Lawmakers discuss session; Schedules posted

Yesterday at the Capitol

The higher education finance omnibus conference committee met briefly yesterday afternoon and House Researcher Kathy Novak walked through the side-by-side of the House and Senate bills, and Fiscal Analyst Doug Berg walked through the funding in both bills. There was no discussion, and no votes were taken.

Conference Committee Chairs Rep. Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls and Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, said there is a possibility the conference committee will meet Monday, April 18 before the legislative recess. If not, they will meet after the break to take testimony on the two bills.

You may find the side-by-side of the Senate and House bills here.

The spreadsheet for the bills can be found here.

Also yesterday, both bodies took up the agriculture finance conference report on the floor, approved it and sent it to the governor. Gov. Dayton is expected to sign the bill at 11:00 this morning. Dayton said the bill closely matches his recommendations and fits within his budget framework.

Included in the bill is $94,000 for both years of the biennium for statewide mental health counseling support to farm families and business operators through farm business management programs at Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College.

Today at the Capitol

9:00 AM
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Warren Limmer
Agenda:
S.F. 799-Miller: Student records and data usage liability clarification.
S.F. 735-Limmer: Civil immunity extension to municipalities donating public safety equipment.
S.F. 1068-Daley: School facilities recreational activities use immunity establishment.
S.F. 160-Hann: Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act.
S.F. 509-Limmer: Voter photo identification requirement; picture identification issuance provisions; provisional balloting procedure establishment; challenged voter eligibility list establishment; electronic polling place roster standard for use establishment and use.

At 10:00 a.m. legislative leaders will hold their weekly media availability.

Looking Ahead

Lawmakers will meet Monday of next week and then will recess for the Easter/Passover break at 3:00 p.m. They are expected to return to St. Paul Tuesday, April 26.

Monday, April 18

12:00 PM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House in Session

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda:
S.F. 247-Dahms: Public employees insurance program local government employees participation or withdrawal approval requirements.
S.F. 1100-Brown: Interest arbitration factor consideration for public sector labor relations.
S.F. 1146-Wolf: Public employees dues check off written request requirement for certain contributions.

Tuesday, April 19 - Monday, April 25

Easter/Passover Break

Tuesday, April 26

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: To be announced.