A Nonpartisan Publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives ♦ March 14, 1997 ♦ Volume 14, Number 10

HF1251-HF1544 Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office. During the 1997-98 Legislative Minnesota House of Representatives • March 14, 1997 • Volume 14, Number 10 Session, each issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and upcoming committee meeting schedules, and pro- Update vides other information. The publication is a service of the Minnesota House. Back in 1923, Rep. Mabeth Hurd Paige felt welcomed when she and Rep. Hannah No fee. Johnson Kempfer were invited by a male legislator to sit next to him in the House chamber. Paige found out later that the seats were the worst places in the room to hear To subscribe, contact: legislative debate. Reps. Myrtle Cain and Sue Metzger Dickey Hough did not get great Minnesota House of Representatives seats either. Such was an introduction of the first four women elected to the Minnesota Public Information Office Legislature. They often endured insults from those who felt that making laws was a 175 State Office Building process for men only. St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 But the first four won. So did 118 others including the 61 females who now serve in (612) 296-2146 or the House and Senate. Even in the ‘20s, women played key roles. They authored bills 1-800-657-3550 to increase wages, blocked the Ku Klux Klan from wearing hoods, and promoted TTY (612) 296-9896 welfare for the indigent. Paige served for 22 years and became the first woman to chair a committee — Public Welfare and Social Legislation. Director Kempfer served for 18 years, supporting conservation and the welfare efforts of her LeClair G. Lambert colleagues. Welfare bills were tough to pass because the committee was looked down on by men. “Mother Kempfer,” as she was called, once made an impassioned speech Assistant Director/Editor Peg Hamerston in support of children. To complete silence in the chamber, Kempfer informed the body that she was an illegitimate child and was once an orphan. The bill passed. Assistant Editors Rep. Helen McMillan was the only female in the Legislature in 1971. During this John T. Tschida term, the majority leader said that female employees could not wear pantsuits. K. Darcy Hanzlik McMillan minimized the issue by stating that his demand was “utterly ridiculous” and even threatened to wear them on the House floor in protest. Art & Production Coordinator In 1973, she was joined in the House by five females. As a group, they laid the Paul Battaglia foundation for many others to seek office. Rep. Ernee McArthur served for only one term; Rep. Mary Forsythe served nine terms; Rep. Linda Berglin served in the House Writers for four terms and continues to serve as a senator; Rep. Phyllis Kahn continues to serve Steve Compton, F. J. Gallagher, and chairs Governmental Operations. The sixth legislator, Rep. Joan Growe, served Nick Healy, Celeste Riley for three terms before she was elected as the present Secretary of State. By 1992, women in the Legislature were no longer uncommon. Nor did they have Photographers to leave the House floor for personal needs. They now had their own restroom off the Tom Olmscheid, Laura Phillips, Retiring room — something the visionary Cass Gilbert did not foresee. Reps. Connie Andrew Von Bank Levi and Ann Wynia had already served as majority leaders. Dee Long was the newly elected Speaker of the House, making her one of two female presiding speakers in the Office Manager country. Long now serves as chair of the Taxes Committee. Toinette L. B. Bettis Seventy-four years later, women have earned their rightful niche in the Legislature. And when they are not serving as legislators, they are biophysicists, teachers, home- Staff Assistants makers, visual artists, farm owners, CPAs, and for fun, two even play on the co-ed Grant Martin, Nicole Thompson Capitol ice hockey team. t e d i n o Much is attained when “. . . all persons share in government to the utmost.” r n

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r e — LeClair G. Lambert c e y p c a l e d p Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is pub- lished weekly during the legislative session by INSIDE the Minnesota House of Representatives Pub- lic Information Office, 100 Constitution Ave., Highlights ...... 3 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage Feature: MetroDome history ...... 16 paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes New Members: Juhnke, Kielkucki ...... 18,19 to Session Weekly, Public Information Office, Bill Introductions (HF1251 - HF1544)...... 20 Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Committee Schedule (March 17-21)...... 26 Paul, MN 55155-1298. On the cover: Parents and children packed the Capitol rotunda for Early Childhood and Family Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, Education’s Parent Rally Day March 11. 20% post-consumer content. — Photo by Tom Olmscheid

2 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 Week in Review . . . March 6 - 13, 1997 Highlights

Play ball . . . Proposed Twins stadium bill in play in the House After weeks of private debate over public financing of a new Minnesota Twins ballpark, Rep. Ann H. Rest (DFL-New Hope) has put a stadium bill into play. HF1367 received its first hearing in the House Local Govern- ment and Metropolitan Affairs Committee March 13. The bill retains many of the ideas pro- posed in the original deal announced earlier this session by Gov. Arne Carlson and the Twins. Snuffed out is the 10-cent-per-pack cigarette tax the governor proposed to pay for the stadium. “I didn’t believe the ciga- rette tax could survive [in the Legislature],” Rest said last week. Instead, Rest substitutes a 10-percent tax on professional sports team memorabilia and clothing with team logos sold in Minne- sota. No estimates are as yet available on the revenue potential of the taxes, but Rest said it would probably not generate as much as the $33 million annually expected from a cigarette tax. The bill drops the retractable roof included Before lawmakers could take a swing at voting on a 10-cent-per-pack cigarette tax increase to help pay for in the original stadium design, which re- a new Twins outdoor baseball stadium, a bill heard March 13 replaced that tax with one on memorabilia duces the overall pricetag of $424 million to and clothing bearing the logos of professional sports teams. $330.9 million, according to Metropolitan — Photo-illustration by Andrew Von Bank. Sports Facilities Commission figures. Addi- — Stadium painting by Terrence Fogarty, commissioned by Ed Villaume, Minnesotans for Outdoor Baseball. tionally, Minneapolis would be designated cility. The commission also would be autho- boxes would have to be sold for a minimum as the site for the new stadium, and the rized to issue up to $25 million in revenue of 10 years. (The existing design calls for 52 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome would be bonds for preparing the specified site for suites.) At least 80 percent of the club seats operated by the Minnesota Vikings. construction. would have to be leased or sold for the open- Other provisions of the bill would imple- The bill would require the Twins to sign a ing season. (The proposed design calls for ment or expand elements of the original 30-year lease for the stadium and turn over 4,900 such seats.) And the sale of 22,000 deal. 49 percent of their net operating profits to season tickets would have to be pledged. The The proposal would replace the Minne- the commission. The commission would take new stadium would be slated to be com- sota Sports Facilities Commission with a part in the team’s budgeting process and in pleted in time for the season opener of 2001. statewide body to oversee construction of setting performance criteria for the team Under the bill, the Pohlads could sell their the new facility and the public’s 49-percent and ballpark. interest in the team to the state for $105 interest in the Twins. The 11-member com- The Pohlad family, owners of the Twins, million no sooner than five years after the mission, appointed by the governor, would would make a gift of $15 million to help first regular home game in the facility. have a broad charge to negotiate with the finance the stadium and assume all liability John Pacheco, vice chair of the Metropoli- Twins. By mutual agreement, the commis- for any operating losses of the team. The tan Sports Facilities Commission, presented sion and the Twins would determine the Twins also would dedicate $25 million from the panel with an analysis of stadium op- size, amenities, and design of the stadium, as the sale of naming rights and concessionaire tions prepared by his group. “We concluded well as the selection of the architect and payments to help pay for the building. that there is a need for a new ballpark,” general contractor. The commission would The bill also requires private sector par- Pacheco said. “The Metrodome was built as be empowered to negotiate with the city of ticipation for the deal to go forward. By Dec. a football stadium. It hasn’t worked well for Minneapolis and Hennepin County to pro- 31, 1997, at least 80 percent of the private the Twins financially.” vide the necessary infrastructure for the fa-

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 3 Other stadium bills Three other stadium-related bills have been introduced in the House this session. Rep. Ann H. Rest (DFL-New Hope), chair of the House Local Gov- ernment and Metropolitan Affairs Committee and sponsor of the main stadium bill (HF1367), has said that she does not plan to hear the other bills in her committee. She has indicated some openness to incorporating ideas from the other bills into her legislation. The other bills: • HF107: Rep. Steve Sviggum (R- Kenyon) would sell the old Met Cen- ter land in Bloomington and use the revenue to pay off the Metrodome’s debt. The Vikings would then be of- fered the Metrodome for $1. The bill also abolishes the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. • HF936: Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) would appropriate $100 million to Rev. Ricky Rask, of Fund Kids First, testified against Frank Quilici, a former player and manager for the buy the Twins. The state would then a new outdoor baseball stadium for the Minnesota Minnesota Twins, testified in favor of a new seek a new private owner committed Twins before the House Local Government and outdoor baseball stadium for the ball club before to keeping the team in the state. Any Metropolitan Affairs Committee March 13. the House Local Government and Metropolitan new stadium subsequently built Affairs Committee March 13. would be with private money and tax The commission also recommends that that when every child in Minnesota has a revenues derived from the stadium. the retractable roof be put back on the park, healthy neighborhood, a solid education, a • HF1309: Rep. Mike Jaros (DFL- Pacheco said. nurturing home, and a good job prospect, Duluth) would authorize the Minne- “This is not an issue of rich people or poor then we can attend to new professional sports sota State Lottery to create games people,” said Jim Pohlad, representing the facilities,” Rask said. based on the results of sporting events. Twins ownership. “This is about keeping Rask contrasted the stadium debate with Proceeds would go to fund a new professional baseball in Minnesota.” the current discussion of welfare reform. stadium. When questioned by Rep. Satveer “How can we talk about cutting food stamps Chaudhary (DFL-Fridley) about any plans for the elderly poor, and then talk about to move the team, Pohlad insisted that no providing a public subsidy to an elderly bil- AGRICULTURE such plans exist. “We have not solicited any lionaire?” she asked in reference to Twins proposals.” owner Carl Pohlad. Fairness for farmers Twins President Jerry Bell told the panel Jon Commers of Fans Advocating that of the 28 teams in Major League Base- iNtelligent Spending also spoke against the The House passed a resolution March 10 ball, the Twins’ stadium revenues are the legislation. “The Minnesota Twins and the asking the federal government to provide worst. “The top revenue-generating teams Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission relief for Minnesota dairy farmers currently all have new outdoor ballparks.” have made little effort to explore private feeling a financial squeeze. The vote was Stadium revenues from parking, suites, financing for a new ballpark,” he said. 127-2. signage, concessions, and a strong season- Commers also questioned the expected HF1067, sponsored by Rep. Steve Wenzel ticket base have become the key growth areas economic benefit claimed for the new sta- (DFL-Little Falls), would require the state to for sports teams, Bell said. “In the dium. “Entertainment dollars in our area are send a resolution to Congress, the president, Metrodome, not only are we last in parking finite. If more people go to Twins games, and the Department of Agriculture asking and suite revenues, we have no parking or they are not spending their money else- for changes in the federal milk pricing sys- suite revenues.” he said. where.” tem. Speaking against public funding of the The committee is expected to vote on the Minnesota dairy farmers in recent months ballpark was Rev. Ricky Rask of St. Paul bill next week. have seen a significant drop in the prices they representing Fund Kids First. “We believe get for their products, while the state’s con- — Steve Compton sumers continue to pay exceptionally high retail prices for milk. Low prices paid to farmers are driving them out of the dairy business, according to

4 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 Wenzel. The state is losing an average of an increasing concern in rural Minnesota, $500,000 from the general fund to help local about three dairy operations a day. where questions have been raised about the law enforcement agencies cover the costs of The proposed resolution calls for an end health effects of such odors. community notification. In addition to the to a pricing system that is, according to the The bill, sponsored by Rep. Gary Kubly initial notification, according to Will resolution, “profoundly unfair and discrimi- (DFL-Granite Falls), now moves to the House Alexander of the DOC, agencies would have natory against Minnesota and Upper Mid- Environment and Natural Resources Finance to repeat the process in any community into west dairy producers.” Committee. which an offender moves for up to 10 years It also requests that Minnesota and neigh- after being released or placed on probation. boring states be allowed to form a compact The extent of the information and to whom to guarantee dairy farmers a fair minimum it is provided is determined by the offender’s price if a similar compact already formed by CRIME risk level, which is set by a panel before the northeastern states is allowed to stand. person’s release into the community. A Level (See Jan. 31, 1997, SessionWeekly, page 4.) I offender’s release will cause local law en- HF1067 now goes to the Senate. Making notification work forcers, victims and witnesses to be notified. The House Judiciary Committee on March Level II offenders generate notification to 10 approved a series of bills that would refine the above, as well as public and private edu- Scab research and strengthen the new Minnesota Com- cational institutions, day care facilities, and munity Notification Act. That law autho- any other facilities that serve individuals likely A proposal to spend $1.6 million to con- rizes local law enforcement agencies to to be victimized by the offender. Level III tinue research into a plant disease that has disclose information to the public concern- offenders will cause members of the com- cost Minnesota farmers millions was ap- ing potentially dangerous sex offenders who munity whom the offender is likely to en- proved March 10 by the House Agriculture are about to be released from prison or a counter to be notified. Committee. treatment facility. In a third bill (HF95), the committee added HF748, sponsored by Rep. Jim Tunheim HF541, sponsored by Rep. Dave Bishop sex offenders released from federal prisons (DFL-Kennedy), would provide funds to (R-Rochester), is, in part, a response to the to those covered by the notification act. continue the search for scab-resistant variet- first Minnesota case in which the commu- “When the federal government passed the ies of wheat and barley. nity was notified of a released sexoffender. law [mandating that states develop notifica- Scab, the common name for Fusarium According to John Curry of the Hennepin tion plans] they left a group out — their own head blight, began causing problems for County Attorney’s Office, confusion was prisoners,” said Rep. Wes Skoglund, (DFL- Minnesota wheat and barley farmers in the caused by the way information about the Mpls), committee chair and the bill’s spon- early 1990s. Estimated losses caused by the offender’s criminal history filtered to the sor. disease from 1993 to 1996 totaled about $1.2 public in the Eagan, Minn., case. Because While sex offenders make up a small per- billion. many of the offender’s crimes were commit- centage of federal inmates, Skoglund pointed “It has cost us an awful lot of money, and ted as a juvenile, authorities were unclear out that they can roam freely upon release, it has cost farmers an awful lot of heartache,” about which information they could pro- without a requirement that authorities in- said Rep. Tim Finseth (R-Angus), who is co- vide. The initial lack of information caused form communities of their presence. sponsoring the bill. many to ask why the offender was subject to HF95 says the DOC shall collaborate with The state has spent nearly $1.5 million on the notification law. federal authorities to develop a community scab research since 1995. Tunheim’s bill “Our office received quite a few calls from notification plan regarding sex offenders re- matches Gov. Arne Carlson’s budget recom- people very interested in this offender, but leased from federal prisons who intend to mendation for continued research conducted we were unable to provide all the informa- live in Minnesota. through the University of Minnesota. tion. People were perplexed as to why he was All three bills will be added to an omnibus The bill now moves to the House Environ- so dangerous,” Curry said. crime prevention bill to be voted on later this ment and Natural Resources Finance Com- HF541 would make it clear that authori- session. mittee. ties have the right to release all information that the Department of Corrections (DOC) Abetting offenders Measuring foul odors uses to write its report about an offender, including any offenses committed as a juve- It may seem a given that aiding, abetting, The House Agriculture Committee ap- nile. The reports are written upon release to or harboring a criminal is illegal, but in proved a bill March 10 that would provide assess an offender’s risk level and are sent to truth, that’s not always the case. funding for an effort to measure foul odors. relevant law enforcement agencies. Rep. Wes Skoglund (DFL-Mpls) discov- Specifically, the bill (HF913) would pro- Further, HF541 would clarify the process ered a loophole in the law that prevents vide $400,000 for University of Minnesota of notification. It would require that a resi- authorities from filing charges against some- researchers to create an odor rating system dential treatment facility notify appropriate one who harbors an offender who is on to compare odors of livestock facilities. authorities within 48 hours of finalizing an probation. The rating system would be used to de- offender’s relocation plan, and that those Skoglund, chair of the House Judiciary velop property setback requirements and to authorities give local law enforcers the infor- Committee, sponsored a bill (HF93) that examine management practices and tech- mation within five days of receiving the no- specifies helping a felon on supervised re- nologies used to control livestock odor. tice. lease, probation, or parole to avoid or escape Odor problems associated with livestock The committee also approved HF472, arrest is a felony crime with a maximum feedlots and manure lagoons have become sponsored by Bishop, which appropriates penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 5 fine. The committee approved the bill at its live in Minnesota without permission under Calling 911 March 12 meeting. the interstate compact, an agreement be- While current law makes it a crime to help tween states regulating the transfer of of- Two bills that would prohibit interference someone being sought for a felony, it is silent fenders. States have a right to refuse or accept with attempts to make 911emergency phone about abetting a convicted felon on proba- an offender under the compact. calls were approved March 12 by House tion who is being sought for suspected pro- According to the Minnesota Department committees. bation violations. Violations, for example, of Corrections, in 1996, Minnesota accepted HF350, sponsored by Rep. Mary Jo could mean failing to keep meetings with a 871 requests from other states to accept pro- McGuire (DFL-Falcon Heights), responds probation officer; being spotted at a crime bationers and parolees, and rejected 515. to a growing concern about domestic abuse scene; flunking a urine test for drug use, or The state sent 648 probationers and parolees situations. Mike Buske, a Plymouth police violating an order prohibiting contact with to other states, and 316 requests were re- officer, told the House Judiciary Committee children. jected. that he has encountered numerous situa- Authorities have discovered the hard way Most commonly, a request from another tions in which a woman has been blocked in that someone can, without penalty, help the state is on behalf of a Minnesota resident her effort to call 911 during a violent domes- offender elude authorities. who committed a crime in another state, tic dispute. “What a lot of people didn’t know is that according to Kent Grandlienard of the De- “I respond to domestic calls every day,” if a person is on probation or parole and you partment of Corrections. “They’re coming Buske said. “The most important thing a want to aid them in eluding authorities, it’s back home,” he said. victim can do is call police. The act of an not illegal,” explained Skoglund. “They could Minnesota’s border states — Wisconsin, abuser interfering with an attempt for help be a murderer or rapist and there’s no law Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota — should be penalized. Under current law, the against helping them hide.” request the majority of transfers to Minnesota, abuser has nothing to lose by stopping the HF93 will become part of the omnibus with Illinois, Texas, and California providing attempt and everything to gain.” crime bill to be voted on later this session. another sizeable chunk. Those states also re- HF350 says that interrupting, disrupting, ceive the most requests from Minnesota. or otherwise interfering with a 911 call is a The purpose of the bill, however, is to deal gross misdemeanor that could result in a with those offenders who choose not to heed year in jail and a fine of up to $3,000. Offenders crossing borders the decisions of the authorities. The offender One of the benefits of the law, said Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul), would be to Every state has laws making it a crime to most at issue is the smalltime criminal, add the crime to any other offenses of the violate court-ordered probation or parole, Skoglund said. “If it’s a high-level offender, abuser, which could, down the line, result in such as leaving the state without permission. the other state is going to want them back more severe sentencing for future violations. But not every state has a law making it illegal anyway,” Skoglund said. “But if it’s a low- In a related bill, the House Judiciary for the same offender to enter their borders. level offender, the other state may not care. Committee’s Civil and Family Law Division That may change in Minnesota with HF29, It may be glad to be rid of him.” The new law approved HF686, which would prohibit sponsored by Rep. Wes Skoglund, (DFL- would give states an additional tool to deal landlords from discouraging tenants from Mpls), which was approved by the House with those individuals should they re-offend making 911 calls. Judiciary Committee March 10. in Minnesota, he added. Under the bill, a landlord could not in- The bill would make it a felony, punish- HF29 will be added to the omnibus crime clude a provision in a lease that bars or limits able by up to five years in prison, for anyone prevention bill to be voted on later this ses- a tenant’s right to call for police or emer- on parole or probation in another state to sion. gency assistance and may not penalize a ten- ant for doing so. Lowering the limit Bill sponsor Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL- St. Paul) said the problem is growing as landlords try to stay clear of ordinances that would penalize them for having too many police visits to their properties. In the most frequent scenario, Paymar said, a woman has been warned by a landlord not to call police to respond to domestic abuse. “Landlords were putting language in their leases that a resident could not call police if they were being assaulted, and that it would be grounds for eviction. It puts women in a very dangerous position,” Paymar said. According to Cass Welsh, of the attorney general’s office, the warnings have been in written and verbal form. Her office has heard from at least 30 women who have been threat- Janie and Jim Case of St. Joseph, Minn., told members of the House Judiciary Committee’s DWI ened with eviction for making the calls, and Subcommittee March 7 about the 1994 death of their 14-year-old daughter, Lisa, framed picture, some have been evicted, she said. caused by a driver whose blood alcohol level was 0.09. They testified in support of a bill that would Committee members pointed out that lower the legal blood alcohol limit from 0.10 to 0.08 for adults.

6 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 while prohibiting a tenant from making a Participants, he said, are trained to work mum standards tests for reading and math. 911 call is already illegal, some landlords in a variety of high-demand fields such as Under the original bill, students under 18 have made tenants think they have to follow computers, precision machine operation and years old would have been required to pass such a prohibition, and that the added legis- repair, and health care services. the tests, which are first given in the eighth lation is necessary. Division chair Rep. Steve Trimble (DFL- grade, in order to be eligible for a driver’s HF686 now heads to the House Judiciary St. Paul) noted that the program seemed license. Committee. HF350 will be added to the “fairly pricey” and asked Rothschild where The committee removed the testing re- omnibus crime bill to be voted on later this the expenses come in. quirements from the proposal. Biernat of- session. Rothschild explained that the program fered separate amendments to put the testing involves assessing the skills and the needs of provisions back into the bill and to form a the participant, identifying job interests and working group to study the issue, but both DEVELOPMENT learning disabilities, teaching basic skills and amendments were defeated. language classes when necessary, one-on- Opposition to the testing provisions came Tax credits for training one coaching with a work skills coach on from several legislators concerned about the such issues as conflict resolution and per- impact such a law would have on students A bill that would give employers who hire sonal responsibility, and in some cases, pay- who are from low-income families and al- workers from certain job training programs ing for diploma or degree programs at a ready struggle at school and at home. a tax credit was approved by the House Eco- technical or community college. Rep. Darlene Luther (DFL-Brooklyn Park) nomic Development Finance Division He told the committee that everyone is said the bill would have a more significant March 10. required to work while participating in Twin impact on low-income students, especially The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ann H. Rest Cities Rise whether that means folding laun- those who depend on driving to get to their (DFL-New Hope), would provide $1.7 mil- dry or custodial work. Their pay, he added, jobs. lion in tax credits over five years. may also be supplemented by the program The bill also drew opposition from stu- She told committee members that the mea- until the participant is hired in the market- dents, parents, teachers unions, and school sure (HF413) should help in the welfare place. officials during earlier committee hearings. reform effort by training disadvantaged Some lawmakers didn’t see the wages re- (See March 7, 1997, Session Weekly, page 7.) people and helping them become self- quired under the bill as justified. Biernat said the testing provisions would sufficient. Rep. Doug Reuter (R-Owatonna) ques- provide additional motivation for students Companies would pay nonprofit job train- tioned whether the $9-per-hour starting wage by tapping into the enthusiasm most young ing programs — such as Minneapolis-based was too high and possibly a way to begin people have for getting a driver’s license. Twin Cities Rise — to hire program gradu- setting a new, higher minimum wage across As it now stands, the bill would affect only ates. In the case of Twin Cities Rise, the the state. “To me this seriously flaws this students who are 16 or 17 years old and do charges would amount to $12,000 to hire the program.” not regularly attend classes. The state would trained employee and $9,000 per year for up Rep. Michelle Rifenberg (R-La Crescent) be allowed to suspend the license of students to two years, to retain the employee. agreed. She said her husband hires college who withdraw from school, are dismissed, Of those amounts, the bill would grant the graduate microbiologists and they earn $9 or or are habitually truant. employer a state tax credit of $8,000 for $10 per hour. Students who are dismissed (suspended initially hiring the worker and $6,000 per HF413 is now on its way to the House or expelled) from school for more than five year (for two years) for retaining the worker. Economic Development and International days would have their licenses suspended for The maximum tax credit per employee would Trade Committee. 30 days for a first-time dismissal and for 90 be $20,000 which means the bill would pro- days for each subsequent dismissal. vide credits for about 85 employees. Dropouts and habitual truants would lose The bill also states that the jobs must pay SCHOOL EDUCATION their licenses until they turn 18. at least $9 per hour in the first year and $10 The bill now moves to the House Trans- per hour in the second and third year. No license for truants portation and Transit Committee. Rest said that she included in her bill a sunset of the tax credit in 2002 so the pro- A bill advancing in the House would allow gram could be reviewed to find out if it high school students to maintain driving Attracting superintendents works. privileges as long as they stay in school. A House subcommittee has approved two Steve Rothschild, president of Twin Cities The House Education Committee on bills that aim to help school districts attract Rise, a nonprofit work skills development March 11 rejected a proposal to require high and retain quality superintendents. program, said the credits would not only school students to pass graduation tests be- HF897 would lift the state’s salary cap for help Minnesota with welfare reform, but fore becoming eligible to receive a driver’s school superintendents, and HF937 would provide the marketplace with skilled work- license. double the amount of time districts are al- ers in high-demand areas and the state with However, the committee approved a bill lowed to keep interim superintendents. more tax-paying workers. that would allow the state to suspend the Both bills were approved March 13 by the Twin Cities Rise has been in existence for licenses of 16- and 17-year-old dropouts and Quality Initiatives Subcommittee of the about two years and will place its first em- truants. House Education Committee. ployees this year. Rothschild said his organi- When introduced, HF446, sponsored by Current state law caps the salary of school zation already has working relationships with Rep. Len Biernat (DFL-Mpls), called for driv- superintendents at 95 percent of the employers and has discussed placement and ing privileges to be linked to the state’s mini- governor’s salary of $114,506 per year. School retention fees in advance.

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 7 districts have complained that the cap hurts Also, local law enforcement agencies would spend the time reporting on tobacco use or their ability to compete with districts in other be required to report the names of students do we want to spend the time planning and states for top superintendent candidates. who violate laws governing the use and pos- working on strategies that will improve Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville), who session of tobacco products. Law enforce- learning?” is sponsoring HF897, said the existing salary ment is already required to report drug and Furrer questioned a provision that would cap amounts to state “micro-managing” of alcohol violations. require tobacco use or suspected use to be decisions that should be made by local school “We think [the bill] sends a message to reported “immediately,” and that teachers boards. young people that tobacco violations will be could be held liable if they fail to make such “The intent of this is not to pay superin- dealt with seriously,” said SuzAnn Stenso- reports. tendents huge amounts,” Greiling said. “It’s Velo, a Washington County public health Larsen said she is willing to make changes to have local control.” specialist who testified in support of the bill. to the bill to ensure that teachers are not held Describing the proposal as “needed but Reports of tobacco use or suspected use liable for failing to make reports related to unpopular,” Rep. Becky Kelso (DFL- would be made to the school’s chemical tobacco use. Shakopee) said there is no doubt Minnesota abuse preassessment team, a group designed The bill now moves to the House Educa- districts must compete for superintendents to provide intervention for students facing tion Committee. with those in other states that have no such troubles with alcohol or drugs. salary limits. Chuck Briscoe, principal of Stillwater Area

Appliaction “The pool of experienced urban superin- High School, said the bill would put “a little EMPLOYMENT tendents across the nation is a pretty small teeth” in school efforts to combat tobacco pool,” Kelso said. use. Schools have anti-tobacco education Minimum wage increase Greiling’s bill also would allow districts to programs in place, he said, but the number negotiate superintendent contracts that in- of violations of tobacco restrictions contin- A bill to raise Minnesota’s minimum wage clude required performance results, such as ues to increase. won approval from the House Labor-Man- improvements in student achievement and Officials from teachers unions expressed agement Relations Committee March 10. curriculum. some reservations about the bill. HF892, sponsored by Rep. Tom Rukavina Bob Meeks, a lobbyist for the Minnesota “We only have so much time in a day,” (DFL-Virginia), would raise Minnesota’s School Boards Association, said the bill would said Cheryl Furrer, a lobbyist for the Minne- minimum wage for large businesses from provide local control and would assist dis- sota Education Association. “Do we want to $4.25 to $5 per hour on April 1, 1997, and to tricts facing an increasingly competitive $5.40 on Sept. 1, 1997. For small businesses, market for qualified superintendents. ECFE rally the wage would go from $4 to $4.75 on April “It puts accountability where it should 1 and to $5.15 on Sept. 1. (In both cases, be,” he said. that’s 25 cents per hour more than the fed- Meeks also supported HF937, which eral minimum wage which was increased would double the current 90-working-day last fall.) limit on the tenure of interim superinten- The threshold separating a large from a dents and lift a provision in current law that small business also would change under the allows individuals to fill the interim role no bill, from $362,500 to $500,000 in annual more than three times. gross sales. This would conform with federal Bill sponsor Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL- definitions for minimum wage purposes. Crystal) said his proposal would allow dis- The bill would prohibit employers from tricts more time to search for permanent paying the reduced wage rate to employees superintendents and would ensure that the under 20 years of age, which is allowed under best people are allowed to serve on an in- federal law. It also lacks provisions for tip terim basis. credits contained in the federal law. Under Both bills now move to the full Education federal law, tipped employees can be paid a Committee. minimum of $2.13 per hour. Beth Hargarten of the Department of La- bor and Industry spoke against the bill. “The Busted for tobacco governor would like to see the state law Teachers would be required to report stu- conform to the federal law,” she said. “That dents who use, or are suspected of using, means the same wage rate, same employer’s tobacco products on school premises, under Fifteen-month-old Heleen van Evert found the definition, [same] allowance for training, a bill advancing in the House. lap of Susan Peterson, St. Paul, a cozy spot and [same] allowance for a tip credit.” during a rally for Early Childhood and Family HF904, sponsored by Rep. Peg Larsen (R- Tom Newcomb, of the Hotel and Restau- Education (ECFE) March 11 in the Capitol rant Association, spoke against the bill and Lakeland), was approved March 11 by the rotunda. ECFE is a community-based program House Education Committee’s Quality Ini- that provides learning experiences for both told the panel that his organization sup- tiatives Subcommittee. parents and their children to promote good ported a tip credit amendment sponsored by The bill would expand current law requir- childhood development. The rally was Rep. Hilda Bettermann (R-Brandon). The ing teachers to report students whom the intended to heighten legislators’ awareness of amendment, which would have set different the program’s positive impact on life-long rates for tipped employees, failed. teachers know or have reason to believe are learning and to encourage policymakers to using or possessing alcohol or controlled support increased funding. Newcomb said a survey conducted by his substances.

8 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 organization indicated that restaurant serv- ers earn an average of $14 per hour when tips ENERGY are included. Jaye Rykunyk of the Hotel and Restaurant Nuclear Responsibility Act Employees Union, Local 17, challenged that Minnesota would have its own nuclear figure, which was gathered by asking em- regulatory panel under a measure approved ployers to estimate what they think their by the House Environment and Natural Re- employees are earning including tips. sources Committee March 10. Rykunyk offered a survey of Local 17’s The Minnesota Nuclear Responsibility Act 1,000 members, which is based on copies of of 1997 (HF880), sponsored by Rep. Alice employee W2 tax forms. “We came up with Hausman (DFL-St. Paul), would establish an average wage of $7.80 per hour,” she said. the state’s Nuclear Waste Council. The 23- “We do have a few servers who make very member group, composed of state officials, good wages in very exclusive restaurants, but legislators, and Indian tribal officials would they are not the norm.” be charged with establishing a process to Rykunyk also pointed out that Minnesota develop technically sound transportation and has not had a tip credit in place for the past siting criteria for the storage of high-level 10 years and business has not been hurt. radioactive waste produced in Minnesota. “During that time the [hotel and restaurant] The council also would recommend site industry has expanded by 27 percent,” she criteria for the storage of high-level radioac- said. tive waste in Minnesota, including compen- HF892 now moves to the House floor. sation for residents of the affected area. Its activities would be paid for by a special as- sessment to Northern States Power Co. (NSP) Employee wage protection customers. When a group of restaurant workers in Minnesota has two nuclear power plants Moorhead, Minn., showed up for work one — at Prairie Island and Monticello — that Monday morning, they found the doors produce high-level radioactive waste. Both Joe Campbell, a member of the Prairie Island locked and an “out of business” note await- are owned and operated by NSP. Environmental Protection Committee, testified ing them. They had neither notices nor final The issue of where to store nuclear waste March 10 in favor of a bill that would create and how to safely get it there stems from the Minnesota’s own nuclear regulatory panel to deal paychecks from their employer. That inci- with nuclear waste storage during a hearing of the dent set in motion a piece of legislation actions of the 1994 Legislature, which au- House Environment and Natural Resources (HF1038) that would offer such workers thorized nuclear waste to be stored in dry Committee. casks outside the Prairie Island plant. The relief. The federal government already has a plan adjacent Prairie Island Mdewakanton Sioux Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Goodno (R- in place to accept waste storage by January community strongly objected to the plan. Moorhead), the Employee Wage Protection 1998, Gjermo said. “We support that Largely at issue was how long the waste would Act would create a special state fund in the process.” remain at the site. Department of Economic Security to ensure Since 1982, the federal government has The Legislature also required NSP to find payment of employee wages when an em- been seeking a long-term, high-level radio- an alternative storage site in Goodhue ployer goes out of business. Employees could active waste storage site. Because no state has County. NSP tried, but after protests from receive wages for up to four weeks work or agreed to accept such a facility, no perma- county residents, the state’s Environmental $2,000, whichever is less. nent site has been announced. Quality Board (EQB) halted the alternative “Many of these workers live paycheck to “There is no such thing as a contractual site plan in Oct. 1996, also citing transporta- paycheck,” Goodno told the House Labor- agreement with the federal government,” tion concerns. Management Relations Committee, which said Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls). “They HF880 would repeal the alternate storage approved the bill March 10. “This type of can do whatever they want. We need to facility requirement of the 1994 legislation, situation creates a crisis in their lives.” admit that we are stuck with NSP’s nuclear but would make NSP demonstrate to the The Department of Economic Security waste and we have to deal with it.” EQB that the dry casks it is using are capable also would be authorized to sue recalcitrant “I’m amazed that NSP is not supporting of being safely unloaded. employers for amounts paid from the ac- this bill,” said committee chair Rep. Willard “NSP is disappointed and dismayed to see count, plus costs, and a 25-percent penalty. Munger (DFL-Duluth). “It is in your best this bill,” said Cathy Gjermo, a senior engi- No appropriation to the fund is specified in interest.” neer with NSP. “We have complied with the the bill at this time. According to Goodno, HF880 now moves to the House Regu- state’s alternative siting process which was when money is appropriated, it will be used lated Industries and Energy Committee. to create a revolving fund which can be stopped by the EQB. That process cost our replenished with money collected from rate payers and your constituents $3 million. employers. This new plan also will cost NSP rate payers Need to know the House File The bill now moves to the Governmental a lot of money. . . . It is redundant with other number or the chief author of a bill? Operations Committee. federal and state agencies and programs. Call the House Index Office at And NSP is dismayed to see that we would (612) 296-6646 not be represented on this council.”

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 9 Taxing wind energy people for locating wind generators in Min- Northern States Power Co. (NSP), told the nesota,” she said. “The bill clearly goes in the panel that providing quarterly emissions data The House Regulated Industries and En- wrong direction.” for all of NSP’s plants would be difficult, but ergy Committee approved a bill March 11 HF799 would divide the facilities into three the annual reporting requirement would not that would increase the property tax burden categories, each taxed differently. be a problem. The first disclosure deadline on wind energy facilities. Small-scale wind systems — those that the bill would set is July 1, 1997. Current law exempts most wind-generat- produce two or less megawatts of energy — The measure now goes to the House Regu- ing facilities from property taxes in an effort would be tax-exempt, as they are under cur- lated Industries and Energy Committee. to encourage investment in what was con- rent law. A second bill (HF949), also sponsored by sidered a fledgling industry. But Rep. Ted The bill would allow the foundation and Wagenius, adds “electrical relays and other Winter (DFL-Fulda), sponsor of HF799, said support pads in mid-sized systems — those electrical devices” to a list of products from that the tax policy encourages the industry at producing between two and 12 megawatts of which mercury must be removed for reuse the expense of the communities in which the energy — to be taxed at market value, and or recycling prior to disposal. “When we facilities are located — mostly rural, cash- protective structures would be taxed at 30 originally passed the bill to regulate mercury strapped areas. The measure simply brings percent of their market value. Other equip- recycling in products, we left out electrical those facilities into balance with how other ment, such as turbines, blades, and trans- relays,” said Wagenius. states tax wind-power plants, Winter said, formers, would be exempt. The law currently regulates such devices and with how other energy-producing facili- Large-scale wind energy systems would be as thermostats and switches, which contain ties are taxed. The tax could provide those taxed at 30 percent of market value for all of mercury. A sample relay containing 40 grams communities with hundreds of thousands of their wind energy conversion property, in- of mercury was passed around for commit- dollars in badly needed revenue, he said. cluding the foundation and support pad, tee members to examine. “These relays are “They’re some of the poorest counties in support and protective structures, and re- showing up in the waste stream and need to the state,” Winter said. “The bill reflects lated equipment. Large-scale systems pro- be included [in the law],” Wagenius said. more of the actual value of the facilities, and duce more than 12 megawatts of energy. HF949 now moves to the House Govern- allows us to pass the costs to the actual users, The provisions apply to wind energy sys- mental Operations Committee. just like the rest of the world does.” (Affected tems built after Jan. 1, 1991, and would affect Mercury testing procedures will be re- utility companies would be allowed to re- taxes payable in 1998 and thereafter. laxed for incinerators with a proven track cover the increases through their rates.) HF799 heads next to the House Taxes record of low emissions under a third bill. Winter said that rural areas were made to Committee. HF742, sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kahn believe that the plants would be a revenue (DFL-Mpls), requires smokestack testing for boon. No boon has happened, however, es- mercury every three months on new incin- pecially compared to the impact other in- ENVIRONMENT erators. The bill allows incinerator operators dustries, particularly power industries, would with emissions below 50 percent of their normally have. Mercury emissions regulated permitted mercury limit for three consecu- But Rep. Mike Osskopp, (R-Lake City) tive years to cut back testing to once every said that the tax would discourage the use of Three bills addressing mercury emissions three years. Most mercury in the environ- the environmentally friendly energy source. were approved by the House Environment and ment originates from incinerator smoke- “If you want to encourage the industry and Natural Resources Committee March 12. stacks. discourage nuclear power, why treat it the Edward Swain, a research scientist with “The purpose of this bill is to reward supe- same as nuclear power?” he asked. the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency rior performance,” said Peter Torkelson, a Local officials, however, would welcome (MPCA), explained to members that mer- staff engineer for the MPCA. the added revenue. cury is a potent neurotoxin that can perma- HF742 next goes to the Governmental “You can add incentives [to build] in other nently damage the nervous systems of Operations Committee. ways,” said Randy Jorgenson of the South- developing fetuses and children. Since mer- west Regional Development Commission. cury is an element, it does not degrade in the “Exempt corporate income, or sales tax, [for environment. Airborne mercury eventually Steam plant on the move example]. Incentives don’t have to be at the returns to earth and contaminates the water- Urged by officials from the University of expense of local government.” shed. It also accumulates in animal tissue as Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis, the Audrey Zibelman of Northern States it moves up the food chain, Swain said. Con- House Economic Development and Inter- Power Co. said her company doesn’t neces- sumption of fish from 90 percent of national Trade Committee approved a bill sarily own the wind-energy facility on which Minnesota’s lakes is currently restricted be- March 12 that would provide the school it would pay the added taxes and, in contrast cause of mercury contamination. with $6 million to relocate its obsolete steam to Winter’s figures, said Minnesotans al- The Mercury Emissions Consumer Infor- plant. ready pay more for wind-generated electric- mation Act of 1997 (HF948), sponsored by The university, which now has more than ity than those in other states. Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls), would re- 18 million square feet of buildings to heat, The amount that would show up on a quire electricity producers to provide the has long sought a solution to its need for a customer’s bills, however, would be rela- MPCA with statements of mercury emis- modernized system. The school’s Board of tively small — about $1 per year — but sions from their operations. The disclosure Regents had planned to retrofit the existing would vary between customers, Zibelman must be made quarterly for the first year the plant to meet the demand, calling the idea said. act is in effect and annually thereafter. the quickest and easiest answer to a problem “The last thing we want to do is penalize Patty Leaf, an environmental scientist for that needed an immediate response.

10 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 Minneapolis officials, on the other hand, state lobbied the committee to adopt a bill have long coveted the river’s east bank site GAMBLING that would allow them to continue. for recreational use. During the last session, Importantly, said Arnold Groskreutz, a they asked the Legislature for $34 million to Harmless fun or gambling? senior citizen from Wells, Minn., the host help fund the plant’s relocation. The new organization does not keep any money. “One request, said HF544 sponsor Rep. Phyllis Winter lasts a long time in Minnesota, and hundred percent goes back to the players,” Kahn (DFL-Mpls), “is the result of signifi- you can’t blame a group of senior citizens if he said. That is one key difference between cant negotiations that took place over the they get through it by playing a few card their games and gambling, he said. summer between the university and the city’s games. Further, the committee was told, the games people.” That was part of the message members of require skill, unlike gambling, which gener- The state money would become available the House Regulated Industries and Energy ally involves chance. only after the city and the school secure Committee’s Subcommittee on Gambling “These are tournaments and are different enough funding to complete the $155 mil- heard March 12. from gambling,” said Dot Magnuson, of lion relocation. According to documents The subcommittee approved HF613, White Bear Lake. “People at the games are supplied by the university, the shortfall stands sponsored by Rep. Thomas Pugh (DFL- senior citizens. They’re not spending their at more than $40 million — provided that South St. Paul), which classifies some games rent money. They’re just having fun. We HF544 wins final approval from the Legisla- as social skill games, as opposed to gambling. senior citizens can’t do a lot of things as well ture — compared to the cost of updating the Committee chair Rep. Mike Delmont (DFL- as we used to, but we can play cribbage better existing plant. Lexington) said the committee’s task was to than ever.” Gov. Arne Carlson has already come out create a bill that allowed the games to con- HF613 says that gambling rules do not in favor of relocating the plant and turning tinue without expanding gambling law. apply to tournaments or contests of crib- the riverfront into a recreational area. The games in question — cribbage, pi- bage, euchre, pinochle, gin, 500, smear, or Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, nochle, euchre, gin, 500, whist, and others whist, on the condition that the promoter or though, told the committee that relocating — are generally held at VFW posts, Ameri- organizer of the event receives no share of the plant would do much more than open can Legion halls, Moose and Elk lodges, the entry fees, wagers, or winnings. the river’s east bank up to recreational uses: Knights of Columbus halls, and senior citi- “I think it’s a shame that we’re at a point in It would become an engine of economic zen centers. Often, a fee is charged for par- Minnesota that we have to enact language development. ticipation in the games, and the winner or like this at the Legislature,” said Rep. Mark “The city could grow 8,000 jobs in the winners in the games may win part of the Holsten (R-Stillwater). area,” Sayles Belton said, “and the university door fee. Even so, the games are harmless would be able to sell energy to businesses in fun, said a group of proponents from around the southeast industrial area.” the state. Money, they said, is not a part of it. GOVERNMENT The city needs the $6 million, she contin- That, however, has not kept the games ued, to clean up and deliver the new site to from being reported to the Department of Price of Government the university. Public Safety’s Gambling Enforcement Di- HF544 now moves to the House Environ- vision, which has warned the groups to stop. The House of Representatives adopted a ment and Natural Resources Committee. A group of cardplayers from throughout the Price of Government resolution March 13 containing revenue targets aimed at reduc- ing the financial burden on Minnesota tax- King singers payers over the next four years. Expressed as a percentage, the Price of Government figure shows the maximum amount of personal income to be collected in taxes and other revenue to pay for state and local government services. SR7, ap- proved by a 68-64 vote, would cap the tax- payers’ contribution at 18.2 percent in 1996 and 1997, 17.8 percent in 1998 and 1999, and 17.7 in 2000 and 2001. Members approved the numbers, as re- quired by the state’s Price of Government law, after voting down two Republican-led efforts to lower them. The Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy had approved SR7 earlier in the week at its March 11 meeting. Local governments use the price of gov- ernment primarily to determine the size of their local levies, Keith Carlson, a Senate tax Jeff Kobernusz, left, dressed as a Norse King, joined others from the “Madrigal Group” from analyst, told the commission. In addition, Winona State University to sing medieval songs in the Capitol rotunda March 12. Carlson said, the Legislature can use the

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 11 figures to assess the efficacy of tax reform students compared to about $6,000 now. A lion to boost work study programs. It would proposals. central element of Carlson’s bill would sepa- provide a maximum award of $7,700 per The ceilings, though, are by no means rate state aid from federal aid, or Pell Grants. student in addition to expanding work-study binding. Indeed, Rep. Phil Carruthers (DFL- Currently, having a Pell Grant award results opportunities. Brooklyn Park), who chairs the commis- in lowering the amount of a state grant. This session, the Higher Education Divi- sion, said March 11 that the percentages in “It’s clear we need to improve financial sion has discussed at length the need to SR7 emerged as a by-product of Gov. Arne aid and access to low-income students,” improve access to higher education for mi- Carlson’s budget process. Carlson said. nority and low-income students, who are “The fact is, this is just some sort of goal The bill also would change the way state believed to comprise the fastest growing that is non-binding,” Carruthers said, not- grants are calculated by excluding $25,000 in population in the state, especially within the ing that Carlson’s price-of-government savings and other family assets when deter- Twin Cities. number dropped two-tenths of a percent mining grant eligibility. The amount of money available for finan- with February’s revenue forecast. “A lot Overall, state financial aid would increase cial aid in the coming biennium has not yet changed between January and February, and by $44 million over current levels, making been determined. The committee’s financial a lot will change between now and the end of aid possible for an additional 2,000 students. aid plan will be included in an omnibus the session.” It also would protect current recipients from higher education package to be voted on losing award money, Carlson said, simplify later this session. the financial aid process, and offer the maxi- Severe weather relief mum “bang for the buck” INSURANCE The House passed a revised plan on March “Student debt has skyrocketed in recent INSURANCE 13 to help cities and counties recoup some of years,” said Brent Glass, of the Minnesota their weather-related costs from the winter State University Students Association, who Managing managed care of 1996-1997. The vote was 131-1. spoke in favor of Carlson’s bill. “HF1194 will help tens of thousands of students who When Dianne Shea’s husband died in Sponsored in the House by Rep. Steve March 1993, the official cause of death was a Wenzel (DFL-Little Falls), HF100 provides need aid.” A proposal by Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL- heart attack. But, she said, other factors un- $20 million in grant money to cities, coun- known to her at the time played a role in her ties, and towns for recent severe weather- St. Paul) would help students by reducing their share of attendance costs from 50 per- family’s tragedy. related matters. Much of the appropriations Shea’s 40-year-old husband, Patrick, had would be matched by federal emergency cent to 40 percent. HF671 also requires that grant recipients get first shot at work-study been aware of his family’s history of heart funds. disease and was concerned about warning The state funds will be divided into three jobs and would expand the number of jobs available. “I’m particularly concerned as a signs such as shortness of breath and dizzi- parts: $6 million to the 54 Minnesota coun- ness. ties declared disaster areas; $11 million di- St. Paul legislator that students are having to borrow more and receive less in grants,” What kept Mr. Shea from receiving the vided between all counties; and $3 million to medical care he needed was a financial ar- help pay for anticipated spring floods. Entenza said. Recent years have seen a drop of 20 percent in enrollment by low-income rangement between the Health Maintenance An additional $16 million has been ear- Organization (HMO) in which the family marked for road repairs by the Department students, he added. Entenza’s bill would increase financial aid was enrolled and the family’s doctor, ac- of Transportation, plus $95,000 for over- cording to Mrs. Shea. time costs for state troopers. by $89 million over current levels in fiscal years 1998 and 1999, and another $50 mil- “They saved the cost of bypass surgery at The bill was criticized by some members the expense of Pat’s life,” she said. “The for offering too little in relief, especially for floods, but Wenzel said the committees that handled the bill fought hard to target the Tuition rally money where it would be needed most. HF100 now awaits the governor’s signa- ture.

HIGHER EDUCATION Aid for college students The House Education Committee’s Higher Education Finance Division heard two bills on March 12 that would substantially in- crease financial aid to low- and middle-in- come college students. The formula prescribed in HF1194, spon- sored by Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crys- tal), would result in maximum combined Susan Schiro, lower right, and Lori Wortman, along with other public college and university grants of more than $8,000 for the poorest students, rallied for lower tuition March 12 on the State Capitol steps.

12 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 LOCAL GOVERNMENT Encouraging innovation Local units of government would be en- couraged to find more efficient ways to pro- vide services under a bill approved by the House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee March 12. The bill (HF685), sponsored by commit- tee chair Rep. Ann H. Rest (DFL-New Hope), would establish the Local Innovation and Efficiency Program (LIEP) under the Board of Government Innovation and Coopera- tion. The bill would appropriate $25 million each year for fiscal years 1998 and 1999. Local governments could apply to the board for grants of up to $75,000 per year to fund innovation and efficiency programs. Dianne Shea, who told members of the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee March 12 The funds could be used for any cost-saving that her husband suffered a fatal heart attack as the result of undiagnosed heart disease, listened as Lois initiative, including combining local services Wattman, of Allina Health Systems, testified against a bill that would require health insurers to disclose such as water, sewer, garbage pickup, 911- to enrollees any financial agreement that gives the doctor an incentive to restrict care. response, law enforcement, fire fighters, doctors, the clinic, and the HMO all made cluded in a separate bill (HF929) that also ambulance services, or new ways of collect- more money because of Pat’s death.” would set up a variety of new requirements ing local utility bills or property taxes. Shea, who is now involved in a court battle designed to protect patients. “This [LIEP] could create economies of with her husband’s doctors and the HMO, Sponsored by Rep. Myron Orfield (DFL- scale that would save the taxpayers millions testified in support of a bill that would re- Mpls), the bill would forbid managed care in the long run,” said Hennepin County quire health insurers to disclose to enrollees providers from having so-called gag rules to Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. The As- any financial agreement that gives the doc- prevent doctors from talking with patients sociation of Minnesota Counties initiated tor an incentive to restrict care. about their medical coverage and any incen- and supports the bill, McLaughlin said. The bill (HF924), sponsored by Rep. Ron tives created by the health plan company to Rep. Kevin Knight (R-Bloomington) Abrams (R-Minnetonka), was one of two minimize care. asked, “If it is in their interest, shouldn’t proposals approved March 12 by the House Orfield’s bill also would require health local governments already be doing this [in- Financial Institutions and Insurance Com- insurance companies and HMOs to have novation]?” mittee. Both measures aim to provide new internal appeal procedures to handle patient “Yes, but unfortunately they don’t do it,” protection for managed care consumers. complaints and would set time limits for replied Rest. Abrams’ bill is focused on the disclosure insurers to respond to patient appeals. Rep. Steve Dehler (R-St. Joseph) offered of arrangements between doctors and insur- An alternative dispute resolution process an amendment to change the word “collabo- ance companies. It would require that all would be created to handle disputes between rate,” which appears several times in the health plan enrollees receive an annual state- the insurer and patients that cannot be re- legislation, to “cooperate.” The amendment ment of all financial arrangements that pro- solved internally. The bill calls for a state- passed. vide incentives to minimize care. wide program, including a toll-free telephone The bill now moves to the Taxes “I believe this is an important first step,” line to field complaints, to be established to Committee. Abrams said. “Hopefully, we will get better- help consumers. educated consumers out of it.” Other provisions in Orfield’s bill would Shea told members of the committee that ensure that an enrollee’s care from a specific OUTSTATE things might have been different for her doctor is not interrupted by a change in the husband if they were aware of the arrange- health plan’s network and would ensure that ments that existed between his doctor and enrollees with certain medical conditions Cheaper phone calls the HMO. have standing referrals to specialists. The House approved a bill March 13 that “Had Pat and I known this conflict of HF929 now moves to the House Govern- aims to help residents of large rural Minne- interest existed, our course of action would mental Operations Committee. HF924 goes sota school districts cut down on costly tele- have been very different,” she said. “We to the House floor. phone bills. The vote was 126-4. would have been able to understand that our The trend of combining rural school dis- physician was influenced by his own finan- tricts has resulted in at least one unforeseen cial outcome, and with that knowledge, we problem. By blending areas with different would have had the opportunity to make telephone exchanges, students often meet other health care choices that would have friends who require a long-distance tele- saved Pat’s life.” phone call to reach. The same disclosure requirements are in-

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 13 Calling the school can mean long-distance deduct the deposits from their Minnesota deduct the cost of tutors, summer school, charges for parents, and vice versa, even over taxable income, although they would still be home computers, and educational software. distances of just a few miles. The effect is subject to the federal assessment. Further discussion on HF716 is expected. burdensome phone bills for some rural Ideally, Haugen continued, the two pro- school districts and many of their residents. grams would run concurrently and provide HF211, sponsored by Rep. Steve Sviggum (R- Minnesota parents with even greater choices TRANSPORTATION Kenyon), would make it easier for rural commu- when it comes to covering the soaring cost of nities to eliminate such long-distance costs. higher education. Safer school buses The bill would change the way customers When members of the committee pressed The state would spend $10 million to im- within a school district can petition the Pub- Haugen about some of Edvest’s details, he prove safety on school buses, under a bill lic Utilities Commission to install extended admitted that the program would primarily approved March 12 by the House Transpor- area service (EAS), which would expand lo- benefit those in the upper income brackets. tation and Transit Committee. cal exchanges and eliminate the long-dis- “A lot of the savings would be going to HF330, sponsored by Rep. Darlene Luther tance charges. people with incomes over $100,000 a year,” (DFL-Brooklyn Center), would provide Its most important provision would elimi- Haugen said, “because they’re the ones with grant funding for school districts to hire nate a requirement that at least half of the the wherewithal to save.” adult school bus monitors, install video cam- customers make at least three phone calls per According to estimates provided by the rev- eras inside buses, or install strobe lights on month to exchanges outside of their own to enue department, HF716 would cost the state buses. qualify for EAS service, Sviggum said. School almost $420 million over the next four years: “It is our responsibility to ensure that each district residents would need to vote on the $220 million in the coming biennium and child’s school day starts and ends in a safe phone service change, and at least 10 percent nearly $200 million in the following. The Edvest environment,” Luther said. “By providing of the customers in each affected phone ex- initiative would receive nearly $67 million of for their safety, we provide for our future.” change must live within the combined school the total during the two biennia. Luther buttressed her case with statistics: district. (See March 7, 1997, Session Weekly, Carlson’s education credit and deduction During the 1995-96 school year, there were page 13) proposals claim the majority of the bill’s more than 1,000 accidents involving school HF211 now goes to the Senate. funding — an estimated $316 million buses in Minnesota. More than 240 children through 2001. were injured in the accidents and five were A tuition and tutoring credit would allow killed, according to Luther. a dollar-for-dollar individual income tax $ TAXES Bob Wakanabo, who lost his daughter to a credit for fees paid to a private school, tutors, 1985 school bus accident, also testified in summer schools, or other classes that meet State rebate for education support of the bill. Now a member of the criteria defined by the state. This credit would state’s School Bus Safety Advisory Commit- Families who set aside money for their be limited to households with income less tee, Wakanabo led a successful effort to put children’s or grandchildren’s college educa- than $39,000 per year and to $1,000 per child adult safety monitors on buses serving a tion would see a 15 percent annual match or $2,000 per family. school on the Leech Lake Reservation. from the state, up to $300, under a proposal The deduction allowed for school-age de- He said adult monitors improve bus safety from Gov. Arne Carlson. pendents also would rise, from $650 to $1,950 by working as a team with bus drivers. To- It is expected to be introduced as a second for K-6 students and from $1,000 to $3,000 gether, they are better able to control kids component to the governor’s education in- for those in grades 7-12. Parents could also vestment fund plan, perhaps as an amend- inside the bus, reduce distractions for driv- ment to his tax bill currently before the Legislature. Bonus signing Department of Revenue spokesman John Haugen unveiled the proposal March 11 before the House Taxes Committee. Specifi- cally, he outlined HF716, which contains Carlson’s tax initiatives for the next bien- nium. “This was thought to be a viable option to what was called Edvest One,” Haugen said, explaining that the new state matching dol- lars proposal would be more attractive to some investors because deposits in the ac- counts would be tax-free and withdrawals could be made in the child’s name — and most likely, at a lower tax bracket — rather than the parents’, effectively lowering the rate. Edvest One, as Haugen called it, works something like an Individual Retirement Kirby Puckett and Rep. Ann H. Rest, chief author of the stadium bill, share a light moment as the Account. Parents or grandparents could save former Twins hero signs 8-year-old Dillon DeBoer’s baseball card prior to a stadium briefing for money for a child’s higher education and House members March 12.

14 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 Legislative Commissions

Legislative Coordinating Commission Legislative Commission on (LCC) Minnesota Resources (LCMR) 85 State Office Building 65 State Office Building 296-1121 296-2406 LCC Central Accounting Legislative Commission on 60 State Office Building Pensions & Retirement 296-8890 55 State Office Building Claims (Joint Subcommittee on 296-2750 Claims) Legislative Commission on 55 State Office Building Planning & Fiscal Policy 296-0099 463 State Office Building Geographic Information Systems 296-4936 (GIS) Oversight Office/ Iron Range Resources & Subcommittee Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) 85 State Office Building P.O. Box 441, Highway 53 296-0098 Eveleth 55734 218-749-7721 Legislative Advisory Commission (LAC) Mississippi River Parkway Fourth Floor, Centennial Office Building Commission Leslie Thompson, a sixth-grade school bus patrol 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 Pioneer Building, Suite 1513 officer at Gordon Bailey Elementary School in 296-4207 336 Robert St., St. Paul 55101 224-9903 Woodbury, told the House Transportation and Audit Commission/Office of Transit Committee March 12 about the unruly Legislative Auditor Electric Energy Task Force behavior on the bus that she rides to school. The First Floor, Centennial Office Building 321 Capitol committee heard a bill that would provide adult 296-1767* monitors and video cameras on school buses. 658 Cedar St., St. Paul 55155 296-4708 479 State Office Building ers, and watch out for children getting on or 296-7175* Legislative Commission on the off the bus. Economic Status of Women Great Lakes Commission “I don’t want to see another parent go 85 State Office Building 569 State Office Building through the loss of their kid,” Wakanabo 296-8590 296-2228* said. “These are not accidents. These are bus Toll-free number State Advisory Council on killings. They could be prevented.” 1-800-657-3949 Metropolitan Airport Planning Under the bill, $6.5 million in grants would Joint Subcommittee on Employee G-24 State Capitol help school districts to hire adult safety moni- Relations 296-3205* tors. Districts would be eligible for $4,000 85 State Office Building 515 State Office Building annually for each monitor they hire. 296-2963 296-5091* Monitors at least 18 years old would have Legislative Commission on Regent Candidate Advisory Council to clear a criminal background check and be Health Care Access 85 State Office Building trained in school bus regulations and meth- 375 State Office Building 296-9002 ods to ensure safety. 296-0173* Board of Trustees Candidate Another $3 million in grants would pay G-9 Capitol Advisory Council for the installation of video cameras and 296-4261* video camera boxes on school buses. Cam- 85 State Office Building eras are considered an effective method of 296-9002 controlling student behavior on buses. Finally, $500,000 in grants would help districts install exterior strobe lights, which are touted for their ability to improve the Where to find information visibility of school buses when they are stopped to let children on or off. Members deleted a section of the bill that Senate Information Office Senate Media Services called for lap and shoulder safety belts to be 231 State Capitol (612) 296-0504 B-44 State Capitol (612) 296-0264 This office is responsible for all informa- This bipartisan office produces television installed on school buses beginning in 1998. tion about the Senate, including the commit- programs, multi-media production, Concerns were raised about the availability tee schedule, bill status, legislator informa- scriptwriting, photography and graphics. It of seat-belt-equipped buses and the practi- tion, and the distribution of bill copies. offers live coverage of the Senate floor ses- cality of such a requirement. sions and some committee hearings. The bill now moves to the House Educa- tion Committee.

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 15 Metrodome history . . . Pre-stadium debates bear striking resemblances

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, both the Vikings and the Twins played in Bloomington’s Metropolitan Stadium.

s the Legislature considers public fund vided ample space for pregame tailgating nity leaders from Bloomington and St. Paul ing for a new Minnesota Twins sta and postgame celebrating. were opposed to the downtown Minneapo- Adium, echoes of the debate that pre- City officials and business leaders believed lis site. ceded the building of the Hubert H. Hum- that a domed stadium in Minneapolis would In 1972, the Minneapolis City Council phrey Metrodome are haunting the State bring more customers to downtown restau- approved a stadium plan and began arrang- Capitol. As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s like rants, bars, and hotels while ensuring that ing to borrow money. Minneapolis Mayor deja vu all over again.” professional sports remained in the state. Charles Stenvig, who privately supported In 1971, the Minneapolis City Council Former Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce the stadium, vetoed the measure in a bow to first considered a plan for a 70,000-seat down- president Harvey Mackay summed up the public opinion, assuming that the council town stadium requested by the Minnesota business community’s position when he de- would override his veto. Grassroots organiz- Vikings. That proposal started a decade- clared: “If the Vikings and the Twins were to ers in Minneapolis collected enough peti- long process that culminated with the open- leave the Twin Cities, we’d be well on our tion signatures to force a vote on a new city ing of the Metrodome in 1982. way to becoming a frozen Omaha.” charter amendment requiring that the city Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Vi- Many state residents were unconcerned hold a referendum for any project costing kings and the Twins both played in by the possible departure of the Vikings. more than $15 million. The measure passed Bloomington’s Metropolitan Stadium. The Polls showed that the majority of voters ada- in June 1973. The dome’s prospects in Min- Met was originally built in 1955 as a home mantly opposed public financing for a new neapolis had effectively been killed. for the Minneapolis Millers minor league stadium. In addition, business and commu- Stadium proponents were persistent, how- team. It was expanded for the Minnesota ever, and in 1975, their efforts switched to Vikings in 1961 and again in 1965 for the Full of hot air the Legislature. Proposals ranged from ex- Twins. panding the University of Minnesota’s Me- The 48,700-seat Met was one of smallest One of the more imaginative alterna- morial Stadium into a $28 million open-air and most antiquated sports arenas in profes- tives to the Metrodome was proposed football structure to a $126 million multi- sional athletics. Sightlines for football were in 1977 by a firm calling itself New purpose dome. There was even a proposal to poor. End zone bleachers were a makeshift Jerusalem Life Style and Air Mattress build a recessed “earth” stadium in Lakeville. construction of blocks and girders. Minne- Company. At a time when the cities of The fear of losing either major sports fran- sota weather could make outdoor playing Minneapolis and Bloomington had site chise was a big concern for many legislators. conditions range from mildly unpleasant to proposals in play, this company claimed In April 1975, the Senate’s Metropolitan and totally unbearable for both players and fans. it could solve the problem with a por- Urban Affairs Committee decided that some- The Vikings had to practice in a variety of table, inflatable arena. Football fans thing had to be done to keep the Twins and small pastures and public playgrounds. And could watch the first half of a Vikings Vikings in Minnesota. In 1976, the Joint most importantly, neither the Vikings nor game in Minneapolis, then deflate the House-Senate Subcommittee on Sports Fa- their NFL opponents were happy with the stadium, load it on a truck, and move to cilities concluded that remodeling small profits the Met games generated. Bloomington for the second half. If the Bloomington’s Met or the University of The team that had taken the state to within Vikings made good on their threat to Minnesota’s Memorial Stadium would cost bragging distance of a Super Bowl champi- leave Minnesota, they could take the more than building a multipurpose stadium. onship felt it deserved to play in a first-class stadium with them. “We’re as serious as As the stadium issue worked its way arena. The Vikings threatened to leave Min- the rest of the developers who have through both legislative houses, financing nesota unless they got a new covered stadium. submitted proposals,” said company and location became key issues. Many Yet the Met was a popular stadium among official Peter Kramer. outstate legislators resented a proposed ho- fans. Its surrounding asphalt prairies pro- 16 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 tel-motel tax, saying their constituents donations, and revenues from a special tax shouldn’t pay for something they would sel- district surrounding the dome site. dom use. South suburban legislators didn’t Despite more legal challenges, continued It's a fact! want their constituents paying a tax to sup- criticism from citizen groups like Minneso- In recent years, both federal and port a Minneapolis stadium. And Minne- tans Against the Downtown Dome, and even state governments have made life apolis and St. Paul legislators had their own a collapsed roof, the Metrodome was fin- more spartan and trying for prison- rivalries. At one point early in the stadium ished for the Twins’ home opener in 1982. ers. Growing public discontent has controversy, someone proposed building a The 65,000-seat facility was the last two- led to cable television blackouts, a stadium with one goal line in Minneapolis sport stadium built in the United States. resurgence in chain gangs, and cuts in and the other in St. Paul, to be fair to both From the beginning, the Metrodome was prison programming. In 1994, Con- cities. That plan never developed. criticized by baseball teams and fans alike. gress declared inmates ineligible for But a bill specifying no site for a 65,000- The Twins tried to schedule all Saturday educational Pell Grants. Minnesota seat stadium did prevail and was signed into games for the evenings because the dome lawmakers made prisons smoke-free law by Gov. Rudy Perpich in May 1977. That tended to heat up on sunny summer after- with a 1996 law. same year, a hotel-motel liquor tax was lev- noons. Chicago Tribune writer John Margolis But those behind bars didn’t al- ied over the seven-county metro area to described the stadium as “an abomination, ways face such conditions, particu- finance the stadium. an affront to taste, humanity, culture, larly inmates with ample means. In 1978, however, the law, which would America, and who knows, maybe even the One such example is the Marquis have created public debt, was ruled uncon- gods.” The dome’s environmental quirks, de Sade, whose outrageous and devi- stitutional by a district judge because it wasn’t including lighting, turf, and air patterns were ant behavior landed him in the passed by 60 percent of both houses. The 2- said to wreak havoc on the game of baseball. hoosegow for much of the late 18th percent liquor tax in the bill also was ruled After the New York Yankees lost several century. unconstitutional. games to the Twins in the dome, Yankees In 1784, de Sade was held in the But once again, the setback didn’t kill the manager Billy Martin declared: “The park Bastille, where on March 8 he com- issue. A year and much political wrangling should be banned from baseball.” plained to his wife that the conditions later, Gov. Al Quie signed a bill for a $55 This year the Minnesota Legislature may were “much worse than at million domed stadium in Minneapolis to do just that. Vincennes,” where he previously had be financed, in part, through a more limited been held on numerous occasions. —Steve Compton hotel-motel and liquor tax, local business Hard to imagine, since the latest issue of the New Yorker tells us de Sade was permitted to bring his own Deja vu all over again “furniture, tapestries, and family por- traits to his cell.” Then Now In December of the same year, he also requested a list of “needed items” Vikings almost win two Superbowl champion- Twins win two World Series championships ships before asking for a new stadium. shortly before asking for a new stadium. including: “Twelve raven’s quill pens, two pounds of chocolates and a box of chocolate pastilles. . . .A hair rib- Met stadium criticized for having poor Metrodome criticized for having poor sightlines for football. sightlines for baseball. bon and a ponytail ribbon. A pot of beef marrow and a loaf of the same.” Vikings owners complain that profits are too Twins owners complain that profits are too No word on whether de Sade was small in the Met. small in the Metrodome. an avid weightlifter when not primp- Some fans complain that outdoor Met Sta- Some fans complain that indoor Metrodome ing his ponytail. dium not suited to wintertime football games. not suited to summertime baseball games.

Vikings threaten to leave Minnesota if they Twins threaten to leave Minnesota if they don’t don’t get a new football stadium. get a new baseball stadium. Where to find information Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce president Gov. Arne Carlson says that without profes- Harvey Mackay says that without professional sional sports, Twin Cities will become as dead Chief Clerk’s Office sports, Twin Cities will become a frozen Omaha. as Des Moines. 211 State Capitol (612) 296-2314 Sin tax (on liquor) proposed to pay for the Sin tax (on tobacco) proposed to pay for the The Chief Clerk’s Office provides copies of Metrodome. new Twins stadium. bills at no charge, all agendas for House sessions, and the Journal of the House. Downtown Minneapolis Metrodome site Downtown Minneapolis Twins stadium site touted as a boon to economic development. touted as a boon to economic development. House Index Department 211 State Capitol (612) 296-6646 Attempting to ride on the Vikings coattails, Attempting to ride on the Twins coattails, the The House Index Department, a part of the the Twins say they want to be included in the Vikings say they want to be included in any Chief Clerk’s Office, has a computerized index Metrodome deal. new stadium deal. available for public use. House Index lists bills by committee, topic, author, file number, and other Public overwhelmingly opposed to public Public overwhelmingly opposed to categories. The office can also give you the cur- financing for Metrodome.* public financing for new Twins stadium.** rent status of legislation. *Minneapolis Star polls, Feb. 1972, Dec. 1972. **Star Tribune, Minnesota Poll, Jan. 26, 1997.

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 17 New members . . . Juhnke paves the way to west-central prosperity When it comes to the world of farming, downtown Willmar. “I understand what long-term member of the Barn Theatre in Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) has done small businesses go through with the rules Willmar. “I’m hoping to get back to it this everything but farm. He grew up in the agri- and regulations and personnel,” he said. summer. Willmar is great for community cultural community of Wells, Minn., and “Rural Minnesota is basically small busi- theater.” remembers the first time ness. Overall, the climate is good, but there’s Or, he may be found at home participat- he drove a tractor at age always room for improvement.” Ideally, he ing in another favorite activity: music. “I like eight. He studied soil said, that means maintaining a balance be- all kinds of music. I play guitar and trom- science at the Univer- tween free enterprise and regulation. “Gov- bone,” he said. “I’m also into your basic ‘70s sity of Minnesota. Later, ernment shouldn’t be too intrusive or make rock and roll.” Both avocations may be in- he sold fertilizer and it too hard to do business.” herited: Juhnke’s father was a vocal music agricultural chemicals Juhnke said others may not be aware of instructor and his mother teaches art and for the ConAgra Com- another growing problem some rural com- plays the organ in church. Juhnke’s home, Rep. Al Juhnke pany. Today, he serves munities face — that of juvenile crime. “It’s which he shares with his wife, Claire, a com- on the House Agriculture Committee. “I’m three or four times what it was not long ago. mercial artist, and children, Zachary,13, and a frustrated farmer,” Juhnke said. “I’ve al- We need to find out why.” Juhnke said he Shannon, 9, is north of Willmar in Dovre ways been involved in agriculture. I just thinks one explanation is a “too-lenient” Township. wasn’t born on a farm.” judicial system. “I’ve seen kids get in trouble “My dad always told me I had the ability to At the Legislature, however, he has quickly and then not see a judge for six or eight lead,” Juhnke said. “He told me to be careful become associated with a separate cause: months. Then, they get slapped on the wrist. and keep moving in the right direction. I’ve “I’m ‘Mr. Road,’” he said. That’s because Kids used to have more fear of being caught always kept that in mind.” he’s working to have a stretch of Highway 23 and punished,” he said. — Celeste Riley between Willmar and St. Cloud expanded Juhnke’s position in the Legislature isn’t from a two-lane to a four-lane road to im- his first encounter with elective politics. He prove the travel route to the Twin Cities and has served as a Dovre Township precinct facilitate the area’s growth. “Willmar is one chair and executive board member for District 15A of the fastest-growing areas in Minnesota,” Kandiyohi County. 1996 population: 34,926 Juhnke said. “This is one of my front-burner As a newcomer to the Legislature, he’s Largest city: Willmar issues. Overall funding in west-central Min- struck by how issues are thoroughly debated. County: Kandiyohi Location: west-central Minnesota nesota has been behind for about 60 years.” “It’s a very slow, deliberative process, which Top concern: “Economic development. That Juhnke also identifies with small-business is good. It’s part of our democracy. But I encompasses everything — education, roads, people. With a background in real estate, he think people tend to think everything gets airports, housing. That’s the concern in my area as well as throughout greater Minnesota.” runs a business conducting appraisals on shoved through,” he said. farms and commercial properties from his When Juhnke isn’t occupied with legisla- —Rep. Al Juhnke office, which is in a building he owns in tive acts, he may be found just acting. He’s a

Less than a block from the State Capi- Do you know? distribution of agency-produced pub- tol, at 117 University Avenue, stands lications. It receives no funding from a red brick structure called the Ford the familiar Ford script still found on the the Legislature. Building. company’s logo. After Ford pulled out and before the It once housed the Minnesota Law The bookstore was established in 1957 bookstore moved in, the building is Library and is now home to Minnesota’s to provide State of Minnesota agencies said to have housed a bar in the base- Bookstore, where one can purchase a set with a centralized service for the sale and ment and served as a dog pound as well. of Minnesota Statutes for $185 or a bread Today, the only dogs are found on board in the shape of a loon for just the shelf — prairie dogs, that is — in $18.95. In the 1930s, the building was a the text, And Prairie Dogs Weren’t Ko- “place where families went to view and sher, Jewish Women in the Upper Mid- buy the car of multitudes, the Ford,” west Since 1855, by Linda Mack Schloff. according to the Department of View other available bookstore se- Administration’s World Wide Web site. lections on the Internet at (http:// Emblazoned across the top of the build- 156.99.245.30/index1.htm), or call ing, which faces University Avenue, was 297-3000 for more information. The Ford Building circa 1930. Photo courtesy Minnesota Department of Administration

18 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 New members . . . Kielkucki examines issues through a moral lens Rep. Tony Kielkucki (R-Lester Prairie) ies program. He was attracted to the par- On the crime issue, Kielkucki would focus grew up surrounded by DFL politics. It was ish years ago because it offered a K-12 on juveniles and swift penalties for breaking the party of choice for the great majority of educational program for his children, who the law. “There should be consequences the his East St. Paul neighbors, he said. His uncle, are now 20, 16, and 12. His children, as first time someone steals a car, not the a DFL activist and union well as his students, are accustomed to his fourth.” organizer, is one whom frequent reminders that you have to get Finally, there’s tax reform: “We’re taxed Kielkucki attributes involved if you want to make change. It’s too much, period.” with planting the seeds part of the lesson he teaches in a class in Kielkucki added that his teaching back- of his own interest in which social issues are examined through ground is helping him in his new role. “The politics. a moral lens. “The kids gave me a bit of a reading, lesson plans, workshops, term pa- “My family members hard time. They said I should put my pers, and learning to digest what’s important were very politically vo- money where my mouth is.” — it’s all the same learning model . . . Today, Rep. Tony Kielkucki cal and always put their Before running for the Legislature, my job is to listen, digest, and look for ways convictions into prac- Kielkucki was an active participant in pre- to address needs,” Kielkucki said. “In 10 tice. They were steeped in the DFL,” he said. cinct caucuses and the campaigns of oth- years, what I hope they say about me is that Yet Kielkucki comes to the House of Rep- ers. I’m honest, I listen, and that I effectively resentatives as a Republican and a conserva- Today, Kielkucki has five areas where work for change.” tive. “I changed parties when I felt the party he’d most like to have an influence as a — Celeste Riley left me,” he said. legislator, his pro-life stance being fore- The decision came during a county con- most. vention in the 1980s. “I made some sugges- He’s also concerned about education. tions at the meeting, and someone responded “I think the whole approach in the public District 20B that I sounded more like a Republican — schools needs change.” Teachers no longer and said that I should join them. So I did.” are free to adequately discipline students, 1996 population: 33,701 Largest city: Norwood Young America It wasn’t the only time Kielkucki followed he said. The students know they can get Counties: Carver, McLeod,Wright his convictions. He spent almost 11 years as away with poor behavior, and the learning Location: south-central Minnesota a seminary student studying to be a priest environment is destroyed. Kielkucki thinks Top concern: “The number one thing my constituents have requested is property tax before opting for civilian life. “I knew I’d the system in the United States could learn relief. Local units of government are having always be committed to working with the from that in Europe, where, he said, there to assume more and more responsibility for church,” he said. “But I wasn’t sure about is a greater emphasis on basics and less on the cost of government, and everyone’s taxes have increased — even while education the priesthood all the way through. I kept extracurricular activities. spending hasn’t. Local government is paying giving it another year.” Next comes welfare reform. Kielkucki for more state mandates now.”

Instead, he’s given 22 years to teaching, would add work requirements and time —Rep. Tony Kielkucki most of them at Holy Trinity High School in limits. “We don’t want to hurt the people Winsted, Minn., where he teaches junior who need it, but we’ve been enabling too and senior high and chairs the religious stud- many for too long.”

Minnesota State Agencies Agriculture ...... 297-2200 Human Rights...... 296-5663 Public Service ...... 296-7107 Commerce ...... 296-4026 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3704 Revenue Corrections ...... 642-0200 Human Services ...... 296-6117 Taxpayer Assistance ...... 296-3781 Education ...... 296-6104 Economic Security ...... 296-3711 Toll Free ...... 1-800-652-9094 Employee Relations ...... 297-1184 Labor and Industry ...... 296-6107 Trade and Job Information ...... 296-2616 Military Affairs...... 282-4662 Economic Development ...... 297-1291 Finance ...... 296-5900 Natural Resources...... 296-6157 Office of Tourism ...... 296-5029 Gaming Public Safety...... 296-6642 Transportation ...... 296-3000 Gambling Control Division ... 639-4000 Driver and Vehicle Services ... 296-6911 Veterans Affairs ...... 296-2562 MN State Lottery Division ..... 635-8100 Fire Marshal ...... 643-3080 State Information ...... 296-6013 Toll Free ...... 1-800-475-4000 Liquor Control ...... 296-6159 MN Racing Commission ...... 341-7555 State Patrol ...... 297-3935 House Information ...... 296-2146 Health ...... 623-5000 Pollution Control ...... 296-6300 Senate Information...... 296-0504

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 19 In the Hopper . . . March 7 - 13, 1997

HF1251-HF1544

Monday, March 10 HF1262—Olson, E. (DFL) HF1273—Knoblach (R) HF1283—McGuire (DFL) Education Governmental Operations Judiciary Independent School District No. Local police and paid fire relief asso- Firefighter background investigations HF1251—Kelso (DFL) 601, Fosston, fund transfer ciation legal expense treatment authorized, employment information Education authorized. clarified. disclosure required, employer immu- Bell museum K-12 education sci- nity provided, and civil and criminal ence curriculum delivery provided, HF1263—Rest (DFL) HF1274—Knoblach (R) penalties prescribed. and money appropriated. Local Government Regulated Industries & Energy & Metropolitan Affairs Legal gambling age raised to 21, and HF1284—McGuire (DFL) HF1252—Westrom (R) County capital improvement bond governor required to request tribal Judiciary Health & Human Services sunset date extended. governments to raise legal gambling Battered women community advo- Temporary assistance for needy age to 21. cacy programs funded, and money families and general assistance cash HF1264—Pawlenty (R) appropriated. assistance prohibited for drug or Education HF1275—Ozment (R) alcohol abusers. Crime-related cost education prop- Taxes HF1285—Westrom (R) erty tax levy provisions modified. Residential structures provided to Agriculture HF1253—McElroy (R) migrant workers provided agricul- Agricultural cooperative investment Taxes HF1265—Swenson, H. (R) tural building property tax tax credit provided. Property tax reform provided, gen- Local Government classification. eral education tax rate reduced, and & Metropolitan Affairs HF1286—Opatz (DFL) money appropriated. Gaylord tax increment financing HF1276—Trimble (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources district enlargement and duration Economic Development Big Fish Lake natural waterway ac- HF1254—Winter (DFL) extension authorized. & International Trade quisition and restoration provided, Transportation & Transit Community rehabilitation fund and money appropriated. Trunk Highway No. 60 designated HF1266—Ozment (R) program and affordable rental in- as the Don Rickers Memorial Transportation & Transit vestment fund program appropri- HF1287—Delmont (DFL) Highway. Passing a school bus on the right ated money. Regulated Industries & Energy side prohibited while the bus is dis- Utility deposit interest payments HF1255—Milbert (DFL) playing flashing amber prewarning HF1277—Tomassoni (DFL) regulated. Local Government signals, and criminal penalty Commerce, Tourism & Metropolitan Affairs provided. & Consumer Affairs HF1288—Reuter (R) Local government state mandate Alcoholic beverage importation Commerce, Tourism report grants provided, and money HF1267—Osthoff (DFL) restrictions provided. & Consumer Affairs appropriated. Governmental Operations Motor vehicle broker licensure re- St. Paul fire and police consolida- HF1278—Clark (DFL) quirement established, and new HF1256—Goodno (R) tion accounts pension and survivor Financial Institutions & Insurance motor vehicle dealers permitted to Taxes benefit recipient benefit floor pro- Financial institution reasonable contract for motor vehicle broker Political subdivision sales and use visions revised. account fees required. services. tax exemption provided. HF1268—Van Dellen (R) HF1279—Johnson, R. (DFL) HF1289—Clark (DFL) HF1257—Winter (DFL) Judiciary Health & Human Services Education Local Government Same-sex marriages not recognized Regional treatment center staffing Public library staff skill improve- & Metropolitan Affairs or allowed. plan provided, advisory committee ment program authorized, and Luverne cemetery body removal and established, and money money appropriated. reinterment authorized. HF1269—Evans (DFL) appropriated. Health & Human Services HF1290—Tomassoni (DFL) HF1258—Garcia (DFL) Nursing home licensing and certifi- HF1280—Tomassoni (DFL) Local Government Taxes cation moratorium exception Education & Metropolitan Affairs Property tax refund uniform income established. School district employee instruc- County tax nonpayment redemp- percentage threshold established, tional day provisions clarified. tion period expiration provided. maximum refund amounts elimi- HF1270—Kahn (DFL) nated, and special property tax Governmental Operations HF1281—McCollum (DFL) HF1291—Tomassoni (DFL) refund eliminated. State colleges and universities pen- Health & Human Services Local Government sion provisions modified, teachers Civil commitment; public apology & Metropolitan Affairs HF1259—Entenza (DFL) retirement reporting and remittance provided to all persons with devel- St. Louis County court bailiffs added Education requirements modified, and higher opmental disabilities who have been to the unclassified service. School districts restricted from begin- education supplemental retirement involuntarily committed to state ning the school day prior to 8 a.m. plan provisions modified. institutions. HF1292—Dawkins (DFL) Taxes HF1260—Clark (DFL) HF1271—Juhnke (DFL) HF1282—Bradley (R) Comprehensive tax reform provided Judiciary Economic Development Health & Human Services modifying property, income, sales, Child in need of protection or ser- & International Trade Autism; demonstration project es- business, and agricultural taxes, and vices petition provided for certain New London Little Theater project tablished and grants provided for money appropriated. children in certain licensed grant provided, and money appro- behavioral therapy services for chil- facilities. priated. dren with autism.

HF1261—Schumacher (DFL) HF1272—Kelso (DFL) Transportation & Transit Education Passenger motor carrier and personal Professional teaching standards pro- transportation provider deregulation motion established, grants provided, provided, technical corrections provided, and money appropriated. and money appropriated.

20 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 HF1545-1570 were not available at press time. HF1293—Bradley (R) HF1304—Clark (DFL) HF1317—Marko (DFL) HF1330—Koskinen (DFL) Health & Human Services Judiciary Local Government Local Government American Indian chemical depen- Pretenancy rental property walk- & Metropolitan Affairs & Metropolitan Affairs dency tribal account provisions through and checklist provided, and Local government roles and respon- Coon Rapids economic develop- modified, medical education and restitution required for tenant crimi- sibilities advisory council estab- ment authority tax increment research trust fund provided fund- nal damage to property. lished, and money appropriated. financing district duration exten- ing, and family and children health sion provided. care provisions modified. HF1305—Wejcman (DFL) HF1318—Skoglund (DFL) Health & Human Services Judiciary HF1331—McCollum (DFL) HF1294—Jefferson (DFL) Carver County intermediate care DWI offender maximum stay of sen- Health & Human Services Judiciary facilities reconfigured. tence provided. Diabetes; American Indian diabetes Ballistic tracking system database prevention advisory task force es- established by the Bureau of Crimi- HF1306—Hausman (DFL) HF1319—Slawik (DFL) tablished, and money appropriated. nal Apprehension, Minneapolis fire- Health & Human Services Judiciary arm dealers required to supply spent Health plan coverage required for Motor vehicle insurer record avail- HF1332—Rukavina (DFL) bullets for new weapons, and fire- off-label drug use, and advisory ability to law enforcement agencies Environment & Natural Resources arm carry permit restrictions council established. provided. Leased public lakeshore land sale modified. required. HF1307—Dehler (R) HF1320—Jefferson (DFL) HF1295—Hausman (DFL) Commerce, Tourism General Legislation, HF1333—Knoblach (R) Transportation & Transit & Consumer Affairs Veterans Affairs & Elections Health & Human Services Counties authorized to sell county Holders of multiple on-sale liquor Tuskeegee Airmen; Red Tail project Health care policy rates and conver- state-aid highway bonds to fund licenses allowed to have uniform li- appropriated money for project sion rights regulated, and health plan maintenance building construction. censing periods. honoring the Tuskeegee Airmen. company requirements modified.

HF1296—Rhodes (R) HF1308—Murphy (DFL) HF1321—Folliard (DFL) HF1334—Hausman (DFL) Transportation & Transit Judiciary Education Judiciary Omnibus traffic regulation bill, ve- DARE; Drug Abuse Resistance Edu- Desegregation magnet school fund- Controlled substance crime evalua- hicle code established, and traffic cation funding provided, advisory ing provided, bond sales authorized, tion task force established, and regulation violation penalties council expiration extended, and and money appropriated. money appropriated. modified. money appropriated. HF1322—Pugh (DFL) HF1335—Hausman (DFL) HF1297—Entenza (DFL) HF1309—Jaros (DFL) Financial Institutions & Insurance Judiciary Health & Human Services Regulated Industries & Energy ATM; automated teller machine use State drug policy consolidation ad- Sign language interpreter certifica- State lottery sports pool games es- fees limited. visory task force established, and tion required, standards established, tablished, professional and amateur money appropriated. and penalties provided. sports account established, and pro- HF1323—Dawkins (DFL) ceed dedication provided. Judiciary HF1336—Long (DFL) HF1298—Jennings (DFL) Marriage dissolution parenting plan Local Government Regulated Industries & Energy HF1310—Carlson (DFL) procedures and terminology & Metropolitan Affairs Electric utility personal property tax Regulated Industries & Energy modified. Metropolitan public safety radio replacement fee authorized. Fire relief association gambling li- communication system sales tax ex- cense renewal authorized. HF1324—Paulsen (R) emption provided. HF1299—Jennings (DFL) Health & Human Services Regulated Industries & Energy HF1311—Kelso (DFL) Temporary assistance for needy HF1337—McGuire (DFL) Electric Energy Task Force renamed Education families rent and utilities vouchers Judiciary the legislative commission on utility Extended instructional time state aid established. Community justice services act competition, and electric industry established, and money appropriated. adopted. restructuring review process HF1325—Daggett (R) established. HF1312—Carlson (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources HF1338—Molnau (R) Education Deer; nonresident youth permitted Local Government HF1300—Holsten (R) Student loan interest accrual provi- to hunt deer for resident fee. & Metropolitan Affairs Regulated Industries & Energy sions modified, higher education Municipal consolidation autho- Video lottery terminals authorized tuition income tax credit provided, HF1326—Kahn (DFL) rized. at licensed horse racing track, ter- and money appropriated. Governmental Operations minal revenue use regulated, and Public pension plan fiduciary eco- HF1339—Ness (R) penalties provided. HF1313—Dehler (R) nomic interest statement filing fail- Education Local Government ure penalty provided. Pupil transportation formulas re- HF1301—Slawik (DFL) & Metropolitan Affairs stored, inflation factors established, Local Government Municipal road snow and ice HF1327—Delmont (DFL) and money appropriated. & Metropolitan Affairs removal vote required. Governmental Operations St. Paul and Ramsey County joint State agency service contracts re- HF1340—Olson, E. (DFL) public health department personnel HF1314—Hausman (DFL) viewed by employee relations Transportation & Transit provisions defined. Environment & Natural Resources commissioner. Speed limits increased on freeways Scrap motor vehicle facility regula- and expressways. HF1302—Chaudhary (DFL) tions modified. HF1328—Skoglund (DFL) Health & Human Services Judiciary HF1341—Osskopp (R) Attorney general required to inves- HF1315—Kalis (DFL) Third- and fourth-degree criminal Environment & Natural Resources tigate unfair drug price discrimina- Environment & Natural Resources sexual conduct expanded to include Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup tion, prescription drug price Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers acts involving school employees and Fund use provisions modified. negotiation authorized, and money Board duties modified, and money students. appropriated. appropriated. HF1342—Osskopp (R) HF1329—Kalis (DFL) Agriculture HF1303—Bradley (R) HF1316—Dawkins (DFL) Health & Human Services Dairy farm mercury manometer re- Health & Human Services General Legislation, Chemical dependency fund appro- placement program established, and Comprehensive health services Veterans Affairs & Elections priated money for detoxification money appropriated. system provided. Legal voting age lowered to 17, and centers. constitutional amendment proposed.

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 21 HF1343—Knoblach (R) HF1357—Jefferson (DFL) HF1369—Swenson, D. (R) HF1382—Dehler (R) Labor-Management Relations Governmental Operations Commerce, Tourism Labor-Management Relations Re-employment Insurance defini- Minneapolis Police Relief Associa- & Consumer Affairs Show boiler and engine inspection tions modified related to taxi cab tion fund source clarification pro- Intoxication of minors civil third- provisions modified. drivers. vided. party liability imposed. HF1383—Kinkel (DFL) HF1344—Trimble (DFL) HF1358—Dawkins (DFL) HF1370—Anderson, I. (DFL) Labor-Management Relations Regulated Industries & Energy Environment Regulated Industries & Energy Occupational safety and health no- Public utility regulation appropria- & Natural Resources Finance Excavation notification planning tice service provisions modified. tions approval required. Great Northern Corridor Commu- provisions modified. nity Development Act adopted, and HF1384—Nornes (R) HF1345—Paymar (DFL) money appropriated. HF1371—Orfield (DFL) Health & Human Services Labor-Management Relations Capital Investment Fergus Falls veterans home appro- Workers’ compensation occupa- HF1359—Dawkins (DFL) Agricultural and economic devel- priated money. tional disease definition expanded Education opment board bond issuance provi- to include corrections officers. Great northern corridor commu- sions modified. HF1385—Bettermann (R) nity development act adopted, and Education HF1346—Mariani (DFL) money appropriated. HF1372—Biernat (DFL) Physician loan forgiveness program Education Local Government provisions modified. Early childhood family education HF1360—Dawkins (DFL) & Metropolitan Affairs program revenue increased. Economic Development-Housing St. Paul and Minneapolis school boards HF1386—Knoblach (R) & Housing Finance Division directed to develop a transportation plan Governmental Operations HF1347—Smith (R) Great northern corridor commu- using public transportation. Public land and building acquisi- Judiciary nity development act adopted, and tion and improvements provided, Child support, visitation, and joint money appropriated. HF1373—Wagenius (DFL) and money appropriated. custody compliance periodic review Judiciary required. HF1361—Dawkins (DFL) MinnesotaCare program family HF1387—Chaudhary (DFL) Economic Development- definition modified, child custody Economic Development HF1348—Wagenius (DFL) Economic Development Finance provisions modified, and money & International Trade Transportation & Transit Division appropriated. University of Minnesota interna- Metropolitan Council Transit Great northern corridor commu- tional commerce research and de- Operations appropriated money. nity development act adopted, and HF1374—Stanek (R) velopment provided, Minnesota money appropriated. Regulated Industries & Energy internet center funded, and money HF1349—Mullery (DFL) Cellular 911 emergency call response appropriated. Judiciary HF1362—Dawkins (DFL) provisions modified. Grandparent visitation rights ex- Transportation & Transit HF1388—Knoblach (R) panded, procedures specified, and Great northern corridor commu- HF1375—Ness (R) Capital Investment mediation required. nity development act adopted, and Governmental Operations Bond issuance reporting required. money appropriated. Legislative approval of proposed HF1350—McGuire (DFL) rules required. HF1389—Jennings (DFL) Judiciary HF1363—Juhnke (DFL) Governmental Operations Crime victim rights guaranteed, and Judiciary HF1376—Trimble (DFL) Public employee and official salary constitutional amendment proposed. Willmar child guide prevention pro- Governmental Operations and compensation provisions gram funded, and money High school league rulemaking pro- modified. HF1351—Hasskamp (DFL) appropriated. visions modified. Environment & Natural Resources HF1390—Solberg (DFL) Personal watercraft nuisance HF1364—Bettermann (R) HF1377—Hasskamp (DFL) Local Government control act adopted. Education Commerce, Tourism & Metropolitan Affairs Private career school act adopted. & Consumer Affairs Floodwood Joint Recreation Board HF1352—Hasskamp (DFL) University of Minnesota tourism tax levies regulated. Environment & Natural Resources HF1365—Wejcman (DFL) center research provided, and money Personal watercraft nuisance con- Health & Human Services appropriated. HF1391—Long (DFL) trol act adopted. Health care consumer assistance Local Government program established, and money HF1378—Leighton (DFL) & Metropolitan Affairs HF1353—Rhodes (R) appropriated. Economic Development Political subdivisions permitted to Transportation & Transit & International Trade define dependent for employee ben- Delinquent traffic offense fine noti- HF1366—Winter (DFL) Rental residential property heating efit purposes. fication, recording, and collection Education requirements provided. system established, and money Small school viability pilot project HF1392—Kinkel (DFL) appropriated. implemented, and money HF1379—Huntley (DFL) Governmental Operations appropriated. Local Government Exempt real property and fire state HF1354—Peterson (DFL) & Metropolitan Affairs aid property tax provisions modi- Environment & Natural Resources HF1367—Rest (DFL) Duluth Miller-Dwan Medical Cen- fied. Finance Local Government ter assets and liabilities transferred. State park trail accessibility survey & Metropolitan Affairs HF1393—Long (DFL) provided, and money appropriated. Major League Baseball stadium con- HF1380—Huntley (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources struction and maintenance pro- Capital Investment Brownfields coordination office es- HF1355—Solberg (DFL) vided, taxes authorized, and money Duluth family practice residency tablished. Governmental Operations appropriated. program authority transferred to the Nashwauk Police Relief Association Duluth economic development HF1394—McGuire (DFL) survivor benefit authority provisions HF1368—Ozment (R) authority. Education modified. Education Higher education office center on Firefighter training standards board HF1381—Juhnke (DFL) violence and abuse challenge grant HF1356—Slawik (DFL) established, firefighter training fi- Agriculture program established, and money Health & Human Services nancial assistance program pro- Veterinary services lien provisions appropriated. Mental health case management ser- vided, and money appropriated. modified. vices for children and adults provi- sions modified.

22 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 HF1395—Juhnke (DFL) HF1407—Dorn (DFL) HF1421—Wenzel (DFL) HF1435—Rukavina (DFL) Taxes Education Agriculture Health & Human Services Employer contribution for employee Mankato model school for truants Dairy technology services grant pro- Dental service medical assistance housing tax credit provided. appropriated money. gram established, and money reimbursement rates increased. appropriated. HF1396—Jefferson (DFL) HF1408—Peterson (DFL) HF1436—Wenzel (DFL) Local Government Education HF1422—Larsen (R) Judiciary & Metropolitan Affairs School district fundraising founda- Health & Human Services Marijuana sale and possession pen- Pothole relief emergency expendi- tions established, professional staff Dental goods and services exempted alties modified. tures provided, and money assistance provided, and money from MinnesotaCare provider tax, appropriated. appropriated. and provider tax reduced. HF1437—Dempsey (R) Health & Human Services HF1397—Osthoff (DFL) HF1409—Kubly (DFL) HF1423—Weaver (R) Goodhue County intermediate care Environment & Natural Resources Agriculture Judiciary facility size reduction pilot project Petroleum-contaminated site Animal feedlot rules provided legis- Sentencing guidelines proposed established. cleanup provided, and money lative review. modifications regarding increases in appropriated. durations at severity levels I through HF1438—Carlson (DFL) HF1410—Bradley (R) VI shall not take effect. Financial Institutions & Insurance HF1398—Munger (DFL) Health & Human Services Automobile insurance claimant Environment Child care licensure exclusion pro- HF1424—Ness (R) medical examination provisions & Natural Resources Finance visions modified. Education modified. Taconite Harbor project appropri- Hutchinson technical college appro- ated money. HF1411—Leppik (R) priated money for additions and re- HF1439—Larsen (R) Taxes modeling, and bond sale authorized. Judiciary HF1399—Milbert (DFL) Revenue department exempt rule False crime report penalties Governmental Operations duration extension provided. HF1425—Erhardt (R) increased. Statewide public ice facilities pro- Taxes gram appropriated money. HF1412—Johnson, R. (DFL) Apartment property tax class rate HF1440—Broecker (R) Health & Human Services reduced. Judiciary HF1400—Kahn (DFL) Adult mental health pilot project Peace and police officer soft body Local Government information provided to employee- HF1426—Peterson (DFL) armor reimbursement amount in- & Metropolitan Affairs exclusive bargaining representatives. Transportation & Transit dex provided. Professional sports; Congress me- Rural highway economic develop- morialized to discourage use of pub- HF1413—Workman (R) ment impact study required, and HF1441—Greenfield (DFL) lic resources for the movement of Judiciary money appropriated. Health & Human Services professional sports franchises. Flogging punishment authorized for Health insurance loss ratios limited, habitual driving while intoxicated HF1427—Erhardt (R) health care commission repealed, HF1401—Rifenberg (R) offenders. Taxes health technology advisory commit- Rules & Legislative Administration Homeowner additional property tax tee modified, MinnesotaCare pro- Legislative committee and division HF1414—Leighton (DFL) refund provided. gram eligibility expanded, and chair rotation provided. Judiciary Medicare assignment provisions Probate guardian and conservator HF1428—Dehler (R) modified. appointment provisions modified. Education Central Minnesota area learning HF1442—Pelowski (DFL) Thursday, March 13 HF1415—Pugh (DFL) center established, and money Education Environment & Natural Resources appropriated. Omnibus property tax and educa- HF1402—Weaver (R) Snowmobiles required to be tion financing reform provided, and Judiciary equipped with strobe lights. HF1429—Greenfield (DFL) money appropriated. DWI; repeat driving-while-intoxi- Health & Human Services cated offender minimum manda- HF1416—Pugh (DFL) Medicare mandatory assignment HF1443—Wejcman (DFL) tory incarceration eligibility criteria Health & Human Services provisions modified. Health & Human Services clarified. Dakota County intermediate care Food Stamps; temporary hunger facility licensure exception provided. HF1430—Greenfield (DFL) prevention and community devel- HF1403—Johnson, R. (DFL) Health & Human Services opment initiative established for Education HF1417—Johnson, R. (DFL) Deaf and hard-of-hearing adult individuals terminated from the fed- First-grade preparedness program Health & Human Services nonprofit service agency appropri- eral food stamp program, and money grants provided, and money appro- Newborn infant hearing loss screen- ated money. appropriated. priated. ing required. HF1431—Greenfield (DFL) HF1444—Wejcman (DFL) HF1404—Pugh (DFL) HF1418—Peterson (DFL) Health & Human Services Agriculture Judiciary Environment Medical Assistance elderly waiver Minnesota-grown food coupon pro- Civil-action sanction provisions ex- & Natural Resources Finance program expanded. gram established in conjunction panded and modified. State trail accessibility survey pro- with the temporary hunger preven- vided, and money appropriated. HF1432—Peterson (DFL) tion and community development HF1405—Mariani (DFL) Governmental Operations initiative program, and money Education HF1419—Finseth (R) Volunteer firefighter relief associa- appropriated. Head Start program account provi- Education tion actuarial valuation requirement sions clarified, and money Secondary vocational aid guarantee removed. HF1445—Ozment (R) appropriated. provisions modified. Taxes HF1433—Peterson (DFL) Residential agricultural property tax HF1406—Seagren (R) HF1420—Swenson, D. (R) Taxes classification provided. Education Judiciary Business property tax market value Adults with disabilities program aid DWI; vehicle forfeiture provided for exclusion allowed. HF1446—Abrams (R) provided, and money appropriated. violations of aggravated driving- Taxes while-intoxicated law or repeat driv- HF1434—Delmont (DFL) Commercial-industrial property tax ing-while-intoxicated violations. Health & Human Services parcel limitation provisions Physician license surcharge require- eliminated. ment repealed.

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 23 HF1447—Wenzel (DFL) HF1459—McGuire (DFL) HF1470—Rukavina (DFL) HF1483—Rifenberg (R) Health & Human Services Judiciary Local Government Judiciary Partial-birth abortions prohibited Police chief and law enforcement & Metropolitan Affairs Criminal trial final argument pros- and criminal penalties provided. agency director minimum educa- Virginia area ambulance district es- ecution rebuttal provided. tion requirement established. tablishment authorized, levy autho- HF1448—Carruthers (DFL) rized, and local approval required. HF1484—Hausman (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources HF1460—McGuire (DFL) Health & Human Services Senior citizens permitted to fish Judiciary HF1471—Anderson, B. (R) Block nurse program expanded, and without a license. Government data classification and Transportation & Transit money appropriated. access provided. Pedestrian-bicycle overpass con- HF1449—Knoblach (R) struction required on Highway 169 HF1485—Solberg (DFL) Health & Human Services HF1461—Entenza (DFL) in Elk River. Education Welfare reform; residency criteria Governmental Operations Itasca County Greenway Readiness and eligibility requirements pro- Uniform business identifier system HF1472—Juhnke (DFL) program for early childhood family vided for General Assistance, Medi- established, and money Transportation & Transit education and early childhood spe- cal Assistance, Temporary appropriated. Air transportation service market- cial education appropriated money. Assistance For Needy Families, and ing program established. MinnesotaCare. HF1462—Pawlenty (R) HF1486—Olson, E. (DFL) Judiciary HF1473—Clark (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources HF1450—Pugh (DFL) Fourth-degree assault scope ex- Economic Development Wild rice lessee purchase of state Commerce, Tourism panded to include harm inflicted & International Trade lands authorized. & Consumer Affairs upon corrections facilities employ- Minnesota corporate subsidy reform Franchise registration provisions ees. commission established. HF1487—Peterson (DFL) modified. Economic Development HF1463—Mahon (DFL) HF1474—Opatz (DFL) & International Trade HF1451—Kuisle (R) General Legislation, Veterans Affairs Education Affordable rental investment fund Environment & Natural Resources & Elections University of Minnesota and Min- program appropriated money. Deer hunting licenses provided free Local office candidate campaign nesota state colleges and universi- of charge to certain agricultural land- contribution limit provisions ties libraries appropriated money. HF1488—Knight (R) owners for hunting on their own clarified. Taxes property. HF1475—Erhardt (R) Personal and dependent income tax HF1464—Juhnke (DFL) Taxes credit provided. HF1452—Tunheim (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy Personal and dependent nonrefund- Environment & Natural Resources Municipal and cooperative utilities able income tax credit provided. HF1489—Pugh (DFL) Personal watercraft operation re- authorized to form joint ventures Judiciary quirements modified, safety certifi- for the provision of utility services. HF1476—Hasskamp (DFL) Municipal tort liability provisions cate required, and money Health & Human Services modified related to officers, employ- appropriated. HF1465—Pugh (DFL) Abortion data reporting provisions ees, and agents. Transportation & Transit modified, and criminal penalties HF1453—Ness (R) Delinquent traffic and parking fine provided. HF1490—Sekhon (DFL) Transportation & Transit notification, recording, and collec- Environment Highway access management policy tion system established, and money HF1477—Evans (DFL) & Natural Resources Finance study provided. appropriated. Judiciary Metropolitan regional parks main- Independent contractors protected tenance and operation funded, and HF1454—Jennings (DFL) HF1466—Leppik (R) from unfair discriminatory employ- money appropriated. Education Education ment practices. Open enrollment technology project Public library and school media cen- HF1491—Peterson (DFL) established, and money ter data access program established, HF1478—Skoglund (DFL) Health & Human Services appropriated. and money appropriated. Judiciary Health plan managed care agree- Firearms repeat violation minimum ments regulated. HF1455—Wejcman (DFL) HF1467—Stanek (R) sentence provisions clarified. Judiciary Judiciary HF1492—Jefferson (DFL) Female genital mutilation crime ex- Drugfire; Hennepin County sheriff HF1479—Clark (DFL) Education ception added for certified nurse and Minneapolis police provided Economic Development Adolescent parenting and preven- midwives. grants for operation of the FBI & International Trade tion pilot program established, and Drugfire bullet analysis computer HIV/AIDS; housing provided for money appropriated. HF1456—Carruthers (DFL) program. persons with HIV or AIDS, and General Legislation, Veterans Affairs money appropriated. HF1493—Huntley (DFL) & Elections HF1468—Clark (DFL) Health & Human Services Unicameral legislature provided, Judiciary HF1480—Anderson, B. (R) Health coverage mandate assess- and constitutional amendment Bias-motivated crime prosecution Local Government ment process established. proposed. training provided to peace and po- & Metropolitan Affairs lice officers, and hate-based violence Buffalo tax increment financing dis- HF1494—Wenzel (DFL) HF1457—Jennings (DFL) prevention and response public edu- trict duration extended. Agriculture Health & Human Services cation campaign provided. Soil and water conservation district Personal care attendant use allowed HF1481—Wejcman (DFL) technical support grants provided, for respite care, and personal care HF1469—Rukavina (DFL) Health & Human Services and money appropriated. attendant sharing authorized. Local Government Attorney general required to inves- & Metropolitan Affairs tigate unfair drug price discrimina- HF1495—Huntley (DFL) HF1458—Marko (DFL) White tax increment financing dis- tion, prescription drug price Health & Human Services Economic Development trict duration extension and expan- negotiation authorized, and money Health plan company and provider & International Trade sion provided. appropriated. exclusive contracts restricted, and Newport improvement project eco- penalties provided. nomic impact study provided, and HF1482—Skoglund (DFL) money appropriated. Judiciary HF1496—Finseth (R) DWI; preliminary breath test result Health & Human Services permissible use broadened, and DWI Public-assistance recipient utility forfeiture law scope expanded. deposits returned to counties.

24 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 HF1497—Broecker (R) HF1511—Dawkins (DFL) HF1523—Jaros (DFL) HF1536—Wagenius (DFL) Education Education Economic Development Economic Development Higher education institution gift Great Northern Corridor Commu- & International Trade & International Trade income tax credit allowed. nity Development Act adopted, International affairs office estab- Economic policy and strategic plan- charter schools established, and lished, and money appropriated. ning survey provided, and money HF1498—Leighton (DFL) money appropriated. appropriated. Education HF1524—Seifert (R) Summer food service replacement HF1512—Bakk (DFL) Environment HF1537—Carlson (DFL) aid provided, school breakfast out- Labor-Management Relations & Natural Resources Finance Governmental Operations reach programs established, and Educational building construction, Marshall flood control project New motor vehicle license plate money appropriated. improvement, or remodeling desig- funded, and money appropriated. motto and state flag design advisory nated a project. task force established. HF1499—Milbert (DFL) HF1525—Jennings (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy HF1513—Wenzel (DFL) Regulated Industries & Energy HF1538—Molnau (R) Lawful gambling gross receipt tax Economic Development Electric utility service contract cus- Transportation & Transit schedule modified. & International Trade tomer-specific terms provided. Well-drilling machine gasoline and Morrison County rural development fuel sales tax exemption provided. HF1500—Marko (DFL) finance authority grant matching HF1526—Rest (DFL) Transportation and Transit fund requirement repealed. Education HF1539—Workman (R) Municipal transportation state aid Learning year revenue authorized Transportation & Transit qualification provisions modified. HF1514—Tomassoni (DFL) for half-day kindergarten pupils. Motorcycle helmet use admissibil- Commerce, Tourism ity into evidence prohibited in per- HF1501—Skoglund (DFL) & Consumer Affairs HF1527—Westrom (R) sonal injury litigation. Judiciary Municipalities authorized to allow Education Indecent exposure while confining on-sale liquor license holders to dis- Independent School District No. HF1540—Murphy (DFL) or restraining another person pense intoxicating liquor at com- 264, Herman-Norcross revenue Transportation & Transit deemed a felony, and sex offender munity festivals. restoration provided. Drivers required to reduce speed registration required. when approaching stopped autho- HF1515—Carlson (DFL) HF1528—Murphy (DFL) rized emergency vehicles. HF1502—Carruthers (DFL) Education Health & Human Services Taxes Cooperative school district state aid Infant care home visiting programs HF1541—Chaudhary (DFL) Use tax de minimis exemption pilot program provided. established, and money Transportation & Transit expanded. appropriated. Youth-oriented driver improvement HF1516—Chaudhary (DFL) clinics established, graduated licens- HF1503—Luther (DFL) Judiciary HF1529—Jefferson (DFL) ing system provided, motorcycle Commerce, Tourism Housing nuisance calendar program Economic Development driver instruction permit provisions & Consumer Affairs mediation program established, les- & International Trade modified, and technical modifica- Pawn broker charges limited, and sor and lessee covenant against un- Minneapolis Convention Center ex- tions provided. pledges or sales of property to pawn- lawful activity provided, unlawful pansion authorized, bond issuance brokers by persons under age 21 detainer action expedited process authorized, and money HF1542—Solberg (DFL) prohibited. provided, and money appropriated. appropriated. Governmental Operations Public employment labor agree- HF1504—Pugh (DFL) HF1517—Rukavina (DFL) HF1530—Knoblach (R) ments ratified, technical modifica- Judiciary Taxes Governmental Operations tions provided, and definitions Sex offender probation term exten- State tax structure study authorized. Public employee health coverage modified. sion authorized. elective abortions prohibited. HF1518—Chaudhary (DFL) HF1543—Weaver (R) HF1505—Jefferson (DFL) Education HF1531—Kahn (DFL) Judiciary Governmental Operations MnNet; telecommunications coun- Governmental Operations DWI; snowmobile, motorboat, and Legislators’ retirement plan actuarial cil MnNet use requirement elimi- State Capitol renovation appropria- all-terrain vehicle operator alcohol funding provided. nated, telecommunication network tions reallocated. concentration test refusal deemed a development and extension pro- crime. HF1506—Kahn (DFL) vided, and money appropriated. HF1532—Skare (DFL) Governmental Operations Economic Development HF1544—Dawkins (DFL) Metropolitan State University reem- HF1519—Chaudhary (DFL) & International Trade Taxes ployed annuitant health benefit pro- Judiciary American Indian history museum Municipal truth-in-taxation notice vision exemption provided. Landlords required to return rental appropriation provisions modified. modification permitted related to application fees or provide reason mergers of services. HF1507—Bakk (DFL) for rental denial in writing, and pen- HF1533—Jennings (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources alty provided. Commerce, Tourism Cook County tax-forfeited land sale & Consumer Affairs authorized. HF1520—Chaudhary (DFL) Heating and ventilating advisory Taxes council established, penalties pre- HF1508—Kubly (DFL) Corporate franchise tax research scribed, and money appropriated. Need a copy of a bill? Regulated Industries & Energy credit rate increased. Call the Chief Clerks Minnesota alternative energy devel- HF1534—Tunheim (DFL) opment authority established. HF1521—Greiling (DFL) Environment & Natural Resources Office at Commerce, Tourism Vertical heat exchanger contractor (612) 296-2314 HF1509—Dawkins (DFL) & Consumer Affairs licensure requirement established. Education Liquor brand registration require- National service scholars program ments modified. HF1535—Sviggum (R) scholarship matching grants pro- Taxes HF1545-1570 were not available at vided, and money appropriated. HF1522—Lieder (DFL) Budget reserve account revenue al- press time. Transportation & Transit location provided, and refundable HF1510—Dawkins (DFL) State and local bridge repair, reha- income tax credit provided. Local Government bilitation, and replacement pro- & Metropolitan Affairs vided, and money appropriated. Brownfields coordination and plan- ning for certain areas of St. Paul. March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 25 Coming Up Next Week . . . March 17 - 21, 1997

HF1250 (Sykora) Low-income housing HF702 (Pugh) Unauthorized animal release Schedule is subject to change. property tax class rate reduction provided. penalties increased, and stalking and For information updates, call HF320 (Paymar) Property tax increase harassment crime scope expanded to include House Calls at (612) 296-9283. disclosure and vote required. unlawful interference with activities of an entity HF876 (Erhardt) Property tax statement refund that sells or provides services for animals or All meetings are open to the public. notice provisions modified. animal products. Sign language interpreter services: HF452 (Entenza) Cottage and camp federal HF864 (McGuire) Social work board provisions (612) 282-2331 v/tty land-use property tax exemption provided. modified, and civil penalties provided. To have the daily and weekly schedules HF996 (Carruthers) Northwest Hennepin 8:30 a.m. County community law enforcement project delivered to your e-mail address, send a appropriated money. message to: ENVIRONMENT & HF1308 (Murphy) DARE; Drug Abuse [email protected] NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE Resistance Education funding provided, Basement Hearing Room advisory council expiration extended, and In the body of the message type: State Office Building money appropriated. Chr. Rep. Tom Osthoff HF686 (Paymar) Tenants provided right to subscribe h-schedules Agenda: Budget hearing: Department of seek police and emergency assistance, and Agriculture. penalties provided. HF932 (Wejcman) Public nuisance definition MONDAY, March 17 10 a.m. expanded to include zoning and business licensure violations. AGRICULTURE HF1234 (Stanek) Public safety department film 8 a.m. 200 State Office Building rental rules repealed. Chr. Rep. Stephen Wenzel HF195 (Bishop) Crime victim impact statement Economic Development Agenda: HF1030 (Peterson) Milk transport defendant rebuttal provisions clarified, crime Finance Division/ vehicles provided exemption from local road victim and witness-advisory council duration ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT weight restrictions. extended, victims provided notification of & INTERNATIONAL TRADE HF1204 (Stang) Milk producer well-water defendant appeal, and money appropriated. 500S State Office Building testing requirements modified. Additional bills to be announced. Chr. Rep. Steve Trimble HF733 (Swenson, H.) Dairy development Agenda: HF476 (Kalis) FarmAmerica provided program established, grants provided, and State Government Finance Division/ operating grants, and money appropriated. money appropriated. GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS HF409 (Solberg) Direct reduction iron HFXXXX (Wenzel) Appropriating funds for 400S State Office Building processing facility developed, and money dairy diagnostic teams and the Minnesota Dairy Chr. Rep. Tom Rukavina appropriated. Producers’ Board; the omnibus dairy bill. Agenda: Budget hearings: Minnesota Planning; HF793 (Jaros) Natural resources research and Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. institute funded, and money appropriated. ENVIRONMENT & HF1010 (Tomassoni) Taconite industry NATURAL RESOURCES 12:30 p.m. technology research grant program established, 5 State Office Building and money appropriated. Chr. Rep. Willard Munger Family & Early Childhood Education Finance Agenda: HFXXXX (Munger) Living snow Division/EDUCATION Higher Education fences. 5 State Office Building Finance Division/EDUCATION HFXXXX (Munger) Shelterbelts; Chr. Rep. Tony Kinkel 500N State Office Building windbreakers. Agenda: Emergency Food Assistance Program; Chr. Rep. Gene Pelowski HF217 (Opatz) Land use mandatory Soup Kitchen; Foodbank. Minnesota Agenda: HF273 (Pelowski) Virtual U comprehensive planning provided, capital Economic Opportunity Grant. Head Start. Minnesota established to develop lifelong improvement program established, and money learning opportunities, and money appropriated. GENERAL LEGISLATION, appropriated. HF1000 (Long) Community-based planning VETERANS AFFAIRS & ELECTIONS Higher Education Services Office (HESO) act adopted providing sustainable metropolitan 300N State Office Building budget, Dr. Robert Poch, director. development, Metropolitan Council Chr. Rep. Bob Milbert requirements specified, advisory council Agenda: HF703 (Dawkins) Minors authorized K-12 Education Finance Division/ established, and money appropriated. to be elected precinct caucus delegates or EDUCATION officers. 5 State Office Building Health & Human Services HF48 (Holsten) Ethics in government act Chr. Rep. Becky Kelso Finance Division/ modified to require payment of late filing fees Agenda: Englis-as-a-second-language working HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES and fines as a condition of eligibility for a group recommendations. Site-based financing 10 State Office Building public subsidy. working group recommendations Chr. Rep. Lee Greenfield HF751 (McCollum) Candidates in violation of Agenda: Public testimony on the governor’s the fair campaign practices act required to Property Tax & Tax Increment Finance (TIF) proposed budget for long-term care and health return public subsidies, early voting permitted Division/TAXES care programs. at polling places, candidate conduct regulated, 200 State Office Building and penalties imposed. Chr. Rep. Edgar Olson JUDICIARY HF1140 (Orfield) Campaign finance Agenda: HF1084 (Anderson, I.) Education cost Basement Hearing Room independent expenditure definition modified, financing with property taxes prohibited, and State Office Building campaign report electronic filing provided, constitutional amendment proposed. Chr. Rep. Wes Skoglund spending limit provisions modified, and money HF625 (Solberg) Taconite tax relief area fiscal Agenda: HF28 (Skoglund) Interference with appropriated. disparities program modified. privacy in the presence of a minor under age 16 HF1198 (Weaver) Political contribution refund HF995 (McElroy) Joint truth-in-taxation crime penalties increased. recipient names made public. hearings allowed. 26 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 HF1244 (McCollum) Campaign finance HF965 (Delmont) Community collaboratives 8:30 a.m. definitions clarified, reporting requirements for children and youth provided grants, and modified, public subsidy return required, and money appropriated. ENVIRONMENT & penalties provided. NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE Basement Hearing Room LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS TUESDAY, March 18 State Office Building 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Tom Osthoff Chr. Rep. Richard Jefferson Agenda: Continuation of March 17 agenda. Agenda: HF737 (Orfield) Union organization 8 a.m. rights and duties established, unfair labor Sales and Income Tax Division/TAXES practice provisions modified, and penalties EDUCATION 300S State Office Building provided. 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Alice Johnson HF810 (Wolf) Employment search firm bond Chr. Rep. Lyndon Carlson Agenda: Discussion of the capitol equipment requirements modified. Agenda: HF775 (Huntley) Student opportunity by the Department of Revenue. HF1106 (Leighton) Employers required to grants established to provide financial support HF684 (Milbert) Replacement capital recognize employee representatives. to students from low-income families, state equipment sales and use tax exemption HF1343 (Knoblach) Reemployment insurance lottery proceeds dedication provided, provided. definitions modified related to taxi cab drivers. constitutional amendment proposed, and HF629 (Erhardt) Replacement capital HF1345 (Paymar) Workers’ compensation money appropriated. equipment sales and use tax exemption occupational disease definition expanded to HF961 (Greiling) Education supervisory provided. include corrections officers. personnel code of ethics established. HF1166 (Clark) Minnesota 1997 employment HF1029 (Mares) Teacher background check 10 a.m. and economic development program working group recommendations adopted. established, and money appropriated. HF937 (Carlson) School district interim GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS superintendent retirement provisions Basement Hearing Room TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT modified. State Office Building 10 State Office Building HF897 (Greiling) School district Chr. Rep. Phyllis Kahn Chr. Rep. Jean Wagenius superintendent performance contracts Agenda: Rule 5.10 referrals: Agenda: HF609 (Erhardt) Motor vehicle buyers authorized, and salary increases provided. HF1376 (Trimble) State High School League to notify registrar of transfer within 10 days of rulemaking provisions modified. purchase, and fees and penalties imposed. Judiciary Finance Division/ HF747 (Kahn) State High School League HF241 (Mullery) Motor carrier audits JUDICIARY governing board appointing authority conducted jointly by public safety and 500N State Office Building provisions modified. transportation departments, commercial Chr. Rep. Mary Murphy HF663 (Rukavina) Mineral coordinating vehicle traffic accident information provisions Agenda: Agency budget presentations: committee membership expanded, aggregate modified, and federal motor carrier safety Department of Corrections - Legislative resources task force established, and money regulation conformity provided. Relations and Juvenile Services, Reps. Mary Jo appropriated. HF446 (Biernat) Driver’s license issuance McGuire, Peg Larsen, Rich Stanek, Thomas HF829 (Solberg) Government meetings prohibited to persons under age 18 who have Pugh. Institutional Support Service, Rep. Doug permitted via electronic means, and criteria failed to receive a passing score on the state Swenson. Community Services, Reps. Doug established. high school graduation test or meet other Swenson, Wes Skoglund, Sherry Broecker. educational requirements. Management Services, Reps. Michael Paymar, 10 a.m. HF1266 (Ozment) Passing a school bus on the Peg Larsen. Crime Victim and Prevention right side prohibited while the bus is displaying Services, Reps. Mary Jo McGuire, Peg Larsen, Housing & Housing Finance Division/ flashing amber prewarning signals, and Rich Stanek, Andy Dawkins, Doug Swenson. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & criminal penalty provided. Institution Industry, Rep. Thomas Pugh. Food INTERNATIONAL TRADE Service, Rep Sherry Broecker: request for 500S State Office Building 2:30 p.m. proposals and bidding procedure, Department Chr. Rep. Karen Clark of Administration; best foods. Employee Agenda: HF1304 (Clark) Pretenancy rental Concerns, Rep. Thomas Pugh. County Issues, The House meets in session. property walk-through and checklist provided, Reps. Sherry Broecker, Thomas Pugh. and restitution required for tenant criminal After Session damage to property. Transportation & Transit HF1378 (Leighton) Rental residential property Finance Division/ WAYS & MEANS heating requirements provided. TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT HFXXXX (Clark) HIV/AIDS housing. 10 State Office Building 500S State Office Building Chr. Rep. Loren Solberg HF1360 (Dawkins) Great Northern Corridor Chr. Rep. Bernie Lieder Community Development Act adopted, and Agenda: SF105 (Kelly); HF105 (Olson, E.) Agenda: HF385 (Swenson, H.) Trunk Highway Corrections, natural resources, and public money appropriated. No. 19 designated as Augie Mueller Memorial HF1199 (Peterson) Housing Finance Agency safety departments appropriated money for Highway. payment of claims against the state. applicant income limits not based upon HF407 (Bakk) Snowmobile registration fees geographic location. HF331 (Anderson, I.) State fiscal biennium to increased, snowmobile trail grants-in-aid begin in even-numbered years, and legislative provided, and money appropriated. 12:30 p.m. approval required for federal fund HF770 (Hasskamp) Joshua Renken/Stacy expenditures. Schlosser Snowmobile Safety Act; registration CAPITAL INVESTMENT fees modified, liability insurance and safety 6 p.m. 500S State Office Building education required, night speed limit Chr. Rep. Henry Kalis established, local snowmobile speed control Agenda: HF130 (Carlson) Gopher state bonds; Family & Early Childhood Education Finance provided, and money appropriated. Division/EDUCATION college savings bond program established, 5 State Office Building marketing plan development required, and Chr. Rep. Tony Kinkel bond sale authorized. Agenda: Family Services Collaboratives. HF287 (Bakk) Hastings, Luverne, and Silver Minnesota Children’s Initiative. Bay veterans’ homes improvements provided HF817 (Mariani) Foodshelf program through the use of donated funds. appropriated money. HF797 (Clark) Early childhood learning and HF1346 (Mariani) Early childhood family protection facility grant limitations clarified. education program revenue increased. HF940 (Winter) Tourism and exposition center previous appropriation provisions modified.

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 27 HF1119 (Clark) Jungle Theatre grant matching 1:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, March 19 requirements clarified. Working Group on Technology/ COMMERCE, TOURISM K-12 Education Finance Division/ 8 a.m. & CONSUMER AFFAIRS EDUCATION 200 State Office Building 500N State Office Building Economic Development Chr. Rep. Jim Tunheim Chr. Rep. Alice Johnson Finance Division/ Agenda: HF794 (Rest) Minnesota professional Agenda: Presentation of new technology ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT firms act adopted. proposals. Public testimony regarding these & INTERNATIONAL TRADE HF1116 (Sekhon) Architecture, engineering, proposals. 500S State Office Building land surveying, landscape architecture, Chr. Rep. Steve Trimble geoscience, and interior design board 3 p.m. Agenda: Continuation of March 17 agenda. provisions modified. HF1377 (Hasskamp) University of Minnesota St. Paul House Higher Education tourism center research provided, and money Legislative Delegation Finance Division/EDUCATION appropriated. 5 State Office Building 500N State Office Building Chr. Rep. Jim Farrell Chr. Rep. Gene Pelowski LOCAL GOVERNMENT & Agenda: St. Paul Charter Commission. Agenda: HF304 (Opatz) Higher education METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS master plan commission established, and 10 State Office Building 7 p.m. money appropriated. Chr. Rep. Ann H. Rest HF1213 (Goodno) Moorhead land transfer Agenda: HF962 (Schumacher) Manufactured LOCAL GOVERNMENT & authorized. home park municipal zoning provisions METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS Minnesota State Colleges and Universities modified. 5 State Office Building (MnSCU) budget, Judith Eaton, chancellor HF692 (Tingelstad) Andover contaminated Chr. Rep. Ann H. Rest and Laura King, vice chancellor. land cleanup funded, and money appropriated. Agenda: Continuation of 12:30 p.m. meeting HF317 (Huntley) Municipal wastewater agenda. K-12 Education Finance Division/ infrastructure eminent domain action EDUCATION authorized, bonds issued, and money Subcommittee on 5 State Office Building appropriated. Business Regulation/ Chr. Rep. Becky Kelso HF537 (Jennings) Large energy facility COMMERCE, TOURISM Agenda: HF772 (Evans) Health and safety definition expanded to include high-voltage & CONSUMER AFFAIRS revenue program expanded to include indoor transmission lines that cross the state boundary. 10 State Office Building air quality, school construction project HF640 (Solberg) Nashwauk authorized to own Chr. Rep. Al Juhnke information requirements modified, indoor and operate a gas utility. Agenda: HF982 (Dawkins) Public Safety air quality task force established, and money HF1263 (Rest) County capital improvement Department liquor control and gambling appropriated. bond sunset date extended. enforcement divisions consolidated, and Charter and lab schools working group HF680 (McElroy) Metropolitan Council technical corrections provided. recommendations. service redesign and employee incentives HF761 (Wejcman) Cordial and liqueur brand provided, and pilot project established to labels prohibited from containing cartoons and Property Tax & Tax Increment Finance (TIF) improve council efficiency. caricatures, mandatory minimum civil penalty Division/TAXES HF713 (Molnau) Wastewater treatment facility provided for sales of alcoholic beverages to 200 State Office Building privatization ownership restrictions modified. minors, and home delivery of alcohol regulated. Chr. Rep. Edgar Olson HF738 (Wagenius) Metropolitan Council Additional bills may be added. Agenda: HF165 (Rest) Property tax market urban service area extension moratorium value limitation formula modified and program imposed. Subcommittee on Quality Initiatives/ duration extended. HF783 (Larsen) Metropolitan Council, EDUCATION HF339 (Rest) Property tax fiscal disparities Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, 10 State Office Building determination provisions modified. Metropolitan Radio Board, and Metropolitan Chr. Rep. Matt Entenza HF1239 (Hasskamp) Residential property Mosquito Control District abolished, duties Agenda: HF615 (Kinkel) Teacher multi-year market value increases limited. transferred, and money appropriated. contracts offered, and public postsecondary Additional bills may be added. HF1317 (Marko) Local government roles and education waivers provided as an alternative to responsibilities advisory council established, continuing employment. 8:30 a.m. and money appropriated. HF575 (Weaver) Pornography-blocking HF423 (Orfield) Metropolitan Council made computer software required for schools. ENVIRONMENT & an elective body and provided public campaign HF309 (Koppendrayer) School boards NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE financing, and penalties imposed. authorized to contract for instructional and Basement Hearing Room HF941 (Nornes) Mayor and fire chief offices noninstructional services. State Office Building may be held by the same person under certain HF543 (Entenza) Child and family program Chr. Rep. Tom Osthoff circumstances. outcome accountability mechanism established Agenda: Continuation of March 17 agenda. HF942 (Wenzel) Disaster relief account and working group established, report required, established. and money appropriated. Sales & Income Tax Division/TAXES HF972 (Hausman) Ramsey County personnel 300S State Office Building director eligibility certification provisions Housing & Housing Finance Division/ Chr. Rep. Alice Johnson modified. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & Agenda: To be announced. INTERNATIONAL TRADE REGULATED INDUSTRIES & ENERGY 500S State Office Building State Government Finance Division/ 5 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Karen Clark GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS Chr. Rep. Loren Jennings Agenda: To be announced. 400S State Office Building Agenda: HF1299 (Jennings) Electric Energy Task Chr. Rep. Tom Rukavina Force renamed the Legislative Commission on Agenda: Budget hearings: Department of Utility Competition, and electric industry Employee Relations (DOER); and Minneapolis restructuring review process established. Employees Retirement Fund (MERF). HF880 (Hausman) Minnesota Nuclear HF297 (Jennings) National Guard member Responsibility Act of 1997 adopted, and money tuition and textbook reimbursement grant appropriated. program provisions modified. HF1298 (Jennings) Electric utility personal HF188 (Long) Coya Knutson memorials property tax replacement fee authorized. designed and constructed, and money Additional bills may be added. appropriated. 28 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 HF22 (Rukavina) Police state aid allocation HF410 (Skoglund) Recreational vehicle TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT method modified, and money appropriated. operators fleeing peace officers provided 10 State Office Building HF444 (McCollum) Persian Gulf War veteran criminal penalty. Chr. Rep. Jean Wagenius bonus payment program established, criminal HF261 (Farrell) Motor vehicle crime statutory Agenda: To be announced. penalty imposed for false application, and elements and defense provisions modified. money appropriated. HF616 (Skoglund) HIV/Hepatitis B; 2 p.m. HF1113 (Luther) Intergovernmental corrections guards provided testing for HIV information systems advisory council and Hepatitis B when experiencing significant Legislative Commission on appropriated money for development of the exposure to infected persons while engaged in Pensions and Retirement multiple jurisdiction law enforcement network official duties, inmate assault sentencing 112 State Capitol project. modified, fourth-degree assault expanded. Chr. Sen. Steven Morse HF1033 (Entenza) Consumer and charitable Agenda: SF51 (Janezich); HF73 (Rukavina) 10 a.m. solicitation fraud, deceptive trade practices, Eveleth Police and Fire Trust Fund benefit and false advertising against elderly or increase provided. ENVIRONMENT & handicapped victims provided criminal SF798 (Johnson, D.H.); HF907 (Garcia) NATURAL RESOURCES penalties. Richfield Fire Department Relief Association 5 State Office Building HF506 (Swenson, D.) School bus safety benefit increases provided. Chr. Rep. Willard Munger regulated, student school bus conduct SF1113 (Solon) Duluth fire and police joint Agenda: HF1179 (Davids) Petroleum tank requirements developed, accident reporting consolidation account retired firefighter benefit upgrade assistance program established. provided, and penalties provided. recomputation. HF1341 (Osskopp) Petroleum Tank Release Additional bills may be added. SF1183 (Kelly); HF1267 (Osthoff) St. Paul fire Cleanup Fund use provisions modified. and police consolidation accounts pension and HF1397 (Osthoff) Petroleum contaminated site 12:30 p.m. survivor benefit recipient benefit floor cleanup provided, and money appropriated. provisions revised. HF840 (Wagenius) Petroleum Tank Release Civil & Family Law Division/JUDICIARY HF1273 (Knoblach) Local police and paid fire Cleanup Program reimbursements authorized. 400S State Office Building relief association legal expense treatment HF1102 (Leighton) Used motor oil and filter Chr. Rep. Andy Dawkins clarified. collection and recycling plan revised. Agenda: HF154 (Murphy) Livestock activity SF717 (Metzen); HF796 (Delmont) MSRS; liability provisions modified. deferred compensation governance provisions FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HF176 (Vickerman) Distressed food donor modified. & INSURANCE injury liability limited. Additional bills may be added. 200 State Office Building HF184 (Bishop) Harassment victim civil cause Chr. Rep. Irv Anderson of action provided. 2:30 p.m. Agenda: HF843 (Clark) Lead hazard reduction HF626 (Luther) Designated parent agreement advisory task force established, and money execution and consent requirements modified. The House meets in session. appropriated. HF846 (Leighton) Sexual abuse statute of HF571 (Kalis) Long-term care insurance policy limitations delayed discovery rule provisions After Session sales regulated. clarified. HF210 (Daggett) Long-term health care HF1076 (McGuire) Seat belt and child-restraint COMMERCE, TOURISM & CONSUMER insurance premium income tax credit provided. system-use civil action evidence admissibility AFFAIRS HF1001 (Tomassoni) Insurance company provisions clarified. 200 State Office Building exclusive agencies regulated, penalties provided Chr. Rep. Jim Tunheim for agent rights violations, and enforcement of Agenda: HF688 (Paymar) Cigarette advertising agreements against terminated agents ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT restricted and regulated, and penalties prohibited. & INTERNATIONAL TRADE provided. HF923 (Seagren) State-chartered financial 200 State Office Building Additional bills may be added. institutions authorized to act as trustees of Chr. Rep. Mike Jaros federally qualified medical savings accounts. Agenda: HFXXXX (Jefferson) Appropriating Subcommittee on Gambling/ HF992 (Murphy) Thomson detached banking funding for expansion of the Minneapolis REGULATED INDUSTRIES & ENERGY facility establishment authorized. Convention Center. 500S State Office Building HF1045 (Farrell) Insurance surcharges HFXXXX (Wagenius) Appropriate funds to Chr. Rep. Mike Delmont prohibited for automobile accidents in which the director of the Office of Strategic and Long Agenda: HFXXXX (Delmont) Combined the insured is a passenger in a bus, taxi, or Range Planning to survey means of establishing receipts tax deduction. commuter van. an ongoing state economy policy. HF1310 (Carlson) Fire relief association HF1188 (Anderson, B.) Hassan detached HFXXXX (Jaros) Establish the office of gambling license renewal authorized. banking facility establishment authorized. international affairs coordinator; appropriate Additional bills may be added. HF1205 (Murphy) Lyme disease health plan funding to the Department of Trade and coverage provisions clarified. Economic Development. Subcommittee on Land Sales/ HF429 (Jefferson) Real property fire loss escrow HF1192 (Leighton) Corporate aid moratorium ENVIRONMENT & account provisions clarified. established prohibiting grants, tax incentives, NATURAL RESOURCES HF708 (Skare) Mastectomies; health plan and financial assistance to corporate entities. 400N State Office Building inpatient mastectomy coverage requirement Additional bills may be added. Chr. Rep. Alice Hausman established. Agenda: HF424 (Koppendrayer) Mille Lacs HF875 (Tunheim) Health plan enrollee health Family & Early Childhood Education Finance County tax-forfeited land sale authorized. care services provider choice required. Division/EDUCATION HF299 (Bakk) State park additions and name 5 State Office Building changes provided. JUDICIARY Chr. Rep. Tony Kinkel HFXXXX (Hausman) Omnibus land sales bill. Basement Hearing Room Agenda: HF879 (Seagren) Adult basic State Office Building education revenue formula modified, and 3 p.m. or After Session Chr. Rep. Wes Skoglund money appropriated. Agenda: HF1229 (Biernat) Crime victim HF882 (Dawkins) Neighborhood organizations JUDICIARY information release discretion granted to provided stipends for the delivery of services to Basement Hearing Room prosecutors. children and families, and money appropriated. State Office Building HF925 (Entenza) Child support obligor data HF928 (Wejcman) Child care service Chr. Rep. Wes Skoglund classified, and child support reporting integration demonstration projects established, Agenda: Continuation of 10 a.m. meeting contractor report required. and money appropriated. agenda. HF83 (Skoglund) Fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle crime penalties increased.

March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 29 6 p.m. Housing & Housing Finance Division/ appropriated. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HF227 (Goodno) Human rights department Joint House/Senate INTERNATIONAL TRADE investigative data reclassification provided. Subcommittee on Statewide Testing 500S State Office Building HF1036 (Macklin) Government data practices 5 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Karen Clark program integrity initiatives established, and Chrs. Rep. Becky Kelso, Agenda: HF1276 (Trimble) Community child support enforcement registry access Sen. Larry Pogemiller rehabilitation fund program and affordable provided. Agenda: Discussion of statewide assessment rental investment fund program appropriated Bills referred from other committees: legislation. money. HFXXXX (Johnson, A.) Student evaluation of HF1395 (Juhnke) Employer contribution for professors. 7 p.m. employee housing tax credit provided. Additional bills may be added. HFXXXX (Peterson) Minnesota Housing Civil & Family Law Division/JUDICIARY Finance Agency may not establish different Subcommittee on DWI/ 400S State Office Building income limits based on geographic location. JUDICIARY Chr. Rep. Andy Dawkins 400S State Office Building Agenda: Continuation of 12:30 p.m. meeting 12:30 p.m. Chr. Rep. Satveer Chaudhary agenda. Agenda: HF1318 (Skoglund) DWI offender CAPITAL INVESTMENT maximum stay of sentence provided. 500S State Office Building HF845 (Leighton) DWI; felony penalty THURSDAY, March 20 Chr. Rep. Henry Kalis provided for repeat driving-while-intoxicated Agenda: HFXXXX (Kalis) Cancellation of old offenses. bond authorizations. HF189 (Pugh) DWI; repeat DWI offenders 8 a.m. provided felony penalties, prior-offense COMMERCE, TOURISM definition provisions modified, and sentencing Economic Development & CONSUMER AFFAIRS guidelines commission criminal history point Finance Division/ 200 State Office Building weighting provisions modified. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Chr. Rep. Jim Tunheim HF229 (Weaver) DWI; repeat DWI offender & INTERNATIONAL TRADE Agenda: To be announced. violations provided enhanced gross 500S State Office Building misdemeanor penalty. Chr. Rep. Steve Trimble LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HF1061 (Chaudhary) DWI; criminal penalties, Agenda: Budget hearings: Department of Trade METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS minimum sentences, and administrative and Economic Development; and Department 10 State Office Building sanctions increased for driving while of Economic Security. Chr. Rep. Ann H. Rest intoxicated offenders with an alcohol Agenda: HF244 (Bishop) Individual sewage concentration of 0.20 or more. EDUCATION system requirements modified, and Pollution HF1094 (Boudreau) DWI; driver’s license 200 State Office Building Control Agency rule compliance authority revocation period doubled for persons who Chr. Rep. Lyndon Carlson granted. violate driving while intoxicated laws with a Agenda: HF989 (Greiling) State high school HF971 (Mullery) Hennepin County radio blood alcohol level of 0.20 or greater, and league interschool competition authority system facility lease by commercial wireless penalty assessment provided. modified. system authorized. HF101 (Swenson, D.) DWI; drivers license Additional bills may be added. HF698 (Rukavina) St. Louis County division revocation and reinstatement provisions vote provided. modified. Judiciary Finance Division/ HF798 (Dehler) Unpaid municipal judgement HF201 (Swenson, D.) DWI; criminal penalty JUDICIARY penalty established. provided for operators of snowmobiles, all- 500N State Office Building HF838 (Dehler) Municipal annexation terrain vehicles, and motorboats who refuse an Chr. Rep. Mary Murphy regulation provided. alcohol test. Agenda: Continuation of March 18 agenda. HF855 (Dehler) Municipal board property Additional bills may be added. owner definition modified. State Government Finance Division/ HF1338 (Molnau) Municipal consolidation 2:30 p.m. GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS authorized. 400N State Office Building The House meets in session. Chr. Rep. Tom Rukavina REGULATED INDUSTRIES & ENERGY Agenda: Continuation of March 19 agenda. 5 State Office Building After Session Additional bills may be added. Chr. Rep. Loren Jennings Agenda: HF322 (Jennings) Municipalities LOCAL GOVERNMENT & 8:30 a.m. authorized to control public rights-of-way METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS related to utility services. 10 State Office Building ENVIRONMENT & HF298 (Jennings) Railroad charges to utilities Chr. Rep. Ann H. Rest NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE for right-of-way access disputes heard and Agenda: To be announced. Basement Hearing Room resolved by transportation commissioner. State Office Building Additional bills may be added. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Chr. Rep. Tom Osthoff & INSURANCE Agenda: To be announced. Subcommittee on Data Practices/ 200 State Office Building JUDICIARY Chr. Rep. Irv Anderson 10 a.m. 400N State Office Building Agenda: Continuation of March 19 agenda. Chr. Rep. Mary Jo McGuire GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS Agenda: HF367 (Davids) Omnibus mortuary Subcommittee on Data Practices/ Basement Hearing Room science regulation bill. JUDICIARY State Office Building HF260 (Delmont) School immunization and 400N State Office Building Chr. Rep. Phyllis Kahn health record provisions modified. Chr. Rep. Mary Jo McGuire Agenda: Bills referred under Rule 5.10: HF973 (Solberg) Human rights commissioner Agenda: Continuation of 12:30 p.m. meeting HF1389 (Jennings) Public employee and official duties specified, data privacy provisions agenda. salary and compensation provisions modified. modified, and cost reimbursement provided. HF948 (Wagenius) Mercury emissions HF741 (McGuire) Legislative information consumer information act of 1997 adopted. policy task force established, and money HF696 (Rukavina) State agency professional appropriated. and technical service contract provisions HF1152 (Swenson, D.) Governor’s council on modified. data practices reform established, and money Continuation of March 18 agenda. 30 SESSION WEEKLY / March 14, 1997 Subcommittee on DWI/ one license authorized in designated counties. SF621 (Johnson, J.B.); HF938 (Murphy) JUDICIARY HF1122 (Finseth) Big-game and turkey hunting Corrections employee retirement benefit 400S State Office Building permitted with a crossbow by persons 65 years coverage extended to include certain employees Chr. Rep. Satveer Chaudhary of age or older. of the Cambridge Regional Human Services Agenda: Continuation of 12:30 p.m. meeting HF621 (Holsten) Deer-hunting special season Center. agenda. first weekend reserved for hunters under age SF674 (Knutson); HF1249 (Murphy) Red Wing 16 accompanied by a non-hunting adult. Sexual Psychopathic Personality Treatment Center employees included in a temporary FRIDAY, March 21 GENERAL LEGISLATION, VETERANS retirement election option. AFFAIRS & ELECTIONS SF1191 (Morse) MSRS coverage for department 300N State Office Building of revenue seasonal employees. 8 a.m. Chr. Rep. Bob Milbert SF318 (Kleis); HF856 (Dehler) Legislators’ Agenda: HF1320 (Jefferson) Tuskeegee retirement law coverage provisions modified. Higher Education Airmen; Red Tail project appropriated money Additional bills may be added. Finance Division/EDUCATION for project honoring the Tuskeegee Airmen. 500N State Office Building HF104 (Sviggum) Legislative ethics committees Chr. Rep. Gene Pelowski and procedures established, former legislators Agenda: Mayo Medical School budget, Dr. prohibited from lobbying for one year after Burton A. Sandock, dean; and Dr. David C. leaving office, and fair campaign practices Agerter, chair, Mayo Family Practice Clinic. advisory board established. HF1233 (Opatz) St. Cloud Hospital/Mayo Continuation of March 17 agenda. family practice residency program funding NOTES provided, and money appropriated. 1 p.m. University of Minnesota budget. Gov. Arne Carlson has outlined his vi- Civil & Family Law Division/JUDICIARY K-12 Education Finance Division/ 400S State Office Building sion for some of the state’s estimated $2.3 EDUCATION Chr. Rep. Andy Dawkins billion surplus in his property tax reform 5 State Office Building Agenda: To be announced. Chr. Rep. Becky Kelso proposal, which has yet to be introduced in the House. Agenda: Overview of governor’s budget 2 p.m. recommendations-Article 11, Technology, Along with a plan to overhaul Minnesota’s Tom Melcher, Department of Children, Legislative Commission on convoluted tax code, the governor also wrote Families and Learning. Technology working Pensions and Retirement in a one-time rebate to individual income group recommendations, Reps. Alice Johnson, 112 State Capitol Bob Ness. Chr. Sen. Steven Morse taxpayers based on their 1996 returns. Any- Agenda: SF995 (Morse); HF1129 (Kahn) one who paid any Minnesota income tax at Transportation & Transit Teachers’ Retirement Association employee all in 1996 would get a check for 22 percent Finance Division/ and employer contribution provisions of the total, said Department of Revenue TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT modified. 500S State Office Building SF997 (Morse); HF1128 (Kahn) Higher Commissioner Jim Girard. Chr. Rep. Bernie Lieder education supplemental retirement plan The measure specifies a minimum pay- Agenda: Preliminary budget considerations. employee and employer contribution ment of $50 and a maximum of $900 per provisions modified. individual or $1,800 for a couple. Girard 10 a.m. SF922 (Morse); HF1127 (Kahn) Public employee Individual Retirement Account plan estimated that the rebates would chew up JUDICIARY provisions modified. around $750 million of the surplus. Basement Hearing Room SF996 (Morse); HF1130 (Kahn) Higher State Office Building education Individual Retirement Account plan Chr. Rep. Wes Skoglund provided administrative changes, and advisory Agenda: To be announced. During the course of debate over pro- committee established. posed changes to the state’s body of un- SF1171 (Morse); HF1270 (Kahn) State colleges 12:30 p.m. and universities pension provisions modified, claimed property law March 13, some teachers retirement reporting and remittance members of the House Commerce and In- ENVIRONMENT & requirements modified, and higher education ternational Affairs Committee became deeply NATURAL RESOURCES supplemental retirement plan provisions 5 State Office Building modified. concerned about how the legislation might Chr. Rep. Willard Munger Additional bills may be added. affect retailers who sell gift certificates that Agenda: HF551 (Sekhon) State land boundary go unused. After more than hour of dis- line and trust sale provisions modified, property tax payment by natural resources commissioner course centering around some of the law’s provided, and public land sales authorized. SATURDAY, March 22 more arcane provisions, some representa- HF299 (Bakk) State park additions and name tives — particularly those without the ben- changes provided. 9 a.m. HF1178 (Davids) Border-to-border state trail efit of a law degree — expressed frustration study provided, and money appropriated. Legislative Commission on as they tried to glean the nuances of differ- HF1351 (Hasskamp) Personal watercraft Pensions and Retirement ence that exist between some of the legal nuisance control act adopted. 15 State Capitol concepts cited in the bill. HF1082 (Osthoff) Hunting and fishing license Chr. Sen. Steven Morse Indeed, Rep. Ron Erhardt (R-Edina) ap- fees modified, aquatic farming fees and Agenda: SF637 (Morse); HF647 (Jefferson) requirements modified, and commercial Public pension benefit accrual rates increased, parently spoke for more than one member fishing and netting provisions modified. defined contribution early retirement options when he said, “Mr. Chair, I’m still unsure as HF313 (Milbert) Fish habitat and propagation authorized, homestead and agricultural credit to what the hell we’re talking about here!” provisions modified, special hunting events aid modified, and money appropriated. The members voted to send the bill to the established for youth, airboats restricted, SF64 (Junge); HF488 (Rest) MSRS, Teachers’ minnow-taking provisions modified, and Retirement Association, and first-class city House Ways and Means Committee. money appropriated. Teachers Retirement Association members HF171 (Bakk) Deer; youth resident deer authorized service credit purchase for voluntary hunting license established. military service. HF378 (Finseth) Deer; taking of two deer under March 14 , 1997 / SESSION WEEKLY 31 MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING ST. PAUL, MN 55155-1298

Speaker of the House: Phil Carruthers Majority Leader: Ted Winter Minority Leader: Steven A. Sviggum

For more information MINNESOTA INDEX Oh, the state we’re in For general information, call: House Information Office Minnesota population, 1994 ...... 4,570,355 (612) 296-2146 or Midwestern states that grew faster than Minnesota, 1980-1994 ...... 0 1-800-657-3550 Median age in Minnesota, 1994 ...... 33.9 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: States with more married couples, as a percentage of state households ...... 0 Chief Clerk’s Office Percent of Minnesotans living in Minneapolis and St. Paul...... 14.2 (612) 296-2314 Increase in the state’s minority population, 1990-1995 ...... 42 Minorities as a percentage of the state’s total population, 1995 ...... 8.4 To find out about bill introductions or Per capita income, all Minnesotans, 1995 ...... $23,118 the status of a specific bill, call: Nationwide ...... $22,788 House Index Office Minnesota counties that lost population during the 1980s ...... 48 (612) 296-6646 Counties experiencing a net-immigration, 1990-1995 ...... 56 Counties in which more people died than were born, 1990-1994 ...... 13 For up-to-date recorded message International immigrants settling in Minnesota, 1994 ...... 7,093 giving committee meeting times and agendas, call: National rank...... 18 Committee Hotline Townships in Minnesota ...... 1,803 (612) 296-9283 Other states with townships as a form of government...... 19 Total number of governmental units in Minnesota ...... 3,580 The House of Representatives can be National rank...... 6 reached on the World Wide Web at: Number of Minnesota cities ...... 854 http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us Percent of state residents living within a city ...... 78 Population of Tenney, Minnesota’s smallest city ...... 4 Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired. Average age of a Minnesota farmer, 1974 ...... 49.8 To ask questions or leave messages, in 1994...... 49.6 call: TTY Line (612) 296-9896 or Percent of Minnesota farms owned by individuals ...... 88 1-800-657-3550 Percent owned by corporations ...... 3 Percent of Minnesota farms earning under $25,000 annually...... 44 Check your local listings to watch House committee and floor sessions on TV. Sources: Compare Minnesota 1996-1997, Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development; Population Notes, November 1996, Minnesota Planning; Pop Bites, May 1996, This document can be made available Minnesota Planning; Ahead at Halftime: Minnesota at Mid-Decade, Minnesota Planning. in alternative formats.