Tag: Minnesota House

Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee Holds Remote Hearing

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the House Ways and Means Committee held a remote hearing where members were given a presentation by MMB Commissioner Myron Frans and State Economist Dr. Laura Kalambokidis regarding the quarterly economic outlook, and an update on COVID-19 related federal funding.

“Minnesota is going through unprecedented economic times. It is critical that we work early and often to balance the budget before the end of the fiscal year,” said Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL – Crystal), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. “It is too early to say just how much COVID-19 will cost Minnesota, both in loss of revenue and increased spending to manage the virus. Regardless of the final budget forecast, House Ways and Means will fulfill its constitutional duty to balance the budget.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee Holds Remote Hearing”

Rep. Huot Applauds Met Council’s Free Ride Service for Healthcare Workers

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL MINNESOTA – Today, the Metropolitan Council announced free transportation to the region’s frontline healthcare workers for a safe and stress-free trip to and from work. Starting Monday today, Metro Mobility will be providing free door-to-door service from home to work and work to home for any person who works at a healthcare facility, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

State Representative John Huot (DFL-Rosemount), who has focused much of his legislative work on addressing the growing needs of first responders, released the following statement:

“Our healthcare first responders are always there for us, as they work around the clock to fight COVID-19. Ensuring they have a safe ride to work, or home after a long shift, or multiple shifts, is one small way we can give back to our local heroes.”

This new, free service will provide individual or very small group on-demand rides for essential healthcare workers, improving physical distancing for those who depend on transit, or who simply wish to utilize the ride service.

Interested essential healthcare workers must provide their employee identification badge a proof they are employed in a healthcare facility. These trips will all be following state guidelines for physical distancing and will only transport as many customers as is safe for the vehicle.

 

Minnesota House Week in Review: April 6 through 10, 2020

WEEK IN REVIEW

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A look back at what happened in the Minnesota House of Representatives the week of April 6-10

Although behind-the-scenes work has been ongoing, lawmakers began meeting again officially this past week, albeit remotely.

One of the more unusual weeks in legislative history began Sunday night when Gov. Tim Walz delivered his annual State of the State address from his residence, a distancing precaution the Legislature will also follow for the foreseeable future as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Continue reading “Minnesota House Week in Review: April 6 through 10, 2020”

Minnesota House Tax Committee holds first-ever remote hearing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Tax Committee held its first-ever remote hearing on Wednesday, April 8 from 8:30-9:30am. Minnesotans had an opportunity to participate in the hearing by providing public comment or signing up to testify in advance and watching live video courtesy of the non-partisan House Public Information Services. Click here to watch a replay of the entire hearing.

“As the Minnesota House adapts to doing the people’s work in different ways during this unprecedented public health crisis, I want to thank Minnesotans for your patience as we learn from and refine this process,” said Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth).

The hearing featured a brief overview from the non-partisan House Research Department on tax items included in the federal CARES Act with state implications, as well as a bill allowing the commissioner of revenue discretion in posting certain taxpayers affected by an executive closure order. All documents from the hearing can be accessed on the committee webpage here.

This Remote Hearing took place pursuant to Rule 10.01, which you may view here:https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/permrule/1001.htm

 

Minnesota House Judiciary Committee holds its first remote hearing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House Judiciary and Civil Law Division held a remote hearing this morning to discuss a number of proposals related to the court system during the COVID-19 pandemic. With new legislative procedures in place to ensure compliance with social distancing guidelines, it was the panel’s first hearing conducted via video conference.

“During this unprecedented peacetime emergency, we’ve all had to adapt to the new situation in a variety of ways, including changes to how we deliver justice under the law,” said Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), the committee chair. “We’ve worked hard to reach consensus on these key issues that allow important legal mechanisms, like marriages and wills, to proceed, while ensuring members of the public, staff, and officers of the court can all remain safe and healthy.”

The division discussed, amended, and approved three bills. HF 1197, authored by Rep. Lesch, contains a proposal from the Minnesota Judicial Branch to temporarily suspend statutory deadlines in district and appellate courts. HF 1196, also authored by Rep. Lesch, provides a “harmless error” exception which will remove barriers toward proper execution of a will. HF 798, authored by Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview), contains a request from district court and county officials to delay child support cost-of-living adjustments.

While not officially introduced yet, the committee also discussed a bipartisan proposal to allow for marriage license applications during the peacetime emergency without appearing in person.

Video of the hearing is available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.

 

Minnesota House Transportation Finance Committee Holds Remote Hearing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House Transportation Finance Committee held a remote hearing to discuss proposed legislation to address various transportation-oriented topics that are related to the COVID-19 disease. Provisions included extending out-of-state commercial driver’s licenses, extending some vehicle registrations, providing for the issuing commercial driver’s licenses, requiring agency reports to the legislature, and specifying allowable uses of federal aid.

“Minnesotans are encountering challenging times with disruptions to their daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic,” remarked Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) Chair of the Transportation Finance Committee. “We’re working on bipartisan basis to address these difficulties, especially with vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses, and we’re doing so in a way that ensures the public has the opportunity to weigh in.”

“It’s important that an adaptive and functioning government continues during this pandemic, and updating our requirements in relation to transportation needs to be a part of that,” said Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL – Shakopee) Vice Chair of the Transportation Finance Committee and author of the proposed language. “Things are quickly changing for Minnesotans, and this proposed legislation would provide clarity when it comes to commercial driver’s licenses and vehicle registration, while also ensuring the legislature remains informed.”

Testimony was given by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, and Sam Rockwell of Move Minnesota. The committee advanced the legislation to the Ways and Means Committee.

Supporting documents can be found on the committee’s website, and a video recording of the hearing can be found on the House Public Information’s YouTube channel.

 

Minnesota House Education Finance Committee holds official remote hearing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee held a remote hearing to discuss COVID-19 related legislation. After the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee met over the telephone last week, today’s hearing was the second official meeting to be conducted over video conference in the history of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

“Minnesotans expect all their elected officials to step up to the challenge that Minnesota families are facing today as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” remarked Rep. Jim Davnie, Chair of the House Education Finance Committee. “Our goal with this legislation is to support schools, staff, students and families by directing a stable and predictable a path amid what will be and feel like a challenging situation. We’re looking forward, anticipating challenges, and planning for them. I’m pleased to have bipartisan involvement in our work in the Minnesota House.”

The committee discussed a proposed COVID-19 response bill for hourly school workers. A summary of the legislation is available here. Among other things, the legislation provides for compensation for hourly school employees and allows entities that contract with schools to provide services to be reimbursed for paying their employees, for changes in school employment practices related to COVID-19 related school closures and the conversion to distance learning programs. Continue reading “Minnesota House Education Finance Committee holds official remote hearing”

Minnesota House Rules Committee holds remote committee hearing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House of Representatives Rules and Legislative Administration Committee held a remote hearing today to outline the new House remote committee process. House Rule 10.01, passed on March 26th, allows floor and committee procedures related to member debate and voting to occur by means of distance voting, remote electronic voting, or voting by other means designed to allow legislative operations while preserving the safety of the public, staff, and members.

“We are continuing our efforts to adapt how the Minnesota House of Representatives operates during this pandemic, including our committee process,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We are developing this remote process so the public can engage in the legislative process while also protecting the health of members, staff, and Minnesotans. We are adapting to serve the public as we were elected to do.”

While this committee hearing was audio-only, the House is working to implement video committee meetings in the future. Continue reading “Minnesota House Rules Committee holds remote committee hearing”

House K-12 Education Finance Chair Davnie Statement on Exclusion of Emergency K-12 Education Legislation

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – This afternoon, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a package of legislation to assist Minnesotans coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptions. However, Senate Republican leaders chose to block efforts that would protect hourly workers’ pay in K-12 schools, and various other K-12 education measures to keep Minnesota’s education system intact, and the state’s teachers and students whole.

House K-12 Education Finance Committee Chair Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) released the following statement:

“I’m disappointed with the absence of any policy or finance provisions on K-12 education in today’s COVID-19 response bill. In the Minnesota House we worked on a bipartisan basis to develop a proposal that anticipated the needs of schools, staff, students, and families for a clear path in confusing times. Multiple attempts over the past week to engage the Senate GOP in a productive exchange were met with silence. 

School staff and their families deserve to know if they are going to be paid during this distance learning period. Schools need to know if they are going to receive the anticipated revenues they need to pay those staff. High school seniors need to know if they are going to be allowed to graduate and younger students if they are going to progress to the next grade. Teachers and administrators need to know if they are going to be able to renew their licenses and everyone needs to know if state testing is on for this year or not.

A public health crisis is not a time for silence. The people of Minnesota expect action right now from their elected leaders. The GOP Senate failed Minnesota schools, staff, students, and families through their inaction today.”

Minnesota House of Representatives passes COVID-19 assistance package

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— This afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a package of legislation to assist Minnesotans coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related disruptions. The House also enacted a temporary rule allowing members to vote on legislation remotely during the current peacetime emergency.

“Minnesotans are facing significant medical concerns and financial hardships, and today the Minnesota House of Representatives took steps to safeguard their health and economic well-being,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “There is a lot more work ahead of us. We will continue working closely with Governor Walz and his administration as we navigate this pandemic.”

“Today’s vote is another legislative step to address this public health crisis, but we know there are more issues we will need to address in the coming days, weeks, and months,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “This public health crisis will have an unpredictable and lasting impact on our state. We are already looking ahead and exploring options to address the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The members of the Minnesota House of Representatives will continue working hard on behalf of the people of Minnesota.”