BRIEFLY The Minnesota Senate Week in Review March 24, 1995 Minimum wage bill tabled A proposal to raise the minimum wage was debated and then tabled when the Senate met in full session on Thurs., Mar. 23. S.F. 302, authored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), provides a 25-cent increase in the minimum wage on Oct. 1, 1995, and includes additional wage increases based on the length of employment. After nearly two hours of debate, Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples) moved to table the bill and his motion was approved, 33-32. In presenting the proposal, Kelly said the last increase in the minimum wage was done four years ago. Since that time, he argued, the value of that wage level has declined. "The current minimum wage is worth less, in purchasing power, than it has been in 44 years," he said. Opponents argued that the bill will have an impact on the state's economic climate and that jobs will be lost because employers are required to pay more. Sen. Dean Johnson (IR- Willmar) said the bill will have a negative impact on the state's business climate, by adding more regulations on businesses and will cause the loss of more than 10,000 jobs in the state. "If you are intent on further erosion of the number of jobs in Minnesota, this will do it," he said. Supporters called the bill a step towards providing low- income individuals with the opportunity to earn a living wage. "One of the cornerstones of welfare reform is getting people to work," said Sen. Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine. "You are not going to phase people off of welfare if they can't get jobs that pay them a living wage." The motion to table the bill was made after several members urged the Senate to consider a workers compensation bill before making a decision on a minimum wage increase. Welfare reform bill passed After nearly four hours of debate, members of the Senate granted final passage to a major welfare reform bill at the Mon., Mar. 20, floor session. H.F. 5, authored by Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), makes numerous changes to laws governing welfare in Minnesota. Samuelson said that the bill "is a far-reaching welfare reform proposal that is positive, not punitive. The bill emphasizes work, not welfare, and provides education and training where appropriate...most of all the bill does not forget the children." According to Samuelson, the proposals in the bill will bring about a savings of $957,000. Samuelson said that key elements of the bill provide for expanding the Minnesota Family Investment Program to Ramsey County, provide for the application of federal waivers to remove barriers for people seeking employment, requires teen moms to live at home or in supervised living situations, reduces the Work Readiness program from six months to one month, sets up a fraud prevention effort, provides a work experience program for non-custodial parents, and provides for a six-month intensive training program for non-English speaking clients. The debate on the measure centered on a series of amendments offered to the bill. Samuelson offered the first two amendments. A mostly technical amendment was adopted without much discussion. A second amendment, dealing with General Assistance Medical Care (GMAC) payment for gender reassignment was ruled not germane on the grounds that the amendment dealt with medical benefits and not with welfare. An amendment, offered by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), incorporating a proposal to authorize the creation of empowerment zones, touched off debate on the germaness issue and on the merits of the proposal. The amendment was ultimately ruled germane. The proposal provides for streamlining county administrative procedures in order to fund empowerment zones for economic development in areas with declining property values. Opponents of the amendment argued that the amendment deals primarily with taxes and was not germane to the welfare bill. Berglin countered that the administrative simplification of county administrative procedures and the individuals working on the capital improvements envisioned in the empowerment zones both tied directly to the concept of welfare reform. The amendment was approved on a vote of 40-23 after Sen. Linda Runbeck (IR- Circle Pines) successfully amended the amendment to include a June 30, 1997 sunset date. Sen. David Knutson (IR-Burnsville) offered an amendment providing incentives and sanctions for AFDC recipients to attend school or enroll in a GED program. The proposal sparked discussion on the cost involved. Opponents of the measure successfully argued that the amendment would place additional burdens on local governments and would be expensive to administer. Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake), successfully offered an amendment to the amendment that deleted language delegating power to the county social service workers. However, the Knutson amendment failed 28-34. Members did adopt an amendment, offered by Sen. Kenric Scheveel (IR-Preston), requiring applicants to provide social security numbers when applying for assistance. Sen. Thomas Neuville (IR-Northfield) proposed an amendment to eliminate the Work Readiness Program and institute a Work First Program. The amendment specified that recipients must work in public service jobs if they can't find a job in eight weeks. Samuelson said that to eliminate Work Readiness was quite mean spirited and that there would, again, be very high administrative cost to the Neuville proposal. The amendment failed on a 24-36 vote. Members also voted down an amendment, offered by Sen. Mark Ourada (IR-Buffalo), limiting benefits for AFDC recipients to 24 months. Samuelson, Sen. Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine) and others argued against the proposal because of the effects on children. The amendment was defeated 28-33. An amendment, offered by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (IR-New Ulm), setting AFDC benefits for new comers to Minnesota at the level of the state from which the recipient came, was adopted. An amendment, offered by Sen. Dan Stevens (IR-Mora), eliminating representative payees from those who receive vendor payments for drug dependent persons was also adopted. Members voted down an amendment, offered by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), that sets targets for the maximum number of children in poverty--similar to the cost of government targets adopted by the Legislature. At the close of debate, several members made statements in support of the bill. Sen. Dean Johnson (IR-Willmar) said the bill changes the direction of welfare from one of dependency to one of responsibility. "The bill provides an opportunity for people to be more accountable," Johnson said. Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) commended Samuelson for his efforts but said, "to be honest, this legislation will not move significant numbers of women and children out of poverty...we must also enact legislation for higher wages, affordable housing and adequate transportation." The bill was given final passage on a vote of 63-1. Committee Capsule Agriculture and Rural Development Pesticide requirements revamped The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville), approved four bills at its afternoon meeting Weds., Mar. 22. Sen. Steve Dille (IR-Dassel) presented S.F. 839, a bill that changes pesticide dealer license requirements. On hand supporting the measure was Craig Sahlsbrom from the Minnesota Plant Food Chemical Association. Besides clarifying that no fixed location may sell pesticide without a license, S.F. 839 eliminates the eligibility examination currently required to sell pesticides. The measure now proceeds to the floor. Also authored by Dille, S.F. 793, eliminates various reports required by the commissioner of agriculture to the chairs of the Senate and House agriculture and environment committees. "The intention of this bill is to reduce paperwork," Dille said. Included in the list of reports eliminated under the bill are grasshopper control, weather modification operations and community shade tree disease and insect control programs. Members approved the measure and sent it to the full Senate. Also sent to the floor was S.F. 738, a bill that provides for uniformity with federal food standards. Authored by Sen. Kenric Scheevel (IR-Preston), the measure brings Minnesota requirements in line with federal regulations. S.F. 739, carried by Scheevel as well, eliminates the words "federal crop adjuster" from statute. Scheevel said that the position was abolished as of Oct. 1, 1994. Members placed the measure on the Consent Calendar. LLC's defeated After sifting through more than six hours of public testimony at a Weds., Mar. 22, evening meeting, the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville) defeated S.F. 271. Carried by Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio), the measure would have allowed limited liability companies to own and use agricultural lands. LLC's are structured differently than corporations and partnerships, their intent being to provide tax advantages, simpler rules, and lower fees to small operations. But after listening to extensive debate on both sides of the issue, members finally opted, on a roll call vote, 5-5, to put the matter of LLC's and farming to rest for the 1995 Legislative Session. Opponents argued that allowing LLC's in agriculture would open the door to multi-national corporations and usher in the final destruction of the family farm. "This throws the barn door wide open," said Sen. Jim Vickersman (DFL-Tracy), "to non farmers and outside interests." Farmer Dennis Timmerman, a cattle feed operator, pointed out that big agriculture states, including Iowa, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska, have rejected changes to the Corporate Farm Law. Sen. Steven Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) added "there are other options to LLC's, ones that will keep farmers, farming." Supporters, including Commissioner Elton Redalen of the Dept. of Agriculture, argued that the time has come to allow farmers the same tools that other businesses have available to them. "How long are farmers in Minnesota going to remain second class citizens?" demanded Sen. Dan Stevens (IR-Mora). Berg added that to discriminate further against farmers is to ignore the imminent wave of change, adding to hurdles already faced by agriculture. Berg's measure to expand the definition of authorized farm corporations was also defeated 5-5 on roll call vote. S.F. 985 would have eliminated the requirement that 51 percent of the shareholders of a farm corporation must be farmers living in the state and actively engaged in livestock production. Financial institutions omnibus okayed The Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and approved the financial institutions omnibus bill at the Weds., Mar. 22, meeting. S.F. 1134, authored by Committee Chair Sam Solon (DFL- Duluth), makes numerous technical changes and updates. The bill permits financial institutions to sell repossessed manufactured homes without going through a licensed real estate broker. It also removes the requirement that banks publish their financial statements annually. It requires, however, that they make their balance sheets and statements of income and expense publicly available at all their offices. The measure also sets forth new requirements for loans under $350, in an effort to ensure the availability of "payday loans" from reputable sources. In addition, the bill contains several provisions regulating pawnbrokers. One provision requires the person making the pawn to sign a statement verifying that he is the rightful owner of the goods. Another sets a 30-percent-per-month limit on pawnshop charges. The bill also requires municipal ordinances to be consistent with the provisions of the bill. The panel approved three amendments to the bill. The first, offered by Solon, changes a provision that makes pawned goods the property of the pawnbroker after a 30-day period. The amendment changes the period to 60 days. The second amendment, offered by Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL- White Bear Lake), extends to credit unions a provision that allows financial institutions to establish deposit and education programs for elementary and secondary students. The third, offered by Solon, excludes retailers' point-of-sale terminals (such as cash registers) from statutes governing automatic teller machines. The terminals would remain subject to federal regulations that provide a number of consumer protections. S.F. 1134 now goes to the Judiciary Committee. The committee also approved three other bills. S.F. 457, authored by Chandler, adds taxis to the No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act. The measure, Chandler said, brings taxis in line with the rest of the no-fault system, which now covers school buses, MTC buses, and commuter vans. The panel sent the bill to the Senate floor. A bill that exempts person performing barbering services for charitable purposes in nursing homes, shelters, missions and similar facilities from statutes regulating barbers also received the Senators' approval. S.F. 838, sponsored by Solon, now goes to the full Senate. The committee approved and sent to the floor S.F. 474, a bill that extends the grace period for payment of Medicare supplement policy premiums to 30 days. The panel voted down a bill, S.F. 685, sponsored by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL- Coon Rapids), that allows for-profit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and Integrated Service Networks (ISNs) to operate in the state. Crime Prevention "Koskinen" bill approved, advances A bill, referred to as the "Kari Koskinen Manager Background Check Act," requiring criminal background checks on managers of apartments and mobile home parks was approved by the Crime Prevention Committee during a Thurs., Mar. 16, meeting. S.F. 98, presented by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids), received further discussion and several amendments before advancing to the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee. The bill stems from an incident in which a women was abducted and murdered by the manager of the apartments where she lived. Mother of the woman, LouAnn Koskinen, testified in favor of the bill, saying it could help protect other people. The bill specifies that an apartment manager applicant must undergo a background check before being hired; the provision also applies to anyone else who has regular access to the tenants' homes. Merriam presented an amendment that divided into two groups, by order of severity, the crimes that would require notification of an apartment owner. Any conviction of the most severe crimes, including first-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, felony criminal sexual conduct, and felony harassment and stalking, would automatically disqualify an applicant for the position. If the manager was hired before the background check was completed, the owner must terminate the manager's employment. If an applicant had been convicted of one of the less severe crimes listed in the amendment, the applicant may not be hired for the position unless more than 10 years have elapsed since the date of discharge. The bill allows an owner to hire an applicant who had been convicted of one of the less severe crimes only if all current and previous tenants are notified; tenants have the right to terminate their leases. The bill also specifies that all current apartment managers must have criminal background checks by Aug. 1, 1996. Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), chair of the committee, said he was concerned about the retroactive provision of the amendment requiring tenants to be notified of a manager's past convictions and possibly fired. He said the measure was akin to neighborhood notification of convicted felons. Merriam said if a check was not required of current managers the safety of current tenants would be jeopardized. "If we're passing the law because we think it's important then it doesn't make sense to not require [background checks] of current managers," he said. Sen. Tom Neuville (IR-Northfield) offered an amendment to allow owners to hire a manager regardless of the conviction if all tenants were notified personally by the manager. He said the decision of whether to hire a person would be based on circumstances instead of statute. The amendment failed on a voice vote. Bill allowing victim's side heard A bill requiring a prosecutor to present a victim's account of a crime to a judge in determining whether to release an arrested person before trial was approved by the Crime Prevention Committee during a Mon., Mar. 20, meeting. The committee, chaired by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), discussed only the three sections of the bill dealing with crime matters. S.F. 650, presented by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), builds upon the Grant Hussey legislation passed in 1994. The bill also requires notification of a victim or a victim's family when an alleged violent offender is scheduled to be reviewed for release from the pretrial detention, and provides notification of involved law enforcement agencies when an alleged violent offender is about to be released before trial. Clark Hussey, father of Grant Hussey who was murdered a year ago, testified in favor of the bill, saying the three sections dealing with notification could have helped protect his son. He said he believes it is critical to have the victim's account of the events before a judge decides whether to release an arrested person on bail. The bill was re-referred to the Family Services Committee. The committee also discussed S.F. 287, a bill allowing judicial districts to use interactive video for first court appearances under certain conditions. The conditions include safeguards regarding participation of counsel, the physical environment in which the defendant will be viewed, and the defendant's ability to participate in the proceeding. Sen. Arlene Lesewski (IR-Marshall), author of the bill, said the use of interactive video could help save costs, especially in larger District Courts. Jim Hankes, a Ramsey County public defender, said he and some of his peers oppose the bill because it denies the accused a face-to-face experience in court and does not allow a public defender to interact with the prosecuting attorney. Some Senators questioned what the proposed cost savings would be if district courts were allowed to use video. The bill was laid over for discussion by Finance Division members. Corrections budget reviewed With the possibly of some $20 million in cuts from his budget looming on the financial horizon, Commissioner of Corrections Frank Wood presented an overview of the department's biennial budget request to the Crime Prevention Finance Division, Weds., Mar. 22. Members of the division, chaired by Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL- Bricelyn), brainstormed with Wood about possible avenues of savings in the $571 million biennial budget. The department is seeking a 33 percent increase over the current biennium, $48 million of which is in new initiatives. Wood acknowledged the Legislature's anticipated reductions, but cautioned members against making cuts that could jeopardize the safety of the institution staff and inmates. Wood explained much of the budget increase is due to "massive growth" in the system. From July 1994, correctional system staff increased from 3,322 to 3,997. But despite the growth, Wood said Minnesota's correctional budget still is one of the lowest in the nation as a percentage of the state's total budget. Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids) said the division has to look at the big picture and what the state is spending per prisoner compared to other states. He said he hears citizens complaining about the amount of money spent on prisoners versus other programs like education. He said he wants to know what the money is accomplishing. Wood said the state has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country, reflecting Minnesota's practice of imprisoning the most violent, repeat offenders. He added that the major portion of the corrections budget is spent on salaries. Some members suggested the division may have to look at some of the programs provided in the state's 10 correctional institutions when the budget is considered. Wood agreed he could look at "massaging" some of the programs to increase efficiency, but he also warned Senators about simply reacting to public outcry. "Idle inmates are the source of systemic violence," he said. Getting rid of programs often cause more problems than maybe the public understands, he said. Wood reviewed some of the new initiative and suggested some areas that could be looked at to make some budget cuts. Jim Burton, deputy commissioner in charge of institutions, reviewed individual facility budget requests. Budget overview by the division will continue. Education Buy-out bill re-referred The Senate Education Committee, co-chaired by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), met briefly Thurs., Mar. 16, to re-refer a bill requiring candidates for a superintendent position to disclose previous contract buy-out agreements. The measure was re-referred to the Judiciary Committee without recommendation. S.F. 438 requires a person applying for a job as a superintendent to disclose the existence and contents of any previous contract buyouts. The bill, authored by Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) also voids any superintendent's contract if a previous buyout is not disclosed. The measure applies to contracts reached after June 30, 1995. Safe schools bills heard Two proposals aiming to provide safer schools were presented to the Education Funding Division, chaired by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), Thurs. morning, Mar. 16. S.F. 418, said Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), the bill's author, is focused on truancy and provides a systematic approach to school safety. The bill specifies that parents are responsible for assuring their child's attendance, requires school districts to notify parents of a child's habitual truancy, and makes parents who fail to comply with compulsory attendance laws subject to a fine of up to $700 and up to 90 days in jail. Under the bill, the court can suspend a habitual truant's driver's license, if they are age 16 and older. The court may also prevent truants under the age of 16 from receiving their driver's licenses when they become eligible. The measure also provides for establishment of community-based truancy projects and service centers, sets up school attendance review boards, and authorizes a county attorney to establish a truancy mediation program. Other provisions allow school districts to adopt policies on school uniforms and locker searches and requires districts to approve a gun-free schools policy. School districts are required to conduct criminal background checks on all new employees and the board of teaching will run background checks on applicants for new teaching licenses. The division also reviewed S.F. 707, sponsored by Sen. Warren Limmer (IR-Maple Grove). The bill lowers the compulsory attendance age to 16, and allows school districts to not admit students under open enrollment if they were previously expelled or suspended from school for violent acts. The bill also requires disabled students to prove their disabling condition was the cause for their action before an expulsion or suspension is overturned. The division took no action on either bill, but began to hear public response to the proposals. Bill Larson, assistant superintendent in the St. Paul School District, said Kelly's bill "is a major step in giving districts the ability to enforce truancy and provide safety." But Linda Garrett-Johnson, a St. Paul parent, said the bill "sounds punitive towards parents." She said parents should be more involved in the process being proposed. "Parents hold a lot of valuable information, and that information is not being given equal weight in the decisions," she said. Safe schools bill discussed The Education Funding Division, chaired by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), heard public reaction to two proposals setting up safe schools policies and programs on Thurs. evening, Mar. 16. Testimony was presented about both S.F. 418, authored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), and S.F. 707, sponsored by Sen. Warren Limmer (IR-Maple Grove). S.F. 418 requires parents to be responsible for assuring their child's attendance and makes it a misdemeanor for failure to do so. The bill also sets up community-based truancy projects, school attendance review boards, and truancy mediation programs. Other provisions allow school districts to adopt school uniforms, set policies on locker searches, and requires each district to approve a gun-free schools policy. Criminal background checks on all new employees and applicants for new teaching licenses are also required. S.F. 707 lowers the compulsory attendance age to 16, allows school districts to deny admission to students that were previously expelled from school for violent acts, and requires disabled students to prove their disabling condition caused the violent action that led to their expulsion or suspension. After some discussion, the division voted to delete two sections of S.F. 418, requiring parents to ensure students receive instruction and the misdemeanor penalties for failing to do so. An amendment, requiring school boards to expel students who bring a firearm to school for up to one year, was offered by Sen. Kenric Scheevel (IR-Preston) and approved. The amendment allows districts to modify the expulsion requirement on a case- by-case basis. The division is expected to give further consideration to both bills at a later meeting. Gov's recommendations heard The Education Funding Division, chaired by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.) continued to review a bill containing the governor's budget recommendations at its Fri., Mar. 17, meeting. Sen. Gen Olson (IR-Minnetrista) continued her presentation of S.F. 391 from a prior meeting. The division reviewed the governor's recommendations contained in the bill pertaining to facilities and equipment, organization and cooperation, various programs, and the Minnesota Center for the Arts. The bill includes the governor's recommendation allowing outcome-based schools to receive capital expenditure revenue. After some discussion, the division adopted a similar provision from S.F. 679, authored by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), to allow the outcome-based schools to receive revenue for capital facilities and equipment. The provision was added into the education finance omnibus bill. The division also adopted a provision of S.F. 391, reducing the equipment formula allowance. The governor recommended reducing the per pupil amount from $69 to $68. The members set aside the reduction amount for further discussion. Also presented were the governor's recommendations to reduce school districts' contribution to teachers' retirement funds, to fully-fund the debt service equalization program, and to prohibit any new districts from entering the cooperation and combination program. Consideration of the governor's recommendations will continue at a later meeting. Bills advance The Education Committee, co-chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls) and Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), approved a measure ratifying the contracts of several higher education employee groups at the Tues. evening, Mar. 21, meeting. The committee also approved a bill that restructures and consolidates the laws in effect for the State University, Community College and Technical College Systems. Another proposal, limiting the sanctions imposed by public higher education institutions on students who exercise their right to freedom of speech, was not approved. S.F. 557 ratified the labor agreements that were reached last year between the state and several higher education groups. Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), the author, said the agreements were struck with state university faculty and staff, and with unclassified technical college, community college and Higher Education Board staff. The bill was approved and re-referred to the Finance Committee. Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury) presented a bill combining the provisions that govern the three public post-secondary systems into one chapter in state law. The new chapter will reflect the merger of the three systems on July 1, 1995, he said. The bill was approved and referred to the Senate floor. The panel also heard S.F. 362, authored by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (IR-Marshall). The bill specifies that students at a public post-secondary institution could bring a civil action if they are aggrieved by a violation of the free speech clauses in the U.S. and state constitutions. The measures also allows the court to award attorney fees and costs to the prevailing side. Sen. Tom Neuville (IR-Northfield) offered an amendment adding a provision to direct higher education systems to review their policies and repeal those that infringe on students' free speech rights. The committee rejected the amendment and then Neuville's motion to approved the bill failed on a 9-6 vote. Charter school changes adopted The Education Funding Division adopted several provisions modifying the laws governing charter schools at the Tues. evening, Mar. 21, meeting. The division, chaired by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL- Mpls.), approved several provisions on charter schools from two bills and added them to the education funding omnibus bill. S.F. 679 changes the name from outcome-based to results- oriented charter schools. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), also allows public post-secondary institutions to sponsor a charter school and permits school districts to sponsor up to five charter schools as determined by the size of their student population. The panel adopted the name change included in the bill and then approved a provision allowing all post-secondary institutions to become sponsors. S.F. 391, authored by Sen. Gen Olson (IR-Minnetrista), includes the governor's charter schools proposals. The members adopted the recommendation specifying that the State Board of Education will have 45 days from when a charter school application is submitted to act on the application. Also approved was a provision allowing districts to sponsor more than one school. The limit on the number of charter schools allowed, set at 35 in state law, is remove in the Olson bill. The division adopted a proposal raising that limit to 60 schools. The members also heard testimony from representatives of the teachers' unions in opposition to additional expansion of charter schools. Further discussion on charter school proposals is expected at a later meeting. Higher ed funding changes heard A bill changing the higher education funding formula by providing money based on the number of degrees or certificates granted was presented to the Higher Education Funding Division at a meeting held Tues., Mar. 21. According to Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), chair of the division and author of the bill, S.F. 1234 is in response to the "tremendous financial pressures" facing higher education over the past four years and continuing into future bienniums. At the same time, Stumpf said, citizens are demanding post-secondary institutions undergo instructional changes and be accountable to the product, or students, they turn out. The intent of the bill is to focus on the end results of higher education and provide incentives to improve those end results. Right now, he said, state appropriations are driven by the number of credits a student buys, with little attention paid to the outcome of that purchase. If the state funded a student's achievement instead, the post-secondary institution would have to focus on a student's preparedness and keep that student on the academic track, Stumpf explained. The bill creates a funding formula that moves the dollars "from the front to the back," basing funding on results and achievements. According to the bill, the state provides 67 percent of the estimated cost of a degree, diploma or certificate. Allocations to campuses are to reflect the graduation results achieved by each campus. Under the bill, remedial courses are provided by a post- secondary institution only if a student does not meet a 12th- grade level of competency in reading, writing and mathematics. If a graduate of a Minnesota public high school does not meet a 10th-grade level on a post-secondary evaluation test, the student's high school must pay the tuition for the student for all remedial courses taken in the first year after high school graduation. The bill also guarantees that the degree-granting institution must provide a graduate with a semester or quarter of undergraduate courses at no cost if the graduate does not find a job in his or her field of study within two years. The new funding formula would begin with a phase-in process in 1997, Stumpf said, to spur discussion and iron out the implementation details. Division members launched into a philosophical debate regarding the bill's requirement of high schools to pay for a student's remedial courses. Some members disagreed with the provision, saying students should be responsible for paying for the full cost of developmental courses. Both Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) and Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan) said sometimes it's not the high school's fault that a student did not achieve a certain level of competency. But other Senators agreed that the onus should be on high schools to make sure students holding high school diplomas have achieved a 12th grade level education. Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.) called for "truth in diplomas." "Do we give diplomas to people who can't read?" he asked. Some post-secondary officials testified on the bill, pointing out areas of concern. Frank Viggiano of the State University System said the proposed funding formula could result in post-secondary institutions dropping at-risk students in order to fast-track the brighter students. He said he believed college should be "the great equalizer" among citizens. Stumpf said the bill is an attempt to send a message to a variety of people that education is a serious business. No action was taken by the division. In other business, the division approved S.F. 627, authored by Sen. Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine), a bill requiring all higher education institutes to convert to the semester system by the 97- 98 academic year. Safe schools bill advances A proposal creating programs and projects to combat truancy and provide safer schools was amended and approved, Weds., Mar. 22, by the Education Funding Division, chaired by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.). S.F. 418, said the author, Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), aims to place a greater focus on truancy and provide school districts with additional ways to ensure safer learning environments. The bill was reviewed and amended by the division at an earlier meeting. Kelly presented an amendment, offered by Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May Twp.) and adopted, that both incorporated the changes the panel had previously approved and responds to the concerns raised by the members. Kelly said the amended bill requires school districts to notify parents if a child has been truant for three days and creates a truancy mediation program to be operated by a county attorney. The bill also allows the court to suspend the driver's license of a habitual truant or prevent a habitual truant becoming eligible for a license if they are not yet age 16. A number of amendments were offered and approved, clarifying various provisions of the bill. Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls) moved to eliminate a proposal increasing the amount districts may levy to support the DARE program. His motion was approved. The bill, as amended, was approved and referred to the full Education committee. The members also resumed consideration of S.F. 707, authored by Sen. Warren Limmer (IR-Maple Grove). The bill lowers the compulsory attendance age to 16, and allows school districts to not admit students under open enrollment if they were previously expelled or suspended from school for violent acts. The bill also requires disabled students to prove their disabling condition was the cause for their violent action before an expulsion or suspension is overturned. Testifying in support of the bill were to special education teachers from Wayzata, who had been threatened by a student. Action on the bill is expected at a later meeting. Environment and Natural Resources Ag budget scrutinized While reviewing the Dept. of Agriculture's budget Thurs., Mar. 16, members of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee discussed the department's request for $225,000 in bonding for the coming biennium. Art Mason, director of the Plant Protection Division, explained that by May 1996, the Seed Potato Inspection Program fund balance will be nearly $130,000 in deficit on July 1, 1996, unless the Legislature authorizes additional bonding. The cash- flow shortage arose from a the construction of a potato inspection facility in East Grand Forks. In 1992, the commissioner of administration received bonding authority for $365,000, however the construction project totals $432,000. According to Mason, the project was to be paid for with the bonding money and fees from the seed potato inspection program. The building is nearly completed, however some laboratories need finishing and furniture needs to be purchased, he said. Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids) pointed out that the department did not receive proper authorization to spend more than $365,000 on the building project. Quoting Minnesota statutes, Merriam said that someone could be guilty of a gross misdemeanor offense for allowing the larger project that was authorized to be built. Merriam also said that under current law, he, as chair of the Finance Committee, should have been presented the program plan, including cost estimates for the full project, before final construction plans were prepared. According to Agriculture Finance Director Joseph Komro, the division received advice from the state Dept. of Finance regarding the matter. He said neither he nor the agency division knows how the payments are disbursed out of the accounts since the Dept. of Administration oversees that portion of the project. Doug Watnemo of the Dept. of Finance said his department became aware of potential cash-flow problems in September 1994. He said it was the Dept. of Finance's belief that the agency was going to build a $365,000 facility, and that it wasn't until later they found the agency was going to build a more expensive building. Merriam asked why Legislators were not notified of the expected shortages and why the checks and balances in place did not catch the problems. Bonding projects are supposed to be checked by the Dept. of Administration so that problems like this can be prevented, Merriam said. "I'm dumbfounded as to how the system has broken down," he said. Mason explained that undertaking a facility building project is somewhat unusual for the agency. He said that although it doesn't preclude any wrong-doing, there were many things happening with many different people involved. Deputy Commissioner Bill Oemichen said there was no intention to intentionally violate the authorization procedures. Emissions bill advances A bill exempting five-year-old or newer vehicles from the state's emission testing program advanced from the Environment and Natural Resources Committee at a Fri., Mar. 17, meeting. The committee, chaired by Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls), also extensively discussed a bill revising wetlands protection provisions. S.F. 11, authored by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), received several hours of testimony and debate at the division level before being amended and approved by the full committee. According to the bill, vehicles which model year is "no more than four years earlier than the year in which it is being registered" are exempted from air pollution emissions inspections. An amendment offered by Sen. Pat Pariseau (IR-Farmington) was divided and partially adopted. The committee adopted a section of the amendment that requires the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to take reasonable steps to comply with the federal Clean Air Act without having to continue the motor vehicle inspection program. The provision also requires the commissioner to submit to the Legislature by December 1997 a report outlining the commissioner's efforts and recommendations regarding the continuation of the program after July 1, 1998. A section of the Pariseau amendment repealing the inspection program in 1998 was rejected. The bill, as amended, was re- referred to the Transportation and Public Transit Committee. After more than four hours of debate, the committee set aside a bill revising the 1991 Wetlands Conservation Act (WCA). S.F. 483, authored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), modifies current wetlands protection provisions to ease some of the restrictions and addresses some of the concerns raised by landowners and developers. The one law designed for every situation across the state is not working, Stumpf said. The goals of the bill are to maintain the no-net-loss policy of the current wetlands act, he said, but adds some exemptions. The bill also allows more involvement by local government units. Much of the sometimes heated discussion centered on three main areas of change from the current act: the provisions that limit reporting requirements for projects affecting certain sized wetlands; changes affecting projects that are exempted from wetland replacement plans; and provisions allowing local government units to submit comprehensive wetland protection and management plans. Three of the six amendments adopted by the committee dealt with the above areas. The first focused on limiting the reporting requirements for projects in certain sized wetlands. The amendment takes out some of the paperwork in smaller projects, often undertaken by private landowners. Currently, every effort must be made to avoid affecting a nearby wetland; if a wetland is affected, a landowner or developer must minimize the effect. If a wetland must be filled or drained, current law may require replacement of the wetland. All activities and any mitigation must be documented. The adopted amendment eliminates the documentation for mainly smaller-sized wetlands, depending upon their location. Members debated for some time over the exact size of wetlands that could be affected without requiring the local government to document the mitigating process. Several members agreed with Don Arnosti of the National Audubon Society who supported smaller sized wetlands areas included in the provision. Eventually the committee adopted an amended version of the amendment that increased the size of the affected wetlands. Another amendment increased the de minimus factor, the treshold that triggers regulatory action, of certain wetlands. Projects are exempted from the WCA if they result in draining or filling of smaller-sized wetlands. Those sizes, depending upon where the wetland is located, were increased from the current sizes. Senators spent considerable time discussing the proposed changes before adopting the amendment. A third amendment, presented on behalf of the governor by Sen. Gary Laidig (IR-Stillwater), dealt with comprehensive wetland protection and management plans developed by local government units. The amendment changes Stumpf's bill by ensuring state oversight of the plans through the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Stumpf opposed the amendment, saying local governments must be trusted to go through the process without extensive state involvement. Lessard set aside the bill for further discussion. MPCA budget review continued Members of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division, chaired by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), continued discussion of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) budget at a hearing held Fri., Mar. 17. James Warner of the MPCA's Ground Water Protection and Solid Waste Division presented his division's requested budget changes for the coming biennium. The program protects, preserves and restores the state's land and ground water resources by mitigating the long-term environmental effects of waste generation. One of the programs larger issues is identifying and cleaning up the state's solid waste landfills. The agency is requesting a reduction of some $2.1 million for each year of the biennium from the Motor Vehicle Transfer Account that was used for cleanup of the state's tire dumps. According to Warner, the cleanup project is finished and the agency will continue to oversee waste tire management. The agency also plans to provide grants and loans to develop alternative uses of used tires. A revision to the hazardous waste generator tax in 1994 was intended to provide a stable funding source for the state's Superfund which pays for cleanup of contaminated sites. However, revenues are lower than expected during the first six months of collecting the tax. Warner said the MPCA is investigating the reasons for the shortfall, including lack of compliance with the new tax law, whether projections were based on higher than actual hazardous waste volumes, or if the tax will not be collected until this April. The division will continue its review of the MPCA budget in coming meeting. Wetlands revision advanced A bill revising the 1991 Wetlands Conservation Act (WCA) was approved by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee Tues., Mar. 21, with limited discussion on several amendments. Committee Chair Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls) spurred on discussion among committee members, saying he wanted to move the bill to the next committee. S.F. 483, authored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), modifies current wetlands protection provisions to ease some of the restrictions and addresses some of the concerns raised by landowners and developers. The one law designed for every situation across the state is not working, Stumpf said. The goals of the bill are to maintain the no-net-loss policy of the current wetlands act, he said, while adding some exemptions. The bill also allows more involvement by local government units with oversight by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). Several amendments were added to the committee engrossment, including one offered by Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake) that removes the criminal offenses for violating the WCA and instead puts violation under civil enforcement. It also allows the commissioner of natural resources or a conservation officer to petition the courts to make a violator restore a wetland as part of a civil enforcement action. "I didn't know when I voted [on the act] that we would be making criminals out of people," Finn said. The amendment was approved on a roll-call vote. Another Finn amendment calls for the Wetlands Heritage Advisory Committee to "investigate alternative procedures and policies for improving the current wetland banking system in the state." Currently, landowners or developers in some cases may pay an amount equal to the fair market value of the upland created by draining or filling a wetland. The payment is made to BWSR or a local government that has established a wetland bank. The money is then used for replacing wetlands. Some members questioned the practice and asked if there were any guarantees the money is used specifically for wetland replacement. The Finn amendment requires the study take into account ecological, hydrological and economic aspects of wetland banking; the study must be reported to the Legislature by January 1997. The committee approved the bill and advanced to the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Water system bill heard A bill relating to certification of operators of water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities was laid over for more discussion by the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division, chaired by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota). At a Tues., Mar. 21, meeting, the author of S.F. 273 Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury) presented the bill that establishes an advisory council and transfers to the Dept. of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) authority governing water supply systems and wastewater treatment facility operators. The previous Operator Certification Council was terminated by a blanket sunset effective June 30, 1994. The bill also establishes fees for the certification program and moves that authority from rules to statute. Price explained the bill includes a fee increase to cover costs of the program. The current fees do not fully cover program costs incurred by the MPCA. However, the higher fees more than cover the costs incurred by the Dept. of Health. Members discussed for some time the fee structure and how to adequately cover the program costs in both agencies. Price agreed to come back with an amendment. In other business, the division heard presentation of a bill that makes improvements to the state's groundwater protection practices. S.F. 496, presented by Price, is a recommendation from the Legislative Water Commission and calls for analysis of water quality and quantity data, evaluation of the effectiveness of best management practices, and authorizes increased well-sealing cost-share grants. The bill also appropriates funds. Craig Sallstrom of Minnesota Plant Food and Chemicals testified against a provision in the bill that allows money from the Pesticide Regulatory Account to be used for a cooperative project with the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. Sallstrom feared that taking money from a dedicated fund would eventually lead to other fee increases. The division laid the bill aside for later discussion. Bill advanced, DNR budget review A bill relating to certification of operators of water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities was approved by the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division during an evening meeting Tues., Mar. 21. S.F. 273, presented by Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury), establishes an advisory council and transfers to the Dept. of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) certain authority governing water supply systems and wastewater treatment facility operators. The previous Operator Certification Council was terminated by a blanket sunset effective June 30, 1994. The bill also establishes fees for the certification program, moving that authority from rules to statute. Price explained the bill includes a fee increase to cover costs of the program. The current fees do not fully cover program costs incurred by the MPCA. However, the higher fees more than cover the costs incurred by the Dept. of Health. Price offered an amendment that changes the fee increase to cover the program costs for both agencies. The bill advances to the full committee. In other business, the division continued its budget review of the Dept. of Natural Resources with discussion of the agency's Forest Management Generic Environmental Impact Statement and Parks and Recreation Program. Ethics and Campaign Reform Voters'guides okayed The Ethics and Campaign Reform Committee, chaired by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville) approved two bills at a brief meeting Thurs., Mar. 16. S.F. 590, a bill that provides households with voters' guides, was approved and re-referred to the Finance Committee. Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), the bill's author, said that the cost of the three publications, $1.8 million, would be taken from the general fund. Joan Higinbotham, from Common Cause Minnesota, and Diane Gibson, a representative volunteer from the League of Women Voters, spoke in favor of the measure. "This is the first step in empowering the electorate," Higinbotham said. Sen. Pat Pariseau (IR-Farmington) objected to the costs involved, saying that sufficient information has always been provided to the voters by newspapers and television. "This function has always been handled by the private sector, and I don't think the state should pay for it when there are other options that can be pursued," Pariseau said. Members re-referred the bill to the Finance Committee. Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville) presented S.F. 1099, a measure permitting election judges to serve outside their county of residence. Bertram said that the bill would facilitate the appointment of election judges, who are frequently in short supply. The city of Sartell is located in both Sterns and Benton Counties, Bertram pointed out, and lifting the restriction "makes it easier to get people to serve as election judges." The committee approved S.F. 1099 and placed it on the Consent Calendar. Lobbying prohibition approved A bill that prohibits lobbying by a principal campaign committee or political party committee that issues refund receipt forms, was approved by the Ethics and Campaign Reform Committee Tues., Mar. 21. Chaired by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), the committee sent S.F. 1086 to the full Senate. "The intent of this program was not that the funds be used for lobbying," said the measure's author, Sen. Doug Johnson (DFL- Crookston). "The money was meant for candidates and campaigns, not for lobbying by politicians and political parties," he added. Johnson was referring to the publicly financed campaign refund program that allows individual taxpayers to contribute $50 to a campaign organization, and then apply to the Dept. of Revenue for a reimbursement of the contribution. He acknowledged that the practice is not illegal, but argued against it, saying "this is clearly an abuse of the program, and I think it should stop." Family Services Committee Self-sufficiency bill advances Members of the Family Services Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) approved two bills at the meeting Thurs., Mar. 16. Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.) carried S.F. 1004, making improvements to the Self-Sufficiency Administrative Program. The bill makes changes to the electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system, accelerates the state financing schedule for county reimbursements for STRIDE and work readiness programs, and allows increased AFDC eligibility. The bill also aligns the Minnesota supplemental aid program (MSA) with the federal Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI). The changes improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs, Berglin said. Under the bill, the county share of STRIDE and work readiness case management is eliminated from the reimbursement schedule. The proposal simplifies administration for the programs and save an estimated $1.87 million because of the decreased cost of operating the services, said Steve Nelson of the Dept. of Human Services Budget Analysis division. Berglin also explained that counties will benefit from an additional "freed up" cashflow of $800,000. "With this bill, everyone will be better off," Berglin stated. Under the bill, SSI policies are adopted for the MSA program regarding citizenship, determinations, income deductions and the payment cycle. Debra Tucker-Goin of the Hennepin County Dept. of Economic Assistance testified that the policy change will reduce the counties' administrative burdens and will be easier to understand for both county workers and clients. The bill goes to the funding division. Members approved S.F. 702, sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester), which amends the Children's Mental Health Act by permitting service to persons 18 to 21 years if the person was receiving services before turning 18 years old. The bill also delays for two years a provision that requires the state to pay for half of the non-federal cost of out-of-state placement for youths with severe emotional disturbance and who exhibit violent behavior. The sliding fee child care is changed to a calendar program, and recipients of the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) are eligible for the program. In addition, funds from the AFDC child care program are redistributed among counties. Marty Cammack of the Financial Management division of the department explained that the changes stabilize the county allocation formula and limit the future growth of the county's share to "ensure availability of child care to eligible families." Sen. Martha Robertson (IR-Minnetonka) expressed concern that the bill mandates counties to spend funds on child care. Counties should be able to allocate funds depending on their particular needs, Robertson said. Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) questioned the need for a section that adds more requirements to the resource and referral grants provision. The provision requires coordination of early childhood training for child care providers. The training is "nice to do but not critical," Riveness said, stating that budgetary considerations require evaluation of what is essential. He moved to delete the provision. Barbara O'Sullivan of the department explained that providers are not currently meeting requirements and that the diffusion of information is important to make training more efficient. The availability is particularly inadequate in rural area, O'Sullivan said. The section was deleted. The bill, as amended, goes to the Health Care Committee. Child support discussed The issue of unpaid child support was discussed at the Family Services Committee meeting Tues., Mar. 21. Chair Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) and members reviewed S.F. 217, a bill relating to child support enforcement. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) contains several measures to recoup a portion of the $551 million currently in arrears. The bill requires a suspension of a driver's license upon receipt of notice that the driver owes over four months of child support and no payment plan has been established. The bill also suspends the occupational license of a person in arrears if no payment plan has been established. Liens on vehicles are permitted, and the owner's exemption amount is increased to $4,500 before satisfying creditors. The Dept. of Human Services is responsible for the administrative burden of this provision. The employers reporting program is modified to require the department to cross-reference employee data for an employer to determine payment delinquency. In addition, the bill establishes a pilot project allowing an obligor to perform up to 32 hours per week of community service when they fail to pay child support. The department is authorized to seek a court order requiring unemployed non-payers to find a job. A public education campaign implemented through the Attorney General's Office is also authorized. Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) presented an amendment to transfer the public education functions to the Department of Human Services, which would be consistent, she said. Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May Township) opposed the provision, and said that the Attorney General's Office has begun planning and development, and has valuable media contacts that permit "more bang for the buck." The amendment was not approved. Kiscaden presented another amendment to require a sunset on the license suspension provision, to require the department to provide a cost-benefit analysis to assess the program. With a new program, Kiscaden said, evaluation of its effectiveness is critical. Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear Lake) and others expressed concern about a sunset, noting that it is inefficient and sets an unusual precedent. Kiscaden modified the amendment to require only the cost-benefit analysis and department report. The amendment was adopted. Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) offered an amendment permitting a person whose license has been improperly suspended to recover expenses from the agency at fault. The measure was adopted. The bill was laid over. Finance Budget presentations continue The Finance State Government Division, chaired by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), met Thurs., Mar. 16, to review the biennial budget request from the Dept. of Human Rights. In presenting the department's budget request for the next biennium, Commissioner David Beaulieu said the department's organization has been restructured in order to make it more efficient and effective in resolving human rights complaints. Dolores Fridge, assistant commissioner, said the governor is recommending the agency receive $6.8 million in the next two fiscal years, which includes a $400,000 appropriation to upgrade the department's data network system. The division also heard from individuals who raised concerns about the department's reorganization efforts. Linda Miller, representing the National Employment Lawyers Association, said investigators are leaving the department because of high caseloads and increases in the number of managerial staff. Data project reviewed On Fri., Mar. 17, the Finance State Government Division, chaired by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), heard an update on a project to streamline the state's administrative and business systems. Kent Allen of the Dept. of Finance said that, beginning in April and continuing through the rest of the year, the Statewide Systems Project will come on-line. When the five-year project is completed by the end of the year, he said the administrative and financial data from all state agencies will be organized and maintained within a single system. Over the last three years, the Legislature has appropriated about $31 million for development and implementation of the project. The components of the system include new accounting and procurement systems, as well as human resource and payroll systems. "We are the only state that we know of that is implementing a statewide system like this," Allen said. The division also took additional testimony about the Dept. of Human Rights. After hearing concerns presented in the testimony about the department's organizational structure, Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) made a motion to ask that the Legislative Auditor evaluate the agency's organization and report the findings. The motion was approved. DOER budget presented The biennial budget request from the agency responsible for human resources management was reviewed, Tues., Mar. 21, by the members of the Finance State Government Division, chaired by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul). Commissioner Bruce Johnson presented a $15.5 million budget request for the operations of the Department of Employee Relations. He said the agency's budget is used to support the human resource activities associated with managing a state work force of 40,000 members. As part of the budget proposal, Johnson said the governor has recommended appropriations for two initiatives - the human resources innovations project and a state diversity project. He said the $1.3 million biennial appropriation for the human resources innovation project will be used to make state employment procedures more accessible to the public and to examine the state's employment classification system. The $600,000 appropriation for the state diversity project, Johnson said, will be used to diversify the state's work force and advance minority recruitment in state employment. Budget reviews conclude The Finance State Government Division completed its review of agency budget requests, Weds., Mar. 22, with presentations on the proposals submitted by the Senate and other legislative offices and the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning. The Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC), the umbrella organization for a number of legislative commissions, is requesting $24 million for the next biennium, said Acting Director Mary Ryan. She said the LCC budget includes about $60,000 that has been set aside for costs that may be incurred if the Legislature eliminates several commissions this session. The division also heard the budget requests of the Legislative Reference Library, the Revisor of Statutes, and the Office of the Legislative Auditor. The library is requesting $1.9 million for the biennium, while the biennial budget request from the revisor's office totals about $9.1 million. Legislative Auditor Jim Noble said his office is seeking $8.2 million for the biennium. The request, he said, includes a $300,000 to provide the office with three additional auditors to handle the merger of the higher education systems. Linda Kohl, director of the Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning, said her department is requesting a general fund appropriation of $7.8 million for the next biennium. Deputy director John Hustad said the governor has recommended funding for three initiatives. The initiatives call for a $145,000 biennial appropriation for anticipated changes in the environmental review and $160,000 in FY 1996 to support the sustainable development roundtable. Another $1 million has been recommended for use in developing a data base of information on all state-operated programs that serve children. Gaming Regulation Tax cap raised A bill that raises the cap on the amount an organization can use from lawful gambling proceeds for payment of real estate taxes was approved the Gaming Regulation Committee Fri., Mar. 17. The bill's author, Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville), said that the current $15,000 cap has resulted in the closing of many buildings owned and operated by organizations that provide communities with invaluable services and activities. Jim Johnson, chairman of the Legislative Dept. of the American Legion, testified that in his district 15 buildings were closed because the posts were unable to pay property taxes. "And the worst of it was that the money was in the charitable gambling fund," Johnson said, "but we couldn't use it. The real victims of the real estate tax cap are the beneficiaries of the summer rec programs, the Christmas parties, and the safe Halloween nights that we provide to the children in our communities," Johnson added. S.F. 1100 was re-referred to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio) presented S.F. 619, a bill that modifies the definition of lawful purpose as it applies to compulsive gambling expenditures. "This clarifies that the program must be approved by the Dept. of Human Services," the committee chair explained. The measure now proceeds to the full Senate. Two bills relating to Indian gaming and authored by Berg, were laid over, along with S.F. 402, Berg's bill to establish a pilot program to operate video lottery terminals. The first, S.F. 1044 terminates the Tribal-State Gaming Compacts as of June 30, 1998. Berg said that the compacts were negotiated in perpetuity, therefore not in the best interest of the state. Furthermore, "they were never ratified by the rank and file of the Legislature," he added. Berg said that the legality of terminating the compacts needs to be determined by the Attorney General's Office. Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.) asked if Berg had any indication that such an action would be successful. Senate Counsel Christopher Stang said that there may be some legal authority that would support a good faith action against the tribes. A memorial resolution asking Congress to enact, and the President to sign, legislation amending the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, S.F. 618, was also laid over. The resolution requires that Tribal-State Compacts terminate not later than seven years after their effective date. Sen. Ted Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park) criticized the measure, calling it a "bad faith effort." Pull tab tax changed The Senate Gaming Regulation Committee approved S.F. 977, a bill that changes the pull tab tax, at a Tues., Mar 21, meeting. Members also confirmed the four gubernatorial appointments of Patricia Fischer, Allan Fonfara, Peggy Moon, and Howard Register to the Gambling Control Board. Committee chair and author of S.F. 977, Charles Berg (DFL- Chokio) said "the tax collected on unsold pull tabs was an ill- begotten one and should have been dealt with years ago." Berg's bill shifts the tax from the distributor to the organization's gross receipts from actual sales. King Wilson, executive director of Allied Charities, testified in favor of the measure. Wilson said that the matter of unsold pull tabs "is the greatest single concern of nonprofit gambling." Sen. Kenric Scheevel (IR-Preston) asked about structural changes related to the proposed collection of taxes under the bill. A representative from the Dept. of Revenue explained that the individual organizations will be required to report monthly to the department. The measure also changes the words "lawful gambling" to "nonprofit gambling," and raises the number of bingo games that organizations are allowed from seven to ten per week. S.F. 977 was re-referred to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. Governmental Operations and Veterans Childrens dept. bill considered Discussion of a proposal to consolidate a number of state programs serving children and families into a single agency continued at the Fri., Mar. 17, meeting of the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. The committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), heard opposition to the bill eliminating the Dept. of Education and replacing it with a Dept. of Children, Families and Learning. Under S.F. 1103, sponsored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL- Mpls.), programs now operated in seven state agencies are consolidated into the new department. Such initiatives as the supplemental food program for Women, Infants and Children, state support for child care, the Minnesota Family Investment Plan, and Head Start are among the more than 50 programs to be transferred to the new agency. No action was taken on the bill. In other business, the committee approved a bill permitting the state's chief building inspector to issue building code interpretations and allows those interpretations to be incorporated into state rules. S.F. 877, authored by Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan) also clarifies that the existing $70 examination and certification fee for building officials is non- refundable, and makes several technical corrections to state laws related to building codes. The bill was re-referred to the Finance Committee. S.F. 759, a bill making several technical changes to laws governing the operating procedures of the Dept. of Trade and Economic Development, was also approved and sent to the Senate floor. Provisions in the bill, sponsored by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), clarify the operating procedures used by the board of directors of Advantage Minnesota, Inc., and allows the board of the Rural Finance Authority to hold its meetings by teleconference. MinnesotaCare proposal presented A bill laying out the structure of the state's health care plan, was reviewed by the members of the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), Tues., Mar. 21. S.F. 845, authored by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), modifies a number of the components of MinnesotaCare. Included in the bill are modifications to current requirements for health plan companies, to establish standard health coverage, and to extend the eligibility of the MinnesotaCare program. The members' attention focused on the parts of the bill allowing agencies to make state rules, requiring studies to be conducted, and other provisions that may expand the size of state agencies. Berglin said the bill allows the Dept. of Health, along with the Depts. of Commerce, Human Services and Employee Relations, to identify standard exclusions to the list of covered procedures offered by health plan companies. Those exclusions are to be placed into state rules and the department can use the emergency rulemaking process to do so. She pointed out other parts of the bill allowing the department to adopt state rules required for the program. Members expressed concern that the bill expands the Dept. of Health's responsibilities. Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) moved to strike a part of the bill requiring the department to study the feasibility of becoming a single entry point for consumer complaints about the quality and cost of health care services. The motion was adopted. Riveness also questioned a provision establishing a clearinghouse for health care services information. The committee took no action on the bill and is expected to resume consideration of the proposal at a later meeting. In other business, the committee considered four other bills. S.F. 778, increasing the state's contribution towards the purchase of soft body armor, was approved and re-referred to the Crime Prevention Committee. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), also allows an annual cost-of-living adjustment to the public safety officer's death benefit. H.F. 282, presented by Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury), allows state employees to donate vacation time to an employee in the Dept. of Administration who is suffering from leukemia. The bill was approved and sent to the Senate floor. The committee also approved S.F. 368, authored by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (IR-Marshall). The bill clarifies that persons under contract with the Dept. of Agriculture to provide farm crisis assistance are not state employees for liability purposes. The bill was referred to the floor. S.F. 299, modifies state law to change the phrase "visually handicapped" to "visually disabled". Sen. Cal Larson (IR-Fergus Falls), the author, said the bill also allows a rehabilitation advisory council to the Dept. of Economic Security to continue. Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan) offered, and the committee approved, an amendment setting a July 1, 1996 expiration date on the council. The bill was approved and sent to the floor. Sprinklers bill heard A proposal requiring all high-rise apartment buildings have automatic sprinkler systems was heard, Weds., Mar. 22, by the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. The committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), also amended and approved a bill clarifying the authority and procedures of the Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation. S.F. 529 requires installation of automatic sprinklers in high-rise buildings used for habitation. The bill, authored by Sen. Carl Kroening (DFL-Mpls.), specifies that the requirement applies to buildings more than 75 feet above the lowest level that can be accessed by fire department vehicles. The measure also requires owners to prepare a compliance schedule and submit that schedule to the fire marshall's office by July 1, 1997. Kroening said the bill is aimed at those high-rise structures built before 1974, the year that new building codes requiring sprinkler systems in high-rise apartments were enacted. He also said the bill is identical to the one passed by the Legislature in 1994 but vetoed by the governor. After hearing testimony opposing the proposal, Sen. Linda Runbeck (IR-Circle Pines) offered an amendment exempting residential high-rises from the sprinkler requirement. On an 8-6 vote, the amendment was approved. At the author's request, the bill was laid over for further consideration. The committee approved S.F. 657, modifying the procedures used by the Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation in awarding grants to local units of government. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), requires that local governments applying for grants explain why the grant is needed for the project to proceed. Under the bill, local governments receiving a grant to combine their units into one will no longer be required to complete the merger in the third year of the process. Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota) presented an amendment allowing municipalities with populations under 2,500 that are consolidating on their own to apply for grants. The amendment was approved, as were two others offered by Sen. Dave Kleis (IR- St. Cloud) that enable a grant supporting the consolidation of St. Cloud Township with two other local units of government to continue. Another amendment, offered by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), requiring the board to pay the grant in the first year that local units begin to cooperate, was not adopted. The bill was approved and re-referred to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. Health Care Gambling treatment considered Better information is needed on troubled gamblers in Minnesota, concluded Patrick McCormack of Senate Counsel and Research. McCormack presented his report on Minnesota's programs for gamblers at the Health Care and Family Services Funding Division Thurs., Mar. 16. Since 1990, the Dept. of Human Services has administered programs that encompass education about the problem, short-term crisis intervention and full treatment services. Current expenditures total $1.8 million and include six treatment centers, a hotline, and research. The greatest need is research and evaluation of these programs, McCormack said. Currently there is inadequate documentation and follow-up on recipients of services partly due to poor program evaluation and design, he said. McCormack recommended a strategic plan for program expansion and alternatives, noting that the state needs to commit to services, but must have additional information to determine the most effective methods. Education and outreach programs should be expanded, particularly targeting at-risk gamblers, he continued. Members must decide how services will be offered, the amount of education and treatment to be provided and how the department will approach the problem, said McCormack. Three funding options were presented, offering reduced, expanded, and existing programming. The committee, chaired by Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), also heard the department's current and projected personnel costs. Wes Kooistra of the department explained that throughout much of the agency, a surplus exists. Personnel costs in the finance and management and the mental health areas are lower than expected for 1995, he said. Budget discussion will continue. Division approves bills The Health Care and Family Services Funding Division, chaired by Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), approved several bills at the meeting Mon., Mar. 20. The policy portions of the bills were incorporated into one bill, S.F. 47, and the appropriations will be consolidated into the omnibus finance bill. The committee approved S.F. 242, a bill that states that supplemental needs trusts, established for children or adult children with disabilities, are not to be considered when evaluating medical assistance eligibility. Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.) explained that the bill permits parents to provide for additional assistance for children without being disadvantaged in medical assistance programs. Members discussed federal regulations that apply to the provision, which requires that these trusts be exempt. Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) presented an amendment that would give the state the funds remaining in the trust upon the death of the beneficiary up to the amount of the medical assistance that was paid to that person. "It's a fairness issue for the rest of the state," she said. One witness testified that the amendment removes control of an individual over their own trusts, and forces families to spend all their savings before receiving state benefits. The amendment failed. Members approved S.F. 1004, a bill making improvements to the Self-Sufficiency Administrative Program. Authored by Berglin, the bill makes changes to the electronic benefits transfer system, accelerates the state financing schedule for county reimbursements for STRIDE and work readiness programs, and allows increased AFDC eligibility. The bill also aligns the Minnesota supplemental aid program with the federal Supplemental Security Income Program. The changes will result in a savings of $1 million in FY 96 and $1.9 million in 97, Berglin explained. Also incorporated into S.F. 47 was a bill creating an Indian Elders coordinator position of the Board of Aging. S.F. 769, sponsored by Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake) is a response to inadequate nutrition, poor health and lack of transportation and housing facing many in the community. Cultural differences and lack of information are the barriers to access, Finn explained. Members approved several other bills. Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato) carried S.F. 515, which allows medical vendors to represent public assistance recipients at state agency hearings regarding appeals of agency decisions. The bill's appropriations total $211,000 for the biennium. S.F. 532 requires school age child care programs to be licensed by the department. Sponsored by Kiscaden, the bill ensures minimum standards. Sen. Don Kramer (IR-Brooklyn Center) offered an amendment requiring the license fees to cover the costs of the provision by the year 2000. S.F. 147, expands the circumstances under which a day training service may be granted a rate variance. Sponsored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), it also allows the department to reimburse a day training vendor for up to 15 days a year for clients who receive medical care outside the facility, with a total biennium cost of $5 million. Sams presented an amendment that allows for changes due to circumstances faced by smaller development achievement centers. The amendment was adopted. Day training vendor appeals were approved by members. S.F. 161, carried by Berglin authorizes vendors to appeal a decision by the department denying a rate variance request. S.F. 47, carried by Samuelson, expands income deductions for institutionalized medical assistance (MA) recipients. Samuelson explained that the bill deletes the requirement that in order to qualify for the allowance, a recipient who has children under 18 must have resided with the children immediately prior to admission. The measure was approved. S.F. 604, sponsored by Sen. Ember Reichgott-Junge (DFL-New Hope), permits the establishment of children's supervised visitation facilities. Kim Cardelli, founder of Children's Safety Centers, explained that the facilities reduce children's vulnerability to violence and trauma related to non-custodial visitation when a history of domestic violence exists in the family. The bill is cost-neutral due to a proposed increase in the marriage license fee. Several members supported the centers, but expressed concern about increasing marriage license fees. Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) moved to change funding for the provision by allocating part of the dissolution action fee for the centers. The measure was adopted. Reichgott-Junge offered an amendment, which was approved, that allows counties to apply for funding for centers, and clarifies that new and existing centers do not compete for the same grant monies. The bill advances to the Health Care Committee. Lead abatement approved The Health Care Committee acted to permit improvements to the state's lead hazard reduction program by approving prevention activities and recodifying statutes. S.F. 801, sponsored by committee chair Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), was forwarded to the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee Tues., Mar. 21. Berglin said that the bill draws a distinction between lead abatement - the complete removal of lead sources - and reducing lead hazards through prevention and education components. Prevention, the focus of the bill, costs a fraction of lead abatement measures, Berglin explained. The bill establishes lead surveillance systems to monitor blood levels in children and adults and provides for prevention programs to target populations. Sen. Don Kramer (IR-Brooklyn Center) and others questioned the need for reporting of all blood levels, regardless of the levels, and noted the additional costs required. Kristin Pederson of the Dept. of Health explained that the collection of complete information helps identify problem populations and regions, provides data for planning, and helps determine the level of problem that exists. Members also approved S.F 713 and sent it to the floor. Carried by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester), the bill permits a non-profit merger of the Olmsted Community Hospital and the Olmsted Medical Group. Joe Cartney of Olmsted Community Hospital explained that the merger increases competitiveness and flexibility and better utilizes resources. An amendment, offered by Kiscaden, emphasized that the change will have no effect on employee rights. The amendment was adopted. In other action, S.F. 992, also sponsored by Kiscaden, reinstates several advisory councils. Kiscaden presented an amendment to include a plumbing advisory council and work group. The bill, as amended, goes to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. S.F. 241, carried by Sen. Dan Stevens (IR- Mora) was approved and sent to the funding division. The bill modifies nursing home geographic groups by adding a third group. Sen. Jerry Janezich (DFL-Chisholm) authored S.F. 577, allowing two non-profit nursing homes in St. Louis County to share an administrator if they are separated by 20 miles or less and have a total of 60 beds or less. The bill goes to the floor. Consistent care okayed Members of the Health Care Committee approved a bill modifying alternative care and waivered service programs at the meeting Weds., Mar. 22. The bill, S.F. 775, is sponsored by committee chair Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.). Berglin explained that the purpose of the bill is to improve the alternative care waiver, elderly waiver, community alternatives for disabled individuals waiver and traumatic brain injury waiver to provide that they all cover the same services and have similar policies regarding matters such as purchasing and assessment. The bill continues the alternative care pilot projects authorized in 1993 and keeps the current payment rate for preadmission screening in effect for another year. In addition, it requires a study designed to consolidate alternative care and waivered service payment rates. Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) presented an amendment that permits Medical Assistance reimbursement of services, equipment, supplies, or any other item within allocation limits that is needed by the county. The amendment was adopted. The bill, as amended, goes to the Funding Division. Members considered S.F. 652 carried by Sen. Ember Reichgott- Junge (DFL-New Hope). The bill allows the department to authorize a pilot project to close a facility and shift persons into waivered services. Reichgott-Junge explained that the facility is no longer able to accomodate the clients' needs. An author's amendment that was approved specifies that the maxumum average cost of the waiver allocations may not exceed 118 percent of the facility cost. The committee laid the bill over to discuss it with similar bills at the next meeting. Members advanced S.F. 28, S.F. 212, and S.F. 1110, bills relating to health care reimbursement, to the Funding Division. Jobs, Energy and Community Development Workers' comp bill defeated The Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), continued hearing testimony, Thurs. Mar. 16, on S.F. 717, a bill that modifies the system related to workers compensation claims. S.F. 717, authored by Sen. Linda Runbeck (IR-Circle Pines), was supported by Dave Locey, president of the Minnesota Soft Drink Association. Locey briefed the panel on savings the association members would experience if Minnesota's current workers compensation rates were altered. He said that Minnesota's rates are not competitive with neighboring states. Locey said that under the Wisconsin rate system, self-insured members of his organization could save approximately half their current workers comp insurance payments. Locey urged members to consider the effect of workers comp rates on business. The bill was opposed by a number of groups under the panel's jurisdiction. Bernie Brommer, president of the Minnesota AFL- CIO, warned members to beware of inaccurate information concerning workers comp costs. He cited several examples of what he called apparently false information presented to the committee over the course of the hearings. He urged members to make changes that reduce complexity and encourage the collective bargaining process, but warned the panel not to radically alter the system at workers' expense. Peter Pustorino, of the Minnesota Defense Attorney Assn., and Steve Hawn, chair of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Workers Comp Committee, also testified in opposition to the bill. Pustorino stated that although S.F. 717 results in a 15.1 percent savings to the state, the reduction in cost comes almost entirely from benefit cuts. He said the bill eliminates a number of benefits that workers rely on such as moving allowances, and permanent total disability after the age of 65. He further explained that the bill "extends the authority the Dept. of Labor and Industry, which has been an impediment in the past." Upon completion of the testimony, Runbeck introduced a delete everything amendment to the bill. The motion to amend failed and Runbeck's subsequent motion to approve the bill was also defeated. Two budgets heard The Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division, chaired by Sen. Carl Kroening (DFL-Mpls.), heard two budget overviews from organizations under the panel's jurisdiction. Representatives from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and the Municipal Board, briefed members on budget requests and objectives for the 96-97 biennium. Kit Hadley, Commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, told the panel about her organization's efforts to provide economic and technical assistance opportunities to Minnesotans in need of affordable housing. Hadley stated that the lack of affordable housing in Minnesota does not allow for the growth of communities. She briefed members on the Governor's Economic Vitality and Housing Initiative which attempts to stabilize and revitalize economically challenged neighborhoods through a number of programs. She said $15 million of state appropriations will be used in four existing programs. The programs provide loans or grants to communities or individuals in need of affordable housing. Terrence Merritt, Commissioner of the Municipal Board, briefed members on the agency's efforts review and arbitrate boundary adjustments and the consolidation of cities. Merritt explained that the board's decisions often allow communities to improve or deliver needed services, preserve the environment, and protect public health and welfare. He said that the agency attempts to reduce costs by providing service in the most rapid, efficient means possible. In response to an increased workload, and the installation of a new database system, the agency requested a $15,000 increase in order to employ part-time clerical support. Four bills heard The Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), heard four bills at the Tues, Mar. 21, meeting. The first, S.F. 1037, authored by Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake), repeals the sunset on the loggers' workers compensation fund. The fund was created in 1990 to abate problems of extremely high workers compensation costs for loggers. Under the program, Minnesota wood mills provide funding for workers comp premium rebates and logger safety programs. Chmielewski stated that the program has been successful in reducing insurance costs to loggers, as well as decreasing the number of uninsured loggers. The committee approved the bill. It advances to the Senate floor. S.F. 963., a bill that establishes a 12-member council to coordinate international activities of state government, was also approved by the panel. Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), sponsor of the bill, said that S.F. 963 requires no state funding. Instead, the council will acquire capital from federal grants and local contributors. Membership consists of three executive branch members and three citizen members appointed by the governor, three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker, and three Senate members appointed by the majority leader. The bill moves on to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. The committee defeated S.F. 1008, authored by Sen. Steve Morse (DFL-Dakota), on a 6-6 vote. The bill attempts to control carbon dioxide emissions by requiring the environmental review process to examine the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on public projects. Michelle Martens, an environmental analyst for NSP, provided members with an overview of national efforts to examine the dangers of carbon dioxide emissions. She stated that an international standard for acceptable carbon dioxide levels has not been defined. She urged members to vote against S.F. 1008 until an acceptable emissions standard can be reached. The committee also approved S.F. 1176, a bill sponsored by Sen. Dennis Fredrickson (IR-New Ulm). The bill addresses a law which requires the city of Sleepy Eye to provide the Department of Trade and Economic Development with a two year notice when they convert to an alternate form of heating. Currently the city uses steam heating, but due to damage and expensive operating costs, the service will no longer be available to many of the residents. Bill Heymans, a member of the Public Utilities Commission urged members to allow the city to shut down most of the system without providing the required notice. The bill was recommended for the Consent Calendar. Wind power tax break The Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee debated the merits of two bills that would repeal the property tax exemption for wind energy systems at the Weds., Mar. 22, meeting. The first bill, S.F. 637, authored by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (IR-Marshall), provides a five-year moratorium on property taxes for the systems' pole structures. Under the measure, the foundation and support pads would be taxable for taxes payable in 1996. Turbines, blades, and related equipment would be exempt from property taxes. The bill exempts one-owner systems built after Jan. 1, 1995, that produce less than one megawatt of power. S.F. 902, authored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch), grandfathers in the exemption for systems installed between Jan. 1, 1991, and Jan. 1, 1995, which keeps the Buffalo Ridge development, currently Minnesota's only major wind energy facility, tax-exempt. The bill makes the foundation, support and poles of future developments taxable. Johnson's bill exempts from taxation small, two-megawatt or less, systems built in 1995 and later. After testimony and debate, the committee, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), forwarded both bills to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. Some Senators questioned whether the higher level of taxation in S.F. 637, however, would drive up the price of wind energy, making it uncompetitive with energy from other sources. Accordingly, the panel re-referred the Johnson bill, S.F. 902, to the tax committee with a recommendation to pass, and forwarded Lesewski's S.F. 637 without recommendation. The committee also approved S.F. 1081, a bill authored by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (IR-New Ulm), appropriating $4 million for the displaced homemakers program. The statewide director of the displaced homemakers network, Yvette Oldendorf, said the program is effective but cannot continue without an increase in funding. The panel referred the bill to the committee's finance division. Last, the panel approved S.F. 1060, the Dept. of Economic Security housekeeping bill, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear Lake). The committee approved two author's amendments to the bill. The first allows claimants in a displaced workers program access to unemployment benefits while they are pursuing approved self- employment training and education activity. The provision requires federal approval before taking effect. The second amendment provides the Dept. of Economic Security with a method of recovering the costs charged by private collectors used to collect delinquent unemployment insurance payments from employers outside the state. The amendment allows the department to pass on the costs to the employers. S.F. 1060 now goes to the Senate floor. Judiciary Vulnerable adults bill advances The Judiciary and Crime Prevention Subcommittee on Privacy met Weds., Mar. 15, to consider the data privacy provisions of several bills. The panel, chaired by Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake), devoted considerable time to scrutiny of S.F. 512. The bill, authored by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), is a major reworking of the Vulnerable Adults Act. Members adopted several amendments clarifying and refining the provisions of the bill dealing with the classification of data arising from the reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults. The bill was advanced to the full Judiciary Committee. In other action members heard, but laid over, a bill providing for access to data in human rights case files by the charging party. The bill provides that the commission may deny access by the charging party to data in an open case file if the commissioner determines that release of the data would be detrimental to the investigative process. The bill also specifies that materials and documentation provided by the charging party are excepted. Subcommittee members approved two measures for inclusion in the omnibus data practices bill that is being developed by the panel. S.F. 684, authored by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids), modifies provisions governing the issuance of advisory opinions by the commissioner of administration under the Data Practices Act. The measure limits the exception for questions involving the exercise of a discretionary power to determinations made by the commissioner of health about whether epidemiologic data identify individuals, clarifies access to and treatment of data in connection with the issuance of an advisory opinion, and removes the sunset on the authorization for advisory opinions. S.F. 372, sponsored by Sen. David Knutson (IR-Burnsville), provides for access to individual social security numbers under limited circumstances. Vulnerable adults bill okayed The Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL- Mpls.), held an evening hearing Mon., Mar. 20, to consider two bills. Members approved a bill revamping the state's Vulnerable Adults Act and a measure detailing the responsibilities of guardians ad litem in the juvenile and family courts. The bill reworking the Vulnerable Adults Reporting Act, S.F. 512, authored by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), is the product of a working group charged with updating and revamping the 15 year old law. Mamie Segall, of the Attorney General's Office, said that the bill makes significant changes in four areas: definitions, reporting and response, investigations and consequences. Spear said the bill aims to make the process of reporting the maltreatment of vulnerable adults more efficient, fairer, and more precise. The bill provides continued immunity from civil and criminal liability for making a report in good faith or for participating in an investigation. The measure also provides that a person or facility who intentionally makes a false report is liable in civil suit for actual damages and attorney's fees. However, in a change from current law, punitive damages are capped at $10,000. The bill also specifies that a person who is mandated to report who negligently or intentionally fails to report is liable for damages caused by the failure, but no vicarious liability applies. Further, retaliation against a good faith report is prohibited under the bill. The bill also specifies that a facility or person who does retaliate is liable for actual damages, punitive damages up to $10,000 and attorneys fees. Finally, the bill specifies that a substantiated perpetrator of maltreatment may challenge administrative findings in a fair hearing. Members adopted several amendments, primarily of a technical nature, before approving the bill and advancing the measure to the Health Care Committee. Members also approved a bill outlining the responsibilities of guardians ad litem in juvenile and family court. The measure, sponsored by Sen. David Knutson (IR-Burnsville), also requires the state court administrator to prepare a report on the implementation of the legislative auditor's report on guardians ad litem. The report is to address revision of the guidelines and adoption of rules dealing with the selection, training, evaluation and removal of guardians ad litem; to distinguish the roles of guardians ad litem and custody investigators; to develop procedures for guardians ad litem to work with parents who have an order for protections; to require judges to write more detailed appointment orders defining expectations of the guardian ad litem role; to develop procedures for bringing complaints; and to specify criteria for guardians ad litem. Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake) criticized the measure saying that the bill was too specific in detailing the role of guardians ad litem and broadened the role too much. Knutson responded that the bill is designed to more clearly spell out the roll and responsibilities and insure the integrity of the system. Members adopted an amendment, offered by Finn, that adds a section specifying that counties are not to incur additional costs. The bill was advanced to the full Senate. Property rights bill debated Property owners would be notified, in most circumstances, whenever government officials wanted to enter private property under a bill debated at the Weds., Mar. 22, meeting of the Judiciary Committee. The committee, chaired by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), devoted the entire meeting to hearing testimony and discussing the bill. S.F. 699, authored by Sen. Roger Moe (DFL- Erskine), sets forth the procedures under which government officials must go about notifying property owners when the officials want to enter private property. Moe said, "I like to view this as a customer service bill. People are frustrated with their government; this bill encourages government officials to be polite without placing too great a burden on the officials." The measure requires a government official to give the owner written or oral notice that includes the official's name, the agency the official represents, the reason for the entry, and the right, if any, of the owner to deny or restrict entry. The measure also contains several exceptions to the notice requirement, particularly in cases of on-going peace officer investigations and emergency personnel. In addition, government officials acting on behalf of a public utility and assessors and land surveyors are exempted from the notice requirement. "The bill tries to establish a better link between government officials and property owners; it's a matter of simple common courtesy," Moe said. Chris Radatz, of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, spoke in support of the bill and said the bill will lead to "cooperation rather than confrontation." Officials from the Dept. of Natural Resources and the Dept. of Health expressed some concerns with specific provisions in the measure. Members were unable to complete work on the measure due to lack of time and the bill was laid over until the next hearing. Metropolitan and Local Government Three bills okayed The Metropolitan and Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), advanced three bills and laid over a fourth at a meeting Thurs., Mar. 16. S.F. 833, a bill that allows the Minneapolis Police Dept. to sell unclaimed stolen property to community based non-profit organizations, was approved and sent to the floor. "This is a recycling program with an educational component," said the bill's author, Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), "and it only makes sense to expand it." Flynn told members that the idea stems from a bike program that's been in place since 1992. Approached by a Seward neighborhood business, the department agreed to turn over damaged bikes to the Phantom Bike Shop. In turn, the shop trains neighborhood youth in bike repair and business practices. The program has been so successful Flynn said, that it would make sense to expand it to include other unclaimed property, such as electronic equipment. Testifying in support of S.F. 833 was Mike Oker, owner of the Phantom Bike Shop in Minneapolis. Oker said that his shop provides employment to local youth and focuses on business training and community involvement. Accompanied by two teen-aged employees, Oker said that most of his customers are from the neighborhood and can't afford to buy new bikes. Steve Soucy, from the Minneapolis Police Property and Evidence Unit spoke in favor of the bill. "It would allow the department to expeditiously clear amassed inventory, while recapturing some revenue," Soucy said. Currently the department houses more than 18,000 pieces of property Soucy said, and bikes are just one of the items stockpiled. "This would serve the department as well as the community," Soucy said. Two bills relating to Dakota County were brought before the committee. The first, S.F. 563, a bill appropriating $100,000 from the general fund to reimburse Dakota County for costs incurred since designation of the county as a potential site for the new airport, was laid over. Sen. James Metzen (DFL-St. Paul), the measure's author, said that the costs stem from expenses related to the dual-track airport study. "These are out-of- pocket costs that should be re-imburse," Metzen said. "This is a fairness issue." But members asked for more information before taking action on the bill. S.F. 856, authored by Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan), was okayed and placed on the Consent Calendar. The bill states that in Dakota County, the county administrator is designated as the clerk of the county board, not the county auditor, as mandated in current law. Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) presented S.F. 565, a bill that authorizes the Metropolitan Council to enter into a joint powers agreement with local units of government to administer Section 8 housing. Currently, the Met Council is prohibited from operating a section 8 program in local governmental units. Tom McElveen, from the Housing Regulation Authority of the Met Council testified that the restriction forces families to relocate. Additionally, he said that the prohibition is an impediment to effective business operations. Members approved the bill, and re-referred it to the Jobs, Energy, and Community Development Committee. Duluth bills passed Two bills carried by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth) were approved by the Metropolitan and Local Government Committee Mon., Mar. 20. The first, S.F. 858, places the city of Duluth under the general law of Minnesota Statues on waterworks, sewers, drains and storm sewers. As a first class city, Duluth is exempted from the general law. Mayor Gary Doty testified that the city has come under pressure from the Pollution Control Agency to correct the overflow of storm water into Lake Superior. The committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy) approved the measure and re-referred it to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. S.F. 953 amends a special law that set up a service district in 1993, expanding the boundary by one block. Doty said that the only group affected by the legislation is the developer, who agrees with the change. Members advanced the bill to the Consent Calendar. A bill heard last week by the committee, S.F. 563, was defeated. Authored by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul) the measure requested reimbursement of $100,000 for expenses incurred by Dakota County for airport planning costs. Metro site cleanup loan bill advanced Members of the Metropolitan and Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), met Weds., Mar. 22, to consider two measures. S.F. 1000, sponsored by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), establishes a contaminated site cleanup loan program within the Metropolitan Council. Under the bill, the Metro Council may make non-interest bearing loans to cities, counties, towns, housing and redevelopment authorities, port authorities and economic development authorities to pay for the cleanup of polluted or contaminated property if the site is not scheduled for federal funding of state "Superfund" funding, the appraised value is less than 50 percent of the cleanup costs and the site will provide a substantial increase in the property tax base or will be used for a publicly owned or tax-exempt facility. According to Flynn the bill is designed to cleanup areas that have been blighted by pollution in order to encourage economic development. The bill provides for an appropriation of $14 million from the general fund, authorizes the use of $1 million of the proceeds of solid waste bonds issued by the council and authorizes the council to levy up to $10 million annually for the program. Rebecca Yonisch, executive director, Minneapolis Community Development Agency and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin were among those who spoke in favor of the measure. Sen. Martha Robertson (IR-Minnetonka) proposed, and members adopted, an amendment clarifying the purposes for which the sites may be used after cleanup is completed. The bill was then approved and re-referred to the Finance Committee. Members also approved, and sent to the Senate floor, a bill allowing county boards to vote to make the offices of county auditor, county treasurer, or county recorder appointive positions. Under current law the positions may become appointive upon an affirmative vote of the voters of a county. S.F. 1070, authored by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), does provide for a transition period during which the offices could be made appointive either with an election or without an election if a vacancy occurred in the office prior to March 1 in the year of a regular election for the office. Several current county office holders spoke against the measure and argued that the bill was taking away the right of the voters of a county to choose how the offices should be filled. Mary Beckman, of the Minnesota Association of Counties, spoke in favor of the measure. The bill was approved on a voice vote and sent to the full Senate. Taxes and Tax Laws Sales tax bills considered The Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Sales and Income Tax met Thurs., Mar. 16, to consider a number of bills dealing with different aspects of the sales tax laws. Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury) said that the panel was not going to act on any of the bills, but that they would hear the bills and consider amendments. S.F. 210, sponsored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), authorizes the city of Winona to use lodging tax revenues for a steamboat center to promote tourist activities. S.F. 13, authored by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville), makes permanent the sales tax exemption for used farm machinery. S.F. 804, carried by Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), permits the city of Breezy Point to use the proceeds from the local lodging tax to build and operate a regional sports recreational facility. S.F. 24, authored by Sen. Martha Robertson (IR-Minnetonka), repeals the law that imposes a fifty cent tax on each call placed to a 900 service if the service originates from and is charged to a telephone in Minnesota. S.F. 250, sponsored by Sen. Steve Dille (IR-Dassel) exempts sales to veterinarians of materials used or consumed in the care, medication and treatment of agricultural production animals and horses. S.F. 419, carried by Bertram, provides a sales tax exemption for building materials used in construction of agricultural processing facilities and exempts a tax increment district in Brooten from the LGA/HACA offset. S.F. 721, authored by Sen. William Belanger (IR-Bloomington), exempts cargo vans from the rental motor vehicle tax. S.F. 771, sponsored by Price, exempts sales of construction materials and supplies to counties or cities for use in building or improving correctional facilities from the sales tax. TIF bills discussed The Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Property Tax met Tues., Mar. 21, to continue the discussion of tax increment financing. The panel, chaired by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL- Mankato), heard several bills but took no action on the measures. Members also heard two proposals for reducing the property tax class rate for seasonal and recreational property. The subcommittee took extensive testimony but delayed action on the bills. S.F. 575, authored by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul) and S.F. 346, authored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), both reduce the property tax class rate for seasonal and recreational property. Dick Wray, president, Minnesota Seasonal Recreational Property Owners, gave a presentation illustrating the dilemma seasonal property owners face. According to Wray, seasonal property owners pay two and a half to three times more than local residents pay but use almost none of the local services. After hearing testimony on the seasonal property issue, members turned their attention to the bills dealing with tax increment financing. S.F. 961, authored by Sen. Roger Moe (DFL- Erskine), exempts a tax increment financing district in the city of Crookston from the state aid offset if the district is established by July 1, 1996 and the district is used to assist a manufacturer of passenger buses to locate in the city. S.F. 165, authored by Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), authorizes the city of Hastings Housing and Redevelopment Authority to collect tax increments from the downtown redevelopment increment financing district for an additional five years. Similarly, S.F. 798, also carried by Murphy, extends the duration of a Lake City tax increment district until Jan. 1, 2002. S.F. 1194, carried by Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio), authorizes a tax increment financing district in Torning Township to help the location of a farm machinery manufacturing facility and exempts the district from state aid offsets. S.F. 1198, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Neuville (IR-Northfield), extends the duration of two TIF districts in Northfield and provides that the tax increment generated may be used for redevelopment activities in the central business district. S.F. 1282, authored by Hottinger, takes a broader based approach to dealing with tax increment financing districts. The bill eliminates the LGA/HACA offset and provides for state grants to tax increment financing districts. A bill, S.F. 284, authored by Sen. Gen Olson (IR-Minnetrista), restricting the usee of tax increment financing, takes a different approach in dealing with the tax increment financing issue. Both measures will be considered at future meetings of the subcommittee. Transportation and Public Transit Capital request considered The Minnesota Dept. of Transportation (MnDOT) received approval from the Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division for $9 million in capital expenditures to purchase a building for its Metro Division. At a Fri., Mar. 17, meeting, MnDOT's Building Project Manager Adeel Lari presented the request to the division, chaired by Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon). The request was not on the division's six-year capital budget plan, Lari said, because the property only recently came on the market at a reasonable price. The Waters Edge Building, located in Roseville at the Snelling Avenue and Highway 36 intersection, fits into the division's strategic goals by providing a centralize site to more easily meet customer needs. The building, constructed in 1980, recently underwent $2 million in renovation and currently meets federal Americans with Disabilities Act standards, Lari said. The division approved the request and the matter will be considered by the full Transportation Committee. The division also advanced a bill providing manufacturer testing license plates to be used on vehicles being cold-weather tested in Northern Minnesota. S.F. 172, authored by Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls), also exempts automobiles operated for cold-weather testing from registration taxes. Lessard explained that currently vehicles used at Minnesota's testing sites have not been required to have Minnesota license plates since the cars usually are in the state for a short period of time. The bill allows for manufacturers to purchase plates to be interchanged on vehicles coming into the state for winter testing. The fees would bring in revenue which the state currently is not receiving, he said. The bill advances to the full committee. Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota) presented a bill authorizing the commissioner of finance to issue up to $630,000 in bonds for the second phase of a high-speed rail study. S.F. 696 amends 1994 Legislation that provided an appropriation for the feasibility study. Some $500,000 of the amount is contingent upon Wisconsin's payment of $500,000 and the receipt of federal matching funds. The study focuses on development of a high-speed rail line from the Twin Cities to Chicago. "It's not an issue of if high- speed rail is going to happen, but where and when," Morse said. Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester), who joined Morse in the presentation, said the second phase of the study is needed to continue the cooperation among the three states to position the upper-Midwest in high-speed rail development. "Unless we act now and show interest and look at the benefits of intermodal planning, we will be left out," she said. The division laid the bill aside to consider the request with other bonding projects. The division also advanced S.F. 615 authored by Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) allowing the Metropolitan Council to create an advisory committee for a high-speed bus pilot project. Transit bonding bill okayed A bill authorizing $82 million in bonding for transit over the next three years cleared the Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division Tues., Mar. 21. S.F. 835, sponsored by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), provides $50 million in new bonding authorizations. The remaining $32 million in bonding authorized in the bill, according to Jim Solem, regional administrator, Metropolitan Council, was previously authorized but not issued. The council, according to Solem, expects to issue $32 million in bonding in calendar year 1995, $25 million in 1996, and $25 million in 1997. Among the uses for the bond proceeds are $32.5 million for fleet replacement, $28.4 million for public facilities, such as transit hubs and shelters, and $20 million for support facilities, such as capital equipment and computers. The Senators approved the bill and referred it to the full committee. The committee, chaired by Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), also approved S.F. 979. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Terry Johnston (IR-Prior Lake), makes several changes to the law covering hazardous materials transportation that was enacted during last year's session. The measure subjects rail and water carriers of hazardous materials to the registration and permit requirements of the hazardous materials transportation program. It also requires persons with direct management responsibility for hazardous waste transportation operations to submit fingerprints to the FBI for a background check. This and several other provisions are aimed at making the state's program conform with federal and international hazardous waste program requirements. The bill was referred to the full committee. Two bills dealing with special license plates were also approved and sent to the full committee. S.F. 554, sponsored by Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May Township), establishes special professional sports team and Olympic license plates. The bill provides that the fee for each plate include a $25 annual fee to be contributed to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. The total fee for the plates has not been determined. Under the measure, the sports commission may pay the initial administrative and manufacturing costs of the first production of the plates. A representative of the commission testified that the startup money would come from private sources. S.F. 497, sponsored by Sen. Paula Hanson (DFL-Ham Lake), establishes special "Kids First" license plates for child protection. The measure provides for an initial fee of $10 for the plates, and a $25 annual fee to be contributed to county child protection services. Some highway restrictions repealed A bill abolishing highway construction restrictions related to freeway lanes on I-394 was approved by the Transportation and Public Transit Committee at a meeting held Weds., Mar. 22. The committee, chaired by Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake), advanced a number of other bills as well. S.F. 371, presented by Sen. Gen Olson (IR-Minnetrista), repeals statutes that impose restrictions on the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation (MnDOT). The repeal allows the department to open up a lane on I-394 near the Penn Avenue interchange that is currently blocked off. Olson explained that the restrictions were enacted in 1977 in response to neighborhood concerns. Al Pint of MnDOT said opening up the lane would improve the level of service during non-peak traffic hours and could ease congestion during peak hours. The department would have to extend the sound wall to cut down on noise, he said, if the local businesses agree to the measure. Two residents of the neighborhood testified against the bill saying MnDOT would be going back on its word if the bill was passed into law. Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.) agreed, saying the Legislature could be jeopardizing future negotiations with neighbors if it allows the department to change a past agreement with the residents. Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon) said he supported advancing the bill to the Senate floor while waiting to see how negotiations were progressing. The committee approved the bill. Committee members approved S.F. 835, presented by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), authorizing $82 million in bonds for transit and paratransit equipment and facilities. The bill was re-referred to the Finance Committee. S.F. 696, authored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), providing $630,000 from bond proceeds to fund a phase-two feasibility study of high-speed rail service from the Twin Cities to Chicago. The bill was approved and sent back to the finance division for consideration in the bonding package. The committee laid over S.F. 976, authored by Sen. Paula Hanson (DFL-Ham Lake), for consideration by the finance division. The bill requires the commissioner of transportation to adopt rules for parking facilities in downtown Minneapolis serving I- 394. The committee also approved seven bills that advance to the Senate floor, including S.F. 615. The bill, authored by Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington), directs the Metropolitan Council to implement a high-speed bus service pilot project. S.F. 979, presented by Sen. Terry Johnston (IR-Prior Lake), subjects rail and water carriers of hazardous materials to requirements of the hazardous materials transportation program, including submission of finger prints to the FBI. S.F. 172, carried by Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls), issues manufacturer test license plates for cold-weather testing of vehicles in Northern Minnesota. S.F. 554, authored by Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May Township) authorizes the issuance of professional sports team or Olympic license plates. S.F. 497, presented by Hanson, authorizes special license plates to provide funding for prevention of child abuse. S.F. 1097, carried by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL- Paynesville), allows any legislatively-established transit commission, city or county, to provide paratransit service outside its jurisdictional boundaries under several requirements. Finally, S.F. 965, authored by Langseth, allows the issuance of an annual permit for a wide load of square bales of straw within 25 miles of the North Dakota border. Floor Action Name change limit okayed Senators met in floor session Thurs., Mar. 16, and processed a number of bills on the General Orders Calendar. Bills on General Orders are granted preliminary passage by the Senate acting as one large Committee of the Whole. Members resumed their consideration of H.F. 125, a bill prohibiting correctional inmates from applying for name changes more than once during an inmate's confinement. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL-Bricelyn), had been laid over during a previous floor session in order to draft an amendment. However, the author of the amendment decided not to offer the amendment. The bill was approved on a voice vote. Members also granted preliminary passage to seven additional bills. H.F. 121, sponsored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), authorizes the extension of the Blufflands Trail System in Winona County. H.F. 435, carried by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), authorizes performance-based gas purchasing regulation for gas utilities. H.F. 305, authored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL- Staples), clarifies provisions for township financial audits. S.F. 229, authored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester), allows the sharing of medical examiner data with a state or federal agency charged with investigating a death. S.F. 308, sponsored by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), authorizes special registration plates for persons subject to an impoundment order under DWI laws and expands the definition of prior license revocation. S.F. 39, carried by Sen. David Knutson (IR-Burnsville), limits the sentencing court's authority to stay adjudication of a controlled substance offender's guilt and to expunge the offender's record upon the successful completion of treatment and probation. The measure provides that the procedure applies only to first-time offenders convicted of a fourth- degree, fifth-degree, or a nonfelony controlled substance offence. S.F. 257, carried by Morse, provides that an individual may hold the office of soil and water conservation district supervisor and certain city and town offices at the same time. Members also granted final passage to three bills on the Senate Calendar. H.F. 95, carried by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL- Paynesville), prohibits headwalls in highway rights-of-way. H.F. 749, sponsored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), modifies eligibility for transitional housing services. H.F. 362, authored by Bertram, authorizes a town board to set up a petty cash fund. Two bills on the Consent Calendar also were given final passage. S.F. 526, authored by Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls), modifies the local approval requirements for the Nashwauk Area Ambulance District Law. H.F. 887, sponsored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), provides St. Paul with additional authority in regard to the teacher training institute. Name change prohibition okayed The Mon., Mar. 20, floor session also included final passage of several additional bills on the Senate Calendar and the Consent Calendar. H.F. 125, authored by Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL- Bricelyn), prohibits correctional inmates from applying for name changes. H.F. 121, authored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), authorizes the extension of the Blufflands Trail System in Winona County. H.F. 435, sponsored by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), authorizes performance-based gas purchasing regulation for gas utilities. H.F. 305, carried by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL- Staples), clarifies the provisions for financial audits in towns. S.F. 229, authored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester), allows sharing of medical examiner data with a state or federal agency charged with investigating a death. S.F. 308, authored by Marty, authorizes special registration plates for persons subject to an impoundment order. S.F. 39, carried by Knutson, limits the sentencing court's authority to stay adjudication of a controlled substance offender's guilt and to expunge the offender's record upon the successful completion of treatment and probation. S.F. 257, carried by Morse, provides that an individual may hold the office of soil and water conservation district supervisor and city and town office at the same time. S.F. 574, authored by Finn, requires the commissioner of natural resources to change names of geopgraphic features of the state. S.F. 93, carried by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville), requires Stearns County to refund money paid by the city of Melrose for acquisition of property. Noncontroversial bills okayed In other business during the Thurs., Mar. 23 floor session, the Senate passed several bills on the Consent Calendar. S.F. 1099 allows election judges to live in a precinct in one county but serve in a precinct in another county, as long as those precincts are in the same municipality. The bill, authored by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville), was passed, 58-0. H.F. 654, sponsored by Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), clarifies a town board's authority to alter or vacate abandoned roads that were dedicated by plat. The measure passed, 61-0. The Senate passed H.F. 856, 62-0. The bill, presented by Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan), allows the Dakota County administrator to serve as clerk to the county board. On a 60-0 vote, the Senate passed S.F. 953, authored by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), S.F. 953, allowing the city of Duluth to extend the size of a special service district. S.F. 1176, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (IR-New Ulm), was also passed, 60-0. The bill permits the city of Sleepy Eye to discontinue its use of a steam heating system without having to provide a 2-year advance notice to the Dept. of Trade and Economic Development. Preview Meetings for March 27 - March 31 Monday, March 27 Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Chair: Sen. Steven Morse 8 a.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 1082-Frederickson: Minnesota River Basin Commission. S.F. 428-Morse: Grants for parks, recreational areas and nsas. S.F. 26-Frederickson: Food licensing. The Senate will meet at 10 a.m. Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Chair: Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. 12 noon Room 107 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 693-Dille: Changing limits for participation in certain rural finance authority loan programs; provide development and change requirements for feedlots. S.F. 598- Runbeck: Limits liability of grocery stores and delicatessens as food donors. S.F. 1043-Berg: Modifying provisions related to farmed cervidae. S.F. 1182-Berg: Clarifying certain references in the grain weighing, sampling and analysis law. S.F. 1292-Bertram: Establishing a pilot dairy education and technology transfer program. Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair: Sen. Sam Solon 12 noon Room 112 Capitol Agenda: H.F. 150-Solon: Temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses term extension. S.F. 232-Murphy: Comprehensive health insurance plan lifetime benefit limit increase. S.F.649-Chandler: Property and casualty insurance agents quota prohibition. S.F. 1026-Oliver: Insurers risk-based capital regulation. S.F. 1033- Oliver: Insurance solvency regulation. S.F. 1146-Neuville: Master electrician licensure eligibility requirements modifications. S.F. 704-Belanger: Homeowners and automobile insurance zip code ratings prohibition. Judiciary Committee Chair: Sen. Carol Flynn 12 noon Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 699-Moe. R.D.: Property rights notification. S.F. 349-Lesewski: Dept. Economic Security document language. S.F. 844-Dille: Marriage license fee. S.F. 1042-Reichgott Junge: Business partnerships clarifications. Crime Prevention Committee Chair: Sen. Allan Spear 2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 651-Knutson: Miscellaneous crimes. S.F. 1054-Ranum: Juvenile law, procedures, and programming. S.F. 1151-Spear: Peace officer standards. Continuation - S.F. 470-Laidig: Sentencing guidelines modifications. Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division Chair: Sen. Carl Kroening 2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 268-Piper: Youth intervention program. S.F. 383- Reichgott Junge: Electronic filing and information retrieval for business licenses. S.F. 768-Novak: Food shelf program. S.F. 1081- Frederickson: Displaced homemakers. Overview of the budget for the Council on Black Minnesotans, Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, Architecture and Engineering Board, Accountancy Board, and the Uniform Laws Commission. Metropolitan and Local Government Committee Chair: Sen. Jim Vickerman 2 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 683-Murphy: Allowing cities to make grants to nonprofit food shelves. S.F. 726-Mondale: Hennepin County lease of hospital or nursing home facilities. S.F. 1144-Flynn: Minneapolis city engineer duties. S.F. 1200-Merriam: Requiring county sheriffs to be licensed as peace officers before taking office. S.F. 1275-Anderson: Money for security measures on Metropolitan Council transit vehicles. S.F. 1300-Pappas: Detachment of intermediate airport land from cities or school districts. Joint Crime Prevention and Judiciary Privacy Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Sen. Jane Ranum and Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn 5 p.m. Room 318 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Chair: Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. 6:30 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 483- Stumpf: Wetlands. Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Chair: Sen. Steven Morse 6:30 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 722-Morse: Establishing an environmental legal assistance pilot project. Crime Prevention Committee Chair: Sen. Allan Spear 7 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Continuation - afternoon agenda. Judiciary Committee Chair: Sen. Carol Flynn 7 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: Continuation - 12 noon meeting agenda. S.F. 364-Anderson: Third party threats. S.F. 711-Anderson: Peer counseling evidentiary privilege. S.F. 170-Dille: Maintenance of abandoned or neglected cemeteries. S.F. 1088-Krentz: Frivolous lawsuits of inmates. S.F. 1220-Reichgott Junge: Living will amendments. Tuesday, March 28 Gaming Regulation Committee Chair: Sen. Charles Berg 8 a.m. Room l07 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 1011-Neuville: Repeals authorization for certain forms of gambling. S.F. l0l2-Neuville: Abolishes the Minnesota Racing Commission, Gambling Control Board, and the State Lottery Board. S.F. 1120-Berg: Creating a special account for money received by the gambling control board as reimbursement for costs of testing pull-tab dispensing devices. Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Chair: Sen. James Metzen 8 a.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: H.F. 228-Piper: Board of Medical Practice; reinstating certain advisory councils. S.F. 163-Piper: Crime Victim Witness Advisory Council. S.F. 900-Piper: Foster care; changing licensing requirements. S.F. 947-Krentz: Regional Arts Council. S.F. 963- Anderson: Minnesota International Council. S.F. 992-Kiscaden: Reinstating certain advisory councils and task forces. S.F. 467- Mondale: Coordination and consolidation of public safety radio communications systems. Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division Chair: Sen. Keith Langseth 8 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 573-Chmielewski: Transportation funding bill. S.F. 67-Johnston: Transportation funding bill. S.F. 569-Langseth: Transportation funding bill. S.F. 832-Flynn: Transportation funding bill. Education Funding Division Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller 10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Health Care Committee Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin 10 a.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 135-Neuville: Board of Psychology. S.F. 1258- Berglin: Change indices used to adjust hospital and nursing home rates. S.F. 417-Berglin: Long-term care payment and services delivery system (FAIR). S.F. xxxx-Berglin: Children's mental health collaboratives. S.F. 702-Kiscaden: Children's services (governor's DHS Bill). Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee Chair: Sen. Steven Novak 10 a.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 734-Chandler: 911 System. S.F. 931-Morse: Economic security rehabilitation services. S.F. 1019-Mondale: Metropolitan government and metro housing. Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee on Insurance Chair: Sen. John Hottinger 12 noon Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Continuation - S.F. 259-Merriam: Genetic discrimination act. Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Chair: Sen. Steven Morse 12 noon Room 123 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 116-Sams: Annual funding for SWCDs. S.F. 300-Sams: Environmental learning center. Family Services Committee Chair: Sen. Pat Piper 12 noon Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 1103-Ranum: Dept. of Children, Youth and Learning. Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair: Sen. Bob Lessard 2 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 930-Moe, R.D.: Clarifying procedures for watershed districts. S.F. 150-Merriam: Removing restrictions on bringing fish from Canada. S.F. 279-Johnson, D.J.: Public officers and certain duties relating to waters and public lands. S.F. 858- Solon: Demonstration project to prevent infiltration of storm sewers. S.F. 273-Price: Water supply system and wastewater treatment facilities. Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Chair: Sen. Steven Morse 4 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 304-Marty: Restricting advertising and promotion relating to gambling. Higher Education Division Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf 4 p.m. Room 125 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 158-Bertram: Fire crew training. S.F. 282-Morse: MNSCU library debt. S.F. 600-Johnson: UMD medical school. S.F. 697-Morse: Tuition approval. S.F. 823-Chmielewski: Fond du Lac funding. S.F. 951-Stumpf: Credit bank. S.F. 1034-Wiener: Open learning. S.F. 1185-Murphy: HECB financial aid. S.F. 1210-Wiener: Minnesota instructional telecommunications. S.F. 1252-Price: HECB agency bill. S.F. 1288-Johnson, J.B.: Cambridge status. Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Property Tax Chair: Sen. John Hottinger 4 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 369-Stevens: Local government aid for property tax exempt Indian lands. S.F. 1160-Belanger: Bloomington fiscal disparities. S.F. 909-Vickerman: County veto TIF. S.F. 1323- Chandler: North St. Paul TIF. S.F. 1325-Reichgott Junge: Crystal TIF. S.F. 780-Oliver: Residential homestead class rate modification. S.F. 284-Olson: TIF use restrictions and disclosure requirements expansion. Education Funding Division Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller 6 p.m. Room 125 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair: Sen. Bob Lessard 6 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 868-Berg: Prohibiting local governments from regulatory authority over feedlots. S.F. 1021-Lessard: Abolishing PCA; creating Dept. of Environmental Protection. S.F. 984-Kelly: Standards for oxygenated gasoline. S.F. 1314-Mondale: Modifying provisions relating to voluntary investigation and cleanup program. S.F. 1111-Lessard: Amendment to the Constitution affirming rights of citizens to hunt or take game and fish. Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Chair: Sen. James Metzen 6 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 845-Berglin: MinnesotaCare. S.F. 410-Marty: Senior drug purchasing. Health Care Committee Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin 6 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 1317-Kiscaden: Long-term care; home and community care (governor's DHS bill - includes PCA cuts). S.F. xxxx: Governor's health care and MA TEFRA bill - if introduced. Judiciary Committee Chair: Sen. Carol Flynn 6 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Bills referred from Family Law and Privacy Subcommittees. S.F. 1101-Bertram: Civil proceedings with state. S.F. 1118- Betzold: Revisor's Bill. S.F. 1153-Spear: Adding trial court judges. Wednesday, March 29 Gaming Regulation Committee Chair: Sen. Charles Berg 8 a.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Chair: Sen. James Metzen 8 a.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 1246-Riveness: Abolishing periodic reports. S.F. 1328-Reichgott Junge: Office of Citizen Advocate. S.F. 1132- Reichgott Junge: Office of Customer Service. S.F. 1384-Anderson: Abolishing the Dept. of Human Rights; transferring responsibilities to the Attorney General. S.F. 647-Wiener: Bill of rights. S.F. 682-Murphy: Abolishing Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning. S.F. 1389-Knutson: Repealing obsolete rules. Rules and Administration Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct Chair: Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge 8 a.m. Room 125 Capitol Agenda: Johnson vs. Finn complaint. Transportation and Public Transit Committee Chair: Sen. Florian Chmielewski 8 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 1164-Langseth: Dept. of Transportation housekeeping bill. S.F. 11-Metzen: Exempting newer motor vehicles from annual air pollution emissions inspections. S.F. 418-Kelly: Denying driving privileges for certain truant students. S.F. 1017-Cohen: Suspension of a drivers license for failure to pay child support. S.F. 1329-Murphy: Abolishing the Transportation Regulation Board. S.F. 995-Vickerman: Deregulating and conforming state motor carrier laws to federal regulations. S.F.1293-Belanger: Deregulating most motor carriers. S.F. 571-Murphy: Permitting operation of vehicle combinations over 65 feet in length. S.F. 1318-Langseth: Requiring study on impact of telecommuting on transportation. S.F. 573-Chmielewski: Changing the county state- aid highway apportionment formula. The Senate will meet at 9:45 a.m. Health Care Committee Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin 10 a.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 120-Robertson: Adjust medicare rates for long-term hospitals. S.F. 1055-Piper: Requires licensure for home care hospital and nursing home social workers. S.F. 417-Berglin: Long- term care payment and services (FAIR) delivery system. S.F. 1316- Kiscaden: Long-term care facilities (DHS bill). S.F. xxxx- Berglin: Surcharge update bill. Higher Education Division Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf 10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Continuation - Tuesday agenda. Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair: Sen. Sam Solon 12 noon Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 542-Sams: Health insurance coverage equity for prescription drugs. S.F. 579-Chandler: Charitable organizations regulations and clarification. S.F. 1170-Mondale: Geoscientists licensing or certification requirements. S.F. 1204-Betzold: No- fault auto rental vehicle coverage. S.F. 1404-Solon: Reinsurance intermediaries funds investment authority expansion. S.F. 164- Hottinger: Health insurance plans subrogation rights and restrictions. Judiciary Committee Chair: Sen. Carol Flynn 12 noon Room 15 Capitol Agenda: Continuation - Tuesday agenda. S.F. 342-Spear: Child abuse investigations. Crime Prevention Finance Division Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman 2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: Budget review for the Dept. of Corrections. Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division Chair: Sen. Carl Kroening 2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Public testimony on budget issues. Metropolitan and Local Government Committee Chair: Sen. Jim Vickerman 2 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Chair: Sen. Steven Morse 6 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 715-1 Vickerman: Towns. S.F. 1006-Morse: Sewage sludge. S.F. 463-Lessard: Eliminating permit fees. S.F. 280- Murphy: Combined sewer overflow grants. Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Chair: Sen. James Metzen 6 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: Continuation - Wednesday morning agenda. Health Care Committee Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin 6 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: Bills not completed at Tuesday and Wednesday morning meetings. S.F. 843-Kiscaden: Requires certain consent procedures before abortion. Judiciary Committee Chair: Sen. Carol Flynn 6 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 1314-Mondale: Environment audit privilege. S.F. 885- Ranum: Public nuisance. Thursday, March 30 The Senate will meet at 9 a.m. Education Funding Division Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller 10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Health Care Committee Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin 10 a.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 845-Berglin: LOC MinnesotaCare bill. S.F. 1291- Berglin: Health Care Reform Waiver (DHS bill). Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair: Sen. Sam Solon 12 noon Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Bills reported out of Subcommittee on Insurance. Family Services Committee Chair: Sen. Pat Piper 12 noon Room 15 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Crime Prevention Committee Chair: Sen. Allan Spear 2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 399-Knutson: Recreational vehicle DWI forfeiture. S.F. 663-Betzold: National guard; military affairs department possession of firearms on capitol grounds. S.F. 942-Riveness: Drug-free hospital zones. S.F. 1092-Neuville: Crime victim ombudsman. S.F. 1205-Spear: Nonfelony enforcement advisory committee. S.F. 1248-Kelly: Peace officer education. S.F. 1255- Limmer: Allowable use of force by Appleton prison staff. S.F. 1286-Kelly: POST Board membership. Bills reported from Joint Privacy Subcommittee. Bills referred from other committees. Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division Chair: Sen. Carl Kroening 2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Presentation on the Capitol access program, Wall Street Journal reporter. Overview of the budgets for the Barbers Board, Boxing Board, and the Electricity Board. Metropolitan and Local Government Committee Chair: Sen. Jim Vickerman 2 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Chair: Sen. Steven Morse 4 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Education Funding Division Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller 6 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Chair: Sen. James Metzen 6 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Health Care and Family Services Finance Division Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson 6 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Health Care Committee Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin 6 p.m. (Following Health Care and Family Services Finance Division meeting) Room 15 Capitol Agenda: Bills completed at the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. Crime Prevention Committee Chair: Sen. Allan Spear 7 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Continuation - afternoon agenda. Friday, March 31 Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Chair: Sen. James Metzen 8 a.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Education Funding Division Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller 10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair: Sen. Bob Lessard 10 a.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 345-Stumpf: Wastewater infrastructure funding program. S.F. 592-Stumpf: Confirmation old town roads that cross state lands. S.F. 171-Lessard: Sale of school trust land in St. Louis County. S.F. 1022-Lessard: Public sale of tax forfeited land in Koochiching County. S.F. 1023-Lessard: Notice requirement for sale of tax-forfeited land. S.F. 621-Lessard: Omnibus game and fish. S.F. 1180-Berg: Game and fish omnibus bill. S.F. 1362- Lessard: GEIS provisions. S.F. 1366-Olson: Authorizing Hennepin County to construct a seawall on Lake Minnetonka without a permit. Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair: Sen. Sam Solon 12 noon Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 936-Solon: Omnibus liquor bill. Compiled by: Senate Publications Room G95, State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 (612)296-0259 TDD 296-0250 ***Rough edit of March 24, 1995***