A Nonpartisan Publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives ♦ March 5, 1999 ♦ Volume 16, Number 9

HF1149-HF1483 Session Weekly is a nonpartisan publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office. During the 1999-2000 Legislative Minnesota House of Representatives • March 5, 1999 • Volume 16, Number 9 Session, each issue reports daily House action between Thursdays of each week, lists bill introductions and upcoming committee meeting schedules, and pro- vides other information. The publication Reflections is a service of the Minnesota House. “Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I have the honor to announce the arrival of the governor of No fee. the great state of Minnesota.” The Chief Sergeant-at-Arms speaks these words in the well of the House chamber before To subscribe, contact: Minnesota House of Representatives the governor is escorted in to address the joint session of the Legislature. By law, “The Public Information Office governor shall communicate by message to each session of the Legislature . . .” 175 State Office Building As protocol before a State of the State address, Senate members are announced to the St. Paul, MN 55155-1298 House members and guests. Once they are escorted in, the joint session of the Legislature (651) 296-2146 or is convened by the speaker, who serves as the presiding member. All the constitutional 1-800-657-3550 officers and justices and judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals are TTY (651) 296-9896 announced and escorted in. Protocol also directs the courtesy of inviting former governors to hear an official Director message to the Legislature by the newly elected governor. When Gov. Jesse Ventura gave LeClair G. Lambert his State of the State address March 2, three former governors were present: Wendell Anderson, Arne Carlson, and Al Quie. Acting Assistant Director/Editor Ventura’s speech marked the 89th such message to the Legislature. But the messages Nick Healy were not titled “State of the State” until 1969, when Gov. Harold LeVander gave the 65th Acting Assistant Editor official message to the joint body. Sandy Donovan After statehood, the Legislature met annually until 1879. Then, under Gov. John S. Pillsbury, lawmakers began to meet every two years. The Legislature did not meet Art & Production Coordinator in 1880, so Pillsbury was unable to set fiscal policy for state needs. When the St. Peter State Paul Battaglia Hospital was destroyed by fire, he personally paid for the rebuilding, and was reimbursed Writers later by the Legislature. Jon Fure, Sarah Hallonquist, Once again in 1973, the Legislature began to meet annually, but in biennial sessions. Grant Martin, Paul Wahl During early statehood, most messages to the Legislature were delivered along with the governor’s inaugural address in the Capitol rotunda. But in 1983 Gov. Rudy Perpich gave Chief Photographer a separate inaugural address away from the Capitol for the first time, at Hibbing High Tom Olmscheid School on the Iron Range, some 189 miles away. Photographers Ventura joins the ranks of some memorable governors like Samuel R. VanSant, a Gina Dabrowski, Laura Phillips, riverboat man whose term of office brought the state into the 20th century; “hard-working Andrew Von Bank and hard-swearing” David M. Clough, a lumber baron; and John A. Johnson, Minnesota’s first native-born governor. Like the messages of these former governors, Ventura called Office Manager for more money for public education and tax reform. Nicole Wood In Ventura’s State of the State speech, he also advocated for self-sufficiency and Staff Assistants restraint. Like governors in the past, he can only strongly suggest an agenda and hope the Ivan Weiss Jr., Jennifer Ridgeway Legislature will act in his favor. But most everyone is in agreement with his first words to the joint session and invited Session Weekly (ISSN 1049-8176) is pub- guests: “The state of the state is great!” lished weekly during the legislative session by —LeClair Grier Lambert the Minnesota House of Representatives Pub- lic Information Office, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes INSIDE to Session Weekly, Public Information Office, Minnesota House of Representatives, 175 State Highlights ...... 5 Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., Feature: State of the State ...... 17 St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. New Members: Kelliher, Westerberg ...... 19, 20 Printed on recycled paper which is 50% recycled, 20% post-consumer content. Bill Introductions (HF1149 - HF1483)...... 21 Committee Schedule (March 8-13) ...... 29

t e d i n o On the cover: Gov. Jesse Ventura pauses in front of the House chamber before being announced r n P

r to deliver his State of the State address to the joint convention of the House and Senate on

e r

c e y p March 2. c a l e d p —Photo by Andrew Von Bank

2 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 Financing K-12 education . . . Bills would help Minnesota’s lowest-funded schools By Sandy Donovan Closing the gap between Minnesota’s wealthier school districts and its poorer ones has been a concern of lawmakers throughout the 1990s. “Districts with property wealth have access to the best educational resources,” said Rep. Tony Kielkucki (R-Lester Prairie), who’s spon- soring one of several proposals this year that would create a new category of school funding aimed specifically at decreasing the disparity between poor and wealthy districts. “The Legislature has tried over the years to increase equity, but the gap still remains,” Kielkucki said. Currently, Minnesota’s public school fi- nance system is split between the state, which picks up about 68 percent of the tab, and individual districts, which fund the rest through property tax levies. But since voters must approve all local ref- Additional state funding would be directed to poorly funded school districts in an effort to lessen the erendums to increase school funding, those disparity between districts that get a lot of revenue through local levies and those that get very little, levies remain largely optional and vary under proposals considered by the House K-12 Education Finance Committee. throughout the state. Currently, per student revenue. Per pupil funding is distributed ac- funding under Kielkucki’s bill, which would funding in the state’s most flush districts is cording to weighted student counts, which “go a long way for class-size reduction, a read- about $1,081 more annually than per student provide more money for secondary students ing program, and technology upgrades.” spending in the lowest-funded districts. than for elementary students. Lawmakers also heard from Minnesotans who In theory, school districts with the highest The bill also calls for an across-the-board would benefit directly from equity funding. property values would have the highest-funded basic funding allowance increase of 5 percent Josie Boyle, a junior at Stillwater Area High schools, but critics of the system say even that is annually. That would amount to $176 more School, told the committee that low revenues not always true. Districts with high percentages per pupil in fiscal year 2000, and another $189 in her district meant she would not be able to of private-school students, retirees, or “over- per pupil the following year. continue with a five-year French program she extended” suburban families can have a hard Kielkucki estimates that the plan would close began in the eighth grade. The district has a time passing an the annual policy of only forming elective classes of 20 or excess-levy ref- funding more students, and since 15 of 28 people have erendum. Also, “The Legislature has tried over the years to gap be- dropped out of the language program, Boyle areas with high tween the said the last leg will not be offered. concentrations increase equity, but the gap still remains.” richest and Although post-secondary study is an op- of seasonal —Rep. Tony Kielkucki poorest tion for her, Boyle said she would have to property or districts by travel into Minneapolis or St. Paul for such a farms can have about $100 course and would waste valuable time and a lower tax base per pupil, money travelling that far. than other suburban or urban districts. and initial calculations show that the price tag “If I lose one year of language, I’ll lose much Kielkucki’s plan (HF582) would establish a for the state would be about $64 million in the of what I’ve learned and that’s also a waste of new component of state education revenue first year. time and money,” she added. called equity revenue. Equity revenue would Officials from school districts around the But some lawmakers said situations like go, on a sliding scale, to all districts that fall state appeared March 1 before the House K-12 Boyle’s aren’t unique to districts with com- below the 95th percentile in total school fund- Education Finance Committee to plug paratively low or no local referendums. ing. Total funding includes all state revenue Kielkucki’s proposal. “All schools need more money, it’s not just and funding generated through local levies. “This certainly gets us going in the right a matter of inequity,” said Rep. Mindy Greiling Under the bill, equity aid would start at $25 direction,” said G. L. Carlson, superintendent (DFL-Roseville). “I’d support more money per pupil unit for districts at the 95th revenue for the St. Peter School District. for the general fund rather than for this.” percentile, and would gradually increase to Carlson said St. Peter schools would stand Greiling said that one of the school districts $100 per pupil for districts with the lowest to receive about $76 per pupil in increased she represents, Roseville, would not stand to

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 3 receive any equity aid under Kielkucki’s pro- posal. Although the district is one of the state’s wealthiest, factors like higher teacher salaries Stassen’s 1939 speech hits familiar themes and a strong special education focus leave It was almost exactly education system, including post-second- little extra money for other programs, accord- 60 years ago that Gov. ary education. ing to her. Harold Stassen vowed to Those spending increases could be ac- “We may not be as far ahead of you as you reduce government complished by cuts in “almost every other think when it comes to playgrounds and com- spending and decrease the department and activity of the state, in- puters,” she said. state’s debt in his annual cluding the office of the governor,” he Other lawmakers, including Rep. Alice address to the Legislature. said. Johnson (DFL-Spring Lake Park), said pro- Stassen, who at 31 was the nation’s Among his targets were eliminating un- viding straight equity aid would diminish lo- youngest governor, was beginning his necessary state boards or agencies and cal control of schools and would not reward first term in office when he delivered a reducing the number of inspectors who districts whose taxpayers support a large ref- 1939 speech that touched on issues that traveled throughout the state. erendum. All but 70 of Minnesota’s 400-plus still occupy lawmakers today. Stassen did propose to create one new school districts have some amount of local He described to legislators his simple board to study unemployment and other levy. The St. Paul School District, which has philosophy on the task of developing a issues on the Iron Range. One of his sug- no levy, would be the major beneficiary of budget for the state, and he said voters gestions was to increase state taxes on Kielkucki’s proposal. “placed their decisive stamp of approval” iron ore by changing occupational and Rep. Bob Ness (R-Dassel) is sponsoring an- on his ideas in the November 1938 royalty rates from 8 to 10 percent, revers- other bill (HF269) that would also create equity election. ing a change that had been made two aid, but the measure would distribute the addi- “We were determined that we should years earlier. tional funding only to districts with total rev- spend less money in the next biennium Stassen said his plan would reduce the enues of below the state’s 25th percentile. than we had in the past biennium,” he state’s total expenditures from just more Ness’ plan would provide enough money to said. than $82 million to just more than $79 those districts to bring them up to that 25th Stassen matter-of-factly listed priori- million for the biennium. The current percentile, at which per pupil total spending is ties including “spending less money, ad- two-year budget in Minnesota tops $20 estimated at $4,365. The state’s general educa- equately meeting the needs of men and billion. tion formula allowance now stands at $3,530 women who through no fault of their A key aspect of Stassen’s plan included per pupil. Ness estimates that his plan would own are in need of public assistance, investment strategies to help the state cost the state roughly $32 million per year. maintaining our education system, press- bond for new buildings. He recommended “This targets the poorest of the poor and ing onward for a progressive program on borrowing $1.7 million for the state’s tries to give them help,” Ness said. social betterment and security, avoiding building program, but he said the state At the heart of both equity aid proposals is new taxes on real estate, reducing total could reduce its total debt by the end of a belief that the quality of public education indebtedness of the state, and avoiding the biennium from $133 million to $124 should be more equal across the state and less placing additional burdens on business million, a savings of about $9 million. dependent on property wealth. Lawmakers and enterprise.” One problem with the state’s budget have worked toward that goal in the past, most Although he is now known by some was that the state was missing out on lost notably in a 1993 referendum reform law and only for his repeated, quixotic runs for revenue from interest on state funds, in a graduations standards equity aid compo- the presidency, Stassen was a rising star Stassen explained. nent of the 1998 omnibus education law. when he became governor. He would go He said, “We have at the present time The 1993 law increased the state’s share of on to win re-election to the office in both in our trust fund for schools and other education funding, which had dipped to 56 1940 and 1942, and he would shine on purposes over $10 million of funds which percent, to more than 61 percent. That share the national and international stages, are not invested, but are lying idle be- rose from 61.9 percent in fiscal year 1998 to beginning with his speech before the cause it is not possible to secure the type more than 67 percent for fiscal year 1999, and Republican National Convention in June of investment specified . . .” it is slated to top 69 percent by fiscal year 2000. 1940 and continuing through his work to Stassen, who left the governor’s office The 1993 law also mandated a cap on local help create the United Nations. in 1943 to join the Navy and its Pacific referendums, which currently stands at $807 In his 1939 budget address, Stassen Fleet, went on to help draft the U.N. per pupil. noted a few areas that would be excep- charter, serve as president of the Univer- And, in the first real step towards statewide tions to his plans for an overall reduction sity of Pennsylvania, and hold a post in equity, that law “equalized” the first $315 in in state spending. He proposed increas- the Eisenhower administration. He was a per pupil funds from local levies, meaning ing the state’s funding for “old-age assis- serious contender in the 1948 presiden- that state aid is added to those dollars based on tance,” and urged the Legislature to revise tial campaign, battling New York Gov. the district’s property tax base. laws on property tax, pensions, and the Thomas Dewey for the Republican nomi- The 1998 graduation standards equity aid “children’s responsibility section” as they nation. That was the closest he would gave an extra $34 per pupil to districts that are related to care of the elderly. Stassen also come to the presidency. not at the referendum cap and that have not advocated relief to Minnesota veterans renewed their levies during the past five years. and increases in financing for the state’s The House education panel will consider HF269 and HF582 for inclusion in this year’s omnibus education funding bill.

4 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 Week in Review . . . Feb. 25 - March 4, 1999

A number of factors affect the body’s ability AGRICULTURE CRIME to process alcohol, including duration of the drinking, weight, ingestion of food, and gen- Healthy hog bill passes Lower limit for DWI der. A standard drink would be a 12-ounce glass of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, or a The state would purchase pseudorabies vac- Following a failed attempt last year, some one-and-a-half-ounce shot of hard alcohol. cines for infected swine under a bill the House lawmakers hope that 1999 will be the year to Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul), co-spon- passed overwhelmingly Feb. 25. The vote was lower Minnesota’s blood-alcohol standard sor of Goodno’s bill, said the proposal is sim- 110-21. from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. ply about public safety. The bill (HF414) would provide $1.5 mil- A bill (HF1004) aimed at accomplishing “We want to make sure that when people go lion to help quell an outbreak of the highly that goal was given initial approval by the on the road, they will know that they will be contagious disease, which is not harmful to House Crime Prevention Committee on safe,” he said. humans but causes pigs to have reproductive March 2. The vote was 12-2. Entenza said that the 0.08-percent limit is a problems and to gain weight more slowly. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Goodno reasonable limit for society to set and that Rep. Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont) is spon- (R-Moorhead), would lower the legal limit for research indicates that all drivers are impaired soring the measure. He said farmers have done drunkenness to 0.08 percent for the operation at that level of blood-alcohol content. a good job over the years working to decrease of automobiles, off-road vehicles, and motor- Mike Asleson, DWI trainer with the Minne- incidences of pseudorabies, but in recent boats. The bill would also apply the new limit sota State Patrol, told the committee that the months, there has been a resurgence of in- to hunting with a firearm or bow. change in the law would result in a reduction fected herds. “When a person in Minnesota is using a in Minnesota’s DWI-related traffic fatalities. While the bill had strong support, several dangerous device, we want to make sure that He said the bill also sends a message to people representatives were not hog-wild about the person is not impaired,” Goodno told the that the state is getting tough on drunk idea. committee. driving. Rep. Philip Krinkie (R-Shoreview) said he According to the National Highway Trans- “It just says that we cannot tolerate this believes pseudorabies flared because farmers portation Safety Administration, the average continued death toll,” he said. facing declining pork prices decided to gamble male would have to drink four standard drinks But Jim Farrell, executive director of the and not vaccinate. in an hour and the average female would have Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Inc., He said the bill rewards errant behavior and to drink three standard drinks in an hour to disagreed. He said that 0.08-percent laws teaches farmers they do not have to be respon- reach the 0.08-percent level. passed in other states have shown varied re- sible because the state will bail them out. He sults in DWI-related arrests and fatalities, and said appropriating funds would lead the state he questioned whether the laws have truly down the “road to socialized medicine for been effective. pigs.” Farrell also cited a recent New England Rep. Henry Kalis (DFL-Walters) said hog Journal of Medicine report stating that the farmers themselves should solve the problem risk of being killed by a driver using a cellular using dollars from a check-off program to phone is higher than the risk of being killed by match state dollars. a driver at a 0.08 percent blood alcohol level. Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-North St. Paul) “My concern is that in our desire to make said she does not want to do anything for pigs things right, we need to do things that make the state would not do for children. She pointed sense,” he said. out that the hog vaccine would be provided to Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester) offered an farmers for free yet the state charges a co- amendment that would have applied the lower payment for prescriptions under state-run 0.08-percent limit only to repeat DWI offenders. health care programs. Under the amendment, the 0.10-percent limit Supporters of the bill reminded critics that would have applied for all other drivers. That hog farmers have lost hundreds of millions of amendment was rejected by the committee. dollars in the past few months as prices on the Last year, separate versions of the DWI bill open market plummeted. passed the two bodies of the Legislature but Rep. Steve Wenzel (DFL-Little Falls) said stalled in a conference committee as legisla- the state had an “absolute obligation” to help tors struggled to work out the difference be- continue the efforts to reduce and eliminate tween the bills. pseudorabies and lamented the fact the amount David Johnson, chief of police in Blaine, testifies in The House version of the bill, then spon- of funding in the bill isn’t higher. favor of a bill that would lower the blood-alcohol sored by Entenza, would have lowered the limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent for DWI and standard for legal drunkenness in Minnesota other offenses. from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent for all

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 5 drivers. The Senate version passed last year, ing alcohol to someone underage from a gross Bill sponsor Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL- like Bishop’s amendment, would have applied misdemeanor to a felony. St. Paul) said his bill would also cover calls the lower limit only to repeat DWI offenders. “This is a loophole that needs to be closed, made directly to local police departments on Goodno’s proposal now goes to the House and I want you to close it,” Brockway said. other phone lines. Judiciary Finance Committee. The Crime Prevention Committee reviewed The bill now goes back to the Senate. two identical bills, HF261, sponsored by Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL-St. Paul), and HF245, Penalties for furnishing booze sponsored by Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL- Better tracking of criminals Hermantown). The committee approved Responding to the tragic deaths of teenagers Lawmakers have given initial approval to a HF261. Lawmakers took no action on HF245. like Janice Rabideaux and Kevin Brockway, law- proposal seeking more integrated criminal Entenza’s bill now goes to the House floor. makers gave initial approval to bill that would justice information systems. toughen penalties for providing alcohol to people Currently, individual law enforcement agen- under the legal drinking age. More judges wanted cies use several different computer systems, Sixteen-year-old Janice Rabideaux of often to track the same information. Cloquet died from alcohol poisoning after a Responding to a 41-percent increase in The bill (HF1118), approved Feb. 26 by the 1997 Halloween party where alcohol was pro- caseloads in the last 10 years, the state’s district House Crime Prevention Committee, would vided by an adult. courts have made use of several methods to provide $1.2 million in matching grants for Cliff Rabideaux, Janice’s father, testified in increase efficiency. But court officials say these county and statewide development of inte- support of the bill, which was approved March 2 stopgap measures can only do so much and grated systems. The bill also outlines how by the House Crime Prevention Committee. new judges are needed to handle the workload these systems should work. “I have to deal with this the rest of my life,” increase. Bill sponsor Rep. Rich Stanek he said. “I hope none of you ever have to deal A plan to provide those additional judges (R-Maple Grove) said his bill comes as a result with this.” was approved by the House Crime Prevention of the recommendations of Minnesota HEALS. Rabideaux said that the person who pro- Committee during a joint hearing with the Minnesota HEALS — which stands for Min- vided the alcohol to his daughter never spent House Civil Law Committee on Feb. 26. nesota for Hope, Education, and Law and any time in jail for the crime. The bill (HF542), sponsored by Rep. Safety — is a consortium made up of corpo- Kevin Brockway of St. Paul died in an alco- Dave Bishop (R-Rochester), would provide 18 rate, community, and law enforcement groups. hol-related car crash following a New Year’s new trial court units — one judge, one law clerk, The organization was started by corporate Eve party on Dec. 31, 1997, where vodka had and one court reporter for each unit. The pro- leaders in 1997 in response to a rise in violent been provided by an adult. Brockway was posal would increase the number of judges in crime, and is currently working in several at- 16 years old at the time. nine of the state’s 10 judicial districts. risk Twin Cities neighborhoods to address Tom Brockway, Kevin’s father, told the com- The bill would transfer three existing judge- crime, housing, employment, and health mittee that providing alcohol to an underage ships to judicial districts that are in greater issues. person is like giving that person “poison,” need. And it would provide $9.3 million over Pat Hoven, vice president for social respon- because young people cannot handle the the biennium to pay for the new positions. sibility at Honeywell Corporation and HEALS responsibility. Heidi Green, manager of the research and spokesperson, said that an integrated system Under current law, a person who provides evaluation unit of the Minnesota Supreme would provide law enforcement an important alcohol to someone under the age of 21 who then Court, said that the proposal would provide a crime-fighting tool. She said that such a sys- becomes intoxicated and causes death or great 6.5-percent increase in judgeships since the tem would accelerate the arrest, prosecution, bodily harm is guilty of a gross misdemeanor last time new judges were approved in 1995. and sentencing of criminals. crime. If that person sells the alcohol to the Meanwhile, she said, caseloads have increased “The time is now to fix the problem,” she underage person, the adult is guilty of a felony. by 10 percent over the same period. said. “We need information sharing.” The bill would increase the crime of provid- The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Dale Good, director of information tech- Finance Committee. nology at the state Supreme Court, said that there are over a thousand autonomous local criminal justice information systems in the Protecting 911 callers state, including individual systems for city police departments, county sheriffs, district A law frequently used to prosecute domes- courts, public defenders, and city and county tic assault offenders would be clarified under attorneys. a bill approved March 1 by the House. The He said that the bill would provide coordi- vote was 130-0. nation and funding that would complement Under a 1997 law, prosecutors can charge a the work of the criminal and juvenile justice person who interferes with a phone call to a information policy group, which has been 911 dispatcher with a gross misdemeanor Two fathers, Tom Brockway of St. Paul, left, and working on statewide criminal justice infor- Cliff Rabideaux of Cloquet, testify in support of a crime. The law is often used against domestic mation issues. bill that would increase penalties for providing assault offenders who try to prevent their vic- “To really finish the job, we need to drill alcohol to someone under 21 years old. Brockway’s tims from calling the police for help. down into the local levels,” he said. 16-year-old son died in an alcohol-related car The bill (HF193/SF255*) would expand the Stanek’s bill would also expand the mem- crash, and Rabideaux’s daughter, also 16 years law to include all emergency calls to police, bership of the policy group, adding two mem- old, died from alcohol poisoning. Both consumed ambulance services, or fire departments, not alcohol provided by adults. bers with private-sector information systems just calls placed through 911.

6 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 experience and a member from the attorney She said she supports the idea of help for “The fear we have is that if we have to general’s office. And the bill would give the inner-city neighborhoods, but she questioned devastate our school district, that will cer- group the authority to review the grant if the state should pay for policing for the tainly play a role in people’s decision to relo- proposals. “mischief and misbehavior” of tourists in cit- cate to East Grand Forks,” he said. The proposal now goes to the House Gov- ies such as Crosby, Baxter, and Brainerd. Many lawmakers supported the plan, but ernmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Rep. Kris Hasskamp (DFL-Crosby) said some objected to the practice of continuing to Policy Committee. tourism-related crime is a problem in those provide special, targeted funding boosts to communities, and the issue is worthy of state specific areas when school districts across the support. state are facing financial hardships. Putting heat on criminals She said that during peak tourism periods “The system doesn’t work and we keep deal- when the population of resort communities ing with it one piece at a time,” said Rep. Ken A program aimed at cracking down on crime swells, the number of law enforcement offi- Wolf (R-Burnsville). in two St. Paul neighborhoods was so success- cials remains the same. Rep. Alice Seagren (R-Bloomington), who ful, it should be emulated statewide. The bill could be considered for inclusion in chairs the K-12 committee, agreed that law- That’s the opinion of Rep. Andy Dawkins an omnibus bill later this session. makers on the panel need to continually ask (DFL-St. Paul) who is sponsoring a bill the question, “How much do we do [for indi- (HF788) that would provide $3.5 million to- vidual districts] at the expense of an increase ward that aim. SCHOOL in the general fund for everyone?” The bill would establish crime reduction EDUCATION The committee did not vote on HF130 but aid for cities that have a high crime index. will consider it for inclusion in an omnibus Under a funding formula, cities that are prop- Flood still troubling schools K-12 finance bill. erty poor would receive aid according to the number of serious crimes reported. Although it’s been nearly two years since Dawkins told the Property Tax Division of heavy flooding damaged the Red River Valley Putting kids on public transit the House Taxes Committee that residents of area of northwestern Minnesota, East Grand his district who are afraid to step outside their Forks Superintendent John Roach told law- A bill that would provide money for high- homes are as much in need of aid as financially makers that his school district is still several school students to use public transportation troubled farmers. years away from a complete recovery. was considered by the House K-12 Education Funding would be used to intensify pro- Three new state-of-the-art schools have been Finance Committee Feb. 26. active community policing efforts, as was ac- completed to replace the three lost to flood Rep. Len Biernat (DFL-Mpls), who is spon- complished through the Heavy Enforcement waters, but it’s the loss of students that has the soring the proposal, said financial details have Activities for Thirty Days program (called district in a particular bind. yet to be worked out, but the bill would pro- HEAT) in St. Paul. There are 350 fewer students in East Grand vide grants from the Minnesota Department Commander Richard Gardell, of the St. Paul Forks classrooms today than there were two of Children, Families and Learning to school Police Department, who headed HEAT, said years ago, which is a drop of 14 percent. And districts that use public transportation. Dis- the effort was successful because it combined since the bulk of school funding is paid to tricts would be required to match every $4 of federal, state, and local resources. He said the districts on a per pupil basis, that declining grant money with $1 of district funding. program had overwhelming support in the student population means a loss of about $1.8 “(The bill) is still a work-in-progress, but it community, and he told how residents came million per year in state aid. will give schools an option for transporting out of their homes to applaud officers making But, Roach said, the district still needs to students from one location to another,” Biernat drug arrests and to offer assistance. operate the same number of buildings and said. Citizen complaints fell by one-half in the buses, and it’s not much cheaper to run a School districts need that option, Biernat neighborhoods where the program was estab- classroom of 20 students than one of 23. said, because they increasingly have situations lished. Extra state funding, in the form of declining where small groups of students need to be He said the officers were able to be more pupil unit aid, helped the district in 1997 and transported, making traditional school buses pro-active in providing services to the com- 1998, and a bill (HF130) under consideration a costly alternative. munity because they were relieved of having this year would extend that funding over the Several factors contribute to those chang- to handle emergency responses. next three years, while gradually phasing it out ing transportation needs, especially in the Under the funding formula, Minneapolis by fiscal year 2002. Minneapolis School District. In that city, and St. Paul would receive the greatest In addition to East Grand Forks, the bill Biernat said, more families are moving around amounts. would provide the same aid to the equally the city, while the district has a policy of keep- While lauding the idea, several representa- hard-hit districts of Ada-Bourup, Argyle- ing kids in the same schools even if parents tives were concerned about the funding Stephen, Breckenridge, Climax, Kittson-Cen- move across the district and away from regu- formula. tral, and Warren-Alvarado-Oslo. larly scheduled school bus routes. Also, more Rep. Dan McElroy (R-Burnsville) said low The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Tim Finseth and more remedial programs are being of- property wealth is used as a factor for request- (R-Angus), was discussed March 3 by the House fered after school hours, leaving groups of ing state aid far too often and results in an K-12 Education Finance Committee. students who need rides home. unfair tax burden on residents of his district. Roach told the committee that he is opti- And a rise of charter schools and open- Rep. Ann H. Rest (DFL-New Hope) said she mistic that East Grand Forks will make a full enrollment programs demand alternative is troubled by the fact that among the 11 cities recovery and that the extra state aid would transportation as well. that would qualify for aid, several are small mean that the school district could be ready to “We’re looking at ways to disperse and de- tourist towns in the northern part of the state. accommodate new students as people move concentrate poverty in the inner city,” Biernat back into the area. March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 7 said. “We need ways to get kids who live in areas of poverty to have a chance to get public Big cat in the hat transportation outside the city.” Rep. Harry Mares (R-White Bear Lake) questioned districts’ potential liability for ac- cidents that could occur on public buses, and Biernat agreed that issues of safety would have to be examined. And lawmakers from rural and suburban areas objected that the bill would only serve urban districts that already have adequate public transportation. “Transportation needs are everywhere, not just uniquely in Minneapolis,” said Rep. Leslie Schumacher (DFL-Princeton). “I would pre- fer we look at every school district’s needs.” A 1998 bill, also sponsored by Biernat, that would have allowed students in Minneapolis and St. Paul to ride public buses was voted down by a House transportation panel last year. The education panel took no action on this Gov. Jesse Ventura models his new “Cat in the Hat” cap for grade-school students in the Capitol year’s bill (HF455), but may consider it for rotunda. The students gave the governor the hat after he read “Life is Fun” by Minnesota author inclusion in its omnibus K-12 funding mea- Nancy Carlson at a March 1 Read Across America event. sure this session. staff, and ramifications for the state if either Summer school finance plan Funds to fight lawsuits suit is lost. Levinger said the requested money would More students would be able to attend re- The Minnesota Department of Children, be used to pay for mediation proceedings as medial summer school, under a bill consid- Families and Learning would receive an addi- well as the ongoing preparation for both suits ered by the House K-12 Education Finance tional $3 million for costs associated with two in case they do go to trial. The St. Paul case is Committee on March 3. Twin Cities-area lawsuits against the state, slated for trial in this fall, and while a trial has The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Bob Ness under a bill being considered by the House not been set in the NAACP case, Levinger said (R-Dassel), would provide funding for basic Ways and Means Committee. it could be set any time. skills summer programs, which would be avail- The money would help fund the attorney The $3 million would be in addition to the able to all students that haven’t passed a state- general’s ongoing legal work regarding the $1.3 million already appropriated for the cases required basic skills test in reading, writing, or two suits. for the 1998-99 biennium. Levinger said that math. In one case, the National Association for the a loss in the St. Paul case would likely cost the Ness said that since the state stopped fund- Advancement of Colored People and a collec- state several hundred million dollars per year, ing summer school programs 11 years ago, tion of parents and students filed suit in 1995 basing estimates on similar cases around the more and more children have been having against the state, alleging that children in the country that have either been settled or had trouble with what should be basic skills. Minneapolis schools are receiving a constitu- rulings against states. And if the state were to “If we don’t do something now, this prob- tionally inadequate education, mostly because lose the NAACP case, he said, that could also lem is only going to get worse,” he said. of the district’s high minority and low-income cost up to hundreds of millions of dollars, Many school districts now use area learning population. They seek to have the court order although costs for transportation and facili- centers for summer programs, but Ness said some type of desegregation plan. ties to comply with a desegregation order are the centers are rare in rural areas, and children In St. Paul, the school district and some hard to estimate. are better served if they can go to their own parents and students also filed suit against the The funding request is part of an omnibus schools. state, alleging that state funding is not enough state government deficiency payments bill “We need to have this available at a site for the district to provide a constitutionally (HF878), sponsored by Rep. Dave Bishop (R- where the kids have easy access and we don’t adequate education. They seek more state rev- Rochester) and being considered by the House have to bus them around,” he said. enue, particularly for special education and Ways and Means Committee. The K-12 fi- Several districts currently use funding from limited English proficiency programs. nance panel informally endorsed the proposal. the state’s learning year program to pay for Mark Levinger, assistant attorney general summer school, but that program is set to be for the state, told members of the House K-12 repealed July 1. Education Finance Committee on March 1 For an unofficial list of Minnesota Ness estimated that his proposal would cost that while both cases are in mediation, neither commissioners and appointed agency about $1.1 million per year, but if the learning is close to settling. He said that each case is heads on the World Wide Web go to: year program is not reinstated, those costs larger than any other ever handled by the http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/ could climb substantially. attorney general’s office, in terms of the num- comm.htm The education finance panel took no action ber of documents, number of witnesses, costs, on the bill (HF268) but will consider it for

8 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 inclusion in the omnibus K-12 funding bill support one, and we have five towns in one Other objections to the bill came from some later this session. district with schools in only two towns,” he lawmakers who fear it would lead to athletic said. “I can guarantee how those people in recruiting by allowing more students to choose communities with no schools will vote.” their schools based on athletic possibilities. Shrinking school districts Collins says the district has average class Rodrick Atkins, a senior at Roosevelt High sizes of 28 students in elementary and junior School in Minneapolis, said the bill would Although enrollment in Minnesota schools high schools, and is only offering two foreign give too much latitude to home school and continues to grow statewide, the overall in- languages in the high school. And when elec- charter school students who had already opted crease only masks a problem of declining en- tive classes get cut, he said, more students opt out of the public school system. rollment in most of the state’s school districts, for post-secondary opportunities, leaving the He said that having “part-time players” who especially in rural areas. district with even less revenue. don’t attend the school with their teammates And since the majority of state funding for “I believe we’ve cut as much as we can,” he can take away the team emphasis of sports. schools is based on the number of students told lawmakers, adding that he didn’t think served, declining enrollment puts districts in a his district was any worse off than most in Care for diabetic kids financial crunch. rural areas. Rep. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm) is The committee did not vote on any of the Too often, school personnel don’t have the sponsoring several bills aimed at alleviating bills, but will consider all three when it puts experience to deal with students who have the problem. He told the House K-12 Educa- together an omnibus K-12 funding bill later diabetes, said Jim McGowan, a volunteer with tion Finance Committee March 3 that while this session. the American Diabetes Association. most urban districts are seeing annual growth McGowan testified March 2 before the of about 2.5 percent and suburban districts House Education Policy Committee in sup- are largely holding steady, many rural areas Sports bill stalls port of a bill that would establish a task force have declining enrollments of up to to study how children with diabetes are cared 10 percent. A bill that would have expanded extracur- for in schools. “It’s not a large enough gap that a district ricular options for home school and charter The committee approved the bill (HF605), can really lay off a teacher, but it’s large enough school students was rejected March 4 by the which is sponsored by Rep. John Tuma to create a funding problem in the district,” he House Education Policy Committee. (R-Northfield). said. Lawmakers voted 18-17 not to approve the According to data from the American Dia- One of Tomassoni’s bills (HF485) would bill. betes Association, nearly one in every 600 provide districts with declining pupil unit aid, Rep. Arlon Lindner (R-Corcoran), is spon- children develops diabetes. And those chil- which would equal the state’s basic formula soring the bill (HF321), which would allow dren and their families deal with varying de- allowance ($3,530 per pupil) times the num- students attending home schools or non-pub- grees of acceptance from school professionals ber of declining pupil units. Declining pupil lic schools outside their districts to participate and peers, said McGowan, whose 13-year-old units would equal the difference between a in extracurricular activities sponsored by the son has diabetes. district’s pupil units for the current year and school district in which they reside. Because most cases of diabetes require some the number from three years’ prior. (Pupil Under current law, it is up to individual form of insulin supplement, school age chil- units are weighted student numbers that give school districts whether to allow outside stu- dren receive insulin at different times through- more weight to secondary students than el- dents to participate in extracurricular activi- out the day. Their food intake is also monitored ementary students as a way of determining ties. Schools can refuse students because of to control blood sugar levels. state aid.) financial or other reasons. The task force described in the bill would be The bill would provide $49.8 million for Danny Quam, a resident of Maple Grove, charged with recommending a statewide stan- fiscal year 2000 and $72.8 million for fiscal has two sons who attend a charter school dard of care for diabetic students while they year 2001 for the declining pupil unit aid. located in the Anoka-Hennepin School Dis- are in school. Another bill (HF315) would provide de- trict. However, he requested that his sons be The standard would include procedures for clining enrollment aid by modifying the defi- allowed to play football in the Osseo School how teachers could help incorporate a nition of pupil units to be the greater of the District in which his family lives for two student’s medical needs into his or her school district’s actual pupil units during the current reasons. day and for coordination of care between year, or the district’s three-year average pupil The first was that the charter school does school, parents, and health care providers. unit count. not have a football team. Secondly, Quam In addition, the task force’s guidelines would A third Tomassoni bill (HF754) would ap- wanted his children to play sports with chil- recommend how schools could learn to imple- propriate $250,000 to study the extent and dren they had played with in the local park ment treatment for individual students. Most impact of declining enrollments. system’s sports. But because his children do cases of diabetes, although similar, require Tim Collins, superintendent for the Blue not attend a school located in the Osseo dis- different levels of treatment depending on the Earth School District, told lawmakers that his trict, he was told they would have to play for a individual person. The bill aims to help school district is typical of most rural districts with team within the Anoka schools. professionals learn to recognize how those shrinking student counts. He said his district Officials from school administrator groups cases differ and what treatment is needed. has been cutting costs wherever possible, has told the committee they oppose the bill be- The task force would be made up of 11 consolidated twice since 1996, and has been cause allowing outside students to participate members including school administrators, trying to pass an excess-levy referendum to in extracurricular activities could result in diabetes educators, school board members, make up for declining state funding. children already in the school system being teachers, health care professionals, and par- “But it’s so difficult to pass a levy when the passed over for outside students who are more ents of diabetic students. The group would farm crisis leaves farmers in no position to talented.

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 9 have to report its recommendations to the Richard Davis, assistant commissioner of Legislature by Feb. 15, 2000. At that point, ELECTIONS the Minnesota Department of Economic Se- lawmakers would decide whether to imple- curity, oversees State Services for the Blind. ment the recommendations in schools. Change for primary elections He told the House Jobs and Economic Devel- The bill moves to the House Government opment Finance Committee March 1 that the A bill that would rename and reschedule Operations & Veterans Affairs Policy deficit comes from an increase in the need for Minnesota’s primary elections was approved Committee. services while the funding level has remained March 1 by the House Governmental Opera- the same. He said the agency has taken steps to tions and Veterans Affairs Committee. prioritize services and cut costs. The primary election would be renamed Teaching reading better But Wally Hinz, a member of the Rehabili- “state party nominating election” to reflect its tation Advisory Council for the Blind, said A bill that would create a grant program for purpose, said Rep. Ron Abrams (R- that the shortfall may be due to agency mis- schools to help ensure that students can read Minnetonka), sponsor of the bill (HF272). management. He said that an independent by the end of second grade was approved And, under the bill, that election would be audit is needed to ensure the financial stability March 4 by the House Education Policy Com- held the fourth Tuesday in June. Primary elec- of the agency. mittee. tions are currently held the Tuesday after the “Financially, this agency is flirting with a Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls) is spon- second Monday in September, which Abrams heart attack that could be of fatal propor- soring the bill (HF219), which would provide said is the latest date for those elections in the tions,” Hinz said. money for schools to implement reading pro- nation. State Services for the Blind provides job grams that fit a set of criteria outlined in the The earlier date would benefit the elector- training and other services to persons who are bill. The plan has already been piloted by some ate, Abrams said, because major parties would blind or visually impaired. Minneapolis and St. Paul schools. endorse their candidates sooner, allowing those The special appropriation is a part of a $14.6 The criteria for the reading programs in- candidates more time to debate each other million deficiency funding bill (HF878) that clude high levels of parental involvement and before the general election. seeks to address immediate state government the use of reliable screening tools to measure Another provision of the bill would modify needs. That bill is sponsored by Rep. Dave reading levels in first and second grades. the requirements for constitutional office can- Bishop (R-Rochester). Schools would receive grant dollars deter- didates to get their name on the ballot for a Although the committee doesn’t officially mined by the number of students with reading party nominating election. Candidates would have possession of the bill, the committee will problems, and a local match would be re- have to get 20 percent of the votes cast in the make recommendations to the House Ways quired. The grant amounts have yet to be party’s state endorsing convention, or they and Means Committee. determined. could file an affidavit and a petition. Rep. Dan McElroy (R-Burnsville), chair of the “This is a doable bill to get all of our children A valid petition would need signatures from Jobs and Economic Development Finance Com- reading by second grade,” said Barbara each of the state’s eight congressional dis- mittee, said his committee will make an informal Taylor, a professor at the University of Min- tricts. The petition would need signatures equal recommendation no later than March 8. nesota and author of a reading program used to 5 percent of the vote for that office from by students and teachers in a St. Paul school. each district in the most recent primary, or Taylor’s curriculum uses small groups and party nominating election. For example, a Reference law reconsidered individual instruction time for students. It person running for attorney general would stresses problem-solving skills that can help have to get the number of signatures equal to Given Robert Pannier’s past employment students learn words by looking for clues, 5 percent of the people who voted for attorney record, he should have never been hired as a instead of being told the word by a peer or general. teacher for Norwood Young America Central teacher. “It would allow people who are serious about High School. Some lawmakers objected to the bill, saying the political process either to go through the Pannier left two metropolitan-area high schools can use their staff development grants party or through a petition process,” Abrams schools after being accused of engaging in to pay for the teacher training. said. inappropriate behavior. However, Wagenius said a state commit- Under the bill, a person could still appear At Henry Sibley High School in Mendota ment through her bill would send a message to on the ballot as an independent candidate Heights, he left after being warned not to use schools and students. without participating in the nominating elec- vulgarity and sexual innuendo in his class. “I want us to make that absolute commit- tions or filing a petition. And at Eagan High School, where Pannier ment for all children to learn to read,” she said. The bill now moves to the House floor. left after 19 days of employment, students The bill moves to the House K-12 Educa- complained that he was telling sexually ex- tion Finance Committee. plicit stories and asking female students for EMPLOYMENT pictures of them. Legislative history can be researched Pannier was later hired by the Norwood in printed materials at the Legislative Shortfall for blind services Young America school without revealing that Reference Library or, for the years he had taught in Eagan. State Services for the Blind would get since 1995, on the Internet. In January 1998, Pannier was arrested and $370,000 to address a short-term budget defi- Find directions at: charged with having sex with a 15-year-old cit, under a special funding bill recommended http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/ student. by the governor. But some who use the agency’s leghist/histstep.htm A bill (HF310) approved March 1 by the services suggest that the shortfall is a symptom House Civil Law Committee seeks to give of a larger problem.

10 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 employers freedom to provide information tion exists,” he said. “This is one way to show Each of the seven major databases was to be that would prevent cases like this. the public that we are concerned about this, included in the system one at a time. Three of Eagan High School Principal Tom Wilson and we will not lobby for one year.” those databases are close to completion, but testified in support of the bill. He said that it Not everyone agreed with Kielkucki, and the other four are behind schedule. was difficult to get information from past some lawmakers questioned why the bill would The $975,000 request would pay for three employers on Pannier. not apply to former staff members or consti- major areas: $450,000 to complete the client “Our frustration was that we couldn’t get tutional officers. server system for three of the seven databases; any candid information on this candidate,” he “What is the actual need for this bill?” asked $225,000 to fix the mainframe to make the said. Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia). four remaining databases Y2K compliant; and Wilson said that the current system encour- No former legislator who has become a $300,000 to upgrade the network of worksta- ages past employers just to give “name, rank, lobbyist has been accused of wrongdoing, tions in Minnesota counties. and serial number” because employees can Rukavina said. And under the same logic, he A Y2K project manager would be respon- easily sue if they feel they have been unfairly said, commissioners of state departments or sible for monitoring the costs and achieving characterized. agencies who become lobbyists should be sub- deadlines to get the project done. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Knoblach ject to the same one-year ban. Kiffmeyer pointed out that the office gener- (R-St. Cloud), would raise the bar for lawsuits Other opponents said the bill would pre- ates revenue from fees and surcharges. That in these cases. It would require that employees vent former legislators from doing unpaid money was originally intended to be used for prove that the employer intentionally and lobbying for worthy causes. upgrading the state’s computer system, but it maliciously gave false information, and that Rep. Mike Osskopp (R-Lake City) defended is not specifically dedicated for that purpose. the information caused harm to the employee. the bill, saying it is “one small step in restoring In fiscal years 1998 and 1999, the secretary The bill also outlines how past employers the public’s trust.” of state’s office generated $12.8 million in should provide the information to prospec- “We need the public behind us, not against business filing fees; $2.9 million in Uniform tive employers. us, and I don’t think it’s that big of a sacrifice Commercial Code fees; and $2.3 million in Knoblach said that his bill balances the needs for any of us to make,” he said. Uniform Commercial Code surcharges. of employers and the rights of employees. The bill now goes to the Senate. Eric Lipman, deputy secretary of state, said “I believe that it is a start to providing that money all goes into the state’s general important information, and I believe that it fund. The office’s budget allocation for those does provide adequate protection to potential Funds for Y2K project years was $13 million, but the fees and sur- employees,” he said. charges brought in about $19 million. Margaret Warig of Woodbury testified The Office of the Secretary of State is in the against the bill. She said that she sued her process of upgrading its 12-year-old com- employer over sexual harassment, and that puter system, and the approach of the year Benefits bill passes 2000 is giving that process a sense of urgency. false evaluations were submitted by the super- Dependents of peace officers and firefighters visor who harassed her. The office has requested an additional $975,000 to make the system Y2K compliant who are killed in the line of duty can continue She said that the law needs to provide pro- to receive health insurance coverage under tection to employees in cases like hers. by July 1. The House State Government Finance Com- current law, and the House passed a bill “What if I had to use them as a reference?” March 1 that would extend that practice. The she said. “They could have said anything they mittee informally recommended approving the request March 4, and it will be included in vote was 129-0. wanted to and where would I be today?” The bill (HF49) would provide the same The bill now goes to the House floor. a state government deficiency bill (HF878) under consideration by the House Ways and benefit to a spouse who was not covered as a Means Committee. That bill is sponsored by dependent at the time of the death but was Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester). eligible, or later becomes eligible, to be a de- GOVERNMENT Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer said she pendent on the employer’s health plan. Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount), spon- One-year lobby ban became aware of the problem shortly after she took office in January. sor of the bill, said current law does not allow continued health insurance coverage for a Legislators would not be able to work as The office has seven major databases, each spouse who is covered under a separate policy paid lobbyists at the Minnesota Legislature for with a separate function, and they are all at risk at the time of the death of the peace officer or one year after leaving office under a bill passed of failure. Those databases correspond to the firefighter. The bill would allow a person in by the House on March 1. The vote was office’s main functions, including voter regis- that situation to be covered under their 101-30. tration, election reporting, and business ser- spouse’s plan. Rep. Tony Kielkucki (R-Lester Prairie), is vices like the Uniform Commercial Code and The current law was passed in 1997 because sponsoring the bill (HF9). He said it is an records of tax liens. many officers who had been disabled by duty- attempt to reduce cynicism from the public When the office began the process of up- related injuries were receiving pensions but and not an attempt to criticize the work of a grading its old mainframe system, Kiffmeyer were not eligible for health coverage. lobbyist. said, the cost and amount of time the project The bill now moves to the Senate. The bill would be a step in response to the would take were “grossly underestimated.” In perception that lobbying former colleagues April 1998 the estimated cost was $2.1 million To find out who represents you on behalf of a special interest group is a con- but current estimates are $6 million to $7 at the Capitol . . . flict of interest, Kielkucki said. He described million, she said. Call the House Public Information the bill as “a way to police ourselves.” The basic plan was to replace the main- Office at (651) 296-2146 “Whether it is founded or not, the percep- frame by creating a new client server system.

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 11 Ingredient disclosure stalls concerns about how the requirements would HEALTH be enforced and disputed Paymar’s claim that A bill that would expand reporting of haz- knowing what was in a cigarette could lead to Care limits considered ardous substances in tobacco products stalled less smoking. March 2 in the House Health and Human But Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL-Long Growth in the number of physician assis- Services Policy Committee. Prairie) said she knew of people who had quit tants and their impact, especially in rural ar- The bill (HF636) would require cigarette or at least considered quitting after they had eas, has been a part of the changing landscape manufacturers to reveal the presence and quan- learned exactly what was in a cigarette. of health care for the past few years. tity of hazardous substances defined by the Rep. Richard Mulder (R-Ivanhoe) said that Physician assistants are trained and licensed U.S. Surgeon General in a three-page list. Ex- to ensure the reports were accurate, the state’s to help lessen the load for doctors, and they isting law requires only the reporting of levels labs would have to gear up to test for all of the assume much of the responsibility for routine of ammonia or ammonia compounds, arsenic, ingredients on the list, which would be cost- care services in clinics and hospitals. cadmium, formaldehyde, and lead by brand. prohibitive. But how much medicine should a physician Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL-St. Paul), the Two anti-smoking lobbying groups — assistant be allowed to practice without direct bill’s sponsor, said consumers have a right to Smoke Free 2000 Coalition and Association oversight by a supervising physician? know everything that is in the various brands for Nonsmokers-Minnesota — sent letters to At least enough to be able to help out in the of cigarettes available for purchase. the committee urging support for the pro- event of a disaster situation, according to Rep. Holding up a can of soup, he told the com- posal. Betty McCollum (DFL-North St. Paul), who mittee that almost every consumer product “Although tobacco is like no other legal is sponsoring a bill (HF598) aimed at accom- sold requires some sort of ingredient listing by product on the market — insofar as it will lead plishing that goal. law and cigarettes should not be an exception. to disease and premature death if used prop- McCollum told the House Health and Hu- Paymar said the bill would also help cities erly — there’s no reason tobacco’s toxic agents man Services Policy Committee March 2 that that prohibit the sale of certain hazardous should be concealed from the public,” said there were instances during the 1997 flooding substances by ordinance. Judy Knapp, executive director of the Minne- in the Red River Valley in which physician Critics on the committee questioned if the sota Smoke-Free Coalition in St. Paul. “No assistants had to pull back from assisting, even existence of agents on the surgeon general’s other consumer product receives such special though they were military-trained in emer- list in products besides cigarettes would be protection, yet no other product is as deadly gency medicine. required to be revealed. Critics also expressed or addictive.” She said they didn’t feel comfortable per- The committee rejected the bill on a 12-8 forming services because, in some cases, the vote. supervising physician was a long distance away Conterfeit crackdown and in others, they weren’t covered for emer- gency services under their supervisory Regulatory concerns addressed agreement. The bill would grant immunity from civil The debate over the use of bed rails in the liability to physician assistants who are pro- state’s nursing homes has prompted Rep. viding free volunteer care in disaster situa- Fran Bradley (R-Rochester) to sponsor a bill tions, and it would provide immunity to (HF615) to encourage state regulators and physicians who supervise physician assistants nursing homes to work together more closely providing such care. for the benefit of residents. The bill also would allow physician assis- Bradley was also the sponsor of separate bill tants specifically to provide care in disasters (HF40) aimed at clarifying policies on the use without having physician and physician assis- of bed rails in those facilities. That bill was tant agreements, as long as the physician assis- passed by the House on Feb. 22. tants are appropriately supervised. Now it’s time to work on the issues that Critics said the intention is good but the bill caused the flap in the first place, Bradley told carries a variety of problems. They expressed the House Health and Human Services Policy concerns that the bill might limit legal rem- Committee on March 2. edies in instances of malpractice and ques- “There are a number of deep-seated con- tioned if the bill might not have the impact of cerns about the relationship between regula- lowering standards of care. tors, the nursing homes, and patients,” Bradley McCollum admitted that the state’s trial said. lawyers are uncomfortable with the bill in its The bill, which was approved by the com- current form. She hopes to meet with those mittee, calls for training and education for concerned as the bill progresses. John Bliss, president of the International state-licensed providers prior to using any “We want to assure that we have people Anticounterfeiting Coalition, shows new regulatory guidelines or other materials counterfeit and authentic products side-by- practicing medicine properly,” McCollum side to demonstrate how consumers can be in training those who inspect nursing homes. said. “If not, they should be sued.” easily fooled by counterfeiters. Bliss testified It also requires that copies of statements of The committee voted to send along the bill Feb. 26 before the House Crime Prevention deficiencies and related letters pertaining to with no recommendation. The measure moves Committee in favor of a bill that would impose federal certification surveys be made available to the House Civil Law Committee. new penalties for the manufacture and to nursing homes, when it is legal to do so. distribution of counterfeit products. The bill would also prohibit the practice of

12 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 ending nurse’s aid training as part of an action Current law regarding handicapped park- with it an even larger problem — the collapse of against a nursing home when problems are ing does not include women with high-risk the home- and community-based care system. discovered. And it would prohibit the use of pregnancies as being physically disabled. Many of those programs developed as the “immediate jeopardy” fines unless the viola- The bill moves to the Senate. state moved away from institutional settings tion initially occurred within 48 hours before for those with disabilities. or shortly after the arrival of state inspectors. The bill was held over for possible inclusion in The use of those practices drew loud pro- the health and human services omnibus bill. tests from nursing home operators during the HUMAN SERVICES dispute over bed rail use. Operators said some immediate jeopardy fines were levied for inci- Raise for health workers Removing job barriers dents that had occurred five months earlier. Finally, the bill would change the way the Fast food workers often receive higher pay Many of Minnesota’s disabled residents are state may impose fines on nursing homes; end than the personal care attendants who provide caught in a Catch-22. a mandatory two-hour check of incontinent life-sustaining services to the disabled across Because of their medical condition, they residents and those who must be positioned; the state. qualify for medical assistance. But while many and appropriate money to study data related That was one of the arguments used in are able to work, some do not because em- to falls and the use of physical restraints. support of a bill (HF499) that would boost ployment generally means a loss of eligibility Much of the discussion on the bill centered state reimbursement rates for a variety of health for medical assistance. around the mandatory checks. care services by 5 percent. Rep. Kevin Goodno (R-Moorhead) is spon- Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-North Hundreds of people who provide care and soring a bill (HF670) he hopes will help im- St. Paul)said she believes that leaving those who receive that care packed the Health and prove the situation. checks up to staff is not sufficient, considering Human Services Finance Committee hearing “The disabled want to work, but we as gov- that nursing homes have great turnover of room March 2. More than a dozen testified in ernment don’t allow them to work,” Goodno staff and some workers are limited in their use favor of the idea. told the House Health and Human Services of English. She expressed concerns that nurs- The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jim Seifert Finance Committee, which approved his bill ing home staff would not be able to under- (R-Woodbury), explained the intent of the March 2. stand the lengthy care plan mandated for each funding is to hike the pay for those “in the Goodno’s bill would require the state to patient. service trenches.” provide medical assistance coverage for people Nursing home operators assured McCollum He said passing the legislation would reaf- who are employed, eligible for the Supple- and others that they are careful to assure that firm the state’s commitment to home- and mental Security Income program, have assets anyone with limited English skills is teamed community-based services, adding that with- of less than $20,000, and pay required with a more experienced worker. out wage increases, the care programs could premiums. They pointed out that the two-hour check break down and more residents could be forced The issue is a matter of taking personal requirement for incontinence does not ac- into institutions. responsibility, Goodno told the committee. count for the natural patterns of bodily func- Those who spoke told the committee that He referred to Gov. Jesse Ventura’s State of the tions and can result in bruises from average wages are low, there were fewer people State speech earlier in the day advocating self- unnecessarily and repeatedly being roused choosing personal care as an employment sufficiency. from bed for toileting. option, those who do have no career track, Supporters said disabled individuals should Iris Freeman, executive director of Advo- and the turnover rate is staggering. not be penalized for saving money for a down cacy Center for Long Term Care, cautioned Ben May, a personal care attendant from payment for a house or a car. that state regulators should not be asked to Minneapolis, said he makes less than $8 per And although the bill would cost the state become consultants or counselors to nursing hour and is often forced to work 72 hours money, a portion would be recovered through homes, adding that they should be “neither straight because of the staff shortfall. additional income taxes the disabled workers mean-spirited nor buddies.” One industry group estimates it costs $3,000 would pay, said Rep. Tim Wilkin (R-Eagan). Bradley said he does not believe his bill calls to train a personal care attendant, and if a The bill moves to the House floor. for an unnatural alliance between regulator worker doesn’t stay on the job for two years, and regulated and stressed that everyone has a the agency providing the training takes a loss. role to play in quality assurance. Terry Adamson of New Hope said she fears LAW The bill moves to the House Health and that with the poor working conditions, people Human Services Finance Committee. who she considers undesirable may end up Hike for jury stipends providing care. Adamson, who has cerebral palsy, said she Last year’s tobacco trial netted the state a Parking for the pregnant and others like her must be able to rely on the $6.1 billion settlement. However, juror David The House passed a bill March 1 that would honest intentions of care providers who come Olson estimates that he lost up to $50,000 allow handicapped parking permits for women into their homes each day. because of the four-and-a-half month trial. with high-risk pregnancies. The vote was 127-0. “My life depends on it,” she told the Olson testified March 3 before the House The bill (HF296) is sponsored by Rep. committee. Civil Law Committee in favor of a bill (HF351) Joe Opatz. Under the measure, handicapped The bill carries a $280 million price tag for that would provide relief to jurors in long- parking would be extended to women whose the coming biennium. running civil trials. doctors certify that walking would endanger Seifert admitted that was a lot of money, but During the tobacco trial — which was even- the life of the woman or the fetus. he added that not passing the bill would bring tually settled outside of court — Olson said he

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 13 was paid $30 a day. In the meantime, he was “We can literally tell them over the phone a yard sale and take them in for alterations, responsible for raising his two daughters and how to do CPR,” Flynn said. you are charged tax. for paying a $1,300 monthly house payment. The bill now goes to the House floor. The Minnesota sales tax applies to most He was forced to refinance his home and to tangible personal products and a limited num- rely on credit to pay the bills, he said. ber of services. In 1987, as part of an effort to Olson said he tried to tell the judge that the TAXES increase state revenues, a number of services case was causing economic hardship, but the were added to the sales tax base. The alteration judge was not convinced. Taxing the tailor business was among them, along with clean- “Why should the juror have to pay?” Olson ing, pressing, and storing clothes. said. A stitch in time may save nine, but you’ll Eliminating the tax on alterations would Under the bill, which is sponsored by Rep. probably have to pay sales tax on all 10 of result in a loss to the state of about $2.5 million Dave Bishop (R-Rochester), judges could pro- them. that’s slated to be collected from 350 busi- vide jurors an additional daily stipend up to The efforts of hard-working tailors and nesses over the next biennium. $75 in the cases of economic hardship. Liti- seamstresses in Minnesota should not be sub- The bill was laid over for possible inclusion gants would have to cough up the additional ject to sales tax, according to Rep. Larry Howes in the omnibus tax bill. funds, and judges would decide how much (R-Hackensack). He is sponsoring a bill each litigant would pay. (HF396) that would exempt repair and alter- Bishop said that he is sponsoring the bill to ation of clothes from taxation. Cutting the liquor tax address “the huge injustice in the way we treat Howes told the House Taxes Committee Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) doesn’t jurors.” March 2 that it is generally not the state’s believe taking a drink is a sin, but he says the But Olson said Bishop’s plan might not go policy to tax for “necessities of life,” such as tax you pay on the alcoholic beverage you far enough. food and clothing. He said there exists an purchase might be. “Even with this ($75) a day plus the addi- inequity in the law he hopes his bill will sew Rukavina is sponsoring a bill (HF617) that tional $30 from the county, it wouldn’t have up. would gradually reduce the tax rate on alco- helped me,” he said. Howes said that if you purchase an expen- holic beverages from 8.5 to 6.5 percent by Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), chair of the sive suit from an upscale department store 2003. committee, laid the bill over to give Bishop and it does the alterations, you aren’t charged Rukavina told the House Taxes Committee time to work with judges on his proposal. sales tax. However, if you purchase clothes at March 2 that he’s not asking for an exemption, It’s alive only a reduction as a “matter of fairness.” Rukavina and those who testified in favor of No liability for dispatchers the bill pointed out that the tax is particularly onerous for border communities, such as Emergency dispatchers would be free to Duluth, because Wisconsin has a much lower give over-the-phone medical instructions to tax. callers without fear of legal troubles, under a A spokesman for the Municipal Beverage bill approved March 3 by the House Civil Law Association, which represents communities Committee. with city-owned liquor stores, said 35 retail The bill (HF541), sponsored by Rep. Rich outlets have gone out of business in recent Stanek (R-Maple Grove), would exempt dis- years, many of them in border cities, as a result patchers from civil liability when in the course of the tax. of an emergency call, they provide medical The state collects nearly $23 million in alco- information before emergency responders ar- holic beverage taxes every two years from rive on the scene. 4,500 retailers. Currently, some municipalities are advis- The bill was laid over for possible inclusion ing dispatchers not to give medical informa- in the omnibus tax bill. tion over the phone because the local unit of government could possibly be held liable in a lawsuit. Gambling tax targeted “Time is of the essence for these types of procedures,” said Duane Flynn, fire chief for Two bills aimed at reducing taxes on lawful the city of Duluth. gambling were discussed Feb. 25 by the House Flynn told the committee that the life of a Taxes Committee. person in a medical emergency can depend on The first bill (HF393), sponsored by Rep. what happens in the first three minutes of the Tim Finseth (R-Angus), would reduce the rate crisis. By simply suggesting that the person Four-year-old Benjamin Kocer takes a closer by 50 percent, and the second bill (HF507), making the call tilt the victim’s head back and look at an Australian bearded dragon resting sponsored by Rep. Roxann Daggett (R-Frazee) clear an airway for breathing, emergency dis- on the arm of Minnesota Zoo volunteer Judy would lower the rate 20 percent. patchers may save a life. Rouse. Zoo officials, seeking to increase Some types of gambling were first made Or the dispatcher may be able to provide awareness of the zoo’s programs and legislative requests, brought reptiles and legal in Minnesota in 1976, and a statewide tax more detailed information before help can other zoo animals to the Capitol rotunda was imposed in 1987, and first collected in arrive, he said. March 3. 1989. But by that year, due to the state’s fiscal

14 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 crisis, the tax was raised and expanded to Ventura also indicated support for a Senate include more types of gambling. proposal to add as rebate beneficiaries 320,000 TRANSPORTATION “In a small town of 1,200 people, the orga- people who would have been excluded in his nizations end up sending more to the state original plan. Illegal auto registrations than they have available for donations,” A plan by the commissioner of revenue to Approximately 35,000 vehicles on Minne- Daggett said. use data that takes into account family size sota roads are not registered or are registered The rate was reduced by 5 percent last year and federally adjusted gross income in figur- illegally in other states, according to a report but needs to go lower, supporters said. ing rebates was also unveiled March 3. issued by the Minnesota Department of Pub- King Wilson, executive director of Allied The proposals drew praise from Rep. Ron lic Safety. Charities of Minnesota, said the more organi- Abrams (R-Minnetonka) who leads the House The report also states that as many as 480,000 zations pay in taxes, the less money is available conferees on the conference committee. vehicles are not insured. That number repre- to go to nonprofit and tax-exempt charities “The governor deserves great praise for try- sents about 12 percent of all vehicles in the across the state. ing to move the process forward by being state. “During the deficit years, these groups did forthcoming on the caps,” said Abrams, who The report, called the Registration and In- their part,” he added. “Now it’s time for a also chairs the House Taxes Committee. “This surance Study, was directed by the 1998 Leg- payback.” is a step in the right direction.” islature. Lawmakers asked the department to Wilson presented information showing the Abrams said he would wait to see exactly find the number of unregistered and unin- increased popularity of lawful gambling over how the rebates would shake out when new sured vehicles in the state, and to investigate the years. Since the opening of casino gam- schedules are produced and then proceed from the possibility of developing a shared infor- bling and the institution of the state lottery in there. mation system that would aid in enforcing the 1989, the numbers have leveled some. The House originally passed a rebate bill state’s insurance and registration laws. Over 3,100 lawful gambling sites operate in (HF1) calling for money to be returned based Minnesota has a mandatory insurance law the state. More than 400 of them are run by on income taxes paid. The Senate’s original that requires vehicles to be insured while they veterans groups, 300 by fraternal organiza- version more closely resembled Ventura’s pro- are being operated. The state also requires that tions, 30 by religious organizations and the posal, calling for a rebate based on a sales tax all vehicles driven primarily in Minnesota by rest by a combination of varied groups. formula. state residents be registered in the state. “Minnesotans like to gamble,” Wilson said. The conference committee has met several However, the study shows that many people “We probably lead the nation.” times over the past two weeks, but has come to register their cars in neighboring states to Rep. Bob Milbert (DFL-South St. Paul) no agreement on the major issues dividing the avoid paying the state’s registration fees, which noted that there is no level playing field in bodies. are higher than neighboring states. The report gambling in Minnesota because casinos are states that many of those people were told by unregulated and untaxed. He ticked off a list of organizations in his community he said wouldn’t exist or would be curtailed without lawful gambling. Mussel man He also pointed out that lawful gambling is highly regulated and spending on expenses is capped. Finseth’s bill would cost the state $55 mil- lion in tax revenue over the coming biennium. Daggett’s bill would carry a $23 million price tag. Both bills may be heard again when the committee begins compiling the omnibus tax bill in the coming weeks.

Ventura’s new rebate plan Hopes were running high that a compro- mise might be near for the House and Senate conferees discussing a rebate of a large portion of the state’s projected budget surplus. Moments before the House-Senate confer- ence committee was expected to convene March 3, Gov. Jesse Ventura’s office an- nounced they would recommend raising pro- Jay Rendall, exotic species coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, posed caps on a potential tax rebate. shows members of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee a clump of Under the governor’s new proposal, the zebra mussels. He spoke in support of a bill that would modify laws designed to halt harmful exotic species March 4. ceiling would rise from $2,000 to $5,000 for couples and from $1,000 to $2,500 for indi- viduals.

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 15 friends and family members that they could more security and asked if there are other “I think it’s something of a fairness issue,” register their cars out of the state and are options that would be more cost-effective. he said. unaware it is illegal. State Patrol Chief Anne Beers said the size In another action, the committee approved While department officials said the num- of Ventura’s property in Maple Grove — 34 a bill (HF766), sponsored by Rep. Sherry bers in the report are estimates, they did indi- acres — makes the job of security more com- Broecker (R-Vadnais Heights) that would al- cate that the state loses up to $6.8 million each plicated. She said without the appropriation, low motorcycles to display a blue rear brake year in registration and sales taxes for motor the department would incur a heavy payroll light. Under current state law, only emergency vehicles. load for overtime hours. vehicles, snowplows, and road maintenance Along with the study, the Legislature re- Rep. Tom Workman (R-Chanhassen) said vehicles can display the blue light. quired the department to investigate unregis- he thought the state patrol’s request was legiti- Both bills move to the House floor. tered vehicles in the state. In a five-month mate for the job of protecting the governor, period, the Minnesota State Patrol Vehicle who he said was the most unique governor in Crimes Task Force recovered $212,000 in back the country. taxes resulting from the investigation. “I think if we go over to the mansion, we Alice Gonzalo, assistant director of the aren’t going to find six patrols playing crib- “Who is going to volunteer to drive their department’s Driver and Vehicle Services Di- bage,” Workman said. chair over it?” asked Dennis Delmont, spokes- vision, said once the word spread about the Lawmakers also recommended $629,000 to person for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police investigation, there was an influx in registra- fund license plate manufacturing. Earlier in Association, at a March 4 meeting of the House tions. In exchange for voluntarily paying back the session, officials from the Department of Civil Law Committee. taxes on their vehicles, the task force did not Public Safety told legislators an increase of Rep. Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) was dem- prosecute the individuals who came forward. automobiles on the road has caused a shortage onstrating a device laid across the road by In assessing the feasibility of a database, the in license plates. Without the emergency fund- police officers to stop high-speed pursuits. report concluded that sharing information ing, the state would run out of license plates on When the offender drives his or her car over with other states is cost effective. However, April 1. the so-called “stopstick,” hollow nail-like pins sharing information with insurance compa- Rep. Dave Bishop (R-Rochester) is spon- deflate the tires and immobilize the car. nies would have to be done by the state instead soring the so-called deficiency bill, which pro- Stanek’s bill (HF381) includes funding to of a private database service. poses more than $14 million in one-time provide these devices to local law enforcement The Legislature originally directed the de- supplemental appropriations to state agencies agencies. The committee is considering the partment to find out if a private vendor could for the current biennium. bill for inclusion in the omnibus judiciary gather insurance information, but responses finance bill. from insurance companies prompted the de- partment to recommend otherwise. Insur- Bikers seek change ance vendors were concerned that their Silent prayer The House Transportation Policy Commit- customer information could be available to tee approved a bill March 2 that would repeal competitors, and the department also found a law some motorcyclists consider to be that an in-house insurance database would punitive. cost less in the long run. Rep. Tom Workman (R-Chanhassen) is Gonzalo said the department would likely sponsoring HF858, a bill that would strike a bring a proposal to the Legislature next year Minnesota law that allows into evidence proof after the results of a national study on manda- of whether a motorcyclist was wearing a hel- tory insurance reporting are released. met in lawsuits where the cyclist is seeking damages. More security for Ventura Bob Illingworth, a lobbyist for the Minne- sota Motorcycle Riders Association, said un- Beefed-up security for the state’s new gov- der the current law, motorcyclists can be ernor and additional license plates for the punished for not wearing helmets even when state’s growing car inventory would be funded the accident is not their fault. The state does under a deficiency payments bill (HF878) now not require motorcyclists to wear helmets. being considered by the House Ways and He gave the example of a motorcycle rider Means Committee. sitting at a stoplight and being hit by a drunk The House Transportation Finance Com- driver. If the rider were injured but did not mittee informally recommended $829,000 in wear a helmet, that fact can be used as evi- supplemental transportation-related appro- dence by insurance companies to reduce or priations March 3. eliminate damages awarded to the rider. A sum of $200,000 was recommended to Often motorcyclists settle out of court to step up security for Gov. Jesse Ventura. Min- avoid the possibility that their helmet use, or nesota State Patrol officials said the increase is non-use, could affect their settlements, needed because the Ventura family is living at Rev. Robert Westerhaus of the Deaf Illingworth said. Community Church in Richfield signs the two residences — their Maple Grove ranch Workman, who recently purchased his first invocation prior to the joint convention of the and the state-owned mansion in St. Paul. motorcycle, said that motorcycle users are Legislature for Gov. Jesse Ventura’s State of Some lawmakers questioned the need for very concerned about safety. the State address March 2.

16 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 State of the State . . . Ventura charts course for his atypical administration By Sarah Hallonquist In his first State of the State address, Minne- sota Gov. Jesse Ventura vowed to run the executive branch in a style akin to a corporate chief executive officer. And the corporation — the state of Minne- sota — is in excellent shape, he said. “The state of the state is great,” Ventura told a joint convention of the House and Senate in the House chamber March 2. Current and former members of the judi- cial and executive branches, including former governors Wendell Anderson, Arne Carlson, and Al Quie, were also in attendance. Unlike during his ad-libbed inaugural speech, Ventura used a prepared text for this 47-minute address. He was not specific as to the state’s suc- cesses, but instead laid out his plans to change how government operates and to restructure House Speaker Steve Sviggum greets Gov. Jesse Ventura at the speaker’s desk in the House chamber just tax laws. He also outlined his management prior to the governor’s State of the State address. philosophy for his next four years in office: choose good people, set expectations, delegate ously advocated, should not be a part of the it as a place to travel and do business. But to authority, and hold people accountable. state’s education policy, Ventura said. support the state’s market, agricultural relief “What binds us are beliefs in a new day He also urged parents to become more in- is a necessity, he said. where ideas, not money, govern how we work,” volved in their children’s schools and called Ventura’s budget originally proposed $10 Ventura said of his cabinet, whose members for more PTA groups to organize in local million for farm relief, but in his speech he span a political continuum and come from school districts. said he would be willing to invest an addi- both the public and private sectors. Ventura said after listening to parents, stu- tional $50 million over the next three years for The governor spoke of his belief in personal dents, and teachers, he would offer a new plan farmers in crisis situations. responsibility, self-sufficiency, and an empow- for education funding and policy next year. Ventura made his transportation agenda ered citizenry. In the area of taxes, the governor proposed clear. Borrowing from Abraham Lincoln he said, restructuring the property tax system. “I’ll know we’re successful when I can ride “The role for government is to do only what “Let’s face it — we’ve lost any logic to this light rail from downtown Minneapolis to the the people cannot do for themselves.” system,” he said. “Property taxes no longer are megamall, and take commuter rail from Ventura said his administration will focus tied to the services that are delivered.” St. Cloud to the Twin Cities,” he said. on investing in the state’s future and not on He said the current system punishes people He offered little detail on how he would entitlement programs, a plan that he said al- for fixing up their properties, instead of charg- accomplish his goals. However, his biennial lows for the success of programs that benefit ing them less when good properties require budget proposal includes spending increases all citizens. fewer governmental services. for education and transportation, and a per- “I stand before you as governor willing to In addition to property tax changes, Ventura manent income tax cut. Ventura has also sug- say what too many politicians at all levels of reiterated his support for user fees instead of gested sunset clauses and built-in evaluations government have been scared to say: The free across-the-board taxes, which he said would for many government programs. ride is over,” he said. allow for users to evaluate fee structures and In addition to his budget priorities, Ventura Ventura named four priorities he’ll work programs. said he would concentrate on being accessible on while in office: education, transportation, Ventura also said the state’s taxes should be to his employees. smaller government, and trade and economic market competitive. “It should not be a shock-the-world event development. His address offered few or no “It doesn’t take much for Minnesota con- when the governor visits the state Department surprises, highlighting much of what he pre- sumers to migrate over the borders where of Revenue,” he said. sented in his biennial budget proposal in sales tax or motor-vehicle license fees are While visiting state departments in the last February. lower,” he said. month, Ventura said he met people who had For education, he proposed $600 million in To support the state’s economy, the gover- worked for the state for 30 years and had never new spending, of which $150 million would nor said he would act as the state’s salesman in met a governor. go to reducing class sizes. Private school vouch- his travels, selling its resources and promoting Ventura’s speech garnered applause from ers, a plan former Gov. Arne Carlson vigor-

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 17 both sides of the aisle, eliciting support from “Vote your conscience, not your caucus,” Ventura promised that the ideas expressed DFLers and Republicans often at different he told legislators. in his speech would guide him throughout his points. He advised them to make the Capitol a term. Republicans lauded the governor’s com- welcoming place and encourage their con- “For as long as I am governor, there will be mitment to lowering income taxes, scaling stituents to become more politically active. no surprises about why I am signing or veto- back state government, and decreasing legis- Ventura also hinted at a unicameral legisla- ing legislation,” he said. “These are my beliefs lation. DFLers cheered for Ventura’s sales tax ture in his push for a smaller government. and principles unless I am convinced through rebate plan and his call for light-rail transit in “Until we stop measuring the success of a a visible, public debate that they need to be the Twin Cities. legislative session by how many bills are heard changed.” But while Ventura appealed to some law- or passed, there is no hope of controlling makers on their favorite topics, he also ad- spending or the sprawl of government regula- monished them on some issues. tion,” he said.

Party leaders see good and bad in Ventura speech

By Jon Fure and Paul Wahl House Minority Leader Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said Tom Pugh (DFL-South St. they agreed with some parts and disagreed Paul) said DFLers seemed with other pieces of Gov. Jesse Ventura’s State to be standing up and of the State address. applauding more often House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) than Republicans. was no exception. “The governor talked “I think the governor gave a wonderful ad- about issues that are im- dress from the standpoint of core philosophy portant to him, that are a and principles that we as Republicans will high priority for him, that embrace — self-sufficiency, more individual fell right in line with the responsibility, smaller government, empow- DFL caucus in the House,” ering parents in the education of their chil- Pugh said. dren. Those are principles that we certainly House Speaker Steve Sviggum, left, and House Majority Leader Some lawmakers ques- Tim Pawlenty offer the Republican response to the governor’s speech. are going to embrace,” he said. tioned the governor’s re- But, Sviggum said, he would have liked to marks concerning former hear more on the necessity of reducing taxes. “If (Ventura) has a proposal for real, per- heads of state. Ventura had said that he is “Certainly he mentioned it, but we feel that manent property tax reform, I guarantee I will “more in touch with state government than is the cornerstone of this Legislature,” he said. give it not only a hearing, I will give it a series any governor in recent times at this point in And both Sviggum and Senate Majority of hearings to get plenty of citizen input.” my term.” Having visited each of the state Leader Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine) said they Overall, Abrams said Ventura presented “a departments and agencies, Ventura said he had hoped Ventura would have advocated good vision for Minnesota,” and that the Re- met some people who have “worked 30 years more assistance for Minnesota farmers. publican Party generally supports Ventura’s for the state and never met a governor.” The governor did advocate reforming the goals for smaller and more efficient govern- Those remarks were noted by Rep. state’s property tax system, asking, “Why don’t ment, lower taxes, and better education. Greg Davids (R-Preston), chair of the House we start over?” Commerce Committee. And Rep. Ron Abrams “I thought it was inappropriate for him to (R-Minnetonka), chair of criticize previous administrators who governed the House Taxes Commit- this state,” he said. “I think they all did a good tee, said he would welcome job, Republican or Democrat, and they should such a proposal, but be honored for their service.” Ventura will need to take Davids said that he spoke to former Gov. the initiative to garner Al Quie, who was among those attending the broad support among law- speech, and that Quie said he also visited each makers. of the state’s departments early in his “We want to be support- administration. ive of the governor, but we And Davids asked a rhetorical question of have had plenty of studies of the current governor. “For all he wants to do the property tax system,” House Minority Leader Tom Pugh is surrounded by the media as he to further his agenda, where are the bills?” Abrams said. “We have stud- reacts to the State of the State address. ied and studied property tax for the past 20 years.

18 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 New Members . . . Kelliher brings unusual mix of rural, urban experience By Grant Martin Kelliher said that those experiences taught Council and Elwyn Tinklenberg as commis- Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher’s idea of a her how public policy can affect people’s lives. sioner of transportation. vacation during the 1998 campaign might not And she said it makes the current farm crisis “I think that the governor is moving in the sound relaxing to everyone. She spent the last debate very real for her. right direction,” she said. “He’s giving it a lot week in July bicycling 300 “Here, when we are talking about farm of attention, and I really applaud him for miles across Minnesota policy, I feel very connected to people who are that.” with family members to in crisis,” she said. “For some people, it’s the Kelliher won the seat vacated by former raise money to fight mul- second time that they’ve gone through a crisis Rep. Dee Long, the first woman to serve as tiple sclerosis. because they went through the crisis in speaker of the Minnesota House. Kelliher said Kelliher (DFL-Mpls), the ’80s.” that following a 20-year veteran presents some whose sister-in-law has Kelliher’s work as a neighborhood activist unique challenges, but she has a plan to over- multiple sclerosis, logged gave her an opportunity to get to know the come them. over a thousand miles of issues affecting her district. “I think that what I’ve been focusing on as Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher training for the ride spon- “It was a really great way to learn about the new person in the district is really connect- sored by the Multiple issues by dealing with them on the front end,” ing with constituents and listening to them Sclerosis Society of Minnesota. She said that she said. “I’d deal with a lot of issues that very earnestly about their concerns and being the hours of training gave her time to reflect. would then go to the city council, the park responsive to them,” she said. “And I think “For me, it was really precious alone time,” board, or over here to the Legislature.” that will help in the transition time.” she said. “I would often just bike by myself. I While working for the neighborhood asso- Kelliher said that like Long she hopes to could think about issues a lot, and I would ciation, Kelliher helped to develop a home concentrate on a few issues, such as transpor- spend time thinking about things in general. It improvement loan program and initiatives to tation, that will define her own legacy in the was really a nice break.” connect neighborhood residents with local House. Kelliher lives in the Bryn Mawr neighbor- educational opportunities. “When I was door-knocking, people would hood of Minneapolis with her husband David Kelliher also acted as a liaison between the say that I had some pretty big shoes to fill,” she and their two young children. She has worked neighborhood and the state Department of said. “I’d say that I plan on bringing my own as a neighborhood activist for the neighbor- Transportation on the Interstate 394 expansion. pair of shoes.” hood association and also as a staff person in She said that transportation and transit is- both the House and Senate. sues will be among her main interests while In addition to cycling, Kelliher also enjoys serving in the House. District 60A writing creative nonfiction. She has had sev- “It seems like a funny thing to be passionate 1995 population: 32,261 City: Minneapolis eral essays published, including an essay about about in some ways,” she said. “But I really County: Hennepin growing up on a Blue Earth County dairy farm have a passion for finding ways to do trans- Location: inner city Top concern: “Transportation and transit are very during the farm crisis of the early 1980s. portation and transit funding that work for important issues for the district and for me person- “That was a huge experience to go through the parties that need it to work for them.” ally. I feel a real connection to those.” that turbulent time in the farm economy,” she Kelliher said that she is encouraged by Gov. — Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher said. “Actually my family was able to make it Jesse Ventura’s approach to transportation through it, but it was never quite the same in and is happy with the appointments of the sense of farming.” Ted Mondale as chair of the Metropolitan

Minnesota State Agencies Agriculture ...... 297-2200 Public Service ...... 296-5120 Commerce ...... 296-4026 (Area code 651) Revenue Corrections ...... 642-0200 Labor and Industry ...... 296-6107 Taxpayer Assistance ...... 296-3781 Children, Families Military Affairs ...... 282-4662 Toll Free ...... 1-800-652-9094 and Learning ...... 582-8200 Natural Resources ...... 296-6157 Trade and Economic Security ...... 296-3644 Public Safety ...... 296-6642 Economic Development ...... 297-1291 Employee Relations ...... 297-1184 Driver and Vehicle Services ... 296-6911 Office of Tourism ...... 296-5029 Job Information...... 296-2616 Fire Marshal ...... 215-0500 Transportation ...... 296-3000 Finance ...... 296-5900 Alcohol and Gambling Veterans Affairs ...... 296-2562 Health ...... 215-5803 Enforcement Division...... 296-6159 State Information ...... 296-6013 Human Rights ...... 296-5663 State Patrol ...... 297-3935 Toll Free ...... 1-800-657-3704 Pollution Control Agency ...... 296-6300 Human Services ...... 296-6117

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 19 New Members . . . Westerberg begins by working to end marriage penalty By Paul Wahl The overwhelming popularity of Gov. tion Committee. He also serves on the House Rep. Andrew Westerberg (R-Blaine) was Jesse Ventura in Westerberg’s district didn’t Jobs and Economic Development finance and content to work behind the scenes in Repub- hurt, either. Although Westerberg said his policy committees. lican politics for nearly 25 years before decid- hard work was the key, he acknowledges the But he also notes that being in the majority ing to run for office. “Jesse factor” probably did have something to party often brings more responsibility, leav- He worked on cam- do with his margin of victory. ing less time to work on individual legislative paigns for other people, “I’m happy he’s our governor,” Westerberg initiatives. He said that with the crush of a served in various capaci- said. “I really support him. I like the way he busy schedule during the session, it’s impor- ties for the party, and speaks his mind. I like the way he’s not afraid tant to prioritize. helped organize and run to tell people the way it is. He makes mistakes. “I went from spending 60 hours a week in conventions. I fully expect to make mistakes. That’s going my insurance business to five hours in the He recalls one particu- to happen sometimes when you’re trying.” month of January,” Westerberg said. Rep. lar convention at the Two initiatives Westerberg is sponsoring His method of operation for the past 20 Andrew Westerberg St. Paul Civic Center some this session are closely linked to policies advo- years in business has been to learn everything years back. cated by Ventura. about every single aspect and facet of “I was called off the convention floor to go One proposal would reduce the so-called insurance. to Unity Hospital where my wife was having a “marriage penalty” in the state’s tax code. “I tried to do that here with everything that baby,” Westerberg said. “The hospital had one Under current law, married couples who file touched my desk and soon found that, hey, of those two-sided elevators and as I stepped joint tax returns end up paying more than this is not going to work,” Westerberg said. in one side, they wheeled my wife in from the individual filers at the same income level. “You must specialize in certain areas.” other side and we went up and had a baby.” “Not only is this a tax penalty, but it’s a Westerberg has turned his focus toward Two hours later, he was back on the con- penalty against families,” Westerberg said. “We being a clearinghouse for information, fun- vention floor. need to do whatever we can to strengthen neling as much of what crosses his desk as he “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t families.” can back to his constituents. want to be involved,” Westerberg said. “I He is also sponsoring a bill that would con- “The best way to be a good representative is wanted to make a difference.” tinue funding for a program in the Centennial to be a good communicator,” he said. The 1998 election was not the first time School District to study the impact of smaller Westerberg had faced his opponent, former class sizes on the overall learning District 51A Rep. Mike Delmont. Two years earlier, environment. 1995 population: 36,032 Westerberg lost by about 800 votes. This time Westerberg recognizes that a freshman law- Largest city: Blaine around, Westerberg won by a similar margin. maker probably would not get a shot at lead- County: Anoka Location: northwest metro His campaign centered on tax-cutting ing the charge for such an important piece of Top concern: “To restore accountability and themes. legislation as eliminating the marriage penalty responsibility in government. Government “We’re the second highest-taxed state in the were it not for his party’s status as the new should take care of essential services and work together with the private sector to help accom- nation,” Westerberg noted. “That’s majority in the House. plish what individuals cannot accomplish on ridiculous.” So he is enjoying the opportunity. His name their own.” He said his message was simple, and voters is on several pieces of legislation stemming — Rep. Andrew Westerberg understood. from his work on the House Crime Preven-

Constitutional Officers Governor Attorney General State Auditor Jesse Ventura Mike Hatch Judith H. Dutcher 130 State Capitol 102 State Capitol Suite 400 75 Constitution Ave. 75 Constitution Ave. 525 Park St. St. Paul 55155 ...... (651) 296-3391 St. Paul 55155 ...... (651) 296-6196 St. Paul 55103 ...... (651) 296-2551

Lieutenant Governor Secretary of State State Treasurer Mae Schunk Mary Kiffmeyer Carol Johnson 130 State Capitol 180 State Office Building 303 Administration Building 75 Constitution Ave. 100 Constitution Ave. 50 Sherburne Ave. St. Paul 55155 ...... (651) 296-3391 St. Paul 55155 ...... (651) 296-2803 St. Paul 55155 ...... (651) 296-7091

20 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 In the Hopper . . . Feb. 26 - March 4, 1999

HF1149-HF1483

Tuesday, March 2 HF1159—Stanek (R) HF1169—Holberg (R) HF1179—Mares (R) Crime Prevention Crime Prevention Governmental Operations & Correctional officers discipline Financial records search warrant time Veterans Affairs Policy HF1149—Bishop (R) procedures act adopted. period extension by district courts Teachers Retirement Association and Crime Prevention authorized. first class city teacher retirement fund Conditional release board created and HF1160—Koskinen (DFL) association service credit purchase authority to release certain older pris- K-12 Education Finance HF1170—Holberg (R) authorized for military service, out- oners who do not pose a danger to the School finance system equity and gen- Crime Prevention of-state teaching, and maternity public provided. eral education formula allowance in- Domestic assault within seeing or leaves. creased, and money appropriated. hearing distance of a child provided HF1150—Davids (R) increased criminal penalties. HF1180—Mares (R) Commerce HF1161—Dempsey (R) Governmental Operations & Funeral and burial expenses insur- Transportation Policy HF1171—Holberg (R) Veterans Affairs Policy ance regulated, and funeral establish- Port authorities authorized to retain Crime Prevention MSRS, PERA, and TRA retirement ments authorized to sell and receive state commercial navigation project Prosecutors granted discretion related annuity formula computation commissions. lease and management contract to victim or witness birth date provisions modified. revenues. disclosure. HF1151—Howes (R) HF1181—Rest (DFL) Environment & HF1162—Jennings (DFL) HF1172—Holberg (R) Local Government & Natural Resources Policy Environment & Crime Prevention Metropolitan Affairs Waste Management Act technical Natural Resources Finance Harassment and stalking crime en- Alternative annexation procedure changes provided. Taylors Falls Interstate Park fire and hanced penalty provision expanded provided. rescue operations support grant pro- to include violations from another HF1152—Paymar (DFL) vided, and money appropriated. state. HF1182—Kuisle (R) Crime Prevention Jobs & Economic Pretrial release condition violation HF1163—Workman (R) HF1173—Pelowski (DFL) Development Policy provided criminal penalties. Commerce Jobs & Economic County economic development Rental-purchase agreements regu- Development Policy authorities authorized. HF1153—Paymar (DFL) lated, cash price of property calcula- Firefighter arbitration procedures Civil Law tion provided, and cost-of-lease provided. HF1183—Seifert, J. (R) Juror compensation studied by the service charges limited. Governmental Operations & Supreme Court. HF1174—Mulder (R) Veterans Affairs Policy HF1164—Erhardt (R) Health & Human Services Policy Secretary of state service of process, HF1154—Goodno (R) Taxes Board on Aging health insurance notice requirements, and business Health & Human Services Finance Property tax education credit ex- counseling and assistance grants pro- organization names regulated; and Nursing home moratorium exception panded to include seasonal recre- vided, and money appropriated. conforming changes provided. provisions modified. ational property and name changed to general education credit. HF1175—Haas (R) HF1184—Knoblach (R) HF1155—Finseth (R) Commerce Commerce Environment & HF1165—Buesgens (R) Financial institution fees, charges, and One call excavation notice system Natural Resources Finance Transportation Policy time periods regulated; part-time damage provisions modified. Cost-share assistance provided to Low-speed vehicles regulated. banking locations authorized; and Thief River Falls for dredging on the conforming changes provided. HF1185—Haake (R) Red Lake River. HF1166—Chaudhary (DFL) Environment & K-12 Education Finance HF1176—Greenfield (DFL) Natural Resources Policy HF1156—Rhodes (R) Elementary class size reduction pro- Health & Human Services Policy Game refuge deer hunting permits Jobs & Economic gram established, referendum equal- State board of physical therapy estab- percentage issued to senior citizens Development Policy ization revenue formula provided, lished, rulemaking required, and li- and persons with disabilities. Metropolitan area voluntary and money appropriated. censing requirements provided. inclusionary housing policy incen- HF1186—Greiling (DFL) tives provided, policy defined, and HF1167—Lenczewski (DFL) HF1177—Clark, K. (DFL) K-12 Education Finance money appropriated. Local Government & Health & Human Services Policy Special education revenue and excess Metropolitan Affairs Minnesota Family Investment Pro- cost revenue modified, and preK-12 HF1157—Boudreau (R) Tax increment financing district pool- gram (MFIP) post-employment train- special education pupil weighting Environment & ing authorized for deficits caused by ing authorized for certain increased. Natural Resources Policy property tax changes. participants, and money LeSueur County authorized to pri- appropriated. HF1187—Johnson (DFL) vately sell and convey tax-forfeited HF1168—Gerlach (R) K-12 Education Finance lands bordering public water. Governmental Operations & HF1178—McElroy (R) General education basic formula al- Veterans Affairs Policy Jobs & Economic lowance increased, training and ex- HF1158—Rifenberg (R) Election law clarified and simplified. Development Policy perience revenue restored, and money Local Government & Landlord prelease deposits regulated appropriated. Metropolitan Affairs and civil penalties provided. Fence construction and maintenance ex- pense sharing exemption provided to land owners establishing a lack of need. March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 21 HF1188—Gleason (DFL) HF1199—Cassell (R) HF1209—Boudreau (R) HF1220—Dempsey (R) Commerce K-12 Education Finance Family & Early Childhood K-12 Education Finance Real property loans and private mort- K-12 education technical amendments Education Finance Child care and treatment instructional gage insurance (PMI) regulated, pre- bill. Child care worker training grants pro- aid provided, placement provisions payment penalties prohibited, escrow vided, advisory committee created, modified, uniform billing system and account interest required, and mort- HF1200—Harder (R) and money appropriated. approval of education programs gage originators and servicers net Agriculture & Rural provided, and money appropriated. worth requirements repealed. Development Finance HF1210—Gleason (DFL) State agricultural experiment stations Taxes HF1221—Finseth (R) HF1189—Wejcman (DFL) appropriated money. Percentage of rent constituting Environment & Health & Human Services Policy property taxes increased. Natural Resources Finance Mental health professional defined HF1201—Ness (R) Commissioner of natural resources related to medical assistance Agriculture Policy HF1211—Larsen, P. (R) appropriated money for construction coverage. Family farm partnership definition Crime Prevention of ring dikes. modified. Sale, possession, purchase of, or HF1190—Harder (R) mislabeling of dog or cat fur provided HF1222—Leighton (DFL) Health & Human Services Finance HF1202—Ness (R) misdemeanor penalties. Civil Law Westbrook Care Center hospital and K-12 Education Finance Uniform Statute and Rule clinic improvement grant provided, Minnesota foundation for student HF1212—Gray (DFL) Construction Act adopted. and money appropriated. organizations funding provided. K-12 Education Finance First grade preparedness program HF1223—Tunheim (DFL) HF1191—Larson, D. (DFL) HF1203—Kubly (DFL) expanded, and money appropriated. Agriculture Policy Commerce Agriculture & Rural Disaster assistance payments pro- Real property loans and private mort- Development Finance HF1213—Rostberg (R) vided to certain farmers, and money gage insurance (PMI) regulated, pre- University of Minnesota farm safety K-12 Education Finance appropriated. payment penalties prohibited, escrow and health program appropriated Independent School District No. 911, account interest required, and mort- money. Cambridge-Isanti, provided grant for HF1224—Holberg (R) gage originators and servicers net year-round optional school, and Local Government & worth requirements repealed. HF1204—Rostberg (R) money appropriated. Metropolitan Affairs Agriculture Policy Cedar Lake area water and sanitary HF1192—Erhardt (R) Commissioner of agriculture appro- HF1214—Haas (R) sewer district established. Taxes priation provided for the county ag- Health & Human Services Finance Sales tax payment and refund require- riculture inspection program. Nursing home bed moratorium HF1225—Ozment (R) ments for exempt capital equipment exception provided. Local Government & sales repealed. HF1205—McGuire (DFL) Metropolitan Affairs Civil Law HF1215—Pelowski (DFL) Annexation by ordinance limited. HF1193—Nornes (R) Electronic access to data clarified, data Transportation Policy Health & Human Services Finance access notice requirements modified Southern rail corridor grade crossing HF1226—Ozment (R) First Call Minnesota federal reim- for students and employees, dead- minimum safety standards provided. Taxes bursement claims processed by the lines for providing data changed, and Use of tax increment revenues for Department of Human Services. government entities required to re- HF1216—Abeler (R) social or recreational facilities port acquisition of surveillance Health & Human Services Policy prohibited. HF1194—Wenzel (DFL) devices. Practical examination requirements Environment & modified for chiropractors licensed HF1227—Entenza (DFL) Natural Resources Finance HF1206—McGuire (DFL) in other states. Education Policy Garrison, Kathio, West Mille Lacs Civil Law School guidance counselor to student Lake sanitary district grant provided Data access procedures published, HF1217—Abeler (R) ratio established. and money appropriated. data practices compliance required Governmental Operations & in privatization contracts, model poli- Veterans Affairs Policy HF1228—Greenfield (DFL) HF1195—Van Dellen (R) cies prepared, historical director re- Certain state employee exempted Transportation Policy Civil Law quired to assist in records from public pension plan disability Peace officers authorized to issue seat Second and fourth judicial district management; information policy benefit offset from workers’ belt citation after stop for violation of tenant screening report requirements training program appropriated compensation benefits. certain ordinances or vehicle modified. money. registration laws. HF1218—Buesgens (R) HF1196—Van Dellen (R) HF1207—Dorman (R) Taxes HF1229—Westerberg (R) Transportation Policy K-12 Education Finance Income tax subtraction provided for Crime Prevention Metropolitan area cities and towns General education basic formula al- military pay for personnel serving Kidnappers required to register as authorized to set speed limits within lowance increased, pupil unit outside of the state. predatory offenders. their jurisdiction. weightings increased, learning and development revenue expanded, class HF1219—Kahn (DFL) HF1230—Chaudhary (DFL) HF1197—Van Dellen (R) size reduction provided, and money Governmental Operations & Health & Human Services Policy Taxes appropriated. Veterans Affairs Policy Senior citizen drug program Income tax credit for increased re- State agencies required to promote eligibility expanded. search activities extended to HF1208—Paulsen (R) bicycle commuting by state noncorporate taxpayers. Commerce employees. HF1231—Ness (R) Brewer wholesaler agreement termi- Education Policy HF1198—Hackbarth (R) nations authorized under certain Telecommunications access grants Environment & circumstances. provisions modified, Minnesota edu- Natural Resources Policy cation telecommunications council Anoka County authorized to privately modified, and money appropriated. sell surplus state land.

22 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 HF1232—Hackbarth (R) HF1243—Sykora (R) HF1253—Harder (R) HF1264—Dawkins (DFL) Crime Prevention Jobs & Economic Jobs & Economic Civil Law Death penalty imposed in certain first- Development Policy Development Policy Uniform guardianship and protec- degree murder cases, automatic ap- Special assessment rate for the Bingham Lake wastewater system tive proceedings act adopted. pellate review and statutory frame- workforce investment fund lowered, connected to city of Windom, and work provided, and money and provisions governing the fund money appropriated. HF1265—Workman (R) appropriated. modified. Transportation Policy HF1254—Ness (R) Rural residential district speed limits HF1233—Peterson (DFL) HF1244—Dehler (R) K-12 Education Finance provided. Agriculture Policy Crime Prevention Secondary career and technical edu- Service contractor investment pro- Consideration of past treatment for cation funding formulas modified. HF1266—Mullery (DFL) tection provided to commercial solid alcohol or controlled substance use Jobs & Economic or liquid manure management or prohibited for purposes of driver’s HF1255—Skoglund (DFL) Development Policy application services. license sanctions, and revocation pro- Crime Prevention Women encouraged to enter nontra- vided for violation of a “no alcohol” Gamma hydroxybutyrate classified as ditional careers, grants provided, and HF1234—Solberg (DFL) condition of a driver’s license. a controlled substance. money appropriated. K-12 Education Finance Independent School District No. 319 HF1245—Peterson (DFL) HF1256—Clark, K. (DFL) HF1267—Pawlenty (R) joint library project continued. Agriculture Policy Jobs & Economic Civil Law Price discrimination prohibited in Development Policy Economic loss arising from the sale of HF1235—Swenson (R) certain livestock transactions, reports Youthbuild program appropriated goods provisions established related Agriculture Policy and notices required, enforcement money, and youth employment to the uniform commercial code. Livestock production facilities ex- provided, and civil penalties imposed. program provisions modified. empted from ambient hydrogen sul- HF1268—Greiling (DFL) fide standards on days manure is being HF1246—Solberg (DFL) HF1257—Rostberg (R) Governmental Operations & removed from barns or manure Health & Human Services Policy Taxes Veterans Affairs Policy storage facilities. MinnesotaCare included in county- Income tax credit provided for cer- State agency rulemaking regulated. based purchasing, and purchasing tain expenses incurred related to to- HF1236—Kubly (DFL) provisions modified. bacco-related illness, and money HF1269—Ness (R) Agriculture Policy appropriated. Agriculture & Rural Joint and several liability provided HF1247—Kubly (DFL) Development Finance for permit violations of owners of K-12 Education Finance HF1258—Entenza (DFL) Urban agricultural high school cre- animals in feedlots. Enhanced pairing combination aid Civil Law ated, planning grant provided, and provided. Summary dissolution process revived money appropriated. HF1237—Kubly (DFL) relating to family law. Agriculture Policy HF1248—Howes (R) HF1270—Finseth (R) Feedlots required to assure ability to Environment & HF1259—McGuire (DFL) Agriculture & Rural pay environmental damages. Natural Resources Policy Health & Human Services Policy Development Finance Harmful exotic species provisions Reporting requirements expanded for Urban agricultural high school cre- HF1238—Dehler (R) modified relating to natural resources. health professionals concerning in- ated, planning grant provided, and Agriculture Policy juries resulting from alcohol or con- money appropriated. Industrial hemp classified as an agri- HF1249—Goodno (R) trolled substance related accidents, cultural crop, growers required to be Local Government & and civil and criminal immunity ex- HF1271—Westrom (R) registered, and criminal penalty Metropolitan Affairs panded for reports by health Commerce imposed. Development limited in unincorpo- professionals. Uniform farm and equipment deal- rated areas abutting municipalities. ers warranty reimbursement act HF1239—McGuire (DFL) HF1260—Tingelstad (R) adopted. Civil Law HF1250—Kahn (DFL) Health & Human Services Finance Office of public access to government Governmental Operations & Medical assistance reimbursement HF1272—Abrams (R) data established, and duties Veterans Affairs Policy rate maximums increased relating to Civil Law transferred. State and local election voting age special transportation services. Court administration costs in speci- changed from 18 to 16, and constitu- fied judicial districts funded by the HF1240—Kahn (DFL) tional amendment proposed. HF1261—Ness (R) state, court employee collective bar- Crime Prevention Jobs & Economic gaining provisions established, taxes Criminal sexual conduct involving HF1251—Rest (DFL) Development Policy imposed, and money appropriated. consenting adults repealed. Governmental Operations & Local government paid wages infor- Veterans Affairs Policy mation required for prevailing wage HF1273—Ozment (R) HF1241—Bishop (R) Purchase of prior service credit au- determinations. Local Government & Education Policy thorized for a certain employee of Metropolitan Affairs University Center Rochester appro- Independent School District No. 281, HF1262—Ness (R) Eminent domain damage award re- priation for course and degree Robbinsdale, and mandated partial Jobs & Economic ductions prohibited for agricultural, offerings. employer payment of the purchase Development Policy metropolitan preserve, or RIM amount. Prevailing wages and comparable program land. HF1242—Vandeveer (R) worth of occupations consistency Taxes HF1252—Murphy (DFL) required. HF1274—Daggett (R) Sales and use tax and motor vehicle Environment & Environment & excise tax rate reduced. Natural Resources Finance HF1263—Olson (R) Natural Resources Policy Money appropriated for a snowmo- Commerce Provisional firearms safety certificate bile trail to connect the Willard Board of electricity required to adopt provided for persons with mental dis- Munger state trail and the North Shore rules authorizing sign contractor abilities and assisted hunting state trail. special licenses. authorized.

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 23 HF1275—Cassell (R) HF1286—Kahn (DFL) HF1296—Mares (R) HF1306—Clark, K. (DFL) Crime Prevention Local Government & Education Policy Health & Human Services Policy Firearm carry permit issuance pro- Metropolitan Affairs School district swimming pool levy Lead center services medical assis- vided, and issuance criteria Minneapolis Park and Recreation provided. tance coverage provided and federal established. Board authorized to distribute and waivers authorizing window replace- sell hydroelectric power, Mississippi HF1297—Wenzel (DFL) ment medical assistance coverage HF1276—Ozment (R) River at St. Anthony Falls protected, Jobs & Economic required. Environment & and city definition modified. Development Policy Natural Resources Policy Little Falls fishing museum and envi- HF1307—Clark, K. (DFL) Watershed management organization HF1287—Dorn (DFL) ronmental center planning grant Health & Human Services Policy board membership modified. Local Government & provided, and money appropriated. Disabled working individuals Metropolitan Affairs medical assistance coverage provided. HF1277—Bishop (R) Mankato area growth management HF1298—Storm (R) Environment & and planning study grant provided, Jobs & Economic HF1308—Skoglund (DFL) Natural Resources Policy and money appropriated. Development Policy Transportation Policy Wastewater treatment provisions Bridges program; rental housing as- Motor vehicle registration suspension modified and money appropriated. HF1288—Seifert, M. (R) sistance program for persons with a authorized when transferee fails to Health & Human Services Finance mental illness or families with an adult apply for a new title within allotted HF1278—Peterson (DFL) Marshall regional emergency re- member with a mental illness time, certificate of title detachable Environment & sponse training center construction appropriated money. form and completion required, and Natural Resources Policy provided and money appropriated. money appropriated. Farm and small business pollution HF1299—Howes (R) control permit requirements media- HF1289—Entenza (DFL) Environment & HF1309—Bradley (R) tion authorized for hardship cases and Commerce Natural Resources Policy Health & Human Services Policy money appropriated. Sale of alcohol or providing alcohol Minnesota Conservation Corps fees de- Nursing home administrator licens- to under age persons civil and crimi- posited in a special revenue fund for ing; board of examiners for nursing HF1279—Peterson (DFL) nal penalties imposed, under age al- corps projects and administration. home administrators; immunity for Environment & cohol purchase minimum fine complainants, board members, and Natural Resources Policy provided, liquor law compliance HF1300—Hackbarth (R) staff; and acting administrator Montevideo recreational trail comple- check grants authorized, and money Agriculture Policy permits provisions modified. tion grant provided, bonds appropriated. Agricultural chemical use liability authorized, and money appropriated. claim defense coverage by insurers HF1310—Goodno (R) HF1290—Larsen, P. (R) required. Crime Prevention HF1280—Buesgens (R) Local Government & Juvenile justice provisions clarified, Jobs & Economic Metropolitan Affairs HF1301—Vandeveer (R) and child protection and delinquency Development Policy Minneapolis-St. Paul International Environment & laws separated. Jordan wastewater treatment facility Airport: Bloomington, Minneapolis, Natural Resources Policy construction grant provided and and Richfield airport impact zones State park additions, deletions, and HF1311—Dawkins (DFL) money appropriated. and tax increment financing districts name changes provided; land ex- Taxes authorized; airport impact fund cre- change and transfer authorized; state This old house; property tax valua- HF1281—Osskopp (R) ated; and Metropolitan Council wayside abolished; and Rock County tion exclusion for certain improve- Governmental Operations & activities permitted. authorized to privately sell surplus ments application requirements Veterans Affairs Policy state land. modified. Card club activities authorized for a HF1291—Swenson (R) Class B operator of a Class A Transportation Policy HF1302—Pugh (DFL) HF1312—McElroy (R) racetrack. School bus types redefined to allow Governmental Operations & Governmental Operations & seating for two extra persons. Veterans Affairs Policy Veterans Affairs Policy HF1282—Jennings (DFL) Teacher earning limitations resumed Minnesota electronic authentication Local Government & HF1292—McGuire (DFL) for returning retirees. act provisions modified. Metropolitan Affairs Family & Early Childhood Municipalities authorized to provide Education Finance HF1303—Goodno (R) contract bid specifications, design, Child care assistance administration Commerce and construction standards. technical and conforming changes Health plan company uniform com- Thursday, March 4 provided. plaint resolution and external appeal HF1283—Osskopp (R) processes established, and money HF1313—Storm (R) Crime Prevention HF1293—Marko (DFL) appropriated. Taxes Federal disaster relief fund state Local Government & Manufactured home parks property matching grants authorized, open Metropolitan Affairs HF1304—Pugh (DFL) tax class rate decreased. appropriations provided, reporting Washington County taxpayer’s per- Governmental Operations & requirements specified, and money sonal information disclosure Veterans Affairs Policy HF1314—Lenczewski (DFL) appropriated. provisions expiration date extended. Senate and House of Representatives Governmental Operations & size reduced, length of terms modi- Veterans Affairs Policy HF1284—Hilty (DFL) HF1294—McElroy (R) fied, unicameral law enactment pro- MSRS general state employees retire- Local Government & Transportation Policy vided, and constitutional amendment ment plan service credit purchase for Metropolitan Affairs Prorated motor vehicle license fees proposed. prior temporary employment autho- Banning Junction area water and authorized after dealer transfer. rized for a certain person. sanitary sewer district authorized. HF1305—Sviggum (R) HF1295—Clark, J. (R) Transportation Policy HF1285—Harder (R) Taxes Kenyon excess highway easements Transportation Policy Property tax homestead treatment transfer required. Agricultural aircraft registration tax extended to include property leased exemption provided. to family farm corporations.

24 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 HF1315—Mulder (R) HF1325—Kielkucki (R) HF1337—Carruthers (DFL) HF1348—Holberg (R) K-12 Education Finance Education Policy Taxes Local Government & School district nos. 411, Balaton, 402, Individual income tax credit for eli- Motor vehicles qualifying for the in Metropolitan Affairs Ivanhoe, 404, Lake Benton, 418, gible education expenes expanded to lieu tax on older passenger automo- Tort liability exception clarified re- Russell, 584, Ruthton, and 409, Tyler, include tuition for music teacher biles definition expanded. lating to snow and ice accumulation cooperative secondary facility plan- instruction. on municipal property. ning and administrative expenses HF1338—Smith (R) grant provided; and money HF1326—Abeler (R) Crime Prevention HF1349—Swenson (R) appropriated. Health & Human Services Policy Privatization of correctional facility Local Government & Family, foster, and day care human services regulated, nonsecurity insti- Metropolitan Affairs HF1316—Mulder (R) services licensing and reporting re- tutional contract review provided, Population threshold for municipal Jobs & Economic quirements modified. inmate work for private employers state transportation aid eligibility Development Policy restricted, and report required. abolished. Lake Benton visitor center and rail- HF1327—Stang (R) road depot planning grant provided, K-12 Education Finance HF1339—Gerlach (R) HF1350—Bakk (DFL) and money appropriated. Laboratory school grant provision Governmental Operations & Taxes expanded to include school opera- Veterans Affairs Policy Koochiching and St. Louis counties HF1317—Daggett (R) tions and money appropriated. Public employer hiring freeze hospital district tax levy increased. Health & Human Services Finance imposed. Becker County nursing facility medi- HF1328—Fuller (R) HF1351—Mulder (R) cal assistance rate increase provided. Crime Prevention HF1340—Trimble (DFL) Health & Human Services Policy DNA; convicted predatory criminals Jobs & Economic Health plan company acceptance of HF1318—Sykora (R) required to provided biological speci- Development Policy sole community pharamcies required. Family & Early Childhood mens for analysis. St. Paul housing funding provided. Education Finance HF1352—Entenza (DFL) State agency child care assistance pro- HF1329—Broecker (R) HF1341—Abrams (R) Health & Human Services Policy gram duties clarified, program integ- Civil Law Governmental Operations & Counties authorized to establish pro- rity and fraud investigation provided, Government data access and com- Veterans Affairs Policy grams for alternative responses to and money appropriated. puter program copyright provisions Minnesota amateur sports commis- child maltreatment reports. modified. sion grants authorized for youth ath- HF1319—Workman (R) letic facilities, and money HF1353—Carlson (DFL) Local Government & HF1330—Mahoney (DFL) appropriated. K-12 Education Finance Metropolitan Affairs Crime Prevention School district referendum equaliza- Chanhassen tax increment financing Sober high school pilot program HF1342—Entenza (DFL) tion revenue increased, class size re- district extension provided. grants provided and money Crime Prevention duction program established, and appropriated. Chemical use assessment conducted money appropriated. HF1320—Pelowski (DFL) and report submitted for certain al- Education Policy HF1331—Trimble (DFL) cohol-related violations by underaged HF1354—Gunther (R) School district discipline policy re- Jobs & Economic persons. K-12 Education Finance view participation expanded and cri- Development Policy Minnesota talented youth math sis management policies provided. St. Paul Port Authority job skills part- HF1343—Abeler (R) project expanded, and money nership program funding provided Education Policy appropriated. HF1321—Hausman (DFL) and money appropriated. Charter school program design speci- Jobs & Economic fications modified, and teachers au- HF1355—Hausman (DFL) Development Policy HF1332—Huntley (DFL) thorized to perform administrative Education Policy St. Paul Como Park zoo and conser- Health & Human Services Policy functions. English as a second language ESL in- vatory maintenance subsidy provided, Abortion data reporting requirements structors in Adult Basic Education, and money appropriated. repealed. HF1344—Schumacher (DFL) ABE, programs licensure require- Local Government & ments exception provided. HF1322—Paulsen (R) HF1333—Daggett (R) Metropolitan Affairs Education Policy Commerce Benton County tourism tax incre- HF1356—Wenzel (DFL) Corporate franchise education Wood sale contracts regulated. ment financing project authorized. K-12 Education Finance expenses credit authorized. Operational skills instructor funding HF1334—Howes (R) HF1345—Winter (DFL) authorized for Central Lakes College, HF1323—Nornes (R) Taxes Agriculture Policy Brainerd campus. Family & Early Childhood Sales tax exemption provided for Pollution control agency animal feed- Education Finance equipment and materials used to lot registry required. HF1357—Carruthers (DFL) Family visitation center grants pro- make improvements to certain K-12 Education Finance vided and money appropriated. resorts. HF1346—Knoblach (R) Limited English proficieny and spe- Governmental Operations & cial education programs two-year lag HF1324—Cassell (R) HF1335—Hasskamp (DFL) Veterans Affairs Policy replaced with one-year lag. Education Policy Taxes Training procedures for local elec- Teacher training improvement col- Sales tax exemption provided for con- tion officials modified, and money HF1358—Rhodes (R) laborative pilot program established, struction materials used in building appropriated. K-12 Education Finance public college and school district in- Hallett community center in Crosby. School-linked prevention and early volvement provided, and money HF1347—Gerlach (R) intervention grant program for chil- appropriated. HF1336—Seifert, J. (R) Crime Prevention dren established, and money Commerce Community custody authorized as appropriated. Continuity of contracts provided re- alternative to jail terms. lating to European currency.

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 25 HF1359—Mahoney (DFL) HF1369—Rostberg (R) Crime Prevention Local Government & HF1379—Jennings (DFL) HF1389—Juhnke (DFL) Crime victim restitution and repara- Metropolitan Affairs Environment & Natural Environment & Natural tions provisions clarified and ex- Uncashed checks of a political subdi- Resources Policy Resources Policy panded, time limit for filing claims vision exempted from uniform dis- Environmental assessment worksheet Kandiyohi tax-forfeited land public extended, and exception provided for position of unclaimed property act. requirements modified for metal sale authorized. all child abuse cases. shredding facilities in Mississippi HF1370—Rostberg (R) River area. HF1390—McElroy (R) HF1360—Tunheim (DFL) Agriculture Policy Local Government & K-12 Education Finance Organic agriculture promotion and HF1380—Jennings (DFL) Metropolitan Affairs Special education revenue and excess funding provided, advisory task force Higher Education Finance Alternative collateral pool provided cost revenue modified, and pre-kin- expiration date extended, and money Pine Technical College virtual reality for deposit and investment of local dergarten special education pupil appropriated. center appropriation provided. public funds. weighting increased. HF1371—Harder (R) HF1381—Hausman (DFL) HF1391—Leppik (R) HF1361—Mulder (R) K-12 Education Finance Governmental Operations & Higher Education Finance Taxes Independent School District No. 81, Veterans Affairs Policy Tobacco settlement money disposi- Certain agricultural property elimi- Comfrey, tornado damage appropria- Minnesota access facilities develop- tion provided, health professional nated from the property tax base for tion provided. ment act provided for acquisition and education and medical research en- new debt service levies for Indepen- development of soccer and other dowment fund created, and money dent School District No. 2689, HF1372—Harder (R) amateur athletic facilities, and money appropriated. Pipestone-Jasper. Taxes appropriated. Sales and use tax exemption provided HF1392—Jennings (DFL) HF1362—Mulder (R) for materials and supplies used in HF1382—Fuller (R) Health & Human Services Policy Family & Early Childhood expansion of an agricultural process- Local Government & Minnesota Family Investment Fund, Education Finance ing facility. Metropolitan Affairs MFIP, provisions modified relating At-home infant child care program Bemidji authorized to exercise power to earned income disregard, food provisions modified, and money HF1373—Holsten (R) of eminent domain for acquisition of stamps, and employment services; appropriated. Environment & Natural certain trust fund land. food assistance to legal noncitizens Resources Policy continued, and TANF administrative HF1363—Storm (R) Tax-forfeited land sale authorized in HF1383—Wilkin (R) cap proposed. Higher Education Finance Washington County. Health & Human Services Policy Higher education student share re- Optometrist licensing provisions HF1393—Jennings (DFL) duced, and child care grant program HF1374—Holsten (R) modified. Health & Human Services Policy modified. Governmental Operations & Human services technical changes and Veterans Affairs Policy HF1384—Wolf (R) statuatory cross-references provided. HF1364—Koskinen (DFL) Gaming machines and card games Commerce Health & Human Services Finance authorized under the direction of the Energy conservation improvement HF1394—Pawlenty (R) New chance program appropriation state lottery, horse racing purse pay- program provisions modified relat- Commerce provided in Hennepin County. ments established, and Minnesota ing to public utilities. Uniform Commercial Code secured fund advisory task force established. transactions provisions adopted, and HF1365—Clark, K. (DFL) HF1385—Carruthers (DFL) revised Article 9 provided. Jobs & Economic HF1375—Workman (R) Civil Law Development Policy Taxes Data practices provisions modified HF1395—Rhodes (R) Commissioner of labor and industry Property tax exemption provided cer- relating to personnel data, criminal Health & Human Services Policy to adopt standards for ergonomics to tain electric utility property. history data made public, and other Group residential housing block grant reduce the incidence of repetitive classified. pilot project created and money motion injuries, and advisory task HF1376—Kelliher (DFL) appropriated. force established. Crime Prevention HF1386—Mulder (R) Resolution memorializing the United Family & Early Childhood HF1396—Munger (DFL) HF1366—Buesgens (R) States Senate to ratify the United Na- Education Finance Environment & Natural Education Policy tions convention on the elimination Early Childhood Family Education, Resources Policy Advisory group established to make of all forms of discrimination against ECFE, revenue increased, expectant Wastewater treatment facilities meet- recommendations on strategies to women. parent activities included, and money ing federal water pollution control address the needs of students who fail appropriated. act standards and wastewater infra- to meet the requirements of the state’s HF1377—McElroy (R) structure financing provided, and high school graduation rule. Local Government & HF1387—Anderson, I. (DFL) money appropriated. Metropolitan Affairs Taxes HF1367—Buesgens (R) Dakota County Housing and Rede- Biomass electrical generating facility HF1397—Stang (R) K-12 Education Finance velopment Authority renamed, and construction provided sales and use Local Government & Youth service program revenue powers of the Dakota County com- tax exemption on materials and Metropolitan Affairs increased. munity development agency equipment purchases. Stearns County tax increment financ- provided. ing district housing and redevelop- HF1368—Dawkins (DFL) HF1388—Anderson, I. (DFL) ment actions ratified. Commerce HF1378—Leppik (R) Governmental Operations & Age discrimination prohibited in au- Jobs & Economic Veterans Affairs Policy HF1398—Peterson (DFL) tomobile renting to persons at least Development Policy World War II veterans memorial con- Local Government & 21 years of age. Minnesota Technology, Inc. appro- struction provided, bonds issued, and Metropolitan Affairs priation provided for Minnesota money appropriated. Dawson tax increment financing dis- Project Innovation. trict duration extended.

26 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 HF1399—Erhardt (R) HF1411—Paulsen (R) HF1422—Dawkins (DFL) HF1432—Hausman (DFL) Local Government & Civil Law Taxes Jobs & Economic Metropolitan Affairs Property management company and Mortgage registry and deed tax pro- Development Policy Municipal tax increment financing apartment building managers and ceeds excess credited to the commu- St. Paul RiverCentre and skyway sys- district creation limited. employees authorized to appear in nity rehabilitation fund account. tem underground connection grant conciliation and unlawful detainer provided, and money appropriated. HF1400—Stang (R) court on behalf of their employers. HF1423—Anderson, B. (R) K-12 Education Finance Governmental Operations & HF1433—Hausman (DFL) Independent School District No. 740, HF1412—Anderson, I. (DFL) Veterans Affairs Policy Jobs & Economic Melrose, health and safety revenue Environment & Precinct caucus procedures modified, Development Policy accelerated grant payment autho- Natural Resources Policy preference balloting established and St. Paul RiverCentre and skyway sys- rized, and money appropriated. Wildlife management area designa- reported, and presidential primaries tem underground connection grant tion orders rescinded and consoli- eliminated. provided, and money appropriated. HF1401—Erhardt (R) dated conservation areas account Taxes appropriations reinstated. HF1424—Rostberg (R) HF1434—Tingelstad (R) Senior citizen homeowner additional Local Government & Environment & propery tax refund provided, and HF1413—Seifert, J. (R) Metropolitan Affairs Natural Resources Finance money appropriated. Health & Human Services Policy Uniform disposition of unclaimed Minnesota Children’s Museum Maltreatment investigative licensing property act exemption provided for project greenstart grant provided and HF1402—Erhardt (R) data access use clarified and expanded, uncashed political subdivision checks. money appropriated. Taxes welfare and death review committee Income tax rebate provided and data classification provided, and rev- HF1425—Carruthers (DFL) HF1435—Buesgens (R) money appropriated. enue tax credit data access expanded. K-12 Education Finance K-12 Education Finance First-grade preparedness program Richard Green institute grant HF1403—Buesgens (R) HF1414—Boudreau (R) made permanent and money appro- provided and money appropriated. Environment & Health & Human Services Policy priated. Natural Resources Policy Deaf and hard-of-hearing services HF1436—Greenfield (DFL) Scott County; Blue Lake wastewater division provisions modified. HF1426—Tingelstad (R) Health & Human Services Policy treatment plant consumptive ground- Health & Human Services Policy University of Minnesota Medical water use permit approved. HF1415—Finseth (R) Well notification fees, advisory coun- School primary care physician train- Agriculture Policy cil on water supply systems and waste- ing initiative appropriated money. HF1404—Swenson (R) Gray wolf management provided and water treatment facilities terms, rural Environment & criminal penalties imposed. hospital grant provisions, and health HF1437—Ozment (R) Natural Resources Policy professional student loan repayment Environment & Swan Lake migratory waterfowl ref- HF1416—Haas (R) provisions modified. Natural Resources Policy uge designated and refuge provisions Local Government & Sustainable forest resources act re- modified. Metropolitan Affairs HF1427—Rostberg (R) peal date modified. Tax increment financing district par- Environment & HF1405—Johnson (DFL) cel inclusion effective date modified. Natural Resources Policy HF1438—Jaros (DFL) K-12 Education Finance Natural resources software and intel- Governmental Operations & School restructuring grant provided HF1417—Mahoney (DFL) lectual property sale and licensure Veterans Affairs Policy and money appropriated. Crime Prevention authorized; and youth snowmobile University of Minnesota, Duluth, DNA; predatory offender DNA speci- operation, drivers license safety des- police officer prior service credit HF1406—Solberg (DFL) men required. ignations, nongame wildlife check- recredited by the public employees K-12 Education Finance off, and forestry development project police and fire plan. Independent School District No. 4, HF1418—Goodno (R) provisions modified. McGregor, energy improvements levy Health & Human Services Policy HF1439—Howes (R) authorized, and money appropriated. Minnesota families foundation estab- HF1428—Wolf (R) Environment & lished, medical education and re- K-12 Education Finance Natural Resources Finance HF1407—Folliard (DFL) search costs and local public health Student-based education finance sys- Minnesota Conservation Corps K-12 Education Finance endowment funds created, tobacco tem provided. appropriated money. Early elementary class size reduction settlement funds dedicated, and program funded and money appro- money appropriated. HF1429—Holsten (R) HF1440—Boudreau (R) priated. Jobs & Economic Health & Human Services Policy HF1419—Hasskamp (DFL) Development Policy Intermediate care facilities payment HF1408—Knoblach (R) Commerce Stillwater historic territorial prison rate determination modified, local Taxes Health plan coverage age limit for wall fortified, bonds issued, and system needs planning process re- Central Minnesota events center con- cleft lip and palate extended to the money appropriated. quired, and statewide advisory com- struction materials sales tax exemp- required age limit for dependent mittee established. tion provided. coverage. HF1430—Tuma (R) Environment & HF1441—Tunheim (DFL) HF1409—Carruthers (DFL) HF1420—Paymar (DFL) Natural Resources Policy K-12 Education Finance Taxes Jobs & Economic Leased lakeshore lot exchange or sale General education revenue equity aid Motor vehicle transfer provisions Development Policy provisions modified. component created and money modified for the purpose of exempt- St. Paul West Seventh Street/Gateway appropriated. ing gifts from vehicle sales tax. area enhancement funded and money HF1431—Dawkins (DFL) appropriated. Civil Law HF1442—Tunheim (DFL) HF1410—Knoblach (R) Contracts for deed recording require- Environment & Local Government & HF1421—Wilkin (R) ments modified, minimum contents Natural Resources Policy Metropolitan Affairs Health & Human Services Policy specified, civil cause of action estab- Roseau County authorized to sell tax- St. Cloud tax increment financing Temporary podiatric permit exten- lished, sample forms and educational forfeited land bordering public district housing and redevelopment sion provided and requirements materials provided, and money water. expenditures authorized. modified. appropriated. March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 27 HF1443—Abeler (R) HF1454—Rostberg (R) HF1464—Jaros (DFL) HF1475—Nornes (R) Health & Human Services Finance Environment & Transportation Policy Family & Early Childhood Independent living skills training pro- Natural Resources Policy Percentage of public transit operat- Education Finance gram funded for persons with epi- Community forest improvement ing costs paid by provider of large School district adult basic education lepsy and money appropriated. grants provided. urbanized service reduced. service level defined, basic popula- tion aid provided, and money appro- HF1444—Krinkie (R) HF1455—Hausman (DFL) HF1465—Carruthers (DFL) priated. Governmental Operations & Environment & Civil Law Veterans Affairs Policy Natural Resources Policy Revisor of Statutes instructed to re- HF1476—Stang (R) Public Employees Retirement Asso- Riparian forest management pro- codify data practices law, and annual Local Government & ciation (PERA) provisions modified. vided. updates provided. Metropolitan Affairs Increased levy authorized North Fork HF1445—Vandeveer (R) HF1456—Bakk (DFL) HF1466—Dorman (R) Crow River watershed district. Civil Law Taxes Governmental Operations & Injury or death resulting from equine Certain delinquent tax abatement Veterans Affairs Policy HF1477—Rostberg (R) activities limited liability provided. authorized in Lake County, Two Har- Albert Lea police and fire survivor Environment & bors, and Lake Superior Independent retirement benefit increase allowed. Natural Resources Policy HF1446—Rhodes (R) School District No. 381, and land con- Environmental improvement pilot Governmental Operations & veyance recorded upon abatement. HF1467—Sykora (R) program modified and made Veterans Affairs Policy Family & Early Childhood permanent. Office of environmental assistance, HF1457—Chaudhary (DFL) Education Finance public service department, transpor- State Government Finance Early Childhood and Family Educa- HF1478—Holsten (R) tation regulation board, and depart- Red Tail project appropriation pro- tion, ECFE, children and family sup- Local Government & ments of administration, public vided to honor the Tuskegee airmen. port programs provided, and money Metropolitan Affairs safety, and corrections reorganization appropriated. City annexation area division into codified. HF1458—Jennings (DFL) urban and rural service districts au- Health & Human Services Finance HF1468—Olson (R) thorized for the purpose of property HF1447—Tomassoni (DFL) Certain Chisago County nursing fa- Education Policy taxation. Transportation Policy cility reimbursement provision School districts required to provide Motor vehicle license plate impound- modified. remedial instruction to students fail- HF1479—Entenza (DFL) ment modified in cases where the ing minimum core course require- K-12 Education Finance violator is not the owner. HF1459—Johnson (DFL) ments, and cost reports required. School district definition modified K-12 Education Finance related to homeless students, home- HF1448—Jaros (DFL) Learning academy training expanded, HF1469—Chaudhary (DFL) less student count date clarified, edu- Jobs & Economic library site technology grants eligibil- K-12 Education Finance cation program grants provided, and Development Policy ity requirements modified, database Additional compensatory revenue money appropriated. Minnesota Technology, Inc. natural access program for public libraries authorized for free or reduced price resources research institute grant and school modified, and money meals in certain school districts. HF1480—Fuller (R) provided and money appropriated. appropriated. Judiciary Finance HF1470—Wolf (R) Bureau of Criminal Apprehension HF1449—Wilkin (R) HF1460—Jennings (DFL) Commerce facilities constructed in St. Paul and Health & Human Services Policy Health & Human Services Finance Sale of alcoholic beverages authorized Bemidji, and money appropriated. Persons with mental retardation day Certain Chisago County nursing at Northrop Auditorium on training and habilitation rate home reimbursement provisions University of Minnesota campus. HF1481—Hausman (DFL) variance criteria modified. modified. Environment & HF1471—Krinkie (R) Natural Resources Finance HF1450—Kielkucki (R) HF1461—Skoglund (DFL) Governmental Operations & Como Park education and resource K-12 Education Finance Environment & Veterans Affairs Policy center construction completed, and Five star school accreditation pro- Natural Resources Policy Legislative approval required for fee money appropriated. gram established and money Commissioner of natural resources increases, expiration dates provided appropriated. authorized to enter into a lease of for certain fees, and conforming HF1482—Lenczewski (DFL) land at Fort Snelling. changes made. Local Government & HF1451—Kielkucki (R) Metropolitan Affairs Agriculture Policy HF1462—Solberg (DFL) HF1472—Mulder (R) Metropolitan Radio Board sunset date Agricultural research grants board Jobs & Economic Transportation Policy extended. established, crop land levy authorized, Development Policy Special number plates for collector agricultural property tax rates Seaway Port Authority of Duluth ap- aircraft provisions modified. HF1483—Tomassoni (DFL) reduced, and money appropriated. propriation provided for a warehouse, Governmental Operations & and bonds issued. HF1473—Clark, J. (R) Veterans Affairs Policy HF1452—Boudreau (R) Jobs & Economic Minimum fire state aid relief associa- K-12 Education Finance HF1463—Pelowski (DFL) Development Finance tion eligibility expanded. Library for the blind and physically Education Policy Minnesota Technology, Inc. inven- handicapped appropriated money. Commissioner of administration au- tors congress grant provided and thorized to develop and distribute a money appropriated. HF1453—Rhodes (R) policy on student records and other Health & Human Services Policy data on school-aged children, and HF1474—Smith (R) Adolescent health program grant es- money appropriated. Environment & tablished, and money appropriated. Natural Resources Policy Water quality cooperative activities restricted within two miles of incor- porated municipalities.

28 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 Coming Up Next Week . . . March 8 - 13, 1999

ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL HF873 (Mulder) CLEAR Corps; lead hazard Schedule is subject to change. RESOURCES FINANCE reduction project grant provided and money For information updates, call 10 State Office Building appropriated. House Calls at (651) 296-9283. Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten Agenda: Minnesota Zoo budget presentation. LOCAL GOVERNMENT & All meetings are open to the public. Office of Environmental Assistance budget METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS Sign language interpreter services: presentation. 200 State Office Building (651) 224-6548 v/tty HF878 (Bishop) State governmental operations Chr. Rep. Peg Larsen To have the daily and weekly schedules supplemental funding provided and money Agenda: HF174 (Stang) Richmond annexed to appropriated. the Paynesville area hospital district. delivered to your e-mail address, send a HF627 (Larsen, P.) Washington County; housing message to: HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE and redevelopment authority commissioners’ [email protected] 300S State Office Building term length modified. Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik HF726 (Knoblach) Political subdivision capital In the body of the message type: Agenda: Metro Area Planning and Metropolitan project grant standards provided. State University planning presentations, Morrie HF526 (Mullery) Minneapolis Park and subscribe h-schedules Anderson, Dennis Nielsen, Phil Davis, and Recreation Board employee appointment Monica Manning of Minnesota State Colleges provided. and Universities. Subcommittee on Regulated Industries/ MONDAY, March 8 K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE COMMERCE 5 State Office Building Basement Hearing Room 7:15 a.m. Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren State Office Building Agenda: HF242 (Dawkins) School district Chr. Rep. Ken Wolf TRANSPORTATION FINANCE compensatory revenue modified to reflect Agenda: HF358 (Wolf) Coin-operated and Tours enrollment changes. public pay telephones deregulated, and Chr. Rep. Carol Molnau HF618 (Abeler) School districts with significant telecommunication provider anticompetitive Agenda: Tour, Department of Transportation enrollment eligible for free or reduced price activity administrative penalties assessed. Traffic Management Center, 1101 4th Ave. S., lunches provided additional compensatory Minneapolis. revenue. 1:45 p.m. Tour, Department of Transportation Waters HF782 (Biernat) School district basic skills Edge Building, 1500 W. County Road B2, intervention program funding created and Library Subcommittee/ Roseville. money appropriated. Legislative Coordinating Commission HF785 (Biernat) School district basic skills 546 State Office Building 8 a.m. revenue enhanced, English language learner Chair to be announced funding extended, compensatory revenue cap Agenda: Elect chair. GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & removed, free and reduced price meal eligibility Review Legislative Reference Library’s proposed VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY under-reporting adjusted, grant program budget for 2000-01 biennium. 500S State Office Building created, and money appropriated. Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes HF824 (Biernat) School district compensatory 2:30 p.m. Agenda: HF879 (Knoblach) Local units of revenue allocation flexibility continued. government regulatory relief provided. HF827 (Rest) Virtual school district created and The House meets in session. HF801 (Knoblach) Minnesota Partnership for money appropriated. Action Against Tobacco not considered a state 6 p.m. agency, and report required. Property Tax Division/ TAXES Subcommittee on Employee Relations/ HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE 200 State Office Building Legislative Coordinating Commission 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Ron Erhardt 112 State Capitol Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno Agenda: HF1009 (Broecker) Green acres Chair to be announced Agenda: Department of Human Services budget property tax treatment extended to certain Agenda: Elect officers. presentation. dissected agricultural property. Adopt subcommittee rules. HF1063 (Paymar) Senior citizens’ property tax Review/approve subcommittee bill. JOBS & ECONOMIC deferral program maximum allowable household Review/approve budget proposal for 2000-01 DEVELOPMENT FINANCE income increased. biennium. 200 State Office Building HF1064 (Hackbarth) Manufactured home parks Other items approved by the chair. Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy property tax class rate modified, and homestead Agenda: Department of Economic Security and agricultural credit aid adjustment provided. TUESDAY, March 9 budget presentation. HF1089 (Rifenberg) Agricultural property debt service and referendum levy property tax credit 10 a.m. provided, and money appropriated. 7 a.m. CIVIL LAW 12:30 p.m. TRANSPORTATION POLICY Basement Hearing Room 5 State Office Building State Office Building FAMILY & EARLY Chr. Rep. Tom Workman Chr. Rep. Steve Smith CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FINANCE Agenda: HF165 (Stang) Disability license plate Agenda: HF510 (Biernat) Child and medical 5 State Office Building issuance allowed for motor vehicles modified support order administrative process repealed, Chr. Rep. Barb Sykora for use by disabled persons. family law magistrates appointed, and money Agenda: Report on federal funds requested by HF1053 (Opatz) Disability parking regulatory appropriated. Department of Children, Families and Learning provisions modified, certain vehicle registration to set up a child care computer network. fee credits abolished, and local ordinances Summary of governor’s bill.

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 29 regulating long-term parking authorized. 8:30 a.m. HF681 (Jaros) Vitamins and minerals sales and use tax exemption provided. 8 a.m. STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE HF611 (Rest) Materials used in metalcasting 300N State Office Building sales and use tax exemption provided. Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie HF671 (Molnau) Road and bridge maintenance HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES POLICY Agenda: Budget presentations by Capitol Area equipment purchased by counties sales tax and 10 State Office Building Architectural & Planning Board, and governor’s motor vehicle sales tax exemption provided. Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley office. HF809 (Skoglund) Tree trimming and stump Agenda: HF332 (Mulder) Rural health clinics removal services sales tax exemption provided. and federally qualified health center services 10 a.m. HF1099 (Kuisle) Vehicles used by interstate cost-based reimbursement continued. carriers exempted from sales tax. HF429 (Bradley) Programs for persons with CRIME PREVENTION developmental disabilities alternative licensing Basement Hearing Room 12:30 p.m. system pilot project duties transferred to the State Office Building Region 10 Quality Assurance Commission, Chr. Rep. Rich Stanek AGRICULTURE & RURAL federal waiver request required, and money Agenda: HF12 (Seifert, J.) Three strikes; DEVELOPMENT FINANCE appropriated. mandatory life sentence imposed for persons 10 State Office Building HF912 (Jennings) Medical assistance convicted of a third violent felony offense. Chr. Rep. Bob Ness reimbursement geographic groups redefined, HF135 (Bishop) Repeat assault offenders with Agenda: Governor’s budget request for the nursing facility rate increase negotiations prior delinquency adjudications provided Department of Agriculture. authorized, and money appropriated. enhanced penalties. HF467 (Goodno) Medicare certification HF732 (Osskopp) Offenders convicted of failure CAPITAL INVESTMENT exemption allowed for nursing facilities under to appear after release required to pay incurred 5 State Office Building certain circumstances and criteria specified. costs. Chr. Rep. Jim Knoblach HF480 (Workman) Carver County intermediate HF733 (Osskopp) Defendant restitution request Agenda: University of Minnesota’s presentation care facilities for persons with mental retardation challenge time period limited. on Higher Education Asset Preservation Renewal (ICF/MR) reconfiguration project authorized. Others to be announced. Account continued. HF640 (Bradley) State Advisory Council on Note: If necessary, meeting will continue in Testimony on cancellation projects continued. Mental Health membership, duties, and 118 State Capitol at 3 p.m. reporting requirements modified. COMMERCE HF834 (Boudreau) Adult mental illness crisis EDUCATION POLICY 200 State Office Building housing assistance program created and money 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Gregory M. Davids appropriated. Chr. Rep. Harry Mares Agenda: HF747 (McElroy) Mandatory dram HF958 (Greenfield) Employers authorized to Agenda: HF41 (Pelowski) Minnesota science shop liability insurance minimum coverage provide workers’ compensation benefits through and mathematics foundation established, and increased. health insurance, nursing facility 24-hour money appropriated. HF583 (Gunther) Township Mutual Insurance coverage contracts authorized, and money HF819 (Ness) Adult English as a Second Company investments regulated. appropriated. Language program requirements modified. HF1066 (Seifert, M.) Township mutual insurance HF1028 (Leppik) Rule 80; Golden Valley nursing HF973 (Tomassoni) Lola and Rudy Perpich company territories of operation regulated. facility medical assistance reimbursement rate Minnesota Center for Arts Education name HF1163 (Workman) Rental-purchase modified for residential rehabilitation services. changed to Perpich Center for Arts Education. agreements regulated, cash price of property Note: Meeting will continue in 5 State Office HF577 (Tuma) Private career school calculation provided, and cost-of-lease service Building at 7 p.m. requirements modified and clarified. charges limited. HF1058 (Reuter) Business, trade, and HF180 (Wolf) Safety regulated for persons on JOBS & ECONOMIC correspondence schools legislative review amusement rides. DEVELOPMENT POLICY required; and training firms operation HF1303 (Goodno) Health plan company 200 State Office Building authorized. uniform complaint resolution and external Chr. Rep. Arlon Lindner appeal processes established, and money Agenda: HF663 (Daggett) State project wage ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL appropriated. payment provisions modified. RESOURCES POLICY 10 State Office Building 2:30 p.m. JUDICIARY FINANCE Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment 300S State Office Building Agenda: HF1151 (Howes) Waste management Subcommittee on Land/ Chr. Rep. Sherry Broecker act technical changes provided. ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL Agenda: HF1004 (Goodno) DWI; maximum HF581 (Rostberg) Environment and Natural RESOURCES POLICY allowable blood alcohol level lowered for hunting, Resources Trust Fund payments for failing 10 State Office Building handling explosives, criminal vehicular individual sewage treatment systems authorized. Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment operation, and operating a motor vehicle, HF1277 (Bishop) Wastewater treatment Agenda: HFXXXX (Juhnke) Authorize public recreational vehicle, or watercraft. provisions modified and money appropriated. sale of certain tax-forfeited land that borders HF158 (Stanek) Credit for time served intent HF842 (Fuller) Cross-country ski pass provisions public water in Kandiyohi County. clarified, presumption in favor of consecutive modified. HF1044 (Howes) Cass County authorized to sentences created, specific findings required for HF841 (Opatz) Central Minnesota regional parks privately sell tax-forfeited land bordering public concurrent sentences, and sentencing guidelines and trails plan created in Stearns, Benton, and water. conforming changes required. Sherburne counties. HF1042 (Finseth) Red Lake County authorized HF13 (Stanek) Criminal gang oversight council to privately sell tax-forfeited land bordering and strike force operation funded, grants TAXES public water. provided, and money appropriated. 5 State Office Building HF683 (Clark, K.) Restorative justice program Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams WAYS & MEANS grants and training funded, and money Agenda: HF703 (Van Dellen) Single factor sales Basement Hearing Room appropriated. apportionment adopted related to corporate State Office Building Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal franchise tax. Chr. Rep. Dave Bishop Apprehension budget presentation. HF273 (Munger) Biosolids processing Agenda: Revenue forecast, Department of equipment sales and use tax exemption clarified. Finance Commissioner Pam Wheelock and HF324 (Jennings) Ski area machinery and Assistant Commissioner Peggy Ingison. equipment sales and use tax exemption provided. Budget resolution. HF422 (Clark, K.) Vitamin, mineral, and whole food supplement sales and use tax exemption provided.

30 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 3 p.m. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE mediation act sunset repealed and mediation 10 State Office Building program transferred to the Minnesota Extension Legislative Audit Commission Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno Service. 300S State Office Building Agenda: Department of Human Services budget HF1052 (Molnau) Agricultural crop security Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy presentation. interests regulated and collateral treatment Agenda: Program evaluation topic selection. modified. Review of program evaluation report: Counties’ JOBS & ECONOMIC HF808 (Ness) Bovine paratuberculosis diagnosis Use of Administrative Penalties for Solid and DEVELOPMENT FINANCE data classification provided, Board of Animal Hazardous Waste Violations. 200 State Office Building Health executive secretary name changed to Review of financial audit reports: Office of Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy executive director, and sale of cattle limitations Technology and Minnesota State Retirement Agenda: Department of Economic Security repealed. System. budget presentation continued. HF384 (Anderson, B.) State and county fair food handler license provisions modified. 6 p.m. TRANSPORTATION FINANCE HF1238 (Dehler) Industrial hemp classified as 5 State Office Building an agricultural crop, growers required to be AGRICULTURE POLICY Chr. Rep. Carol Molnau registered, and criminal penalty imposed. 5 State Office Building Agenda: HF811 (Wolf) Scott County State-Aid HF447 (Winter) Livestock price discrimination Chr. Rep. Tim Finseth Highway No. 27 preliminary engineering and prohibited and civil penalties provided. Agenda: HFXXXX (Finseth) Wolf management environmental studies funded, and money HF486 (Bakk) Riparian landowners and aircraft bill. appropriated. operators allowed bulk delivery of Testimony by Department of Transportation nonoxygenated gasoline. ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL Deputy Commissioner Ed Cohoon. Note: Meeting will continue at 5 p.m. in 10 RESOURCES POLICY State Office Building. 10 State Office Building 10 a.m. Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment FAMILY & EARLY Agenda: HF928 (Hackbarth) Snowmobile metal CIVIL LAW CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FINANCE traction device use on paved public trails Basement Hearing Room 5 State Office Building prohibited, sticker required, and money State Office Building Chr. Rep. Barb Sykora appropriated. Chr. Rep. Steve Smith Agenda: HF93 (Tunheim) Adult basic education HF1070 (Howes) Resident lifetime game and Agenda: HF1267 (Pawlenty) Economic loss aid funding formula modified to include fish licenses provided, trust fund established, arising from the sale of goods provisions eligibility for a sparsity allowance, and money fees imposed, and report required. established related to the uniform commercial appropriated. HF1130 (Hackbarth) Iron Range off-highway code. HF847 (Sykora) First Call Minnesota; statewide vehicle recreation area expanded, advisory HF1124 (Smith) Bleacher safety requirements family and community services information and committee expanded, management plan provided, penalties provided, and money referral system established, and money provided, and money appropriated. appropriated. appropriated. HF107 (Dehler) 24-hour angling license fee HF594 (Clark, K.) Teen-age prostitution reduced, and lottery machine issuance ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL prevention and intervention grants provided, authorized. RESOURCES FINANCE and money appropriated. HF1279 (Peterson) Montevideo recreational trail 10 State Office Building completion grant provided, bonds authorized, Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten LOCAL GOVERNMENT & and money appropriated. Agenda: Citizens Council on Voyagers National METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS Park budget presentation. 200 State Office Building 6:30 p.m. Board of Water and Soil Resources budget Chr. Rep. Peg Larsen presentation. Agenda: HF420 (Haas) Brooklyn Park; housing Subcommittee on Gaming & Technology/ improvement area established. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE HF619 (Hackbarth) Shooting ranges preserved, VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY 300S State Office Building net losses limited, and relocation costs provided. 500S State Office Building Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik HF773 (Westfall) Fire department expense Chr. Rep. Mike Osskopp Agenda: Mayo Medical School budget proposal, reimbursement provided for costs incurred Agenda: HF686 (Dehler) Dice games authorized Dr. Anthony Windebank. extinguishing motor vehicle fires within highway in retail establishments licensed to sell alcoholic or interstate rights-of-way. beverages. K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE HF1140 (Leighton) License fees on coin and HF1281 (Osskopp) Card club activities 5 State Office Building currency activated amusement machines limited. authorized for a Class B operator of a Class A Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren racetrack. Agenda: HFXXXX (Wolf) Providing for a Subcommittee on Regulated Industries/ HFXXXX (Holsten) Slots at Canterbury Downs. student-based system of education finance. COMMERCE Basement Hearing Room WEDNESDAY, March 10 ***Canceled*** State Office Building Property Tax Division/ Chr. Rep. Ken Wolf TAXES Agenda: To be announced. 8 a.m. 200 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Ron Erhardt 2:30 p.m. Agenda: Canceled. GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & The House meets in Session. VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY TAXES Basement Hearing Room Immediately following session State Office Building 5 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL Agenda: HF1086 (Reuter) 800 Megahertz radio Agenda: State Aids and Credits presentation by House Research. RESOURCES POLICY purchase authority cancelled. 5 State Office Building HF914 (Krinkie) Charitable organization annual 12:30 p.m. Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment reports required to include government agency Agenda: HF981 (Holsten) Deer, bear, elk, and funding information. AGRICULTURE POLICY moose tag requirements modified. HF605 (Tuma) Diabetes and schools task force HF1013 (Holsten) Dark house and fish house established, and money appropriated. 10 State Office Building Chr. Rep. Tim Finseth licensure requirement exemption provided to Agenda: HF779 (Finseth) Farmer-lender occupied shelters left on the ice less than a day. HF1274 (Daggett) Provisional firearms safety

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 31 certificate provided for persons with mental executive director, and sale of cattle limitations HF1126 (Abeler) Date restrictions removed on disabilities and assisted hunting authorized. repealed. definitions relating to day care licensing. HF810 (Marko) Archery bow transportation HF384 (Anderson, B.) State and county fair food HF1127 (Abeler) Noncertified boarding care requirements modified. handler license provisions modified. homes provisions, Medicaid reimbursements, HF866 (Bakk) Blaze orange requirement HF1238 (Dehler) Industrial hemp classified as and client records for assisted living home care exemption provided to trappers. an agricultural crop, growers required to be providers modified. registered, and criminal penalty imposed. HF1216 (Abeler) Practical examination 3 p.m. HF447 (Winter) Livestock price discrimination requirements modified for chiropractors licensed prohibited and civil penalties provided. in other states. WAYS & MEANS HF486 (Bakk) Riparian landowners and aircraft HF860 (Boudreau) Board of Dentistry hygienist 316 State Capitol operators allowed bulk delivery of membership increased. Chr. Rep. Dave Bishop nonoxygenated gasoline. HF408 (Goodno) Practice of pharmacy Agenda: HF670 (Goodno) Medical assistance definition modified and patient counseling eligibility expanded to include employed persons Legislative Commission on Pensions and defined. with disabilities. Retirement HFXXXX (Seifert, J.) Agency bill. HF50 (Dempsey) Goodhue County levy limit 300N State Office Building HFXXXX (Boudreau) Agency bill. adjustment authorized for certain payments in Chr. Rep. Harry Mares Note: If necessary, meeting will continue after lieu of tax. Agenda: Report on July 1, 1998 actuarial session in 10 State Office Building. SF407 (Swenson) McCloud West School District, valuations and recommendations for actuarial facility grant. assumption and standards changes, Thomas K. JOBS & ECONOMIC HF112 (Bishop) Fraudulent use of another’s Custis, F.S.S. Milliman and Robertson, Inc., DEVELOPMENT POLICY personal identity provided felony penalties, and consulting actuary retained by the commission. 200 State Office Building civil forfeiture of property authorized. HF152 (Rostberg) Cambridge Regional Human Chr. Rep. Arlon Lindner HF878 (Bishop) State governmental operations Services Center extended treatment options; Agenda: HF798 (Anderson, B.) Injured supplemental funding provided and money program employees provided correctional employees civil remedies provided in cases of appropriated. employee retirement plan coverage. employer safety violations. HF410 (Entenza) Correctional employees HF877 (Wolf) Unemployment; re-employment 4 p.m. retirement plan service credit provided. insurance procedure modifications and technical HF435 (Milbert) MSRS; service credit purchase changes provided to conform with federal LOCAL GOVERNMENT & authorized for a certain member. requirements. METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS HF1080 (Boudreau) Rice County correctional 200 State Office Building employees public employees police and fire plan JUDICIARY FINANCE Chr. Rep. Peg Larsen coverage ratified. 300S State Office Building Agenda: HF612 (Seifert, M.) Minneota tax HF1179 (Mares) Teachers Retirement Chr. Rep. Sherry Broecker increment financing district expenditures Association and first class city teacher retirement Agenda: HF542 (Bishop) Number of district authorized. fund association service credit purchase court judges increased. HF840 (Wenzel) Garrison; local contributions authorized for military service, out-of-state HF717 (Seifert, J.) Housing calendar for tax increment financing district authorized. teaching, and maternity leaves. consolidation program extended outside the 2nd HF985 (Workman) Chanhassen tax increment HF589 (Mares) Qualified tax-sheltered annuity and 4th judicial districts. financing district extended and requirements vendors expanded for the purpose of employer HF338 (Larsen, P.) Emergency management modified. contributions. grant program created and rulemaking HF1006 (Milbert) Inver Grove Heights tax HF708 (Mares) Minnesota State Retirement authorized. increment financing district duration extended System (MSRS), Public Employees Retirement Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal and tax increment use specified. Association (PERA), and Teachers Retirement Apprehension budget presentation continued. HF676 (Hilty) Carlton County cemetery levy for Association (TRA) authorized to purchase or Sawyer authorized. construct an administrative building. TRANSPORTATION POLICY Other items as designated by the chair. 5 State Office Building 4:30 p.m. Chr. Rep. Tom Workman 6:30 p.m. Agenda: To be announced. Subcommittee on Health Care Directives/ HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES POLICY JOBS & ECONOMIC 8:30 a.m. 400N State Office Building DEVELOPMENT FINANCE Chr. Rep. Lynda Boudreau 200 State Office Building STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE Agenda: HF537 (Boudreau) Complementary Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy 300N State Office Building and alternative health care freedom of access act Agenda: Department of Economic Security Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie adopted. budget presentation continued. Agenda: Budget presentations by state auditor’s HF685 (McCollum) Massage and oriental State Services for the Blind program. office and attorney general’s office. bodywork therapist registration system established, rulemaking authorized, and penalties 10 a.m. imposed. THURSDAY, March 11 HF949 (Abeler) Midwifery practice and licensure CRIME PREVENTION requirements clarified. 8 a.m. Basement Hearing Room State Office Building 5 p.m. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES POLICY Chr. Rep. Rich Stanek 10 State Office Building Agenda: HF13 (Stanek) Criminal gang oversight AGRICULTURE POLICY Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley council and strike force operation funded, grants 10 State Office Building Agenda: HF959 (Goodno) Supplemental aid provided, and money appropriated. Chr. Rep. Tim Finseth recipients with special needs provisions modified. HF839 (Pawlenty) Defense of dwelling clarified Agenda: HF779 (Finseth) Farmer-Lender HF1047 (Wejcman) Anorexia; medical assistance related to use of deadly force, and duty to retreat Mediation Act sunset repealed and mediation coverage of anorexics authorized. in self-defense situations limited. program transferred to the Minnesota Extension HF1023 (Haas) Employer-subsidized health HF1055 (Van Dellen) Methamphetamine crime Service. coverage program established. provisions expanded, booby trap criminal HF1052 (Molnau) Agricultural crop security HF807 (Howes) Rural hospital improvement penalties imposed, child neglect and interests regulated and collateral treatment grant program expanded, medical assistance endangerment conviction provisions clarified modified. coverage of telemedicine conferences and critical and consecutive sentencing authorized, and HF808 (Ness) Bovine paratuberculosis diagnosis access hospital outpatient fee cost-based system money appropriated. data classification provided, Board of Animal provided, uniform billing established, and money HF1255 (Skoglund) Gamma hydroxybutyrate Health executive secretary name changed to appropriated. classified as a controlled substance.

32 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 Note: If necessary, meeting will continue FRIDAY, March 12 TAXES 30 minutes after session in Basement Hearing 5 State Office Building Room, State Office Building. Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams 8 a.m. Agenda: Motor vehicle sales tax. EDUCATION POLICY HF161 (Ozment) Sales and use tax and motor 200 State Office Building GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS & vehicle sales tax rates reduced, and political Chr. Rep. Harry Mares VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY subdivisions and lottery tickets sales tax Agenda: HF954 (Buesgens) Substitute teacher Basement Hearing Room exemption provided. licenses provided and probationary period State Office Building HF252 (Westfall) Sales, use, and motor vehicle consecutive year provisions modified. Chr. Rep. Jim Rhodes sales tax rates reduced for one year. HF953 (Gleason) Nonresident truant student Agenda: To be announced. HF575 (Lenczewski) Sales, use, and motor vehicle termination from the enrollment options sales tax rates reduced. program provided. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE HF890 (Abrams) Income tax rates and marriage HF881 (Dawkins) Ramsey County; after-school 10 State Office Building penalty reduced; sales, cigarettes, and liquor enrichment program role clarified. Chr. Rep. Kevin Goodno accelerated tax liability repealed; motor vehicle Agenda: Department of Human Services budget registration tax modified; agricultural assistance ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL presentations. provided; and money appropriated (governor’s RESOURCES POLICY tax bill - motor vehicle section). 10 State Office Building JOBS & ECONOMIC Chr. Rep. Dennis Ozment DEVELOPMENT FINANCE 12:30 p.m. Agenda: HFXXXX (Tuma) Lakeshore lease lot 200 State Office Building exchange. Chr. Rep. Dan McElroy HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES POLICY HFXXXX (Rostberg) Department of Natural Agenda: To be announced. 10 State Office Building Resources technical bill. Chr. Rep. Fran Bradley HFXXXX (Osskopp) Minnesota Pollution 10 a.m. Agenda: 1022 (Abrams) Health maintenance Control Agency technical bill. organizations regulatory authority transferred CRIME PREVENTION to commissioner of commerce. TAXES Basement Hearing Room HF1034 (Abrams) Health care liability act 5 State Office Building State Office Building adopted, health care plan coverage and treatment Chr. Rep. Ron Abrams Chr. Rep. Rich Stanek classification regulated, and remedies provided. Agenda: HF890 (Abrams) Income tax rates and Agenda: To be announced. marriage penalty reduced; sales, cigarettes, and SATURDAY, March 13 liquor accelerated tax liability repealed; motor ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL vehicle registration tax modified; agricultural RESOURCES FINANCE assistance provided; and money appropriated 10 State Office Building 10 a.m. (governor’s tax bill). Chr. Rep. Mark Holsten Agenda: HF7 (Haake) Motor vehicle emissions CIVIL LAW 12:30 p.m. inspection program repealed. Basement Hearing Room Board of Soil and Water Resources budget State Office Building AGRICULTURE & RURAL presentation continued. Chr. Rep. Steve Smith DEVELOPMENT FINANCE Department of Natural Resources budget Agenda: HF817 (Wagenius) Relative ex parte 10 State Office Building presentation continued. temporary child custody provisions expanded. Chr. Rep. Bob Ness HF1301 (Vandeveer) State park additions, HF821 (Reuter) National origin discrimination Agenda: Governor’s budget request for the deletions, and name changes provided; land by businesses prohibited. Department of Agriculture. exchange and transfer authorized; state wayside HF963 (Knoblach) Firefighter previous abolished; and Rock County authorized to employment background investigations CAPITAL INVESTMENT privately sell surplus state land. authorized, disclosure requirements and 5 State Office Building immunity provided, and civil and criminal Chr. Rep. Jim Knoblach HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE penalties imposed. Agenda: To be announced. 300S State Office Building HF1098 (Van Dellen) Uniform statutory rule Chr. Rep. Peggy Leppik against perpetuities amended relating to trusts. COMMERCE Agenda: To be announced. HF1195 (Van Dellen) 2nd and 4th judicial district 200 State Office Building tenant screening report requirements modified. Chr. Rep. Gregory M. Davids K-12 EDUCATION FINANCE HF1144 (Lindner) Public nuisance definition Agenda: HF270 (Osskopp) Minnesota 200 State Office Building and provisions modified. Comprehensive Health Insurance policies Chr. Rep. Alice Seagren providing number one or two plan benefits Agenda: HF241 (Dawkins) Integration revenue prohibited from imposing a maximum lifetime following students to charter schools authorized. HF784 (Biernat) Charter school students, benefit limit. E-mail schedules HF1150 (Davids) Funeral and burial expenses nonpublic students, and students subject to insurance regulated, and funeral establishments hazardous conditions transportation funding Anyone with e-mail can receive both House authorized to sell and receive commissions. increased; and money appropriated. and Senate committee schedules. HF1175 (Haas) Financial institution fees, HF820 (Seagren) Charter schools; referendum revenue and integration revenue provided, To receive the House schedule, send a charges, and time periods regulated; part-time message to: banking locations authorized; and conforming building lease aid increased, leased facilities real changes provided. estate taxes eliminated, start-up funding payment [email protected] schedule established, and money appropriated. Leave the subject line blank, and in the 2:30 p.m. HF859 (Seagren) A Chance to Grow/New Visions; Minnesota learning resource center body of the message, enter: The House meets in session. program start-up costs funded and money subscribe h-schedules appropriated. To receive the Senate schedule, send a 6 p.m. HF871 (Sykora) Charter school districts message to: provided. [email protected] JOBS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE Leave the subject line blank, and in the Room to be announced 300N State Office Building body of the message, enter: Chr. Rep. Arlon Lindner Chr. Rep. Philip Krinkie subscribe sen-schedules Agenda: Wastewater treatment bills to be Agenda: Department of Revenue budget announced. presentation continued. March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 33 Minnesota House of Representatives 1999 Members Phone Phone District/Member/Party Room* (651) 296- District/Member/Party Room* (651) 296-

49A Abeler, Jim (R) ...... 581 ...... 1729 33A Lindner, Arlon (R) ...... 417 ...... 7806 45A Abrams, Ron (R) ...... 585 ...... 9934 47A Luther, Darlene (DFL) ...... 371 ...... 3751 19B Anderson, Bruce (R) ...... 411 ...... 5063 67A Mahoney, Tim (DFL) ...... 223 ...... 4277 3A Anderson, Irv (DFL) ...... 343 ...... 4936 55A Mares, Harry (R) ...... 401 ...... 5363 6A Bakk, Thomas (Tom) (DFL) ...... 345 ...... 2190 65B Mariani, Carlos (DFL) ...... 209 ...... 9714 59A Biernat, Len (DFL) ...... 303 ...... 4219 57B Marko, Sharon (DFL) ...... 221 ...... 3135 30B Bishop, Dave (R) ...... 453 ...... 0573 55B McCollum, Betty (DFL) ...... 239 ...... 1188 25B Boudreau, Lynda (R) ...... 473 ...... 8237 36B McElroy, Dan (R) ...... 437 ...... 4212 30A Bradley, Fran (R) ...... 559 ...... 9249 54A McGuire, Mary Jo (DFL) ...... 259 ...... 4342 53B Broecker, Sherry (R) ...... 533 ...... 7153 39B Milbert, Bob (DFL) ...... 243 ...... 4192 35B Buesgens, Mark (R) ...... 415 ...... 1072 35A Molnau, Carol L. (R) ...... 443 ...... 8872 46B Carlson, Lyndon R. (DFL) ...... 279 ...... 4255 21B Mulder, Richard (R) ...... 515 ...... 4336 47B Carruthers, Phil (DFL) ...... 217 ...... 3709 58A Mullery, Joe (DFL) ...... 387 ...... 4262 10B Cassell, George (R) ...... 421 ...... 4317 7A Munger, Willard (DFL) ...... 283 ...... 4282 52A Chaudhary, Satveer (DFL) ...... 311 ...... 4331 8A Murphy, Mary (DFL) ...... 357 ...... 2676 23A Clark, James T. (R)...... 583 ...... 9303 20A Ness, Robert “Bob” (R) ...... 509 ...... 4344 61A Clark, Karen (DFL) ...... 307 ...... 0294 10A Nornes, Bud (R) ...... 471 ...... 4946 11A Daggett, Roxann (R) ...... 439 ...... 4293 19A Olson, Mark (R) ...... 501 ...... 4237 31B Davids, Gregory M. (R) ...... 367 ...... 9278 16A Opatz, Joe (DFL) ...... 281 ...... 6612 65A Dawkins, Andy (DFL) ...... 215 ...... 5158 60B Orfield, Myron (DFL) ...... 377 ...... 9281 14A Dehler, Steve (R) ...... 491 ...... 7808 29B Osskopp, Mike (R) ...... 449 ...... 9236 29A Dempsey, Jerry (R) ...... 549 ...... 8635 66A Osthoff, Tom (DFL) ...... 273 ...... 4224 27A Dorman, Dan (R) ...... 579 ...... 8216 11B Otremba, Mary Ellen (DFL) ...... 393 ...... 3201 24A Dorn, John (DFL) ...... 201 ...... 3248 37A Ozment, Dennis (R)...... 479 ...... 4306 64A Entenza, Matt (DFL) ...... 213 ...... 8799 42B Paulsen, Erik (R) ...... 445 ...... 7449 42A Erhardt, Ron (R) ...... 591 ...... 4363 38B Pawlenty, Tim (R) ...... 459 ...... 4128 17A Erickson, Sondra (R)...... 407 ...... 6746 64B Paymar, Michael (DFL) ...... 331 ...... 4199 1B Finseth, Tim (R) ...... 517 ...... 9918 32A Pelowski Jr., Gene (DFL) ...... 295 ...... 8637 44A Folliard, Betty (DFL) ...... 211 ...... 3964 13B Peterson, Doug (DFL) ...... 287 ...... 4228 4A Fuller, Doug (R) ...... 525 ...... 5516 39A Pugh, Thomas W. (DFL) ...... 267 ...... 6828 36A Gerlach, Chris (R) ...... 531 ...... 5506 46A Rest, Ann H. (DFL) ...... 277 ...... 4176 63B Gleason, Mark S. (DFL) ...... 313 ...... 5375 28A Reuter, Doug (R) ...... 507 ...... 5368 9A Goodno, Kevin (R) ...... 563 ...... 5515 44B Rhodes, Jim (R) ...... 409 ...... 9889 58B Gray, Gregory (DFL) ...... 229 ...... 8659 32B Rifenberg, Michelle (R) ...... 423 ...... 1069 62A Greenfield, Lee (DFL) ...... 207 ...... 0173 18A Rostberg, Jim (R) ...... 545 ...... 5364 54B Greiling, Mindy (DFL) ...... 253 ...... 5387 5A Rukavina, Tom (DFL)...... 375 ...... 0170 26A Gunther, Bob (R) ...... 379 ...... 3240 17B Schumacher, Leslie J. (DFL) ...... 327 ...... 5377 52B Haake, Barb (R) ...... 429 ...... 0141 41A Seagren, Alice (R) ...... 477 ...... 7803 48A Haas, Bill (R) ...... 569 ...... 5513 57A Seifert, Jim (R) ...... 577 ...... 7807 50A Hackbarth, Tom (R) ...... 575 ...... 2439 21A Seifert, Marty (R) ...... 593 ...... 5374 22B Harder, Elaine (R) ...... 487 ...... 5373 2B Skoe, Rod (DFL) ...... 321 ...... 4265 12A Hasskamp, Kris (DFL) ...... 353 ...... 4333 62B Skoglund, Wes (DFL) ...... 251 ...... 4330 66B Hausman, Alice (DFL) ...... 245 ...... 3824 34A Smith, Steve (R) ...... 503 ...... 9188 8B Hilty, Bill (DFL) ...... 241 ...... 4308 3B Solberg, Loren A. (DFL) ...... 309 ...... 2365 37B Holberg, Mary Liz (R) ...... 433 ...... 6926 33B Stanek, Rich (R) ...... 543 ...... 5502 56A Holsten, Mark William (R) ...... 381 ...... 3018 14B Stang, Doug (R) ...... 597 ...... 4373 4B Howes, Larry (R) ...... 431 ...... 2451 24B Storm, Julie (R) ...... 527 ...... 7065 6B Huntley, Thomas (DFL) ...... 351 ...... 2228 28B Sviggum, Steve (R) ...... 463 ...... 2273 7B Jaros, Mike (DFL)...... 291 ...... 4246 23B Swenson, Howard (R)...... 539 ...... 8634 18B Jennings, Loren Geo (DFL) ...... 237 ...... 0518 43B Sykora, Barb (R) ...... 403 ...... 4315 48B Johnson, Alice M. (DFL) ...... 349 ...... 5510 50B Tingelstad, Kathy (R) ...... 567 ...... 5369 15A Juhnke, Al (DFL) ...... 329 ...... 6206 5B Tomassoni, David J. (DFL) ...... 233 ...... 0172 59B Kahn, Phyllis (DFL) ...... 255 ...... 4257 67B Trimble, Steve (DFL) ...... 289 ...... 4201 26B Kalis, Henry J. (DFL) ...... 317 ...... 4240 25A Tuma, John (R) ...... 369 ...... 4229 60A Kelliher, Margaret Anderson (DFL)...... 231 ...... 0171 1A Tunheim, Jim (DFL) ...... 335 ...... 9635 20B Kielkucki, Tony (R) ...... 521 ...... 1534 34B Van Dellen, Henry Todd (R) ...... 571 ...... 5511 16B Knoblach, Jim (R) ...... 451 ...... 6316 51B Vandeveer, Ray (R) ...... 529 ...... 4124 49B Koskinen, Luanne (DFL) ...... 301 ...... 4231 63A Wagenius, Jean (DFL)...... 227 ...... 4200 53A Krinkie, Philip (R) ...... 365 ...... 2907 61B Wejcman, Linda (DFL)...... 203 ...... 7152 15B Kubly, Gary W. (DFL)...... 315 ...... 4346 12B Wenzel, Stephen G. (DFL) ...... 389 ...... 4247 31A Kuisle, William (R) ...... 565 ...... 4378 51A Westerberg, Andrew (R) ...... 523 ...... 4226 56B Larsen, Peg (R) ...... 551 ...... 4244 9B Westfall, Robert L. (Bob) (R) ...... 553 ...... 6829 40A Larson, Dan (DFL) ...... 225 ...... 7158 13A Westrom, Torrey (R) ...... 557 ...... 4929 27B Leighton, Rob (DFL) ...... 261 ...... 4193 38A Wilkin, Tim (R) ...... 413 ...... 3533 40B Lenczewski, Ann (DFL) ...... 337 ...... 4218 22A Winter, Ted (DFL) ...... 247 ...... 5505 45B Leppik, Peggy (R) ...... 485 ...... 7026 41B Wolf, Ken (R) ...... 359 ...... 5185 2A Lieder, Bernie L. (DFL) ...... 323 ...... 5091 43A Workman, Tom (R) ...... 537 ...... 5066

Note: Room numbers are subject to change. List as of March 4, 1999 *All rooms are in the State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155

34 SESSION WEEKLY / March 5, 1999 Minnesota Senate 1999 Members

Phone Phone District/Member/Party Room* (651) 296- District/Member/Party Room* (651) 296- 66 Anderson, Ellen R. (DFL) ...... G-24 Cap...... 5537 54 Marty, John (DFL) ...... 326 Cap...... 5645 41 Belanger Jr., William V. (R) ...... 113 SOB ...... 5975 39 Metzen, James P. (DFL) ...... 303 Cap...... 4370 13 Berg, Charles A. (Ind.) ...... G-51 SOB ...... 5094 2 Moe, Roger D. (DFL) ...... 208 Cap...... 2577 61 Berglin, Linda (DFL) ...... 309 Cap...... 4261 32 Morse, Steven (DFL) ...... G-24 Cap...... 5649 48 Betzold, Don (DFL) ...... 306 Cap...... 2556 29 Murphy, Steve (DFL) ...... 301 Cap...... 4264 64 Cohen, Richard J. (DFL) ...... 317 Cap...... 5931 25 Neuville, Thomas M. (R) ...... 123 SOB ...... 1279 28 Day, Dick (R) ...... 147 SOB ...... 9457 52 Novak, Steven G. (DFL) ...... 322 Cap...... 4334 20 Dille, Steve (R) ...... 103 SOB ...... 4131 43 Oliver, Edward C. (R) ...... 121 SOB ...... 4837 14 Fischbach, Michelle L. (R)...... 149 SOB ...... 2084 34 Olson, Gen (R) ...... 119 SOB ...... 1282 62 Flynn, Carol (DFL) ...... 120 Cap...... 4274 19 Ourada, Mark (R) ...... 145 SOB ...... 5981 49 Foley, Leo (DFL) ...... G-9 Cap...... 4154 65 Pappas, Sandra L. (DFL) ...... 120 Cap...... 1802 23 Frederickson, Dennis R. (R) ...... 139 SOB ...... 8138 37 Pariseau, Pat (R) ...... 109 SOB ...... 5252 50 Hanson, Paula E. (DFL) ...... 328 Cap...... 3219 27 Piper, Pat (DFL) ...... G-9 Cap...... 9248 58 Higgins, Linda I. (DFL) ...... 227 Cap...... 9246 59 Pogemiller, Lawrence J. (DFL) ...... 235 Cap...... 7809 24 Hottinger, John C. (DFL) ...... 120 Cap...... 6153 57 Price, Leonard R. (DFL) ...... 235 Cap...... 297-8060 5 Janezich, Jerry R. (DFL) ...... 328 Cap...... 8017 63 Ranum, Jane B. (DFL)...... 306 Cap...... 297-8061 40 Johnson, Dave (DFL) ...... 111 Cap...... 9261 45 Robertson, Martha R. (R) ...... 125 SOB ...... 4314 15 Johnson, Dean E. (R) ...... 117SOB ...... 3826 35 Robling, Claire A. (R) ...... 151 SOB ...... 4123 6 Johnson, Douglas J. (DFL) ...... 205 Cap...... 8881 53 Runbeck, Linda (R) ...... 107 SOB ...... 1253 18 Johnson, Janet B. (DFL) ...... G-9 Cap...... 5419 11 Sams, Dallas C. (DFL) ...... 328 Cap...... 297-8063 46 Junge, Ember R. (DFL) ...... 205 Cap...... 2889 12 Samuelson, Don (DFL) ...... 124 Cap...... 4875 44 Kelley, Steve (DFL) ...... 321 Cap...... 297-8065 31 Scheevel, Kenric J. (R) ...... 129 SOB ...... 3903 67 Kelly, Randy C. (DFL) ...... 323 Cap...... 5285 47 Scheid, Linda (DFL) ...... 317 Cap...... 8869 30 Kiscaden, Sheila M. (R) ...... 135 SOB ...... 4848 7 Solon, Sam G. (DFL) ...... 303 Cap...... 4188 16 Kleis, Dave (R) ...... 143 SOB ...... 6455 60 Spear, Allan H. (DFL) ...... 120 Cap...... 4191 36 Knutson, David L. (R) ...... 133 SOB ...... 4120 17 Stevens, Dan (R) ...... 105 SOB ...... 8075 51 Krentz, Jane (DFL) ...... 235 Cap...... 7061 1 Stumpf, LeRoy A. (DFL) ...... G-24 Cap...... 8660 56 Laidig, Gary W. (R) ...... 141 SOB ...... 4351 4 Ten Eyck, David J. (DFL) ...... G-24F Cap...... 4913 9 Langseth, Keith (DFL) ...... 122 Cap...... 3205 42 Terwilliger, Roy (R) ...... 115 SOB ...... 6238 10 Larson, Cal (R) ...... 153 SOB ...... 5655 22 Vickerman, Jim (DFL) ...... 226 Cap...... 5650 21 Lesewski, Arlene J. (R) ...... 131 SOB ...... 4125 38 Wiener, Deanna L. (DFL) ...... 303 Cap...... 297-8073 3 Lessard, Bob (DFL) ...... 111 Cap...... 4136 55 Wiger, Charles W. (DFL) ...... 325 Cap...... 6820 33 Limmer, Warren (R) ...... 127 SOB ...... 2159 8 Lourey, Becky (DFL) ...... G-9 Cap...... 0293 *Capitol or State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 Minnesota House and Senate Membership

A • Rep. Jim Tunheim-DFL A • Rep. Al Juhnke-DFL A • Rep. Jerry Dempsey-R A • Rep. Tom Workman-R A • Rep. Jim Seifert-R B • Rep. Tim Finseth-R B • Rep. Gary W. Kubly-DFL B • Rep. Mike Osskopp-R B • Rep. Barb Sykora-R B • Rep. Sharon Marko-DFL 1 Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf-DFL 15 Sen. Dean E. Johnson-R 29 Sen. Steve Murphy-DFL 43 Sen. Edward C. Oliver-R 57 Sen. Leonard R. Price-DFL

A • Rep. Bernie L. Lieder-DFL A • Rep. Joe Opatz-DFL A • Rep. Fran Bradley-R A • Rep. Betty Folliard-DFL A • Rep. Joe Mullery-DFL B • Rep. Rod Skoe-DFL B • Rep. Jim Knoblach-R B • Rep. Dave Bishop-R B • Rep. Jim Rhodes-R B • Rep. Gregory Gray-DFL 2 Sen. Roger D. Moe-DFL 16 Sen. Dave Kleis-R 30 Sen. Sheila M. Kiscaden-R 44 Sen. Steve Kelley-DFL 58 Sen. Linda I. Higgins-DFL

A • Rep. Irv Anderson-DFL A • Rep. Sondra Erickson-R A • Rep. William Kuisle-R A • Rep. Ron Abrams-R A • Rep. Len Biernat-DFL B • Rep. Loren A. Solberg-DFL B • Rep. Leslie J. Schumacher-DFL B • Rep. Gregory M. Davids-R B • Rep. Peggy Leppik-R B • Rep. Phyllis Kahn-DFL 3 Sen. Bob Lessard-DFL 17 Sen. Dan Stevens-R 31 Sen. Kenric J. Scheevel-R 45 Sen. Martha R. Robertson-R 59 Sen. Lawrence J. Pogemiller-DFL

A • Rep. Doug Fuller-R A • Rep. Jim Rostberg-R A • Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr.-DFL A • Rep. Ann H. Rest-DFL A • Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher-DFL B • Rep. Larry Howes-R B • Rep. Loren Geo Jennings-DFL B • Rep. Michelle Rifenberg-R B • Rep. Lyndon R. Carlson-DFL B • Rep. Myron Orfield-DFL 4 Sen. David J. Ten Eyck-DFL 18 Sen. Janet B. Johnson-DFL 32 Sen. Steven Morse-DFL 46 Sen. Ember R. Junge-DFL 60 Sen. Allan H. Spear-DFL

A • Rep. Tom Rukavina-DFL A • Rep. Mark Olson-R A • Rep. Arlon Lindner-R A • Rep. Darlene Luther-DFL A • Rep. Karen Clark-DFL B • Rep. David J. Tomassoni-DFL B • Rep. Bruce Anderson-R B • Rep. Rich Stanek-R B • Rep. Phil Carruthers-DFL B • Rep. Linda Wejcman-DFL 5 Sen. Jerry R. Janezich-DFL 19 Sen. Mark Ourada-R 33 Sen. Warren Limmer-R 47 Sen. Linda Scheid-DFL 61 Sen. Linda Berglin-DFL

A • Rep. Thomas (Tom) Bakk-DFL A • Rep. Robert “Bob” Ness-R A • Rep. Steve Smith-R A • Rep. Bill Haas-R A • Rep. Lee Greenfield-DFL B • Rep. Thomas Huntley-DFL B • Rep. Tony Kielkucki-R B • Rep. Henry Todd Van Dellen-R B • Rep. Alice M. Johnson-DFL B • Rep. Wes Skoglund-DFL 6 Sen. Douglas J. Johnson-DFL 20 Sen. Steve Dille-R 34 Sen. Gen Olson-R 48 Sen. Don Betzold-DFL 62 Sen. Carol Flynn-DFL

A • Rep. Willard Munger-DFL A • Rep. Marty Seifert-R A • Rep. Carol L. Molnau-R A • Rep. Jim Abeler-R A • Rep. Jean Wagenius-DFL B • Rep. Mike Jaros-DFL B • Rep. Richard Mulder-R B • Rep. Mark Buesgens-R B • Rep. Luanne Koskinen-DFL B • Rep. Mark S. Gleason-DFL 7 Sen. Sam G. Solon-DFL 21 Sen. Arlene J. Lesewski-R 35 Sen. Claire A. Robling-R 49 Sen. Leo Foley-DFL 63 Sen. Jane B. Ranum-DFL

A • Rep. Mary Murphy-DFL A • Rep. Ted Winter-DFL A • Rep. Chris Gerlach-R A • Rep. Tom Hackbarth-R A • Rep. Matt Entenza-DFL B • Rep. Bill Hilty-DFL B • Rep. Elaine Harder-R B • Rep. Dan McElroy-R B • Rep. Kathy Tingelstad-R B • Rep. Michael Paymar-DFL 8 Sen. Becky Lourey-DFL 22 Sen. Jim Vickerman-DFL 36 Sen. David L. Knutson-R 50 Sen. Paula E. Hanson-DFL 64 Sen. Richard J. Cohen-DFL

A • Rep. Kevin Goodno-R A • Rep. James T. Clark-R A • Rep. Dennis Ozment-R A • Rep. Andrew Westerberg-R A • Rep. Andy Dawkins-DFL B • Rep. Robert L. (Bob) Westfall-R B • Rep. Howard Swenson-R B • Rep. Mary Liz Holberg-R B • Rep. Ray Vandeveer-R B • Rep. Carlos Mariani-DFL 9 Sen. Keith Langseth-DFL 23 Sen. Dennis R. Frederickson-R 37 Sen. Pat Pariseau-R 51 Sen. Jane Krentz-DFL 65 Sen. Sandra L. Pappas-DFL

A • Rep. Bud Nornes-R A • Rep. John Dorn-DFL A • Rep. Tim Wilkin-R A • Rep. Satveer Chaudhary-DFL A • Rep. Tom Osthoff-DFL B • Rep. George Cassell-R B • Rep. Julie Storm-R B • Rep. Tim Pawlenty-R B • Rep. Barb Haake-R B • Rep. Alice Hausman-DFL 10 Sen. Cal Larson-R 24 Sen. John C. Hottinger-DFL 38 Sen. Deanna L. Wiener-DFL 52 Sen. Steven G. Novak-DFL 66 Sen. Ellen R. Anderson-DFL

A • Rep. Roxann Daggett-R A • Rep. John Tuma-R A • Rep. Thomas W. Pugh-DFL A • Rep. Philip Krinkie-R A • Rep. Tim Mahoney-DFL B • Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba-DFL B • Rep. Lynda Boudreau-R B • Rep. Bob Milbert-DFL B • Rep. Sherry Broecker-R B • Rep. Steve Trimble-DFL 11 Sen. Dallas C. Sams-DFL 25 Sen. Thomas M. Neuville-R 39 Sen. James P. Metzen-DFL 53 Sen. Linda Runbeck-R 67 Sen. Randy C. Kelly-DFL A • Rep. Kris Hasskamp-DFL A • Rep. Bob Gunther-R A • Rep. Dan Larson-DFL A • Rep. Mary Jo McGuire-DFL B • Rep. Stephen G. Wenzel-DFL B • Rep. Henry J. Kalis-DFL B • Rep. Ann Lenczewski-DFL B • Rep. Mindy Greiling-DFL 12 Sen. Don Samuelson-DFL 26 Vacant 40 Sen. Dave Johnson-DFL 54 Sen. John Marty-DFL A • Rep. Torrey Westrom-R A • Rep. Dan Dorman-R A • Rep. Alice Seagren-R A • Rep. Harry Mares-R B • Rep. Doug Peterson-DFL B • Rep. Rob Leighton-DFL B • Rep. Ken Wolf-R B • Rep. Betty McCollum-DFL 13 Sen. Charles A. Berg-IND. 27 Sen. Pat Piper-DFL 41 Sen. William V. Belanger Jr.-R 55 Sen. Charles W. Wiger-DFL A • Rep. Steve Dehler-R A • Rep. Doug Reuter-R A • Rep. Ron Erhardt-R A • Rep. Mark William Holsten-R B • Rep. Doug Stang-R B • Rep. Steve Sviggum-R B • Rep. Erik Paulsen-R B • Rep. Peg Larsen-R 14 Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach-R 28 Sen. Dick Day-R 42 Sen. Roy Terwilliger-R 56 Sen. Gary W. Laidig-R

March 5, 1999 / SESSION WEEKLY 35 MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING ST. PAUL, MN 55155-1298

Speaker of the House: Steve Sviggum Majority Leader: Tim Pawlenty Minority Leader: Thomas W. Pugh

For more information

Minnesota women in public office For general information, call: Women currently serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives ...... 35 House Information Office As percent of total members ...... 26.1 (651) 296-2146 or Women in Minnesota House, 1998 ...... 40 1-800-657-3550 As percent of total members ...... 29.9 Women currently serving in the Minnesota Senate ...... 22 To obtain a copy of a bill, call: As percent of total senators ...... 32.8 Chief Clerk’s Office (651) 296-2314 Women as percent of all Minnesota legislators, 1998 ...... 28.4 In 1996 ...... 30.4 To find out about bill introductions or In 1990 ...... 21.4 the status of a specific bill, call: In 1980 ...... 7.5 House Index Office In 1970 ...... 0.5 (651) 296-6646 Women currently serving in Minnesota constitutional offices (governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, For up-to-date recorded message state treasurer, attorney general) ...... 4 giving committee meeting times and As percent of total officers ...... 66.6 agendas, call: Women currently serving as judges in Minnesota courts ...... 62 Committee Hotline (651) 296-9283 As percent of total seats ...... 22.2 On Supreme Court, out of seven seats ...... 2 The House of Representatives can be On Court of Appeals, out of 16 seats ...... 3 reached on the World Wide Web at: On district courts, out of 256 seats ...... 57 http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us Women currently serving as county attorneys in Minnesota, out of 87 ...... 7 As percent of total ...... 8 Teletypewriter for the hearing impaired. 1998 total of women serving as county commissioners in Minnesota, To ask questions or leave messages, out of 448 seats ...... 77 call: As percent of total ...... 17 TTY Line (651) 296-9896 or 1998 total of women serving as school board members in Minnesota, 1-800-657-3550 out of 2,398 seats ...... 796 Check your local listings to watch As percent of total ...... 33 House committee and floor sessions Percent of Minnesota mayors who were women in 1997 ...... 13.5 on TV. Percent of city councilors who were women in 1997 ...... 24.4

Source: Women in Elected Office — 1998 Election Results, 1998, Commission on the Economic This document can be made available in Status of Women. alternative formats.