The first committee deadline is here, meaning most bills must be heard by at least one committee. We are wrapping up the 10th week of the legislative session. This year is a bit different, however, with the first deadline coming weeks earlier than has been typical in previous sessions. The aim is to allow for more time to debate and negotiate the bigger pieces of legislation as we continue our work on the state?Äôs budget. Budget proposals will be released in the next few weeks. In the meantime, here is an update on a few happenings at your Capitol.
On the Senate floor: REAL ID
Monday, the REAL ID bill failed to pass the Senate by a vote of 38-29. However, that does not necessarily mean the issue is finished for the year; on Wednesday, in accordance with Senate rules, a motion was passed to reconsider the bill and lay it on the table for future debate. That means that the bill will be able to be brought up again at any point before the end of the session.
The bill allows Minnesota to create a system of driver?Äôs licenses and identification cards that complies with federal REAL ID policy. The federal policy, which came after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, requires states to collect additional information when issuing driver?Äôs licenses and identification cards. If Minnesota does not comply with the federal REAL ID policy, the current form of driver?Äôs licenses and identification cards will no longer be valid for boarding airplanes or entering certain federal buildings beginning Jan. 22, 2018. This would allow people to have the choice to renew their identification in its current form or ?Äúupgrade?Äù to REAL ID-compliant cards.
On the Senate floor: ditch mowing
SF218 prohibits MnDOT from requiring, issuing, or enforcing permits to mow or bale hay in the rights-of-way, until April 30, 2018.
Last fall, MnDOT enacted a change in policy that requires, among several other things, landowners to obtain permits to mow or bale ditches on state highway rights-of-way ?Äì coming with little input from those affected. MnDOT?Äôs unilateral policy change is causing farmers and landowners, many who have been mowing and baling these ditches for years, unnecessarily added costs and inconvenience.
The bill was passed with bipartisan support and is expected to be voted on soon by the House; after that, it will likely head to a conference committee to work out differences between the Senate and House provisions.
Establishing this prohibition will allow both legislators and those affected to come together and discuss a path forward.
Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority changes
Last month, the legislative auditor issued a scathing report of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the operator of the Minnesota Vikings stadium. The report found that, although the MSFA did not engage in illegal activity, they did violate ?Äúcore ethical principles?Äù regarding the use of stadium suites by family and friends of MSFA staff. Shortly after a joint legislative hearing was convened to address this issue, both the executive director and the chair of the MSFA submitted their resignations.
To achieve greater transparency, oversight, and accountability of taxpayer dollars, legislation to fundamentally alter the MSFA (SF 626) is making its way through the committee process. Among other provisions, the bill would:
?Ä¢ Limit the compensation of the Authority chair
?Ä¢ Authorize the legislative auditor to conduct frequent audits of the Authority?Äôs finances and operations
?Ä¢ Compile and publish data on individuals receiving free tickets or gifts
?Ä¢ Require the Authority to submit an annual budget to the legislature
?Ä¢ Limit the use of stadium space by Authority members to ?Äúlegitimate business purposes?Äù
?Ä¢ Prohibit the Authority from granting access to stadium space to their family and friends
The bill has been passed by the House and is scheduled to be heard in the Senate.
Veterans burial fee changes (Was SF1244, now SF1862)
I am the author of legislation, SF1862, that would allow for money appropriated from Minnesota?Äôs ?ÄúSupport Our Troops?Äù fund to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to use some of the money for uncompensated veteran burial costs. I believe it is critically important that, as a state, we afford every courtesy to those who have sacrificed so much in the service of our state and nation. The legislation was heard in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee, where it was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.