BRIEFLY
The Minnesota Senate Week in Review
For the week of January 30 - February 3

Elections bills gain
     The highlight of the Thurs., Feb. 2, floor session was the
consideration of bills on the General Orders Calendar.  Bills on
General Orders are considered by the Senate acting as one large
committee known as the Committee of the Whole.  Each bill on
General Orders has had two readings and has been reported out of
one or more standing committees.  Bills on General Orders may be
debated and amendments may be offered.
     S.F. 35, authored by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), makes
several changes in procedures for voter registration and absentee
voting.  The bill eliminates the witness requirement in voter
registration, allows absentee voting for convenience, allows
absentee ballots to be delivered to health care facilities and
allows military personnel and individuals unexpectedly
hospitalized to vote via fax machine.  An amendment, offered by
Sen. Dennis Frederickson (IR-New Ulm), deletes the provision
allowing voting via fax machine.  The amendment was defeated on a
25-36 roll call vote.  Frederickson offered a second amendment,
deleting a provision allowing a person to collect ballots from a
health care facility, that was also defeated.  Sen. Sheila
Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) asked that the bill be temporarily
progressed in order to have time to draft an amendment and no
further action was taken.
     S.F. 141, authored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), makes
a number of changes in laws relating to school board elections. 
The measure changes the allocation of some election expenses,
provides for the retention of election materials, clarifies terms
of office and election frequency in some cities, authorizes the
use of more than one combined polling place in school board
elections and provides for dissolution of some election
districts.  The measure was given preliminary passage on a voice
vote.
     A bill dealing with lawful gambling also gained preliminary
passage.  S.F. 46, authored by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St.
Paul), increases the percentage of gross profit that may be
expended for allowable expenses.  The bill specifies that the
percentage for expenses for bingo is increased from 60 to 65
percent and that for other types of lawful gambling the
percentage is increased from 50 to 55 percent.

Welfare amendments okayed
     Responding to public concerns, Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-
Brainerd) introduced several amendments to his welfare reform
bill, S.F. 1.  Samuelson addressed several provisions, including
the requirement of teen mothers to live at home in order to
receive AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children).  The
Family Services Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-
Austin), has heard public testimony regarding the provisions over
the past several weeks.
     The author's amendments were considered and approved by the
committee Thurs., Jan. 26.  Samuelson presented an amendment
permitting more exceptions to the teen parent requirement.  In
mandating teen mothers to live at home, many people in previous
meetings had testified to the damaging effects that may occur.
The amendment expands the definition of a living arrangement to
include any non-public situation providing supervision,
counseling, guidance, and independent living skills training. 
Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) requested clarification of
permitted living situations by adding adult supervision "in a
family-like setting" to the amendment.
     Another amendment modifies the obligation to seek full-time
employment as specified under the Minnesota Family Investment
Program (MFIP).  Under the family support agreement in the MFIP
overall plan, a caregiver may be expected to seek and accept
full-time employment.  The amendment defines full-time as 30
hours per week, or 20 hours per week if the caregiver is single
with a child under six years old.  The amendment also requires a
caregiver enrolled in MFIP who voluntarily quits employment to
notify the case manager within 10 days.  
     In addition, the amendment specifies that a caregiver's job
search is limited to three months to find a job related to their
overall employment goal.  After three months, the participant
must accept any suitable employment.  Piper expressed concern
about the parameters of "suitable" employment, which includes
jobs providing low wages and no child care.  Samuelson clarified
that child care would be available through the MFIP program.
     Samuelson offered another an amendment permitting AFDC
recipients to withhold rent to uphold the recipient's rights when
faced with problems with the landlord or housing.  Another
addition to the bill is the classification of a participant
working in a temporary public service job for more than 67 days
as a public employee.  The provision is "trying to be flexible
for local governments," Samuelson said.  
     Regarding STRIDE participants, Samuelson presented an
amendment specifying educational requirements.  A recipient
selected for a high school equivalency program must make
satisfactory progress, and work at least 64 hours per month.  For
individuals participating in full-time post-secondary education,
the amendment has no work requirement. The amendments were
incorporated into S.F. 1.

New TV show to air
     Senate Media Services, in cooperation with Greater Minnesota
public broadcasting stations, is producing Capitol Report Live, a
new interactive television program.
     On the new program, state lawmakers from Greater Minnesota
will answer questions concerning rural issues.  The program will
air live every Tuesday evening, beginning February 7th, from 9
p.m. until 10 p.m.  The channels are KWCM 10 (Appleton), KSMQ 25
(Austin), KAWE 9 (Bemidji), KAWB 22 (Brainerd), and WDSE 8
(Duluth).
     Viewers will be able to ask questions via fax, telephone and
internet e-mail.  The telephone number is 1-800-657-3635.  The
internet e-mail address is studio@lakes.senate.leg.state.mn.us
and the fax number is 1-800-366-2588.


Committee Capsule

Agriculture and Rural Development
Ed goals reviewed
     The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, chaired by
Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville) listened to presentations
from both the Minnesota Education in Agriculture Leadership
Council, and the Commission on Agriculture Policy Mon., Jan. 30.
     Edgar Persons, from the University of Minnesota's
Agriculture Dept., outlined the objectives of the Minnesota
Education in Agriculture Leadership Council. "Our intent is to
take a broad look at agriculture and education in the state,"
said Persons, "to go beyond the notion of Ag in the Classroom.".
     With its 1992 publication, The Status of Education In and
About Agriculture, the council provided the first overview of not
only what students are learning about agriculture, but also how
they are learning it. The study cites trends in agricultural
education, from elementary school through adult education. "It's
difficult to get your arms around what is happening in
agricultural education," said Sen. Arlene Lesewski (IR-Marshall),
"and it's important to have this coordination and leadership. I
commend the council for what they have done thus far."
     The 12 member council of gubernatorial appointees is the
product of 1990 legislation. Funds totaling $50,000 were
allocated through the K-12 education bill for the biennium. "If
there isn't a bill for this council, then it just disappears at
year's end?" asked Bertram.
     "That is correct," Persons confirmed.
     Harlan Anderson, a farmer from Cokato, represented the
Commission on Agriculture Policy. Compiled from informal
discussions with farmers, educators, and concerned citizens
around the state, Anderson said that the goal of the commission
was to determine common problems faced by the agricultural sector
and suggest methods to remedy trouble spots. The group came up
with 19 recommendations.
     A prevalent sentiment that the commission identified
concerns the clean up of the Minnesota River. Agricultural groups
said that they have been treated unfairly. "What we've been
doing, farmers have been doing for many years," said Anderson,
"but nobody ever told us we were doing wrong. The economies of
agriculture don't permit overnight changes," Anderson continued.
     The group is asking for three to five more years to
voluntarily address the reduction of nonpoint source pollution of
the Minnesota River watershed. After this period, the project is
to be turned over to state regulatory units, including the
Pollution Control Agency, for further clean-up.
     Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio) objected to a recommendation
that corporate farm laws should be abolished and replaced with
limitations on the size of livestock units per site. Berg is a
proponent of livestock expansion.
     The commission also recommended freezing the present level
of gross real estate taxes on bare farmland, and increasing
income taxes to fund education in rural areas. Township and
county taxes are not included in the freeze. Sen. Dan Stevens
(IR-Mora) said, "buildings and land don't require services,
people do."

Agriculture overview
     Committee members listened to lobbyists, farmers, and
interested citizens voice comments and concerns about the 1995
federal farm bill. Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville)
apologized to members on behalf of Bob Bergland, former U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture, whose planned visit was postponed.
Rather than cancel the meeting, Bertram opened the time to
discussion surrounding the federal farm bill.
     Recently returned from Washington D.C., Gerald Lacey, a
farmer from Western Minnesota and president of the National
Barley Growers Association said, "I see more unity on the federal
level than I see in the state." He urged farmers to present a
united front and to work with environmentalists. "The big guns in
Washington are the environmentalists," said Lacey. "We need to
work with them and educate them."
     Myron Halvorson, a farmer and vice-president of the
Minnesota Agri-Growers Council said that there are two main
concerns that must be addressed:  property tax reform, and
private property rights. "These are the grassroots issues which
are important to farmers," Halvorson said. "We don't represent
Democrats or Republicans--we represent farmers." 
     Halvorson said that there has been a significant change in
the government's attitude toward farmers, and that overlapping of
agencies and their policies and duties has negatively impacted
farmers nationwide. "We are tired of being harassed by state and
federal agencies," Halvorson said. "Many agencies could be done
away with and the environment would not suffer for their
absence," Halvorson continued.
     "As we look to the 1995 farm bill debate, the only certain
factor is that there'll be less dollars," said Al Christopherson,
a farmer from Kandyohi County and president of the Minnesota Farm
Bureau, "and it's completely uncertain where those dollars will
go." Christopherson echoed concerns about property tax reform,
and added wetland issues to the agenda. "If there is an area that
will get farmers to sit up and take notice," he said, "it is
wetlands."
     Bruce Kleven, a lawyer and farmer from Chippewa County,
spoke on behalf of the Minnesota Wheat, Barley and Sugar Beet
Growers. Besides looking for continued funding for scab research,
growers want roads and bridges "at least maintained," said
Kleven. He added that workers comp reform is also a growing
concern for sugar beet growers.
     Lastly, Tom Cochran, executive director of the Agri-Growth
Council echoed Lacey's thoughts about working with
environmentalists. "Comments from environmentalists are extremely
complimentary toward agriculture," Cochran said, "and it used to
be that you couldn't use the two words in the same sentence."

Crime Prevention
Foster home licensing
     The first two bills to be heard by the Crime Prevention
Committee, chaired by Allan Spear (DFL-Minneapolis), were laid
over after more than two hours of discussion Thurs., Jan. 26.
     Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley) presented S.F. 64, a bill
which would require the Department of Corrections to notify
municipalities 30 days before licensing a foster home for
juvenile delinquents. An amendment was added that would require a
license applicant to meet with the municipality and would allow
the municipality to submit written comments to the commissioner
of corrections. The bill would not prohibit the DOC from issuing
a license.
     The bill is in response to concerns from the Coon Rapids
City Council about a home licensed for foster care of six youths,
Betzold said. The council was notified only because the DOC was
seeking approval for up to 12 girls which required a special use
permit from the city.
     Coon Rapids Mayor William Thompson who testified at the
meeting said the council would like to be notified of any
application for a foster home license if a neighborhood will be
affected. It is not that the city does not want such foster homes
in the community, Thompson said, but he would like the DOC to
meet with local officials before licensing. Local officials often
have to react to neighbors who may oppose a foster home. "We're
not saying they (juveniles) don't belong in our community, but we
would like to try to find a location to work for the best," he
said. "These kids are maybe not getting the best experience
because the neighborhood is up in arms."
     William Guelker, of the DOC, said he didn't object to simply
notifying the municipality but he thought the requirement to
"meet and confer" with local officials went too far. He believed
cities have been notified of foster care licensing since current
statute requires an applicant receive approval from the local
zoning and planning board.
     Guelker cautioned the committee against making the rules too
cumbersome and consequently discouraging people from operating
foster homes. "I'm concerned a number of these well-meaning
people may just choose not to go through the process," he said.
     He added that DOC officials simply respond to applications
for foster care licensing and are not involved with locating
sites. "We would not be able to place a foster home somewhere
else in the community," he said.
     Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids) agreed that the
amendment asking the DOC to meet with local officials implied a
municipality could change the location of a foster home. Public
policy has been that any group of six people or less can live in
any neighborhood, he said.
     Sens. Tracy Beckman (DFL-Bricelyn) and Jane Ranum (DFL-
Minneapolis) also were concerned about affecting the operation of
foster homes for non-delinquent juveniles. Beckman, who is a
foster parent, said he would not want to possibly get involved in
a public hearing-type process. "It's hard enough to get foster
care," Beckman said. "If these kids are that big a thorn in the
side of a community, we have to start looking at our communities.
This would be going in the opposite direction."
     Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul) moved and the committee
unanimously voted to withdraw the amendment. The bill then was
laid over until a later meeting.
     In other business, the committee considered a bill that
clarifies laws regarding eligibility for stays of adjudication.
     Sen. David Knutson (IR-Burnsville) presented S.F. 39
restricting the controlled substance possession crimes a person
can be found guilty of while still being eligible for stays of
adjudication. The bill also restricts eligibility for deferment
or dismissal to first-time controlled substance offenders.
     Proponent of the bill, First Assistant Washington County
Attorney Richard Hodsdon said the bill clarifies current
legislation that allows some offenders to be put into
diversionary programs instead of serving a sentence. The bill
ensures individuals involved in sales of drugs or repeat
offenders are exempted from diversion programs, he said.
     Hodsdon said the original legislation was designed to keep
some drug criminals out of the prisons, however over the years
more individuals with prior drug crime convictions were
benefitting from the law.
     John Stuart of the state public defender's office disagreed
with the proposed bill, saying the goal of legislation should be
to find creative ways to deal with repeat drug offenders and to
reduce the number of offenders going to prison.
     Scott Swanson, also of the state public defender's office,
disagreed as well, and said the bill would further tighten drug-
related crimes while the nation is moving toward more
diversionary methods.
     Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) was concerned the bill
takes away a judge's discretion. Others expressed concern on how
the bill would affect jail capacity.
     The bill was set aside for further discussion.

 Program budgets heard
     At the Weds., Feb. 1, meeting, members of the Crime
Prevention Finance Division heard budget reviews from the
Ombudsman for Corrections, Private Detectives and Protective
Agent Services Board, and the Board of Peace Officer Standards
and Training (POST).
     Patricia Seleen, ombudsman for corrections, is requesting an
additional $63,000 for the next biennium to pay for another field
investigator and cover overhead costs associated with hiring two
investigators last year. The annual budget for the program is
$530,000 and Seleen heads a staff of 10.
     Members also discussed the budget of the Private Detectives
and Protective Agent Services Board which is anticipating
revenues of $90,000 for each of FY 96 and FY 97, and expenditures
of $102,000 and $115,000 for those years respectively.
     Executive Director of the POST Board John Laux is requesting
a deficiency allocation of more than $80,000 for FY 95 to cover
litigation costs.
     Discussion of the budgets will continue. The budget review
of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission is expected to be heard
at a future meeting.


Education
New education agency proposed
     The Education Funding Division, chaired by Sen. Lawrence
Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), reviewed a proposal to abolish the Dept.
of Education and replace it with another at the Tues., Jan. 31,
hearing.
     In the budget proposal, the governor recommended abolishing
the Dept. of Education and replacing it with the Dept. of
Children and Education Services, effective on July 1, 1996.  In
addition to carrying out the responsibilities of the Dept. of
Education, other service programs aimed at children and families
currently provided by other state agencies would be rolled into
the new agency.
     The purpose for establishing the new department, Minnesota
Planning Director Linda Kohl said, is to improve the delivery of
children and family services by placing the state's programs into
one organization.  She said the current organizational system is
seen as a barrier to the efficient delivery of those services.
     Kohl said the new agency would be responsible for three
functions - providing family and community services, basic
education, and career preparation programs.  To perform those
functions, the governor is recommending the transfer of more than
30 programs to the new department.  Among those programs are Head
Start and other early childhood education initiatives, child care
funding programs, several health-related services, violence
prevention efforts, and youth and training employment
initiatives.
     In general, most of the funding provided through those
programs is now awarded as grants, Kohl said.  By shifting the
programs from several agencies to one, distributing the funds
could be better coordinated at both the state and local levels,
she said.
     Several Senators expressed concerns that not all of the
state-funded programs that serve children and families, such as
Aid For Dependent Children (AFDC), were included among those that
would be shifted to the new department.  Maria Gomez,
commissioner of the Dept. of Human Services, said two issues may
prevent those programs from being included.  "Unlike the other
programs, AFDC is awarded as an individual entitlement," she
said, "It must be uniform in how it is handled, and it couldn't
be tailored by local communities to fit their programs."  She
added that the uncertain status of welfare reform at the state
and national levels also was an issue.
     The division was also given a brief overview of the Dept. of
Education's 1994 Performance Report.  The report, required by a
state law adopted in 1993, is to be linked to the agency's budget
document and provide information about the agency's performance
in carrying out its mission.  The report, presented by Deputy
Commissioner John Mercer and Bob Wedl, assistant commissioner,
sparked discussion on the nature of the Dept. of Education's
mission.  Additional discussion of the report is expected at
coming meetings.

Graduation rule discussed
     The State Board of Education's efforts to adopt and
implement a statewide graduation requirements rule was reviewed
by the Education Funding Division, chaired by Sen. Lawrence
Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), Thurs. morning, Feb. 2.
     Current state rules require students to attend a specified
number of courses and for a certain number of hours in order to
graduate, state board member Tom Lindquist, explained.  A state
board proposal would change the requirement.  Expectations are
that students entering ninth grade in the fall of 1996 will be
the first class that will be required to meet new graduation
requirements.
     The conditions that applied when the older rules were first
adopted have changed, said Lindquist.  Because today's students
will be working in a global economy, he said the schools must do
a better job of preparing them to do so.  "We need to focus on
results rather than seat time," he said.  "The new rules will
provide a safety net, that all students will graduate with the
skills they need to be productive members of society.  They will
also establish higher academic standards that students will need
to achieve."
     Iris McGinnis, the director of assessment for the Dept. of
Education, likened the graduation rule to a jigsaw puzzle.  She
said under the older requirements, schools districts were given
individual pieces and told to have their students assemble them
into a complete picture.  With the new requirements, she said the
graduations standards represent whole pictures and that the
districts will create the jigsaw puzzle their students will need
to assemble in order to graduate.
     McGinnis said that 60 graduation standards have been
developed and in order for a student to graduate from high
school, they will be required to meet 23 of those standards.  She
added that all students will be required to show that they have
mastered seven basic skills.
     She said the requirements will create an educational system
where the focus is on the schools and their efforts to teach
students, and will serve as a way for the state to pull back on
the mandates it has placed on school districts.
     McGinnis said the rules also reflect a national effort to
update the assumptions that were used to determine how curriculum
is prepared and delivered.  "The curriculum we use today is
basically the same we have used since 1920," she said, "All we
have done since then is add more information.  We need to adapt
to changed conditions and teach our students how to apply the
information we provide."
     In 1993, the Legislature appropriated $10 million to the
department to test how the graduation requirements would be
implemented using 14 pilot sites.  Reports on that work were
presented by Dave Greve of the Annandale School District, Don
Karlgaard from the Brainerd Schools District, and Linda Calendar
from Anoka-Hennepin.
     The governor has recommended a $15 million appropriation for
further development and implementation of the graduation rule. 
The division is expected to discuss the requirements as it
continues budget discussions.

Students react to budget
     Students representing each post-secondary education system
presented their views on how proposed budgets will affect higher
education to members of the Higher Education Division at its
Weds., Feb. 1, meeting.
     The students showed statistics on higher education spending
rates to support their request that Legislators increase funds to
post-secondary institutions and depend less on yearly tuition
increases. 
     Andrea Ruesch of the Minnesota State University Student
Association said the state has decreased higher education
spending from 15.5 percent in 1987 to 11.5 percent in the next
biennium as proposed by the governor. She said that represents a
decline in investment in one of Minnesota's valuable resources
and the future of the state.
     Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Minneapolis) asked if the
students thought closing an institution and laying off staff
would be a viable alternative to increasing tuition. Ruesch and
the others agreed that tough choices exist but creative ways
should be considered in order to continue to provide quality
higher education. Ruesch said much depends on the effectiveness
of the merger of the state universities and community and
technical colleges.
     In other business, the committee, chaired by LeRoy Stumpf
(DFL-Thief River Falls), heard a report from the Department of
Finance on the higher education budget. Detailed discussion will
continue.

Environment and Natural Resources
LCMR budget advances
     At a Thurs., Jan. 26, meeting, members of the Environment
and Natural Resources Finance Division unanimously approved a
bill that appropriates more than $33 million for 86 projects
related to environment management, education and preservation.
     The funds, overseen by the Legislative Commission on
Minnesota Resources (LCMR), allow municipalities and
organizations to apply for grants to fund various environment-
related projects. The grants are provided mostly through state
lottery proceeds and the cigarette tax, according to author of
the bill, Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota). The program is designed
to give local control over various environmental issues while
meeting state, regional and local environmental goals.
     Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) asked if there are any
restrictions in the application process that considers how
critical the projects are, and whether a state agency may be able
to or should fund a particular project. He suggested the LCMR
look at a project as something that would not be done but for the
availability of the grants.
     A section of the bill that divides any excess appropriations
to various project areas was struck. The bill advances to the
full Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Ethanol payments discussed
     A bill that changes provisions of the state subsidies for
ethanol production was heard during a Tues., Jan. 31, meeting of
the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division.
     Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota) presented S.F. 106, a bill
that phases out the blenders' credit and increases producers'
credits. Morse said the bill benefits Minnesota producers instead
of subsidizing out-of-state producers as the blenders' credit
does.
     The bill supports the state's goal that ethanol production
plants in the state produce 100 percent of the ethanol needed for
blending with gasoline, he said. It also limits how much the
state will subsidize a producer in both funding and quantity. The
latest the program will run is the year 2010 and the state will
not subsidize more than $30 million in a fiscal year, Morse said.
The subsidy cap of $30 million is increased from the current $10
million, he said, to help producers in long-range planning.
     Members debated the merits of subsidizing the state's
ethanol industry and whether more restrictions to subsidies
should be included in the bill.
     The bill had advanced to the division from the Agriculture
and Rural Development Committee; discussion will continue.

Ethics and Campaign Reform
Three bills to floor
     The Ethics and Campaign Reform Committee made quick work out
of three bills relating to elections at its meeting Tues., Jan.
31. The committee, chaired by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville)
approved Senate Files 168, 181, and 3, sending them onto the full
Senate.
     The first, S.F. 168, authored by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-
Duluth), allows minors to participate in simulated elections.
"The bill is permissive," Solon said, "and does not mandate
participation."
     Deputy Secretary of State Elaine Voss testified in support
of the bill, saying that it is an educational program that
increases awareness, particularly in the age group that shows the
least amount of voter participation: 18-24. "We're loosing a
whole generation of voters," Voss said, "and this is an
educationally sound program, that will stimulate voting."
     Two bills sponsored by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul)
were also referred to the floor. S.F. 181, a bill that allows
time off to vote in state legislative elections, was unanimously
approved by members.
     S.F. 3, a bill that allows persons who are not registered
members of either major political party to participate in
elections as judges, was also sent to the floor. "The bill opens
up the process significantly," Cohen said, "by allowing somebody
who is not a Democrat or Republican to serve as an election
judge."

Finance
Performance reports discussed
     A new process to indicate state agencies' performance was
reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Gene
Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids), at the Tues., Jan. 31, hearing.
     Legislative Auditor James Nobles presented the committee
with an overview of Performance Reporting, an effort that was
required of state agencies by legislation adopted in 1993.
     The intent of that legislation, Nobles said, is to separate
an agency's performance from the biennial budgeting process.  In
doing so, agencies are required to identify their mission, the
goals of the programs they operate and manage, and the objectives
that agencies intend to achieve through their programs.
     Nobles said 21 agencies are required to complete a
performance report each year.  The reports are submitted to the 
legislative auditor, who then comments on their content.
     One of the primary purposes for developing the reports,
Nobles said, is to provide legislators with basic information
about the programs that they are being asked to support through
the budget process.  He said that, by identifying specific
program measurements, lawmakers and the public will be able to
determine if a program actually does what it was intended to do.
     He said many agencies have been frustrated by the process,
and are having difficulty in identifying measurable objectives
for their programs.  "And many agencies are skeptical," he said.
"They are waiting to see if [the Legislature] actually uses the
reports in the budget process."
     Some members commented that the report is just one of many
that agencies issue, and they questioned the value of the
information.  Nobles agreed that agencies do provide ample
amounts of information.  "You don't need more data and more
reports," he said, "What you need is better data and better
reports."
     The committee also heard a brief report from Assistant
Commissioner Judy Johnson and Kurt Richberg of the Dept. of
Finance, who told the members that the department has developed
and is testing a computer software system that will assist state
agencies with their performance reports.  Richberg said the
software will maintain a database of all information, matched
with program goals and objectives, from each of the agencies. 
That information, he said, is expected to be available through
Internet in the early fall of 1995.
     In other business, the committee also approved S.F. 188,
authored by Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), allowing an
appropriation made by the Legislature in 1992 to be used to
relocate athletic fields near the new Brainerd college campus. 
     A provision in the 1992 capital budget bill prohibited the
use of state funds to relocate the athletic fields as part of a
project to build a joint technical and community college campus
in Brainerd.  Samuelson said that when funding was approved for
the project in the 1994 bonding bill, the intent was to repeal
the provision, but in the final version of the bill, the repealer
was omitted.  With construction of the new campus now begun, he
said passage of the bill will allow the contractors to complete
site preparation work while they still on the site.
     Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls) offered an
amendment, modifying portions of the language contained in the
1994 bonding bill, allowing the Community College System
additional flexibility in how they may use the appropriations
they were given to plan and design several projects.  The Stumpf
amendment was adopted and S.F. 188 was approved.  The measure now
goes to the Senate floor.

Agency budget review begins
     The State Government Division of the Senate Finance
Committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), began
its review of the governor's recommendations for the budgets of
state agencies at the Weds., Feb. 1, meeting.
     The division began its review of the budget proposals with
presentations from the State Board of Investment, the Office of
the State Treasurer, and the Office of the State Auditor.
     Howard Becker, executive director of the State Board of
Investment, told the division the governor is recommending the
board receive a general fund appropriation of $407,000 for fiscal
year (FY) 1996 and 1997.  The board's total budget request is
just more than $4 million for the biennium and Becker explained
that most of the revenue the board receives comes from
assessments billed against the statewide retirement and non-
general fund accounts for the investments it manages.
     Becker explained that the state board is responsible for
investment management of various public employee retirement and
trust funds, and cash accounts.  The total assets managed by the
board amount to more than $23 billion.
     State Treasurer Mike McGrath presented a budget request of
$4.95 million for the coming biennium to the division.  McGrath
said the State Treasurer's Office is responsible for monitoring
and verification of all money that goes in and out of state
government, as well as monitoring the receipt and disbursement of
state funding.
     He said one of the challenges facing the office is
monitoring electronic banking transactions, particular in how
welfare payments are disbursed.  McGrath said there are proposals
to permit recipients to use automatic teller machines to get
their payments. 
     The division also began their review of the budget proposal
from the Office of the State Auditor.  Judy Dutcher, State
Auditor, joined by Deputy Commissioners Deno Howard and Paul
Almirall, presented a budget request of $14.2 million for the
coming biennium and outlined the agency's responsibilities.
     The responsibility of the State Auditor, Howard said, is to
serve as the state's "watchdog," monitoring how county and local
governments are using their funds.  "When we do an audit," she
said, "We feel that we are there on behalf of the taxpayers to
see how their dollars are being used."
     Howard also discussed the office's responsibility to
investigate allegations of theft or fraud involving public funds,
the oversight they provide to the state's police and fire relief
associations, as well as research and informational duties.  The
division will continue to review the State Auditor's budget
request at a later meeting.

Gaming Regulation
Lottery overview
     The Gaming Regulation Committee, chaired by Sen. Charles
Berg (DFL-Chokio), reviewed the status of the state lottery
Tues., Jan. 31. George Anderson, director of the Minnesota State
Lottery, briefed members on details surrounding the operation.
"Our hope here today is to highlight for you what was in 1994,
and falling short of having a crystal ball, show you where we're
going in 1995."
     According to Anderson, fiscal year 1994 lottery sales
reached $331.5 million, due in large part to two record powerball
jackpots. Of that figure, almost $81 million was returned to the
state, 60 percent going to the general fund, and the remaining 40
percent allocated to the environment and natural resources trust
fund.
     Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls) told members that
citizens in his district are concerned about the projects that
lottery proceeds pay for. "People are tired of seeing this money
put into the general fund, when it was intended to go for game
and wildlife programs," Lessard said. He alerted members that he
will offer an amendment to recoup half of the 6.5 percent that is
presently allocated to the in-lieu-of-sales tax portion. "We're
talking about somewhere around $10 million dollars a year that
should be going to fish and game programs," Lessard added.
     Highlighting merits of the lottery, which is self-
supporting, Anderson said that it collects monies owed to the
state by withholding prize dollars from winners who have
outstanding debts. Specifically, $150,654 was collected in back
taxes and child support.
     Anderson said that the projected budget for next year is $41
million dollars, and pointed out that the self-imposed figure is
less than the $44 million dollars that it is allowed. "It is a
matter of fiscal prudence," he said, "which lets us cover the
increasing cost of doing business, absorb any mandated salary
increases, and respond to new legislation--such as funding the
study of compulsive gambling," Anderson said.
     Turning to the issue of video gaming, Senators asked
questions surrounding the security of the endeavor, the costs and
the benefits. Berg asked how long it would take to get video
gaming on-line, in the event that a test period and area were to
be designated. "It would depend on the number of counties
involved," Anderson said, "but somewhere between six to eight
months." 
     Sen. Kenric Scheevel (IR-Preston) raised questions about the
security breeches, especially with the prevalence of creative
computer hackers. Anderson said that there are numerous checks in
place to insure the machine's safety and the game's integrity.
"It is a priority to maintain public confidence at all times,"
Anderson said.
     The confirmation hearings of appointees to the Gambling
Control Board were postponed until further notice.

Governmental Operations and Veterans
Rule-making process discussed
     Two views of the process used to develop state rules were
presented to the Senate Governmental Operations and Veterans
Committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul) and
the House Governmental Operations Committee, chaired by Rep.
Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls.), during a joint meeting of the two
legislative panels, Fri., Jan. 27.
     In recent sessions, several proposals have been introduced
to alter the state's rule-making process.  The members of the
committees learned that new proposals are being prepared for
introduction this session.
     One expert recommended wholesale changes to the process. 
"The Minnesota system is one of the most technical, rock-strewn,
complicated schemes for rule-making in the entire country," said
Arthur Bonfield, an administrative law professor at the
University of Iowa.
     Bonfield said that the system that the state uses for
establishing its rules is "over-judicialized."  He argued that
because all rule-making hearings are required to be on-the-
record, public comment on the proposed rules is impeded.  "You
tend to want to conduct hearings like judicial hearings when they
should be more like legislative hearings," he said. 
     He said the current rule-making process seems to place more
reliance on the views of "technocrats," state agency officials
who specialize in an area of expertise.  While arguing that state
rules must have input from experts, it is the wishes of the "body
politic," the general public as represented by its elected
officials, that should determine if a rule is adopted.
     State rules most often delineate how agencies will implement
the programs and policies that are directed by legislative
action.  There are practical reasons why legislatures should
leave some policy-making abilities up to agencies through rule-
making, Bonfield said.  "You don't have the time and staff to
make all the decisions," he said, "and you don't have the
expertise for specificity."
     He said that when lawmakers require agencies to adopt rules
needed to implement specific programs, they should clearly
specify the objectives the program is intended to meet.
     Melvin Goldberg, a professor at the William Mitchell College
of Law, told the members that he agreed the Minnesota rule-making
process was unique.  But he argued that wholesale changes to the
system are not necessarily needed.
     "The current system is much more reflective of legislative
intent," he said, "It does indeed provide an opportunity for
everyone to see a rule before it takes effect and to comment on
it."
     Having served as an administrative law judge for a number of
rule-making hearings, Goldberg said the process does encourage
public input.  "An interesting thing occurs at a rule hearing,"
he said, "The public does come forth and has exchanges with
agency staff about the rules.  What happens at these hearings
gives the public a greater sense that there is openness in
government processes."
     Goldberg encouraged legislators to consider avoiding changes
to the process that may inadvertently increase the potential for
litigation in how rules are established.  "There is a better
chance for catching mistakes in our system by allowing on-the-
record hearings to take place," Goldberg said.
     Further discussion of proposals to change the rule-making
process is expected later this session.

Innovation reports given
     The work of a state board charged with improving local
government service delivery was reviewed by the Governmental
Operations and Veterans Committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen
(DFL-South St. Paul), at their hearing Tues., Jan. 31.
     The committee heard a report on the activities of the Board
of Government Innovation and Cooperation from Jim Gelbmann, the
board's executive director.  He said that the main purposes of
the board are to provide incentives to help local governments to
be innovative and cooperative in the delivery of their services
and to remove state-imposed barriers that local governments may
face in providing services.
     The board, created by the Legislature two years ago,
represents "a bold initiative," Gelbmann said.  "It showed that
the state was willing to enter into partnerships with local
governments in an effort to improve the quality of services," he
said.
     Since its inception, Gelbmann said the board has awarded
more than $3.2 million in grants to local governments for pilot
projects that alter how those local governments do business.  The
state's involvement has been crucial, he said.  "It is unfair for
local governments to assume all of the risks for trying to
implement new ideas," Gelbmann said.  "By providing some
incentives, the state assumes part of the responsibility for
those new ideas."
     Two projects that were funded by the board were featured at
the hearing.  Wilkin County Commissioner Audrey Krebs told of
their county-wide project involving county government, the nine
cities and two school districts in her county.  She said the
county received a $25,000 grant for a program involving high
school students who provide public services that local
governments cannot afford.  
     Krebs said the students, who earn academic credit for their
efforts, have provided programs for children, worked with elderly
residents, helped run a crisis intervention line, and identified
wells that need to be sealed.  Five students involved in the
program - Dana Miranowski, Jared Miller, Amy Byars, Heather
Zimmerman and Jodi Harrington - told the members of their
particular projects.
     Roberta Anderson, Norwood city administrator, said her city
has begun efforts to combine their public services with those
offered by the adjoining community of Young America.  The effort
was awarded a $48,000 grant to support the planning that has
begun.  Anderson said this effort is being guided by a steering
committee and several issue area committees who are addressing
the concerns that caused earlier merger efforts to fail.  She
said the grant is being used to help cover the costs for legal
and planning assistance throughout the process.
     The incentives program is an important part of the board's
work, Gelbmann said, but he felt their most important
responsibility is to help local governments get around procedural
barriers by granting waivers to rules.
     Cheri Merritt of the Hennepin County Elderly and Disabled
Assistance Division told the committee of a waiver the county
received from an income reporting requirement.  Under Medical
Assistance rules, individuals are required to report any changes
to their income every six months.  She said the waiver exempts
individuals on fixed incomes from having to file a report, which
simplifies the process for those individuals. 
     Ellen Larson, Lake of the Woods County Auditor, told of two
waivers her county received.  The first allows the county auditor
and county treasurer to eliminate duplication of delinquent taxes
information.  The other waiver, she said, exempts the county from
having to publish its financial report in two newspapers, and
specifies that competitive bidding be used in designating which
is the legal newspaper.  Because the county only has two papers,
the waiver requires that when the statement is run, the other
paper contain an advertisement noting the publication.  The
waiver saved the county about $5,000 in costs, Larson said.

Customer service profiled
     The Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee, chaired
by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), completed its review
of state government innovation, Weds., Feb. 2, with a report on
the efforts of the Dept. of Revenue to improve customer services.
     Assistant Commissioner Dwight Lahti told the committee the
Dept. of Revenue has been talking about service levels for some
time.  "We began to find that we were talking about service out
of one corner of our mouths," he said, "but the results of our
outcomes were not indicating that we were doing customer
service."  He said several efforts have begun over the past five
years that are improving how the agency serves its customers.
     Stan Marchio, a Taxpayer Service Representative, said that
before 1994, only about 47 percent of all calls being made by
people with questions about their state income taxes were
actually being answered.  
     He said the department started asking customers what they
wanted and found that most are calling to request tax forms,
check on the status of their refund, or ask a specific question. 
Marchio said that by implementing a voice mail system, callers
could automatically order forms or check on refunds.  Additional
agency staff from the department's audit division were then
trained to handle the other calls during peak periods of the
year. "We were able to get our response rate up to 89 percent,"
he said.  Additional changes, based on customer suggestions, have
been made such as clarifying details on the tax forms and by
extending the availability of service representatives by adding
evening and weekend hours, Marchio said.
     Diane Nelsen of the department's Audit Division explained
efforts to instill a customer focus in the division.  She said a
customer survey was first conducted in 1991, despite the
resistance from the auditors in the agency.  "We found that
people are more reasonable than we expected," she said, "and that
we thought the audits were educational for taxpayers.  But the
results showed we were much weaker in that area than we thought." 
As a result, she said more effort is being placed on providing
service to the customers throughout the audit process.
     Lahti also discussed the on-site inspections of the agency's
customer service efforts performed by individuals from outside
the department.  "We are not in pursuit of any award," he said,
"That takes some of the pressure off during these inspections."
     He added that the atmosphere in the department has changed
because of their efforts.  "Five years ago you would never hear
anyone even whisper the word "customer"," he said.  "Today you
hear it throughout the department."
     "We still have a long ways to go," he concluded, "This
doesn't happen overnight, and it has taken some time to get the
notion of customer into the organization, but it is happening."

Health Care
Medical Practice Board bill heard
     Responding to the need for mostly technical changes
regarding the Board of Medical Practice, Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-
Austin) explained S.F. 95, a housekeeping bill, in the Health
Care Committee Thurs., Jan. 26.  
     The bill contains several provisions, including changes in
the licensing requirements for foreign applicants and allowing
the board to approve the cancellation of credentials.  Provisions
also add to the grounds for disciplinary actions, allow the board
to suspend credentials and to require a mental or physical
examination of regulated persons.  In addition, the bill extends
civil immunity and makes changes in the registration of physical
therapists.
     Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy) expressed concern about the
licensing requirements for foreign applicants, saying that the
changes may exclude foreign doctors from practicing.  The
proposed changes require that a foreign medical graduate must
complete a two year accredited graduate training program in the
United States, U.S. territories or Canada, or must complete one
year of the training program and must have practiced for five
years without disciplinary action in the U.S., U.S. terrritories
or Canada.  Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) concurred with
Vickerman, stating that the bill defines a qualified physician
too narrowly, and is "not in the best interest of rural health
access."  
     Leonard Boche, director of the Medical Practices Board,
explained that the requirements are a response to situations in
which a physician's qualifications cannot be judged and training
and disciplinary actions cannot be verified.  "There is a very
delicate balance" between assuring minimum requirements and the
need for providing service in rural areas, Boche acknowledged,
but "this is the only mechanism we have to determine minimum
standards."  The bill was laid over.
     The committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.)
also heard the Department of Health's presentation on the
anesthesia practices study.  Mary Kennedy  explained that
services are provided by both an anesthesiologist and a certified
registered nurse anesthetist, generally in a team care approach. 
The study found that the team approach is the most cost effective
and provides the highest quality of service, as shown by the very
low patient risk factor.

Governor's budget presented
     The Health Care Committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin
(DFL-Mpls.), heard the governor's budget recommendations for the
Dept. of Health and Human Services on Weds., Feb. 1.
     The Dept. of Health recommendations for the upcoming
biennium total $76 million from the general fund and $32 million
from the state government special revenue fund.  The agency's
plan includes improvements to health quality assurance, health
protection, support services, and the development of health
systems.   
     Elizabeth Quam, assistant commissioner of the Dept. of
Health, outlined the proposals within the department.  Quam
described plans for a home care licensure program increase and
the health facilities licensure program.  The program increase of
$115,000 in 1996 and $125,000 in 1997 would allow for compliance
activities without a fee increase.  Quam explained that home care
providers are "the fastest growing segment in the health care
industry," and that currently the department administers the
licensing for 55 percent more providers than projected.  The
increase is needed in order to offer appropriate assistance and
inspections in a field where there are many inexperienced
providers, Quam said.
     The requested funds for health care facility license fees
decreased by $2.7 million for 1996 and $3.7 million for 1997. 
The decrease is in response to a 1993 fee increase used to
recover a deficit.  Quam explained that the deficit has been
reduced, and that the requested funds will support regulatory
activity through new staff positions.
     Christine Rice of the Health Protection Program explained
the role of the program to members, noting that the program
oversees disease prevention, environmental health and public
health.  Among the governor's recommendations in the program are
a fee increase in the food, beverage and lodging inspection
program, generating $175,000 annually.  Rice said that the new
fee schedule would better reflect the risk assessments and time
devoted to a particular facility.  Rice also noted that the
Health Protection Program, which monitors infectious diseases in
the state, is discussing payment options for the meningitis
vaccinations given recently in Mankato, but no policy has been
determined.
     Committee members heard recommendations for the Dept. of
Human Services, outlined by Shirley Patterson.  Patterson
described the Life Skills Self Sufficiency Initiative, which
provides a variety of social and long term support services.  The
purpose of the initiative is to improve access, increase consumer
choice and allow more tailoring to individual needs and
abilities, Patterson said.  The initiative includes an increased
appropriation of $335,000 in 1996 to test and implement
alternative quality assurance approaches for persons requiring
ongoing care.  The approaches will include peer review models,
client feedback, local quality assurance and service planning
approaches.  Patterson explained that the recommendations also
include an appropriation of $2 million to establish developmental
disabilities pilots to streamline requirements, shift purchasing
of services to the local level, and provide increased consumer
choice in nontraditional services.  The pilots focus on
integration and the establishment of a single set of standards
and procedures for developmental disability services, said
Patterson.  Berglin expressed concern about the cost of the
programs and the expected outcomes.  Discussion will continue.

Health budget discussed
     Convening to consider the governor's budget recommendations,
the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division met Weds.,
Feb. 1.  Biennial budget recommendations total $190.9 million
annually for the Dept. of Health.  Ann Barry of the Dept. of
Health outlined the agency's strategies, focusing on assessment
of the health of populations, policy development and planning,
and assurance that appropriate activities are carried out.
     Tom Maloy, director of the department's finance and
administration area, explained that currently 54 percent of the
department's $190.6 million resources come from the federal
government.  The department allocates 53 percent of its total
expenditures to grants, Maloy said.
     Elizabeth Quam, assistant commissioner, outlined the
proposals within the health systems development area.  Within the
area are three services in which recommendations are made by the
governor, including the family health activities.  Quam noted
that 87 percent of the family health activity resources are
allocated to special project grants.  Currently a grant is
requested for $300,000 for a women's health initiative to promote
and improve the health status of women through health advocacy,
research and dissemination of information.  Another request is a
transfer of services to a newly created Dept. of Children and
Education Services.  Quam said that the transfer would improve
coordination and integration of services for children and their
families.
     Regarding community health services, an increase of $590,000
over the next two years is recommended for reengineering the
state's records system.  The development of a computer network
system enhances efficiency and customer service, Quam said.
     The health care delivery policy activity exists to monitor
the rate of growth of health care spending, and improve the
quality and access of health care services.  Recommendations
within this activity include the suspension of the regulated all-
payer option (RAPO) fee schedule development.  The suspension
reduces expenditures by $348,000 annually.  RAPO provides a
standardized uniform reimbursement system to control spending for
all health care services outside Community Integrated Service
Networks (CISN) and ISNs.  Quam explained that since few
Minnesotans are likely to participate in RAPO in the near future
and statewide cost containment goals are currently being met,
that the rate setting component should be suspended.

Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Wind equipment tax exemption
     The Thurs., Jan. 26, meeting of the Jobs, Energy and
Community Development Subcommittee on Energy and Public Utilities
provided an opportunity to air the arguments on both sides of the
controversy surrounding the property tax exemption for wind
conversion equipment. No bill was before the Senators.
     The subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North
Branch), heard first from Tim Seck of Kenetech Windpower, Inc.
Seck testified that the company is not in a position to absorb
tax on the existing 25 megawatt Buffalo Ridge wind conversion
plant near Lake Benton in Lincoln County. Seck said that
Kenetech's bid for the plant assumed that no taxes would be
applied to the plant because of the 1991 law that exempted such
facilities from taxation.  He also said that under the current
agreement, his company, not NSP or rate payers, would be
responsible for paying any taxes assessed on the plant.  Seck
said that the bidding process for NSP's current request for 100
additional megawatts is complicated by the uncertainty about
whether the exemption will be continued.     
     Mary Peterson, Lincoln County Commissioner, and Jack Keers,
Pipestone County Commissioner, testified in favor of taxing parts
of the equipment. Peterson pointed out that Lincoln County
provides services such as roads, emergency services and services
of the county engineer to the existing plant and should receive
some tax revenue from it. Peterson outlined a proposal under
which, for the first five years, the tax would be based on the
pads or foundations on which wind conversion equipment is placed,
and from the sixth year on, the tax would be based on the pad or
foundation and the towers.
     Keers testified that taxing only a portion of the present
and future wind plants would have an impact on taxes in the rest
of the county and could affect the county's ability to attract
economic development.
     Representatives from the New World Power Corporation, the
Sustainable Resources Center, the American Wind Energy
Association, and the Institute for Local Self Reliance also
testified on wind energy-related matters.

Housing issues discussed
     The issue of providing affordable housing provided the focus
for the Tues., Jan. 31, meeting of the Jobs, Energy and Community
Development Subcommittee on Economic Development and Housing. 
The panel, chaired by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), heard
an overview, by Commissioner Kit Hadley, of the Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency and heard summaries of two reports dealing with
affordable housing.
     Hadley said that the two main objectives of the agency are
to enable Minnesotans to have decent affordable housing and to
aid in building communities.  Hadley said that the agency is one
of the top five financial institutions in the state and that for
the 1994-95 biennium, the agency's Affordable Housing Plan
includes funding for nearly 50 programs totaling $911.6 million. 
The agency is governed by a seven member board of directors and
is organized in two major program divisions and three major
support divisions.  The program divisions are Single Family and
Multi-Family. Hadley also pointed out that although the agency is
a state agency, most of the funds used to operation the agency
and to provide loans come from sources other than state
appropriations.
     Hadley also provided an outline of the governor's housing
initiative. The initiative provides for an addition $15 million
to be used in four existing programs to meet the housing needs
associated with economic development.  The initiative earmarks $4
million for the Homeownership Assistance Fund; $7.8 million for
the Affordable Rental Investment Fund; $3 million for the
Community Rehabilitation Fund; and, $200,000 for the Capacity
Building Grant Program.  Hadley said that job creation in Greater
Minnesota is handicapped by the lack of affordable housing in
Greater Minnesota.  
     Hadley also said that the agency is emphasizing the creation
of affordable housing in the suburbs and Greater Minnesota and
emphasizing the rehabilitation of housing stock in the central
cities in an effort to lessen the concentration of low income
housing in the central cities.
     Members also heard brief summaries of two reports relating
to low-income and affordable housing in suburban areas.  Barbara
Lukermann, of the Humphrey Institute, outlined conclusions in a
recent land use practices and low-income housing study. 
Lukermann said that the report concluded that the communities
studied did not deliberately discriminate against people needing
low-income housing but that the communities did not go out of
their way to provide low and moderate income housing.  The study
also found that families base housing location choices on several
factors, such as family relationships, in addition to
availability of housing stock.  Lukermann said that zoning and
regulatory policies, while not deliberately discriminatory, do
restrict access to housing.  Other factors that may act as
barriers include high property taxes, tight municipal budgets,
demographics, higher land prices and concern over maintaining
quality, said Lukermann.
     Mayor Joy Tierney, of Plymouth, along with Bob Renner and
Cindy Thomas representing the Municipal Legislative Commission,
presented a summary of another study on affordable housing. 
According to Thomas the debate over suburban low and moderate
income housing has not examined what's driving the need for
affordable housing.   In addition, Thomas said that the debate
has also failed to examine the differing kinds of needs for
housing and the resulting mass transit needs.  Tierney said that
the major barrier in her community was the cost of land. 
Discussion of affordable housing issues will continue.

Utility rate bills advance
     Three bills were advanced during the Weds., Feb. 1, meeting
of the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee.  The
committee, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton),
approved all three measures.  Most of the debate centered on a
provision in S.F. 65, authored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St.
Paul).  The bill eliminates the sunset on the authority for the
approval of area development rate plans for new and expanding
business customers in a defined development area.  In addition,
the measure expands the definition of utility to include gas
utilities, includes the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation
Board under the definition of authority and allows a utility to
recover the costs of the area development discount rate in  the
setting of general rates by the Public Utilities Commission. 
Debate focused on the provision allowing the utility to recover
the costs of the discount from all ratepayers.  For the five
years the program has been in operation, recovery of costs was
limited to the customers who benefitted from the plans.  Sen.
Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch) and Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St.
Paul) said that they were concerned that residential customers
would end up bearing the burden of the discount.  Ken Stabler,
representing NSP, said that over the course of the last year the
plan would have only added 2 cents to the average residential
bill.  However, Johnson said that the potential for increasing
the burden on residential customers could come in the future. 
After considerable debate, Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear
Lake), offered an amendment that prohibits the recovery of costs
from residential customers.  The amendment was adopted.  The bill
was approved and sent to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 44, authored by Novak, extends the deadline for a
report from the Legislative Electric Energy Task Force from Feb.
1, 1995 to Sept. 15, 1995.  Novak said that the report is
required by the Prairie Island legislation enacted last year, but
because the task force had not yet hired an executive director,
it was necessary to delay the report.  The bill was approved and
recommended for the Consent Calendar.
     The third measure gaining committee approval was S.F. 213,
abolishing the sunset provisions related to competitive rates for
electric utilities.   The measure, sponsored by Sen. Douglas
Johnson (DFL-Cook), makes permanent the PUC's authority to
approve plans for competitive electric utility rates when a
regulated utility is trying to retain a large customer.  Sen.
Janet Johnson questioned whether the approval of competitive
rates was effectively preventing the development of cogeneration. 
Scott Bracket, of the Dept. of Public Service, agreed that the
development of cogeneration might be delayed but said that the it
would still be development.  The bill was approved and sent to
the full Senate.

Cold Weather Rule discussed
     The Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee on
Energy and Public Utilities met Thurs., Feb. 2, to hear testimony
regarding Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule.  The rule provides
protection against utilities' shutting off customers main heat
source during the winter.  The panel, chaired by Sen. Janet
Johnson (DFL-North Branch), heard testimony from representatives
of consumers and utilities.
     Pam Marshall, representing the Energy Cents Coalition,
testified that protection against utility shut-offs should be the
first priority.  Instead, she said, the Cold Weather Rule, places
the entire burden of applying for protection on the customer. 
Marshall pointed to Wisconsin's Cold Weather Rule legislation as
a model that Minnesota should emulate in protecting low income
customers from utility disconnections.  Deb Smith, representing
the Public Utilities Commission, said that the goal of the rule
is provide options to protect households from shut-offs of their
primary heat source.  She also pointed out that the rule only
applies to regulated utilities in Minnesota.  According to Smith,
there are four types of protection a customer may apply for: the
setting up of payment plans, a 10 percent plan, an inability to
pay plan and a reconnection plan.  In order to participate in the
10 percent plan and the inability to pay plan, customers must
agree to participate in a budget counseling program.  In
addition, customers may also designate a third party to help in
applying for protection.  Smith said that the PUC has recently
participated in the initiation of low income rates to make
utility costs more affordable for low income users.  Finally,
Smith said that most of the 5,000 customers who were disconnected
had not applied for protection under the Cold Weather Rule.
     Several representatives of utility companies that are not
covered by the Cold Weather Rule also testified before the
subcommittee.  Most testified that, although they were not
covered by the rule, they had taken steps to initiate budget
plans or other plans to help customers avoid disconnections.

Judiciary
Human rights 
     A proposal to extend the statute of limitations for filing a
unfair discriminatory practice claim was presented to the Senate
Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.),
Mon., Jan. 30.
     The committee, meeting for the first time this session, also
approved three other bills and sent them to the Senate floor for
further consideration.
     Under the provisions of S.F. 57, sponsored by Sen. John
Marty (DFL-Roseville), an individual who may have been subject to
an unfair discriminatory practice would have up to two years from
when that practice occurred to file a claim under the state's
Human Rights Act.  Current law limits the filing of claims to up
to one year from when the unfair practice allegedly occurred.
     The bill, Marty told the committee, would also prohibit an
employer from asking a prospective employee for information about
any complaints or charges of unfair discrimination that have been
filed.  The measure also limits the discovery and admission of
certain evidence in sexual harassment claims, requiring that
evidence is admissible only after a substantial showing is made
that the evidence is material and relevant.
     Marty said the statute of limitations change allows those
who feel they have been subject to discrimination more time to
file a claim than the law now provides.  In some instances,
employees may feel that they cannot file a claim, out of fear
that doing so would cost them their job, Marty said.  Other
times, he added, individuals are unable to file a claim for some
time after the incident has taken place because it was a
traumatic experience.  "Extending the statute of limitations
would give them a chance to have their day in court," Marty said.
     Robert Reinhart of the Minnesota Employment Law Council
expressed his group's opposition to the bill and to extending the
statute of limitations in particular.  "Because of the unique
nature of these complaints, employers need to know about the
claims on the condition of their work places as quickly as
possible," he said, adding that extending the statute of
limitations is inconsistent with the intent of the rest of the
human rights laws.
     Ken Nikoli of the Dept. of Human Rights also expressed
concerns on the Marty proposal.  He told the committee that
extending the statute of limitations may open the door for an
increase in the number of claims filed.  He said the department
would need additional resources to handle the added load.  The
committee set aside the proposal until their Feb. 6 meeting.
     In other action, the committee approved S.F. 75, authored by
Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), clarifying that a mechanics'
lien, filed against registered land by a contractor seeking
payment for improvements made to that property, is to be filed
with the county's registrar of titles.
     Betzold said the bill is based on a recent Appellate Court
ruling that overturned a lower court decision awarding a payment
to a contractor for their work on a property.  While the
contractor followed state law by filing a lien for payment
against the certificate of title with the county recorder, the
court ruled that because there was a certificate of title, and
not an abstract title, the lien should have been filed with
registrar of titles.  By specifying where mechanic's liens are to
be filed, Betzold said this situation should not occur again. 
The bill was approved and sent to the Consent Calendar.
     S.F. 77, clarifying the time limits for court action to be
taken under the new motor vehicle warranties law, was also
approved and sent to the Senate floor.  Current law allows a
consumer who purchases a new vehicle from a dealer to file a
complaint against the dealer in the event of a problem with the
vehicle.  Betzold, the bill's author, said the consumer can seek
to settle the complaint with the dealer through arbitration, but
if that settlement is unsatisfactory to either party, they may
seek to have the settlement removed in court.
     Betzold said the bill specifies that if the consumer
prevailed in the settlement, the dealer has 30 days from the date
of the decision to file a claim in court seeking to have the
settlement overturned.  If the the consumer does not prevail, the
consumer has six months to file a claim.
     After some discussion, the bill was amended to specify which
of the parties would be aggrieved by the decision.  The committee
adopted the amendment and approved the bill.
     In other action, the committee also approved S.F. 74,
sponsored by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), sending
it to the Consent Calendar.  The measure, Reichgott Junge
explained, makes technical corrections to several laws that were
adopted in 1994.

Information policy discussed
     The Joint Judiciary and Crime Prevention Subcommittee on
Privacy met Weds., Feb. 1, to hear two reports dealing with
information policy.
     The first report, required by legislation that was enacted
in 1993, was an update on the Children's Information Management
Redesign Project.  Eileen McCormack, project director, began by
outlining the general information resource needs that had to be
met in order to integrate children's services data.  However, the
panel, co-chaired by Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake) and
Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), questioned whether the report was
actually the report required by the legislation.  Sen. Gene
Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids), said that the draft report simply
restated the problem that the legislation had already identified. 
Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) agreed and said "There is no
sense of what has been accomplished and what the timelines are in
this report."  Kiscaden also said, "This report is not a list of
what we need to have for a database; it is a list of reasons why
we don't have a database."
     The subcommittee then heard an Information Policy Training
and Professional Development Plan, presented by Kent Eklund, of
the Cincinnatus Group.  The plan was requested by the Dept. of
Administrations Information Policy Office, in order to determine
the training needs of state and local government employees in the
implementation of laws relating to public information policy. 
According to Eklund, the report has two major recommendations:
initiate a comprehensive data practices training and professional
development plan and appoint a legislative study commission to
review and modify data practices laws.

Metropolitan and Local Government
Overviews continue
     The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and the
Association of Metropolitan Municipalities presented overviews to
the Metropolitan and Local Government Committee Thurs., Jan. 26.
The committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy),
listened while representatives of each group outlined their
agendas for the 1995 Legislative Session.
     Diane Koebele, of Flaherty & Koebele, highlighted the goals
and policies of the Association. Besides opposing cuts in Local
Government Aid and Homestead and Agricultural Credit Aid, the
Association wants limits placed on MPCA water permit fees,
annexation reform and changes in the municipal board process.
     Mayor Larry Buboltz of Detroit Lakes said that certain
issues and cuts in financial aid that may go unnoticed in larger
regions can present big problems in rural Minnesota due to the
small size of communities. Pointing to annexation difficulties he
said, "it pits friends against friends, neighbors against
neighbors." Buboltz said that reductions in funding are hard felt
in a community like Detroit Lakes. "For us, that $59,000 cut
means that we have to close our library, or we can't hire the
extra police that we take on during the summer."
     Sen. Martha Robertson (IR-Minnetonka) acknowledged that
cities will be facing financial challenges as a result of fiscal
policy tightening, but she pointed out that it is not just one
city being affected. "Every city gets some money from LGA and
HACA," Robertson said, "and everybody lost some this year."
Instead, Robertson urged cities to look forward with a positive
and creative attitude. "Fear doesn't help get us anywhere."
     Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon) said that every entity has
to look at the big picture, not just its specific corner. "The
pie was shrunk, and everybody's going to have to take a little
bit less," he said.
     "Hopefully as a state, we'll all be winners," said Sen.
Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan).
     Roger Peterson, executive director of the Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities, briefly outlined the organization's
priorities. Along with opposition to LGA and HACA cuts, urban
revitalization and transportation top the list of 1995 concerns.
Saying that transportation issues are paramount, Peterson said,
"we can't just keep adding more ribbons of highways or twenty
years from now we'll be scratching our heads wondering how we're
going to get to the Capitol to do our business."
     Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato) said that while examining
what monies have been shifted or cut, it is essential for
everyone to be flexible. "We need to be willing to look at new
approaches," Hottinger said.

Rules and Administration
Mileage policy change adopted
     The Rules and Administration Committee, chaired by Sen.
Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine), met Thurs., Feb. 2, to consider several
matters.  Members adopted a change to the policy on mileage that
would allow members who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol
to be reimbursed for commuting expenses between their homes and
the Capitol rather than being reimbursed for the expense of an
apartment in St. Paul.  The committee also approved a resolution
authorizing Senate Counsel to take any steps necessary to
represent the interests of the Senate in any court actions
involving the allocation of space in the Capitol.  Moe said that
negotiations with the governor and the other body were nearly
complete and that the resolution might not be needed but that the
committee needed to adopt the resolution in the event it was
needed. Finally, members approved changes to the employee roster
for both temporary and permanent employees.  

Taxes and Tax Laws
Budget overview heard
     The Taxes and Tax Laws Committee devoted the entire Tues.,
Jan. 31, meeting to discussion of the governor's proposed budget
for the next biennium.  The panel, chaired by Sen. Douglas
Johnson (DFL-Cook), heard presentations from Finance Commissioner
Laura King and Revenue Commissioner Matt Smith.  King emphasized
that the budget proposal contains no state taxes increases and no
non-property local tax increases.  She said that the proposal
also contains a $17 million net reduction in fees and other
revenues.  King also emphasized that the proposal advances the
governor's priorities in the areas of K-12 education, corrections
and children and families.  King said, "We have taken a lot of
steam from state spending," and that spending will increase at a
slower rate than in the past.  However, King said there will be
increases in education finance, criminal justice, human
development and higher education to reflect the high priority
given those areas.
     King and Smith also detailed the plan to eliminate and
combine numerous aids and credits into County Homestead Block
Grants.  The budget proposal outlines a mechanism by which local
government Aid Distribution Councils would allocate the block
grants to the various levels of government.  Committee members
questioned the equity of the proposal, citing the disparate sizes
and powers of various local government entities.
     Members raised questions about the effect of federal actions
on the state budget.  King said that there were two major areas
of uncertainty in the budget proposal: the impact of federal
actions on the state and the exact size of the Cambridge bank
settlement.  The federal actions that could affect the budget
include not only the balanced budget amendment and welfare reform
but the anticipated raise in interest rates, King said.
     Johnson, in his remarks, also pointed out that the current
budget proposal will result in a budget deficit in the 1998-99
biennium and called for a bipartisan effort to address the root
causes of the problems in the next biennial budget.

Transportation and Public Transit
Bills advanced
     The Transportation and Public Transit Committee, chaired by
Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake) convened Tues., Jan.
31, and heard presentations of four bills.
     Sen. Joe Bertram (DFL-Paynesville) authored S.F. 33, a bill
that allows some people applying for drivers licenses to wear
headwear in photographs. The bill permits people with hair loss
due to illness or injury to wear headwear, such as wigs or
turbans, in a drivers license or identification card, as long as
the headwear does not obscure the face. The bill advanced to the
Senate.
     Bertram also presented a bill that makes it unlawful to
erect or maintain a driveway headwall in a highway right-of-way,
except as allowed by permit. The bill specifically addresses
permanent walls constructed around culverts in drainage ditches.
According to Bertram, some headwalls are considered a hazard if a
vehicle would run off the road and into a ditch. After some
discussion, the bill was set aside.
     Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy) sponsored S.F. 42, a bill
that removes the sunset provision on a law that defines a
recreational vehicle combination as a pickup truck attached to a
camper-trailer, which tows a trailer carrying a watercraft. The
sunset provision was included in the original statute to allow
for review, Vickerman said. The bill advances to the Senate.
     Sen. Mark Ourada (IR-Buffalo) offered a bill designating a
bridge near Elk River connecting Highway 101 in Wright County to
Highway 169 in Sherburne County over the Mississippi River as the
Betty Adkins Bridge.
     According to Ourada, the communities had sought replacement
of the bridge for several years, and eventually raised $100,000
to fund the project. Adkins, a state senator at the time, had
supported the community effort for the project. 
     Some members questioned the naming of a bridge after a
person who is still alive, and others wondered if there were
political aspects to be considered. 
     After amending the bill to ensure the cost of the name
plaque is paid for by the communities, it was advanced to the
Senate.

Future of telecommuting discussed
     Members of the Transportation and Public Transit Committee
heard a presentation on encouraging telecommuting as a way to
reduce traffic congestion and transit costs, increase the quality
of the environment, and restructure a community's economic base.
     At the Weds., Feb. 1, meeting, President of Tele-Commuters
Resources Inc. John Sanger presented a report on developing a
telecommuting deployment strategy in Minnesota.
     The role of telecommuting touches on a variety of issues
facing many communities, Sanger said, including environment,
economics, and quality of life. Currently, some 20 percent of the
state's work force conducts their work in their home using home
computers, modems and fax machines at least some of the time; 17
percent telecommute at least two days a week.
     Sanger said to encourage more telecommuters, communities
need to lower the zoning restrictions present in most cities that
prohibit businesses in residential areas.
     The committee, chaired by Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-
Sturgeon Lake) also heard testimony from the administration of
the Annual Alternative Fuel Permit Program supporting
restructuring of the permitting process. 
     Jack Wildes of the Motor and Vehicle Services Division
explained that some of the users of alternative fuel, such as
propane or natural gas, are complaining about the law. He said
1994 legislation changed the fee structure and makes some user
fees excessive, especially for individuals who use alternative
fuel pickup trucks or vans. Wildes also said enforcement of the
permits is difficult.
     David and Diana Leivestad, who have been in the alternative
fuel business since the 1970s, suggested changing the law so it
wouldn't negatively target individual users of alternative fuel
vehicles. A system that charged by mileage would be more fair
than the flat rate permit fees, Diana Leivestad said.

Preview - Meetings scheduled for the week of February 6 - 10

Monday, February 6

The Senate will meet at 11 a.m.

Agriculture and Rural Development Committee
Chair: Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr.
12 noon Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: The PCA, DNR, and the Department of Agriculture will
discuss department policy and procedures on agriculture-related
areas of oversight.

Judiciary Committee
Chair: Sen. Carol Flynn
12 noon Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: S.F. 57-Marty: Statute of limitations for certain human
rights act violations. S.F. 7-Cohen: Raising tort liability
limits for claims against Metro Council transit operations. S.F.
230-Kelly: Increasing limits of tort liability on governmental
units.

Crime Prevention Committee
Chair: Sen. Allan Spear
2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Report on the Violence Prevention Advisory Task Force.
Presentation on a survey of Minnesota prison inmates entitled
"Risk and Protective Factors in Adolescence."

Legislative Commission on Waste Management
Co-Chairs: Sen. Janet Johnson and Rep. Jean Wagenius
6 p.m. Room 10 SOB
Agenda: 1995 Waste Management Act amendments, testimony and LCWM
recommendations.

Legislative Water Commission
Chair: Sen. Leonard Price
6 p.m. Room 5 SOB
Agenda: Report on the proposed Lewis and Clark Rural Water
Project. Continuation of briefings and discussion on 1995
legislative initiatives related to water. LCW administrative
items.

Tuesday, February 7

Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee
Chair: Sen. James Metzen
8 a.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Discussion on veterans issues, Jeffrey Olson, deputy
commissioner, MN Department of Veterans' Affairs; Richard Zierdt,
executive director, Veterans' Home Board; James Connolly, state
commander, VFW; Les Orton, state adjutant/quartermaster, VFW;
Lyle Foltz, department adjutant, Americal Legion; Roy Hansen,
department adjutant, Disabled American     Veterans; and Bob
Conner, department adjutant, Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Health Care Committee
Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin
10 a.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Continuation of discussion and testimony on the
governor's health care budget recommendations, Department of
Human Services.

Higher Education Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf 
10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: Presentation on the budget, Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities (MNSCU).

Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee on Energy and
Public Utilities
Chair: Sen. Janet Johnson
10 a.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Discussion on Conservation Improvement Programs (CIP).

Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Steven Morse
12 noon Room 123 Capitol
Agenda: Overview of the budget for the Department of Agriculture,
Elton Redalen, commissioner, Department of Agriculture; William
L. Oemichen, deputy commissioner, Department of Agriculture.

Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Chair: Sen. Bob Lessard
2 p.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: S.F. 102-Morse: LCMR recommendations. Presentation on the
PCA strategic plan. Presentation on the U.S./Asia partnership,
former Sen. Don Moe; Minnesota DTED.

Legislative Oversight Commission on Health Care Access
Co-Chairs: Sen. Linda Berglin and Rep. Lee Greenfield
2:30 p.m. Room 10 SOB
Agenda: Discussion of a staff position for the commission and a
contract for the 24-hour coverage study. Report on small employer
coverage and the Robert Wood Johnson survey, Department of
Health.  Report and overview of the ISN RAPO implementation plan,
Department of Health. Overview of standard benefit
recommendations, Department of Health. Report on Community Rating
Study, Department of Commerce.

Finance State Government Division
Chair: Sen. Richard Cohen
4 p.m. Room 318 Capitol
Agenda: Discussion and explanation of budget books, Department of
Finance. Overview of budgets for the Gambling Control Board,
Lottery Board, and the Racing Commission.

Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Property Taxes
Chair: Sen. John Hottinger
4 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Discussion on local government response to the governor's
budget proposals.

Legislative Commission on Children, Youth and Their Families
Chair: Sen. Jane Ranum
6:30 p.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Discussion on proposed changes to the Community Social
Services Act, Education Code, Community Health Act, and the
Community Corrections Act to encourage collaboration as a means
of providing a continuum of services to children and families.

Wednesday, February 8

Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee
Chair: Sen. James Metzen
8 a.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: S.F.23-Hanson: Resolution to the U.S. government
regarding the tenth amendment. S.F. 55-Bertram: Compensation to
national guard members for service at funerals for veterans. S.F.
134-Metzen: Alternate member of Advisory Council on Gambling.

Education Funding Division
Chair: Lawrence Pogemiller
10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: Governor's budget recommendations. Discussion on working
document.

Health Care Committee
Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin
10 a.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Report on the Medical Assistance Committee, Department of
Human Services. S.F. 95-Piper: Board of Medical Practice
housekeeping bill. S.F. 242-Berglin: Trusts. S.F. 147-Sams:
Variance criteria for developmental achievement centers (DACs).

Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee
Chair: Sen. Steven Novak
10 a.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Agriculture and Rural Development Committee
Chair: Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr.
12 noon Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Discussion on the 1995 federal farm bill, Bob Bergland,
former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture - rescheduled from Feb. 1.

Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee
Chair: Sen. Sam Solon
12 noon Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: Overview of the Department of Commerce and issues of
interest to the committee, Jim Ulland, commissioner, Department
of Commerce. Briefing on Minnesota's options under the new
federal interstate banking act. Review of HMO reserves. Piper
Jaffray investment issues.

Judiciary and Crime Prevention Joint Subcommittee on Privacy
Chair: Sen. Jane Ranum and Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn
12 noon Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Continuation of discussion on the Minnesota Health Data
Institute, Dale Schaller, director. S.F. 56-Finn: A bill relating
to taxation, providing that certain information is reclassifed as
public information. S.F. 112-Betzold: Relating to child abuse
reporting; records retention; requiring a specified period for
records of cases in which no maltreatment is found.

Crime Prevention Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman
2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Overview of the budget for the Sentencing Guidelines
Commission and the Board of Public Defense.

Metropolitan and Local Government Committee
Chair: Sen. Jim Vickerman
2 p.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda:  Overview by the Metropolitan Mosquito Control
Commission.

Finance State Government Division
Chair: Sen. Richard Cohen
4 p.m. Room 318 Capitol
Agenda: Overview of the budget for the office of Attorney
General.

Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources
Chair: Rep. Phyllis Kahn
7:30 p.m. Room 5 SOB
Agenda: Consideration of a workprogram amendment to allow the use
of classified part-time staff extensions for DNR park and trail
workprograms. Consideration of a workprogram amendment for
additional allocations from Critical Habitat Match, Jay Rendall,
DNR. Review of the DNR bonding workprogram update, Bill Becker,
DNR. Status of LCMR appropriation recommendations, LCMR staff.

Thursday, February 9

The Senate will meet at 9 a.m.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
10 a.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Continuation of budget reviews started at the Feb. 2
meeting - if necessary. Performance review, Department of Human
Services. Overview of the governor's budget, Department of Human
Services.

Higher Education Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf
10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: Presentation on the budget, University of Minnesota.

Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee on Employment
Chair: Sen. Kevin Chandler
10 a.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Workers' compensation.

Crime Prevention Committee
Chair: Sen. Allan Spear
2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: S.F. 160-Reichgott Junge: Work release for mothers of
special needs children. S.F. 163-Piper: Crime Victim and Witness
Advisory Council extension. Progress report on implementation of
the 1994 "Grant Hussey" legislation.

Finance State Government Division
Chair: Sen. Richard Cohen
4 p.m. Room 318 Capitol
Agenda: Overview of the budget for the offices of Governor and
Secretary of State.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
4 p.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: Continuation of the budget overview, Department of Human
Services.

Friday, February 10

Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Keith Langseth
8 a.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: Overview of the budget for the Department of Public
Safety.

Legislative Commission to Review Administrative Rules
Chair: Sen. John Hottinger
1:30 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Public hearing - Administrative penalty orders for
asbestos removal violations, Polution Control Agency. Staff
presentation and discussion on the LCRAR budget for 1995-96.
Staff presentation and discussion on the LCRAR biennial report.

   

Compiled by:
 Senate Publications
 Room G95, State Office Building
 St. Paul, MN 55155
 (612) 296-0259
 TDD 296-0250

***Rough edit of February 3, 1995***