CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 21, 2019
Friday, March 15 marked the halfway point of the 2019 session and the end of first deadline for bills to pass through committee. As of first committee deadline day, over 2,500 bills have been introduced in the Senate and many will not meet the first deadline. The first deadline requires policy bills to have had their first hearing in the committee of origin unless the companion bill in the House has been heard. However, finance, tax, and capital investment bills do not have to meet this deadline.
Unfortunately, the majority-controlled Senate has yet to hear both of the gun violence prevention measures that I introduced with my Senate colleagues in the first weeks of session. It’s been more than a year and a half and the Senate Judiciary committee has yet to give these bills a public hearing. However, because the House has heard both the criminal background check expansion bill and the extreme risk protection orders bill, the bill has met first deadline qualifications and the measures live on.
Below you can click on a mid-session Capitol video update. I highlight a few items in the video, but there of course remains much to do.
Mom’s Demand Action Rally
On March 13th, 2019, Mom’s Demand Action and other gun violence prevention advocates held a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda. I joined First Lady Gwen Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan at the event and urged Senate leadership to schedule hearings on the Extreme Risk Protection Orders bill and the bill to expand criminal background checks. I will continue to request hearings for these bills and I hope with continued public pressure and support, we will finally receive one.
Senator Ron Latz and First Lady Gwen Walz stood ready to go on stage during the Moms Demand Action rally in the Capitol Rotunda.
If you would like to watch my speech from the Moms Demand Action Rally at the Capitol, you can click here.
Marijuana
In mid-March, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard a bill that would shape a statewide system for the distribution and regulation of recreational marijuana. Considering most Minnesotans support this initiative, the mood was ripe to have supporters and opponents come together for a public discussion. Included in the bill was a structure for growth, taxation, regulation of sales, and the expungement of records for those with a nonviolent criminal history related to marginal amounts of cannabis. The hearing featured testimony from many perspectives. Opponents included parents and local law enforcement, who expressed concern that legalizing recreational marijuana would increase use among children and teens and would increase impaired driving and accidents. Proponents of the bill, such as local doctors and medical marijuana users, argued that legalization would benefit the health of Minnesotans as well as support the state’s economy. Unfortunately, the majority of the committee expressed concerns that there is simply not enough information on the long-term effects of marijuana, despite rejecting an amendment that would create a task-force to investigate the long-term effects. The final vote tally was 6-3 in favor of killing the bill. Although marijuana may not pass this year, I hope we can continue this important conversation into the future and listen to the overwhelming support from Minnesotans on this issue. That being said, recreational marijuana is unlikely to pass during the 2019 legislative session.
Reinsurance Program
The 2017 reinsurance program that was set to expire this year was passed for renewal in the Senate by a vote of 37-28 and now awaits House action. The program, which would continue through 2022, aims at lowering the average costs of health care premiums on the individual market. However, after federal cuts of more than $300 million in funding, more steps are necessary in finding a long-term solution that focuses on reducing costs for consumers. Reinsurance is not a sustainable way to lower the cost of healthcare. I will continue to push for initiatives that are consumer-based and targeted towards mitigating costs in the long-term.
College Promise
The Higher Education Committee heard a bill last week that would provide grants to middle-income Minnesota students for two years of free college tuition at the University of Minnesota or other schools that are part of the Minnesota State system. I am a strong supporter of creating affordable education in Minnesota and I am a co-author of this bill. Similar programs exist in New York, Hawaii, and Tennessee, and have drastically increased the number of students enrolling in college. An additional bill was introduced that would create accelerated associate programs in community and technical colleges, which would help ensure on-time graduation. Both bills are awaiting further discussion in committee.
Department of Corrections Ombudsperson
Earlier this session, I introduced a bill with bi-partisan support that would re-establish a Department of Corrections ombudsperson (SF 1090). The bill would create an independent office designed to investigate complaints within the Department of Corrections and hear grievances from those who are incarcerated. The commissioner of the Department of Corrections and other supporters have joined me in this effort, which gives those who are incarcerated a space to discuss issues within the prison system. It has been found that an ombudsperson increases safety for the incarcerated as well as those working in the facilities. The bill is currently laid over for possible inclusion into a Judiciary Committee omnibus bill.
MNLARS
Governor Walz signed into law an increased MNLARS funding bill, which included $13 million for the continued development and improvement of the driver’s license and vehicle services software and overall service. An additional bill passed through the Senate this week, which intends to allocate funds for the costs incurred by Deputy Registrars related to the roll out of MNLARS. While this is a great start, ongoing and future funding is necessary to ensure reduced wait times for customers in addition to the continuation of improving software that provides the essential services that are expected from the Driver and Vehicle Services division of the Department of Public Safety.
Restore the Vote
The House and Senate have introduced legislation that would restore the vote to people after they are released from jail. Current law prohibits those who are still on parole or probation from voting. Pro-social activities, such as voting, have been linked to a reduction in recidivism in crime. Minnesota would join 13 other states with similar laws if passed. The bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee in the Senate.
Senator Latz joined Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, other Senate and House members, and correctional officers during a press conference on Sen. Latz’s bill to ban the use of private prisons in Minnesota.
Hands Free Cell Phone Legislation
By a vote of 106-21, the Minnesota House passed a bill this week that would require drivers to use hands-free technology while making phone calls or sending text messages. Minnesota would join 16 other states and the District of Columbia in banning cellphone use by motorists unless drivers use hands-free technology while driving. I expect the Senate to take up the bill in the near future considering the bipartisan support it has received this year. I believe this is an important measure that would mitigate the concerning number of deaths and accidents related to cell phone usage that causes distracted driving.
Capitol Visitors
Senator Latz in the News
KSTP: Gun control advocates pressuring Minnesota Senate
Star Tribune: Gwen Walz: ‘We are coming’ after Minnesota senators who don’t support gun measures
Minnesota Lawyer: Senate Republicans snuff out pot bid
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,
Ron Latz