SESSION WEEKLY A NONPARTISAN PUBLICATION MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES VOLUME 26, NUMBER 7 • FEBRUARY 20, 2009

‘No c h i l d l e f t o n t h e i r b e h i n d ’ Me d i c a l Ma r i j u a n a d e b a t e MOE: Lo o k i n g f o r r e l i e f

Th e ‘Ki l l e r,’ Th e Ge n e r a l a n d LeMo n d HF783 - HF1007 SESSION WEEKLY

Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. During the 2009-2010 Legislative Session, each issue reports House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and provides other information. No fee. To subscribe, contact: Minnesota House of Representatives c o n t e n t s Public Information Services 175 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. HIGHLIGHTS St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Budget • 5 Environment • 8 Military • 11 651-296-2146 or 800-657-3550 or the Business • 5 Game & Fish • 9 Safety • 11 Minnesota Relay service at 711 or Consumers • 6 Higher Education • 10 Taxes • 11 800-627-3529 (TTY) www.house.mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp Crime • 6 Local Government • 10 Transportation • 13 Education • 7

Director Barry LaGrave Editor/Assistant Director BILL INTRODUCTIONS (HF783-HF1007) • 18 - 23 Lee Ann Schutz Assistant Editor Mike Cook Art & Production Coordinator FEATURES Paul Battaglia Fi r s t Re a d i n g : Members say unfunded mandates need to be changed • 3-4 Writers Kris Berggren, Nick Busse, Susan Hegarty, At Is s u e : Medical marijuana treatment clears first committee hurdle • 15 Sonja Hegman, Patty Ostberg

Chief Photographer At Is s u e : Bill aims to ensure ‘No child left on their behind’ • 16 Tom Olmscheid Photographers Pe o p l e : New member profiles • 17 Nicki Gordon, Andrew VonBank Staff Assistants Mi n n e s o t a In d e x : Less lighting up • 24 Christy Novak, Joan Bosard

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

Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 30% post-consumer content.

On the cover: Five-year-old Max Derosier of Arden Hills, dons a Abraham Lincoln-like stovepipe hat and beard adorned with a Lincoln-head penny as part of the Minnesota Historical Society’s “History Matters Day” in the Rotunda Feb. 16. The event happened to fall on Presidents’ Day that honors the birthdays of Lincoln and George Washington.

­— Photo by: Tom Olmscheid FIRST READING

Rep. Ann Lenczewski and Sen. Tom MOEs - looking for relief Bakk sponsor HF95/SF49* to repeal Members say unfunded mandates need to be changed a provision that suspends all state maintenance of effort and match- ing fund requirements for counties while levy limits are in effect. House By So n j a He g m a n and Senate leadership agreed to re- he MOE system doesn’t work. peal the suspension early in the 2009 That’s what House members are session so Gov. Tim Pawlenty would T further realizing every day this session. sign the 2008 omnibus tax bill into law.

MOEs, or maintenance of effort, are funding “This system is absolutely not working,” Hennepin County, for instance, wouldn’t mandates imposed mostly on counties that said House Taxes Committee Chairwoman include Minneapolis in its MOE calculation require them to fund things like libraries Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington) because that city has its own library MOE. and mental health services at a certain level. during a joint Feb. 18 meeting with the Even though the city’s library system recently The issue is that the funding is set based on House Property and Local Sales Tax Division, merged with the county system, because it history. So, whatever a county was paying and two health care and human services is still a part of the regional system, the city for its regional library system when a MOE committees. must still pay a separate MOE based on its past went into effect, that’s what it continues to Pat Dalton, legislative analyst with the behavior, Dalton said. pay today. It doesn’t matter that the economy nonpartisan House Research Department, The MOE issue surfaced last year with the has imploded, county aid has been cut, local said $95 million is the MOE library share for omnibus tax law. A provision provided counties government aid to cities has been cut or levy counties and $65 million is the share for cities. relief from all MOEs and matching fund limits have been imposed. And, those library Currently, all counties and 119 cities pay the requirements while levy limits are in effect. But services would have to be paid first out of a library MOE, each on a per capita basis. Gov. Tim Pawlenty wouldn’t sign it unless there county’s budget no matter what. If the county The only time a city or county can reduce was an agreement to repeal the MOE suspension. doesn’t have enough money, it would have to what it pays to the library is if its tax capacity So, House and Senate leadership, and the tax make cuts in other areas of its budget. goes down. Since it’s calculated per capita, chairs of each body, agreed to repeal the MOE suspension early in the 2009 session. Counties were advised of this so it would not play a factor in their budgeting. Lenczewski and Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL- Cook) sponsor HF95/SF49* to repeal the provision based on the agreement. It was passed 77-52 by the House on Feb. 16 and 49-7 by the Senate on Jan. 29. It awaits action from the governor. Lenczewski said. “We’re all in a box and we’ve got to think our way out of this box.” She added that there have been moments in time where grandfathered tax provisions were removed because it was shown that property tax relief is “basically based on what you used to get, not what you needed today.” It also appeared to her that maintenance of effort had never been changed. “We, the Legislature, are going to tell local units of government, ‘You’ve got to keep spending on it even if it doesn’t make sense. ph o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d And then we’re going to take away your aid. Rep. Ann Lenczewski is viewed on a computer in the House Chamber as she speaks in support of a bill that makes changes to the 2008 tax law as specified in an agreement between legislative leaders and the governor following adjournment last May. The bill passed the House 77-52 on Feb. 16. First Reading continued on page 4

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 3 First Reading continued from page 3 levy forever even though it was discretionary tax bill, she said the statutory requirement didn’t funds,” she said. change, it just said the counties didn’t have to pay We’re going to cut your county aid. If you’re a She added that it’s pretty rare that the their MOEs. The state would have had to pay for city, we’re going to cut your LGA and then we’re federal government puts a MOE requirement the counties’ share because it is statutory. going to put levy limits on you too,’” she said. into anything, but it’s doing it now with the On the mental health side, if counties cannot Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead) said he’s stimulus package. maintain their current level of funding, they dealt with unfunded mandates for many years Dalton said that some MOEs are statutory as a mayor, so a willingness to discuss revising state mandates. Under the change in last year’s MOEs continued on page 23 it is a welcome thing. Though he said the bill takes a step backward, he supports it because of the leadership agreement, the governor said he wouldn’t sign the bill unless the provisions were Is o l a t e d i n c i d e n t repealed and counties had already planned that the provisions would not be in effect. “The way this MOE was slipped in at the end … there was inadequate review of this MOE provision,” Lanning said. “In spite of all this, we still need reform when it comes to MOE especially with the health care portion. My question is if we vote for this, if we take a step back, will we have reform when it comes to MOEs?” Lenczewski said there isn’t a choice in the matter. “We have a deficit. We are all in a really tough way here. We need to find relief for these MOEs. I’m committed to working with you. You have been a leader on this and we will address this.”

Health care mandates Lenczewski added that the two health care and human services chairmen, Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth) and Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls), have “a big nut to crack here because most of the MOEs are taking place in health and human services.” If a city or county voluntarily increases its payment in any MOE area, that becomes its new MOE requirement on an ongoing basis. Huntley said St. Louis County has a high level of funding for child welfare management because it started funding it before that funding was a state requirement. “When the Feds do something they always punish the good people,” he said. Dalton agreed, saying the way a lot of the MOEs are written, a county has to continue funding at the level it was at the time a match or grant came into place. “So counties tend to get punished for being ahead of the curve,” she said. In part of the mandates in the health and human service areas, the MOE or matching fund is a function of federal government requirements, Dalton said. So, if counties don’t meet those requirements, the state has to pick ph o t o b y a n d r e w v o n b a n k them up or the federal money would be lost. Representatives Jerry Newton, Paul Rosenthal and Julie Bunn get a Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls) said all of close look at an isolation cell during a Feb. 13 tour of the Minnesota these things are related to history that may go Correctional Facility - Stillwater. Members of the House Public Safety back 25 years, and some were imposed by the Policy and Oversight Committee and House Public Safety Finance Division toured the facility and the Oak Park Heights prison to get a state when it decided to start a new program. better understanding of prison needs and concerns. “Those who are out front get frozen into a

4 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 HIGHLIGHTS F e b r u a r y 12 - 19, 2009

Minnesota Management and Budget Editor’s note: The following Highlights are Commissioner Tom Hanson said there is a Weigh in on budget woes coverage of select bills heard in House commit- “strong possibility” the state could lose federal tees and other House activities held Feb. 12-19. The Minnesota House of Representatives and Designations used in Highlight summaries: money without the amendment in place. Senate plan to hold hearings across the state HF-House File; SF-Senate File; Ch-Chapter; and A companion bill, SF95, sponsored by Sen. on Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget recommenda- *- the bill version considered by the House or Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action tions. The schedule of town hall meetings the bill language signed by the governor. follows. To testify go to www.house.mn, look by the Senate Finance Committee. for the brown banner near the top of the page — M. Co o k and click on Town Hall Meetings.

Monday, Feb. 23 Budget Stimulus details sketchy Woodbury – 6 p.m. Now that President Obama has signed Central Park Ampitheater the federal economic stimulus act, Gov. 8595 Central Park Place Covering projected shortfalls Tim Pawlenty’s biennial budget will need Tuesday, Feb. 24 Deficiency funding for a pair of state Bloomington – 7 p.m. an adjustment, or nearly a complete do- Bloomington City Hall departments awaits action by the full over, according to House Speaker Margaret 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road House. Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls). Minneapolis – 6 p.m. Sponsored by Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL- Minneapolis Park Board Details of Minnesota’s cut of the federal Grand Rapids), HF117 would provide a 2117 W. River Road funds (as much as $2 billion to $3 billion in combined $17.06 million to the Human Wednesday, Feb. 25 direct appropriations) are still sketchy, and so Burnsville – 7:30 p.m. Services and Public Safety departments. It was are its effect on the state’s projected deficit that Fairview Ridges Hospital amended and approved Feb. 16 by the House 201 E. Nicollet Blvd. the governor said could be around $7 billion. Ways and Means Committee. White Bear Lake – 6:30 p.m. Tom Hanson, Minnesota Management and The bill would provide $16 million for the White Bear Lake High School–South Campus Budget commissioner and the state’s federal 3551 McKnight Road N. Minnesota Sex Offender Program and $1.06 stimulus coordinator, updated the Legislative Thursday, Feb. 26 million to provide a match for federal flood relief Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy Coon Rapids – 7 p.m. money designated for Cook, Fillmore, Freeborn, Coon Rapids City Hall Feb. 18 on progress to make the state ready 11155 Robinson Drive Houston, Mower and Nobles counties. for the money. A core group of agency heads Forest Lake – 6:30 p.m. Of the sex offender money, $14.4 million has been formed to work with Hanson, but Forest Lake City Hall would come from the General Fund, with the 220 N. Lake St. he said a framework needs to be developed other 10 percent coming from counties. Plymouth – 7 p.m. for funding projects (that may have to first “The deficiency bill is one that the Plymouth City Hall be approved by the Legislature) and a grant 3400 Plymouth Blvd. administration has identified that needs to process established. St. Paul – 6 p.m. be passed this year to fund programs that are Among the uncertainty is the certainty that West Minnehaha Recreation Center short for a variety of reasons,” Solberg said. 685 Minnehaha Ave. W. Pawlenty will need to revisit his 2010-2011 Dennis Benson, executive director of biennial budget as some of his proposed cuts the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, said to human services and shifts in education participation is up and a building to be to balance the budget could make the state Business completed last year is not complete, forcing ineligible for these one-time federal funds. beds to continue being rented from the With release of the February Forecast (used Corrections Department. “If we laid off 500 Fee increases criticized to determine the state’s 2010-2011 biennial staff today, we could not pile up $16 million A proposal by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to budget) set for March 3, Sen. Linda Berglin the rest of the biennium. I don’t think we want increase fees on certain occupational and (DFL-Mpls) questioned Hanson for a timeline to waste our time talking about releasing 500 commercial licenses came under criticism as to when numbers would be formalized and sex offenders.” from some members of a House division. the governor’s new recommendations would Amended to the bill is a provision to allow any During a Feb. 17 hearing, members of the be ready so legislators can adequately prepare positive unrestricted General Fund balance at House Higher Education and Workforce budgets and end session on time. the end of the current biennium, June 30, 2009, Development Finance and Policy Division “We are going to have to sprint to the to be carried forward to fiscal year 2010. expressed skepticism about the governor’s end to make a May 18 adjournment date,” Rep. Lyndon Carlson Sr. (DFL-Crystal) said proposal to impose a temporary surcharge on Kelliher said. She emphasized the importance most state requirements to receive federal funds various professional and occupational licenses that allocation of the stimulus money be have been met, but state law would require issued by the state. transparent and have a strict audit control. some of the incoming money to first be used to The surcharge, which would equal the State Budget Director Jim Schowalter laid replenish the state’s budget reserve. However, greater of $10 or 10 percent of the total license out a tentative three-month timeline for that is prohibited under federal law. fee, would go to fund a one-stop “e-licensing” stimulus activities, but emphasized that it “There would be, in all likelihood, some Web site for the state’s approximately 320 could change as more information becomes Medicaid dollars that would be coming in,” different kinds of professional licenses. If available. Carlson said. “This amendment would allow implemented, it is expected to raise $38 those dollars to carry forward to 2010 and not — L. Sc h u t z million over the next eight years. be put in the budget reserve.”

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 5 Department of Labor and Industry because you’re losing value on the property. whose brother, John, was killed by someone Commissioner Steve Sviggum defended the And I think everyone loses out, not just the who ran a red light. Charged with failure to plan, saying the money raised by the surcharge financial institution but also communities, obey a traffic signal semaphore, the driver is necessary to fund a program that would cities — the houses deteriorate the longer was ultimately sentenced to 50 hours of make the state’s licensing operations more it’s just sitting there,” said Mara Humphrey, community service and had a to write an efficient. Minnesota Credit Union Network’s vice apology to the family. “While we were picking That argument was lost on several division president for government relations. out a casket, this driver was driving,” she said, members, however, who questioned the logic For example, Hilstrom said a vacant home fighting back tears. “It made no difference that of making workers and businesses pay more in her neighborhood, with many updated this person killed somebody’s son, brother, for a Web-based version of a service the state features, is listed for sale at $60,000, far below uncle and friend. He just ran a red light. No currently provides. its original value. “Try to get a loan for a house big deal.” “Why do we have to charge the folks that valued at $200,000 in my neighborhood; I The bill would also provide for a person’s are licensed at your department for doing don’t think you could do it,” she said. license to be revoked for one year, and something you obviously charge them for Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-St. Louis Park) would prohibit a limited license from being already?” asked division chairman Rep. Tom suggested the bill provides leeway for adjusting issued before 180 days have elapsed from Rukavina (DFL-Virginia). He added that in the timing to better suit lenders’ needs to the date of revocation. Sentencing judges his experience, “technology has never saved move properties through foreclosure and would be prohibited from staying the license government any money.” back on the market as soon as possible, if revocation. Rep. Rob Eastlund (R-Isanti) asked whether homeowners are unwilling or unable to “We oppose these bills because it future savings from the switch to e-licensing renegotiate payments. dramatically lowers the standard prosecutors would be reflected back to the license holders, A companion bill, SF340, sponsored by need to meet to prove a serious criminal for example, by reducing license fees at a later Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), charge, and it opens the door to punitive date. Sviggum replied that he had no specific is scheduled to be heard Feb. 24 by the damages,” said Doug Grawe, legal counsel for numbers on how much savings would result Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Dart Transit Company. from e-licensing. Committee. A companion bill, SF639, sponsored by Sen.

Although the surcharge would apply to — K. Be r g g r e n Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan), awaits action by the licenses issued by his department, Sviggum Senate Transportation Committee. emphasized that the state’s Office of Enterprise Crime — M. Co o k Technology would actually be the agency collecting revenues from the surcharge. Consent to waive a jury trial He urged division members to direct their Penalty for deadly careless driving State law permits a defendant to waive a questions about the proposal to the office. Doing a burnout while spinning one’s jury trial with court approval. However, some wheels or killing someone while driving can — N. Bu s s e prosecutors would like to have a say in the get a person the same penalty. matter. Consumers Rep. Karla Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove) Sponsored by Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. and Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) find Paul), HF582 would do just that. Heard Feb. that unfair. 12 by the House Public Safety Policy and Helping homeowners in default Sponsored by Bigham, HF45 would increase Oversight Committee, it was held over for Minnesota home values are expected the penalty for careless driving that results possible omnibus bill inclusion. to plummet more than $7 billion by 2010, in the death of another person to a gross Supporters say the bill would prevent the while 30,000 additional home foreclosures misdemeanor, which could mean a year in few cases each year where a judge seems to are predicted this year, Rep. Debra Hilstrom jail. indicate they favor the defendant’s position. (DFL- Brooklyn Center) told the House Labor Approved Feb. 12 by the House Public Lesch related the issue to the legislative and Consumer Protection Division Feb. 13. Safety Policy and Oversight Committee on a process. If a sponsor knew a bill would be Hilstrom sponsors HF354, the Homestead- split voice vote, the bill was sent to the House rejected by a committee, but that the chair Lender Mediation Act, modeled after the 1986 Finance Committee. supports the bill, the member would seek to Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, which she said “Right now there is a misdemeanor penalty bypass the committee and just have the chair has helped 14,000 farmers avoid foreclosure. or a felony penalty that exists in the case push it through. The bill would require mortgage lenders to of when a person is found to be carelessly During pre-trial motions, Lesch said a judge send homeowners who have defaulted on driving and causes the death of another can give a sense on their thoughts about the mortgage payments a mediation notice before person, “ said Garofalo, who sponsors a case by deciding what evidence will be allowed initiating foreclosure proceedings. similar bill, HF134, but agreed to support or motions could be granted. “When you have The bill was approved and referred to the Bigham’s bill. “This would create a way in those answers, it allows you to deal with the House Commerce and Labor Committee. the middle where prosecutors would have case more effectively, and maybe you want to Banker, credit union and real estate the option, not a requirement, to charge at a settle if the judge is going to exclude certain associations applaud the bill’s intent, but said gross misdemeanor level only in those cases evidence I have.” the requirement would, in effect, duplicate in which a death results.” “There’s plenty of judge-shopping going state and federal measures already helping Scott Hersey, head of the Criminal Division on,” said Winona County Attorney Chuck some homeowners avoid foreclosure and for the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, said MacLean. “Then all the defendant has to do is could delay foreclosure proceedings by as a prosecutor needs to show probable cause to flip the switch, waive a jury trial. … The state much as 180 days. get a felony conviction. should have a chance to weigh in.” “For us the time delay is a huge concern Among the testifiers was Maureen Johnson, Not all attorneys see the need for change.

6 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 William Ward, chief public defender for Education which oversees trust land management. the eight-county 10th Judicial District, said Potential income to the permanent trust in some areas of the state race can be a factor is $1.4 billion from mining operations and in a jury trial, and many minorities believe a School computers paid for in ore metallic mineral leases alone over the next 20 judge can look beyond skin color. “It’s about Money for computers, electronic years, he said. whether the client believes in the fairness of whiteboards and video equipment in schools The bill “addresses the progressively more the process for which they’re faced.” could be found in Minnesota’s north woods, urgent, unmet need of funding school districts I still like the idea that if I’m a defendant, ore deposits and lakeshore property. and school and classroom technology, I have a choice, said Rep. Tony Cornish About 2.5 million acres of land and 1 hardware, software and higher bandwidth (R-Good Thunder), calling it “too big a risk million acres of severed mineral rights remain networks,” said Patrick Plant, chief technology to take with our system” for something that of 8 million acres granted to the state by the and information officer for the Anoka- happens a few times. federal government in 1857, 1860 and 1866. Hennepin School District. A companion, SF210, sponsored by Sen. The state constitution created a permanent “We could do wonderful things with Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), awaits school fund from use or sale of the land, accountability if we had classroom response action by the Senate Judiciary Committee. though trust land income previously has been systems so that we had a pulse every single

— M. Co o k diverted to the state’s General Fund. second as we’re working with kids,” said HF104 would require trust fund income be Karen Hermanson, a first-grade teacher in Access to firearms data used to fund school technology. The bill was Brainerd. Current statute gives law enforcement held over by the House K-12 Education Finance Rep. Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield) said he agencies and prosecutors access to a database Division Feb. 12 for possible inclusion in its doesn’t usually like categorical funding but it of people authorized to carry a pistol or who omnibus bill. There is no Senate companion. “makes some sense in this case” because the need have applied for a permit. Sponsored by Rep. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Denise Dittrich is widespread, and it’s tricky to fund ongoing Joe Mullery (DFL-Mpls), HF497 would extend (DFL-Champlin) said, “Technology is as basic technology updates through traditional means that access to probation and parole officers. as notebooks, pencils” and other classroom of bonding for capital expenses. “It’s pretty obvious if you have to go into staples, “and a long-term, stable funding — K. Be r g g r e n somebody’s home, because it’s your duty as a source for technology is needed to help our probation officer, you want to have access to schools meet the needs of educating students Staying in school through age 18 that information,” he said. in the 21st century.” Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL-St. Paul) wants Approved Feb. 18 by the House Civil The Permanent School Fund was worth Minnesota to serve students and the state Justice Committee, the bill was sent to the about $714 million in 2007, and generated about better by requiring school attendance until House Public Safety Policy and Oversight $30 million in revenue that year, said Marty age 18. Committee. It has no Senate companion. Vadis, director of the Department of Natural Mariani, chairman of the House K-12 Calvin Saari, legislative liaison for the Resources Lands and Minerals Division, Education Policy and Oversight Committee, Minnesota Corrections Association, said the bill is not only about officer safety, but it’s also about pre-sentence investigations. Si g n f o r t h e t i m e s “The Citizens Personal Protection Act requires the revocation of gun permits for people convicted of certain crimes,” he said. “It would be imperative that we be able to have access to that material so it could be contained in a part of the pre-sentence investigation, and the judge became aware of that and make sure it is in the sentencing minutes as such.” Saari said probationers have reported that “it is very, very common” for convicted felons not to reveal they have a permit. “These people aren’t going to admit it on their own,” he said. “This access could be addressed by the court, and it would be clear in their conditions of supervision that they aren’t eligible to hold a permit.” Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville) expressed concern about possible data privacy issues, and expressed a willingness to work with Mullery to fine tune the bill’s wording to clarify that, among other things, probation and parole officers can only access ph o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d information about people assigned to them. Unemployed and under-employed construction workers Larry Goldsby, with sign then A similar bill was passed last year by the clockwise, Abdul Mohamed, Babu Gunga and Tai Larkins came to the House Transportation House, but did not survive the conference and Transit Policy and Oversight Division Feb. 18 to, in part, encourage the Department of Transportation to consider minority companies and workers for any upcoming projects, committee process. especially those funded by the recently enacted federal economic stimulus package. — M. Co o k

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 7 sponsors HF314, which would raise the hand at controlling the spread of buckthorn. ‘Clean Car Act’ gets first OK upper compulsory attendance age from 16 Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview) A bill to have vehicles run cleaner got a to 18 or until students meet all graduation sponsors HF418 that would allow a green light from a House division, but it wasn’t requirements, starting in the 2012-13 school municipality, by ordinance, to control a smooth ride. year. buckthorn on all public and private property Sponsored by Rep. Melissa Hortman “Our state and our schools should really within its geographical boundaries. The bill (DFL-Brooklyn Park), HF690 would establish match our rhetoric and our legislation — has no Senate companion. motor vehicle emission standards for certain our trend in legislation toward higher and Joan Brainerd is a 30-year resident of passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks and higher standards — with an unambiguous the northern Twin Cities suburb, which is SUVs beginning with the 2013 models. The expectation of our young to stay in school. I unique not only for its wooded acreage, but standards would follow those set forth in the believe we can no longer have such a low bar also because all land in the city is privately California emissions program, but with a few for dropping out of high school,” said Mariani, owned. She told the House Agriculture, Rural Minnesota modifications. who noted that high school graduates earn Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee Approved 9-6 by the House Transportation more, are likelier to avoid jail and stay Feb. 16 that buckthorn is spread by birds and Transit Policy and Oversight Committee healthier than dropouts. dropping seed berries. The bill would give Feb. 18 on a party-line vote, it now goes to the The bill “sends a strong message that we are jurisdictions, such as North Oaks, the ability to House Environment Policy and Oversight serious about school in Minnesota, and that adopt an ordinance to place their own control Committee. A companion, SF674, sponsored by a high school diploma means something,” measures on buckthorn. Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), awaits action said Minneapolis Public Schools Deputy Considered a “restricted noxious weed” by the Senate Energy, Utilities, Technology and Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson. She urged by the Department of Agriculture, the Communications Committee. lawmakers to “set clear and high expectations government cannot require landowners Hortman said the so-called “Minnesota and say no to failure.” to eradicate buckthorn. However, control Clean Car Act” would help the state reach its Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Pam measures are taken by prohibiting the import, greenhouse gas emissions-reduction goal of Nolan, who enforces the compulsory attendance sale and transportation of the weed. at least 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2015, law, said letting kids leave school at age 16 Approved by the committee, it now moves 30 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050. “does, in fact, send the wrong message.” to the House State and Local Government The levels were established in 2007’s Next Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) asked Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Generation Energy Act. administrators if they know whether students Committee. “We have done a lot of things that start to get usually have their parents’ blessing to drop — L. Sc h u t z us towards decreasing the amount of carbon out. “If support isn’t there from parents I dioxide pollution,” she said. “But our goal that wonder if we can really make an impact with we set in statute is to go down. We have to take changing the law.” En e r g y b o o s t some bold and aggressive steps.” Johnson said phone calls to families whose Supporters also said the bill would save children have left school indicate a variety consumers money by encouraging more fuel- of reasons, including the need to work and efficient vehicles. lack of engagement. But, sometimes, she said, “The governor’s own Climate Change teenagers prone to “risky behavior” are difficult Advisory Group estimated if we were to adopt for parents, as well as schools, to handle. the clean car standard in Minnesota, it will The bill was approved by the committee Feb. save consumers $225 million between now 18 and sent to the House Finance Committee and 2025,” Hortman said. with a recommendation to re-refer it to the Among concerns addressed by opponents House K-12 Education Finance Division. Its are that the bill would compromise the state’s companion, SF19, sponsored by Sen. Chuck commitment to renewable fuels, such as E85; Wiger (DFL-Maplewood), awaits action by limit consumer choice for flex-fuel vehicles; the Senate Education Committee. and cede the state’s regulatory authority to

— K. Be r g g r e n California. “We are uncertain how Minnesotan’s voices Environment will be heard when the California legislature or the California Air Resources Board considers changes to their vehicle emission regulations,” Controlling spread of buckthorn Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Now that it’s made itself at home in president, wrote in a statement. Minnesota, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of Of greater consumer concern is a potential the noxious weed called buckthorn. It invades for fewer flex-fuel vehicles on dealer lots. everywhere it takes hold — out-competes ph o t o b y a n d r e w v o n b a n k According to the Alliance of Automobile native plants for light and moisture, threatens As Rep. Jeremy Kalin, right, the bill’s sponsor Manufacturers, 30 flex-fuel vehicles were future forests and can harbor a pest harmful watches, Wayne Waslaski, director of real available to consumers in 2008, but only 19 to soybean crops, according the Department estate and construction services for the were available in California or states that have of Natural Resources’ Web site. Department of Administration, testifies before the House State Government Finance adopted California emissions. North Oaks has had success in controlling Division Feb. 17 in support of a bill that would “So we have big government telling us what other noxious weeds and diseases that strike allocate federal stimulus funding for energy we can and can’t drive,” said Rep. Greg Davids trees. Now some residents want to try their programs. (R-Preston).

8 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 Others suggested the state wait and see what federal standards would be implemented by f o u r -s t a r t e s t i m o n y the Obama administration.

— M. Co o k

Game & Fish

Bear hunting could be barrel of fun More details remain to be resolved on a bill that would allow bear hunters to leave portable stands overnight in wildlife management areas and give them permission to use a barrel to bait bear on private hunting grounds. Nonetheless, HF477, sponsored by Rep. Cy Thao (DFL-St. Paul), was laid over Feb. 16 by the House Game, Fish and Forestry Division for possible inclusion in its omnibus bill. Due to the overlap of deer and bear hunting seasons and variations in regulations, division members urged that further language be inserted to clarify between bear and deer hunting etiquette. For example, deer stands ph o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d left in wildlife management areas may be used Gen. Wesley Clark, right, a member of the Juhl Wind Inc. Board of Directors, testifies before the House Energy Finance and Policy Division Feb. 18 in support of a bill that would change several on a first-come, first-served basis. Bear stands, provisions in the state’s Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) statutes. Dan Juhl, on the other hand, must be removed from chief executive officer,left , also testified for the bill. areas daily. Allowing overnight bear stands may cause confusion and encroachment problems, said division members. commissioner already has the discretion requirement that guns and bows must be kept The bill’s other provision would allow bear to waive fees for nonprofit groups with in a case while inside a motor vehicle, in the hunters to use a barrel to hold bait, but only 501(c)3 status, but there are not-for-profit trunk, or the bow must be unstrung. on private property. organizations without that designation. The Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake), the Howard Goldman, state director of the not-for-profit group would have to be registered sponsor of HF128, said the legislation is “long Humane Society of the United States, said with the Secretary of State, however. overdue” and doesn’t change the fact that rifles the bear population is declining, and he fears About 444 permits for fishing contests are can’t be loaded or discharged from a motor that more bears would be taken by allowing granted each year, earning $71,200 in revenue, vehicle or boat. What it does change, said barrels for bait. Feeding bears from a barrel according to Ed Boggess, Department of Dill, is the ability to move from one hunting also contradicts wildlife education that urges Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife division location to another without being required to people not to feed bears. A fed bear makes it assistant director. Boggess said the fee is unload, store, uncase and reload a firearm. less wary of humans, and the bear can become designed to cover the cost of issuing the But statistics show that higher incidences of a nuisance, said Goldman. permit. Because of a recent decline in the firearms-related accidents occur among states Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar) suggested number of permits issued, the department that do not have gun case laws, according to that Thao study barrel policies in Ontario, would not be able to recover their costs if the a 10-year study by the International Hunter Canada and refine his bill prior to action being waiver allowance was expanded. He suggested Education Association. taken. raising the fees or “give up on the idea of fully That’s one of the reasons the Department A companion bill, SF388, sponsored by Sen. recovering the cost.” of Natural Resources’ Enforcement Division Tom Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids), awaits The House Game, Fish and Forestry does not support the bill. Mike Hammer, the action by the Senate Environment and Natural Division, which heard testimony Feb. 16, division’s recreational vehicle coordinator, also Resources Committee. laid the bill over for possible inclusion in its speculated that cities and counties that rely on

— S. He g a r t y omnibus bill. A companion, SF186, sponsored the state’s current gun-case requirement for by Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville), their own enforcement criteria will disagree Group fishing waiver expansion awaits action by the Senate Environment and with the changes and enact their own gun- Gun clubs and other not-for-profit groups Natural Resources Committee. case ordinances, causing potential confusion could be eligible to have permit fees waived — S. He g a r t y among hunters. for hosting fishing contests. The bill now goes to the House Environment HF301, sponsored by Rep. Larry Hosch Uncased weapons in a vehicle Policy and Oversight Committee. It has no (DFL-St. Joseph), would allow the Department Hunters may be allowed to have an uncased, Senate companion. of Natural Resources commissioner to dispense albeit unloaded, weapon in their vehicle, — S. He g a r t y with the fee, which can range from $120 according to a bill approved by the House to $1,000, depending upon the number of Game, Fish and Forestry Division Feb. 16. participants and the type of fishing. The The bill would overturn a long-standing

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 9 Higher Education requirements for boiler operations and the bill as being unnecessary arguing that exemptions to the requirements. Sponsored local governments can already do what the by Rep. Roger Reinert (DFL-Duluth) and Sen. bill would authorize them to do. He tried Private colleges hurting Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), HF329/ unsuccessfully to amend the bill to have it Officials from private colleges told members SF212* would add to the list of exemptions a apply only to Minneapolis and St. Paul. of a House division that public universities situation faced by the city. The bill now goes to the House Finance aren’t the only schools that have been hit hard For several years, the city has owned and Committee. A companion, SF536, sponsored by the economy. operated a boiler in a building owned by by Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), awaits Macalester College President Brian Minnesota Power. Steam generated from the action by the Senate State and Local Rosenberg told members of the House Higher boiler provides power for a nearby paper mill, Government Operations and Oversight Education and Workforce Development which employs approximately 300 people. Committee.

Finance and Policy Division Feb. 12 that the Selling the boiler will bring $2 million to — N. Bu s s e college’s endowment funds have shrunk, the city, which is selling some assets in order and its fundraising environment is terrible to balance an $8.5 million deficit, Reinert Development credit banks because of the economic recession. As a result, explained. A bill that would allow local governments he said they’ve had to make cutbacks. However, for the boiler to be sold, the to set up a “transfer of development credits “We are trying in every way possible to exemption from licensing requirements needs bank” to purchase, hold and sell development reduce our expenses without having a negative to be changed to apply to the new owner. credits cleared two committee hurdles. impact on either the accessibility of the college The bill was passed 59-0 by the Senate Feb. HF305, sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Kalin or the quality of the education that we provide 5. It now awaits action by the governor. (DFL-North Branch), would add to a current to our students. As you would imagine, that — L. Sc h u t z law that allows local governments to adopt is an extremely difficult trick,” Rosenberg official controls providing for the purchase said. Hiring residents for city projects of development rights, in the form of He said many capital projects are being Cities would be encouraged to hire their conservation easements, and transfer them slowed or halted, and that most Macalester own residents for public works projects, under to areas that are considered more desirable employees are likely to experience a wage a bill that has cleared two committees. for development. freeze. Sponsored by Rep. Bobby Joe Champion The bill would allow for the establishment Rosenberg also said roughly 70 percent (DFL-Mpls), HF644 would permit cities to of a third-party development credit bank with of Macalester students receive some level require contractors to hire either a certain the power to purchase credits from willing of need-based financial aid — some in the number or percentage of their residents for sellers who Kalin said may be in a hurry to form of state grants. Similarly, College of St. city projects. They could also specify a number sell because of the economy. Catherine President Sister Andrea Lee said or percentage of “low-income residents,” as Kent Sulem, an attorney with the students at her college often depend on state defined by the cities, that contractors must Minnesota Association of Townships, said aid for access to higher education. Contrary to hire. his organization has taken a neutral position popular myth, she said, most students at hers The House Local Government Division on the bill. He said whether the bill would have and other private colleges do not come from approved the bill Feb. 16, and the House a positive or negative effect would depend on wealthy families. State and Local Government Operations how local governments use it, but he added Both Lee and Rosenberg urged lawmakers Reform, Technology and Elections Committee that is also true of existing law. not to cut funding for higher education, as they approved it on Feb. 18. “It’s one more tool. It’s neither good nor look for solutions to the state’s budget deficit. Speaking Feb. 16, Champion said that bad,” Sulem said. Rosenberg said it’s especially important to although cities can already require contractors Lobbyists representing the Association invest in higher education during times of to hire residents, passing his bill would of Minnesota Counties and the League of recession. encourage an expanded use of the practice Minnesota Cities gave similar testimony, “There is a direct correlation between the by setting “guiding principles” for cities to taking a largely neutral position on the bill rate of increase in participation in higher follow. but also arguing that it would give local education and the rate of increase in gross Roosevelt Gaines, a trade specialist with governments some helpful flexibility. domestic product,” Rosenberg said. He the Minneapolis Urban League, said cities Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) said he advocated for increasing revenues as well as often set goals for hiring residents that found the proposal “intriguing,” but also cutting the budget to solve the state’s projected contractors ultimately never meet. He said worried that it could create conflicts of interests deficit. passage of the bill would “send a message” to by allowing people to reap profits from inflated The division took no action. local governments about making contractors prices on land development credits. — N. Bu s s e include people from the community on local The House Local Government Division construction projects. approved the bill Feb. 16 and the House Local Government Critics of the proposal include Rep. Rob State and Local Government Operations Eastlund (R-Isanti), who said that where Reform, Technology and Elections Committee workers live “should not necessarily be the approved it Feb. 18. It now goes to the House Boiler bill helps Duluth’s bottom-line predominant characteristic” of whether they Commerce and Labor Committee. A Duluth-specific bill relating to can be hired for a project. He added that A companion, SF234, sponsored by Sen. maintenance of steam-producing boilers projects involving public dollars should focus Rick Olseen (DFL-Harris), awaits action by passed 127-1 by the House Feb. 16 could help on hiring the most efficient workforce — not the full Senate. the city’s bottom line. necessarily the most local one. — N. Bu s s e Minnesota statute lays out licensing Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) criticized

10 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 According to the nonpartisan House • $200,000 for grants to a new veterans para- Research Department, the 1991 Legislature medic apprenticeship program; and memorialized Congress to study the issue of • $100,000 for training of emergency person- POW/MIAs from the Vietnam War. The U.S. nel relating to children. Senate responded by appointing the Select The bill received committee approval and Committee on POW/MIA Affairs. awaits action by the House Public Safety Earlier approved by the House Veterans Policy and Oversight Committee. Affairs Division, the bill was approved by the Its companion, SF109, sponsored by Sen. full committee and now awaits action on the Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick), awaits action by House floor. the Senate Finance Committee.

The companion, SF18, sponsored by Sen. — L. Sc h u t z Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood), awaits action by the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Taxes Affairs Committee.

— L. Sc h u t z Credit extension for surviving spouse Under a law passed in 2008, qualified Safety disabled veterans can see a lowered market value classification on their homestead for EMS fund is stock-market victim property tax purposes. The law also extends A program that helps rural areas enhance the credit to a surviving spouse for one year their volunteer ambulance personnel after the passing of the qualified veteran. efforts has fallen victim to the stock market Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) sponsors downturn, and those benefitting from the HF541 that would amend the law to allow funds are reprioritizing their requests to the the surviving spouse to continue receiving state. the credit until the property is transferred, ph o t o b y a n d r e w v o n b a n k Advocates for the Minnesota Ambulance disposed of or the person remarries. Former professional wrestler Stan “Killer” Kow- Association came before the House Health “This is a great provision that we should alski testifies before the House Agriculture, Rural Care and Human Services Policy and have put in the original bill,” Rep. Dan Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee Feb. Oversight Committee Feb. 17 asking to use Severson (R-Sauk Rapids) told the House 18 in support of a bill that would memorialize some of the fund’s remaining money for new Veterans Affairs Division Feb. 13. The bill, Congress to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the prisoner of war/missing in and existing emergency services programs. which has no Senate companion, was approved action issue. HF161, sponsored by Rep. Paul Thissen and moved to the House Agricultural Rural (DFL-Mpls), would make that possible. Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee, Military O.J. Doyle, a lobbyist on behalf of the where it was approved Feb. 18 and sent to the association, said the Cooper/Sams Volunteer House Taxes Committee. Ambulance Recruitment and Retention It was noted that there are few disabled Congress asked to act on POW issue Trust has been used to help recruit and retain veterans in the state that meet the threshold Despite efforts by the U.S. Department volunteer ambulance personnel in rural for the tax credit, and there would be no fiscal of Defense, there are still more than 88,000 Minnesota. Funded by the state, it developed impact to the state. service members unaccounted for from a surplus over the years and some money was — L. Sc h u t z conflicts back through World War II, according put back into the General Fund, including last to the Government Accountability Office. year. Care credits for working families Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul) Expecting the state to use money for the Legislators debated the costs and benefits sponsors HF303, which memorializes General Fund again this year, the Emergency of a proposed change to the dependent care Congress to appoint an independent counsel Medical Services Board began to detail tax credit that would cost $15 million, but to investigate the prisoner of war and missing how much it would need to ensure its could lighten the tax burden for thousands in action issue. programming. They were surprised to learn of working parents of young children. “There has been quite of bit of effort in the the value of the fund had dropped in half, to Sponsored by Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL- past, but there just isn’t a lot of follow through. $5 million, because of investment losses in the Maplewood), HF276 would align the state This is just another way for us, as a state, to say state pension funds. dependent care credit eligibility with its this is important, and we hope that the U.S. Therefore, the board is reprioritizing federal counterpart and simplify the process government will do the right thing,” he said. its request to use some money for existing for taxpayers. Former professional wrestler Stan “Killer” programs, and new programs in 2010, “Over time state and federal credits have Kowalski, a World War II veteran and state including: become out of synch and difficult to navigate, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, • $800,000 for the regional EMS programs to and end up leaving low-income families out told the House Agriculture, Rural Economies be equally distributed among the state’s who need it the most,” Slawik told the House and Veterans Affairs Committee Feb. 18, eight regions; Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division “Our government is falling on its backside. • $250,000 for a one-year pilot project to Feb. 12. The division approved the bill and They made a promise … we need closure on demonstrate savings to the health care sent it to the House Finance Committee. what’s happening to our veterans who are not system; About 46,000 families would receive a larger returning.” state credit than under current law, including

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 11 about 11,000 who fall through the cracks • companies would receive benefits for 12 Sponsored by Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria), under the current formula and receive no state years for all agreements signed by the end HF488 would provide a $250,000 annual credit. About 4,000 families would receive of 2015; and increase in local government aid for the city smaller state credits than under current law. • projects could be anywhere in Minnesota. of Mayer. The increase would be for five years The $15 million price tag troubled Rep. The original JOBZ program was only for starting in 2010. Keith Downey (R-Edina). businesses in Greater Minnesota. Kohls said he proposed this bill because Mayer “In our taxes committee, as we are debating Lofthus told the House Taxes Committee has suffered due to state mandates for road many of the other tax credits within the Feb. 16 that projects will be considered as construction and the city’s proximity to a Job governor’s overall budget proposal, one of they come in, but it will be more selective Opportunity Building Zone. City Administrator the disciplines that we are asked to adhere to than the original JOBZ program. Only five Luayn Murphy said businesses “pass right by us” is that if we’re extending an additional credit projects would be exempted in the first year to go to a town down the road that is included in we are asked to provide some means,” he said. of GreenJOBZ versus 110 projects during the the JOBZ program. The city was also mandated “I personally don’t like this terminology — to first year of the current JOBZ program. to update its water and wastewater treatment consider how we are ‘paying’ for the credit.” Renewable energy companies, like wind plant, at a $2.7 million cost. Putting even a little more money into low- farms, could be included in the program, but There is no state cost with this change income families’ pockets could have lasting Lofthus said analysis of that type of project because LGA is set to a fixed amount, but it benefits, said Rep. Gail Kulick Jackson (DFL- has not been completed. would shift money away from other cities. Milaca), such as decreased rates of alcohol “We’ve looked less at the renewable wind Kohls said he didn’t want to pit cities in his and chemical abuse and domestic abuse, and side of that,” he said. district against each other, but the formula increased children’s school success. — S. He g m a n and fairness issues need to be addressed. “It’s too bad we don’t have a figure for Murphy said cities with similar characteristics the benefit of helping people stay employed, Covering revenue shortfalls and sizes sometimes receive more LGA keeping their jobs,” she said. Local units of government could have because of the formula. Downey lamented the lack of opportunity another tool to use in times of economic The bill was laid over Feb. 18 by the House to weigh the value of a credit “because we do distress. Property and Local Sales Tax Division for static budgeting as compared to dynamic,” he HF686, sponsored by Rep. Ann Lenczewski possible inclusion in its division report. A said. “We simply have to balance a tax credit (DFL-Bloomington), would give cities, companion, SF421, sponsored by Sen. Julianne either with a revenue increase, a tax increase counties and towns the authority to issue Ortman (R-Chanhassen), awaits action by the somewhere else or the reduction of another emergency debt certificates to finance Senate Taxes Committee. credit.” unexpected revenue shortfalls during the — S. He g m a n A companion bill, SF653, sponsored by Sen. fiscal year. It was laid over Feb. 18 for possible Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), awaits inclusion in the House Property and Local Conforming federally action by the Senate Taxes Committee. Sales Tax Division’s report. After more than three hours of debate — K. Be r g g r e n The bill came about as a result of Gov. and a slew of amendments, a bill that would Tim Pawlenty’s December unallotment of conform Minnesota with most federal tax Exempting ‘green’ companies state aid payments, which occurred after changes enacted since last February received If your business is green, you could get a tax local levy limits had already been certified. House approval. exemption starting in 2010. Because they would be used in only emergency Sponsored by Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL- GreenJOBZ, proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, circumstances, the certificates would be issued Bloomington), HF392 was passed 128-0 Feb. is modeled after the original Job Opportunity without voter approval. Certificates would have 19. It now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Tom Building Zones program that was created in to be paid off within two years of the end of the Bakk (DFL-Cook) is the sponsor. 2003, which exempts qualified businesses from fiscal year that they were issued. The changes Minnesota would conform sales, income and property taxes. “This is just another tool to help them get with include: Mark Lofthus, director of business and some relief,” Lenczewski said. • counting nontaxable combat pay as earned community development for the Department Gary Carlson, director of intergovernmental income for members of the military for of Employment and Economic Development, relations for the League of Minnesota Cities, purposes of claiming the earned income said the main goal of GreenJOBZ is to retain said this bill was an alternative to allowing credit and working family credit; companies that are producing a green the recertification of local levies in January, • allowance of direct transfers to charities manufacturing type of product, like wind something that has never been done before. from traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs for turbine blades. He also stressed that any circumstances would tax years 2008 and 2009; GreenJOBZ would target projects that are have to be unforeseen to issue the certificates. • extension of the special rule for contribu- green/renewable-manufacturing related. The “I hope no one has to use this,” Carlson tion of conservation property by qualified program would cost the state an estimated said. “But we would like to have a safety net farmers and ranchers; $3.65 million in the 2010-11 biennium and in place.” • apportioning of the exclusion of gain on the $6.6 million in the 2012-13 biennium. A companion, SF520, sponsored by Sen. sale of an individual’s principal residence GreenJOBZ is different from original JOBZ Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook), awaits action by the for time periods after Jan. 1, 2009, when in that: Senate Taxes Committee. the residence was not used as the principal

• it would be exclusively for companies that cre- — S. He g m a n residence; ate renewable energy, represent manufactur- • extension of various provisions related to ing equipment or services used in renewable Seeking more local government aid depreciation and expensing; energy, or that create a product or service that One city feeling the crunch of local • provision of preferential tax treatment lessens energy use or emissions; government aid cuts could get some relief. within the Midwestern Disaster Relief

12 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 Transportation Pr e s i d e n t i a l p o r t r a i t

Ensuring airport funding Aviation supporters want to ensure their contributions get used for proper purposes. Money in the State Airports Fund comes from a handful of user sources, including aircraft registration fees and fuel taxes. Last session, $15 million was taken from the fund to help address state budget issues, thereby eliminating state aid for airport projects from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. The fund is forecast to have a $6.5 million balance on June 30, 2009, and supporters want the money to be used soon for projects that would improve the safety and reliability of access to the air transportation system. Sponsored by Rep. Bernie Lieder (DFL-Crookston), HF548 would transfer $5 million from the State Airports Fund to the Transportation Department for assistance to airports and aviation-related activities. The money cannot be spent without legislative authorization. The House Transportation Finance and Policy Division approved the bill Feb. 17 and sent it to the House Finance Committee. A companion, SF483, sponsored by Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee. We want to use this money before it is used for a shortfall, said Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee). “The remaining $1.5 million should be safe from legislative grabbing because we can’t really let the fund go much below that amount without them getting into cash-flow problems.” Ray Strege, a principal with Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., said there are “substantially more” than $5 million in construction projects ready for spring construction. “This would give us one-third more construction season by being able to start in the spring than waiting until the first of July. It also gives us the best third of the

ph o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d construction season with the longest days. … House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, back, listens as Bryce Stenzel portrays Abra- No use of General Fund money nor borrowing ham Lincoln while he presents the Gettysburg Address prior to the Feb. 16 floor session. would be required for this.” Lincoln was on hand for the annual Minnesota Historical Society’s “History Matters Day,” Strege expects state funds would leverage which happened to fall on President’s Day. at least twice the amount in construction projects. “On those there would be individual, corporate and state sales taxes paid into the Area and within other federally designated failed to file a required original individual General Fund.” disaster areas; and income tax return within one year of its — M. Co o k • changing requirements for employer-spon- due date; or who has unpaid federal, state or sored group health plans to qualify for the local taxes for a prior taxable year when the Spending stimulus money employee income exclusion. appointment is announced to the public. The American Recovery and Reinvestment An amendment successfully offered by Rep. — S. He g m a n Act of 2009, signed Feb. 17 by President Obama Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) would prevent could provide more than $1 billion in fully the governor from appointing anyone who funded airport improvements across the has been convicted of a criminal violation of If you have Internet access, visit the Legislature’s country. a federal or state tax or revenue law; who has Web page at: www.leg.mn

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 13 However, state law requires that airport $83 million in state bonds has been authorized historic St. Paul building a hub of multimodal projects receiving federal, state or local for the project. activity. funding shall have at least a 5 percent local This bill would satisfy the remainder of state Ramsey County has received $3.5 million contribution. responsibility, said Judd Schetnan, government in state bonding funds and is requesting an Rep. Bernie Lieder (DFL-Crookston) has a affairs director for the Metropolitan Council. additional $9 million to complete a state match simple solution to the problem — HF547. “You need to have the state share in hand necessary to receive $50 million in federal The House Transportation Finance and before you apply for a full-funding grant funding for the Union Depot renovation. Policy Division approved the bill Feb. 17, agreement.” Sponsored by Rep. Sheldon Johnson and sent it to the House Finance Committee. However, Schetnan indicated the governor (DFL-St. Paul), HF316 was held over Feb. A companion, SF482, sponsored by Sen. Ann has not committed to a bonding bill this year. 17 by the House Transportation Finance Rest (DFL-New Hope), awaits action by the “If we don’t have these bonds in hand, the and Policy Division for possible inclusion in Senate Finance Committee. council will have to find a way to basically its recommendations to the House Capital The bill would exempt airports from the commit a certain amount of dollars to say that Investment Finance Division. 5 percent requirement in cases where the we have that in place,” he said. “What we could A companion, SF300, sponsored by Sen. project is funded before June 30, 2011, through do is commit those dollars and come back next Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action by a federal economic stimulus program. A fiscal year for the additional $8.5 million.” the Senate Transportation Budget and Policy note indicates no cost to the state because The bill was held over Feb. 12 by the House Division. it is assumed projects undertaken with the Transportation Finance and Policy Division “This will provide economic vitality and federal money would not otherwise be started for possible referral to the House Capital excitement in our downtown St. Paul as people at the time. Investment Finance Division. A companion take advantage of our transportation options,” Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville) is bill, SF320, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Pappas Johnson said. concerned that some planned projects would (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action by the Senate Jim McDonough, chairman of the Ramsey no longer need a local match, but that some Transportation Budget and Policy Division. County Regional Rail Authority, said that lower “in the pipeline” still might need a local The transit project’s final design is scheduled when completed, the Union Depot would match depending on available stimulus funds. to be completed this year, with construction serve intercity and Metro Transit buses, She wants to ensure that the federal money to begin next year, and service to begin bicycle and pedestrian traffic, the Central is evenly spread around among airports, so in 2014, although Hausman hopes it’ll be Corridor light rail line, Greyhound and that everybody gets some work done without reduced to a two-year construction cycle. Jefferson Lines bus service, Amtrak and a local match. “If we can do the 35W bridge, we can do a potential high-speed train between the Ray Strege, a principal with Short Elliott this in a faster timeline,” she said. building and Chicago. Future commuter rail Hendrickson Inc., said a federal task force is By 2030 the line is expected to provide lines may also be connected to the facility. to pick the projects to be funded with stimulus more than 43,000 rides per day, but Hausman An environmental assessment should be dollars and provide oversight. noted that nearly every line across the country completed this spring, said Steve Morris,

— M. Co o k exceeds ridership goals “long before” the date the authority’s transit project manager. “The projected. She also said there are expected to environmental documentation is needed Final Central Corridor funding be 345,000 jobs in the corridor by 2030, about to access that $50 million. We are also Less than 1 percent of the funds needed 65,000 more than today. planning to start preliminary engineering to construct the Central Corridor light rail Half of the $914.9 million project is to come on the property.” Planners hope the facility transit line are requested in a bonding bill from federal funds, with the state and Hennepin is operational by 2012. that may not happen. and Ramsey counties funding the rest. Built in 1923, the Union Depot served Sponsored by Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. — M. Co o k more than 200 passenger trains daily at its Paul), HF263 would authorize the remaining peak before closing in 1971. It is listed on the $8.5 million in bond proceeds to fund the Union Depot funding sought National Register of Historic Places. proposed 11-mile line between the downtowns The final piece of a funding package is being — M. Co o k of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Thus far, requested for a project that could make an

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14 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 AT ISSUE: Medical Marijuana

argue medical marijuana opens the door to increased drug abuse and gives the false impression that the drug is less dangerous than Medical marijuana it is. “This bill will send the wrong message Controversial treatment clears first committee hurdle to impressionable young people that there’s nothing wrong with marijuana because now it’s a medicine,” said James Hafiz, a recovering drug addict who said marijuana served as his By Ni c k Bu s s e “gateway drug” to harder substances. or Joni Whiting, the decision to let her daughter, Tom Prichard, president of the Minnesota Family Council, said the bill would enable Stephanie, use medical marijuana wasn’t an exactly that kind of drug abuse by allowing easy one. A proud Vietnam veteran and mother people with problems like a “bad knee” F or “tennis elbow” to obtain medical of four, Whiting said allowing drugs in her house marijuana under the pretense of “debilitating under any circumstances had been unthinkable — conditions.” “I believe this bill will open up a can of right up until almost the end. worms, and I urge you to reject it,” Prichard said. Others doubt the basic premise that In fact, Whiting resisted the notion of on medical marijuana needs to be lifted. marijuana can be used legitimately as a medical marijuana even after doctors had “I am no longer willing to support making medicine. given Stephanie just six months to live — even criminals out of the sick and dying,” she said. Deborah Mosby, an assistant professor after her skin cancer had ravaged her face and On Feb. 18, Whiting was one of several of human services at Metropolitan State left Stephanie suffering from constant and witnesses to testify in favor of a bill that University, said that in some of the 13 states uncontrollable pain, despite the dozens upon would allow doctors to prescribe medical where medical marijuana is legal, the drug has dozens of powerful painkillers she took every marijuana for Minnesotans suffering from been prescribed for conditions such as anxiety, day. Finally, Whiting’s other adult children certain debilitating conditions. which she said could actually be exacerbated took Stephanie out of her home and let her use Sponsored by Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL- by using marijuana. marijuana. When Stephanie returned three Virgina), HF292 would regulate the use Mosby said smoking marijuana can impair days later, she told of medical marijuana the body’s immune system and make people Whiting that the drug by setting limits for more susceptible to diseases. While she would had not only alleviated allowable amounts, not “take a joint out of the hand of somebody much of the pain but requiring patients and who’s dying,” she said many potential medical also allowed her to eat caregivers to possess marijuana users might be better off without it. food without her usual registry identification Supporters of medical marijuana, however, vomiting. Whiting cards, and specifying say that’s a decision best left to doctors. George changed her mind penalties for violations. Wagoner, a physician whose wife died of about marijuana. The House Health Care cancer, said medical marijuana allowed her to “My only regret is and Human Services eat food and bypass the nausea associated with not allowing her to Policy and Oversight her chemotherapy treatments — something use marijuana in my Committee approved that greatly improved the quality of her home throughout her the bill on a 9-6 party- life before she died. He said doctors should illness,” she said. line vote. have the right to prescribe patients whatever A c c o r d i n g t o As with medical treatment their conditions require. Whiting, the illegally marijuana initiatives “Patients should be able to choose a obtained marijuana in the past, Rukavina’s medication that works best for them … and allowed her daughter bill has people taking that’s precisely what this bill will allow.” to live out the last up positions along The bill was sent to the House Civil Justice three months of her familiar battle lines. Committee. A companion, SF97, sponsored life in considerably Proponents say medical by Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), ph o t o b y a n d r e w v o n b a n k less agony than what marijuana will provide was approved Feb. 11 by the Senate Health, she had experienced K.K. Forss, from left, Joni Whiting and Dr. desperately needed George Wagoner testify before the House Housing and Family Security Committee, w ithout the drug. Health Care and Human Services Policy and relief to people for and now awaits action by the Senate Judiciary Whiting now believes Oversight Committee Feb. 18 in support of a whom other treatments Committee. the state’s prohibition bill legalizing medical marijuana. do not work; critics

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 15 AT ISSUE: Kid Fitness

“In this era of academic accountability and fiscal constraints, it is difficult to argue for an Getting youth to move increase in physical education time solely on Bill aims to ensure ‘No child left on their behind’ the basis that it lengthens and adds quality to life,” said Olwell. Literacy PE students’ reading class is preceded by a 15-minute physical education By Kr i s Be r g g r e n session involving “vigorous activities and games embedded with reading components,” innesota’s children are gaining said. In late-January, following the nine-week class, students were again administered an — but that’s not always good. NWEA test. “The results have been stunning,” Olwell said. “Literacy PE participants showed an M average increase of five times the national average in reading.” More to the point, he said, Since 1990, the prevalence of obesity in the has helped a group of fourth- and fifth-graders they improved three times their fourth- and state’s general population has increased 155 identified as “struggling” readers, based on fifth-grade peers in their district, and almost percent, according to the American Heart their Northwest Evaluation Association test twice the Title I average. Association, while the Centers for Disease scores, to improve dramatically with a daily A bill before the House would help teachers Control has found childhood and youth obesity dose of exercise. like Olwell to promote exercise and fitness. almost tripled from about 6 percent nationally HF439 would require statewide physical to almost 20 percent between 1971 and 2004. education standards including one-half While obesity plus sedentary lifestyles credit of physical education for high school equals high risk for heart disease, diabetes and graduation. other ailments, exercise can reverse children’s “It has always been my belief that our risk of being overweight and its lifelong health schools when acting in loco parentis should problems. be the role model for not only academics but But exercise is like a secret weapon in the social and nutritional standards,” said the bill’s war to improve test scores, say some educators sponsor, Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester), a who find that boosting students’ activity public health advocate who has also promoted levels improves their ability to learn — or school nutrition and “Reclaiming Recess,” a as Farmington physical education teacher movement to keep recess time in the school Jack Olwell quipped: “No child left on their day. She said physical education, like music, behind.” is integral to a well-rounded curriculum, but The movement to get kids to move may often on the chopping block when districts have begun in Naperville, Ill. public schools. face serious budget constraints. Seventeen years ago that district began to The bill was approved Feb. 19 by the incorporate vigorous daily physical education; committee and sent to the House Finance last year, 98 percent of its 19,000 students took Committee. It has no Senate companion. the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study Ratey, the author of Spark: The Revolutionary tests which show students’ ranking globally. New Science of Exercise and the Brain and “They came in number one in the world Driven to Distraction, said well designed in science and sixth in math,” Dr. John Ratey, exercise programs not only help children focus associate clinical professor of psychiatry in school, but significantly reduces behavioral at Harvard Medical School and an expert problems and boosts test scores. on exercise and brain chemistry, told the ph o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d Schools with high rates of disciplinary House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Jack Olwell, left, a physical education teacher problems or many students diagnosed with Committee Feb. 18. at North Trail Elementary School in Farming- ton, tells the House K-12 Education Policy and attention deficit disorder might take note: Oversight Committee Feb. 18 that the name “Exercise releases a lot of neurotransmitters,” Student success through exercise of the bill requiring statewide standards for Ratey said after the hearing. “It’s like taking a Olwell works at North Trail Elementary physical education should be “No Child Left on little bit of Ritalin and a little bit of Prozac.” School, where student success has been Their Behind.” Greg LeMond, right, a three-time winner of the Tour de France, also testified in “When I hear about education reform,” boosted through targeted physical activity. support of the bill. For example, a mini-class called Literacy PE Fitness continued on page 23

16 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 PEOPLE: New Members

From tragedy to high hopes DISTRICT 61B Hayden hopes to effect big change Population: (2007 est.) 37,241 Largest City: Minneapolis County: Hennepin By Kr i s Be r g g r e n targeted to teenagers seeking alternatives to Although a tragedy brought Rep. Jeff crime and gangs. Hayden ended up running Top Concerns: Affordable housing and health care, public transportation Hayden (DFL-Mpls) back to his hometown the program, serving on the park’s board, in 1995 from California, it set him on the and taking a succession of community and path toward the House government jobs, including Hennepin County seat where he hopes to financial worker, aide to Minneapolis City work, neighborhood work, city council make everyday life a Councilman Gary Schiff, and eventually to a experience,” which he felt would allow him little better for the low- run for the city’s eighth ward seat. He lost the “to not only win, but effect change here,” he and moderate-income primary by just 141 votes. said. South Minneapolis area “I said I would never run for office again,” Hayden has high hopes he’ll be able to make bisected by Interstate he recalled. Instead, he returned to the laws addressing his district’s concerns, which 35W. nonprofit sphere, most recently working with include public transportation and affordable Hayden’s childhood Hearth Connection, a partner in the statewide housing and health care. Hayden, who serves on Rep. Jeff Hayden friend was killed in initiative Heading Home Minnesota which three health-related committees or divisions, 1995, when a spike in Minneapolis murders intends to end homelessness in the state. has already signed onto HF135, sponsored led to the dubious moniker “Murderapolis.” Yet Hayden was drawn back into politics by Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield), which Hayden returned to attend the young man’s by supporters who suggested he run for the would provide universal single-payer health funeral. Having recently been laid off, he House seat vacated by former Rep. Neva care to all Minnesotans. remained in the city where he had many Walker (DFL-Mpls). Hayden and his wife, Terri, have two family ties and began to volunteer with a “What compelled me was my combination children, Tomas, 12, and Sophia, 7. Hayden local park program called “Phat Summer,” of experiences, having community-based calls them, “The light of my life.”

A passion for local issues DISTRICT 7B

Reinert plans to be ‘an advocate and a partner’ for Duluth Population (2007 est.): 36,306 Largest City: Duluth By Ni c k Bu s s e an advocate and a partner.” County: St. Louis When Rep. Roger Reinert (DFL-Duluth) Reinert, a college science instructor and Top Concerns: Local government issues, resigned as president of the Duluth City lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve, spent six state budget, the economy Council at 11:59 a.m. Jan. 6, it was only years on the council. He has a list of things so he could take his he’d like to get done for Duluth; however, he oath of office as a state also hopes to strengthen the hand of other of House members who represent regional representative a minute regional centers like Mankato, Rochester and centers to discuss common issues. later. But Reinert’s St. Cloud. Reinert said these regional centers Reinert hopes he and his fellow lawmakers commitment to his often provide vital services to surrounding can address the state’s budget deficit quickly home city hasn’t ended; communities that don’t help pay for them. enough to finish the legislative session on in fact, he said it’s the As local government aid is reduced and cities time, arguing that it’s one of the ways in which whole reason he came are forced to cut spending, he said an undue Minnesotans judge leadership. He also said to the Capitol. burden is being placed on these regional all options need to be on the table as they Rep. Roger Reinert “Knowing the city’s hubs. hammer out the budget. issues intimately as a councilor and the “Somehow, regional centers need to find a “We can’t tax our way out of this, nor can president of the council, I knew the role that way to make that more equitable, or to find we cut our way out of it; there’s going to be St. Paul played,” Reinert said. “I thought this more stable funding for those services, or some mix of all of it by the time we’re done,” was a good opportunity for someone who they’re not going to survive,” said Reinert. Reinert said. knows the city’s issues to be in St. Paul to be He plans to organize a monthly gathering

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 17 F e b r u a r y 16 - 19, 2009 BILL INTRODUCTIONS House files 783 - 1007

Monday, February 16 HF795-Brynaert (DFL) HF809-Hornstein (DFL) Finance Finance HF783-Slocum (DFL) Mankato; ISD 77 fund transfer authorized. Charitable organizations provided a metropolitan Transportation & Transit Policy & transit pass discount. Oversight Division HF796-Morrow (DFL) Emergency vehicle status accorded to vehicles Finance HF810-Urdahl (R) operated by protective agent for escorting fu- Minnesota First bond sale authorized. Finance neral procession or oversized loads, and technical Little Crow Transit Way feasibility study correction made. HF797-Emmer (R) required. Agriculture, Rural Economies & Veterans Affairs HF784-Newton (DFL) Horses and other equines clarified as livestock and HF811-Davids (R) Finance raising them is an agricultural pursuit. Commerce & Labor State reimbursement increased for reduced price Insolvent life and health insurance company poli- school lunch meals from 12 cents to 52 cents per HF798-Hornstein (DFL) cyholder maximum dollar protection amount in- meal. Finance c re a s e d to prov ide g re ater c ompa r abi l it y w it h l i m it s Motor Vehicle Feebate Task Force and program of federal deposit insurance of bank accounts. HF785-Thissen (DFL) established, funding provided from gifts and grants Finance and money appropriated. HF812-Cornish (R) Nonprofit organization grant provided for work Public Safety Policy & Oversight on behalf of licensed vendors to coordinate re- HF799-Davnie (DFL) Local authorities prohibited from enforcing crimi- sponses to solicitations or other requests and to Taxes nal provisions with administrative penalties, and increase employment opportunities for persons I nc ome t a x c re d it prov ide d for qu a l i fie d M i n ne s ot a application of the criminal and traffic offender with disabilities. business ventures. surcharge clarified.

HF786-Norton (DFL) HF800-Cornish (R) HF813-Johnson (DFL) Health Care & Human Services Public Safety Policy & Oversight Commerce & Labor Policy & Oversight Use of force in defense of home and person law Trucking industry classifications of employment Broker or coordinator prohibited to manage non- clarified, Minnesota’s self-defense and defense of regulated. emergency medical transportation services. home laws codified and extended, common law eliminated, boundaries of dwelling expanded, HF814-Urdahl (R) HF787-Loeffler (DFL) presumption created and rights available extended State & Local Government Operations Reform, Finance to a person defending against entry of occupied Technology & Elections Minneapolis; Father Hennepin Regional Park vehicle. Bounce-back annuity authorized when marriage funding provided. dissolution decree revokes joint and survivor HF801-Pelowski (DFL) annuity form. HF788-Thissen (DFL) State & Local Government Operations Reform, Taxes Technology & Elections HF815-Beard (R) Equity and opportunity in education tax credit State report and document laws modified. Finance provided. S c ot t C ou nt y ; re g iona l publ ic s a fe t y t r a i n i ng c enter HF802-Murphy, E. (DFL) funding provided. HF789-Knuth (DFL) Health Care & Human Services Energy Finance & Policy Division Policy & Oversight HF816-Lenczewski (DFL) Public Utilities Commission provisions modified Hospital payment prohibited for certain hospital- State & Local Government Operations Reform, relating to deadline for rate determination. acquired conditions and certain treatments. Technology & Elections Former legislators, constitutional officers, agency HF790-Slawik (DFL) HF803-Slocum (DFL) heads and certain legislative employees prohibited Health Care & Human Services Health Care & Human Services from lobbying for legislative or administrative action Policy & Oversight Policy & Oversight for one year after leaving office. Comprehensive child welfare quality assurance Medical examinations regulated. system required. HF817-Kahn (DFL) HF804-Thissen (DFL) State & Local Government Operations Reform, HF791-Simon (DFL) Civil Justice Technology & Elections Taxes Guardian and conservator governing provisions Postsecondary institution requirements expanded St. Louis Park; fire station and municipal ser- modified. to report resident student information to the vice center building provided with construction secretary of state for voter registration purposes, purchase exemptions. HF805-Nornes (R) and enhanced access required to voter registration Taxes records and records of returned absentee ballots on HF792-Hilstrom (DFL) Tax benefit allowance extended in certain job the World Wide Web. Public Safety Policy & Oversight opportunity building zones. Machine gun and short-barreled shotgun posses- HF818-Hilstrom (DFL) sion included on list of crimes against a person HF806-Buesgens (R) Public Safety Policy & Oversight for registration under the Predatory Offender K-12 Education Policy & Oversight Financial records disclosure in connection with Registration Law. Charter schools authorized to lease or purchase financial exploitation investigations authorized, district buildings, and state money authorized to procedures for reporting and investigating mal- HF793-Juhnke (DFL) purchase land and buildings. treatment modified, duties of financial institutions Agriculture, Rural Economies & Veterans Affairs in cases of financial exploitation specified and Loan program terms updated and family farm HF807-Peppin (R) penalties imposed. security program abolished. Commerce & Labor Gasoline sales below cost prohibition eliminated. HF819-Atkins (DFL) HF794-Anderson, B. (R) Commerce & Labor State & Local Government Operations Reform, HF808-Gardner (DFL) Early Internet sales of event tickets at inflated Technology & Elections Finance prices prohibited. Senate and House of Representatives membership Intermediate care facility rate increase provided. numbers reduced.

18 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 HF820-Hausman (DFL) HF835-Dettmer (R) HF851-Haws (DFL) Finance Civil Justice Finance Como Zoo improvements funding provided. Livestock activities liability regulated. St. Cloud; regional airport funding provided.

HF821-Morrow (DFL) HF836-Drazkowski (R) HF852-Kahn (DFL) Finance Transportation & Transit Policy & Finance Rural Policy and Development Center funding Oversight Division Minneapolis; Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway provided. Town road speed limits modified. funding provided.

HF822-Lesch (DFL) HF837-Juhnke (DFL) HF853-Demmer (R) K-12 Education Policy & Oversight Taxes Finance Charter school financial and academic require- Property tax refund definitions modified for disabled Trunk Highway 14 reconstruction funding ments modified, civil and criminal penalties military veterans. provided. provided. HF838-Juhnke (DFL) HF854-Lesch (DFL) HF823-Norton (DFL) Finance Commerce & Labor Health Care & Human Services Agriculture nutrient research funding provided. Customer liability for unauthorized use of lost of Policy & Oversight stolen cellular phones limited. Dental therapist fees, licensing and practice HF839-Juhnke (DFL) limitations established. Finance HF855-Hausman (DFL) Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Finance HF824-Davids (R) funding provided. University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Finance State Colleges and Universities asset preservation Disaster preparedness and relief services funding HF840-Juhnke (DFL) funding provided. provided, money appropriated. Agriculture, Rural Economies & Veterans Affairs Congress of the United States memorialized to op- HF856-Emmer (R) HF825-Murphy, M. (DFL) pose legislation interfering with a state’s ability to Health Care & Human Services State & Local Government Operations Reform, direct the transport or processing of horses. Policy & Oversight Technology & Elections Medical assistance providers allowed to repackage Volunteer firefighter retirement plan created. HF841-Juhnke (DFL) and reprice services; health opportunity account Agriculture, Rural Economies & Veterans Affairs project established and human services commis- HF826-Murphy, E. (DFL) Sunset of the farmer-lender mediation law sioner required to develop and seek federal approval; Health Care & Human Services eliminated. MinnesotaCare voucher project established; and Policy & Oversight proposals and timetable required. Non-Me d ic a re home c a re a ge nc ie s p e r m it te d to pro - HF842-Olin (DFL) vide alternative care services, customized living rate Health Care & Human Services Policy & HF857-Emmer (R) cap eliminated. Oversight Health Care & Human Services Emergency medical services technical changes Policy & Oversight HF827-Hausman (DFL) made. MFIP eligibility drug screening required. Finance State bond financed property sale proceeds HF843-Slocum (DFL) HF858-Lenczewski (DFL) distribution modified. K-12 Education Policy & Oversight Environment Policy & Oversight Charter school students allowed to participate in ex- Public water temporary drawdown provided. HF828-Hansen (DFL) tracurricular activities of their resident district. Finance HF859-Rukavina (DFL) Dakota County; Robert Street Corridor Transit HF844-Brod (R) Finance Way funding provided. Taxes Higher education asset preservation and replacement Permitted time to file claims for refunds modified. funding provided. HF829-Mullery (DFL) Public Safety Policy & Oversight HF845-Emmer (R) HF860-Rukavina (DFL) Metal theft penalties increased. Taxes Higher Education & Workforce Development Biomass electrical generation facility property tax Finance & Policy Division HF830-Hosch (DFL) exemption provided. University of Minnesota; meeting requirement Taxes eliminated for regent candidate nominations. Agricultural products definition expanded. HF846-Lieder (DFL) Finance HF861-Rukavina (DFL) HF831-Hosch (DFL) Rail service funding provided. Higher Education & Workforce Development Taxes Finance & Policy Division Tax exemption for township road materials HF847-Rukavina (DFL) Regent nomination joint committee regulated. expanded. Finance Mountain Iron; energy park water and sanitary HF862-Hilty (DFL) HF832-Lenczewski (DFL) sewer extension funding provided. Energy Finance & Policy Division Commerce & Labor Annual legislative report required on adequacy of Bloomington; state-operated or state-licensed HF848-Brynaert (DFL) electric transmission infrastructure. gambling facilities prohibited unless approved by Finance voter referendum. Employment support services funding provided HF863-Hilty (DFL) for persons with mental illness. Finance HF833-McFarlane (R) Excess energy savings carry forward allowed by Finance HF849-Haws (DFL) power companies, and conservation improvement Rush Line Corridor Transit Way funding Health Care & Human Services program study required. provided. Policy & Oversight Health care program renewal notice requirements HF864-Hilty (DFL) HF834-Kohls (R) modified. Energy Finance & Policy Division State & Local Government Operations Reform, Legislative Energy Commission directed to analyze Technology & Elections HF850-Haws (DFL) state energy standards for certain appliances. State employee suggestion system established. Taxes Counties authorized to exceed levy limits when covering costs of confining sex offenders subject to civil commitment proceedings.

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 19 HF865-Welti (DFL) HF879-Dettmer (R) HF892-Hilstrom (DFL) Environment Policy & Oversight Taxes Civil Justice Wabasha and Olmsted counties; Great River Ridge Agricultural product definition modified. Public defender representation provided for Trail established. juveniles, children in need of protection and other HF880-Dettmer (R) persons. HF866-Hosch (DFL) Environment Policy & Oversight Commerce & Labor Watershed districts and watershed management HF893-Kahn (DFL) School districts required to obtain employee health organizations required to submit information to Civil Justice coverage through the public employees insurance counties, and county approval of levies and fees Gender-neutral marriage laws provided and the program. required. Marriage and Family Protection Act enacted.

HF867-Davnie (DFL) HF881-Champion (DFL) HF894-Atkins (DFL) Health Care & Human Services State & Local Government Operations Reform, Energy Finance & Policy Division Policy & Oversight Technology & Elections Commerce commissioner required to collect and Self-insurance pools providing health coverage to Civil rights of an individual upon release from hold in escrow fees paid by Minnesota ratepayers local government employees regulated. incarceration restored and notice required. for permanent repository for disposal of high-level radioactive waste. HF868-Mahoney (DFL) HF882-Champion (DFL) Higher Education & Workforce Development Civil Justice HF895-Eken (DFL) Finance & Policy Division Admission of criminal history evidence limited in Finance Bioscience business development public actions against private employers. Rural school district grant program created to allow infrastructure grant program expanded. the sharing of services. HF883-Champion (DFL) HF869-Rukavina (DFL) Public Safety Policy & Oversight HF896-Hortman (DFL) Finance Race and other data collection and analysis Finance Midwest Higher Education Compact state required during traffic stops by law enforcement, Locally controlled process defined for establishing membership funding provided. reports required, improvement plans required, law hazardous traffic condition pupil transportation enforcement business cards required and money zones, and levy authorized for certain hazardous HF870-Reinert (DFL) appropriated. pupil transportation services. Taxes Tax increment financing district creation autho- HF884-Thissen (DFL) HF897-Slocum (DFL) rized by the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth. Health Care & Human Services K-12 Education Policy & Oversight Policy & Oversight Charter schools authorized to lease district HF871-Rukavina (DFL) Medical supplies and equipment purchasing buildings. Higher Education & Workforce Development alliance created. Finance & Policy Division HF898-Hornstein (DFL) Minnesota Office of Higher Education report re- HF885-Lenczewski (DFL) Environment Policy & Oversight quired on certain financial transactions. Taxes Greenhouse gas reduction goals and strategies added Tax policy provisions changed. to various state and metropolitan programs and HF872-Marquart (DFL) plans, goals established for per capita reduction in Taxes HF886-Solberg (DFL) vehicle miles traveled to reduce greenhouse gases Property tax exemption eligibility clarification Ways & Means and money appropriated. provided for institutions of public charity. General Fund balance allocation exempted at end of fiscal year 2009. HF899-Hausman (DFL) HF873-Marquart (DFL) Transportation & Transit Policy & State & Local Government Operations Reform, HF887-Lesch (DFL) Oversight Division Technology & Elections Civil Justice Transportation goals modified, reduction of Voting in a primary authorized for certain persons Collection service fees required to be paid by vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas who are 17. obligor. emissions provided.

HF874-Hortman (DFL) HF888-Anderson, B. (R) HF900-Juhnke (DFL) Civil Justice Commerce & Labor Agriculture, Rural Economies & Statutory interpretation found in an advisory Transportation infrastructure projects funding Veterans Affairs opinion issued by a commissioner of administra- provided through the cooperation of state- Pesticide railroad application regulated. tion in 2008 rejected. chartered banks. HF901-Emmer (R) HF875-Hortman (DFL) HF889-Haws (DFL) Health Care & Human Services Finance State & Local Government Operations Reform, Policy & Oversight State requirement modified for pupil transportation Technology & Elections Genetic information use modified. for elementary pupils, and a levy authorized to pay County law library authorized to be located outside for certain transportation costs. of the courthouse. HF902-Emmer (R) Health Care & Human Services HF876-Hortman (DFL) HF890-Simon (DFL) Policy & Oversight K-12 Education Policy & Oversight Civil Justice Property interest in human biological specimens Public residential high school established for science, Parentage presumption and right to custody created, specimen use limited. technology, engineering and mathematics. provisions modified and clarified, and pre-birth parentage orders or judgments provided in certain HF903-Mullery (DFL) HF877-Hortman (DFL) cases. Commerce & Labor Environment Policy & Oversight Foreclosure consultant provisions modified. Idling reduction technology purchases grant HF891-Champion (DFL) program established. Public Safety Policy & Oversight HF904-Juhnke (DFL) Expungement law expanded and modi- Commerce & Labor HF878-Hortman (DFL) fied, courts authorized to modify or sus- Prompt payment of real estate appraisal reports Finance pend collateral sanctions under certain required. Highway centerline relocation governing provision circumstances, and situations limited in which added, county state-aid highway and municipal juvenile delinquency criminal record is publicly state-aid street provisions modified, advertising de- available. vice placement regulated and plats of lands abutting state rail bank property procedures provided.

20 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 HF905-Doty (DFL) HF918-Hausman (DFL) HF933-Olin (DFL) Agriculture, Rural Economies & Finance Environment Policy & Oversight Veterans Affairs General obligation bond sale provisions amended. Kittson County; public sale of tax-forfeited land Commissioner of military affairs authorized to bordering public water authorized. accept uncompensated and voluntary services. HF919-Scalze (DFL) Finance HF934-Loeffler (DFL) HF906-Hornstein (DFL) Specific information required for local capital Health Care & Human Services Policy & K-12 Education Policy & Oversight improvement requests. Oversight Responsible family life and sexuality education Children aging out of foster care provisions program established. HF920-Tillberry (DFL) modified. K-12 Education Policy & Oversight HF907-Lillie (DFL) Education; obsolete and unneeded mandates HF935-Slocum (DFL) Commerce & Labor removed. K-12 Education Policy & Oversight Employee invention agreements regulated. Charter school provisions modified. HF921-Fritz (DFL) HF908-Urdahl (R) Health Care & Human Services Policy & HF936-Thissen (DFL) Commerce & Labor Oversight Health Care & Human Services Policy & Shared work employer plans extended by one Safe patient handling plans in clinical settings Oversight year. required. Communities for a lifetime criteria specified, and Minnesota Board on Aging and commissioner of HF909-Kohls (R) HF922-Nelson (DFL) employment and economic development required Finance Finance to develop recommendations on the designation of Carver County; waivered service program Public housing rehabilitating funding provided. communities for a lifetime. expenditure repayment requirement eliminated. HF923-Carlson (DFL) HF937-Demmer (R) HF910-Hortman (DFL) Taxes Taxes State & Local Government Operations Reform, Property taxes; one-year lag in determining fiscal Job opportunity building zone amendments allowed Technology & Elections disparities contribution net tax capacities and to agreements under certain circumstances. Notaries public fees modified, commissions, stamps discrimination levies eliminated. and seals regulated; clarifications and physical HF938-Reinert (DFL) limitations accommodations provided. HF924-Hackbarth (R) State & Local Government Operations Reform, Environment Policy & Oversight Technology & Elections HF911-Ward (DFL) Northshore Trail renamed C.J. Ramstad State employees with disabled veteran status Finance Memorial Trail. provided additional sick leave. Telecommunications and Internet access equity established. HF925-Sertich (DFL) HF939-Mahoney (DFL) Commerce & Labor Finance Official measure of unemployment expanded. New job training funding provided for hard-to- train individuals. Thursday, February 19 HF926-Dill (DFL) Environment Policy & Oversight HF940-Zellers (R) HF912-Eken (DFL) St. Louis County; public and private sales of county State & Local Government Operations Reform, Transportation & Transit Policy & bordering tax-forfeited land authorized. Technology & Elections Oversight Division Hennepin County; personnel rules and procedures Cargo tank vehicle weight restrictions exempted HF927-Mahoney (DFL) modified. on seasonally weight-restricted roads. Commerce & Labor Construction codes and licensing modified, high HF941-Thissen (DFL) HF913-Pelowski (DFL) pressure piping profession provisions added, Civil Justice State & Local Government Operations Reform, appropriations restrictions modified and author- Interlocutory appeal provided on the question of Technology & Elections ity to adopt rules for obtaining broiler licenses class certification. Independent expenditure provisions in political extended. campaigns removed, timing and method of filing HF942-Davids (R) with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure HF928-Hornstein (DFL) Finance Board modified. Transportation & Transit Policy & Fountain; grant provided. Oversight Division HF914-Davnie (DFL) Wireless communications device use prohibited in HF943-Davids (R) Commerce & Labor Metropolitan Council public transit vehicles. Finance Payday lending regulated, penalties and remedies Brownsville; grant provided. provided. HF929-Ruud (DFL) State & Local Government Operations Reform, HF944-Davids (R) HF915-Thao (DFL) Technology & Elections Finance Finance Minnetonka; street improvement districts estab- La Crescent; grant provided. Lifetrack Resources grant provided. lishment and apportionment of fees authorized, street improvement plan required. HF945-Davids (R) HF916-Hausman (DFL) Finance Environment Policy & Oversight HF930-Wagenius (DFL) Peterson; grant provided. Per m it s i s sue d for non fer rou s me t a l l ic m i ner a l m i n- Civil Justice i ng proh ibite d, fi na nc i a l a s su r a nc e de fi ne d a nd c iv il Classification of grants data by government entities HF946-Davids (R) penalty for mining law violations increased. proposed, regional parks foundation private donor Finance gift data classified as private or nonpublic. Minnesota Historical Society grants provided for HF917-Jackson (DFL) local historic preservation projects. Health Care & Human Services Policy & HF931-Hamilton (R) Oversight Finance HF947-Thao (DFL) Department of Human Services and country Worthington; city appropriations modified. Finance agencies allowed direct access to Department of Parents’ fair share program funding provided. Corrections’ data for background studies. HF932-Bly (DFL) Finance HF948-Peterson (DFL) Rate schedule for renewable energy projects Finance established and reports required. Mighty Ducks ice facility grant amounts modified.

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 21 HF949-Thissen (DFL) HF961-Bunn (DFL) HF976-Gunther (R) Public Safety Policy & Oversight Health Care & Human Services Policy & Taxes Official traffic-control device automatic enforce- Oversight Long-term care insurance credit increased. ment authorized, fine proceeds generated by Physical activity costs allowed to be covered under devices allocated and petty misdemeanor penalty home and community-based waivers. HF977-Juhnke (DFL) imposed. Environment Policy & Oversight HF962-Dittrich (DFL) Let’s Go Fishing community outreach grants HF950-Murphy, M. (DFL) Taxes provided. State & Local Government Operations Reform, Special levy provided for costs of operating and Technology & Elections maintaining new county facilities. HF978-Lillie (DFL) Public Employees Retirement Association autho- Commerce & Labor rized to offer a postretirement option for members HF963-Hilstrom (DFL) Automobile insurers prohibited from owning of the public employees retirement general plan. Finance repair facilities. Children of incarcerated parents mentor grants HF951-Lillie (DFL) provided. HF979-Severson (R) Energy Finance & Policy Division Taxes Two or more existing municipal power agencies au- HF964-Holberg (R) Taxation; levy limit base modified. thorized to form a new municipal power agency. State & Local Government Operations Reform, Technology & Elections HF980-Lieder (DFL) HF952-Eken (DFL) Legislative and congressional districts coordinated. Public Safety Policy & Oversight Environment Policy & Oversight Peace officer eligibility requirements based on Board of Water and Soil Resources membership HF965-Gottwalt (R) military experience modified. modified. Taxes Taxation; long-term care insurance credit HF981-Bly (DFL) HF953-Paymar (DFL) adjusted. K-12 Education Policy & Oversight Public Safety Policy & Oversight Charter school provisions amended, New Schools Transfer of pistols or semiautomatic military-style HF966-Gunther (R) Minnesota commission established and private assault weapons provisions modified. Finance nonprofit corporation authorized. School swimming pool levy expanded to include HF954-Lesch (DFL) small school districts. HF982-Murphy, M. (DFL) Public Safety Policy & Oversight State & Local Government Operations Reform, Information transfer to the federal National Instant HF967-Lillie (DFL) Technology & Elections Criminal Background Check System required on Finance Allowable service credit for job-sharing project of persons civilly committed, found not guilty by Ramsey County; trail construction funding job-share program participants revised. reason of mental illness or incompetent to stand provided. trial; and certain persons prohibited from possess- HF983-Hansen (DFL) ing a firearm under state law authorized to petition HF968-Hosch (DFL) Finance a court of restoration of rights. Commerce & Labor Natural resources asset preservation and replace- Board of Residential Construction established, ment established. HF955-Morrow (DFL) license regulation modified. Environment Policy & Oversight HF984-Norton (DFL) Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board renamed, HF969-Atkins (DFL) Health Care & Human Services Policy & and duties and membership of board clarified. Health Care & Human Services Policy & Oversight Oversight Medical assistance coverage of primary care health HF956-Hornstein (DFL) Patient access to health records provisions and care providers performing primary caries preven- State & Local Government Operations Reform, costs modified. tion services as part of the child and teen checkup Technology & Elections program authorized. Municipalities authorized to establish street HF970-Brod (R) improvement districts and apportion street im- State & Local Government Operations Reform, HF985-Hayden (DFL) provement fees within districts, adoption of street Technology & Elections Health Care & Human Services Policy & improvement plan required and collection of fees Recount requirement in statewide elections Oversight authorized. removed, runoff election requirement established Children aging out of foster care provisions and public money use authorized. modified. HF957-Olin (DFL) Finance HF971-Bigham (DFL) HF986-Thissen (DFL) Kennedy; municipal geothermal, wind turbine and Public Safety Policy & Oversight Health Care & Human Services Policy & solar energy power facility funding provided. Predatory offender registration time period rule Oversight clarified. County maintenance of effort provisions amended HF958-Olin (DFL) for mental health provisions. Finance HF972-Bigham (DFL) State agencies authorized to develop plan for using Finance HF987-Abeler (R) federal stimulus funds dedicated to energy projects Youth intervention programs grants provided. Health Care & Human Services Policy & to install energy-efficient windows in government Oversight and residential buildings, to weatherize residential HF973-Swails (DFL) Medical assistance drug formulary committee buildings and to train installers. K-12 Education Policy & Oversight provisions modified. Health and safety revenue used to fund school dis- HF959-Scalze (DFL) trict playground safety, accessibility, safe surfacing, HF988-Mariani (DFL) Finance play and fitness equipment, inspections, design, Transportation & Transit Policy & Ramsey County; Keller Regional Park funding installation and maintenance costs. Oversight Division provided. REAL ID Act implementation prohibited. HF974-Gottwalt (R) HF960-Masin (DFL) Energy Finance & Policy Division HF989-Gottwalt (R) Finance Nuclear power plant certificate of need prohibition Transportation & Transit Policy & Dakota County; Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit abolished. Oversight Division Way funding provided. Driver’s license and identification card required to HF975-Gottwalt (R) show full head and face. Taxes Taxation; subtraction for contributions to a quali- fied section 529 college savings plan provided.

22 Session Weekly February 20, 2009 HF990-Bunn (DFL) HF997-Seifert (R) HF1002-Murphy, E. (DFL) Finance State & Local Government Operations Reform, Health Care & Human Services Policy & General Fund forecast additional revenue Technology & Elections Oversight priorities modified. Federal government memorialized to halt its Nursing education demonstration project grant practice of imposing mandates upon the states established. HF991-Eken (DFL) for purposes not enumerated by the Constitution Transportation & Transit Policy & of the United States and affirming Minnesota’s HF1003-Mahoney (DFL) Oversight Division sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the Civil Justice Trunk Highway 200 portion established as Veterans Constitution of the United States. Rebuttable presumption of minimum parenting Memorial Highway. time changed, rebuttal factors specified and parent- HF998-Emmer (R) ing expense adjustment changed. HF992-Dill (DFL) State & Local Government Operations Reform, Health Care & Human Services Policy & Technology & Elections HF1004-Hamilton (R) Oversight C ong re s s memor i a l i z e d to c l a i m s overeig nt y u nder Health Care & Human Services Policy & Local school districts permitted to provide health the 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the Oversight coverage to their employees through the state em- United States over certain powers, serve notice to Cottonwood County; ICF/MR facility relocation ployee group insurance plan, and school district the federal government to cease and desist certain provided. procedure specified. mandates, and direct distribution. HF1005-Reinert (DFL) HF993-Dill (DFL) HF999-Mullery (DFL) Finance Commerce & Labor Civil Justice Enhanced driver’s license and enhanced identi- Financial statements submitted to the attorney Civil union relationships provided, and civil union fication card created, application, issuance and general by charitable organizations audit require- contracts substituted for marriage for purposes of appearance of card provided, and Homeland Se- ment adjusted. Minnesota law. curity secretary approval sought.

HF994-Lieder (DFL) HF1000-Norton (DFL) HF1006-Gunther (R) Transportation & Transit Policy & Transportation & Transit Policy & Commerce & Labor Oversight Division Oversight Division Combative Sports Commission requirements State hazardous materials registration and permit Highway 14 designated as Black and Yellow Trail. modified. requirements abolished. HF1001-Demmer (R) HF1007-Wagenius (DFL) HF995-Mullery (DFL) Finance Finance Civil Justice K-12 education state grants authorized to leverage Environmental and natural resources fund- Sheriff’s sale procedure modified relating to quality improvements. ing provided, Legislative-Citizen Commission foreclosures. on Minnesota Resources membership terms modified. HF996-Paymar (DFL) Civil Justice Personal appearance in an application for a name change made by an adult requirement eliminated.

MOEs continued from page 4 has suggested that some county services be said the state is asking this MOE system to do the impossible. “Largely because over the must create a plan that will help them achieve consolidated. This would also affect how last 25 years, at a minimum, we’ve moved that funding, said John Zakelj, a planner in the MOEs are funded. away from state supervision and county Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) asked administration and we’ve tried to fit a Mental Health Division. If they can’t come what would happen if a consolidation went into one-size-fits-all system for all of these up with a plan, the county would lose lawsuit effect. “What would happen if we didn’t make populations … without any regard to property protection related to mandated mental health any changes to MOEs? Would we just have one values, without any regard for community services. pot and throw all the money into that and then values, without regard to the size of the The total of all county mental health costs have that just be for the group of counties?” population and without regard to the whole for MOEs is $111 million. Of that, $66 million Dalton said the governor’s initiative would provider system. For 25 years, the system has goes to fund services for uninsured and require counties to look at combining and been driven by providers and advocacy groups underinsured individuals and for services providing these services regionally and there and the policy has been diluted. And then we such as children’s respite care and adult would be “a very big carrot” to do this. He is require 87 county boards of commissioners to housing supports that keep people out of proposing that if counties don’t combine their grapple with this in the real world at the local hospitals, but are not reimbursable by health services, their county program aid would be level and depend upon property taxes. It just care programs, Zakelj said. cut more than it would be otherwise. doesn’t work.” In the governor’s budget proposal, he Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township)

Fitness continued from page 16 said three-time Tour de France winner Greg programs show best results from daily, education program “magical.” LeMond, “you could have the best schools in morning sessions and an emphasis on aerobic “It works. Student scores, their engagement, the world but if your kids can’t pay attention, fitness, not “ball sports” or athletics. the attendance rate, the obesity rate — we’re their brains are asleep, they’re not going to “It’s not about who’s good, who’s bad,” less than 5 percent in our student population — absorb what they need to. I think that’s what Ratey said. “Everybody plays all the time.” all those things by having student engagement Dr. Ratey’s studies have shown.” North Trail Elementary principal Steven in the gym is just magical. To have that in all Olwell and Ratey agree student exercise Geis calls the effects of his school’s physical the schools would be wonderful.”

February 20, 2009 Session Weekly 23 Mi nn e s o t a Ho u s e o f Re p r e s e n t a t i v e s

Pu b l i c In f o r m a t i o n Se r v i c e s

175 St a t e Of f i c e Building

100 Re v . Dr. Ma r t i n Lu t h e r Ki n g Jr. Bl v d .

St. Pa u l , MN 55155-1298

Sp e a k e r o f t h e Ho u s e : Ma r g a r e t An d e r s o n Ke l l i h e r

Ma j o r i t y Le a d e r : An t h o n y “To n y ” Se r t i c h

Minority Le a d e r : Ma r t y Se i f e r t

Fo r Mo r e In f o r m a t i o n

Mi nn e s o t a In d e x For general information, call House Public Information Services at 651-296-2146 or 800-657-3550. Less lighting up To have a copy of Session Weekly Estimated number of Minnesota adults who smoked in 2007...... 634,000 mailed to you, subscribe online at: www. Percent of the state’s population...... 17 house.mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp or call: Percent in 2003, 1999...... 19.1, 22.1 651-296-2146 or 800-657-3550. National percentages in 2007, 2003 and 1999...... 20, 21.5, 23.3 If you enjoy Session Weekly, please consider Fewer state smokers, as approximate, in 2007 than 1999...... 164,000 helping to defray production and mailing Percent of Minnesota men, women who smoke...... 18.6, 15.5 costs with a biennial voluntary donation of Minnesotans with less than a high school diploma who smoke, as percent...... 26.3 $20 or more. Percent of Minnesotans with a college degree who smoke...... 5.9 Percent of Minnesotans whose household income is less than $35,000 who smoke.....23.2 Make your check payable to Minnesota House of Representatives, and mail it to: Percent of Minnesota smokers in households with at least $75,000 in annual income...... 11 House Public Information Services Percent of young adults, ages 18-24, responding to 2007, 2003 surveys who smoked 175 State Office Building in the past 30 days...... 28.4, 36.8 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Estimated number of public school students in 2008 who used tobacco...... 85,000 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Estimated number in 2005...... 97,000 Percent of high school students in 2008 and 2000 surveys who used tobacco Session Weekly online is available at: www.house.mn/sessionweekly in past 30 days...... 27, 38.7 Percent of middle school students...... 6.9, 12.6 Subscribe to Session Daily e-mail Percentage of 2008, 2005 high school students who were taught in school alerts at: www.house.mn/list/join. about the dangers of tobacco use...... 37.4, 60.3 asp?listname=sessiondaily. State adults exposed to secondhand smoke in past seven days during 2007, 2003...... 56.7, 67.2 Check your local listings to watch televi- Minnesota workers in 2007, 2003 who had a smoke-free workplace...... 76.1, 68.4 sion coverage of House committees, floor Percent of adult Minnesotans in 2007, 2003 who said smoking was not allowed sessions and select press conferences. anywhere inside their home...... 83.2, 74.9 Adult smokers in 2007, as percent, who stopped for at least a day in the previous To obtain a copy of a bill, call the Chief Clerk’s Office at 651-296-2314. 12 months because they were trying to quit smoking...... 56.7 Among those who tried to quit, percent who made multiple attempts in previous To learn about bill introductions or 12 months...... 67.7 the status of a specific bill, call the Percent of attempted quitters in 2007, 2003 who used behavioral counseling House Index Office at 651-296-6646. for their last quit attempt...... 14.9, 3.6 The House of Representatives can be found on Taxes and fees per pack paid on cigarettes sold in the state...... $1.48 the Web at: www.house.mn. Year Minnesota enacted the Clean Indoor Air Act...... 1975 Year Moose Lake became the first city to pass a smoke-free restaurant ordinance...... 2000 People who are deaf and hard of hearing Month when Minnesota’s smoke-free law that covers indoor public places and may ask questions or leave messages by workplaces, including bars and restaurants took effect...... October 2007 calling the Minnesota Relay service at 711 or 800-627-3529 (TTY).

Sources: Tobacco Use in Minnesota 1999-2007, Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey, September 2008; Senate Information Teens and Tobacco in Minnesota, the View from 2008: Results from the Minnesota Youth Tobacco 651-296-0504 or 888-234-1112 and Asthma Survey, Department of Health, December 2008.