 |
|
Day by Day with the Minnesota Legislature
Thursday May 18
- The Legislature overrrides four Ventura vetoes, reaches an agreement on the Profile of Learning alternative, and adjourns.
Wednesday May 10
Tuesday May 9
- House members send unicameral bill back to committee; effectively killing it for this session.
- Conference committee reaches agreement on K-12 education finance package.
Monday May 8
- House Rules Committee sends unicameral bill to House floor.
Saturday May 6
- House and Senate negotiators reach agreement on transportation financing that will add $500 million to highway construction over the next three years.
Friday May 5
- House Republican and Senate Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders announce an agreement that would give Minnesota taxpayers sales-tax rebates averaging $400 for families and $200 for single taxpayers.
- Judge dismisses lawsuit filed by legislative opponents to LRT.
Wednesday May 3
- Negotiators reach a tentative deal to split the budget three ways, thus paving the way for an end to the legislative session.
Monday May 1
Wednesday April 26
- House passes a plan to relocate the state Department of Agriculture to rural Minnesota was passed 75-56. The proposal was added to a bill (HF3852) that would require state agencies to encourage employees to work from home by telecommuting.
Tuesday April 25
- Governor Ventura vetoes a bill that would require drivers to drive in the right lane except when passing.
Friday April 14
- Governor Ventura vetoes bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period for those seeking abortions.
Thursday April 13
- Abortion foes help kill legislation to increase charitable donations by state employees by demanding a provision to keep any money from going to groups that provide abortions.
Wednesday April 12
- House approves, 132-0, a bill to provide a safe place for newborns at hospitals if the mother wants to abandon a child of up to 3 days old. The bill goes to Governor Ventura.
- Adults who give or sell alcohol to minors could be liable for civil damages if the child hurts someone or damages something under a bill passed by the House 112-15. The bill now goes to the governor.
- House approves a bill, 102-30, that would make a fourth DWI in 10 years a felony punishably by a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $14,000. The bill now goes to the Senate.
- House approves a bill, 131-0. that requires a mandatory prison sentence and a fine of up to $40,000 for those convicted of prostituting youth 18 and younger, instead of just those younger than 16.
- A bill designating the left lane on highways for passing only heads to Governor Ventura's desk after the Senate approves it 51-15.
Tuesday April 11
- The Minnesota House voted 78-53 to accept a compromise wolf management plan.
- Senate approves bill establishing havens for abandoned newborns.
- Senate and House endorse conference committee bill on bleacher safety. It would exempt some bleachers from rules dealing with guardrails and gaps between tiers.
- Conference committee reaches agreement on a deal on modifications to feedlot regulations.
- Attempt to revive unicameral legislature bill in House fails on a 77-55 vote.
- House approves wolf management plan 78-53.
Monday April 10
- Senate passes "right to know" abortion bill.
- House votes 84-48 to allow bar owners and retailers to seize IDs of minors caught using a false ID to buy tobacco or alcohol.
Thursday April 6
- A bill that would limit the incentives auto glass companies can give customers was signed by Gov. Jesse Ventura. The law limits incentives companies can offer to $35. In addition, it requires prices for auto glass service to be determined based on a survey of average costs in cities and towns around the state.
- Gov. Jesse Ventura signed a law that will prohibit the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District from spraying on state lands without the permission of the Department of Natural Resources.
Wednesday April 5
- House passes covenant marriage legislation
- House passes "right to know" abortion bill.
Tuesday April 4
- House Speaker Steve Sviggum threatens to end session without action on tax relief. ( Listen)
- House votes to override Ventura veto to keep Ah-Gwha-Ching nursing home open.
- Senate OKs rule change on feedlots. The measure goes to a conference committee.
- House approves bill allowing the shooting of elk and deer in fenced preservers, 101-31.
- House unanimously approves bill exempting public potlucks from state health inspections.
- House passes legislation that would help Holocaust victims and their families to recover Holocaust-related insurance claims, 133-1.
- House approves banking regulation bill, defeating an amendment requiring banks to get customer approval before disclosing or sharing personal data.
Monday April 3
- Minnesota Senate passes "Patient Bill of Rights"
- Ventura signs "Katie's Law
Thursday March 30
- On a 59-7 vote, the Senate passes a bill establishing a felony offense for chronic drunk drivers. The bill goes to a conference committee.
- House passes a bill loosening restrictions on feedlot rules.
Wednesday March 29
- The Minnesota Senate voted 52-11 to approve an expansion of the state hate-crimes law.
- The Minnesota Senate passed a bill that would increase civil and criminal penalties for contractors who don't pay their sub-contractors, and leave homeowners to pay twice for repairs.
Tuesday March 28
- Legislative committee holds a hearing on conflict-of-interest allegations in the hiring of a project manager for light-rail transit project.
- People over age 21 could face civil penalties for supplying alcohol to those under 21, according to a bill passed by the House Tuesday. The vote was 92-39. The bill would curb parties where adults serve liquor to juveniles. ( House Bill 2555 -Text | Status | Senate Bill 1733 Text | Status)
Monday March 27
- The House approved a bill 128-2 Monday to tighten the state's sex offender laws.
- House passes a $850 million-a-year tax cut plan, which Governor Ventura says he's opposed to. (HF 4127 -Summary | Status )
- A bill to dedicate part of the state sales taxes to the Department of Natural Resources won approval in the Senate Tax Committee.
Thursday March 23
- House passes $400 million bonding bill.
Wednesday March 22
- Senate panel approves stiffer penalties for the most serious sex offenders.
- House votes to require members of the Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit to become licensed peace officers.
- Minnesota Senate passes $293 million education bill.
Tuesday March 21
- House passes transportation funding package 82-46.
Monday March 20
- A criminal justice package derails in the Senate. The catch was an amendment requiring 20-year minimum sentences for violent sex offenders.
- The Minnesota House approves a bill containing a smorgasbord of policy and spending. The bill includes welfare penalties and a provision requiring that specific information be presented to women seeking abortions.
- Republican Representative Arlon Lindner told a House ethics panel he is innocent of all charges levied against him in a complaint over a religious remark.
- House Ways and Means Committee votes to increase K-12 school spending from $28 million to more than $60 million.
Thursday March 16
- House votes 68-66 to make the Profile of Learning optional for school districts.
- Senate votes 44-22 to allow school districts increased flexibility in implementing the Profile of Learning and allows waivers to this year's freshmen and sophomores.
- House approves several criminal justice measures known collectively as "Katie's Law."
Wednesday March 15:
- House Transportation Finance Committee approves an omnibus bill that would spend $400 million to fix roads around the state and eliminate funding for the proposed LRT line in Minneapolis.
- The Minnesota Senate passed a bill by a two-to-one margin Wednesday largely preserving existing wolf protections in the state.
- The House Environment and Natural Resources Policy committee approved a bill to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot for increased DNR funding. (HF 3426 Text | SF 3173 Text)
- House committee approves omnibus bill that increases penalties on welfare recipients who don't look for work, and imposes a 24-hour waiting period on women who seek an abortion.
- DFL unveils transportation funding package while GOP lawmakers announce plans to remove funding for light-rail transit.
Thursday March 9:
- House State Government Finance Committee votes, 5-5, not to send unicameral bill forward. ( HF 159 | Status HF159 | Senate 43 | Status)
- House rejects attempt to move unicameral debate to floor.
- A House panel has approved legislation to overhaul the Profile of Learning graduation standards.
- The Senate Transportation Committee approves a bill that would put police and additional state troopers on duty at the state Capitol.
Wednesday March 8:
- Transportation Budget Committee kills plan to use proceeds from a "Family Farm" license plate for aid to family farmers.
- Senate Election Laws Committee kills proposal for voter initiative and referenda.
Tuesday March 7:
- Poll shows support for permanent tax cuts, more spending.
- The House Crime Prevention Committee endorsed legislation to crack down on juvenile prostitution. (HF 2830 Text Status | SF 2771 Text Status )
Monday March 6:
- Poll shows Ventura popularity on upswing.
- House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division hunting and fishing license fee increase. (SF2950 Text | SF2950 Status )
- The Senate Crime Prevention Committee has endorsed a bill to toughen hate crime penalties in Minnesota.
- The House Transportation Committee endorsed a bill that would shut the ramp meters off as a test.
- The House Taxes Committee holds hearing on a plan for a second round of income-tax cuts this year.
- Senate Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee passes unicameral bill and sends it to another Senate committee. ( HF 159 | Status HF159 | Senate 43 | Status)
- Governor Ventura unveils plans for using the budget surplus.
- Farmers rally at Capitol.
- House Education Policy Committee hears testimony from teachers on the future of the Profile of Learning graduation standards.
- Latest revenue forecast shows higher-than-expected surplus.
Monday February 28:
- House Subcommittee on Regulated Industries passes a proposal to abolish the Department of Public Service.
- Senate approves bill to provide drop-off sites for unwanted newborns.
- House Health and Human Services Finance Committee endorses an abortion "right-to-know" bill. The proposal would require a 24-hour waiting period before a woman could obtain an abortion.
Thursday February 24:
- Senate votes not to confirm Steve Minn as head of a combined Public Service and Commerce Department.
- House Health and Human Services Policy Committee approved a bill that could force welfare recipients to forfeit their entire welfare checks if they don't comply with the system's work rules.
- Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee approved legislation trimming feedlot rules.
- The Senate Election Laws Committee voted 7-4 against sending the unicameral bill forward with a recommendation to pass, then refers the bill to another committee. ( HF 159 | Status HF159 | Senate 43 | Status)
- Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee approves increased funding for natural resources.
- Senate committee advances bill preventing financial institutions from selling customer data without permission. (SF 3000 text | SF 3000 status | HF 3324 Text | HF 3324 Status )
- The Senate Education Budget Committee approves a bill that would require school districts to notify parents and employees when schools spray pesticides. (SF 3074 - Bill Text | Status )
- The House Crime Prevention Committee approved a bill that would create an integrated, statewide set of criminal justice records. (HF 3346 Text | HF 3346 Status | SF 3196 Text | SF 3196 Status)
- Election Laws Committee debates unicameral legislature. Vote likely Wednesday. ( HF 159 | Status HF159 | Senate 43 | Status)
- Supporters of Anoka-Hennepin Technical College ask House Higher Education Committee to save it from closing. No action taken. (HF 2649 Bill Text | House status)
- House votes to make Profile of Learning standards optional
- Senate panel considers ways to make Capitol more secure
- House Crime Prevention Committee approves use of Internet in crackdown on sex offenders
- Senate committee passes bill prohibiting travel in left lanes without passing. (SF 13 - Bill Text | Senate status | HF 367 Text | House status)
- Senate committee approves bill turning off freeway ramp meters for a study period. (SF 2480 Text | Senate status )
- Senate committee votes against Minn appointment.
- House Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill that would replace the one- and-a-half percent MnCare tax with money from the state's settlement with tobacco companies. (HF 35 Bill Text | House Status | SF1076 Text | Senate status)
- Senate Health and Family Security Committee votes to expand the prescription drug program for senior citizens.
- Senate gives final approval to sales tax rebate plan. (Senate Bill 2400 - See bill | See status )
- The Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee unanimously agrees to send unicameral bill to the next committee stop. ( HF 159 | Status HF159 | Senate 43 | Status)
- Senate Environment and Agriculture Budget Division votes for fee increases for hunting and fishing license. (SF2950 Text | SF2950 Status )
- House and Senate vote to extend fishing season.
- Senate gives initial approval to a sales tax rebate plan. (Senate Bill 2400 - See bill | See status )
- House Republicans announce they'll try to repeal the state's funding of a proposed light-rail transit line in Minneapolis.
- Senate committee advances bill to allow for drop-off of unwanted newborns.
- House Crime Prevention Committee votes to make repeat drunk driving a felony with a five-year mandatory prison sentence. (House File 2745 See Bill | See status )
- Senate panel rejects campaign spending limits for political parties.( SF 2458 Text | SF2458 Status )
- Senate committee approves tougher controls on sex offenders
- House Agriculture Policy Committee approves HF3022,, which prohibits the from implementing proposed amendments to the feedlot rules until after June 30, 2001. Amendments primarily address manure storage, runoff from open feedlots and design and construction standards. It also approved HF2798 which gives counties authority to issue fines for violations of environmental laws and rules and also says that the pollution control agency must forgive at least 75 percent of a fine if an equal amount is used by the feedlot owner to correct the violation or make other environmental improvements.
- House Civil Law Committee approves bill to exempt nursing mothers from jury duty. ( HF1865 - See Bill)
Tuesday February 8:
- House Crime Prevention Committee approves expansion of hate crimes bill and sends it to House floor. ( HF 1502 | Status HF1502)
- Senate GOP releases anti-crime package
- House committee takes no action on bill to throw out writing test. (HF 2720 See bill | See status)
Monday February 7:
- House committee holds first hearing on unicameral legislature. ( HF 159 | Status HF159 | Senate 43 | Status)
- House Government Operations Committee hears bill to lower voting age (House Bill 1250 - See bill | See status).
Friday February 4:
- Ventura proposes rebate; defends Minn appointment
- The House Crime Prevention Committee approved a bill to make selling tobacco to minors a misdemeanor instead of a gross misdemeanor, which carries a higher maximum fine and a stiffer possible jail sentence.
- Panel hears testimony on welfare to work.
- Officials call for a moratorium for "Profile of Learning."
- AIDS Action Day held at Capitol.
- Hatch, DFL legislators unveil anti-juvenile-prostitution plan.
- House committee rejects Ventura nominee Minn; Senate refused to override Ventura veto.
- Ventura pushes transit plan before Senate committee
- Legislative Auditor release report on school finances.
- Hundreds protest education financing at Capitol.
- House and Senate convene for first session.
- Senate GOP leaders propose tax cut plan.
- House rejects call to scrap graduation standards writing test
- Ventura issues warning on surplus
© 2024 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy RightsRadio Listening : News & Features : Events Calendar : Your Voice : About Us