SESSION WEEKLY A NONPARTISAN PUBLICATION MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES VOLUME 25, NUMBER 3 • FEBRUARY 29, 2008

A g r i m f o r e c a s t HF3348 - HF3627

v e r r i d e g o e s i n t o o v e r d r i v e SESSI O OF ON RS W A E E E

K Y

Political f a l l o u t L

Y 5 2

He a l t h In s u r a n c e : Ar e y o u c o v e r e d ? NONPARTISAN • IN-DEPTH • INFORMATIVE SESSION WEEKLY

Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. During the 2007-2008 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 651-296-2146 or 800-657-3550 or the Budget • 5 Energy • 8 Insurance • 12 Minnesota Relay service at 711 or Business • 5 Environment • 8 Military • 12 800-627-3529 (TTY) Crime • 5 Game & Fish • 10 Safety • 13 www.house.mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp Education • 6 Government • 11 Taxes • 13 Elections • 7 Health & Human Services • 11 Technology • 14 Director Employment • 8 Housing • 12 Transportation • 14 Barry LaGrave Editor/Assistant Director Lee Ann Schutz Assistant Editor Mike Cook BILL INTRODUCTIONS (HF3348-HF3627) • 17 - 22 Art & Production Coordinator Paul Battaglia Writers FEATURES Nick Busse, Patty Ostberg, Fi r s t Re a d i n g : Legislators prepare to tighten the belt • 3 Courtney Blanchard, Craig Green, Tom Hammell, Brian Hogenson At Is s u e : Transportation plan becomes law • 15 Chief Photographer Pe o p l e : Political problems for six defectors • 16 Tom Olmscheid Photographers Re s o u r c e s : Roster of House members • 23 Andrew VonBank, Sarah Stacke Mi n n e s o t a In d e x : Are you covered? • 24 Staff Assistants 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, On the cover: With children from Pillsbury United Communities Waite House in South Minneapolis 30% post-consumer content. milling around in front of the House Chamber Feb. 25, Jim Brumfield, with Operating Engineers Local 49, sports his message over his hardhat to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the transportation bill. It was a Waite House bus loaded with children that was on the Interstate 35W bridge when it collapsed Aug. 1, 2007.

­—Photo by: Tom Olmscheid FIRST READING

A grim forecast Facing a $935 million budget deficit, legislators prepare to tighten the belt

By Ni c k Bu s s e Different approaches emerge “It could be worse” was about the best news that State How this situation is going to be managed may turn out to be the defining theme for the Economist Tom Stinson had to offer Feb. 28 as he presented the remainder of the legislative session. Gov. Tim Department of Finance’s grim February Forecast, which predicts Pawlenty said his office will release a modified budget proposal sometime next week that will a $935 million budget shortfall for the remainder of the 2008-09 recommend spending cuts to various state biennium. agencies. Above all, the governor rejected any Stinson and Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson explained that the proposals to increase taxes. figure, which represents a drop of $530 million from the November “Our goal is not to increase revenue. We’re Forecast projections, is being driven by widespread economic already spending too much,” Pawlenty said. stagnation both in Minnesota and elsewhere. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls) pledged that legislators would close the budget gap “by the time we leave “The story of this forecast continues to be The forecast also predicts a $1.09 billion this session.” She agreed with the governor the weakening U.S. economy,” Hanson said. deficit for the 2010-11 biennium; however, that budget cuts will likely be a necessary part Stinson noted that the revenue decline adjusted for spending inflation, that figure is of the solution; however, she noted that any was particularly dramatic when compared actually more than $2.1 billion. cuts should be made “with a scissors and not with last year’s end-of-session projections, Despite the daunting numbers, Hanson an axe.” which were $1.27 billion higher. By far, the called the situation “very concerning but still Speaking at a press conference after the biggest driver has been a steep decline in manageable.” forecast’s release, Kelliher and other DFL corporate tax receipts, down 20.6 percent, or leaders emphasized job creation as one of their $456 million. top priorities for the session, arguing it would provide long-term economic growth and help generate new revenues for the state. The DFLers were less clear as to whether they would seek more immediate sources of revenue. Asked whether they would consider pushing for any tax increases, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud) replied, “We don’t answer hypotheticals.” Kelliher, meanwhile, said that House DFLers would indeed consider raising revenues by closing tax loopholes for foreign operating companies. Pawlenty indicated he would consider such a plan, but only if the new revenues were tied to some kind of tax relief in other sectors. House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) was less nuanced in his reaction to the forecast. “No tax increases, period,” Seifert said. Seifert indicated that he and other House Republicans would press for spending p h o t o b y a n d r e w v o n b a n k Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson presents the February Forecast to media members and other reductions to state agencies, particularly in interested parties Feb. 28. First Reading continued on page 4

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 3 First Reading continued from page 3 Revenues Down $1.27 Billion the area of health and human services. As an From End-of-Session example, he said reducing Medical Assistance co-pays could save the state $50 million to $ Millions $ Change Decrease % Change Decrease $250 million, “depending on how aggressive” Individual Income 282 1.8 the cuts are. Sales Tax 322 3.4 He added that the kind of accounting shifts used to fix 2003’s $4.5 billion deficit were Corp. Inc. Tax 456 20.6 unnecessary and not likely to be repeated. All other 209 3.2 Total Change 1,270 3.8 What to cut? Echoing Seifert’s comments, Pawlenty Source: Minnesota Department of Finance said health and human services spending is “devouring” the state budget, and indicated can’t sugarcoat that,” he said. abide by the long-standing rule that the total that it would be a likely candidate for budget DFLers may have different priorities. amount of the bonding bill can equal no more cuts. He added that he has already ordered a Kelliher mentioned that the Legislature’s than 3 percent of General Fund revenues; hiring freeze for all state agencies to help curb funding decisions may be affected by recent however, he expressed some willingness administrative spending. Although he largely reports from the Office of the Legislative to negotiate with DFLers like Sen. Keith dismissed the possibility of layoffs of state Auditor — a likely reference to, among other Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), chairman of the employees, he indicated that state agencies things, a recent report critical of the JOBZ Senate Capital Investment Committee, who should be prepared to make sacrifices. economic development program. argues that the amount should be defined by “When you take money out of the state’s The fate of the bonding bill is also in doubt. actual instead of estimated revenues. budget, someone’s going to be impacted. You Pawlenty said he expects the Legislature to

Ma p q u e s t

p h o t o b y s a r a h s t a c k e After Rep. Tom Emmer misnamed some roads in southern Minnesota, Rep. Al Juhnke holds up a state map during the Feb. 25 discussion to override the governor’s veto of the transportation bill.

4 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 HIGHLIGHTS F e b r u a r y 21 - 28, 2008

Editor’s note: The following Highlights are Business Crime coverage of select bills heard in House commit- tees and other House activities held Feb. 21-28. Designations used in Highlight summaries: Airline merger effects examined Local violation fines HF-House File; SF-Senate File; Ch-Chapter; and The Twin Cities’ status as a major hub for Sponsored by Rep. Larry Hosch (DFL-St. *-the bill, version considered by the House, or Northwest Airlines is not expected to change Joseph), HF847 would permit a city or county the bill language signed by the governor. if the carrier merges with Delta Airlines. to impose an administrative fine for certain That was the position of Metropolitan traffic violations, such as driving over the Airports Commission (MAC) Chairman speed limit by less than 10 mph or rolling Budget Jack Lanners and MAC General Counsel Tom through a stop sign. However, it failed to gain Anderson at a Feb. 25 meeting of the House the approval of the House Public Safety and Deficiency spending Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Civil Justice Committee Feb. 27. A bill to address a quartet of budget Committee. Winona Police Chief Frank Pomeroy said deficiencies that, according to the “The talk of the day is of a potential merger. that when his city began issuing the $45 administration and Department of Finance, That’s of great concern to all,” Lanners said. fine — which does not show up on a driver’s needs immediate action, was passed by the Lanners said the MAC has “arrows in the record — instead of issuing tickets, there was House 112-17 on Feb. 28. quiver” at its disposal for negotiations with a decrease in accidents. “This deficiency bill is for very small amounts Northwest Airlines, including state loans But William Gillespie, executive director of money that will solve those particular that must be repaid and lease agreements that of the Minnesota Police & Peace Officers problems for very small organizations ensure hub status. Association, said the bill is not about safety, that have no other opportunity than the Anderson said there would be a “significant but “revenue enhancement.” Legislature appropriating some money for penalty” for the merged airline if those Gillespie said that when he served as a peace them,” said Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand agreements are not abided by in the future. officer in Ramsey County, what the finances Rapids), sponsor of HF3055. Lanners said that Minneapolis-St. Paul of a ticket were, or where the finances went, The bill would appropriate $175,000 from International Airport has many factors in its were irrelevant. “A traffic tag is a teaching tool, the General Fund for the administration of the favor that leave it well-positioned to maintain not a means to generate money for the state of Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission. hub status, including being well-run, and Minnesota.” “In the last legislative session they were profitable, as well as the western-most hub Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder), given an appropriation, and there were some for Northwest Airlines. who is also the Lake Crystal police chief, was restrictions on that appropriation,” Solberg The outlook on Northwest Airlines’ even more direct. “You’re changing the whole said. “Some of it went to small grants for corporate headquarters remaining in Eagan spectrum of law enforcement here today.” the programming throughout the state, and after a merger is not so optimistic. Cornish said that, in his many years as a they were restricted on the amount of money Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) said it seems police officer, he has never written a ticket for they could use for their staff. At the present as though losing the corporate headquarters someone driving less than 10 mph over the time, with that restriction put in place, they in a merger is a foregone conclusion, and the speed limit, or for anyone rolling through a should really be laying off their staff in order MAC is more concerned with making sure stop sign. He gave them a warning. to account for things like unemployment, there is not a loss of hub status. This is “a money grab”, he said. “It’s a vacation pay and the other things that go “It’s also seemingly obvious, based on burden on our citizens to make up for the along with terminating somebody. This will the media reports that we all see, that the city’s shortfall.” bring them, for their staff only, through the headquarters is not looking like it would be Hosch argued that the bill was not a celebration.” here,” Lanners said. “money grab,” and presented a report from In another provision, Special Revenue funds Citing state aid received by Northwest the Office of the Legislative Auditor that totaling $304,000 would be divided between Airlines during its 2005 bankruptcy, Rep. indicated administrative fines did not provide the state’s Board of Chiropractic Examiners Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids) took a substantial form of income for cities and ($150,000), Board of Dentistry ($100,000) issue with the idea that there is a choice to counties. and Board of Veterinary Medicine ($54,000). be made by Northwest Airlines in keeping its A companion bill, SF1008, sponsored by All three have licensing-fee funded accounts headquarters in the Twin Cities or maintaining Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville), within the fund. Minneapolis-St. Paul’s hub status. awaits action by the Senate Transportation The money is needed to reimburse the boards’ “When Northwest was in deep doo-doo Committee. costs incurred while conducting contested and came to the state and MAC, it was — C. Gr e e n case hearings involving individuals. with complete understanding that their “They do have the funds available at this headquarters would never be moved and, quite Employee, student relationships present time, but they are not allowed to frankly, when they talk about headquarters For many, it’s one of those relationships that pay them out without us appropriating the and hub, and want us to choose (between) is taken for granted. Teacher and student. But money,” Solberg said. The board may have to those two, that’s not a choice,” Solberg said. times have changed. make up the funding at some point. “Northwest wouldn’t exist for Delta to have a Speaking before the House Public Safety A companion bill, SF2766, sponsored by merger if it wouldn’t have been for the state and Civil Justice Committee Feb. 26, Rep. Joe Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), awaits stepping up to the plate.” Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) said that as action on the Senate floor. — B. Ho g e n s o n it is inappropriate for a teacher or a coach to

— M. Co o k

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 5 have a sexual relationship with a student who they would like to see these schools evaluated maybe close an achievement gap.” is 17, it is inappropriate for a school employee on systemic improvement and organizational — C. Bl a n c h a r d to have a relationship with an 18-year-old. learning, but it’s been difficult to find people HF2719, sponsored by Atkins, would in the Department of Education who speak in Measuring of school success prohibit sexual relations between school those terms. A bill that would add state academic employees and students, including those Jamie Crannell, a chemistry teacher at growth-based measures to the Minnesota 18- and 19-years-old. Approved by the Chaska High School, said children in the school report card received committee committee, the bill is now headed to the alternative school system have other problems approval Feb. 26. House E-12 Education Committee. The Senate that need to be addressed. The House E-12 Education Committee sent companion, SF3289, sponsored by Sen. Mee “It’s not that the requirements aren’t HF3329 to the House Finance Committee Moua (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action in the reasonable, it’s that the kids have lot of things with the recommendation that it be sent to Senate Judiciary Committee. to overcome, prior to getting there,” he said. the House K-12 Finance Division. Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom “These kids don’t want the bar to be Rep. Kathy Brynaert (DFL-Mankato), the spoke of a recent case in Hastings where a lowered, they just want to be met where they bill sponsor, said it is the work of the interim high school coach began a relationship with are at,” Rep. Lynn Wardlow (R-Eagan) said. E-12 Education Work Group, which aimed a senior. The coach had been pursuing the The committee sent the bill to the House to fully, fairly and accurately measure school young woman with hundreds of phone calls Finance Committee with the recommendation improvement. and text messages, before he began a sexual that it be sent to the House K-12 Finance David Heistad, director of research, relationship with her. Division. evaluation and assessment for Minneapolis The problem, Backstrom said, was that even A companion bill, SF3029, sponsored by Public Schools, said more than 300 state though the young woman was still a high Sen. Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield), awaits districts use some sort of academic growth- school student, she was 18. Legally there was action by the Senate Education Committee. based model, which is complimentary to the nothing that could be done. — T. Ha mm e l l federal No Child Left Behind program. “This is unacceptable behavior in our This provides a more dynamic way of society,” Backstrom said. Minnesota Childhood screening cost concerns looking at schools because some schools score law currently states that the legal age for Between 10 percent and 12 percent of high on academic growth standards, but do consensual sex is 16, and because of this, kindergarteners aren’t ready to start school not score high on standardized tests or vice he said legislation is needed so that younger because they have problems with language versa, he said. people cannot be taken advantage of in high development, literacy and mathematical Heistad said this would enable the school settings. thinking, according to the Department of Department of Education to find districts Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville) Education. that are already making great progress and questioned the scope of the bill’s language, To help identify children who may need hold high-achieving students accountable for which initially did not include any age limit extra help to succeed in school, Minnesota growth. for the student, and was not specific to the school districts are required to screen Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton), school setting. Amendments were added children from 3- to 5-years-old for health and questioned the measurement system used, clarifying that a student must be under age developmental problems. But the screenings saying the methods were “deceptive.” 20, and the other person involved must be can be costly — up to $70 per student — and “You gain some precision by more complex defined as a school employee or volunteer “in the state reimburses only up to $40 per child. models, but you lose some communication a position of authority.” The differential is incurred by the district. power,” Heistad said. — C. Gr e e n A bill sponsored by Rep. Erin Murphy Christy Hovanetz Lassila, assistant (DFL-St. Paul) would close the gap, and commissioner of the department’s Office Education require the state to reimburse the full amount of Accountability and Improvement, said to school districts. HF2920 was laid over Feb. the department is concerned about the lack 26 by the House Early Childhood Learning of proficiency standards, as well as limited School measurements for alternatives Finance Division for possible inclusion in its authority granted in parts of the bill. Other A bill that would allow up to 20 charter omnibus bill. concerns included unfunded mandates and schools and alternative schools to waive the The companion, SF2669, awaits action in the striking of the “value-added” language federal No Child Left Behind requirements the Senate Finance Committee. Sen. Sandy put into statute in 2004. for participation in a program to identify Rummel (DFL-White Bear Lake) sponsors A companion bill, SF2882, sponsored improvement measures for alternative schools the bill. by Sen. Sandy Rummel (DFL-White Bear received committee approval. The money to reimburse the districts would Lake), awaits action by the Senate Education Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield), sponsor come from the General Fund, at an annual Committee. of HF2982, told the House E-12 Education cost to the state between $1.5 million and $1.7 — T. Ha mm e l l Committee Feb. 21 that because of the mission million. of alternative schools, they will inherently score Charlie Blesener, director of community School trust fund land management lower on standardized testing, making it hard education for the Elk River School District, said Sponsored by Rep. Denise Dittrich (DFL- to know if these schools need enhancement. if the state doesn’t reimburse the full amount, Champlin), HF3292 would give the Department “We believe there are some schools that could the burden falls on the school districts. of Natural Resources commissioner authority use some improvement, but it’s hard to know Even so, the screening helps the district and to administer permanent school land funds. from the measures we have now,” Bly said. its students in the long run, Blesener said. Approved Feb. 21 by the House E-12 Terry Lydell, president of the Minnesota “It’s a great way to find issues with kids Education Committee, the bill awaits action Association of Alternative Programs, said early, so that we can do an intervention and by the House Finance Committee.

6 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 Now managed by the DNR, these lands (DFL-Champlin), HF2975 would eliminate misconduct. The bill would also require were granted by the federal government at the subtraction of the fund endowment that is the applicant to provide information on all time of statehood to be held in trust to benefit now offset against each district’s general current and previous disciplinary actions. public schools. education aid on a per pupil basis. It would Companion bill, SF2597, sponsored by Sen. “You should know that Minnesota is more net an extra $29 million for districts in Fiscal Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury), was re- like western states,” Dittrich said, in that the Year 2009. referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. state has not sold off this land. A second bill she sponsors, HF2973, Both House bills await action on the House A report from the legislative auditor’s office would allow a district to use this money for floor. found that the DNR sometimes emphasizes technology purposes beginning in Fiscal Year — T. Ha mm e l l natural resource management over financial 2009. responsibility for these areas. Both were laid over Feb. 26 for possible Elections Dittrich said the DNR does a good job of inclusion in a possible division omnibus conserving the land, but questioned whether bill, as was HF3206, sponsored by Rep. Tom having them fiscally manage these assets was Rukavina (DFL-Virginia). His bill, laid Judicial selection changes proposed too much of a dual purpose. over on Feb. 27, would establish an ongoing A bill to reform the judicial selection Bob Meier, assistant DNR commissioner, technology allowance of $60 per pupil. process passed its first legislative hurdle. said health and safety is the top priority on Rukavina said the bill starts off at $60 The House Governmental Operations, these lands and the trust funds are a close per-pupil and required a formula based on Reform, Technology and Elections Committee second. property wealth in the districts. approved HF3023 Feb. 26 and referred it to “We do have some concerns with (the bill), Most of the money on these lands is the House Public Safety and Civil Justice but we do agree with the overall concept,” generated from mineral and timber sales with Committee. Meier said. a small amount generated by land sales, said Sponsored by Rep. Steve Simon (DFL- Membership of the Permanent School Fund Marty Vadis, director of the DNR lands and St. Louis Park), the bill would amend the Advisory Committee would also be expanded minerals division. Minnesota Constitution to make the governor to include four additional legislative chairs, Rep. Marsha Swails (DFL-Woodbury) responsible for the initial appointment of five people with specified areas of expertise said the $28 million generated by the lands judges, for a term that lasts until the end of and a non-voting permanent professional staff seems conservative and questioned the lack the next general election year held more than person. The committee advises the DNR on of emphasis on renewable resources. three years after the appointment. the management of permanent school fund Companions to the Dittrich bills, SF2392 All sitting judges would be evaluated once land. and SF2422, each sponsored by Sen. Chuck during their term, and once near the end Marty Vadis, DNR director of lands and Wiger (DFL-North St. Paul), await action by of their term by a performance evaluation minerals, said the state has 2.5 million acres the Senate Finance Committee. Rukavina’s commission that would rate the judge as of surface and mineral rights and 1 million bill has no Senate companion. “qualified” or “unqualified” for office. acres of severed mineral rights. — T. Ha mm e l l This provision is meant to assist voters in A companion bill, SF2811, sponsored by Sen. evaluating the performance of judges. After Ann Lynch (DFL-Rochester), awaits action School district background checks their initial term, a judge may be retained by the Senate State and Local Government Two bills that came before the House E-12 in office through a retention election, where Operations and Oversight Committee. Education Committee on Feb. 28 would voters would be asked if a judge should be retained, rather than choose between — T. Ha mm e l l require school districts to look more closely at past sexual misconduct of those who would individual candidates. Trust fund money distribution work with children. “Judges, like any of us, need accountability,” The way money held by the state to benefit HF2782, sponsored by Rep. Karla Bigham Simon said. school districts is distributed could change (DFL-Cottage Grove) would require those Simon used baseball to demonstrate under three bills heard in the House K-12 who provide services for extracurricular how campaigning for judicial positions Finance Division Feb. 26 and 27. activities, including coaching, to undergo a and collecting partisan endorsements According to the nonpartisan House criminal background check. places judicial candidates in a position of Research Department, the Permanent School Bigham said many school districts already campaigning on judicial outcomes, harming Trust Fund consists of the proceeds of all do this, but this would make sure that the impartiality of their position. the lands granted at statehood by the federal “everybody is on a level playing field.” “Judges are not catchers or pitchers or batters, government for the benefit of schools, Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) said he judges are umpires,” Simon said. “We would proceeds from swamp lands granted to the would like to see this expanded to include never think of putting in an umpire who said to state, and cash and investments credited to anyone who would work with children. Major League Baseball, ‘Put me in the game and the fund. A Senate companion, SF2369, sponsored I’ll make sure the Yankees win,’ or ‘Put me in the The Department of Natural Resources by Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) was re- game and I’ll make sure the Red Sox win.’” manages about 2.5 million acres of school referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee Former House Speaker Phil Carruthers, trust land. Proceeds from those activities, by the Senate Education Committee. now an assistant Ramsey County attorney, such as timber sales, minerals activities or Minnesota already requires school districts cautioned against reforming the judicial lease revenue are added to the fund principal, to perform criminal history background selection process. which is invested by the State Board of checks on prospective teachers. HF2657, “Changing the constitution should be the Investment. As of June 30, 2007, the fund also sponsored by Bigham, would require last resort, not the first resort. If we change the totaled $714 million. school districts to use the Minnesota Board constitution without knowing exactly what we Sponsored by Rep. Denise Dittrich of Teaching Web site to check for past sexual are doing, we will be stuck with the result for

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 7 the next 150 years,” Carruthers said. more than anybody in the room. … There’s Environment A companion bill, SF2401, sponsored by huge numbers of success stories like this.”

Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), awaits action — M. Co o k by the Senate State and Local Government A bad grade for BWSR Operations and Oversight Committee. Energy For the second time in less than a year, the — B. Ho g e n s o n Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources received a failing grade from the legislative Employment New sustainable building guidelines auditor — this time, for not living up to its New sustainable buildings guidelines for financial management responsibilities. major renovations of state buildings could be An Office of the Legislative Auditor report Women into nontraditional careers on the way, with a goal of exceeding the state determined that the board lacks “adequate Funding is requested to help women energy code by 30 percent. internal controls over certain financial maximize their earning potential. HF3401, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL- processes”; however, the report also states that Sponsored by Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Mpls), Finlayson), would direct the Administration BWSR generally complied with most finance- HF743 would appropriate an unspecified and Commerce departments to develop related laws. amount of money for “grants to nonprofit guidelines that would apply to all major state- The report, which was released in late- organizations for programs that encourage funded building renovations after Feb. 1, 2009. November, was discussed Feb. 26 by the and assist women to enter nontraditional The House Energy Finance and Policy Division House Watersheds, Wetlands and Buffers careers in the trades and manual and technical laid the bill over Feb. 27 for possible inclusion Subcommittee. No action was taken. occupations.” in its omnibus bill. A companion, SF2706, Among the key findings, the report states Mullery told the House Higher Education and sponsored by Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon that the board: Work Force Development Policy and Finance (DFL-Duluth), awaits action by the Senate • did not adequately administer its financial Division that $500,000 would be a good amount. State and Local Government Operations and management duties; The bill, which has no Senate companion, was Oversight Committee. • did not ensure that grantees met the legally held over Feb. 27 by the division for possible Sustainable building design guidelines mandated matching requirements; inclusion in its omnibus bill. currently exist for new buildings that are • awarded grants to districts that did not “This was originally introduced about 10 constructed using state bond money; the bill provide comprehensive work plans; years ago, and it has been funded in the past, would apply them to renovations involving • did not inspect wetland sites added to the although it hasn’t been funded in the past few more than 10,000 square feet of space as well. wetland bank; and years,” he said. In addition, the bill would direct the • failed to prepare performance evaluation Statistics provided by the Office on the Commerce Department to develop reports for contracted services. Economic Status of Women, a joint legislative “Sustainable Building 2030” energy-efficiency “This is a pretty strong finding from us,” advisory commission, show the number of performance standards for commercial and said Deputy Legislative Auditor Cecile Ferkul, women in nontraditional roles remains low, industrial buildings. These standards would be who said that her office rarely deems an but projected vacancies continues to rise. For developed in conjunction with the University organization’s financial management to be example, nearly 4,000 plumber, pipefitter and of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building inadequate. steamfitter openings are expected between Research, with the goal of reducing per-square- The report comes on the heels of one 2004 and 2014, but according to 2000 census, foot carbon emissions by: released in January 2007 that criticized the women made up just 1.1 percent of workers • 60 percent by 2010; board for exercising inadequate oversight in an area where the median hourly wage was • 70 percent by 2015; of the state’s numerous local watershed $29.53 in the last quarter of 2007. • 80 percent by 2020; and management entities. “This is a workforce issue,” said Amy • 90 percent by 2025. Executive Director John Jaschke said Brenengen, the office director. “The bill is The standards would not be mandatory, and the board agreed with most of the findings not only important because it addresses would emphasize cost-effective measures. and intends to do better in the future; opportunities for women, but also because John Carmody, the center’s director, said however, he also emphasized that there was there is a growing need in these areas.” that nearly half of the country’s energy use is no misappropriation or misdirection of state To receive a grant, an organization would associated with buildings. He said sustainable funds. need to be active in reaching out to girls building initiatives are starting to move away “We need to do some things different and women concerning opportunities and from point-based rating systems like the and better,” Jaschke said. He mentioned training programs in the trades, science, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design more extensive documentation of financial math, technology and engineering areas. (LEED) Green Building Rating System, and transactions and building what he called An organization would also be eligible if it toward systems that focus instead on concrete “planned redundancy” into the board’s offers assistance with training, child care reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. financial management as examples of possible or transportation issues, job placement Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls) expressed improvements. assistance or job retention support. skepticism that energy-efficiency measures Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Rick Hansen “We have an awful lot of people that are on would reduce buildings’ operating costs, (DFL-South St. Paul) said it was “very welfare-type programs or in low-occupation arguing that did not take into account the important” that BWSR correct the problems jobs that would greatly benefit from this,” potential maintenance and repair costs of outlined in the report — especially since Mullery said. He also referenced a woman new, unproven energy-efficient technologies. the Legislature is “looking at providing a who had been heavily into drugs and had her Carmody admitted that cost-recovery significant amount of money” to the board children taken away. “She got into a program estimates often did not take such potential in this year’s bonding bill. like this, and she’s now back making probably costs into account. — N. Bu s s e — N. Bu s s e 8 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 Vehicle emissions standards HF3195, also known as the Green Solutions know” legislation, he said. A hearing on rulemaking issues relating to Act, would implement a program whereby total The bill was approved Feb. 26 by the House adoption of California standards regulating emissions would be limited and major emitters Housing Policy and Finance and Public low-emission vehicles quickly evolved into could purchase and sell emissions allowances Health Finance Division, and it now goes to a heated debate on the merits of the bill and to one another. The House Environment the House Finance Committee. the effects of emissions standards on the state and Natural Resources Committee heard The bill would also require: economy. testimony Feb. 26, but took no action. • the Department of Agriculture to develop The House Governmental Operations, Knuth said the goal is to build on last year’s and maintain public accessible electronic Reform, Technology and Elections Committee Next Generation Energy Act, which directs records of pesticide sprays 48 hours in approved the bill on Feb. 27 and referred the state to reduce its total greenhouse gas advance of the initial application; it to the House Commerce and Labor emissions from 2005 levels — 15 percent by • marking with red flags around the perim- Committee. 2015, 30 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by eter of a property to be sprayed; Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn 2050. The act also created the Minnesota • raising the annual application fee for each Park) sponsors HF863 that would require Climate Change Advisory Group, which was pesticide registered from 0.4 to 0.5 percent adoption of California standards regarding charged with recommending a strategy to of annual gross sales within the state; low-emission vehicles; and provide for meet these goals. Knuth noted that although • commercial, noncommercial and private updates, as necessary, to comply with the the group failed to settle on the details, it did applicators who apply pesticides to potato federal Clean Air Act. favor a cap and trade program. or hybrid poplar fields to file monthly re- Rep. Mark Olson (IR-Big Lake), brandishing “The reality is, emissions are still going cords of pesticide applications; and an actual hydrogen cell, was concerned that up, and they need to go down,” Knuth said, • the commissioner to assess penalty fees to even California standards were not a lofty adding that a cap and trade system would applicators for failure to comply at $25 for enough goal. be a “powerful and simple way to get real each of the first four times the applicator “We could exceed these standards far reductions.” fails to submit a required record by the beyond,” Olson said. “I’ve gone out and seen Supporters of the bill include J. Drake monthly deadline. these guys working on this technology and Hamilton, science policy director for Fresh A $1,000 penalty would also be assessed to seen motors run on 60 percent gas and 40 Energy. She warned committee members those using the public information for data percent water.” they would see a “different Minnesota” mining or other commercial purposes. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) questioned if the impacts of climate change went Tschumper said his bill is based on a whether Hortman had thought about the unmitigated. pesticide regulation report released in March effect the standards could have on the state Bob Schulte, CEO of the Central Minnesota 2006 by the Office of the Legislative Auditor. economy, and the quality of life. Municipal Power Agency, was among numerous The report said the department needed “Your goal is laudable and appropriate,” representatives from power companies who to improve its written communications Emmer said. “But getting there and who testified in opposition. He said a federal- or with complainants, and should extend to you are going to destroy along the way is the regional-level approach would be more comparably risky applications, the requirement question I have.” effective, and warned that any costs incurred for land managers to provide advance notice on Hortman responded by referencing the by electric utilities in the state would ultimately pesticide applications toxic to bees. auto industry’s citing of costs to consumers be passed on to their customers. Rep. Dan Severson (R-Sauk Rapids) said a as a reason not to adopt previous government Ed Garvey, director of the state’s newly penalty isn’t going to stop a competitor from standards. created Office of Energy Security, also using the public data to expand their business “When we first heard about seat belts, the testified against the bill, arguing that it would at the cost of somebody else. auto industry let us know that we would not be hamper the state’s ability to negotiate with A companion bill, SF2994, sponsored by able to afford to buy cars if they had seat belts in fellow signatories to last year’s Midwestern Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL-Winona), them, same thing on air bags,” Hortman said. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. The awaits action by the Senate Agriculture and Under the Clean Air Act, California is the accord lays out a framework for a regional Veterans Committee. only state that may adopt vehicle emission approach to cap-and-trade. — P. Os t b e r g rules different from the federal rules. In 1977, A companion bill, SF2818, sponsored by Congress allowed other states to adopt the Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), awaits Making retailers recycle plastic bags stricter California rules as well. At least 14 action by the Senate Environment and Natural A bill would require grocers and other states have done so. Resources Committee. retailers who provide customers with plastic A companion bill, SF481, sponsored by Sen. — N. Bu s s e carryout bags to make in-store bag recycling John Marty (DFL-Roseville), awaits action available. by the Senate Environment and Natural Notice: pesticide spraying Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul) sponsors Resources Committee. The building blocks of pesticides are the HF2746, which would also require plastic bag — B. Ho g e n s o n same as with humans: a collision that some manufacturers to work with store operators say is causing severe health complications to collect, transport and recycle the bags. It Greenhouse gas emissions in those living near farms and yards being would further provide for financial penalties Minnesota would implement a cap-and- sprayed with the chemicals. against retailers and manufacturers who trade system to reduce greenhouse gas Rep. Ken Tschumper (DFL-La Crescent) violate the bill’s provisions. emissions from electric power plants and sponsors HF2459 that would change pesticide The informal House Solid Waste, Recycling other industries, if a bill sponsored by Rep. posting requirements to include notice of and Resources Conservation Working Group Kate Knuth (DFL-New Brighton) becomes application 48 hours before and after spraying. held a hearing on the bill Feb. 22, but took law. At least 29 other states have pesticide “right to no action. The bill has been referred to the

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 9 House Environment and Natural Resources contaminants, agricultural chemicals, and proposing a more equitable fee system. Committee. petroleum, and for environmental response Scalze said that enforcing ecologically Under the bill’s provisions, the words “please actions at qualified landfill facilities.” It is sound aquaculture practices only makes reuse or recycle at a participating store” would funded primarily by a solid waste tax. sense as the state has begun investing millions have to be printed on all plastic carryout bags, Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings) was of new dollars to clean up surface waters and recycling bins would have to be clearly among the division members who expressed via the Clean Water Legacy Act and other marked and visible to the customers. The bill reservations about using the remediation fund initiatives. would apply to all retailers with stores larger to pay off the approximately $1.8 million per “We’re spending a lot of money,” Scalze than 5,000 square feet, or that are part of a year in debt service on the bonds, rather than said. “We want to eventually have clean chain of stores with five or more locations. just using general obligation bonding. wetlands and water bodies in the state.” Lesch said the bill only makes sense as people Bunn said she understood the concern, but Steve Puchtel, manager of McKenzie Fish are becoming more aware of recycling and also underscored the urgency of the issue, Co. in Stacy, said that the bill’s supporters are waste issues. He noted that he keeps a drawer citing an expectation from the communities underestimating the value of minnow farming at home devoted to storing plastic bags, but that around the Washington County Landfill that to the state. He noted that other users of public “there is no way I can reuse as many as I get remediation action would begin as soon as this waters, like jet-skiers and hunters, don’t need from all the retail establishments I shop at.” summer. to get the level of permission required of Jamie Pfuhl, executive director of the “This is a very reasonable way to do it, aquatic farmers. Minnesota Grocers Association, said many because we have this dedicated revenue “I see this as singling out just one business retailers already offer plastic bag recycling stream,” she added. and saying that we have to get permission to programs. She cautioned legislators against Division Chairwoman Rep. Jean Wagenius use the water,” he said. “mandating what is already being done (DFL-Mpls) agreed that action should be taken A companion bill, SF1517, sponsored by effectively” by private industry, and warned as soon as possible, but said legislators needed Sen. Satveer Chaudhary (DFL-Fridley), awaits that there is a lack of support for the idea more information on how much funding was action by the Senate Environment and Natural especially among rural retailers. needed and what kind of mechanism should Resources Committee.

Defending the bill, Rep. Melissa Hortman be used. — N. Bu s s e (DFL-Brooklyn Park) said, “Voluntary programs “I think everybody knows that we need to are nice, but a little bit here and a little bit there get the job done,” Wagenius said. Bill to allow fishing with two lines is not a comprehensive solution.” — N. Bu s s e An almost perennially discussed proposal A companion bill, SF2800, sponsored by to allow fishermen to use two lines has Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), awaits Game & Fish resurfaced. action by the Senate Environment and Natural HF2610, sponsored by Rep. Al Juhnke Resources Committee. (DFL-Willmar), would permit anglers to Tougher aquaculture restrictions — N. Bu s s e catch fish using two lines simultaneously. The A bill sponsored by Rep. Bev Scalze (DFL- House Game, Fish and Forestry Division laid Landfill cleanup bonds proposed Little Canada) would help put a stop to a the bill over Feb. 25 for possible inclusion in A bill sponsored by Rep. Julie Bunn (DFL- system that Scalze said uses public resources its omnibus policy bill. There is no Senate Lake Elmo) would use the state’s remediation to subsidize an environmentally destructive companion. fund to finance up to $25 million in bonds to aquaculture industry. Juhnke said Minnesota is one of the few pay for cleaning up closed landfill sites in four HF1188 would tighten restrictions on licenses states that does not allow anglers to use areas. for raising minnows and other aquatic farming multiple lines. He presented division members HF3232 is intended to help remediate activities in public waters. The House Game, with a laundry list of potential benefits of the contaminated landfill sites in Mille Lacs, Fish and Forestry Division took testimony on practice, including: Washington County, the Western Lake the bill Feb. 25 and laid it over for possible • increasing overall enjoyment of the sport; Superior Sanitary District and Albert Lea. The inclusion in an omnibus policy bill. • supporting tourism by making Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources The bill contains several provisions designed more competitive with other states; Finance Division referred the bill without to protect the state’s water bodies, including: • allowing for more experimentation with recommendation Feb. 28 to the House Finance • requiring anybody applying to the Depart- different types of bait; Committee after several division members ment of Natural Resources for a new or • encouraging the purchase of more fishing raised concern about the bill’s proposed renewal of a current aquatic farming license equipment; and financing mechanism. The bill has no Senate to submit a plan to restore the water body • creating the potential to generate new revenue companion. to its pre-farming ecological condition; with a possible fee for using a second line. One of the main purposes of the bill would • prohibiting the DNR from issuing or renew- Ron Payer, fisheries section management be to fund remediation of the Washington ing a license to raise minnows in waters chief for the Department of Natural Resources, County Landfill, which has been leeching subject to protective easements funded by joined Rep. Dean Simpson (R-Perham) in perfluorochemicals (PFCs) into the east metro federal waterfowl stamp proceeds; voicing concern that the bill could result drinking water supply. For that purpose, • requiring fish farmers to obtain permission in diminished fish populations; however, $15 million would be advocated — an from all shoreline property owners before Juhnke dismissed that idea, noting that amount equivalent to the governor’s original using the water body for aquaculture; statutory limits on the amount of fish anglers recommendation for the project. • requiring the department to encourage fish can catch would not change, under the bill’s According to statute, the state’s remediation farming in man-made ponds; and provisions. fund was created to fund cleanup efforts • requiring the department to make its Payer said most people currently aren’t for “hazardous substances, pollutants or aquaculture program self-sustaining by taking their limit of fish, and that allowing

10 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 fishing with two lines would increase the in her first term, and has been doing two jobs Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), likelihood of that happening. at the lesser salary of the two. awaits action by the Senate Health, Housing “It’s pretty clear, based on the places that do Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and Family Security Committee. have two lines, that it would increase harvest,” (DFL-Mpls) said this change could have — P. Os t b e r g Payer said. been made last year, but there is now a longer

— N. Bu s s e performance record, the auditor’s report was Child services consolidation released and the state still has a crumbling The House Mental Health Division tried to Government transportation system. “The leadership in this sort through statistics Feb. 22 related to the position is not what it needs to be.” Department of Human Services proposed

— M. Co o k consolidation of the Brainerd and Willmar Molnau ousted child service facilities. On a 44-22 party-line vote, the Minnesota Health & Human Services Staff from the Child and Adolescent Senate refused to confirm Carol Molnau as Behavioral Health Services Program at transportation commissioner Feb. 28. Brainerd said its facility is consistently at bed For six years, Molnau has served as both the Athletic trainer provisions capacity with needy and severely mentally commissioner and lieutenant governor, but On a tie vote, a bill that would make changes ill children. But department statistics show has come under fire since the Interstate 35W to athletic trainer provisions failed to gain House Brainerd’s inpatient services steadily declining bridge collapse last August. A recent legislative Licensing Subcommittee approval Feb. 25. since 2004. Therefore, the department auditor’s report showed the Department of Sponsored by Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL- recommends consolidating services to save Transportation needs an infusion of money, Mpls), HF2399 would replace terms such the state $1.2 million annually. but also showed that the quality of bridge and as “athlete” with “patient,” and shorten the Rep. John Ward (DFL-Brainerd) said roads has improved a little in recent years. temporary registration period of a trainer he’s asked the department to discuss the Senate Republicans said the vote had from one year to six months. consolidation proposal but, “they didn’t want nothing to do with her capabilities. Thissen said the bill won’t change those to get together and dialogue.” “Today it’s about politics,” said Sen. Claire treated under current provisions. In response, he sponsors HF2588 that would Robling (R-Jordan). “They don’t agree with Cathy Brennan, vice president of the require the human services commissioner to her politics and they want her removed.” Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association, have legislative approval to relocate any regional Added Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie): said the changes could be harmful for patients treatment center or state-operated nursing “There may be a good reason to remove a with certain illnesses and diseases because home or program. Current law prohibits the commissioner, but I haven’t heard one yet.” trainers are educated to treat athletes. The commissioner from closing a center, nursing Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), who suggested language is too broad, she said. home or programs at the facility without chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, Mike Doyle, president of the Minnesota legislative approval. The division approved the voiced criticism of Molnau telling committees Athletic Trainers Association, said the changes bill and sent it to the House Health and Human that the department has enough money, when, in would clarify who athletic trainers are and Services Committee. fact, it didn’t. “We need to forge a new beginning who they treat. Additionally, they work side- Staff from the Brainerd facility urged the for the Transportation Department.” by-side with other health care professionals department to rethink the decision, saying Sen. Katie Sieben (DFL-Newport) said her when treating patients and athletes and are the consolidation would significantly impact no vote was based on accountability, citing the educated to do both. “This bill doesn’t change the involvement of families in their children’s Wakota Bridge delays in the southeast Twin what we can provide in services,” he said. treatment because of the long distance. Cities metropolitan area, and the department’s Changing “athlete” to “patient” does open Wes Kooistra, the department’s assistant unwillingness to share information about the up the door for trainers to treat those other commissioner for chemical and mental health Hastings Bridge. than athletes, said Rep. Julie Bunn (DFL-Lake services, said the Brainerd facility is set up to Others wanted to know about the timing of Elmo). operate under receipts for their services. The the vote to remove Molnau, who was confirmed A companion bill, SF2336, sponsored by facility has been losing money since 2006, and

Ca p a c i t y c r o w d

s t i t c h e d p hotoillustration b y a n d r e w v o n b a n k Discussion by the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee and the House Health Care and Human Services Finance Division about reforming the state’s health care delivery system takes place Feb. 26 in a committee room filled to capacity.

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 11 by keeping it open the state is “covering, in A companion bill, SF3073, sponsored by Military many cases, empty beds,” he said. Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), awaits action Division Chairwoman Rep. Neva Walker by the Senate Finance Committee.

(DFL-Mpls) asked if the department had — P. Os t b e r g Listing those deceased in combat considered other funding mechanisms to The state keeps no comprehensive listing cover the facility’s services. Insurance of those with Minnesota ties who have died Kooistra said that’s an available option but in combat, but that would change through a the department has been seeing a reduction bill sponsored by Rep. Karla Bigham (DFL- in demand. Good faith, bad faith – it’s back Cottage Grove). A companion, SF2368, sponsored by Sen. Part of last year’s omnibus public safety While the Associated Press maintains an Paul Koering (R-Ft. Ripley), awaits action finance bill dictated “good faith” practices for unofficial list of those killed in combat, HF3161 by the Senate Health, Housing and Family insurance companies. But the provision was would require the Department of Veterans Security Committee. stripped out when Gov. Tim Pawlenty threatened Affairs to compile and maintain a list.

— P. Os t b e r g to veto the bill if the language remained. There is an issue relating to data privacy, This year, Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove however, with compiling a list that would Housing Heights) sponsors another “good faith” bill, contain public information, but also HF3115. Approved by the House Commerce information considered private — the and Labor Committee Feb. 26, it’s headed for person’s Minnesota hometown and names of Help to preserve home ownership the House floor. immediate family members. Bigham said the A bill that would increase the financial The original bill, HF1251, included “direct list would be made available at the discretion assistance cap for those participating in action,” which permits a plaintiff to name an of the commissioner for ceremonial and program assistance and counseling to prevent insurance company as a defendant in a claim honorary purposes and would not be used to mortgage foreclosures was approved Feb. 27 if certain conditions apply. determine benefit eligibility. by the House Housing Policy and Finance and That clause is out of the new bill. But Approved by the House Agriculture, Rural Public Health Finance Division. It now goes provisions would permit someone to sue their Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee to the House Finance Committee. insurance company for not working in “good Feb. 25, it awaits action on the House floor. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL- faith” if they can show the insurance company A companion bill, SF3051, sponsored Mpls), HF3346 would help families and did not have a reasonable basis for denying a by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), has individuals in financial crisis by increasing claim; and that the company knew it had no been referred to the Senate Agriculture and money available in the Foreclosure Prevention reasonable basis for denial, and acted with Veterans Committee.

Assistance Program. Currently the cap is set “reckless disregard” in denying benefits. — L. Sc h u t z at $5,500 per individual or family. The bill Atkins spoke of the Christensens, a family would raise that to “110 percent of the greater who lost their daughter in a car accident. They Vietnam Veterans Day proposed of state or applicable metropolitan statistical had insurance, but it was a matter of years When Vietnam veterans returned home, area median monthly owner cost of owner before they would receive their claim. “This many were met with jeers and spits from occupied housing … multiplied by six.” The doesn’t happen a lot,” he said, “but Minnesota an American public growing increasingly change would amount for a $10,718 cap for needs a law.” unsupportive of the war. Twin Cities metropolitan area homeowners As was the case the last time “good faith” In an effort to raise awareness to the “cost and $9,478 in Greater Minnesota. was put forward, there was opposition. of freedom” and “welcome them home,” Rep. Tonja Orr, Minnesota Housing Finance Dale Thornsjo, co-chairman of the Minnesota Larry Howes (R-Walker) sponsors HF2582 to Agency assistant commissioner, said Defense Lawyers Association’s Insurance Law designate March 29 in the state as Vietnam foreclosure prevention counselors have said Committee, said that although changes were Veterans Day. Approved by the House that monthly mortgage payments multiplied made from last year, it still falls short. Thronsjo Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans by six frequently exceed the $5,500 cap. said the bill would punish carriers who try to Affairs Committee Feb. 25, it awaits action in Therefore, they’re not able to help people who handle cases appropriately, force an increase in the House Governmental Operations, Reform, may have had a temporary loss of income and premiums and create a new industry of attorneys Technology and Elections Committee. can’t catch up from the crisis, she said. seeking out these types of cases. Howes said the withdrawal of American The cap was last changed in 2001, and instead Representing the Minnesota Association of troops from Vietnam was completed on of coming back to the Legislature for another Farm Mutual Insurance Companies, Marcus March 29, 1973. “This is one small thing we change, the adjusted standard would be built Marsh said that although the association is can do for the men and women who served in into the bill, she added. The only way loans are specifically exempt from the bill, as it stands, Vietnam,” he said. released is if the homeowner can solidly make the current language is not enough. “This would Showing support for the bill in a previous payments after use of program funds. make every client a potential lawsuit,” he said. committee were several Forest Lake High Rep. Rob Eastlund (R-Isanti) said mortgage A companion bill, SF2822, sponsored School social studies students, who have been companies should help homeowners in crisis, by Sen. Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud), studying the Vietnam War. and criteria for the department loan should awaits action by the Senate Commerce and “I don’t think it’s too late to honor them also hinge on concessions made by lenders. Consumer Protection Committee. with a day that can show that we really value Orr said they do have counselors working — C. Gr e e n what they did over there. This day will give throughout the state with lenders, but it’s them the value and respect that they didn’t often difficult to identify the main issuer and get when they came home from the war,” said the person making the decision to renegotiate If you have Internet access, visit the Legislature’s Web page at: www.leg.mn senior Soren Duggan. a loan. While supportive of Vietnam veterans, John

12 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 Minneapolis to provide comprehensive services to children on its school bus which was on the bridge at the time of collapse. An amendment by Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) requires that the special master report to the Legislature by Jan. 15, 2009, 2010 and 2011 on appropriated expenditures from the fund. The report must list the amount of compensation paid to each survivor, as well as the administrative expenses incurred by the special master. Under current Minnesota law, survivors are limited in the damages they can seek from the state by tort caps. If survivors sued the state, the most they could receive in compensation, as a group, is $1 million. The most any individual could receive is $300,000. The Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed on Aug. 1, 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 85 others.

— B. Ho g e n s o n

p h o t o b y a n d r e w v o n b a n k Taxes Christy Sauro, author of “The Twins Platoon,” testifies Feb. 15 before the House Veterans Affairs Division in support of a bill that would designate March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day. Clothing subject to sales tax Cox, a Korean War veteran, does not favor entities. The bill also includes a grant of While Speedos may be taxing to some, the the proposal. “Are we going to let every era $680,000 to Pillsbury United Communities swimwear, along with other clothing sold in have their own Veterans Day? We do have a in Minneapolis, to allow Waite House in the state, is not subject to sales tax. That could Veterans Day,” he said. change under a bill discussed in the House Taxes A companion bill, SF2632, sponsored Committee proposing a sales tax on clothing. by Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt), awaits HF2551, sponsored by Rep. Ron Erhardt action in the Senate Agriculture and Veterans (R-Edina), was laid over Feb. 26 for possible Committee. inclusion in an omnibus tax bill. A companion — L. Sc h u t z bill, SF2346, awaits action by the Senate Taxes Committee. Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) Safety is its sponsor. Sponsored by Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park), HF2163 would also Bridge survivors’ compensation expand the sales tax to clothing. However, A plan to compensate survivors of the the bill would also allow the state to tax tattoo Interstate 35W bridge collapse passed the and body piercing, along with some legal, House as amended 120-10 on Feb. 28. repair, financial, funeral and salon services. HF2553, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Winkler Hortman’s bill has been referred to the Taxes (DFL-Golden Valley), would create a structure Committee. There is no Senate companion. to provide compensation to survivors of Paul Wilson, director of tax research at the catastrophes. The fund would only be invoked Department of Revenue, told the committee if the Legislature determines an event, such that most states approach their sales tax in as the bridge collapse, fits the definition of a two different ways: taxing a broad array of catastrophe. goods and services with a lower sales tax rate, Winkler said that the victims of the bridge or taxing fewer items with a higher tax rate. collapse have been waiting since August for Of 45 states with a sales tax, Minnesota ranks help, and it was time for the House to take 30th in the scope of its sales tax base, he said. action. There is no Senate companion. If the state were to start taxing clothing, it “It will not be full compensation. It could would rank 25th. never be,” Winkler said. “But we have to make In 1987 and 1991, the state added services p h o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d an effort.” like pet boarding and grooming, dry cleaning, Jennifer Holmes, left, who lost her husband In addition, the bill calls for the appointment heath club admission and lawn maintenance Patrick, along with Ron Engebretson, who lost of a “special master” to appropriate $39.32 his wife Sherry when the Interstate 35W bridge to the tax base. Even with the additions, the million to bridge collapse survivors. If collapsed in Minneapolis, on Aug. 1, watch as sales tax base is growing at a slower rate than the special master’s offer is accepted, the the House takes up a bill to help survivors of the economy, Wilson said. claimant would waive the right to sue public the tragedy. A clothing tax would bring in about $400

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 13 million in additional annual revenue to the HF34/SF100*, sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kahn my household, I would have very much state, Wilson said. (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. appreciated this type of support to what I Both bills would use the additional revenue Paul), would permit the University of Minnesota know was best and safest for my children, to reduce the overall sales tax rate and create to conduct stem cell research, and provides even though they thought they knew better,” a clothing sales tax credit for low-income policy for distribution of any remaining she told the House Transportation and Transit filers. embryos following a fertility treatment. Policy Subcommittee Feb. 27. The bill was Opponents argued that the retail industry The bill would also make it a misdemeanor referred to the House Transportation Finance will suffer because stores will lose out-of-state to sell embryonic cells or fetal tissue, and a Division for possible inclusion in its omnibus shoppers who are drawn to Minnesota to buy felony to clone a human being. It was approved bill. tax-free clothing. by the House Public Safety and Civil Justice The bill would require that during the Chairwoman Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL- Committee Feb. 14. first six months of a provisional license, the Bloomington) suggested the committee Emmer said that recent research has shown young person would be permitted to have one continue the discussion after the state budget that adult skin cell research is more effective person under age 20 in the car with them, forecast is released Feb. 28. The forecast shows than embryonic stem cell research. not counting family members. That would a $935 million biennial budget deficit, up from “Stem cell research is years away, adult increase to three in the ensuing six months. the November 2007 estimate of a $373 million skin cell research is here today,” he said. During the first six months of provisional shortfall. Experimenting with stem cell research is bad licensure, the bill would also prohibit driving

— C. Bl a n c h a r d ethics and bad science.” between midnight and 5 a.m. except when the Kahn said that if the minority report were driver is going between the person’s home and Technology adopted, fertility treatments, that have helped job or school event where no transportation so many Minnesotans in the past, would be was provided, the driver is driving due to a very difficult to do. “You are telling them job or the driver is accompanied by a licensed Stem cell concerns resurface that they are wrong, and the doctors they are driver who is at least 25. In a procedural move, a minority report wrong,” she said. “No other state in the country has a higher was offered for consideration on the House — C. Gr e e n percentage of teenagers behind the wheel in floor regarding a bill that would establish state deadly crashes,” said Gail Weinholzer, public policy for stem cell research. Transportation affairs director for AAA Minnesota/Iowa. The report, offered by Rep. Tom Emmer “States that have enacted stronger guidelines (R-Delano), came during a routine procedure than Minnesota have seen teen injury and of approving committee and division reports. Provisional license restrictions fatality reductions of up to 40 percent. We are A minority report must come from a member Moving into second gear is a plan designed one of four states that has a neither a passenger of the committee where the bill originated. It is to save lives. nor a nighttime guideline.” a way for the minority to offer a proposal for Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester) sponsors A similar bill, SF1605, sponsored by former consideration on the House floor. HF2628 that would restrict the time behind Sen. Tom Neuville received Senate approval It was laid on the table by a vote of 68-62. A the wheel and number of passengers for a last year. The bill was also in an omnibus motion by Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) to re- provisional driver’s license holder. transportation policy bill that was not voted refer the bill to the House Finance Committee “As a mother of four teenagers, who on before session concluded. did not pass, and the bill now awaits action on has tried very hard to implement rules in — M. Co o k the House floor.

Vo t e t a l l y

p h o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d House members watch the voting board light up during a vote to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto of a transportation bill Feb. 25.

14 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 AT ISSUE: Transportation

Transportation plan becomes law House, Senate override Pawlenty veto for first time this biennium

By Mi k e Co o k innesotans will pay more at the pump, but ideally they will Minnesota Veto Facts: get more for their money. • A two-thirds vote of the members in the The House and Senate overrode a gubernatorial veto of the House and Senate is needed to override a M veto. nearly $6.6 billion transportation law Feb. 25. Six House Republicans • 97 percent of all vetoes have stood. • The successful override of Gov. Tim joined all DFLers to override the bill on a 91-41 vote. Ninety House Pawlenty’s transportation veto was only the votes were needed for an override. The Senate vote was 47-20. 14th time the Legislature has successfully overridden one of the 448 vetoes by Minnesota governors since 1939. “I am very grateful for the courageous vote,” • increase vehicle tab fees on newly registered • The only two governors in the past 70 years said House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher vehicles and remove tab fee caps of $189 to veto more bills than Pawlenty’s 37 are Arne (DFL-Mpls). “I think they took a vote that was on the first renewal and $99 on the second Carlson (54 from 1991-98) and Jesse Ventura not easy, that they felt a lot of pressure about.” renewal; and (179 from 1998-2002). • One-third of all attempts to override vetoes The six Republicans that refused to side • authorize counties in the Twin Cities met- and 69 percent of all successful overrides took with the governor were Rep. Jim Abeler ropolitan area to impose a 0.25 percent met- place during Ventura’s term as governor. (R-Anoka), Rep. Ron Erhardt (R-Edina), ropolitan transportation sales tax without • Six of Ventura’s vetoes were overridden Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake), Rep. referendum and a $20 excise tax on vehicles between February 2002 and May 2002. Bud Heidgerken (R-Freeport), Rep. Neil W. sold at retail. In the other 80 counties a tax — B. Ho g e n s o n Peterson (R-Bloomington) and Rep. Kathy of up to 0.5 percent could be raised by voter Tingelstad (R-Andover). referendum and only for a specific project. Sources: Center for Study of Politics and Governance, University of Minnesota, Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul) and Rep. In the metropolitan area, all money would Minnesota Legislative Reference Library Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL-Long Prairie) go toward transit. initially voted against the bill. Both supported the override. Pawlenty vetoed the bill three days earlier, This was the first override of one of Gov. citing, in part, the increase in taxes and tab Tim Pawlenty’s 21 vetoes this biennium, and fees. He said the gas tax increase is too large, just the 14th of 448 vetoes to be overridden and that the sales tax increase for the seven- since 1939. county Twin Cities metropolitan area should “The DFL-controlled legislature’s override first go before voters. of this veto shows they’re clearly out-of-touch “It’s a balanced bill. It provides for transit with Minnesotans who are facing rising gas and highways. It provides the balance we prices, heating costs and other expenses in need between rural and metro. It’s also a tough economic times,” Pawlenty said in a stimulus for the economy. It’ll put people statement. “Raising taxes is always the DFL’s back to work, and they can do it immediately,” go-to solution and that’s bad for Minnesota’s Lieder said. “The size of the bill is a reflection families and our economy.” of the way we neglected to do our duty in the Sponsored by Rep. Bernie Lieder (DFL- past. We’ve reached a point where it’s just Crookston) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red about impossible to plug the holes that the Wing), the law would, in part: Department of Transportation and all of the • raise the state’s gas tax, for the first time transit organizations have. … We can’t let the since 1988, by 2 cents April 1, and another infrastructure deteriorate anymore.” 3 cents on Oct. 1, 2008; Lieder previously said that a person who • create a $25 tax credit for the lowest tax drives 11,000 miles a year, at an average bracket to help offset the increase; of 20 miles per gallon, would pay an extra • authorize $1.8 billion in trunk highway $42 per year for gas. bonding for fiscal years 2009 to 2018, with A number of Republicans said there was $1 billion of that in the first two years. A gas p h o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d little, if any, compromise between the sides tax debt surcharge phased in up to 3.5 cents Rep. Bernie Lieder, back center, watches as the on the final product. Rep. Mark Buesgens would be established to repay the trunk Feb. 25 vote to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the transportation bill is posted on the Transportation continued on page 16 highway bonds; vote register.

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 15 Transportation continued from page 15

(R-Jordan), who called the law “a compromise among thieves,” said it does not protect taxpayers. “The bill is actually working off the draft that Rep. Erhardt wrote in 2005. Since then, it’s been compromised down $2 billion, the indexing has been taken out of the gas tax, the amount of the gas tax has been lowered, the sales tax has been cut in half, the issue of bike money in the metro area sales tax has been reduced,” countered Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park). “This doesn’t take care of the whole problem, but it is a step forward.” Other dissenters were concerned about the effect of the law on Minnesotans, when the state economic forecast, released three days later, shows a $935 million biennial deficit. The deficit was projected to be $373 million in November. p h o t o b y t o m o l m s c h e i d Supporters contend the bill is user-financed, Senate President James Metzen and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher congratulate each meaning if you drive or own a vehicle you’ll other after signing the overridden transportation bill into law. Second Assistant to the Secretary of pay. “Minnesotans are going to get good value the Senate Colleen Pacheco and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller witness the signing. out of this tax increase,” Kelliher said. Other naysayers expressed concern that County members who voted against a Twins “You’re either for it and consistent, or against there will be no referendum on a potential ballpark bill two years ago because of no voter it and have situational ethics.” metropolitan area tax increase. Rep. Kurt say in a sales tax increase need to be consistent. HF2800*/SF2521/CH152 Zellers (R-Maple Grove) said Hennepin

Rep Bernie Lieder, back center, watches as the Possible political problems for six Feb. 25 vote to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Republicans who overrode veto already lost leadership positionsveto of the transportation bill is posted on the vote register. By Mike Cook Others have suggested they will lose their seat said the biggest problem facing the sextet could The six Republicans who voted to override the in November. be the endorsing process. “I like all these people, governor’s transportation bill veto have already “This isn’t my career,” Abeler said. “My career is and they’re my friends and so forth. I don’t think experienced caucus ramifications, and, some say, in Anoka. My career is serving people as a chiro- any of them expect my help when it comes to may have committed political career suicide. practor. My career is serving my family,” he said. “I reelection. If you look at their margins, I think Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), Rep. Ron Erhardt tell my kids to do what’s right, whatever the cost. they are fully capable of getting elected, as they (R-Edina), Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake), So the time comes when I have to do what I be- have been before, without my help.” Rep. Bud Heidgerken (R-Freeport), Rep. Neil W. lieve to be right, against some very good friends Less than an hour after the vote, Seifert said it’d Peterson (R-Bloomington) and Rep. Kathy Tin- of mine, against the people who have supported be up to the caucus to determine if other position gelstad (R-Andover) have all lost high-ranking me through five elections.” changes need to be made, such as with support committee or division positions. Tingelstad said her vote will likely result in staff. “I think everybody needs to simmer down “I have spoken with all six members and several challengers to her seat. She believes her before we charge ahead with these things. You received their resignations from their lead posi- vote was what the majority in her district wanted. don’t make decisions under duress.” tions on House committees and in the caucus,” “I voted with my conscience,” she said. He doesn’t view that as a threat. “No more than House Republican Minority Leader Marty Seifert “Letting our roads continue to deteriorate putting a four-lane highway in someone’s district (R-Marshall) said in a statement one day after the is not fiscally responsible,” said Hamilton, who to get their vote is a bribe,” he said. Amended into Feb. 25 historic override vote. “I respectfully ask called the vote the second hardest decision he’s the legislation by the House Ways and Means the House Democrats to respect our decision on made as a legislator, other than the one he makes Committee, part of the law requires that funds this internal caucus matter.” each week during session when he leaves his allocated to a specific Transportation Department Before the vote, Hamilton submitted his resigna- family and comes to St. Paul. district be first expended to widen Highway 60 in tion as lead Republican on the House Agriculture, Heidgerken said it was his hardest vote in six Hamilton’s district. Rural Economies and Veterans Affair Commit- years as a member. He believes two primary du- “If it gets to the point where minority members tee. He said it’d be hard to potentially convince ties of legislators are to take care of our roads and of the House are stripped of services to serve their other party members to sustain a gubernatorial our children. “This is something we’ve needed for constituents, I will not stand for that,” said House veto if one were to occur on an agriculture bill. 20 years,” he said. “I’m not a follower. Sometimes, Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls). Heidgerken said caucus members were told that you need to show leadership and do what you “I will assure you as constituents and as Minne- Republican leads that voted to override would lose think is right.” sotans they do need services and they will get their committee or division leadership roles. Refusing to guess at what could happen, Seifert them.”

16 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 FEBRUARY 22 - 28, 2008 BILL INTRODUCTIONS House files 3348 - 3627

Monday, Feb. 25 HF3358-Howes (R) HF3368-Slocum (DFL) HF3379-Hansen (DFL) Governmental Operations, Reform, Energy Finance & Policy Division Environment & Natural Resources HF3348-Mullery (DFL) Technology & Elections Filing deadlines set for certain Tax-forfeited land bordering Commerce & Labor Minnesota State Retirement System; reports, customer payment arrange- public water or wetlands conveyance Foreclosure Crisis Intervention Act; Department of Natural Resources ments regulated during cold weather authorized. Landlord, tenant, mortgage provi- intermittent employment service periods, utility payment agreements sions modified, predatory lending credit purchase authorized. regulated and service disconnec- HF3380-Liebling (DFL) enforcement and default protections tions prohibited if certain medical Health & Human Services provided, data practices, remedies, HF3359-Howes (R) conditions exist. State health care county-based forms and notices provided, changes Taxes purchasing program requirements made and report required. School district referendum market HF3369-Slawik (DFL) revised. va lue ta x ba se a ltered, a nd sea sona l rec- Transportation Finance Division HF3349-Rukavina (DFL) reational property taxation modified. Limited driver’s license authorized to HF3381-Brynaert (DFL) Finance obtain employment. Finance Surplus appropriation sunset HF3360-Ozment (R) Long-term homeless supportive provision removed. Finance HF3370-Ruud (DFL) services money appropriated. Department of Corrections claim Finance HF3350-Dill (DFL) settlement provided. U.S. Highway 169 and Bren Road/ HF3382-Lenczewski (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Londonderry Road interchange Taxes Artificial light shining restrictions HF3361-Faust (DFL) design funding provided. Abatement maximum limitation modified. Agriculture, Rural Economies & modified. Veterans Affairs HF3371-Tingelstad (R) HF3351-Tillberry (DFL) Agricultural chemical provisions Health & Human Services HF3383-Buesgens (R) Commerce & Labor changed for corrective action cost Birth record access allowed to adopted Finance Gambling penalties provided; licens- payments. persons. U. S . H ig hw ay 169, Tr u n k H ig hw ay 282 ing, regulatory and prize provisions and County Highway 9 intersection modified; technical, clarifying and HF3362-Juhnke (DFL) HF3372-Thissen (DFL) improvement funding provided. conforming changes made; and report Agriculture, Rural Economies & Health & Human Services required. Veterans Affairs Uniform billing and electronic claim HF3384-Mariani (DFL) Pesticide and fertilizer regulating filing provisions changed. Finance HF3352-Eastlund (R) administrative actions authorized. State historic site preservation Finance HF3373-Mullery (DFL) funding provided. Isanti County; Cambridge-Isanti HF3363-Haws (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Trail funding provided. Finance Consecutive sentencing allowed when HF3385-Thissen (DFL) Scholarship program provisions clari- an offender commits additional crimes Governmental Operations, Reform, HF3353-Atkins (DFL) fied, grant requirements and private between the time of commission and Technology & Elections Local Government & institution provisions amended, sentencing. Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Metropolitan Affairs technical changes made and data Association investment-related post- City annexation payments sharing provided. HF3374-Bunn (DFL) retirement adjustment modified, prohibited. Public Safety & Civil Justice and additional cost-of-living unit HF3364-Moe (DFL) Emergency responders exempted provided upon achieving 110 percent HF3354-Hansen (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources from permit requirement for emer- funding. Local Government & Minnesota Public Facilities Author- gency communication equipment. Metropolitan Affairs ity wastewater infrastructure fund- HF3386-Marquart (DFL) Annexation stay of action provided. ing provided, government building HF3375-Nornes (R) Taxes debt guarantee provided and credit Finance Property tax exemption eligibil- HF3355-Mahoney (DFL) enhanced bond program provided. Otter Tail County nursing facility ity clarification provided for public Finance payment rates increased to geographic charity institutions. St. Paul; community center, play- HF3365-Atkins (DFL) group III median rate. ing fields and playground funding Commerce & Labor HF3387-Marquart (DFL) provided for site bordered within Professional firefighter arbitration HF3376-Walker (DFL) Finance Payne, Greenbreier, Maryland and procedures repealed concerning total Health & Human Services Browns Valley flood hazard Rose avenues and streets. package final offers. Minnesota Family Investment Pro- mitigation funding provided. gram work participation amended, HF3356-Moe (DFL) HF3366-Eken (DFL) child care assistance provisions HF3388-Loeffler (DFL) Commerce & Labor Environment & Natural Resources changed and technical changes Health & Human Services Explore Minnesota Tourism rental Petrofund program modified. made. Foster care benefits extended to lodging study required, definitions age 21. created and report required. HF3367-Pelowski (DFL) HF3377-Walker (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Health & Human Services HF3389-Loeffler (DFL) HF3357-Marquart (DFL) D i s pute d d at a ac c e s s s pe c i fie d, c los e d Children’s mental health providers Health & Human Services Local Government & meetings recording required and required to develop a plan for, and Foster children medical assistance Metropolitan Affairs attorney fees granted. comply with, requirements on the eligibility certified until age 21. Municipal boundary changes pro- use of restrictive procedures. vided, and chief administrative law judge powers and duties imposed. HF3378-Tillberry (DFL) Commerce & Labor Gambling device definition clarified, and gambling devices or components for shipment to other jurisdiction provisions repealed. February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 17 HF3390-Loeffler (DFL) HF3400-Fritz (DFL) HF3412-Loeffler (DFL) HF3424-Rukavina (DFL) Health & Human Services Health & Human Services Health & Human Services Environment & Natural Resources Public health access fund established, Long-term care rate adjustments pro- Federally qualified health centers St. Louis County; 30-year lease of BMI monitoring program for children vided, long-term care employee health provision changed. tax-forfeited and school trust fund established, statewide health im- insurance costs funding provided, lands authorized. provement program established and MinnesotaCare employee eligibility HF3413-Shimanski (R) tobacco impact fees increased. modified, nursing facility rate rebas- Finance HF3425-Rukavina (DFL) ing methodology development and Glencoe; roadway improvement Finance HF3391-Huntley (DFL) staffing report required. funding provided. General education funding provided, Health & Human Services permanent school fund subtrac- State health care programs fund- HF3401-Hilty (DFL) HF3414-Demmer (R) tion eliminated, education finance ing increased, provisions modified, Finance Finance simplified. fees increased, subsidies provided, Energy usage performance stan- Stagecoach State Trail funding Minnesota Health Insurance Ex- dards provided for development and provided. HF3426-Pelowski (DFL) change established, standard created, application. Commerce & Labor reports required and rulemaking HF3415-Pelowski (DFL) Consumer complaint resolution authorized. HF3402-Tschumper (DFL) Governmental Operations, Reform, procedure for insurance claims es- Local Government & Technology & Elections tablished, and fees imposed. HF3392-Juhnke (DFL) Metropolitan Affairs Teachers Retirement Association; Agriculture, Rural Economies & Lanesboro; local sales tax imposition phased retirement provided. HF3427-Dettmer (R) Veterans Affairs authorized. Agriculture, Rural Economies & Farm wineries allowed to sell product HF3416-Liebling (DFL) Veterans Affairs at farmer’s markets, and cognac and HF3403-Welti (DFL) Finance Veteran loan program established, brandies manufacture allowed. E-12 Education Southeast Expressway from Rochester certain veterans added to program Assessment in grades 10 through 12 to St. Paul funding provided. eligibility and unemployment com- HF3393-Norton (DFL) provided for an earth and space, life pensation provision changed. Finance and physical sciences. HF3417-Tillberry (DFL) Kindergarten milk full funding Agriculture, Rural Economies & HF3428-Gunther (R) provided. HF3404-Westrom (R) Veterans Affairs Public Safety & Civil Justice Governmental Operations, Reform, Returning combat veteran reinstate- Tenant right to pay utility bills HF3394-Hilstrom (DFL) Technology & Elections ment fee waiver provided. modified. Public Safety & Civil Justice Ethanol manufacturing designated Mandatory minimum prison sen- as state industry. HF3418-Brown (DFL) HF3429-Hansen (DFL) tence required for vehicular homicide Finance Environment & Natural Resources offenders. HF3405-Tillberry (DFL) Albert Lea; Shell Rock River Chan- Administrative penalty orders pro- Finance nel Redevelopment and Blazing Star vided, civil penalties provided, HF3395-Tillberry (DFL) M i n ne s ot a L e a r n i ng Re s ou rc e C enter Landing plan funding provided. implementation plan required and Taxes funding provided. rulemaking exemption provided. Light rail transit vehicle and repair HF3419-Ruud (DFL) pa r t s e xe mpt ion mo d i fie d a nd e x pa nd- HF3406-Mullery (DFL) Health & Human Services HF3430-Kalin (DFL) ed to Northstar Corridor rail project, Public Safety & Civil Justice Patient-delivered partner therapy Local Government & and Central and Northstar Corridor Consecutive sentences permitted for permitted for the treatment of chla- Metropolitan Affairs construction purchases exempted for certain repeat offenders. mydia or gonorrhea. Fi re s er v ic e adde d to l i s t of s er v ic e s for materials and supplies. which local governments may collect HF3407-Mullery (DFL) HF3420-Hilstrom (DFL) unpaid charges from tax refunds. HF3396-Simon (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Local Government & Public Safety & Civil Justice Arrest records for private employment Metropolitan Affairs HF3431-Kahn (DFL) Hearing time requirements modified prohibited, and immunity provided Supplemental declarations of com- Health & Human Services and clarified, pre-hearing discharge from negligent hiring as it relates to mon interest communities registra- Human papillomavirus immuniza- exception provided for commitment use of criminal records. tion revised for procedures and fees tion information required. petitions involving mentally ill or charged by county registrars. sexually dangerous persons. HF3408-Mullery (DFL) HF3432-Erickson (R) Public Safety & Civil Justice HF3421-Murphy, M. (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources HF3397-Atkins (DFL) Gang and Drug Oversight Council Governmental Operations, Reform, Meetings between the Department of Commerce & Labor annual legislative report due date Technology & Elections Natural Resources, the Ojibwe tribes, Gambling expenditure restriction changed. Post-retirement provisions amended, and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and changes made, bingo games and and Minnesota post-retirement Wildlife Commission required to be prizes modified, and clarifying and HF3409-Peterson, A. (DFL) investment fund dissolution pro- subject to open meeting law. technical changes made. Finance vided. Rural health care purchasing alliance HF3433-Dill (DFL) HF3398-Simon (DFL) funding provided. HF3422-Liebling (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Taxes Taxes Lake Vermillion State Park Hopkins; special law restriction HF3410-Peterson, A. (DFL) Pollution control machinery and established. eliminated on a tax increment Health & Human Services equipment providing energy to health financing district. Health care purchasing alliance stop- care facilities exemption provided. HF3434-Urdahl (R) loss fund 2007 repealment re-enacted, Finance HF3399-Brynaert (DFL) existence and adjusting eligibility HF3423-Hilstrom (DFL) Small community wastewater treat- Local Government & extended. Finance ment program funding provided. Metropolitan Affairs School district integration revenue Mankato; sales and use tax extension HF3411-Atkins (DFL) increased and levy created for school authorized, revenue use modified and Commerce & Labor districts with negative fund bal- local tax imposition authorized. Petroleum product standards ances. updated.

18 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 HF3435-Hosch (DFL) HF3447-Sailer (DFL) HF3459-Greiling (DFL) HF3473-Mullery (DFL) Health & Human Services Commerce & Labor E-12 Education Taxes Children’s mental health, health care Wireless service contract termination Full-time students defined as depen- Mortgage tax forgiveness provided. a nd m i s c el l a ne ou s prov i sion s a mend- provided without penalty upon death dents for health plan coverage, and ed, and technical changes made. of customer. school district requirement to pro- HF3474-Hilstrom (DFL) vide certain health care information Public Safety & Civil Justice HF3436-Nelson (DFL) HF3448-Tingelstad (R) repealed. Foreclosure; notice of sale provided Governmental Operations, Reform, Public Safety & Civil Justice relating to before foreclosure sales. Technology & Elections Gestational carrier arrangements HF3460-Eastlund (R) State employee post-retirement regulated. E-12 Education HF3475-Mullery (DFL) employment provisions modified. School districts required to submit Public Safety & Civil Justice HF3449-Tingelstad (R) licensed employee salary settlement Foreclosure provisions modified. HF3437-Moe (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice information to the Department of Environment & Natural Resources Assisted reproduction regulations Education. HF3476-Kohls (R) Star lake or river designation process modified. Public Safety & Civil Justice provided, Star Lake Board created as HF3461-Norton (DFL) Foreclosure; tenant notice required nonprofit corporation, star lake or HF3450-Huntley (DFL) Finance relating to foreclosures. river signs allowed on highways. Finance Nonpublic student transportation full Rural hospital payment adjustment funding provided. HF3477-Gardner (DFL) HF3438-Thissen (DFL) expanded to include additional Public Safety & Civil Justice Public Safety & Civil Justice diagnosis-related groups. HF3462-Slawik (DFL) L end i ng pr ac t ic e s a nd def au lt re g u l a- Genetic handling information E-12 Education tion provided relating to manufac- provisions changed. HF3451-Huntley (DFL) School readiness programs modified. tured housing. Finance HF3439-McNamara (R) Rural hospital payment adjustment HF3463-Slawik (DFL) HF3478-Peterson, N. (R) Environment & Natural Resources expanded to include all diagnosis- E-12 Education Public Safety & Civil Justice State forest road alternative recording related groups. At risk pre-kindergarten program Minnesota Human Rights Act civil requirements modified. established. and criminal penalties modified. HF3452-Walker (DFL) HF3440-Beard (R) Finance HF3464-Slawik (DFL) HF3479-Clark (DFL) Transportation Finance Division Senior nutrition; Human Services E-12 Education Public Safety & Civil Justice Dan Patch commuter rail line prohibi- Department prohibited from divert- Universal preschool for 4-year-old District court fees modified. tion repealed. ing Title 3 funding away from senior students funding provided. nutrition programs. HF3480-Mullery (DFL) HF3441-Bigham (DFL) HF3465-Swails (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Public Safety & Civil Justice HF3453-Kahn (DFL) E-12 Education Minnesota Human Rights Act claims Civil immunity extended to mu- Agriculture, Rural Economies & Education assessment results report- provisions modified. nicipalities that donate public safety Veterans Affairs ing modified. equipment. Starbase program effectiveness study HF3481-Atkins (DFL) provisions modified. HF3466-Tillberry (DFL) Commerce & Labor HF3442-Kalin (DFL) E-12 Education Payroll card accounts sunset Governmental Operations, Reform, HF3454-Jaros (DFL) Regional center for visual arts devel- repealed. Technology & Elections Local Government & opment pilot program established. Reimbursement provided by indi- Metropolitan Affairs HF3482-Brod (R) viduals who file frivolous complaints Duluth; Spirit Mountain Recreation HF3467-Norton (DFL) Governmental Operations, Reform, concerning costs of the Campaign Fi- Area Authority land boundaries E-12 Education Technology & Elections nance and Public Disclosure Board. corrected. Teacher leave request to teach at a char- State expenditures searchable ter school time period modified. database required. HF3443-Slawik (DFL) HF3455-Hilty (DFL) Finance Governmental Operations, Reform, HF3468-Swails (DFL) Parent-child home program funding Technology & Elections E-12 Education Thursday, Feb. 28 provided. Election provisions modified relat- Library media specialists required at ing to military identification and every school. HF3483-Mullery (DFL) HF3444-Bigham (DFL) transmission of electronic ballots. Public Safety & Civil Justice Environment & Natural Resources HF3469-Davnie (DFL) Police officers permitted attorney and Fall turkey hunting season ex- HF3456-Tschumper (DFL) E-12 Education union representation at disciplinary tended. Local Government & Private student transportation ser- hearings. Metropolitan Affairs vices contracting procedures and HF3445-Mahoney (DFL) Local government interstate as- standards established. HF3484-Hornstein (DFL) Finance sistance authorized for emergency Finance University of Minnesota; United services. HF3470-Winkler (DFL) Minneapolis; nursing facility rate Enterprise Laboratories funding E-12 Education increase funding provided. provided. HF3457-Simon (DFL) State and school district technology Commerce & Labor established. HF3485-Rukavina (DFL) HF3446-Kahn (DFL) Custodial trust account use of Finance Health & Human Services debit or credit cards authorized to HF3471-Abeler (R) Independent School District No. 706, Meningococcal disease and human withdraw funds. E-12 Education Virginia fund transfer authorized. papillomavirus information required School superintendent ongoing three- to be provided through schools. HF3458-Peterson, S. (DFL) year contracts authorized. HF3486-Hornstein (DFL) Transportation Finance Division Finance Vehicle lighting display requirement HF3472-Mariani (DFL) International Fuel Tax Agreement fee expanded. E-12 Education proceeds since 2005 reallocated. Achievement gap; school district plan to reduce the achievement gap provided. February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 19 HF3487-Tingelstad (R) HF3500-Lillie (DFL) HF3512-Lesch (DFL) HF3525-Magnus (R) Finance Commerce & Labor Public Safety & Civil Justice Finance Safety for human trafficking victims Business Corporations Act; Limited Federal law enforcement officers per- Nonemergency medical transporta- grant funding provided. Liability Company Act; Uniform mitted same authority as Minnesota tion and disbursement dispatches by Limited Partnership Act of 2001; police officers to arrest and hold an broker or coordinator prohibited. HF3488-Garofalo (R) technical amendments proposed and individual in custody. Finance nonprofit limited liability company HF3526-Abeler (R) General Fund debt limit provided. formation authorized. HF3513-Rukavina (DFL) Commerce & Labor Environment & Natural Resources Acupuncture services equal access HF3489-Liebling (DFL) HF3501-Thao (DFL) Trap tending frequency provision required by group policies and sub- Health & Human Services Health & Human Services modified. scriber contracts, claim determina- Home care service provider regula- Chiropractic definition changed. tions required by services to be made tion modified. HF3514-Ruud (DFL) or reviewed by acupuncture practitio- HF3502-Dill (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice ners, and referral and reimbursement HF3490-Bigham (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Fiduciary obligation clarified for rate reports required. Finance St. Louis County; private sale of tax- crimes against vulnerable adults. Juvenile driver’s license $30 reinstate- forfeited land authorized. HF3527-Mullery (DFL) ment fee imposed following revoca- HF3515-Knuth (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice tion. HF3503-Nelson (DFL) Commerce & Labor Supreme Court task force established Public Safety & Civil Justice Petroleum Tank Release Compensa- to implement statewide standards for HF3491-Morrow (DFL) Peace officer or firefighter disability tion Board cost adjustment publica- mental health courts. Finance provision modified. tion provided. American Red Cross license plate HF3528-Ward (DFL) established. HF3504-Thao (DFL) HF3516-Davnie (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Health & Human Services Public Safety & Civil Justice All-terrain vehicle definitions modi- HF3492-Slocum (DFL) Body art regulation system estab- Foreclosure data practices provided, fied. Public Safety & Civil Justice lished for body art technicians and and report required. Graffiti prohibited, and incar- establishments and penalty fees HF3529-Hilty (DFL) cerative and intermediate sanctions adopted. HF3517-Davnie (DFL) Energy Finance & Policy Division provided. Public Safety & Civil Justice Cold weather protection provided HF3505-Bigham (DFL) Expungement and withholding of rent for delivered fuel residential heating HF3493-Solberg (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice provisions modified. customers. Finance Predatory offenders required to regis- Disaster relief funding provided and ter and prohibited from accessing and HF3518-Sailer (DFL) HF3530-Poppe (DFL) state reimbursement provided. using social networking Web sites. Transportation Finance Division Taxes Clearwater County Veterans Memo- Austin; tax increment expenditures HF3494-Pelowski (DFL) HF3506-Howes (R) rial Highway designated. authorized. Governmental Operations, Reform, Finance Technology & Elections Leech Lake; Walleye stocking fund- HF3519-Kranz (DFL) HF3531-Olin (DFL) State employee blood donors provided ing provided. Finance Public Safety & Civil Justice with up to three hours of paid leave in M i n ne s ot a m a nu f ac t u re d home relo - Predatory offender registration time any 12-month period, and employee HF3507-Otremba (DFL) cation trust fund procedures clarified per iod c l a r i fie d to re s t a r t a f ter c onv ic- leave provided by employers. Agriculture, Rural Economies & for collection and deposit. tion of a new crime. Veterans Affairs HF3495-Kahn (DFL) Disaster area waiver of fees and HF3520-Winkler (DFL) HF3532-Ward (DFL) Commerce & Labor expedited food handler plan review Public Safety & Civil Justice Environment & Natural Resources Alcohol drinking allowed for persons authorized, embargo and condemna- False 911 emergency call crimes cre- Nonresident senior citizens exempted aged 18 to 20. tion provisions changed, food sanitary ated and penalties provided. from angling license requirement. and fee provisions changed, terms HF3496-Moe (DFL) defined, and egg sales and handling HF3521-Loeffler (DFL) HF3533-Davnie (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources regulated. Public Safety & Civil Justice Commerce & Labor Public water structures rule updates Independent living goals court find- Consumer small loans regulated. required. HF3508-Hausman (DFL) ings required for children age 16 or Governmental Operations, Reform, older who are in an out-of-home HF3534-Knuth (DFL) HF3497-Hilstrom (DFL) Technology & Elections placement. Commerce & Labor Public Safety & Civil Justice St. Paul; city employees authorized to Viatical Settlements Model Act of the E-charging service provided, finger- purchase service credit for a period of HF3522-Hilstrom (DFL) National Association of Insurance prints required and public task force uncovered service. Local Government & Commissions enacted and modified, member per diem extended. Metropolitan Affairs viatical settlements regulated, and HF3509-Mariani (DFL) County summary budget data date criminal penalties provided. HF3498-Berns (R) Taxes requirement changed. Public Safety & Civil Justice Airport and school district land HF3535-Faust (DFL) Firefighter Training and Educa- reattachment allowed for property HF3523-Drazkowski (R) Finance tion Board member compensation tax purposes. Rules & Legislative Administration Kanabec and Pine counties nursing authorized. Per diem payments limited for legisla- facility payment rates increased to HF3510-Peppin (R) tive members. geographic group III median rate. HF3499-Berns (R) Taxes Environment & Natural Resources Small city definition changed for aid HF3524-Liebling (DFL) HF3536-Mullery (DFL) Wayzata; private sale of state land purposes. Health & Human Services Local Government & provided. State health care county-based pur- Metropolitan Affairs HF3511-Simon (DFL) chasing requirements revised. Minneapolis housing replacement Commerce & Labor district law modified. Consumer small loan lender charges regulated.

20 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 HF3537-Bly (DFL) HF3548-Dill (DFL) HF3561-Sailer (DFL) HF3573-Otremba (DFL) Finance Environment & Natural Resources Environment & Natural Resources Health & Human Services Renewable energy project rate sched- St. Louis County; private sale of tax- Public water access site acquisition State health care program county- ule established and report required. for feite d l a nd border i ng publ ic waters authority modified. based purchasing requirements authorized. revised, and mandated report HF3538-Winkler (DFL) HF3562-Mullery (DFL) required. Commerce & Labor HF3549-Dill (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice Start-up and emerging Minne- Environment & Natural Resources Marriage license five-day waiting HF3574-Juhnke (DFL) sota businesses investment credit Medical standards established for requirement removed. Local Government and provided. permitting off-highway vehicle use by Metropolitan Affairs disabled persons on public trails. HF3563-Mullery (DFL) State Building Code application and HF3539-Swails (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice enforcement regulated. Health & Human Services HF3550-Hansen (DFL) Marriage application Social Security Hospital construction moratorium Environment & Natural Resources number requirement removed. HF3575-Bigham (DFL) exception provided. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia con- Transportation Finance Division trol provided, and rulemaking HF3564-Walker (DFL) School bus driver type III qualifica- HF3540-Gardner (DFL) authorized. Health & Human Services tions established, penalties provided, Environment & Natural Resources Child welfare and child support provi- and rulemaking authorized. Solid waste recovery and recycling HF3551-Howes (R) sions amended, new Interstate Com- standards provided, greenhouse gas Transportation Finance Division pact for the Placement of Children HF3576-Madore (DFL) offset project eligibility established, Highway 371 direct access required adopted, old compact repealed, and Health & Human Services exemptions provided, studies and or- for certain parcels of land. child and adult adoptions regulated. Medical Review Subcommittee and dinances required, goals set, charges ombudsman authorized to gather regulated, task force established. HF3552-Juhnke (DFL) HF3565-Bunn (DFL) data about deceased clients. Agriculture, Rural Economies & Finance HF3541-Marquart (DFL) Veterans Affairs Closed landfill cleanup funding HF3577-Tschumper (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources NextGen Energy Board member provided, Pollution Control Agency Local Government & Bridge and culvert construction and added, sunset date removed, and d i re c te d to prov ide c le a nup of c er t a i n Metropolitan Affairs maintenance cost apportionment appropriation modified. closed landfill sites, revenue bonds au- Houston County; process pro- modified. thorized and money appropriated. vided to make certain county offices HF3553-Simon (DFL) appointive. HF3542-Juhnke (DFL) Public Safety & Civil Justice HF3566-Nelson (DFL) Finance Data practices technical changes Commerce & Labor HF3578-Hilty (DFL) Veteran home funding pro- made. Workers’ Compensation Advisory Finance vided, bonds issued and money Council recommendations adopted. Propane purchase program terms appropriated. HF3554-Simon (DFL) clarified. Public Safety & Civil Justice HF3567-Shimanski (R) HF3543-Winkler (DFL) Driver’s license numbers and Governmental Operations, Reform, HF3579-Norton (DFL) Commerce & Labor application information regulated. Technology & Elections Health & Human Services Foreign cooperatives regulation pro- Annuity repayment requirement Continuing care provisions changes vided, dissolution notification request HF3555-Simon (DFL) waived for retirees of Independent m ade , a nd loc a l c er t i fic at ion re qu i re - removed, document return provided, Public Safety & Civil Justice School District No. 2859, Glencoe/ ments amended. foreign partnerships allowed to use Data classified as private when per- Silver Lake. alternative names, and name filing taining to an individual temporar- HF3580-Brown (DFL) contests eliminated. ily being held by a law enforcement HF3568-Hackbarth (R) Energy Finance & Policy Division agency. Public Safety & Civil Justice Eligible energy technologies defini- HF3544-Heidgerken (R) Fireworks lawful explosives amount tion clarified for purposes of the Environment & Natural Resources HF3556-Simon (DFL) increase allowed. renewable energy standard Swift County; Monson Lake State Public Safety & Civil Justice Park land addition provided. Departments held harmless for HF3569-Rukavina (DFL) HF3581-Peppin (R) negligent dissemination of vehicle Finance Governmental Operations, Reform, HF3545-Atkins (DFL) or driver data. University of Minnesota directed Technology & Elections Environment & Natural Resources to study workers’ health including Economic Status of Women duties Gas purchase and sale reporting re- HF3557-Koenen (DFL) lung health. repealed. quired, air conditioner leakage rates Finance in motor vehicles disclosure required, Veterans paramedic apprenticeship HF3570-Murphy, E. (DFL) HF3582-Tschumper (DFL) refrigerants required in mobile air program funding provided. Health & Human Services Commerce & Labor conditioners, refrigerant sale prohib- Personal liability prohibited for cer- Flood insurance coverage regu- ited, and report required. HF3558-Madore (DFL) tain persons with mental illness. lated, and disclosures of noncoverage Finance required. HF3546-Eken (DFL) 2008 U.S. Women’s Open license HF3571-Marquart (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources plates issuance required. Taxes HF3583-Johnson (DFL) Fishing season extended for up to two Property tax petition information Public Safety & Civil Justice weeks in certain waters. HF3559-Sailer (DFL) exchange required and sanctions Juvenile adjudication history reten- Health & Human Services imposed. tion modified. HF3547-Dill (DFL) Day training and habilitation Environment & Natural Resources program license requirements HF3572-Smith (R) HF3584-Koenen (DFL) Game and fish fund report require- modified. Public Safety & Civil Justice Agriculture, Rural Economies and ments modified, pheasant habitat Furniture Fire Safety Act repealed. Veterans Affairs improvement account disposition HF3560-Kalin (DFL) Animal chiropractic care require- modified, wild turkey management Finance ments established. ac c ou nt mod i fie d, hu nt i ng a nd fi sh i ng Commuter bus service funding pro- licensing a nd ta k ing prov isions modi- vided for Interstate 35, and money fied, and rulemaking authorized. appropriated.

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 21 HF3585-Koenen (DFL) HF3598-Mullery (DFL) HF3608-Norton (DFL) HF3619-Walker (DFL) Energy Finance & Policy Division Public Safety & Civil Justice Finance Finance Community-based energy develop- Sex offender minimum presumptive L ic en s e d nu rsi ng home be d su rcha rge MFIP participant supported work ment project powers of qualification executed sentence imposed for repeat special revenue fund created. and auto-related costs funding described. offenders. provided. HF3609-Emmer (R) HF3586-Thissen (DFL) HF3599-Marquart (DFL) Commerce & Labor HF3620-Walker (DFL) Taxes Higher Education & Work Force Minnesota Freedom to Buy and Sell Health & Human Services Education tax credit equity and op- Development Policy & Finance Act enacted, employers and residents Violent patient behavior warning duty portunity provided. Division provided freedom to buy health cov- imposed and liability limited. JOBZ program standard business erage approved for sale in any state, HF3587-Solberg (DFL) subsidy agreement required. and insurance companies provided HF3621-Hilstrom (DFL) Finance freedom to sell health coverage per- E-12 Education Budget recommendations develop- HF3600-Clark (DFL) mitted for sale in any state. Spe c i a l e duc at ion t a s k forc e e x tende d ment specified, and state agencies Public Safety & Civil Justice to allow for completion of study of required to provide information. Mortgage foreclosure emergency HF3610-Loeffler (DFL) state special education rules. declared, and postponement of fore- Health & Human Services HF3588-Magnus (R) closure proceedings authorized. Medical debt information HF3622-Peterson, S. (DFL) Finance regulated. Finance Special transportation services HF3601-Greiling (DFL) School districts with low fund bal- medical assistance coverage rates Taxes HF3611-Peterson, A. (DFL) ances authorized to hold a referen- increased. General education, special education, Health & Human Services dum election at a time other than and early education programs fund- Physician licensure standards based November. HF3589-Madore (DFL) ing increased; individual income tax on reciprocity improved. Transportation Finance Division rates modified; revenues deposited in HF3623-Emmer (R) Hazardous materials, school bus K-12 education account, and money HF3612-Davnie (DFL) Finance endorsement and commercial ve- appropriated. Commerce & Labor School district staff development hicle operation federal conformity Minnesota Subprime Foreclosure revenue expenditures for CPR and provided. HF3602-Dill (DFL) Deferment Act of 2008 provisions autom at ic e x ter na l de fibr i l l ator t r a i n- Finance provided. ing authorized. HF3590-Wagenius (DFL) Business subsidy provisions and terms Taxes modified. HF3613-Solberg (DFL) HF3624-Mariani (DFL) Ground water monitoring charge Health & Human Services E-12 Education established. HF3603-Bunn (DFL) Residential hospice facilities quali- Public education mission expanded to Housing Policy & Finance and fied for group residential housing include a framework to guide future HF3591-Tingelstad (R) Public Health Finance Division payments. education policy decisions. Health & Human Services Flashing installation standards es- Infertility treatments health plan tablished for new construction and HF3614-Moe (DFL) HF3625-Hansen (DFL) coverage required. remodeling, and State Building Code Health & Human Services Finance rules required. Board of Veterinary Medicine mem- Natural resources administrative sites HF3592-Thao (DFL) bership and authority modified. sales proceeds disposition provided. Health & Human Services HF3604-Lesch (DFL) Health care interpreter services reg- Finance HF3615-Loeffler (DFL) HF3626-Thissen (DFL) istry established. Budget shortfall fees enacted to Finance Health & Human Services raise revenue reduced or eliminated, County social services mandated Child care facilities required to pro- HF3593-Marquart (DFL) criminal offense surcharge, DWI report required. vide influenza information. Finance license reinstatement fee, various School district reciprocity agreements court fees, and public defender HF3616-Walker (DFL) HF3627-Dill (DFL) modified. co-pay included. Health & Human Services Finance Minnesota Family Investment Pro- Vermilion Highlands Wildlife HF3594-Norton (DFL) HF3605-Brod (R) gram unpaid work prohibited, Min- Management Area shooting sports E-12 Education Transportation Finance Division nesota Family Investment Program facilities funding provided. Achievement and opportunity gap Drivers’ licenses and permits and provisions repealed for family cap and reduction pilot program grants Minnesota identification cards rental subsidy as unearned income. provided. information regulated, citizenship determination status required for HF3617-Koenen (DFL) Moving? HF3595-Anzelc (DFL) obtaining a license, and technical Health & Human Services Please help save postage costs by E-12 Education changes made. Wound prevention and care formu- keeping us informed of address L ic en s e d phy sic i a n s a nd ps ycholog i s t s lary demonstration project estab- changes. Call 651-296-2146 or authorized to make diagnosis and HF3606-Mullery (DFL) lished for state veteran homes and 800-657-3550. determination of ADD and ADHD. Public Safety & Civil Justice reports required. Fifth degree criminal sexual conduct HF3596-Faust (DFL) conviction enhancement provisions HF3618-Walker (DFL) E-12 Education added. Health & Human Services Education commissioner prohibited Minnesota family investment pro- To find out who represents from enforcing unadopted rules. HF3607-Clark (DFL) gram family cap repealed. you at the Capitol . . . Health & Human Services Call House Public Information HF3597-Mullery (DFL) Women, infants, and children cou- Services at 651-296-2146 Public Safety & Civil Justice pon use provided for purchase of Sexual assault indictment limitations organic food. or 800-657-3550 modified.

22 Session Weekly February 29, 2008 2008 Minnesota House of Representatives Phone Phone District Member/Party Room* 651-296- District Member/Party Room* 651-296-

48B Abeler, Jim (R)...... 203...... 1729 9A Lanning, Morrie (R)...... 259...... 5515 19A Anderson, Bruce (R)...... 201...... 5063 40B Lenczewski, Ann (DFL)...... 509...... 4218 43A Anderson, Sarah (R)...... 229...... 5511 66A Lesch, John (DFL)...... 537...... 4224 3A Anzelc, Tom (DFL)...... 417...... 4936 30A Liebling, Tina (DFL)...... 393...... 0573 39B Atkins, Joe (DFL)...... 503...... 4192 1B Lieder, Bernard (DFL)...... 423...... 5091 35A Beard, Michael (R)...... 207...... 8872 55A Lillie, Leon (DFL)...... 353...... 1188 43B Benson, John (DFL)...... 517...... 9934 59A Loeffler, Diane (DFL)...... 349...... 4219 33B Berns, John (R)...... 311...... 4315 37A Madore, Shelley (DFL)...... 507...... 5506 57A Bigham, Karla (DFL)...... 529...... 4342 22A Magnus, Doug (R)...... 217...... 5505 25B Bly, David (DFL)...... 557...... 7065 67A Mahoney, Tim (DFL)...... 591...... 4277 25A Brod, Laura (R)...... 321...... 4229 65B Mariani, Carlos (DFL)...... 563...... 9714 27A Brown, Robin (DFL)...... 337...... 8216 9B Marquart, Paul (DFL)...... 597...... 6829 23B Brynaert, Kathy (DFL)...... 421...... 3248 38A Masin, Sandra (DFL)...... 527...... 3533 35B Buesgens, Mark (R)...... 307...... 5185 53B McFarlane, Carol (R)...... 223...... 5363 56A Bunn, Julie (DFL)...... 521...... 4244 57B McNamara, Denny (R)...... 271...... 3135 45B Carlson, Lyndon (DFL)...... 479...... 4255 4A Moe, Frank (DFL)...... 369...... 5516 61A Clark, Karen (DFL)...... 471...... 0294 40A Morgan, Will (DFL)...... 531...... 4212 24B Cornish, Tony (R)...... 281...... 4240 23A Morrow, Terry (DFL)...... 415...... 8634 62A Davnie, Jim (DFL)...... 545...... 0173 58A Mullery, Joe (DFL)...... 367...... 4262 52B Dean, Matt (R)...... 327...... 3018 64A Murphy, Erin (DFL)...... 413...... 8799 49A DeLaForest, Chris (R)...... 323...... 4231 6B Murphy, Mary (DFL)...... 343...... 2676 29A Demmer, Randy (R)...... 225...... 9236 46A Nelson, Michael V.(DFL)...... 569...... 3751 52A Dettmer, Bob (R)...... 329...... 4124 10A Nornes, Bud (R)...... 277...... 4946 6A Dill, David (DFL)...... 571...... 2190 29B Norton, Kim (DFL)...... 387...... 9249 47A Dittrich, Denise (DFL)...... 371...... 5513 1A Olin, Dave (DFL)...... 593...... 9635 58B Dominguez, Augustine “Willie” (DFL)...... 539...... 8659 16B Olson, Mark (IR)...... 301...... 4237 12B Doty, Al (DFL)...... 433...... 4247 11B Otremba, Mary Ellen (DFL)...... 445...... 3201 28B Drazkowski, Steve (R)...... 247...... 2273 37B Ozment, Dennis (R)...... 283...... 4306 17A Eastlund, Rob (R)...... 243...... 5364 42B Paulsen, Erik (R)...... 309...... 7449 2A Eken, Kent (DFL)...... 575...... 9918 64B Paymar, Michael (DFL)...... 543...... 4199 19B Emmer, Tom (R)...... 261...... 4336 31A Pelowski Jr., Gene (DFL)...... 491...... 8637 41A Erhardt, Ron (R)...... 245...... 4363 32A Peppin, Joyce (R)...... 331...... 7806 16A Erickson, Sondra (R)...... 279...... 6746 20A Peterson, Aaron (DFL)...... 451...... 4228 8B Faust, Tim (DFL)...... 567...... 0518 41B Peterson, Neil W. (R)...... 213...... 7803 21B Finstad, Brad (R)...... 251...... 9303 45A Peterson, Sandra (DFL)...... 345...... 4176 26B Fritz, Patti (DFL)...... 551...... 8237 27B Poppe, Jeanne (DFL)...... 487...... 4193 53A Gardner, Paul (DFL)...... 581...... 2907 5A Rukavina, Tom (DFL)...... 477...... 0170 36B Garofalo, Pat (R)...... 221...... 1069 26A Ruth, Connie (R)...... 291...... 5368 15A Gottwalt, Steve (R)...... 231...... 6316 42A Ruud, Maria (DFL)...... 515...... 3964 54A Greiling, Mindy (DFL)...... 381...... 5387 2B Sailer, Brita (DFL)...... 577...... 4265 24A Gunther, Bob (R)...... 289...... 3240 54B Scalze, Bev (DFL)...... 357...... 7153 48A Hackbarth, Tom (R)...... 209...... 2439 21A Seifert, Marty (R)...... 267...... 5374 22B Hamilton, Rod (R)...... 215...... 5373 5B Sertich, Anthony “Tony” (DFL)...... 459...... 0172 39A Hansen, Rick (DFL)...... 401...... 6828 14A Severson, Dan (R)...... 233...... 7808 66B Hausman, Alice (DFL)...... 453...... 3824 18A Shimanski, Ron (R)...... 227...... 1534 15B Haws, Larry (DFL)...... 473...... 6612 44A Simon, Steve (DFL)...... 375...... 9889 13A Heidgerken, Bud (R)...... 237...... 4317 10B Simpson, Dean (R)...... 295...... 4293 46B Hilstrom, Debra (DFL)...... 379...... 3709 55B Slawik, Nora (DFL)...... 403...... 7807 8A Hilty, Bill (DFL)...... 559...... 4308 63B Slocum, Linda (DFL)...... 523...... 7158 36A Holberg, Mary Liz (R)...... 303...... 6926 33A Smith, Steve (R)...... 253...... 9188 34B Hoppe, Joe (R)...... 317...... 5066 3B Solberg, Loren (DFL)...... 443...... 2365 60B Hornstein, Frank (DFL)...... 437...... 9281 56B Swails, Marsha (DFL)...... 409...... 1147 47B Hortman, Melissa (DFL)...... 377...... 4280 65A Thao, Cy (DFL)...... 359...... 5158 14B Hosch, Larry (DFL)...... 565...... 4373 63A Thissen, Paul (DFL)...... 351...... 5375 4B Howes, Larry (R)...... 287...... 2451 51B Tillberry, Tom (DFL)...... 501...... 5510 7A Huntley, Thomas (DFL)...... 585...... 2228 49B Tingelstad, Kathy (R)...... 255...... 5369 7B Jaros, Mike (DFL)...... 583...... 4246 31B Tschumper, Ken (DFL)...... 431...... 9278 67B Johnson, Sheldon (DFL)...... 549...... 4201 18B Urdahl, Dean (R)...... 239...... 4344 13B Juhnke, Al (DFL)...... 485...... 6206 62B Wagenius, Jean (DFL)...... 449...... 4200 59B Kahn, Phyllis (DFL)...... 365...... 4257 61B Walker, Neva (DFL)...... 553...... 7152 17B Kalin, Jeremy (DFL)...... 579...... 5377 12A Ward, John (DFL)...... 533...... 4333 60A Kelliher, Margaret Anderson (DFL)...... 463...... 0171 38B Wardlow, Lynn (R)...... 241...... 4128 50B Knuth, Kate (DFL)...... 429...... 0141 30B Welti, Andy (DFL)...... 389...... 4378 20B Koenen, Lyle (DFL)...... 439...... 4346 11A Westrom, Torrey (R)...... 273...... 4929 34A Kohls, Paul (R)...... 313...... 4282 44B Winkler, Ryan (DFL)...... 525...... 7026 51A Kranz, Scott (DFL)...... 411...... 4226 28A Wollschlager, Sandy (DFL)...... 335...... 8635 50A Laine, Carolyn (DFL)...... 407...... 4331 32B Zellers, Kurt (R)...... 315...... 5502

House Public Information Services • 175 State Office Building • St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 • 651-296-2146 Jan. 24, 2008

*All rooms are in the State Office Building unless otherwise noted, St. Paul, MN 55155-1298

February 29, 2008 Session Weekly 23 Mi n n 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 ak 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

Maj 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 n n 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. Are you covered? To have a copy of Session Weekly Percent of Minnesotans with health insurance in 2007...... 92.8 mailed to you, subscribe online at: www. Percent in 2004...... 92.3 house.mn/hinfo/subscribesw.asp or call: Percent in 2001...... 93.9 651-296-2146 or 800-657-3550. Percent of Minnesotans in 2007 having group coverage or health insurance If you enjoy Session Weekly, please consider coverage through an employer...... 62.5 helping to defray production and mailing Percent with insurance through a public program...... 25.2 costs with a biennial voluntary subscription Percent that purchased coverage through the individual market...... 5.1 of $20 or more. Minnesotans ages 18-24 without health insurance last year, as percent...... 19 Percent in 2004...... 19.8 Make your check payable to Minnesota House of Representatives, and mail it to: Minnesotans ages 25-34 without health insurance last year, as percent...... 11.5 House Public Information Services Percent in 2004...... 13.2 175 State Office Building Percent of white Minnesotans uninsured in 2007, 2004 and 2001...... 6.4, 6.2, 5 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Percent of Asians...... 6.3, 10.1, 7.8 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 Percent of blacks...... 14.7, 14, 17 Percent of American Indians...... 16, 22, 18.7 Session Weekly online is available at: www.house.mn. Percent of Hispanic/Latinos...... 19.4, 31, 23.8 Minnesotans not born in the United States that didn’t have health insurance in 2007...... 11.4 Subscribe to Session Daily e-mail In 2004...... 18.3 alerts at: www.house.mn/list/join. Greater Minnesota residents without health insurance in 2007, as percent...... 7.9 asp?listname=sessiondaily. Twin Cities metropolitan area residents, as percent...... 6.6 Check your local listings to watch televi- sion coverage of House committees, floor Percent of uninsured Minnesotans in 2007 ineligible for employer coverage or sessions and select press conferences. through a public program...... 32 Uninsured Minnesotans, as percent, that were employed in 2007...... 71.3 To obtain a copy of a bill, call the Chief Clerk’s Office at 651-296-2314. Percent of uninsured Minnesotans last year that worked more than 40 hours per week...... 25 Percent in 2004...... 28.8 To find out about bill introductions or Administrative spending in 2006, as percent of total spending, by health plan the status of a specific bill, call the companies doing business in Minnesota...... 8.2 House Index Office at 651-296-6646. In 2004...... 8.6 The House of Representatives can be found on In 2001...... 10.6 the Web at: www.house.mn. Private health insurance premium growth per person in 2006, as percent...... 7.6 Percent in 2005...... 4.5 People who are deaf and hard of hearing Growth, as percent, of health care plan spending per enrollee in 2006...... 8.9 may ask questions or leave messages by Percent in 2005...... 7.2 calling the Minnesota Relay service at 711 or 800-627-3529 (TTY).

Sources: 2006 Minnesota Health Statistics Annual Summary, December 2007, Center for Health Senate Information Statistics, Department of Health; Administrative Costs at Minnesota Health Plans in 2006, January 651-296-0504 or 888-234-1112 2008, Department of Health; Health Insurance Premiums and Cost Drivers in Minnesota, October 2007, Health Economics Program, Department of Health. Senate Index 651-296-5560