Session Summary with First and Second Special Sessions Prepared by MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING 100 CONSTITUTION AVENUE ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55155-1298 (612) 296-2146 Highlights Introduction The 80th Session of the Minnesota Legislature convened on Jan. 3, 1997, and adjourned at midnight May 19, 1997, the last day lawmakers could meet as specified by the Minnesota Constitution. A total of 63 legislative days were used, but there was some unfinished business at adjournment of the regular session. (A legislative day is counted when a quorum of either the House or Senate is present to conduct business as a body. As specified by the Minnesota Constitution, the Legislature may meet for 120 legislative days during a two-year period.) Gov. Arne Carlson called lawmakers back June 26, 1997, for the First Special Session, which focused on passage of a K-12 education funding law in the wake of the gubernatorial veto of the bill approved by the Legislature during the regular session. Later, lawmakers were called to the Capitol Aug. 19, 1997, for the Second Special Session, which centered on passage of a relief package for victims of the disastrous spring floods that struck many Minnesota communities. During the regular 1997 session, 2,255 bills were introduced in the House and 2,003 in the Senate. Of the 251 bills and four resolutions sent to the governor, a total of 19 were vetoed (15 full vetoes and four line-item vetoes). Overall, the list of accomplishments from the 1997 session includes: property tax reforms that will provide rebates for homeowners and renters; welfare changes that focus on moving people into the working world; a plan to require uniform testing of all Minnesota public school students; and a move to expand eligibility for the MinnesotaCare, the state’s subsidized health care plan for low-income people, while reducing the tax that health care providers pay to finance the system. New Laws 1997 is divided into five major parts: First, the Highlights section beginning on page 9 is written in an easy-to-read style for those who want a quick overview of legislation approved in 1997. Second, the Vetoed Bills section lists all the bills that were vetoed and line-item vetoed by the governor and synopses of his reasons for doing so. Third, the Bills in Limbo section cites some of the bills discussed in 1997, but not passed by the House and Senate. Because this is the first year of the two-year spending cycle, these bills remain alive, or viable, for consideration next year. Fourth, the Summary section gives a technical summary of each approved bill as it appeared on the bill when it was sent to the governor. Also included is a listing of all sections of Minnesota Statutes that the bill affects. And fifth, the Index section provides a list of bills by Chapter number, House file number, Senate file number, bill title, effective date, and finally, by subject. Many indexes are included to make it as easy as possible for people to find what they need. If you wish to obtain a copy of a bill, call the House Chief Clerk’s Office (612) 296-2314, or the Senate Information Office (612) 296-2343. Ask for the bill by Chapter number, or by the House or Senate file number. Bills also are available on the Legislature’s World Wide Web site at: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/forms/billform.html. Both the House and Senate public information offices have toll-free numbers for residents outside the metropolitan area. To reach the House, call 1-800-657-3550. To reach the Senate, call 1-888-234-1112. 3 Highlights Acknowledgments New Laws 1997 is an information service of the Minnesota Legislature. The 1997 edition was published by the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office. The work is a culmination of effort involving many individuals and departments: House and Senate members and staff, the House Research Department, the Office of the Chief Clerk, the Index Department, the Legislative Reference Library, and the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. House Public Information Office permanent and temporary staff members collected, wrote, verified, and coordinated the information to produce the publication. Those who participated in the project were Paul Battaglia, Toinette L.B. Bettis, Steve Compton, F.J. Gallagher, Peg Hamerston, K. Darcy Hanzlik, Nick Healy, LeClair Lambert, Grant Martin, Tom Olmscheid, Laura Phillips, Celeste Riley, John Tschida, Andrew Von Bank, and Nicole Wood. On the cover: Photo illustration by Paul Battaglia. Photos by Tom Olmscheid and Paul Battaglia. Cass Gilbert’s blueprints of the Minnesota State Capitol provided courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society. t e d i n o r n P r r e c e y p c a l e d p Contains 20% post-consumer content This document can be made available in alternative formats by calling the House at 612-296-2146 voice, 612-296-9896 TTY or the Senate at 612-296-0504 voice or 612-296-0250 TTY 4 Highlights Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................3 Highlights ............................................................................................................................................................6 Topics Agriculture .............................................................9 Health .................................................................... 37 Banking................................................................. 10 Higher Education .............................................. 40 Bonding ................................................................ 11 Housing ................................................................ 41 Business ................................................................ 12 Human Services ................................................. 42 Children ................................................................ 14 Insurance ............................................................. 47 Crime ..................................................................... 15 Law ......................................................................... 49 Development ..................................................... 19 Local Government ............................................ 50 DWI......................................................................... 20 Military .................................................................. 52 Education............................................................. 21 Retirement .......................................................... 52 Elections ............................................................... 25 Safety..................................................................... 52 Employment ....................................................... 27 Sports .................................................................... 52 Energy ................................................................... 28 Taxes ...................................................................... 53 Environment ....................................................... 29 Technology ......................................................... 56 Family .................................................................... 33 Transportation ................................................... 58 Gambling ............................................................. 35 Veterans ............................................................... 62 Game and Fish ................................................... 35 Selected fees adopted in 1997 .................... 63 Government ....................................................... 36 Vetoed Bills........................................................................................................................................................65 Bills in Limbo ....................................................................................................................................................71 Summary ............................................................................................................................................................81 Committees of Origin Resolutions.......................................................... 85 Health & Human Services .............................. 98 Agriculture .......................................................... 86 Judiciary .............................................................104 Capital Investment ........................................... 86 Labor-Management Relations ................... 108 Commerce, Tourism Local Government & Consumer Affairs ...................................... 86 & Metropolitan Affairs .............................. 109 Economic Development Regulated Industries & Energy .................. 112 & International Trade .................................. 89 Rules & Legislative Administration........... 113 Education............................................................. 89 Taxes ....................................................................113 Environment & Natural Resources.............. 91 Transportation & Transit .............................. 114 Financial Institutions & Insurance............... 93 Ways & Means ..................................................116 General Legislation, Veterans Affairs 1997 First Special Session ............................ 118 & Elections....................................................... 94 1997