May 22, 2020
Today, I officially filed for re-election to the Minnesota Senate. I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving our community and working with the great people of Senate District 49!
Dear Constituents and Friends,
The 91st legislative session ended on Sunday, May 17, 2020 with the Minnesota Legislature adjourning sine die. While this is not the last time we will meet this year, it was an end to what can only be described as a unique session.
The 2020 legislative session began on February 11 with a positive budget balance of $1.5 billion and a strong economic outlook for Minnesota. By mid-March, the COVID-19 pandemic had completely upended the state’s economic forecast and forced the Legislature to change how it did its work. Virtual committee hearings became the norm, and floor session changed dramatically with social distancing and some members voting remotely. A normal year became laser focused on measures to keep Minnesotans safe and to address the fallout of COVID-19.
With the costs of dealing with the pandemic rising and less revenue coming in for the state, Minnesota’s initial positive budget outlook swung to a $2.4 billion projected budget deficit. The updated May budget outlook confirms what we suspected: COVID-19 has created unprecedented economic disruption. This $4 billion swing in the economy presented a clear contrast on how to respond.
While COVID-19 is an unforeseen and unprecedented crisis, Minnesota was better prepared to respond than many other states thanks to the sound management of the state’s budget over the past decade and our investment in a strong budget reserve. Investments are now needed to make Minnesotans secure in their housing, help small businesses, facilitate distance learning and telemedicine, and ensure we have the workforce we need to provide care for the elderly and people with disabilities. With new federal funding assistance available for the costs of responding to the pandemic, we can and should prioritize using our reserves before needlessly cutting the services our most vulnerable depend on.
With the state under a Stay at Home order, legislators found bipartisan agreement in addressing a series of immediate needs that helped the state build its public health care capacity and to help workers and small businesses affected by the economic disruption.
Even under these difficult and unusual circumstances, we were able to pass the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, important election security legislation, broadband infrastructure support for E-learning and telemedicine, and more funding to provide support for personal care attendants. We also provided support for our local businesses, made investments in housing and food security, and provided workers compensation benefits to our health care workers and public safety officials.
I am proud of the work we were able to accomplish, but I do look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues as we have unfinished business we need to address as a legislature. Please continue to be in touch.
Sincerely,
Melisa
Governor Walz Announces Plans for Outdoor Dining, Limited Occupancy Salons
Governor Tim Walz announced the phases in his Stay Safe Plan, including a cautious, strategic turn of the dial to allow limited outdoor dining at restaurants and bars starting June 1, 2020. The Governor also announced that salons and barbershops will be allowed to open June 1 at 25 percent occupancy to ensure the safety of both the employees and the customers inside. In both industries, customers will be either strongly recommended or required to wear masks, make reservations, and adhere to social distancing requirements to keep themselves, other customers, and employees safe.
Outdoor dining can begin on June 1, with restaurants maintaining social distancing and seating no more than 50 patrons at a time. In addition to outdoor dining, restaurants and bars will be able to continue to offer takeout, curbside, and delivery services, which have been permitted throughout the pandemic in Minnesota. While Minnesota has ranked first in the nation for takeout and delivery patronage during the outbreak of COVID-19, restaurants and bars have been closed for in-person dining since March 17. Since then, the State of Minnesota has worked with the health care sector to expand health care capacity and procure ICU beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment.
On May 13, Governor Walz replaced Minnesota’s Stay Home order with a Stay Safe order as Minnesota continues to safely turn the dial back towards normal life. The Stay Safe order includes a plan for a phased reopening of society as well as a plan to dial back based on the rate of testing, new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Governor Walz has stressed the importance of reopening cautiously and strategically, which is why salons and barbershops will be allowed to reopen on June 1 with only 25 percent occupancy and additional safety measures in place.
Outdoor dining and limited salon occupancy are part of phase II of the Stay Safe Plan. This phase will go into effect on June 1 and will include the opening of campgrounds and other recreational activities. More information on the actives included in the various phases within the Stay Safe Plan can be found here.
Steps are also being taken to ensure workers are being protected as more businesses reopen. The Governor signed an executive order preventing workers from being fired for refusing to work in unsafe conditions. Business must continue to protect their employees while also taking steps to protect their customers. More information on worker protections can be found here
Governor Walz Signs Bills into Law
The bill signing this week and last week included:
Chapter 93, HF 3356: State Registrar Bill
This bill updates statutory requirements on the delivery of paper copies of the State Register to conform with current practices and provides an additional 45 days for compilation of the Capitol Events Report.
Chapter 94, SF 3435: Appraisal Management Licensure Fees
This bill requires Minnesota appraisal management companies to provide information and pass through fees to the Department of Commerce as required by the Appraisal Subcommittee for the National Registry
Chapter 95, SF 3589: Bill Investment Modifications for Banks and Trusts
This bill removes the requirement that 51% of voting stock of bank or bank holding companies be based in Minnesota.
Chapter 96, HF 4137: Intent Required for Repeated Harassing Conduct Crime
The bill is a response to a Minnesota Supreme Court decision related to cyberbullying. The bill addresses the current unconstitutionally broad intent requirement of statute by adopting the mental state and causation of harassment conduct that are in current federal law.
Chapter 97, HF 4599: Farmer-Lender Mediation Extension
This bill extends the amount of time available to farmers to engage in mediation to prevent seizure of property and other actions related to debt collection.
Chapter 88, HF 331: Tobacco 21
Raises the age for Minnesotans to purchase tobacco, tobacco products, electronic delivery devices, and other nicotine products to 21.
Chapter 84, SF 4073: TCE Ban
Bans the use of TCE for permitted facilities, with narrow exemptions, by June 1, 2022. The bill also provides a process for small businesses to apply for up to one additional year and up to $25,000 in zero-interest loans to transition away from TCE; addresses a process for identifying replacement chemicals; and requires that health benchmarks be met throughout any transition period.
Chapter 85, SF 2466:Protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation
Establishes new financial exploitation protections for older adults and vulnerable adults by expanding authority under the 2018 Safe Seniors Financial Protection Act.
Chapter 82, SF 3072: Data Practices Omnibus Bill
Contains five policy provision: regulation of drones by law enforcement through a warrant requirement; clarify the requirement of a search warrant for electronic communication information; clarify statute regulating warrants for location-tracking devices; expand the scope for when a warrant is required for location tracking; and changes to publication criteria for court of appeals opinions.
Chapter 83, HF 4044: Revisor’s Bill
Annual bill from the Revisor of Statutes. It is a compilation of technical corrections to sections of statute.
Chapter 86, SF 3357: Civil Law Omnibus Bill
Contains four policy provisions related to civil law: modernize Minnesota Guardianship Law to create a more person-centered approach in statute; update to Uniform Transfers to Minors Act; amend the Common Interest Ownership Statute in homeowner association voting procedures; and amend the statutory formula that determines the percentage of wages that are able to be garnished.
Chapter 87, SF 3298: City Charter Commissions
Existing law allows city councils for charter cities to appoint new members to those cities’ Charter Commissions if the chief judge of the district court in which the city is situated fails to make an appointment within 30 days. This bill removes that authority for city councils, so that the chief judge of the district court has responsibility for appointments and reappointments.
Chapter 89, HF 4285: Agriculture Policy Omnibus
Includes language creating a working group to advise the Commissioner of Agriculture and legislature on ways to support emerging farmers. It specifies that the group must include, to the extent possible, women, people with disabilities, people of color and indigenous people, and young urban farmers. Revisions to existing law on hemp processing, including authorization to undertake rulemaking. Technical changes to Seed Law, Agriculture Best Management Practices loans, and the noxious weed program.
Chapter 90, HF 627: Eyewitness Identification Policies
Requires the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board to create a model policy for eyewitness identification. The policy then must be adopted by law enforcement agencies throughout the state. The four requirements in the bill are based on recommendations in a 2014 report by the National Academy of Sciences.
Chapter 91, HF 4429: Job Training Grant Modifications
Updates and modernizes the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Job Training Grant program.
Chapter 92, HF 4605: Electronic Signatures Accepted
Allows local governments to accept e-signatures and electronic submittal for certain types of documents during the COVID-19 emergency and for 60 days thereafter or until January 6, 2021, whichever is earlier. The list of documents includes, among others, planning and zoning applications, applications for birth and death certificates, plats, and surveys.
Minnesota to Offer Free COVID-19 Testing at Six Sites Across the State this Weekend
Minnesotans who need or want to be tested for COVID-19 will be able to access free testing at six National Guard Armory locations across Minnesota throughout the Memorial Day holiday weekend: Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25.
Minnesota National Guard members will have the capacity to collect roughly 2,000 samples per day across six sites, for a total capacity of roughly 6,000 tests over the three-day weekend. The sites are hosted by the Minnesota National Guard, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the State Emergency Operations Center, which is the central coordinating cell for the majority of COVID-19 operations.
The testing teams at each site are comprised of a coalition of National Guard members and state or local public health employees. Social distancing and the practice of wearing a mask will be enforced at the testing locations. Anyone experiencing symptoms should self-quarantine before and after their test until they receive their results.
Starting Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25, the following National Guard facilities will be open to conduct testing through the weekend from 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. daily (or until supplies are exhausted):
COVID-19 Testing Locations:
East St Paul: 1530 Maryland Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106
Minneapolis Armory: 1025 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413.
Moorhead Armory: 1002 15th Ave N, Moorhead, MN 56560
Duluth Armory: 4015 Airpark Blvd, Duluth, MN 55811
Faribault Armory: 3000 W Airport Rd, Faribault, MN 55021
St. James Armory: 521 Armstrong Blvd N, St James, MN 56081
For more information: https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/news/#/detail/appId/1/id/433293
Governor Walz Signs Executive Order on Summer Learning
Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-57, authorizing and directing the Commissioner of Education to provide a safe and effective summer learning environment for Minnesota’s students. Minnesota’s public school districts and charter schools will have the option to offer summer learning through a hybrid model of distance learning and in-school learning, or to continue distance learning.
Executive Order 20-57 will offer schools the flexibility for some in-person instruction if they are in compliance with Department of Health (MDH) guidelines on masking, social distancing, personal hygiene, screening, and cleaning, and adhere to MDH’s guidance for summer programs. The public health guidance will help schools keep their students, their families, and school staff safe and healthy while offering meaningful learning opportunities. This model will give schools an opportunity to better support the students who have been struggling with distance learning, especially traditionally underserved students. These public health guidelines will also apply to summer programing outside of a school setting.
Governor Walz Appoints Judge Gordon Moore to the Minnesota Supreme Court
Governor Tim Walz appointed Judge Gordon Moore to serve as the next associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Moore will fill the vacancy created upon the retirement of Justice David Lillehaug, who has served on the Supreme Court since 2013. Moore brings over 30 years of legal experience to the Court.
Judge Gordon Moore currently serves as a judge in the Fifth Judicial District chambered in Worthington in Nobles County, where he presides over a wide variety of criminal, civil, juvenile, probate, and child protection matters. Previously, Judge Moore served as the Nobles County Attorney, where he managed the office and was the county’s chief prosecutor. Prior to becoming the Nobles County Attorney, Judge Moore was an associate attorney and assistant city attorney at the Worthington law firm Malters, Shepherd & Von Holtum. He also was a special assistant and assistant attorney general under Attorney General Hubert Humphrey. Judge Moore’s community involvement has included service on the Worthington First United Methodist Church’s Board of Trustees, as a member of the Worthington Hockey Association’s Board of Directors, a youth hockey and soccer coach, founding director of the Worthington Futbol Club, and roles as chair with the boards of School District 518 and the Worthington Area YMCA.
For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit this website: https://mn.gov/governor/administration/judicialappointments/