CAPITOL UPDATE APRIL 12, 2019
As the Minnesota Legislature reached its third deadline on April 12, committees produced packages of budget bills and other policy-related omnibus bills. As the minority lead on the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, I was very disappointed that a number of important state initiatives, some of which are outlined below, were left out of this particular majority-led caucus budget bill.
The Senate majority caucus has the power to put forth a budget that reflects their priorities. This week, the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee put forth a budget that would cut funding to our state’s many public safety criminal investigation and prevention programs. A budget is the ultimate moral document because the money that we spend as a state reflects those philosophical and moral priorities. It’s not merely about whether you agree with the Governor. This is a choice by the Senate majority caucus to cut funding for a program that helps our veterans coming back home to prevent domestic violence and save their families as well as themselves. This is a choice by the Senate majority caucus to cut funding for the Department of Corrections that will save the lives of our corrections officers and other offenders living in those facilities, and whether we’ll have the funding to treat offenders so when they go back to their homes and their community, they aren’t reoffending and creating more victims. The budget put forward by the Senate majority is their preferred budget, and I don’t accept it as simply a negotiating ploy. They must do better. If you’d like to see my full committee speech, please click on the YouTube link below.
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Committee on Banned Bills
On April 1, the Senate Committee on Banned Bills met to discuss six bills that have been denied hearings in the Senate by majority leadership. Committee Chair, Sen. Matt Little (DFL-Lakeville), convened the committee to allow the public to hear open debate about a number of issues that have broad support in Minnesota. I had the opportunity to testify on behalf of my bill, SF 434, which would extend criminal background checks to most private gun purchases. I was joined by Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom, and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, who all voiced support for the bill.
The committee also heard from Sen. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) regarding SF 856, which would restore the right to vote for those convicted of felonies upon release from incarceration. Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Minneapolis) discussed SF 1012, also known as the Increase Teachers of Color Act, which would provide funding and create incentives aimed at attracting students of color to the teaching profession. SF 1060, a bill that would create paid family leave for pregnancy and serious medical conditions, was addressed by chief author Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury). Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL-Minneapolis) gave testimony for SF 399, which would repeal the sunset of the MinnesotaCare provider tax. Finally, Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Dick Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) addressed the Equal Rights Amendment, a constitutional amendment that would guarantee gender equality under the law.
Although this committee did not have any sort of formal power, the Senate minority provided an opportunity for Minnesotans to take part in a discussion on a number of widely popular and important issues that the current Senate majority refuses to publicly debate.
From left to right: Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight, Senator Ron Latz, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom, and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington. The panel spoke in favor of Senator Latz’s gun violence protection bills.
Senate Judiciary Committee
Reducing Price of Prescription Drugs
SF 1098, which aims to reduce the price of prescription drugs, did not receive a hearing in the Judiciary Committee this year. This bill would direct pharmaceutical companies to explain in detail how they arrive at setting drug prices. While the bill does not prevent price increases, it does require increased transparency and accountability on the part of pharmaceutical companies, which would be a benefit for consumers. In addition, the bill also allows for emergency prescription refills for insulin and other lifesaving drugs.
Law Enforcement and Autism Spectrum Disorder
In previous weeks, the Judiciary Committee heard SF 1158, a bill that would offer grants to law enforcement agencies in order to receive training on how to better interact with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This bill has the potential to positively impact police interactions with ASD citizens as it would aid in increased law enforcement knowledge of ASD individuals who may have strained social skills. Without such appropriate knowledge and skills, police interactions with ASD individuals could ultimately lead to safety concerns. SF 1158 was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill, but is yet to be included in the number of omnibus bills in the Senate.
Slow Poke Bill
A bill passed though the Judiciary Committee a few weeks ago that would require drivers in the left lane to move to the right if there is another car directly behind it. There are exceptions to this law such as traffic, weather, or if the driver is making a left turn. Drivers would be fined no less than $100 for violating this law. The point of this bill is to deter slower drivers from clogging up traffic in the left lane. In such a scenario, a driver could by law receive a speeding ticket for driving 58 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone, but could then receive a “slow poke” ticket because they were in the left lane during the time of the incident. Although I understand how drivers in the left lane driving too slowly can impede other traffic goers, I do not support the measure as it is not a positive public safety initiative.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
The Judiciary Committee heard SF 515 last week, which would create a task force on missing and murdered indigenous women by studying the historical, social, economic, institutional, and cultural factors that contribute to the gendered violence. The hearing included stories from indigenous women who spoke on their experiences with rape, abduction, and abuse. I support this initiative and I am hopeful that it will pass this year. However, the Senate majority chose not to include funding for the task force in their latest budget bill proposal.
Capitol Update Video
Please check out another edition of my short Capitol Update videos I am completing this session. You can find the video here.
Other Senate Issues
Student Debt Crisis
Legislation was introduced this past week that would assist students who are struggling with debt by bringing accountability and transparency to the student loan industry. The bill would establish a loan advocate to represent the interests of the students and would push loan services to meet information sharing standards. Additionally, the bill would require student loan services to obtain a license to operate in Minnesota. The bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate.
School Snow Days
Governor Walz signed a bill into law that allows school boards to determine how many days they can declare instructional days in order to meet the state minimum in response to the brutal winter that caused many school cancellations. The bill also includes pay provisions for hourly, contract, and probationary teachers to make up missed pay. I was happy to support this bill, which was signed into law before the end of the school year. It shows that the Senate, House, and the Governor can and has the potential to come together to pass legislation that works for all Minnesotans.
Marital Rape Exemption
In the coming weeks, SF 235 may be heard on the Senate floor after being sent over by the House by a vote of 130-0. The bill has already passed out of Judiciary and Finance Committee in the Senate. The proposed bill removes the marital rape exemption from law, which states under current statute that a person who rapes their spouse is not guilty of criminal sexual conduct. This exemption is deeply problematic as it denies victims of domestic assault a path to justice. I hope the Senate majority leadership takes up this bill on the floor as soon as possible.
Omnibus Liquor Bill
On April 4, the Senate passed the Omnibus Liquor Bill 57-10. The bill was passed without any amendments such as the Growler Cap Bill (SF 1737), Vessel Size Expansion Bill (SF 1849), or an amendment to expand Sunday hours from 11 AM to 10 AM. The bill that passed included a change that now allows MSP Airport to set their own hours for liquor sales. Although this bill passed through the Senate without a number of amendments, I expect that it may change when the House and Senate come together in a conference committee to settle differences and find solutions that works for both sides.
Hands Free Bill
In late March, the Senate passed their version of the hand’s free bill 56-10. The bill requires drivers to use their cellphones in “hands free” mode and carries a $50 fine for the first violation and a $300 fine for subsequent offenses. The Senate’s version allows phones to be held if being used for navigation or GPS system while the House’s, which was also passed, does not. These differences were worked out conference committee and is on the path to becoming law. The House passed the conference committee report earlier this week, and the Senate passed the conference committee report by a vote of 48-12 on Thursday. The bill currently awaits the Governor’s signature. I fully expect him to sign it into law today.
Senator Latz in the News
City Pages: Hugely popular bills don’t have a chance in the Minnesota Senate
Star Tribune: Senate Democrats convene faux ‘banned bills’ committee for measures rejected by Republicans
Minnesota Lawyer: In the Hopper
Thank you for your continued interest in the state legislature and our work serving Senate District 46. If you have any time-sensitive questions, comments, or concerns please call my office at 651-297-8065.
Regards,
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Ron Latz