $5 is for two counts against Lindner: that his conduct feel the complaint was unnecessary. a political party or for the state general cam- “violates accepted norms of House behavior” “We stood up for the community,” he said. paign fund, which is distributed from the state and that his comments “bring the House into “The people who were persecuted in the Ho- general fund among candidates of all major dishonor or disrepute.” locaust and their ancestors and the people of political parties. The check-off does not reduce “I believe his interpretation of history is African ancestry know that at least the Demo- the taxpayer’s refund or amount owed. wrong and bizarre,” said Rep. Greg Davids cratic leadership is willing to speak up for Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed that the pro- (R-Preston), a member of the committee. them. They may be insulted, but they’re not gram change to a taxpayer-designated amount. “While I don’t agree with what he said, I be- going to be insulted by us not saying some- Individuals would have been allowed to con- lieve he has the right to say it even if we find it thing about it.” tribute up to $25 and married couples up to offensive. If we do censure, one of my concerns $50, under his proposal. The amount would is where does it stop?” He also said that those also have been reduced from that individual’s in Lindner’s district should have the final say refund or be added to the amount owed the when they go to the polls next year, assuming GOVERNMENT state. Lindner seeks re-election. ★ The third provision would have allowed Rep. Tom Pugh (DFL-St. Paul) said that Idea removal sports boards as a new form of legal gambling, Lindner’s comments did cause harm both lo- The House Taxes Committee removed sev- and made them subject to a state tax. How- cally and nationally. “I don’t think we have to eral tax provisions of the state government fi- ever, Abrams said the provision needed to be sit back and be silent when his comments an- nance omnibus bill April 23. removed, as there is some question as to gered most Minnesotans,” he said. One would have charged professional tax whether sports boards are legal under federal After the meeting, Bill English with the Coali- preparers $5 per claim for every paper return law. tion of Black Churches and African-American they file, in excess of 100 returns, as opposed The charitable gaming industry supported Leadership Summit shouted at Lindner in the to filing electronically. Department of Revenue legalizing sports boards, saying that they hearing room, calling him a “redneck,” and urg- personnel testified before the House State would generate $20 million in charitable gam- ing Lindner “to get some education.” Linder Government Finance Committee that the fee ing taxes for the state. calmly said English was being “intolerant.” would cover their costs per paper return. The portions of the state government fi- Lindner, who did not make any comments Since 2000, professional tax preparers have nance omnibus bill removed through the during the hearing, said afterward that he been required to file returns electronically if amendment may yet be included in the omni- holds true to what he said and that he does they filed more than a certain number of re- bus tax bill. not regret what he said “in the least,” adding, turns the previous year. In 2000, the thresh- “No apologies.” old was 500. It decreased in 2001 to 250, and “I’ve reviewed the tape several times myself in 2002 to 100. ★ HEALTH and to this day I don’t see where there was Rep. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka), chair of probable cause for this charge,” Lindner added. the taxes committee, stated at a March 19 com- Medical assistance choice “I don’t think we should have to evaluate in mittee meeting that he did not like the A bill that would give certain adoptive fami- our own minds before we get up and make a provision. lies a choice between two types of state medi- point on the floor that ‘If I say this, ethics The second removed provision relates to the cal assistance for their adopted children passed charges are going to come’ or protest and dis- state elections campaign fund. the House 129-0 April 22. sent is going to come. We don’t treat our The bill (HF151) would affect adopted

Session Weekly 9 children eligible for government subsidized increase the use of long-term care insurance health care because of medical or rehabilita- to help reduce state health care costs for the ★ HOUSING tive needs by allowing them access to the same elderly. doctors or therapists they had prior to adop- The law passed the House 131-0 March 6 and Assistance for the homeless tion. In addition, current law already allows the Senate 61-0 on April 6. Sen. Ellen Anderson Homeless shelter clients needing help in se- for families to receive adoption assistance, re- (DFL-St. Paul) is the Senate sponsor. curing a place to live would be assisted under gardless of their financial situation, for non- HF51*/SF537/CH19 a bill that proposes dedicating $10 million in medical costs related to adopting special needs bond proceeds to transitional and permanent children. housing efforts. Currently the human services commissioner HF1124, sponsored by Rep. Lynne Establishing working groups has the authority to move enrollees from one Osterman (R-New Hope), will be considered The commissioner of health would have to medical coverage option to the other, some- for inclusion in a House bonding bill either shine a spotlight on laws and regulations gov- times requiring a change in doctors or clinics. this year or next year. It was presented erning the fast-growing home healthcare in- The two types of coverage under the state April 23 to the House Jobs and Economic dustry under a bill that gained unanimous Medical Assistance program include a fee-for- Development Finance Committee. approval in the House April 22. service system and a prepaid system. Under the The money would be given to the state Sponsored by Rep. Char Samuelson fee-for-service system, the Department of Housing Finance Agency for transfer to the (R-New Brighton), HF1251 would require the Human Services directly reimburses health housing development fund to make loans for commissioner to set up a working group to care providers at rates specified by state law. permanent and transitional supportive hous- summarize federal regulations that specifically Under the Prepaid Medical Assistance Pro- ing efforts. Nonprofit organizations that pur- burden states and home care providers. The gram, the state pays outside health plans a flat chase, create, or rehabilitate transitional and group, made up of home care providers and rate for each enrollee and the plans pay the permanent housing typically receive the funds. other interested parties, would share its find- health care costs based on fees worked out with Numbers compiled for the federal government ings with the Legislature, other states, and or- the providers. indicate there are 15,000 individuals and fami- ganizations that advocate for states. Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall), the House lies with unmet housing needs throughout Min- Samuelson said federal requirements put- sponsor, said the department does not foresee nesota, according to Michael Dahl, director of ting rigid timeframes on submitting client in- increased costs to the state if the bill becomes the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. formation and governing when supervisory law. There are 2,000 units of supportive hous- visits can take place hamper the ability of home The bill now moves to the Senate, where it ing in Minnesota and an additional 1,800 in care providers to do high quality work. is sponsored by Sen. Dennis Frederickson the planning process that need capital support, Once the findings are made, the bill would (R-New Ulm). said Jonathan Farmer, executive director of the direct the commissioner to work with federal Minnesota Supportive Housing Consortium. regulators and Minnesota’s congressional del- HF1124 would provide a direct resource to egation to make changes in federal law to pro- economic development authorities and hous- Insurance safeguards vide more flexibility to states. ing rehabilitation authorities that can’t cur- Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a The working group would also be charged rently meet all the housing needs. The goal, Signed new law April 23 giving state pro- with studying whether home care licensing he said, is to serve people whose incomes are by tection to holders of long-term procedures are appropriate and whether sepa- 10 percent to 20 percent of the median income. the care insurance in the event their rate federal licenses are necessary. A report on This requires projects that have minimal debt governor ★ ★ ★ insurer goes out of business or the issue would be due to the Legislature service. becomes bankrupt. in 2005. A Senate companion bill (SF165), sponsored Effective April 24, 2003, it puts long-term An amendment offered by Rep. Cy Thao by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), awaits care insurance in the same category as health (DFL-St. Paul) was ruled not germane to the action in the Senate Finance Committee. and life insurance. Under Minnesota law if a bill. It would have increased staffing standards company providing those types of insurance at Minnesota nursing homes from two nurs- goes bankrupt, the state protects its clients by ing hours per patient each day to three. Thao said the change would ensure nursing home ensuring up to $300,000 in claims under the ★ INDUSTRY Minnesota Life and Health Insurance patients receive an “adequate level of care.” Guarantee Association. Samuelson said nursing homes are very dif- Tax savings The association is funded by money col- ferent businesses from home care providers A proposed mining project on the Minne- lected from the insurance companies it and the amendment did not belong with her sota Iron Range that hopes to bring employ- protects. bill. ment to a couple thousand individuals would Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston), the bill’s The bill, passed 129-0, now goes to the Sen- gain financial help under a bill that includes a House sponsor, said he offered the bill to clear ate, where Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IP-Rochester) number of mining tax law changes. up potential confusion caused because long- is the sponsor. HF1556, sponsored by Rep. Ron Abrams (R- term care was not explicitly covered under that Minnetonka), was presented to the House protection. Taxes Committee April 22. Abrams is chair of Long-term care insurance mainly covers To find out who represents you the committee. costs associated with nursing home care. Only at the Capitol . . . The proposed changes would affect any a small percentage of Minnesotans currently Call House Public Information company mining or processing nonferrous ore have the insurance, Davids said. Many legisla- Services at (651) 296-2146 in Minnesota. To date, the only party propos- tors have said they want to find ways to or 1-800-657-3550 ing such mining is Teck Cominco Limited, a

10 April 25, 2003 Canadian company involved in mining, smelt- Dakota County provides 35 percent of the Broadcast protection ing, and refining in North America and South aggregate material for the Twin Cities metro- Broadcasters who unknowingly pass along America. politan area, and confusion has resulted with- incorrect information as part of an emergency Still in the feasibility stage, what the com- out a definition for borrow, said County broadcast would be immune from liability for pany calls the Mesaba project includes a pro- Commissioner Joe Harris. damages that occur as a result of those broad- totype plant that if proven to be successful Nonpartisan House researchers said a defi- casts under a bill the House passed 129-0 would be followed by a larger full-scale op- nition in state statute would help the counties April 22. eration. The mine would be built at a copper- differentiate between the many descriptions of Sponsored by Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria), nickel reserve near Babbitt, southwest of Ely. borrow used by agencies, including the Min- HF628 would protect Web sites and television Copper ore would be transported by rail for nesota Department of Transportation. and radio stations from lawsuits resulting from processing into a concentrate at the former The 2001 aggregate materials tax, or gravel information relayed through the Emergency LTV Steel Mining Company plant, which tax, allows 28 counties in the state to outright Alert System, Amber Alert System, or other closed in 2001, in Hoyt Lakes. impose a tax on aggregate materials. However, emergency notifications. Those systems are John Key, the project’s general manager, said any other county may charge the tax after first designed to quickly spread word of emergency the operation would directly employ 1,000 conducting a public hearing and then gaining information in the event of severe weather, war, people and indirectly employ another 1,000. approval of the county board. or child abduction. HF1556 would: HF1528 will be considered for inclusion in Under the bill, broadcasters could not be • repeal the alternative minimum tax under the the tax omnibus bill. held liable for damages if the broadcasts are occupation tax for both taconite and nonfer- A Senate companion bill has not yet been unintentionally inaccurate and cause damage rous mining companies; introduced. as a result. • clarify that refining operations are subject to Current law only requires television and the occupation and net proceeds taxes, rather radio stations to broadcast messages from the than mining and corporate franchise taxes; president and lets them choose which other • compute the net proceeds tax for nonferrous LAW emergency alerts to air. Kohls said the bill is mining similarly to the occupation tax. (The ★ intended to protect stations that might other- net proceeds tax is imposed in lieu of the prop- Reporting protection wise choose not to air important information erty tax. The occupation tax is imposed in lieu People who honestly try to report crimes to for fear of being sued. of the corporate franchise tax). This would law enforcement officials could not be held The bill now moves to the Senate, where Sen. considerably expand possible deductions and accountable for damages arising from their Julianne Ortman (R-Chanhassen) is the make the tax more like an income tax rather actions under a bill the House passed 128-1 sponsor. than a property tax; and April 22. • modify the revenue distribution formula from Sponsored by Rep. Rob Eastlund (R-Isanti), the net proceeds tax to make it more like the rev- HF700 would make people who seek assistance enue distribution from property taxes on the from law enforcement or who report illegal LOCAL GOVERNMENT mine, production, and refining facilities. This activities immune from lawsuits arising from ★ would provide some proceeds to the state gen- damages caused by their actions, as long as Additional flood relief eral fund. In addition, 40 percent of revenues they acted with good intentions. People who Nearly 11 months after seemingly endless would be distributed to all taxing districts in the deliberately mislead police or misreport a rains fell in much of northwest Minnesota, taconite fiscal disparities program. crime would still be liable for the results of particularly the city of Roseau, communities The bill, which has no Senate companion, their action, under the bill. are still working to get back to the way things will be considered for inclusion in the omni- Eastlund said the issue arose when an off- were before floodwaters ravaged the area. bus tax bill. duty 9-1-1 operator in his district reported an Roseau Mayor Jeff Pelowski told the House erratic driver he believed might be drunk. “The Capital Investment Committee April 22 that result of that was (the operator) got sued and 50 families are still living in trailers and strug- ended up having to defend himself in civil Definition clarification gling to make house payments to avoid fore- court,” Eastlund said. “He was exonerated but The state’s so-called “gravel tax” enacted into closure before the city can buy them out, and he had a bill to pay for his legal defense.” law in 2001 laid out what materials could be that more construction needs to be completed The bill would require the awarding of taxed when transported on public roads and in the city. attorney’s fees to people who are sued, but highways. However, a lack of definition for one “The flood of 2002 was a greater than a found not liable under the law. Lawmakers material is causing a problem. 500-year flood event,” Pelowski explained to approved an oral amendment to limit such an HF1528, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Ozment committee members. He said that HF1048 award to “reasonable” attorney’s fees. (R-Rosemount), defines the aggregate mate- would be “phase two” of repairing the city. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. rial of “borrow” to mean “granular borrow Sponsored by Rep. Maxine Penas Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids) is the sponsor. consisting of durable particles of gravel and (R-Badger), the bill would provide $20.5 mil- sand, crushed quarry or mine rock, crushed lion in general fund money to Roseau through gravel or stone, or any combination thereof.” the Department of Natural Resources, Depart- ment of Trade and Economic Development, In presenting the bill April 22 to the House If you have Internet access, visit the and the Housing Finance Agency. The origi- Taxes Committee, Ozment said the Depart- Legislature’s web page at: nal bill sought $48.6 million. ment of Revenue helped craft the definition http://www.leg.mn following Dakota County’s request to address Included in the work yet to be done, the situation. Pelowski said, is continued repair of the

Session Weekly 11 sewers that backed up and overflowed, re- newspaper exists in the jurisdiction, but one the House Local Government and Metropoli- building of the police department, and the or more qualified newspapers maintain a sec- tan Affairs Committee on March 25 that his building up of city streets and flood protec- ondary office there, one of them must be initial reaction to the bill was not “kind.” How- tion levees. designated. ever, he added, in the suburban areas there are Also included in the bill is $2 million for HF944, sponsored by Rep. Mary Liz Holberg often multiple newspaper chains serving the the prevention of overland flooding at the (R-Lakeville), would change the law to allow same city, but with only one maintaining an Polaris Industries facility, the 12th largest em- the legal notices to be published in any quali- office in the area. ployer in Minnesota. fied newspaper — even if it doesn’t have an “In the suburban area I think the time is Although the city received flood assistance office in the jurisdiction — provided certain right to refine the law,” Anfinson said. money during a September 2002 special ses- criteria are met. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. sion, the $31.8 million package was just Holberg said she sponsored the bill after the Claire Robling (R-Jordan) is the sponsor. enough to make it through the winter, local school board association in her district Pelowski said. complained about the current law. The school In his budget plan, Gov. Tim Pawlenty didn’t board, she said, received multiple bids for le- account for any bonding for fiscal year 2004, leav- gal publication services. But only one news- RECREATION ing committees to come up with cash for the paper had an office within the jurisdiction, and ★ flood-ravaged areas. Typically, governors make therefore had to be chosen despite its higher Youth referees bonding recommendations in the second year price. A bill that would allow youth between ages of a legislative biennium, which would be effec- “It is not good for competition,” Holberg 11 and 14 to work as assistant soccer referees tive for the odd-numbered fiscal year. said. even if the players are in an older age bracket Though the bill originally included bond- HF944 lays out a high threshold to be met was approved by the House 133-0 April 24. ing, those provisions were removed from the before local government units could choose HF1189/SF1064*, sponsored by Rep. Ron bill by the committee and replaced by the gen- an out-of-jurisdiction newspaper. The news- Erhardt (R-Edina), is similar to HF446, spon- eral fund appropriations. paper must be a qualified medium of official sored by Rep. Lynn Wardlow (R-Eagan), that “This is no longer a bonding committee,” and legal publication, the publisher must was approved unanimously by the House said Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids), swear that circulation reaches 75 percent or March 27. HF446 also allows youths between and he suggested the bill be passed to get it more of the households in the jurisdiction, and ages 11 and 14 to serve as sports officials, but out of the committee. the governing body must vote unanimously to limits them to overseeing only younger play- Rep. Phil Krinkie (R-Shoreview), the com- designate the newspaper. ers. That bill awaits a Senate floor vote. mittee chair, explained the bill deals with capi- The Minnesota Newspaper Association Both bills are exceptions to current law, tal projects that are the purview of the worked with Holberg on the bill, she said. under which no child under 14 years old may committee. Although no House bonding bill Mark Anfinson, the association’s lawyer, told be employed, save for as an actor or model, is currently in the plans for this session, he said, newspaper carrier, or in the agricultural field. having the HF1048 before the committee SENIOR RALLY Exemptions are allowed by the state Depart- could be seen as a “preliminary information ment of Labor and Industry on an individual meeting” if there were a bonding bill. basis, which has been done routinely for youth However, funding for some of these projects sports officials working at youth sports events. are in other omnibus bills, including the envi- About 2,000 exemptions are processed by ronment and natural resources finance bill the state each year for youth sports officials. (HF779) and the jobs and economic develop- HF1189/SF1064* stipulates that assistant ment finance bill (HF748). youth soccer referees must have adequate su- The Senate companion to HF1048 (SF892), pervision and a parent’s written permission. sponsored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief In the Senate, where the bill is sponsored by River Falls), has been included in a Senate Sen. Michele Bachmann (R-Stillwater), the bill bonding bill. passed 58-0 April 16. It now goes to the The bill was approved and now moves to governor. the House Ways and Means Committee.

Publishing legal notices A bill allowing local government units to ★ SAFETY choose out-of-jurisdiction newspapers for of- ficial public notices was approved by the Redefining lighted vehicle lamps House 130-0 April 22. Minnesota has required automobiles to dis- Under current law, each township, city, play headlights when conditions create re- county, school district, or other local govern- duced visibility since the 1930s. Since 1990, ment unit must designate annually one offi- vehicles have been required to display head- PHOTO BY ANDREW VON BANK cial newspaper of record for all legal and public Hundreds of seniors and caregivers from lights during periods of rain, snow, sleet, or notices, including meeting minutes. across Minnesota gather in the Capitol Ro- hail. Only newspapers maintaining offices within tunda April 23 to rally against the growing However, new automobile technologies, the territory of the local government unit may crisis of short staffing in long-term health which provide for certain vehicles to operate be chosen. If no main office for a qualified care. all the time with lit headlights, created an

12 April 25, 2003 unintended safety concern, said Rep. Dan sota residents and for either to live within four completing the renters’ property tax refund Severson (R-Sauk Rapids). townships or cities of the farm. forms, Brod said. Running headlights do not activate Seifert said the proposal addresses situations The bill will be considered for inclusion in taillights. like the one with his constituent. She is pay- the tax omnibus bill. The House passed Severson’s bill (HF1268) ing her nursing home fees herself, but because A Senate companion bill (SF1358), spon- 113-17 on April 22. The bill specifies that ve- she is not living on the farm and because her sored by Sen. Thomas Neuville (R-Northfield), hicle lights that must be lighted during times children moved from Nebraska to operate it, was heard by the Senate Taxes Committee when visibility is reduced include both head- she is unable to claim the farm as a special ag- April 15 and will be considered for inclusion lights and taillights. ricultural homestead. in its omnibus bill. John Dennig, a trooper with the State Pa- The bill would allow more flexibility for trol, during testimony in the House Transpor- those declaring the property, said nonparti- tation Policy Committee April 1, testified to san House researchers. And Seifert said it the safety issues created when a vehicle is not would help small family operated farms. Planning ahead operating its taillights. While motorists can see HF1149 will be considered for inclusion in The city of Newport, in the southeast Twin when someone is heading toward them, “that the tax omnibus bill. Cities metropolitan area, doesn’t yet have any doesn’t help in the situation in the back of the A Senate companion bill (SF1485), sponsored hotels with 25 or more rooms, but a bill in- vehicle,” he said. “It requires the driver to by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (R-New Ulm), voking a lodging tax is preparing for the physically reach down and turn the switch on.” awaits action by the Senate Taxes Committee. inevitable. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it Rep. Katie Sieben (DFL-Newport) told the is sponsored by Sen. Michelle Fischbach House Taxes Committee April 22 that HF1555 (R-Paynesville). would allow the city to impose a lodging tax Refunds for renters of up to 4 percent on hotels and motels with Group residential home clients whose rent is at least 25 rooms. The bill, which Sieben is paid in part by public assistance would poten- sponsoring, further states that if the city also tially receive less through the state’s renters’ prop- imposes the tourism lodging tax allowed un- TAXES erty tax refund program, under a bill heard April ★ der general law, the combined rate of the two 22 by the House Taxes Committee. taxes cannot exceed 4 percent. Claiming a homestead HF1548, sponsored by Rep. Laura Brod Sieben said a $350 million bridge construc- Farm owners who don’t live on their farms (R-New Prague), would clarify that the rent- tion project is changing a highway in the area, and are having an immediate family member ers’ property tax refund, which is based par- prompting several hotel and motel operators care for the land would still be allowed to claim tially on household income, must be to consider locating in the city of 3,400 people. the property as a special agricultural homestead apportioned based on the fraction of income In response to a question from Rep. Arlon for tax purposes, under a bill heard April 23. not received from public assistance. For ex- Lindner (R-Corcoran), Sieben said a lodging Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) told the ample, if 25 percent of a person’s income were tax would not have hotels and motels recon- House Taxes Committee that he is sponsoring from sources other than public assistance, the sidering Newport. Many Minnesota cities have HF1149 after being contacted repeatedly by an person would receive 25 percent of the refund such a tax and it has not impeded businesses, elderly woman in a nursing home who feels that would otherwise be received. she said. “picked on” by the current law. Current law applies to residents of nursing The bill states that the city must use tax rev- State statute defines that in order for a farm homes, intermediate care facilities, and long- enues on economic development and redevel- owner who has delegated the farming opera- term residential facilities. opment, including creation of open spaces, tion to another person to claim the farm as Department of Revenue officials testified parks, and trails. agricultural homestead for tax purposes, both that the department has also been applying the HF1555 will be considered for inclusion in the owner and the active farmer must be Min- law to group residential home clients, even the House tax omnibus bill. nesota residents and both must live within four though forms and instructions for claimants Sieben said the Senate companion bill townships or cities of the farm. In addition, don’t reference such clients. Letters have been (SF1481), sponsored by Sen. Sharon Marko this only applies when the active farmer is the sent to group homes in recent years stating that (DFL-Cottage Grove), was heard by the Sen- owner’s spouse or child. the law does apply to them. ate Taxes Committee April 22 and will be con- HF1149, which would take affect with the HF1548 would clarify that group residen- sidered for inclusion in its omnibus bill. 2003 assessment, would allow for either the tial home clients are in fact to be included in farm owner or the active farmer to be Minne- the law. Doing so would assist individuals

Frequently called numbers (Area code 651) Information, House TTY, House ...... 296-9896 Secretary of the Senate 175 State Office Building ...... 296-2146 Toll free...... 1-800-657-3550 231 Capitol ...... 296-2343 Chief Clerk of the House Information, Senate Voice mail/order bills ...... 296-2343 211 Capitol ...... 296-2314 231 Capitol ...... 296-0504 Index, Senate Index, House TTY, Senate ...... 296-0250 110 Capitol ...... 296-5560 211 Capitol ...... 296-6646 Toll free...... 1-888-234-1112

Session Weekly 13 T ISSUE: LOCAL GOVERNMENT A ★ ★ ★

makeup of regional rail authorities. Authority members are appointed by the county boards. Down the right track? In the case of the metropolitan counties, the respective county boards have appointed Some say regional rail authorities are unnecessary in the Twin themselves as the various regional railroad au- Cities, while others say they benefit local communities thorities. As such, metropolitan-area regional rail authorities are a redundant and unnecessary BY MIRANDA BRYANT current and proposed commuter transit sys- level of government, Krinkie said. Their du- hen regional rail authorities were tems, particularly in Ramsey and Hennepin ties can and should be performed by county created by the Legislature in 1980, counties. Abrams, who chairs the House Taxes governments, the Minnesota Department of W they were originally designed to allow Committee, made his comments during an Transportation, and the Metropolitan Coun- Greater Minnesota counties the option of pre- April 16 meeting of the committee. cil, he added. serving and possibly expanding existing freight During that meeting, lawmakers debated a bill In presenting his case, Krinkie distributed and rail services. (HF688), sponsored by Rep. Phil Krinkie (R- minutes from the Dec. 17, 2002 meeting of the Seven years later, the law expanded to allow Shoreview), that would abolish all regional rail Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority. He regional rail authorities to study, plan, and authorities in the seven-county, Twin Cities met- noted the authority’s proposal to levy design light-rail systems. ropolitan area. The bill will be considered for $140 million to save money for a transit cor- Since that time, a number of rail authori- inclusion in the committee’s omnibus tax bill. ridor project that hasn’t yet been approved by ties have developed rail plans and advocated Regional rail authorities were created as spe- the Legislature nor funded by the federal gov- ernment. Krinkie added that the regional rail authority ultimately only levied $4.2 million to provide for current projects. “I call it being very presumptuous,” Krinkie said. Krinkie also noted that the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority is spending $40,182 on lobbyists to seek federal funds for proposed commuter transit projects, as well as contract- ing a firm at a cost of $250,000 to educate the public about a study on the proposed Central Corridor transit project, which has yet to re- ceive specific approval from the state. Another portion of the minutes Krinkie highlighted said the rail authority had earlier approved a $3.7 million grant contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the Central Corridor Transit Study. This, he said, has Ramsey County taxpayers paying the state to study a proposed project that should be studied by the state and the Metro- PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID politan Council without additional taxpayers’ Lawmakers are questioning the roles of regional rail authorities, which were established by the Legis- dollars. lature in 1980 to study use of existing rail for future transit projects, such as the Hiawatha light-rail Both Krinkie and Abrams questioned why transit project pictured here under construction. it was appropriate for Twin Cities metropoli- for the expansion of rail transit in the state. cial units of local government, with the pow- tan area counties to lobby the federal govern- However, some lawmakers are now ques- ers to levy local property taxes. The idea was ment for funding for the Hiawatha light-rail tioning whether the roles of regional rail au- to address situations in which, for example, a transit line and then insist that the operating thorities, as they have evolved, are remaining small town grain elevator would be left with- costs be covered not by the counties, but by true to the original intent of the laws, and out railroad service. the state. whether the activities they are engaging in and Though all 87 counties in the state are al- In response to a question by Rep. Jerry spending money on are appropriate public lowed to create regional railroad authorities, Dempsey (R-Red Wing), Krinkie said the bill functions. few Greater Minnesota counties have done so. would not limit a county’s ability to sell bonds “I know the current situation is an absolute Conversely, all seven metropolitan counties for transportation projects. Counties, he first-class mess,” said Rep. Ron Abrams (R- have regional rail authorities. Minnetonka) of studies on, and funding for, The original law did not dictate the specific Continued on page 23

14 April 25, 2003 T ISSUE: SAFETY A ★ ★ ★

up children from school could have guns in their cars but would have to place them in their trunks when they leave the car. Members de- On to the Senate feated an amendment offered by Rep. Jim Rhodes (R-St. Louis Park), to give schools Plan to change concealed weapons permit policy pits more control over their individual firearms personal protection against perceived safety risks policies. Opponents of the bill said they worry a dra- matic increase in guns on the street would BY JEFF JONES a handgun permit. Sheriffs’ offices could make the state inherently more dangerous. or the second time in the past three years, charge the amount it costs them to process Boudreau and other supporters said the bill is the House has passed a bill that would fun applications up to $100. a matter of personal protection, giving law- Fdamentally change the way concealed In response to criticism from law enforce- abiding citizens the chance to protect them- weapons permits are granted in Minnesota ment organizations, the bill would allow sher- selves, and others, from would-be criminals. April 23. iffs to deny an application if a person presents Though the legislation is often referred to as By requiring the state’s sheriffs to issue a “substantial likelihood” of being a danger to “conceal carry,” there is no provision in the bill handgun permits to any applicants not spe- themselves or to the pub- cifically excluded by law, the bill would sig- lic. It sets up a judicial nificantly change the state’s policy on process for appealing concealed weapons permits and, according to and justifying such the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, determinations. result in 20,000 new gun permits each year As a result of an after the first. The bureau estimates about amendment offered by 50,000 new permits will be issued initially Rep. Lynne Osterman upon enactment of the measure. (R-New Hope) and On an 88-46 vote, the House passed the lan- adopted by the House, guage from HF261, sponsored by Rep. Lynda the bill would prohibit Boudreau (R-Fairbault), which had been anyone with a history of amended onto a technical bill for the Depart- violent crimes from ever ment of Natural Resources (HF823/SF842*). receiving a permit. Cur- Though House Speaker Steve Sviggum rently, many offenders (R-Kenyon) said he had doubts about whether are eligible for gun per- the gun issue was properly related to the natu- mits 10 years after they PHOTO BY TOM OLMSCHEID ral resources bill as required by House rules, a finish serving their sen- Leonard Winborn, right, of Peace Projects Inc., and the father of Tyesha majority of members voted to allow the tences. Other people who Edwards, the Minneapolis girl killed by a bullet from a drive-by shooting amendment. Since the original bill was already could not receive a per- that penetrated the wall of her house while she was studying, listens as the House passes the concealed carry bill. Also pictured are Kaye Rakow, passed in the Senate, the amended version will mit under the bill in- far left, and LaVonne Easter of Citizens for a Safer Minnesota. return there for a vote to approve the changes clude: or take the bill to a conference committee. • anyone under age 21, requiring guns carried under the permits to be In order to receive a handgun permit under • nonresidents of Minnesota, concealed. The House defeated an amendment current law, applicants must prove to their lo- • anyone who has not taken a course in fire- offered by Rep. Ron Erhardt (R-Edina) to require cal sheriff or chief of police that they have an arm safety and usage, and that guns always be visible. “occupation or personal safety hazard” requir- • anyone listed in a criminal gang database. House Minority Leader Matt Entenza ing them to carry a gun. However, law enforce- The bill would relax requirements on busi- (DFL-St. Paul) and Rep. Ron Abrams ment officials around the state set different nesses not wishing to allow people with guns into (R-Minnetonka) chastised House Republican standards for granting such requests. Under their establishments. While previous versions leaders for using parliamentary tactics to force the bills county sheriffs would be given the re- would have required that private businesses in- a vote in the Senate. sponsibility of granting permits and they could stall lockers for permit holders to store their guns, Rep. Mark Olson (R-Big Lake) said the not deny an application without showing that the bill now would only require posting a con- moves were necessary because DFL leaders in a person is specifically prohibited by law from spicuous sign near their entrance stating that fire- the Senate won’t allow a floor vote on the leg- receiving a permit. arms are not allowed inside. islation even though a majority of members The bill specifies sheriffs may consult with Under the bill, employers, colleges, and uni- support it. police chiefs when doing a background check versities could set their own policies about let- The bill now returns to the Senate, where on applicants and that police chiefs can be ting students or employees carry weapons on members will have the options of either ac- appointed as agents of the sheriff for purposes their property, while the property of day care cepting the House amendments or rejecting of taking applications. centers, elementary schools, and high schools them and calling for a conference committee. The bill would charge a fee for applying for would be off limits to guns. Parents picking

Session Weekly 15 ISTORY H★ ★ ★

tions and hoping that the livestock owners would abide by the rules and regulations.” Today’s Board of Animal Health has a bien- Protecting everyone nial budget of $8 million. A staff of about 40 people oversees voluntary and mandatory pro- Board of Animal Health benefits two-legged Minnesotans grams to control and eradicate animal diseases by keeping four-legged ones safe in the state. Three veterinarians lead divisions that monitor diseases affecting cattle, swine, poultry, and related animals. The board assigns BY TOM LONERGAN control and elimination of tuberculosis in veterinarians to seven district offices through- he disease names, like West Nile Virus and cattle. As the result, the Minnesota plan was out the state. chronic wasting, are now easier to say; incorporated into the nationwide modified Hartmann said the board responded quickly T veterinarians respond, test and diagnose free herd tuberculosis plan of the Bureau of in the summer of 2002 when the first cases of animal ailments much more efficiently, due to Animal Industry.” West Nile Virus and chronic wasting disease advances in science and technology; and there Board of Animal Health programs also led to appeared in Minnesota. are far fewer horses in the state than the 1900 the eradication of hog cholera, scabies in sheep, Last year, nearly 1,000 horses tested posi- census count of 782,129. and glanders. The latter disease, also called “farcy,” tive for the virus, which can cause encephali- While much has changed since the 1903 was “a highly contagious and fatal disease of tis — an inflammation of the brain and spinal Minnesota Legislature created the Livestock horses … transmissible to humans.” cord. Thirty percent of the horses died. Birds Sanitary Board — renamed the Board of Ani- serve as the host for mal Health in 1980 — the small independent the virus, which is agency’s primary mission remains to protect spread by mosquitos. the health of the state’s domestic animals, and Neither horses nor in the process help farmers and livestock pro- humans can spread ducers avoid financial ruin. the disease. State-employed veterinarians spent the early The board provides decades of the 20th century tracking and con- information about the trolling tuberculosis and brucellosis in cattle, disease and encourages diseases easily transmitted to humans. One horse owners to protect crucial factor in battling the diseases was the their animals before the pasteurization of milk. onset of mosquito sea- The diseases “used to kill people and caused son with a recently tremendous economic losses” in agriculture, developed vaccine. said William Hartmann, the state veterinarian In the 1930s, the Board of Animal Health addressed disease caused by a Two elk infected by severe drought in western Minnesota and neighboring states. The livestock, and Board of Animal Health executive direc- pictured here, were brought to the Capitol by farmers at the time to raise chronic wasting dis- tor. Hartmann is the state’s seventh chief vet- awareness of the problem. ease were found in two erinarian appointed by the board in the past Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society different herds last 100 years. Serving on an annual basis, he was The number of horses destroyed each year due summer. Four herds were quarantined and first appointed in 2001. to glanders peaked at 606 in 1905-06, and by three have been “de-populated,” Hartmann While prevention of brucellosis and tuber- 1911-12, “the board announced that glanders said. The disease affects cervidae (elk and deer) culosis was well in hand by 1950, Hartmann was well on its way of being eliminated in Min- and is caused by abnormal proteins. The dis- said, the state wasn’t declared free of swine and nesota.” A major factor was the closing of public ease has not been detected in free roaming deer bovine tuberculosis until 1975-76, and bru- water troughs in Minneapolis and St. Paul. in the state, as it has in Wisconsin. cellosis wasn’t completely eradicated until Hartmann said the board continues to work The board’s chronic wasting control pro- 1984, according to “One Hundred Years of closely with its historical partners — the state gram has been voluntary. A bill to require two- Progress – The History of Veterinary Medicine Board of Health and the University of Minne- thirds of the state’s captive elk herds be in Minnesota,” by Dr. John Arnold and sota. In 1883, 20 years before the Livestock registered with the state and participate in the Dr. H.C.H. Kernkamp. Sanitary Board was created, the Board of board’s surveillance program is part of this The authors note that the board’s action to Health ruled that local health boards were re- year’s omnibus agriculture finance bill. suppress and control tuberculosis in the first sponsible for controlling animals suffering Five state residents, appointed by the gov- decades of the 1900s, although controversial with diseases communicable to humans. ernor, serve on the Board of Animal Health. and opposed by some legislators because it The first director of the Board of Health’s vet- Three represent livestock producers and two involved condemnation of property, proved to erinary department was Dr. M.H. Reynolds, the are veterinarians, the same board composition be a national model. head of the university’s veterinary science divi- the Legislature approved in 1903. “The early certification of many herds in the sion. Arnold and Kernkamp wrote, “Unfortu- Hartmann said a celebration marking the state made Minnesota a pioneer in the use of nately, Dr. Reynolds was given little enforcement board’s centennial is being planned for later the ‘test and slaughter’ program for the authority” and “was limited to offering sugges- in the year.

16 April 25, 2003 ESOURCES R ★ ★ ★ Minnesota State Government State Departments*

Administration Human Services 200 Administration Building Human Services Building 50 Sherburne Ave., St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-8261 444 Lafayette Road, St. Paul 55155-3815 ...... 297-3933 Brian Lamb - Commissioner...... 296-1424 Kevin Goodno - Commissioner ...... 296-2701 Agriculture Labor & Industry Agriculture Building 443 Lafayette Road, St. Paul 55155 ...... 284-5005/1-800-342-5354 90 W. Plato Blvd., St. Paul 55107 ...... 297-2200/1-800-967-2474 Scott Brener - Commissioner ...... 296-2342 Gene Hugoson - Commissioner ...... 297-3219 Military Affairs Children, Families & Learning Fourth Floor, Veterans Service Building 1500 Highway 36 W., Roseville 55113 ...... 582-8200 20 W. 12th St., St. Paul 55155-2098 ...... 282-4662 Cheri Pierson Yecke - Commissioner ...... 582-8204 Maj. Gen. Eugene R. Andreotti - Adjutant General ...... 282-4666 Commerce Natural Resources 133 E. Seventh St., St. Paul 55101 ...... 296-4026 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul 55155-4001 ...... 296-6157 Glenn Wilson Jr. - Commissioner ...... 296-6025 Gene Merriam - Commissioner ...... 296-2549 Corrections Pollution Control Agency Suite 200 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-6300/1-800-657-3864 1450 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul 55108 ...... 642-0200 Sheryl Corrigan - Commissioner, Board Chair ...... 296-7301 Joan Fabian - Commissioner...... 642-0282 Public Safety Economic Security Town Square 390 N. Robert St., St. Paul 55101 ...... 296-3711/1-888-438-5627 444 Cedar St., St. Paul 55101...... 282-6565 Harry Mares - Commissioner ...... 296-3711 Rich Stanek - Commissioner ...... 282-6565 Employee Relations Revenue Second Floor, Centennial Office Building 600 N. Robert St., St. Paul 55146 ...... 296-3781 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155...... 297-1184 Dan Salomone - Commissioner ...... 296-3403 Cal Ludeman - Commissioner ...... 296-3095 Trade & Economic Development Finance 500 Metro Square 400 Centennial Office Building 121 Seventh Place E., St. Paul 55101-2146...... 297-1291/1-800-657-3858 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155...... 296-5900 Matt Kramer - Commissioner ...... 296-6424 Dan McElroy - Commissioner ...... 297-7881 Transportation Health 395 John Ireland Blvd., St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-3000/1-800-657-3774 The Golden Rule Building, Suite 400 Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau - Commissioner ...... 296-3000 85 Seventh Place E., St. Paul 55101 ...... 215-5800 Dianne Mandernach - Commissioner ...... 215-5813 Veterans Affairs Second Floor, Veterans Service Building Housing Finance Agency 20 W. 12th St., St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-2562 400 Sibley, Suite 300, St. Paul 55101 ...... 296-7608/1-800-657-3769 Jeffrey L. Olson - Commissioner ...... 296-2345 Tim Marx - Commissioner ...... 296-5813 Human Rights Army Corps of Engineers Center, Suite 700 * and other major agencies Area code 651 except where otherwise noted. 190 E. Fifth St., St. Paul 55101 ...... 296-5663/1-800-657-3704 Velma Korbel - Commissioner ...... 296-9038

Session Weekly 17 Boards & Agencies Board of Pardons Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU) Suite 200 500 World Trade Center 1450 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul 55108-5219 ...... 642-0284 30 E. Seventh St., St. Paul 55101 ...... 296-8012/1-888-667-2848 Jeffrey Shorba - Secretary ...... 642-0284 James McCormick - Chancellor ...... 296-8012 Mary Choate, Minnetonka - Board Chair Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board Minnesota Tax Court First Floor, Centennial Office Building Minnesota Judicial Center 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155...... 296-5148 Suite 245, St. Paul 55155...... 296-2806 Jeanne Olson - Executive Director ...... 296-1721 George Perez - Chief Judge

Capitol Area Architectural & Minnesota Veterans Homes Board Planning Board 122 Veterans Service Building 204 Administration Building 20 W. 12th St., St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-2073 50 Sherburne Ave., St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-7138 Wayne M. Sletten - Chair Nancy Stark - Executive Secretary ...... 296-1162 Office of Environmental Assistance Higher Education Services Office (HESO) 520 Lafayette Road, Second Floor, St. Paul 55155...... 296-3417 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350 Sherry Enzler - Director ...... 215-0263 St. Paul 55108-5227 ...... 642-0533/1-800-657-3866 Robert Poch - Director ...... 642-0502 Public Utilities Commission Metro Square Building, Suite 350 Iron Range Resources & 121 Seventh Place E., St. Paul 55101 ...... 296-7124/1-800-657-3782 Rehabilitation Board Burl Haar - Executive Secretary ...... 296-7526 P.O. Box 441, Eveleth 55734 ...... (218) 744-7400/1-800-765-5043 LeRoy Koppendrayer - Chair Sandy Layman - Commissioner University of Minnesota Law Library 100 Church St. S.E. Ground Floor Judicial Center 202 Morrill Hall, Minneapolis 55455 ...... (612) 625-5000 St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-2775 Robert Bruininks - President ...... (612) 626-1616 Maureen Reed, Stillwater - Board of Regents Chair Metropolitan Council Mears Park Center Workers’ Compensation 230 E. Fifth St., St. Paul 55101 ...... 602-1000 Court of Appeals Peter Bell - Chair...... 602-1453 Minnesota Judicial Center, Suite 405 St. Paul 55155 ...... 296-6526 Minnesota Historical Society Thomas L. Johnson - Chief Judge ...... 297-1594 Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 55102-1906 ...... 296-6126 Area code 651 except where otherwise noted. Nina M. Archabal - Director ...... 296-2747

Frequently called numbers (Area code 651) Information, House Information, Senate Committee Hotline, Senate ...... 296-8088 175 State Office Building ...... 296-2146 231 Capitol ...... 296-0504 Legislative Reference Library Toll free ...... 1-800-657-3550 Toll free ...... 1-888-234-1112 645 State Office Building ...... 296-3398 TTY, House ...... 296-9896 TTY, Senate ...... 296-0250 Governor’s Office Toll free ...... 1-800-657-3550 Toll free ...... 1-888-234-1112 130 Capitol ...... 296-3391 Chief Clerk of the House Secretary of the Senate Attorney General’s Office 211 Capitol ...... 296-2314 231 Capitol ...... 296-2343 102 Capitol ...... 296-6196 Index, House Voice mail/order bills ...... 296-2343 Secretary of State’s Office 211 Capitol ...... 296-6646 Index, Senate 180 State Office Building ...... 296-2803 Sergeant-at-Arms, House 110 Capitol ...... 296-5560 Capitol Security 45 State Office Building ...... 296-4860 Sergeant-at-Arms, Senate B-5 Capitol ...... 296-6741 Committee Hotline, House ...... 296-9283 Senate Chamber ...... 296-7514/296-1119 Emergency ...... 296-2100

18 April 25, 2003 Minnesota State and Federal Offices U.S. Senators Senator 222 Main Street, Suite 200 Senator Mark Dayton (DFL) P.O. Box 937 Norm Coleman (R) SR-346, Russell Senate Office Building Biwabik, MN 55708 B-3 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (218)-865-4480 Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-3244 Fax: (218) 865-4667 (202) 224-5641 Fax: (202) 228-2186 Fax: (202) 224-1152 2017 Highway 59 SE, Suite 24 Bishop Henry Whipple Thief River Falls, MN 56701 Court International Building Federal Building, Suite 298 (218) 681-2166 2550 University Ave. W. St. Paul, MN 55111 (218) 681-2169 Suite 100 North (612) 727-5220 St. Paul, MN 55114 1-888-224-9043 E-mail: dayton.senate.gov/webform.html (651) 645-0323 Fax: (612) 727-5223 Web site: http://www.senate.gov/~dayton Web site: http://coleman.senate.gov/ U.S. Representatives

First District Fourth District 22 Wilson Ave. N.E., Suite 104 Eighth District Gil Gutknecht (R) Betty McCollum (DFL) St. Cloud, MN 56302 James L. Oberstar (DFL) 425 Cannon House 1029 Longworth House (320) 259-0099 2365 Rayburn House Office Building Office Building Fax: (320) 259-0786 Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2472 (202) 225-6631 E-mail: (202) 225-6211 Fax: (202) 225-3246 Fax: (202) 225-1968 [email protected] Fax: (202) 225-0699 Web site: http:// Suite 108 165 Western Ave. N., Suite 17 markkennedy.house.gov 231 Federal Building 1530 Greenview Drive S.W. St. Paul, MN 55102 Duluth, MN 55802 Rochester, MN 55902 (651) 224-9191 Seventh District (218) 727-7474 (507) 252-9841 Fax: (651) 224-3056 Fax: (218) 727-8270 Collin Peterson (DFL) 1-800-862-8632 2159 Rayburn House Chisholm City Hall Fax: (507) 252-9915 Web site: http://www.house.gov/ Office Building 316 Lake St. mccollum Washington, D.C. 20515 Chisholm, MN 55719 E-mail: [email protected] (202) 225-2165 (218) 254-5761 Web site: http://www.house.gov/ Fifth District Fax: (202) 225-1593 Fax: (218) 254-5132 gutknecht/ Martin Olav Sabo (DFL) 2336 Rayburn House Minn. Wheat Growers Bldg. Brainerd City Hall Second District Office Building 2603 Wheat Drive 501 Laurel St. John Kline (R) Washington, D.C. 20515 Red Lake Falls, MN 56750 Brainerd, MN 56401 1429 Longworth House (202) 225-4755 (218) 253-4356 (218) 828-4400 Office Building Fax: (202) 225-4886 Fax: (218) 253-4373 Fax: (218) 828-1412 Washington, D.C. 20515 286 Commerce at the Crossings Suite 107 Elk River City Hall (202) 225-2271 250 Second Ave. S. 714 Lake Ave. 13065 Orono Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55401 Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 Elk River, MN 55330 101 E. Burnsville Pkwy. (612) 664-8000 (218) 847-5056 (763) 241-0188 Suite 201 Fax: (612) 664-8004 Fax: (218) 847-5109 Fax: (763) 241-0233 Burnsville, MN 55337 E-mail: [email protected] 320 S.W. Fourth St. (952) 808-1213 38625 14th Ave., Suite 300B Web site: http://www.house.gov/sabo/ Centre Point Mall North Branch, MN 55056 Third District Willmar, MN 56201 Sixth District (651) 277-1234 Jim Ramstad (R) (320) 235-1061 Mark Kennedy (R) Fax: (651) 277-1235 103 Cannon House Fax: (320) 235-2651 1415 Longworth House Office Building E-mail: Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 E-mail: Access to e-mail through Web site. Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2871 [email protected] Web site: http:// (202) 225-2331 Fax: (202) 225-6351 Web site: http://www.house.gov/ www.house.gov/oberstar/ Fax: (202) 225-6475 collinpeterson/ 1809 Plymouth Rd. S. 1111 Highway 25 North Suite 300 Suite 204 Minnetonka, MN 55305 Buffalo, MN 55313 Unofficial list as of 4/24/03 (952) 738-8200 (763) 684-1600 Fax: (952) 738-9362 1-800-453-9392 Fax: (763) 684-1730 E-mail:[email protected] Web site: http://www.house.gov/ramstad/

Session Weekly 19 Constitutional Officers Board of Trustees Candidate Advisory Council 85 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-9002 Governor Attorney General Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board TIM PAWLENTY (R) MIKE HATCH (DFL) 190 Centennial Office Building ...... (651) 296-5148 Room 130 Room 102 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 State Capitol State Capitol Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3889 St. Paul 55155 St. Paul 55155 (651) 296-3391 (651) 296-6196 Legislative Reference Library 1-800-657-3717 Consumer Division: (651) 296-3353 645 State Office Building Fax: (651) 296-0674 1-800-657-3787 Circulation ...... (651) 296-3398 Reference ...... (651) 296-8338 Lieutenant Governor Secretary of State CAROL MOLNAU (R) MARY KIFFMEYER (R) Office of the Revisor of Statutes Room 130 Room 180 700 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-2868 State Capitol State Office Building St. Paul 55155 St. Paul 55155 (651) 296-3391 (651) 296-2803 Minnesota State Agencies Election Division: (651) 215-1440 (Area code 651) State Auditor Open Appointments: (651) 297-5845 PATRICIA AWADA (R) Business Information & Agriculture ...... 297-2200 525 Park St. Uniform Commercial Code: Toll Free ...... 1-800-967-2474 Suite 400 (651) 296-2803 Children, Families and Learning ...... 582-8200 St. Paul 55103 Commerce ...... 296-4026 (651) 296-2551 Corrections ...... 642-0200 Economic Security ...... 296-3711 Joint Legislative Services Toll Free ...... 1-888-GET-JOBS Employee Relations ...... 297-1184 Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) Job Information Hotline ...... 296-2616 51 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-9002 Finance ...... 296-5900 Health ...... 215-5800 LCC Central Accounting Human Rights ...... 296-5663 70 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-8890 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3704 LCC Subcommittee on Rules Human Services ...... 297-3933 55 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-1121 Labor and Industry ...... 284-5000 Toll Free ...... 1-800-342-5354 Claims (Joint Subcommittee on Claims) Military Affairs ...... 282-4662 51 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-0099 Natural Resources ...... 296-6157 (GIS) Subcommittee on Geographic Information Systems Toll Free ...... 1-888-MINNDNR 55 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-0098 Pollution Control Agency ...... 296-6300 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3864 Legislative Advisory Commission (LAC) Public Safety ...... 282-6565 Fourth Floor, Centennial Office Building Driver and Vehicle Services ...... 296-6911 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 ...... (651) 296-5188 Fire Marshal ...... 215-0500 Office of Legislative Auditor Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division ...... 296-6979 Centennial Office Building, Room 140 State Patrol ...... 282-6871 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155-1603 ...... (651) 296-4708 Revenue Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women Taxpayer Assistance ...... 296-3781 G-22 State Capitol ...... (651) 296-8590 Trade and Economic Development ...... 297-1291 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3949 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3858 Office of Tourism ...... 296-5029 Joint Subcommittee on Employee Relations (LCC) Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3700 51 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-2963 Transportation ...... 296-3000 Legislative Commission on Health Care Access Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3774 309 Capitol ...... (651) 296-4261 Veterans Affairs ...... 296-2562 Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) Other Information Numbers 65 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-2406 Federal Information ...... 1-800-688-9889 Legislative Commission on Pensions & Retirement 55 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-2750 White House ...... (202) 456-1414 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Legislative Commission on Planning & Fiscal Policy Washington D.C. 20500 51 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-9002 Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) State DFL Party ...... (651) 293-1200 State Republican Party ...... (651) 222-0022 P.O. Box 441 State Independence Party ...... (651) 487-9700 Eveleth 55734 ...... (218) 744-7400 State Green Party ...... (612) 871-4585 Mississippi River Parkway Commission House Information Services ...... 296-2146 P.O. Box 59159 TTY ...... 296-9896 Minneapolis 55459-8257 ...... (763) 212-2560 Toll Free voice and TTY ...... 1-800-657-3550 Electric Energy Task Force Senate Information ...... 296-0504 322 Capitol ...... (651) 296-4370 Toll Free ...... 1-888-234-1112 Regent Candidate Advisory Council State Information ...... http://www.state.mn.us 51 State Office Building ...... (651) 296-9002 Legislative Information ...... http://www.leg.mn

20 April 25, 2003 J ANUARY 7 - APRIL 23, 2003 OVERNOR’S DESK CHAPTERS 1 - 20 G ★ ★ ★

Tracking new laws, vetoes

Once a bill has passed both the House and it will become law with or without his sig- required to veto the entire bill. Senate in identical form, it’s ready to be sent nature. (Sundays are not counted in the A two-thirds vote of the members in each to the governor for consideration. The gov- three-day time limit, but holidays are.) house is needed to override a veto. But be- ernor, who has several options when con- Only on appropriations bills can the gov- cause only the governor can call a special sidering a bill, can: ernor exercise the line-item veto authority. session of the Legislature, anything vetoed • sign the bill and it will become law; This option allows the governor to eliminate after the Legislature adjourns is history — • veto the bill; the appropriation items to which he or she at least until the next year. • line-item veto individual items within an objects. As with all vetoes (save pocket ve- The governor’s veto authority is outlined appropriations bill; or toes that occur in the days after the Legisla- in the Minnesota Constitution (Article IV, • do nothing, which can have two different ture has adjourned sine die) the governor Section 23). effects. The timing of these actions is as im- must include a statement listing the reasons More information is available on the governor’s portant as the actions themselves. for the veto with the returned bill. Here, too, Web site (www.governor.state.mn.us). In the first year of the biennium, the im- Select the “Legislation” link. Or, retrieve bill status the timetable is three days after the gover- updates on the House Web site (http:// portant thing to remember is that the gov- nor receives the bill. ww3.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/ ernor has three days from the time of Policy items contained in appropriations chapters.asp?ls_year=83&session_number=0) “presentment” to veto a bill. If the governor bills may not be line-item vetoed. In order Key: doesn’t sign the bill within this time frame, to veto such an item, the governor is CH=Chapter; HF=House File; SF=Senate File

CHHF SF Description Signed Vetoed

1 111 94* St. Cloud state land conveyance description correction. 2/27 2 273* 195 Revisor’s bill correcting erroneous, ambiguous, and omitted text and obsolete references. 3/19 3 64 61* State agencies rule adoption procedures statement of need and reasonableness content requirement clarification and expansion. 3/24 4 95* 291 Archaic prohibition on misrepresenting the size of certain items relating to wagons repealed. 3/31 5 112* 92 Title, lien, and mortgage technical, clarifying, and conforming changes provided. 3/31 6 744 726* State building code cumulative fees collection reporting requirement modifications. 4/3 7 457 356* Child de facto custodian provisions modifications. 4/4 8 415 512* Rockford Metropolitan Council jurisdiction removal. 4/2 9 1158* 993 County nursing home payment adjustment increased, and money appropriated. 4/7 10 267* 176 Fire insurance standard policy provisions modified relating to terrorism. 4/7 11 330 293* Public employment labor agreements, compensation plan amendments and salary increase proposals ratification. 4/9 12 166 112* Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act. 4/11 13 1054 1001* Solid waste management plans updating and content requirements modified. 4/17 14 94 187* State fair season circuses prohibition repeal (24-hour waiting period for abortions). 4/14 15 774 790* Department of Human Services Background Studies Act. 4/17 16 647* 533 Nicollet Co. nursing home construction moratorium exception provided. 4/17 17 827 768* Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board enabling language modified. 4/17 18 912 1095* State soldiers assistance fund use restriction clarification. 4/17 19 51* 537 Health insurance provisions clarified relating to long-term care insurance. 4/23 20 266* 224 Purchasing alliance stop-loss fund modified relating to health plan companies. 4/23

*The legislative bill marked with an asterisk denotes the file submitted to the governor.

Where to find information House Public Information Services newsmagazine, educational brochures for all Chief Clerk’s Office 175 State Office Building ages, and member directories. All informa- 211 State Capitol (651) 296-2314 (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 tion is available at no charge. The Chief Clerk’s Office provides copies of House Public Information Services is a Most of what this office publishes can be bills at no charge, all agendas for House ses- nonpartisan office that provides committee viewed on the Legislature’s World Wide Web sions, and the Journal of the House. meeting schedules; legislator information; page. To connect, point your web browser at: and publications, including the Session Weekly http://www.leg.mn

Session Weekly 21 ILL INTRODUCTIONS A PRIL 17 - 24, 2003 B ★ ★ ★ HOUSE FILES 1557 - 1579

Tuesday, April 22 HF1565—Abrams (R) HF1573—Nelson, P. (R) Taxes Taxes HF1557—Seifert (R) Electric generation facility sales and property tax Appeals and equalization course for property tax exemption qualifying period extended. local boards of review provided, meeting require- Higher Education Finance ments imposed, and proof of compliance required. Riots; students convicted of rioting offenses deemed HF1566—Abrams (R) ineligible for postsecondary state grant awards and HF1574—Sviggum (R) required to pay highest applicable tuition rate. Taxes Guthrie Theater construction materials sales tax Taxes HF1558—Jaros (DFL) exemption provided. Taconite production tax rate and distribution modified, funds and accounts transfers provided, Taxes HF1567—Clark (DFL) and tax payments provided. Mortgage interest income tax deduction limited, funding provided for homeless persons assistance Jobs & Economic Development Finance HF1575—Urdahl (R) programs, and money appropriated. Bridges rental housing assistance program funding provided, and money appropriated. Jobs & Economic Development Finance HF1559—Lanning (R) Cokato mandated water treatment facility grant provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. Taxes HF1568—Stang (R) Affordable housing contributions tax credit Ways and Means HF1576—Krinkie (R) provided. Omnibus higher education finance bill providing funding for Minnesota State Colleges and Univer- Taxes HF1560—Erickson (R) sities system, the University of Minnesota, and Circle Pines tax increment financing district ex- other higher education; issuing bonds; and appro- tension authorized. Health & Human Services Finance priating money. Family planning grant funds prohibited from be- HF1577—Koenen (DFL) ing used to subsidize abortion services. HF1569—Bradley (R) Taxes HF1561—Kelliher (DFL) Taxes Market value homestead credit reimbursement to Rochester sales tax revenue additional uses autho- cities payment eliminated, transit levy authority Taxes rized, and bonding authority increased subject to reinstated, additional means of transit financing Household income used instead of market value as local approval. provided, and local government aid to cities the basis for computing property taxes on home- reduced. stead properties, and money appropriated. HF1570—Abrams (R) Taxes HF1578—Thissen (DFL) Sales and use tax provisions modified to conform Taxes Wednesday, April 23 to streamlined sales tax project. Tax preparers regulated, consumer protections es- tablished, and enforcement authority provided. HF1562—Lanning (R) Taxes Thursday, April 24 HF1579—Lesch (DFL) Vacant commercial, industrial, and residential Taxes property tax class rate increased; and appeals of HF1571—Clark (DFL) St. Paul and Ramsey County collocated police and classification provided. sheriff facility construction materials sales tax ex- Governmental Operations & emption provided. HF1563—Dempsey (R) Veterans Affairs Policy Environment & Natural Resources Finance Iraq; resolution memorializing Congress to pro- Goodhue Pioneer Trail funding provided, bonds tect the health of military personnel serving in Iraq. issued, and money appropriated. HF1572—Olson, M. (R) HF1564—Lenczewski (DFL) Education Finance Taxes School bus carrier liability limited. Local government aid city aids formula modified.

OMMITTEE SCHEDULE A PRIL 28 - MAY 2, 2003 C ★ ★ ★ MONDAY, April 28 WEDNESDAY, April 30 FRIDAY, May 2

11:00 AM 12:00 PM 9:00 AM THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION TUESDAY, April 29 THURSDAY, May 1

12:00 PM 9:00 AM THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION THE HOUSE MEETS IN SESSION

22 April 25, 2003 Continued from page 14 explained, can sell bonds for virtually any rea- son. Special levy authority was granted to re- gional rail authorities to purchase rights-of-way for future transportation projects. Long bright spring days draw many visi- public groups. Three wide marble arches Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington) tors to the State Capitol, and prompt even define the main entrance that leads into a said a number of legislators asked her if frequent visitors to revisit and admire the loggia, or open area before one enters the Krinkie was attempting to stop the Northstar architectural achievements, however subtle, first floor of the building through massive Corridor commuter rail project between Min- displayed on the façade of the building. wooden doors. neapolis and Rice and light-rail systems in gen- Adornments conceived by architect Cass The loggia supports a platform on which eral. The bill as she understands it, she said, Gilbert combine to provide a sense of wel- is placed another open area, accessible only would not do that nor would it prohibit lob- come and ownership to state residents, and from inside on the second floor. The space bying activities or studies on the part of county an inviting appeal to those who visit. is graced from the outside with another governments. In some ways, Gilbert looked at the out- three massive arches with Corinthian col- Several people defended the authorities. side decor of the build- umns in between, all Regional rail authorities have been good ing as a “teaser” to get reaching from the roof stewards of public funds and strive to gain the public to venture of the first floor to the value from investments, said David McCauley, inside, and view how roof of the third floor. an Anoka County commissioner and member art and architecture Most visitors are im- of the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority. easily complement a pressed by the promi- Twin Cities metropolitan area authorities seat of government nent Quadriga or have also engaged in planning and engineer- where laws are made. “Golden Horses” fin- ing to advance transit projects, and have se- Two factors helped to ished in gold leaf, and cured $330 million in federal funds, added enhance the Capitol the massive dome Hennepin County Commissioner Randy facade’s stately persona whose exterior is Johnson. Those federal funds could potentially – location and design. 89 feet in diameter. But have been lost to other states’ projects. The present site, cho- those with a discerning Problems would result if regional rail au- sen in 1893 over 18 eye may see even more. thorities were abolished, said Gary Erickson, other proposals, sits They see how Gilbert director of Hennepin County Regional Rail atop a hill to provide a creatively combined in Authority. Specifically, the Hennepin County commanding view out stone the classic with authority holds 100 leases and 60 easements across the city. the modern by the use for abandoned railroad rights-of-way, as well The front of the of many symmetrically as two long-term contracts with railroad building faces south-southeast toward the placed decorations on the building’s outer companies. U.S. Capitol in Washington. layer. He added small portals surrounded The Senate companion to the bill (SF686), Gilbert’s basic design was that of the Ital- by elaborate wreaths, large eagles, evenly sponsored by Rep. Mady Reiter (R-Shoreview), ian Renaissance in “a most stately and dig- spaced columns, the initial “M” in calligra- was tabled April 8 by the Senate Transporta- nified character.” He proposed that the outer phy style, sculpted flowers and leaves tion Policy and Budget Committee. structure be of elegant white Georgia wrapped in ornamental drapery. marble, but had to compromise with those A little known but most important fea- who opposed his use of stone from another ture are six human figures sculpted by the state. So Gilbert added St. Cloud granite to Quadriga artist, Daniel Chester French. Where to find the stairs, terraces, and ground floor level Four women and two men sculpted to sup- to make the structure look like it was sit- port the Quadriga symbolize the virtues information ting on a specially built platform. that support and assist the progress of the Senate Information Office The artistic and aesthetic subtleties state. They depict Bounty, Courage, Integ- 231 State Capitol (651) 296-0504 Gilbert added to the facade are best seen rity, Prudence, Truth, and Wisdom. The Senate Information Office is respon- while approaching the building on foot. Cass Gilbert created his masterpiece to sible for all information about the Senate, The center of its length draws the most speak to the ages and to keep lawmakers and including the committee schedule, bill status, focus — from the tip of the gilded orb above other Minnesotans mindful that develop- legislator information, and the distribution the massive dome to the street level. From ment and growth are the results of a unity of bill copies. the Capitol’s base, visitors see 50 grand steps of diverse ideas. that lead to the wide first floor granite – LECLAIR GRIER LAMBERT Senate Media Services porch, which often gets used as a stage by B-44 State Capitol (651) 296-0264 Senate Media Services, a bipartisan office, produces television programs, multi-media productions, scriptwriting, photography and graphics. It offers live coverage of the Senate floor sessions and some committee hearings.

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

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: STEVE SVIGGUM MAJORITY LEADER: ERIK PAULSEN MINORITY LEADER: MATT ENTENZA INNESOTA M INDEX FOR MORE INFORMATION Minnesota nurses For general information, call: House Information Office Number of registered nurses (RN) as of Dec. 31, 2002 ...... 66,222 (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 Licensed practical nurses (LPN) ...... 22,445 Registered nurses who are female, as percent ...... 92.8 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: Percentage of LPNs who are women ...... 95.8 Chief Clerk’s Office Percentage growth in employment between 1990 and 2000 ...... 44 (651) 296-2314 Estimated number of job openings for RNs in Minnesota ...... 3,000 Active registered nurses planning to leave the profession in the next two years, To find out about bill introductions or as percent ...... 15 the status of a specific bill, call: Current number of registered nurses younger than age 30, as percent ...... 11.2 House Index Office Percentage who are age 50 and older ...... 33.7 (651) 296-6646 Current licensed practical nurses younger than age 30, as percent ...... 12.7 Percentage who are age 50 and older...... 33.1 For an up-to-date recorded message giving committee meeting times and Average age of a Minnesota registered nurse in 2000 ...... 45.3 agendas, call: National average ...... 42.4 Committee Hotline Number of registered nurses living in the seven-county Twin Cities (651) 296-9283 metropolitan area...... 31,325 In Greater Minnesota ...... 25,339 The House of Representatives can be RNs practicing in Minnesota, but living outside the state ...... 9,558 reached on the World Wide Web at: Licensed practical nurses living in the seven-county Twin Cities http://www.house.mn metropolitan area...... 7,052 In Greater Minnesota ...... 14,032 Teletypewriter for the hearing LPNs practicing in Minnesota, but living outside the state ...... 1,361 impaired. To ask questions or leave messages, Registered nurses with an associates degree who received their degree call: from a state institution, as percent ...... 86 TTY Line (651) 296-9896 or Nurses with a baccalaureate degree from a Minnesota institution, as percent ..... 70 1-800-657-3550 Approximate percentage of registered nurses planning to pursue additional nursing education within the next two years ...... 25 Check your local listings to watch Average pay for a registered nurse at their primary worksite, per hour ...... $26.70 House committee and floor sessions Average pay for those in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, per hour ...... $29.18 on TV. Average hourly wage in Greater Minnesota ...... $24.12 Percentage of registered nurses who believe their personal level of pay is Senate Information satisfactory ...... 66 (651) 296-0504 Percentage who believe they are appropriately compensated for the work 1-888-234-1112 expected of them ...... 46 Senate Index Registered nurses, as percent, who feel they have sufficient input into the (651) 296-5560 program of care for each patient ...... 75 Percentage who feel they have sufficient time for direct patient care ...... 46 Registered nurses who feel there is too much clerical and “paperwork” required in their job, as percent ...... 80 This document can be made available in alternative Sources: State of Minnesota Board of Nursing; Findings from the Minnesota Registered Nurse formats to individuals with disabilities by calling Workforce Survey, Office of the Rural Health Primary Care, Minnesota Department of Health, (651) 296-2146 voice, (651) 296-9896 TTY, or January 2003; Minnesota Nurses Association. (800) 657-3550 toll free voice and TTY.

24 April 25, 2003