BRIEFLY
The Minnesota Senate Week in Review
April 7, 1995

Property tax freeze okayed
     The entire Thurs., Apr. 6, floor session was devoted to
debating a proposal for a one-year property tax freeze.  S.F.
1570, authored by Senate Majority Leader Roger D. Moe (DFL-
Erskine), specifies that property taxes payable in 1996 remain at
the same level of taxes payable in 1995.  The bill also contains
provisions for preventing a "snapback" rise in property taxes in
1997.  Moe said that a key feature of the bill allows school
districts that would otherwise lose revenue because of the freeze
to receive additional state aid to make up the difference.
     Moe said, "If we don't do this, there will be significant
property tax increases across the state--an average of 15
percent.  This vote is probably the best vote you will cast this
session for middle-income taxpayers."  Moe also said that the
bill sets up a procedure to engage the Legislature, public
officials and members of the public in the effort to bring about
genuine reform of the property tax system and the education
funding system.
     Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-Cook) explained the provisions of
the bill and said, "This is just one piece of the DFL budget plan
in which we have a strong commitment to increase funding for
education without relying on the most unfair form of tax--the
property tax." 
     Arguments against the bill revolved around the burden that
the measure places on local units of government.  Sen. Sheila
Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) said that local elected officials
testified about the dire consequences of the bill.  Moe
responded, "We heard from elected public officials, we didn't
hear from the average homeowners, or farmers, or small business
owners who have been watching their property taxes rise."
     Sen. Dean Johnson (IR-Willmar), however, charged that
property taxes rose because of DFL policies and that the bill was
politically motivated by the 1996 elections.
     Moe countered that the DFL welcomes the debate over tax
policy and that he wants to engage everyone in the debate about
the role of government.  "This is an opportunity to help middle-
income families in this state and to work for meaningful property
tax reform," he concluded. 
     After defeating several amendments, members granted final
passage to the bill on a 38-29 roll call vote.

IR tax bill debated
     The Senate unanimously rejected the governor's tax bill
after 90 minutes of partisan debate at a Mon., Apr. 3, floor
session. The bill divided the Senate between the IR leaders who
said the proposal prepares the state for anticipated federal
cuts, and DFL leaders who supported changes that would have
increased funding to education.
     Sen. William Belanger (IR-Bloomington) offered S.F. 610, a
bill outlining the governor's tax initiatives. Upon presentation,
Belanger offered an amendment that would have funneled an
additional $62 million to K-12 education funding, restored cuts
to local government aid, and established a property tax reform
and education aid task force.
     Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-Cook) objected to the proposal,
saying the bill raises property taxes on homeowners, farmers and
small business owners. "Haven't you heard the concerns of the
residents and their call for no tax increases?" he asked. Johnson
referred to the restoration of cuts to local government aid and
Homestead and Agricultural Credit Act (HACA) aid that could
translate to increases in taxes at the local level.
     Belanger argued that the bill does not require local
governments to increase property taxes, and instead forces the
Legislature to reform the property tax system by 1996.
     Majority Leader Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine) questioned the
creation of a new reserve account of some $220 million and asked
Belanger how the funds would be used. Belanger explained that the
money would be set aside to deal with expected cuts in federal
aid to the state. Moe said that was like letting the federal
government determine the state's funding priorities. "Why should
we let the federal government dictate our spending policies?" he
asked.
     Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.) offered an amendment to
the Belanger amendment that would have channeled the $220 million
realized in cuts to local government aid to K-12 education in
addition to the $62 million proposed in the Belanger amendment.
Calling it an investment in Minnesota's children, Pogemiller said
the provision would allow the state to direct its own funds.
"We're choosing our priority and our priority is children.
Period."
     Senate Minority Leader Dean Johnson (IR-Willmar) then asked
Pogemiller what he would do when the Senate is forced to respond
to the federal cuts without the reserve money. He added that the
action also would add to the base funding for education which
could result in budget shortfalls in coming bienniums.
     Pogemiller eventually withdrew the amendment at the request
of Moe. When the Belanger amendment failed on a 25-38 roll-call
vote, Belanger asked the IRs to vote against the bill. The bill
failed 0-67.

TEFRA changes made
     Continuing discussion on proposed TEFRA cuts, the Health
Care Committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.),
reconvened Weds., Apr. 5.  The cuts are called for in S.F. 1535,
sponsored by Sen. Edward Oliver (IR-Deephaven).  The bill also
reduces MA payments for prescription drugs, eliminates GAMC
payment for non-preventive dental services except for
emergencies, and implements a hospital peer grouping system.
     In a move to reach a compromise, Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-
Mpls.) and Oliver offered an amendment that retains the TEFRA
program while tightening the eligibility criteria.  All
recipients must go through a screening process by Jan., 1996. 
TEFRA recipients are required to be in a mangaged care program. 
The threshold for eligibility is lowered to 175 percent of the
poverty level, and the parents' fee schedule is income-based. 
Berglin's proposal for after-school and summer home care services
is included in the amendment.  Also, a study of private insurance
for disabled children and a managed care progress report is
required of the department.  The amendment was adopted.
     Berglin offered another amendment to reimburse pharmacists
for cost-effective intervention in drug therapies.  The proposal
provides an incentive to administer prescriptions or therapies
that save state funds, Berglin said.  It also sets the pharmacy
dispensing fee at $3.25, instead of $2.35 as proposed in the
bill.  Molly Siegel of the Minnesota Medical Association opposed
the measure, stating that financial incentives for pharmacists
sets a bad precedent and may cloud judgement.  Berglin agreed to
work out details of the amendment, and it was adopted.
     Another amendment was approved.  Offered by Berglin, it
establishes at least four different reimbursement rates in
Greater Minnesota and two in the Metro Area to reflect regional
differences in cost and utiliation.  Demonstration projects are
authorized for counties that seek a partnership as a joint
purchaser for MA, GAMC, and county-reimbursed services.  Projects
are also established to test alternative delivery services to
high risk families and children.  Berglin presented an amendment
to permit a long-term care demonstration project by a nursing
facility.  The proposal was adopted.  Certain dental services, x-
rays and fillings, were reinstated in the bill upon approval of
an amendment offered by Berglin.  The bill goes to the funding
division.
     The committee advanced H.F. 331 to the floor.  Authored by
Berglin, the bill modifies provisions relating to access for
patients and residents.

Committee capsule

Agriculture and Rural Development
Wetlands bill revived
     The fate of Minnesota's wetlands was taken from the table at
an evening meeting of the Agriculture and Rural Development
Committee, Thurs., Mar. 30. Chaired by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr.
(DFL-Paynesville), the committee adopted Sen. Steve Dille's (IR-
Dassel) amendment that makes significant changes to S.F. 483, as
authored by Sen. Leroy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls).
     "It's appropriate for government to have some say about what
we do on our private land," Dille said. Since enactment of the
Wetlands Conservation Act of 1991 however, numerous citizens'
groups have contended that the level of government involvement is
too far-reaching. Dille, one of the sponsors of the original
legislation, said that the need to rework the WCA was imperative.
     S.F. 483, as amended, "makes changes that clean up a lot of
the problems landowners have had since we passed the original
bill," Dille said. Besides exempting type I wetlands from
replacement plans, the measure allows for draining or filling of
up to 2 acres on type II wetland located on agricultural land--
regardless of whether or not the wetland is part of a larger
wetland.
     The bill also increases the de minimis factors, the land
area that triggers replacement plans, from 400 square feet to
1000 square feet in counties with less than 50 percent of their
pre-settlement wetland acreage remaining and within the building
setback of shoreland areas. In counties where between 50 and 80
percent of the land is wetland acreage, the exemption is
increased to 5000 square feet, and to 10,000 square feet in
counties with greater than 80 percent of their pre-settlement
wetland acreage remaining.
     Replacement credits for buffer areas and water quality
treatment ponds are also allowed under the bill, and compensation
is set at a minimum of $200 per acre for denied use of a wetland.
Furthermore, the amount of the payment must be increased or
decreased by the percentage change in assessment valuation of
land within the township from the 1995 valuation.
     Ron Harnack, from the Board of Soil and Water Resources
testified in support of the bill. "This goes a long way in
addressing the concerns of many," he said. "I'm particularly
happy to see the idea of `land value' addressed--the `public
value' concept is a good thing," Harnack said.
     Stumpf added, "I'm thankful that we're putting the bill into
a form that would be beneficial to the greatest areas of the
state."
     S.F. 483 proceeds now to the full Senate.
     
Mediation act extended
     A bill that extends the sunset date of the farmer-lender
mediation act, S.F. 429, was approved by the Agriculture and
Rural Development Committee at its meeting Weds., Apr. 5.
Authored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), the measure also
contains a provision requiring the University of Minnesota to
conduct a study of the program's efficacy.
     The committee, chaired by Sen. Joe Bertram Sr.(DFL-
Paynesville) adopted an author's amendment before approving the
measure and sending it to the full Senate. Offered as a
compromise to the bill's original sunset date of July 1, 2000,
the measure now places the sunset date at July 1, 1997.
     Numerous farmers, lobbyists, and concerned citizens spoke in
favor of the bill. Brent Waddell, from Legal Services Advocacy
Project testified that the program is used 100 times per month.
     Objections centered around previous extensions of the act,
and today's improved agricultural climate. Jerry Schoenfeld, from
Greater State Advisors/Independent Community Bankers of
Minnesota, said "circumstances are different now. We don't have
the farm crisis that existed in 1986 when this legislation was
written."
     But Morse objected to that perspective saying, "comments
about not having a crisis on our hands now are really
irrelevant," he said. "When a farmer is in default, when an
individual faces losing his farm, that's a crisis."
     S.F. 1551, carried by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch),
provides loans and incentives toward the development and
implementation of wind farms.
     "Wind turbines have ushered in an age of new energy
production in Minnesota," Johnson said. Telling members that the
state is one of the nation's leaders in wind velocity, Johnson
said that the future of wind farming is "almost a guaranteed
success."
     Besides providing loans to individuals for a farm-generated
wind energy production facility, S.F. 1551 also makes funds
available to cooperatives. Additionally, it provides for
incentive payments to be made to qualified wind energy conversion
facilities. Johnson said the bill provides farmers with another
crop to harvest, "namely electricity." 
      Members approved the bill and re-referred it to the Jobs,
Energy, and Community Development Committee.
     S.F. 1270, authored by Sen. Steve Dille (IR-Dassel),
clarifies procedures for agricultural chemical response and
reimbursement procedures. Besides defining "single site" as a one
mile radius around a discovered or reported incident, the measure
provides that payment to an eligible person for corrective costs
may be by multiparty check. Members approved the measure, sending
it to the floor.
     S.F. 708, carried by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (IR-Marshall), was
also sent to the floor. The bill raises the interest rate on the
shared savings loan program from six to seven percent.

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Genetic discrimination bill okayed
     A bill prohibiting discrimination in health insurance based
on a person's history of genetic testing received the approval of
the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee at the Thurs.,
Mar. 30, meeting.
     Under S.F. 259, sponsored by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon
Rapids), insurance companies are prohibited from requiring
applicants to have a genetic test, using the results of such a
test or using the fact that a person has undergone a test in
determining eligibility for insurance. 
     The bill also prohibits insurance companies from asking
whether an applicant's or policyholder's relatives have undergone
a genetic test. Insurers are also prohibited from making
decisions adverse to applicants based on entries in medical
records regarding genetic tests. 
          The committee approved an amendment, offered by Sen.
Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear Lake), that provides new
definitions for the terms "gene product" and "presymptomatic"
contained in the definition of "genetic test." The bill now goes
to the Senate floor. 
     In other business, the committee approved S.F. 1365,
sponsored by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth). The bill legalizes the
advertisement, sale, possession and use of several kinds of
fireworks. The fireworks legalized under the bill include caps
for cap pistols, snakes and glow worms, trick noisemakers, and
sparklers. The measure also requires manufacturers, distributors
and retailers to be licensed by the commissioner of public
safety, and allows the state fire marshal and commissioner to
approve sales locations for retail outlets. The committee
approved the bill and sent it to the Senate floor.
     Another fireworks bill, S.F. 1503, sponsored by Sen. Dan
Stevens (IR-Mora), requires operators of public fireworks
displays to be certified by the state fire marshal. Under the
measure, a supervising operator of a public fireworks display
must be at least 21 years old, must have passed a written test,
and must have proof of experience with at least five fireworks
displays, at least one in the past year. The committee approved
the bill and re-referred it to the Finance Committee.
     The panel, chaired by Solon, also approved S.F. 1469,
sponsored by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul). The bill
makes changes to statutes governing savings banks. The bill
outlines the powers and authority of savings banks, and makes
numerous technical changes. The bill now goes to the Senate
floor. 
     The committee also granted approval to S.F. 58, sponsored by
Solon, permitting officers and employees of Minnesota area or
industry labor management councils to elect state insurance
coverage for themselves or their dependents at their own expense.
The bill was sent to the full Senate.

Omnibus liquor bill heard
     The Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee reviewed then
laid over S.F. 936, the omnibus liquor bill, at a Fri., Mar. 31,
meeting. 
     The bill, sponsored by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), states
that the label of any brand of alcoholic beverage may be
registered only by the brand owner or the brand owner's
authorized agent. It also provides that a brew pub owner may hold
more than one retail on-sale license, and may manufacture up to
3,500 barrels of malt liquor at each licensed premise. The bill
also adds importers to the list of entities that may not be
issued a license if a retailer has a direct or indirect interest
in the entity. It provides that an owner of a brew-on-premises
store, a store that provides the ingredients and equipment for a
customer to brew malt liquor at the store, is not considered a
brewer, manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of intoxicating
liquor if the owner complies with provisions set out in the bill
and with regulations relating to home brewers. The bill also
requires that a business that directly or indirectly permits
consumption or display of alcoholic beverages must have an on-
sale license. 
     The bill also permits the issuance of a number of on- and
off-sale licenses.
     The committee, chaired by Solon, also heard S.F. 866,
sponsored by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), requiring
licensing of sign contractors and making it a petty misdemeanor
to perform unlicensed work as a sign contractor. After hearing
testimony, including testimony from the Dept. of Commerce in
opposition to the bill, the committee laid the bill over.

     
Disability devices warranty
     A bill requiring warranties on assistive devices for people
with disabilities cleared the Commerce and Consumer Protection
Committee at the Mon., Apr. 3, meeting. 
     The consumer protections in S.F. 1479, according to the
bill's author, Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), is a much-
needed "lemon law" for people who use assistive devices. Under
the bill, manufacturers must provide a one-year warranty on
assistive devices and repair defective devices. After a
reasonable attempt to repair a device has failed, the
manufacturer must replace it or provide a refund.  The bill now
goes to the Judiciary Committee.
     The panel, chaired by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), also
approved S.F. 553, expanding and clarifying governmental
authority to impound and dispose of abandoned motor vehicles in a
timely manner. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-
Paynesville), authorizes peace officers to impound abandoned junk
vehicles. It also permits immediately selling or disposing of
junk vehicles that have been impounded and do not have a valid
license plate. The measure also allows removal of an impounded
vehicle 45 days after notice to the owner if the vehicle is
already subject to removal under current law. The Senators
approved S.F. 553 and sent it to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 1343, sponsored by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids),
changes the licensing for individual certified public accountants
and licensed public accountants from an annual to a biennial
system.  The bill was approved and sent to the full Senate.
     Also approved was S.F. 836, sponsored by Solon. The measure
is in response to a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that rental
purchase agreements are consumer credit sales, and are therefore
subject to Minnesota's usury laws.  Solon said that many people
rely on rent-to-own businesses to buy goods they otherwise would
not be able to obtain, and that making such businesses subject to
usury laws could cause them to shut down. 
     The bill also clarifies that rental purchase agreements are
subject to consumer protections in current statutes governing
rental purchase provisions, the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices
Act, certain consumer fraud provisions and home solicitation
sales provisions, certain consumer warranties and statutes
relating to deficiency judgments. The bill now goes to the
Judiciary Committee.
     The panel also approved S.F. 536, sponsored by Sen. Warren
Limmer (IR-Maple Grove). The bill makes several changes to
regulations governing residential building contractors. Limmer
said the changes were recommended by the Dept. of Commerce. The
first changes include a clarification that residential real
estate owners who build or improve residential real estate and do
the work themselves must use "bona fide" employees, and may only
qualify for the exemption if they improve only one such property
in any 12-month period. Under the bill, Habitat for Humanity
volunteers are exempted from the license requirements.  S.F. 536
was sent to the Senate floor.
     The committee reviewed then tabled S.F. 1385, sponsored by
Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), extending the warranty on real
property goods to a person, who, during the term of the warranty,
purchases the real property where the goods are located. The
warranty transfer applies to goods, such as home building
materials, that become part of the property. The committee voted
to lay the bill over for further discussion. 
     
Video captioning bill approved
     The Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee met Weds.,
Apr. 5, and approved seven bills.
     Topping the agenda was S.F. 846, a bill requiring that
prerecorded educational videotapes offered for sale or rent must
be open-captioned or closed-captioned for deaf or hearing-
impaired persons. The bill, according to its author, Sen. Tom
Neuville (IR-Northfield) represents a compromise between the
entertainment industry and the deaf and hard of hearing
community. The bill was approved and sent to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 1390, sponsored by Sen. Mark Ourada (IR-Buffalo),
amends the state building code for deck building. The bill
specifies that decking surface and upper portions of exterior
decks must be made from heartwood from species with natural
resistance to decay and termites, sapwood grades of naturally
durable species, including cedars and redwoods; or treated wood.
The bill now goes to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 68, sponsored by Solon, requires group life insurance
policies to contain a statement of the alternative methods for
the payment of policy proceeds that are offered to beneficiaries
in place of a lump sum distribution. Alternative payment methods
must include a life income option, an income option for fixed
amounts or fixed time periods, and the option to select an
interest bearing account with the company, with the right to
select another option at a later date. The bill was approved and
sent to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 949, sponsored by Solon, provides a automobile
insurance premium reduction of at least 5 percent for vehicle
antitheft alarms or devices The panel approved the bill and sent
it to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 579, makes changes in the filing requirements for
charitable organizations. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kevin
Chandler (DFL-White Bear Lake), applies the $25 charitable
organizations registration fee to all registrations, and to all
organizations, rather than the first filing for larger
organizations, which is now the case. The measure also requires
reporting of the salaries of the top five officers of charitable
organizations and places fees on registrations and filings. The
bill contains a $75,000 appropriation to the attorney general for
implementation of the bill. The panel approved an amendment
offered by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato) requiring the state
law conform with IRS form 990. The bill was approved and re-
referred to the Finance Committee.
     S.F. 973, sponsored by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St.
Paul), provides that a person's automobile insurance covers the
person's liability for cars rented on a monthly basis, in
addition to covering daily and weekly rentals, as required in
current law. The bill was approved and sent to the full Senate.
     Another Metzen bill, H.F. 1371, exempts licensed investment
advisor and broker-dealers from the disclosures required under
state law for directing order flow, if the disclosures comply
with the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Crime Prevention
SAFE schools bill advances
     A bill referred to as the SAFE bill, for "Schools Are For
Education," was approved by the Crime Prevention Committee at a
Thurs., Mar. 30, meeting.
     S.F. 418 deals with a variety of juvenile and education
issues to try to curb the violence that is infiltrating the
schools, explained Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), author of the
bill. Among its provisions are amendments and clarification to
the juvenile code applying to truancy; school safety, including
requiring criminal background checks on school district
employees; and, appropriations to implement some of the programs.
     The bill was re-referred to the full Finance Committee.
     Members referred to the Senate, a bill authorizing the
forfeiture of a motor vehicle if a DUI offender fails to appear
in court with respect to the designated offense charge. Current
law allows forfeiture only if a person is convicted of an
offense.
     The committee, chaired by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-St. Paul),
also advanced eight other bills to the full Senate. Sen. David
Knutson (IR-Burnsville) presented a bill, S.F. 399, applying DUI
forfeiture laws to snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and motor
boats. Sen. Tom Neuville (IR-Northfield) unsuccessfully offered
an amendment allowing vehicle forfeiture on a second offense
instead of the current third offense.
     Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope) presented S.F.
1052, a bill amending the definition of "domestic abuse" to
include persons involved in a significant romantic or sexual
relationship, and increasing the time period from four hours to
12 hours during which an arrest may be made without a warrant
after a person committed domestic abuse. The bill also authorizes
a minor aged 15 or older to file a petition for an order for
protection on the minor's own behalf. The bill advances to the
floor.
     A bill requiring the Peace Officer Standards and Rules
(POST) Board to review its minimum standards of conduct and
compile information on peace officers convicted of fifth-degree
assault was approved by committee members. S.F. 1151, authored by
Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), also specifies several other
reporting provisions on the part of the POST Board and state law
enforcement agencies.
     S.F 663, carried by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), amends
provisions for dangerous weapons possession to include
prohibitions against intentionally pointing a gun at another, and
furnishing a minor with a weapons. The bill exempts governmental
military organizations conducting safe training and recruiting
activities from the prohibitions.
     S.F. 1088, presented by Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May Township),
requires the commissioner of corrections to develop disciplinary
sanctions to provide penalties for inmates who submit frivolous
or malicious law suits. The bill also establishes new procedures
applicable to inmates who commence a civil action by proceeding
in forma pauperis.
     Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul) presented S.F. 435, a bill
classifying name changes of protected witnesses as private data
and expanding the crime of witness tampering.
     S.F. 1255, authored by Sen. Warren Limmer (IR-Maple Grove),
expands the use of force in self defense in state adult
correctional facilities to include all private adult correction
facilities. The measure was recommended for the Consent Calendar.
     The committee also advanced to the floor, S.F. 1092, carried
by Neuville, clarifying the duties of the Office of the Crime
Victim Ombudsman.
     Three bills were re-referred to the finance division for
consideration with the appropriation bill. S.F. 1286, authored by
Kelly, changes the composition of the POST Board and requires
Metropolitan State University and Minneapolis Community College
to modify their law enforcement programs so students can complete
courses in two consecutive quarters. The bill also appropriates
$4.2 million to the POST Board for the biennium.
     S.F. 881, presented by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), builds
on the 1994 Juvenile Justice Act by requiring additional
recommendations from the criminal and juvenile information policy
group.
     Finally, the committee approved and sent to the finance
division, S.F. 1205, carried by Spear, expanding the scope of the
Nonfelony Enforcement Advisory Committee study and extending the
date by which the committee must report its findings to December
1996.

Police horse bill advances
     A bill making it a crime to interfere with a police horse
was approved by the Crime Prevention Committee during a meeting
held Mon., Apr. 3. Members also considered two other bills.
     H.F. 1399, carried by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), amends a
provision regarding police dogs by making harming or killing a
police horse a gross misdemeanor or felony, respectively. The
bill also specifies that an assault on a police horse resulting
in harm to the peace officer riding the horse or another person
constitutes an assault on the person and enacts first- through
fifth-degree assault penalties.
     Dennis Flaherty of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers
Association testified in favor of the bill, saying that as more
departments use horses in the line of duty, the peace officers
and animals must be protected from assaults.
     The bill advances to the full Senate.
     The committee considered another bill, S.F. 882, dealing
with patterned sex offenders. Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), chief
author of the bill, explained the bill's provisions, including
allowing the courts to sentence patterned sex offenders to a
maximum of 40 years in prison. The provision drew considerable
discussion among committee members and members of the audience.
     The bill specifies that a court may commit a person up to 40
years if the criminal motive reasonably appears to be sexual, if
the offender is a danger to public safety, and the offender needs
long-term treatment or supervision. John Stuart, State Public
Defender, testified against the bill, specifically the 40-year
provision, saying the application was too broad and gave too much
discretion to judges. He asked that the committee only implement
the bill provisions that call for training courses on sentencing
laws related to sex offenders.
     But Ranum and Committee Chair Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.) argued
that pattern sex offenders currently are being held in state
facilities under the sexual psychopath commitment procedure
instead of held in prisons under criminal sentencing.
     The bill was laid over for further discussion.
     H.F. 564, carried by Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington),
was approved and advanced to the Senate Consent Calendar. The
bill provides limited powers of a notary public to licensed peace
officers for administering oaths for probable cause notices.

Budget reviews, bills considered
     Members of the Crime Prevention Finance Division discussed
five bills to be considered with the division's appropriation
bill at a Weds., Apr. 5, meeting. The division, chaired by Sen.
Tracy Beckman (DFL-Bricelyn), also finished its review of the
budget for the Dept. of Corrections (DOC).
     S.F. 946, authored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul),
requires the DOC to develop a study in the next two years to
measure the outcomes of placing juveniles in out-of-home
placement programs.
     S.F. 556, carried by Sen. Thomas Neuville (IR-Northfield),
specifies that deductions from inmate wages paid by private
industry equal deductions from wages paid by the DOC.
     Sen. Don Kramer (IR-Brooklyn Center) presented S.F. 776, a
bill authorizing the DOC commissioner to deduct room and board
charges and other costs of confinement from inmate salaries.
     S.F. 758, carried by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), directs
the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to collect fees covering
expenses for non-criminal justice system background checks, and
makes changes to background checks under the Child Protection
Background Check Act.
     Finally, S.F. 1341, authored by Sen. Linda Runbeck (IR-
Circle Pines), pertains to intervention services for young
children exhibiting sexually aggressive behavior, and establishes
three pilot projects.

Education
Juvenile justice bill advances
     The Education Committee, co-chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf
(DFL-Thief River Falls) and Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.)
approved a bill, Fri., Mar. 31, requiring payment for the costs
of educating students placed in state institutions.
     S.F. 1054, sponsored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.),
requires the state to pay either the institution or the local
school district for the costs of providing educational programs
to students in a state institution.  Under the proposal, the
state will also pay for the unreimbursed special education costs
carried by a district that serves non-resident students placed in
a residential treatment facility.  The measure, which also
requires residential treatment facilities to provide a year-round
education program, was approved and referred to the Crime
Prevention Committee.

Omnibus proposal presented
     A proposal reshaping K-12 education funding mechanisms was
unveiled, Tues. morning, Apr. 4, to the members of the Education
Funding Division.
     Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), the division chair,
presented the first draft of S.F. 944, the education funding
omnibus bill.  While a number of the provisions contained in the
proposal have been previously adopted by the division, included
in the bill draft is what Pogemiller called "a work in
progress" - the creation of three funding formulas to replace the
current general education and categorical funding programs.
     Under the proposal, school districts will receive funds
through general education, targeted needs, and community and
family support formulas.  The proposed general education formula
ties the basic per-pupil revenue amount along with what is now
given for transportation and capital facilities.  The targeted
needs programs includes revenue now designated for such programs
as special education, desegregation, and compensatory aid.  The
third formula, community and family support, will support
community education and early childhood programs.  Further
discussion of the proposal is expected.
     The division also heard a presentation on education
standards from Dr. Willard Daggett, director of the Center for
International Leadership in Education.  Daggett encouraged the
members to support the state's efforts to set high academic
standards that are relevant to employment.

Transportation bills heard
     Reducing costs while making school transportation systems
more efficient is the intent of two bills presented Tues.
evening, Apr. 4, to the Education Funding Division, chaired by
Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.).
     Two bills were presented to allow schools districts to
computerized their bus routing and scheduling.  S.F. 1511,
authored by Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL-Bricelyn), allows districts
to use the transportation levy authority to purchase equipment
and software.  Roger Saxton, transportation manager for the Blue
Earth schools, said a computer routing program will allow him to
look at more scenarios than he can develop.  Though supportive of
the proposal, the potential levy impact led to the division's
vote to not include the proposal in the omnibus funding bill.
     An alternative proposal, S.F. 1175, was approved and added
into the omnibus bill. Sen. Martha Robertson (IR-Minnetonka) said
the bill allows a group of Metropolitan Area districts to use
computerized routing to coordinate their special education, non-
public, enrollment options, and desegregation transportation
routes. The members also adopted Beckman's amendment to give a
grant to the Blue Earth schools to establish a computerized
mapping system.
     A third transportation proposal, to allow districts to
provide transportation to and from service learning projects, was
set aside for further consideration.  S.F. 1149, sponsored by
Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May Township), allows districts to
transport students who are involved in community service and
youth development programs.
     In other action, the division voted not to include a bill
allowing direct aid payments to special education cooperatives or
intermediate districts.  Presented by Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-
Woodbury), S.F. 1113 permits aid payments to flow directly to the
special education program providers rather than going first to
the district.  Price said the bill will reduce the amount of
paperwork necessary for districts to make the payments to the
cooperatives.  However, Pogemiller argued the bill removes a
district's discretion over the use of those funds.
     S.F. 547 was amended and approved.  The bill, carried by
Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), renames the Office of
Environmental Education and moves its functions out of the Dept.
of Education.  Under the proposal, the organization becomes known
as the Environmental Education Council and is transferred to the
Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning.  The panel approved
Robertson's motion to delete a $240,000 appropriation included in
bill, and the measure was referred to the full Education
Committee.
     Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids) presented S.F. 1306,
establishing an intra-district enrollment options program. The
bill also requires that schools using site-based management get
95 percent of the general fund revenue and 50 percent of the
capital expenditure revenue.  After hearing testimony on the
proposal, the bill was set aside for further consideration.

PSEO changes approved
     Proposals changing the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options
(PSEO) program were heard and approved by Education Funding
Division, chaired by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), Weds.
evening, Apr. 5.
     S.F. 1197 expands the eligibility for PSEO, allowing high
school students enrolled at a non-public school to participate in
the program.  Sen. Tom Neuville (IR-Northfield), the bill's
author, said allowing non-public school students to participate
in the program is a matter of fairness.  But the bill drew
opposition from education groups who argued the proposal will
divert money away from the public school system.  The proposal
was approved and will be incorporated into the omnibus funding
bill.
     In response to concerns that students may be using PSEO to
take easier courses than they could take at their own high
school, the division also approved and added S.F. 1509, presented
by Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), to the omnibus bill.  Under
Samuelson's proposal, students are first required to complete the
courses of an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
Program, if those programs are provided by the school district,
before they participate in PSEO.
     Before approving the bill, the division considered two
amendments.  A requirement in the bill that students pay for the
textbooks used in advanced secondary school programs was struck
on a motion by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope).  An
amendment offered by Sen. Jerry Janezich (DFL-Chisholm), to place
PSEO tuition on a sliding fee scale was rejected.
     The division also approved a bill setting up a program that
allow Metropolitan Area districts to run all-day kindergarten.
Under S.F. 1359, authored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), Metro
Area districts with high numbers of students that qualify for
free or reduced lunches could qualify for grants to extend the
length of the kindergarten program.  The bill provides the $13
million needed for the project by applying an assessment on
businesses operating at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International
Airport that currently pay no municipal or school district
property taxes.
     The division approved and incorporated a number of other
bills into the omnibus funding package. S.F. 142, presented by
Sen. Dean Johnson (IR-Willmar), allows the school districts in
Danube, Renville, and Belview, and another non-public school to
enter into enhanced pairing agreements to discontinue one or more
grades.  Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) presented S.F. 1497. 
The bill exempts the State High School League from paying sales
tax on tickets to interscholastic tournaments if amounts equal to
what the tax generates are set aside to support activities for
students with disabilities or to expand activities for girls.
     Also approved was S.F. 1449, authored by Sen. Jim Vickerman
(DFL-Tracy).  The bill extends the availability of a $100,000
grant given last year to a group of Southwestern school districts
that are planning for combination.  S.F. 584, carried by Sen. Don
Betzold (DFL-Fridley), allows the Osseo School District to levy
up to $500,000 for instructional services for at-risk students.
     Two other proposals by Betzold, S.F. 585 and S.F. 586, were
set aside.  S.F. 585 continues the Osseo district's levy
authority used to support programs for at-risk students and
establishes a low-income concentration grant program.  S.F. 586
provides a low-income concentration aid program.
     A proposal to create a homework help line was set aside for
further consideration.  S.F. 1443, presented by Sen. Kenric
Scheevel (IR-Preston), sets an annual appropriation of $125,000
to establish the Minnesota Homework Helpline. The bill also calls
for the appropriation to be matched by private funds.
     Scheevel's bill, S.F. 1450, to allow a district to hold a
referendum to fund extra-curricular activities, was rejected by
the division.
     Prior to the division's meeting, the full Education
Committee, co-chaired by Pogemiller and Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-
Thief River Falls), met briefly and approved S.F. 547, sponsored
by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota).  The bill eliminates the
Office of Environmental Education in the Dept. of Education and
creates the Environmental Education Council.  The council is to
be housed in the Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning. 
The bill was re-referred to the Governmental Operations and
Veterans Committee.

Environment and Natural Resources
Game and fish bills advance
     Two game and fish omnibus bills were discussed and approved
by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee during a
marathon meeting held Fri., Mar. 31. The committee, chaired by
Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls), also advanced 11 other
bills.
     Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio) offered S.F. 1180, a bill
dealing with a variety of hunting and fishing activities,
including clarifying provisions allowing temporarily or
permanently disabled people to hunt from a stationary motor
vehicle. The bill expands statutes regarding taking, possessing
and transporting of wild animals to include rehabilitative
purposes.
     An author's amendment clarifies enforcement officers' powers
by specifying that conservation enforcement officers are not
granted any greater powers than other licensed peace officers.
     Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids) successfully offered an
amendment specifying that the fish that are lawfully taken in
Canada may be brought into the state. Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-
White Bear Lake) also offered an amendment clarifying definitions
and requirements related to undesirable and harmful exotic
species, including Eurasian water milfoil and Zebra mussels.
     S.F. 621 is a second game and fish omnibus bill, authored by
Lessard, which among its provisions designates mourning doves as
game birds.
     The bill also decreases from 14 years to 13 years the age
when residents may trap without a trapping license. Other
provisions include changes in various resident and non-resident
fishing fees to allow the licensee to choose the day or days in
which to use the license, changes to dates and times when fishing
is prohibited, expands the area in the state where ice-fishing
houses cannot be left on a lake overnight after Feb. 28, and
allows the taking of turtles with a specified floating trap.
     Chandler successfully offered an amendment that includes the
mute swan as a defined "unprotected bird." And the committee
adopted an amendment offered by Merriam clarifying requirements
for taking trout or salmon.
     Berg offered two amendments that allow the Long Lake
Homeowners Association to annually stock up to 5,000 walleye
fingerlings in Long Lake in Morrison County, and allow a person
to take no more than one northern pike larger than 36 inches
daily.
     Sen. Pat Pariseau (IR-Farmington) also successfully offered
two amendments: one establishing a firearms safety program for
children in grades five and under, and another designating an
official observance week commemorating the state's heritage of
hunting game animals.
     The omnibus bills advance to the Senate floor.
     Lessard offered S.F. 1122, a bill establishing a drycleaner
response account for cleanup of state-identified contaminated
sites. Fees paid by the 275 owners of drycleaning facilities
across the state would raise an estimated $800,000 a year. The
bill advances to the Finance Committee.
     The committee also advanced nine other bills. S.F. 1366,
carried by Sen. Gen Olson (IR-Minnetrista), directs the
commissioner of Natural Resources to issue a public waters work
permit allowing Hennepin County to construct a 15-foot addition
to the seawall at the county's Water Patrol building. The bill
advances to the full Senate.
     Sen. Dennis Frederickson (IR-New Ulm) presented a bill, S.F.
26, modifying definitions and exclusions for food licensing; the
bill was sent to the floor.
     S.F. 1520, authored by Lessard, expands the notification
requirements for spreading contaminated soil to include
notification of unorganized townships. The bill advances to the
floor.
     S.F. 654, carried by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), expands
eligibility for the value-added agricultural loan program to
include agricultural commodity facilities, including livestock
processing facilities. The bill advances to the full Senate.
     The committee advanced several land bills, including S.F.
1280, authored by Sen. Steve Dille (IR-Dassel), authorizing the
sale of tax-forfeited land in Meeker County. S.F. 1022, carried
by Lessard, authorizes the sale of tax-forfeited land in
Koochiching County. Olson presented a bill, S.F. 1127,
authorizing the sale of tax-forfeited land in Hennepin County.
S.F. 171, carried by Lessard, allows the sale of school trust
lands bordering public waters in St. Louis County.
     Lessard also authored a bill, S.F. 1023, modifying the
requirements for the sale of tax-forfeited land. According to the
bill, a county is not a road authority for roads used in managing
tax-forfeited lands classified as conservation lands.
     Finally, the committee rejected a bill that provided
incentives for recycling mercury switches from salvaged
automobiles. Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury) offered S.F. 1373,
directing the Pollution Control Agency to pay a motor vehicle
salvage operator 33 cents per mercury electrical switch as
reimbursement for recycling the switches.

Waste management act debated
     Members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee
approved "the perennial" amendments to the Waste Management Act
at a Tues., Apr. 4, meeting.
     Among the provisions, the bill clarifies the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) authority dealing with the Met
Council transfer of some responsibilities to the Office of
Environmental Assessment (OEA), and implements a variety of solid
waste management programs and recommendations.
     Most of the committee debate focused on several amendments,
including one that allows Minnesota companies to use a wood
preservative containing heavy metals. Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn
(DFL-Cass Lake) successfully offered the amendment saying the
prohibition against the chemicals does not apply to products made
in other states and brought into Minnesota. Unless Minnesota
companies are exempted from the prohibition, the state could lose
some $42 million in annual sales, Finn said.
     Julie Ketchem of the MPCA testified against the amendment
saying currently those businesses are granted temporary
exemptions and that other preservative alternatives are
available. She added that the complete prohibition for using the
chemicals does not go into effect until 1997.
     Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota) offered another amendment
directing vehicle salvage operators to remove mercury switches
from vehicles and turn them over to the MPCA for recycling. The
provision also authorizes the MPCA to enter into cost-sharing
agreements with owners of salvage facilities for cleanup of the
sites. The amendment was adopted.
     Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear Lake) successfully
offered an amendment requiring corrugated containers and paper
products to be recycled. And the committee adopted an amendment
offered by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch), author of the
bill, encouraging public entities to require used carpet to be
recycled.
     The committee, chaired by Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l.
Falls), advanced the bill to the Judiciary Committee.

Family Services
Housing bill advances
     Working to hear bills before the committee deadline, the
Family Services Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin)
approved several proposals. 
     At the Thurs., Mar. 30 meeting, members forwarded S.F. 1041,
a bill expanding the existing safe house statute to include
transitional housing for homeless youth.  Sponsored by Sen. Ember
Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), the bill requires coordination of
federal and state grant funding to provide a continuum of youth
services.  Originally proposed by students of City Academy,
services to be provided include job, health and education
services, and living skills training.  Several students testified
that many delinquency and criminal problems arise from
homelessness.  There are only 26 beds in the Metropolitan Area
for 1000 homeless youth, a doubling of this population since
1990, Reichgott Junge said.
     Reichgott Junge offered an amendment that expands some age
requirements to 22 years in order to obtain federal funding. 
Sen. Martha Robertson (IR-Minnetonka) opposed several provisions
of the bill, stating that at 18 years old people need to take
responsibility, and questioned the definition of homeless. 
Reichgott Junge explained that additional needs and crises faced
by homeless youth, who are diverted from school, must be
addressed.  The bill was approved and goes to the funding
division.
     Reichgott Junge also authored S.F. 650, a bill requiring
specialized interviewer training for individuals who are
interviewing allegedly maltreated children.  The bill creates a
criminal alert network and requires notification of certain
individuals before a person is released from custody.  The
training, costing $200,000 for the biennium, will help
investigators identify child abuse.  Pete Legus of the St. Cloud
Police Dept. testified to the value of this training.  However,
several members expressed concern about budget restrictions.  The
bill, which also centralizes a 24-hour hotline for abusive
situations, advances to the division.
     Members also sent S.F. 990 to the division.  Carried by Sen.
Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), the bill changes an absent parent's
liability for child support and establishes rights and
responsibilities for parentage.  A provision allows persons under
18 years old to rescind their recognition of parentage.  The bill
modifies child support proceedings by relying more on
administrative process than on the courts.  In addition, the bill
outlines the administrative law process.  Betzold said that the
changes will simplify services and allow more efficient and
effective collection of child support.  Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-
Rochester) opposed a provision that requires counties to
participate in the administrative process.  If it has value, she
said, it will voluntarily be implemented.  Laura Kadwell of the
Dept. of Human Services responded that a statewide administrative
process is needed to assist children and families.  
     S.F. 1284 was approved by the committee.  Sponsored by Sen.
Phil Riveness, the bill provides an exception to the group
residential housing moratorium to provide supportive housing
units for homeless adults with mental illness, a history of
substance abuse, HIV, or AIDS.  Riveness said that this option
offers housing and stability at a much lower cost than other
alternatives.  "It's better for the people involved, better for
the taxpayers," he said.  Mary Huggins of the department agreed,
stating that safe, affordable housing is the greatest need for
these populations.  Riveness offered an amendment that was
adopted that requires 70 percent of the housing units to serve
these populations.  The bill goes to the division.

Finance
Lakeview bond bill advances
     Modifications to the Lakeview School bond project are
authorized in a bill approved, Weds., Apr. 5, by the Finance
Committee, chaired by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids).
     S.F. 566, sponsored by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy),
modifies a provision in the 1994 capital bonding bill to allow
the Worthington School District to build up to five cottages for
the Lakeview School.  The bill also allows the residential
program, which serves students with special needs, to continue
operation until June 1, 1996.
     Last year's bonding bill included an authorization of $2.07
million to the Worthington School District for construction of
three residential cottages.  But the project was halted,
Vickerman said, when Dept. of Human Services' rules forced a
change in the original project.  He said those rules limit the
number of students that could be housed in each of the buildings
and the program will not be licensed unless the rules are met.
     Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL-Bricelyn) offered an amendment
reducing the amount of the bonding authorization to $1.7 million,
allowing the school to operate until July 1, 1996 without
licensure, and exempting the department from paying any costs of
the school's operation until it is licensed.  The amendment was
adopted.  The bill was then approved and advanced to the Senate
floor.
     The committee also amended and approved S.F. 150, authored
by Merriam, repealing the Canadian fish import restriction
enacted last year.  The bill, which allows fish lawfully caught
in Canada to be brought into the state, was also sent to the
floor.
     An amendment had been added to the bill in a previous
committee meeting authorizing a state appropriation to support
economic development and promotional projects in the Minnesota-
Ontario lakes area.  Merriam moved to delete the appropriation
provision, but his motion failed.  Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief
River Falls) then made a motion to appropriate $100,000 for the
projects and the motion was adopted.  The committee also approved
an amendment by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (IR-New Ulm), specifying
that the funds be allocated as grants to political subdivisions.

Funding bills heard
     A proposal to abolish the Office of Strategic and Long Range
Planning was approved by the Finance State Government Division,
chaired by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), Weds., Apr. 5.
     S.F. 682, authored by Sen. Steven Murphy (DFL-Red Wing),
abolishes the planning office and shifts a number of its
activities to other state agencies.  The bill was approved and
referred to the full Finance Committee.
     The division also approved several other bills, sending them
on to the full committee for further consideration.  S.F. 1406
sets the salary ranges for state agency commissioners, and the
salaries for administrative law and workers compensation judges. 
Under the bill, presented by Sen. Roy Terwilliger (IR-Edina), the
salaries ranges for agency heads appointed by the governor are
based on a percentage of the governor's salary.  Most
commissioners may receive up to 85 percent of the governor's
salary.
     S.F. 339, carried by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), allows
the Ethical Practices Board to issue advisory opinions on the ban
on gifts to local officials.  After Sen. Carl Kroening (DFL-
Mpls.) moved to delete the appropriations provision in the bill,
the measure was approved.  The board request of $118,000 needed
to support the bill will be considered with the other
appropriation requests before the division.
     Also approved were S.F. 877, authored by Sen. Deanna Wiener
(DFL-Eagan), requiring that building permit fees will be
deposited into a special fund for use in training of building
inspectors, and S.F. 947, sponsored by Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May
Township), clarifying the relationship between the Regional Arts
Council and the State Arts Board.  S.F. 1120, presented by Sen.
Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio), creates a special account for money
received by the Gambling Control Board as reimbursement of the
costs for testing pull tab dispensing devices. The measure
advances to the full committee.
     A number of other bills were heard and set aside for
consideration as part of a state government omnibus funding bill. 
S.F. 590, sponsored by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), includes a
$1.8 million appropriation for development and distribution of
caucus and voters guidebooks.  Flynn said the funding would allow
the Secretary of State's Office to prepare the informational
guides and deliver them to each household in the state.
     Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul) presented two bills
to the division.  S.F. 530 amends the state Constitution to
establish a bonus program for Persian Gulf War veterans and
places the question before the voters in the 1996 general
election of whether the bonuses should be paid. S.F. 938
appropriates $16,200 as the state's contribution towards plans to
develop a national memorial honoring women who have served in the
military.  An unspecified appropriation is sought under S.F. 603,
offered by Terwilliger, to begin planning of a Korean War
Veteran's Memorial on the State Capitol Mall.
     Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear Lake) discussed his
bill, S.F. 874, creating a Government Efficiency Incentive
Program. A $300,000 appropriation is requested to support the
start-up costs of the program.  S.F.564, authored by Sen. Dennis
Frederickson (IR-New Ulm) appropriates $500,000 for the biennium
to create the Minnesota Quality College Program in the Dept. of
Employee Relations.
     Cohen presented two of his own bills to the division.  S.F.
1121 provides $100,000 to begin planning for establishment of a
Human Development Center by the Capitol Area Architectural and
Planning Board.  S.F. 454 makes a $400,000 contribution during
the biennium to Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul.

Gaming Regulation
Video gaming bill laid over
     A controversial bill that establishes a test program for
video gambling, S.F. 402, was laid over by the Gaming Regulation
Committee at its meeting Fri., Mar. 31. Carried by committee
chair, Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio), the bill permits liquor
establishments in Traverse, Big Stone, Lac Qui Parle, Chippewa,
Stevens, Grant, Douglas, Pope, Koochiching, Itasca, and St. Louis
counties to install five video lottery machines per
establishment. The bill also provides schedules regulating limits
on amounts played, prizes and pay out percentages, as well as a
sunset date of July 1, 1998.
     Leroy Meyer, owner of Garden Lanes in Alexandria, spoke in
support of the bill. He told members that his bowling business,
which he's operated for 38 years, has steadily declined since the
dawn of casinos. "We can't compete with them," Meyer said. "The
people are going by the busloads to the surrounding casinos."
     Brian Rusche, from the Joint Religious Legislative Council,
testified against the bill. Telling members that the effects of
gambling have been measured only in economic terms, he called for
a review of the social and moral implications of gambling. "It's
caused an alteration of basic values," Rushie said, "an erosion
of our social fabric." He added that these problems aren't
readily quantified, but are "epidemic in proportion."
     Complaints were raised by members about the study, and the
effects of the pilot project on neighboring communities. Sen.
Dean Johnson (IR-Willmar) said that the study gives unfair
advantages to the counties participating in the pilot project. 
     "You already have unfair competition because of the
casinos," Berg answered. "But these video games pay taxes--
furthermore there's a sunset date in two years," Berg added.
     Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Minneapolis) objected to the measure
saying that businesses without the machines won't survive the two
year trial.
          S.F. 1360, a bill that permits cities, for the purpose
of lawful gambling expenditures, to define "trade areas"
including all or part of the city's school district or districts,
was approved by members. Sponsored by Sen. Gary Laidig (IR-
Stillwater), the bill now proceeds to the floor.

Governmental Operations and Veterans
Human Rights dept. bill advances
     A bill transferring responsibilities of the Dept. of Human
Rights was amended and then approved, Thurs. evening, Mar. 30, by
the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee, chaired by
Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul.
     S.F. 1384, authored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul),
abolishes the Dept. of Human Rights and transfers the agency's
functions to the Attorney General's Office.  The bill was
modified by an amendment offered by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-
Mankato).  That amendment requires the department to send an
evaluation to each person who has filed a grievance in the
preceding 12 months, compile those evaluations and submit them to
the Legislature each year.  The amendment also limits the amount
the department may use for administrative costs to 10 percent of
its total budget. The bill was approved and re-referred to the
Finance Committee.
     The panel also approved a bill providing for the
registration of physician assistants.  S.F. 258, sponsored by
Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin), allows the Board of Medical Practice
to establish a physicians assistant advisory council.  The
measure also give the board the authority to register physician
assistants, receive fees for the registration and provides
enforcement authority to suspend those registrations.  The bill
was re-referred to the Finance Committee.
     After hearing some testimony in opposition, a proposal
abolishing eight legislative commissions and transferring the
functions of another was approved.  S.F. 1290, presented by Sen.
Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine), eliminates seven commissions on July 1,
1996 and another, the Commission on Children, Youth and Families,
on July 1, 1997.  
     The bill also eliminates the Legislative Commission on
Minnesota Resources (LCMR) and makes that commission a division
in the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning effective July
1, 1996.  Under the proposal, the new division will assume the
LCMR's responsibility for distribution of appropriations for
environmental programs, now provided by the LCMR from the
environmental trust fund.  The bill also bars state agencies from
seeking the program funds.  The committee adopted an amendment
offered by Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington), to eliminate the
commission on energy and to prevent the Metropolitan Council from
applying for funds from the division.  The bill, as amended, was
referred to the Senate floor.
     The members also reviewed a bill, offered by Metzen on
behalf of the Dept. of Employee Relations, clarifying a number of
human resources procedures.  Among the provisions of S.F. 1009
are requirements that affirmative action officers report directly
to state agency heads and that the Dept. of Employee Relations
audit each agency's records to determine the rate of compliance
with affirmative action.  The bill was set aside for further
consideration.
     S.F. 785, sponsored by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.),
was also reviewed.  The bill abolishes the Dept. of Natural
Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, and six other
environmental boards on July 1, 1996.  The proposal also creates
a task force to recommend how those organizations may be
reorganized.  The Governmental Operations and Environment and
Natural Resources Committees of both bodies are to take the
recommendations and present a reorganization proposal to the
governor and Legislature by January 15, 1996.  The bill was set
aside for further consideration.

Prescription drug bill approved
     A bill giving a state agency the authority to buy and sell
prescription drugs was amended and approved, Fri., Mar. 31, by
the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee, chaired by
Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul).
     S.F. 410, sponsored by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), 
requires the Dept. of Administration to negotiate price contracts
for Minnesota purchasers for prescription drugs.  The bill also
requires the Dept. of Human Services to establish a state drug
formulary and prevents any Minnesota purchaser from buying
prescription drugs from a manufacturer if that company has not
been awarded a price contract by the Dept. of Administration.
     The bill was tabled earlier but Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-
Eagan) moved that the committee reconsider the proposal.  After
the motion was approved, Wiener offered an amendment allowing the
department to voluntarily contract with manufacturers and make
the contracted prices available to any Minnesota purchaser.  The
amendment requires the contracted price to be either 15 percent
less than the average manufacturer's price, the competitive bid
price or a negotiated price, whichever is the lowest. The
amendment was adopted.
     Wiener moved to strike the required disclosure of
prescription drug prices from the bill, but that motion failed.
The members approved a motion by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-
Mankato), deleting a provision that allowed the Dept. of Human
Services to prepare the State Drug Formulary criteria without
having to meet rule-making requirements.  An amendment, offered
by Sen. Linda Runbeck (IR-Circle Pines), preventing pharmacies
that buy prescription drugs from the state from selling tobacco
products was rejected.  The bill was then approved and re-
referred to the Finance Committee.
     With the first policy bill deadline at hand, the committee
acted on eight other bills, including S.F. 1246.  The measure,
authored by Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington), repeals more
than 320 state agency reports to the Legislative.  The author
offered an amendment to include provisions that set up a process
to reorganize the state's environmental and natural resources
agencies, establish a citizen's advocate office, and to require
that state and local governments act on land-use permit
applications within 60 days.  In addition, the amendment allows
the Housing Finance Agency to continue its civil service
reclassification pilot project, modifies several Dept. of
Employee Relations programs, repeals unneeded state rules, and
calls for a study to determine the feasibility of merging the
economic-assistance agencies.  The amendment was adopted.
     Riveness offered another amendment to transfer the
Transportation Regulation Board to the Dept. of Transportation on
July 1, 1996.  The amendment also requires a study to determine
how the board's regulatory functions should be handled.  After
some discussion the amendment was adopted.  The bill was then
approved and referred to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 1362, authored by Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls),
establishing a public and private state forest resource council
was amended and approved.  The bill requires the council to be
responsible for developing guidelines on the use of the state's
forest resources.  
     Several amendments were added to the bill, including two
offered by Sen. Dan Stevens (IR-Mora).  The first amendment
establishes the date the council members are to be appointed and
the second requires the council to set up a process for
acceptance of public comment on forestry practices.  Both
amendments were adopted.  The committee also approved amendments
offered by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), requiring
the council to include economic issues in developing the
guidelines, and by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), modifying the
council's membership to include representatives of the timber
industry.  The bill was approved and sent to the floor.
     S.F. 373, authored by Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury),
establishes a Water and Wastewater Operation Certification
Advisory Council in the Dept. of Health.  The bill was approved
and re-referred to the Finance Committee.
     S.F. 1159, carried by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples),
requires state agencies to notify the Dept. of Agriculture before
adopting or repealing any rules affecting agriculture operations. 
The bill was approved and sent to the floor.  The panel also
approved S.F. 1421, presented by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy). 
The bill, which prevents local governments from closing those
shooting ranges that have been in operation for at least five
years by making zoning or planning law changes, was also sent to
the floor.
     A bill removing the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from the
Dept. of Public Safety was approved and re-referred to the Crime
Prevention Committee.  Carried by Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL-
Bricelyn), S.F. 1315 also transfers the criminal justice
information system to the bureau on July 1, 1995.  A proposal by
Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) to establish the Human
Development Center was also approved.  S.F. 1211, providing
$100,000 to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board to
begin the planning process for the center, was re-referred to the
Finance Committee.

Acupuncture bill advances
     Acupuncture practitioners will be subject to licensure under
a bill approved Tues., Apr. 4, by the Governmental Operations and
Veterans Committee.
     The committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St.
Paul), approved H.F. 446 and sent it to the Senate floor.  The
bill, sponsored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples) establishes a
procedure for the licensing of acupuncture practitioners by the
Board of Medical Practice.  The bill also allows the board to
create an acupuncture practitioners advisory council and sets the
licensing procedure.
     The members heard a second licensing proposal.  S.F. 891,
authored by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), establishes a board of
licensed professional counseling to adopt rules for the licensing
and regulation of professional counselors.  The requirements
needed to become a licensed counselor are also identified in the
bill and exemptions are provided for students in a counseling
program, clergy or other qualified professionals.  After hearing
concerns from persons representing psychologists' groups on the
impact the bill would have on their licensing procedures, the
bill was tabled.
     In other action, the committee approved a bill creating a
process for the governor to declare an inability to carry out the
duties of the office.  S.F. 1268, carried by Sen. William
Belanger (IR-Bloomington), also provides a process for the
governor to be declared unable to serve.  The lieutenant governor
would assume the governor's duties.  The measure advances to the
floor.
     Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) presented a bill
creating three state agency efficiency pilot projects.  He said
S.F. 1195 calls for the governor to designate three state
agencies to be involved.  One agency will be exempted from the
state's human resources requirements, another will have the
opportunity to develop an employee incentive program, and a third
will be exempt from state procurement and contract practices. 
The bill was approved and referred to the floor.
     Also approved and advanced for consideration by the full
Senate was H.F. 1060.  Metzen, the author, said the bill exempts
administrative support positions in the South St. Paul fire and
police departments from civil service hiring procedures.  S.F.
1221 was also approved and re-referred to the Finance Committee. 
Carried by Sen. Gary Laidig (IR-Stillwater), the bill calls for a
$30,000 biennial appropriation to support a program of the state
council of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Collection enterprise advances
     A bill to create a state collection agency was amended and
approved, Weds., Apr. 5, by the Governmental Operations and
Veterans Committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St.
Paul).
     Authored by Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington), S.F. 503
establishes the Minnesota Collection Enterprise, making it
responsible for collecting debt owed to state agencies, as well
as debts owed to the University of Minnesota and to local units
of government. The organization is also allowed to impose a
penalty for collection and use the tax collection remedies now in
law to collect the debt.
     A number of amendments were added, including three from Sen.
Linda Runbeck (IR-Circle Pines). The amendments require $35
million worth of accounts receivable be assigned to private
collection agencies as a pilot project, dictate that employees of
the enterprise in unclassified service, and sets the goal that 90
percent of the debt past-due by more than 120 days be collected.
     Two amendments offered by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato)
were added - permitting private agencies to collect any assessed
penalties, and allowing a debtor to contest a penalty. An
amendment from Sen. Roy Terwilliger (IR-Edina), was added,
eliminating the requirement that private agencies have an audited
financial statement before they are allowed to collect state
accounts.  Sen. Don Kramer (IR-Brooklyn Center) offered language
that limits the enterprise to collecting only state agency
accounts.  The bill was approved and re-referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
     In other action, two bills were approved and sent to the
Senate floor.  H.F. 1211, authored by Sen. Roger Moe (DFL-
Erskine), exempts a bus manufacturer that is locating a plant in
Crookston from public contractors performance bond requirements. 
H.F. 624, presented by Hottinger, permits, but does not require,
public employees to take an unpaid leave of absence when they are
candidates for public office.
     S.F. 1076 gives exemptions to large wind energy conversion
systems from laws that now determine where power plants are
located.  The bill, carried by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North
Branch), also directs the Environmental Quality Board to adopt
rules to governing the siting and construction of large systems.
The measure was approved and re-referred to the Environment and
Natural Resources Committee.  
     The Minnesota Office of Volunteer Services receives
additional duties under S.F. 1301, which the committee approved
and re-referred to the Finance Committee.  The proposal, offered
by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), requires the office to
promote and facilitate citizen involvement in local government.
     S.F. 956, authored by Riveness, eliminates the Dept. of
Public Service and transfers its duties to other agencies.  The
bill was re-referred to the Jobs, Energy and Community
Development Committee without recommendation.

Health Care Committee
MNCare approved
     The Health Care Committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin
(DFL-Mpls.), approved changes to S.F. 845, the MinnesotaCare bill
at a meeting Thurs., Mar. 30.  The bill repeals the date for
achieving universal coverage and suspends the implementation of
the Regulated All-Payer Option (RAPO).  The bill establishes a
senior drug purchasing benefit program to ensure access to lower
priced drugs, and also implements a penalty for uninsured
persons.
     Numerous amendments were added to the bill.  Berglin, author
of the bill, presented an amendment that expands MinnesotaCare
eligibility to persons without children up to 150 percent of the
poverty level.  Without the provision, Berglin said, "we are
breaking faith with the purpose of the creation of the
MinnesotaCare Fund."  The measure had been deleted in another
committee by Sen. Roy Terwilliger (IR-Edina).  Terwilliger
explained that it was deleted because of serious financial
concerns this year, and would be vetoed by the governor.  This is
a $187 million issue, he said.  Berglin countered that without
adoption, the state will be keeping $200 million that should be
used to provide primary and preventative care for Minnesotans. 
The amendment was adopted.
     S.F. 1291, the health care reform waiver bill, was
incorporated into the bill.  The measure exempts integrated
service networks (ISNs) from participating in government health
care programs for the first 12 months of licensure.  It also
includes single adults with incomes 125 percent or less of the
poverty level and families with children with incomes 275 percent
or less of the poverty level, in MinnesotaCare eligibility. 
Medical Assistance is available to a child whose mother was
receiving MA before the birth of the child.  MA is available for
up to 2 years.  
     An adopted amendment, introduced by Berglin, develops a risk
adjustment system for state-run public programs.  Berglin
explained that no general fund dollars are needed for the
provision.  In another adopted provision, a 24-hour coverage
pilot project is required, to be implemented in 1996.  Berglin
offered an amendment requiring HMOs and ISNs to offer two cost-
sharing options to customers.  Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd)
expressed concern that the provision mandates coverage that
insurance providers must offer.  The measure was approved.  
     S.F. 959, a bill relating to data privacy provisions of
MinnesotaCare, was incorporated into the bill.  The bill, as
amended, goes to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee.
     The committee also granted approval for S.F. 543, authored
by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), requiring equal treatment in
terms of coverage by health carriers of the various sorts of
providers who prescribe drugs.  The bill goes to the floor.

TEFRA bill discussed
     The Health Care Committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin
(DFL-Mpls.), continued its discussion of TEFRA (Tax Equity and
Fiscal Responsibility Act) cuts and other items at the meeting
Weds., Apr. 5.  The cuts are part of S.F. 1535, sponsored by Sen.
Edward Oliver (IR-Deephaven).
     Deleting the TEFRA program is a move to control spiraling
costs, Oliver said.  The intent is not to institutionalize
children but to transfer them into more appropriate services, he
explained.  Oliver said that in the past, Minnesota has been too
liberal in its eligibility criteria for TEFRA services.  "We have
to face the financial reality," Oliver said, noting that the
health and human services budget has increased from $4.4 billion
in FY 94-95 to $5 billion in FY 96-97 to an estimated $6.2
billion in FY 98-99.
     Oliver offered an amendment that continues the TEFRA program
but "tightens the criteria for eligibility."  The amendment
continues screening for waivered services and requires all TEFRA
recipients to be screened by Jan. 1996.  In addition, the bill
requires that TEFRA care must be under a managed care system.  
This will assure the quality and appropriateness of care, said
Commissioner Maria Gomez.  Tom Moss of the department said that
the amendment gives options to families, allowing them to apply
for waivered services or meet TEFRA qualifications.  
     Berglin offered a similar amendment to be considered by the
committee.  The amendment adjusts parental contribution and has
different eligibility criteria for TEFRA.  Personal care services
are offered, including two new services for children, school-
based and summer-only services, which share personal care
attendants.  Moss said that the amendments are consistent in
their focus, but that Oliver's amendment targets the more
severely emotionally disturbed and ensures there is a chronic,
recurring need to be met.  Members discussed the need for a clear
definition of long-term care.
     The bill includes several other provisions, including the
reduction of Medical Assistance (MA) payments for prescription
drugs to the lowest price the provider has agreed to accept from
any payor, and sets the pharmacy dispensing fee at $2.35. 
Kathleen Coda of the Dept. of Human Services said that this
provision may have some negative effects on small pharmacists. 
In addition, GAMC payment for non-preventive dental services is
eliminated unless service is required because of an emergency.
The bill also implements a hospital peer grouping system dividing
hospitals into seven classes and setting a median rate for each
class.  Because of continuing discussion on the amendments, the
bill was laid over until the evening meeting.
     The committee approved H.F. 226 and sent it to the floor. 
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin), requires
hospitals or clinics to report any insurance settlements to the
Board of Medical Practice.  Another bill, H.F. 813, was sent to
the floor.  Authored by Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio), the bill
establishes a temporary payment rate for a recently purchased
ICFs/MR (Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded). 
S.F 1103, establishing a new Department of Children, Families and
Learning and H.F. 974, modifying fee payment time schedules, were
sent to the funding division. 

New dept. approved
     The creation of a Department of Children, Families and
Learning was approved by the Health Care and Family Services
Funding Division Weds., Apr. 5.  The department's creation, as
outlined in S.F. 1103, is sponsored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-
Mpls.) and replaces the Dept. of Education.  The bill
incorporates more than 50 programs to better serve children and
families in a coordinated manner.  "We need to have a common
vision and a common goal," for all programs relating to children
and learning, Ranum said.  
     Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.) expressed concern about the
incorporation of many programs and services.  By taking them out
of the Dept. of Human Services, she said, more fragmentation and
confusion could result.  Members also discussed the threshold for
determining programs that focus on children and families.  Sen.
Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester) asked, "Where is the dividing line
between the learning readiness concept" and prevention and family
support?  Ranum explained that the department aims to provide a
continuum of programming and utilize resources to prevent
children from needing even more assistance in the future.
     Berglin offered several amendments to delete programs from
the proposal.  The amendments, which were adopted, retained the
AFDC, Minnesota Family Investment Program, STRIDE, Food Stamp and
other related programs in the Dept. of Human Services.  Wait and
see the success of the new department before transferring these
programs, she said.  Also retained were all foster care and 
child care programs, children's mental health programs, Asian
youth services and children with special needs programs.  Ranum
opposed the deletions, saying that comprehensive integration of
these services with education will greatly enhance their
effectiveness and enhance local decision-making.  The bill goes
to the Health Care Committee.
     Members also considered S.F. 1284, sponsored by Sen. Phil
Riveness (DFL-Bloomington).  The bill permits a group residential
housing moratorium to provide 180 housing units for homeless
adults with mental illness, a history of substance abuse or
HIV/AIDS.  The initiative relies heavily on private resources,
Riveness said, and saves funds.  Kiscaden offered an amendment to
require 100 percent of residents to have a chronic condition or
already be receiving state services.  The amendment was adopted. 
The bill was laid over for further consideration.
     The committee incorporated two bills into the omnibus policy
bill.  S.F. 775, authored by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.),
modifies alternative care and waivered service programs.  S.F.
996, authored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples) requires an
elderly housing service establishment to register with the state. 
The bill also requires a contract with residents outlining
regulations and prices.  Sams explained that the registration fee
covers the cost of the bill.

Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Background check bill okayed 
     A bill requiring operators of rental properties to conduct
criminal background checks of managers or caretaking employees,
was approved by the Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Committee, Thurs., Mar. 30. The committee, chaired by Sen. Steven
Novak (DFL-New Brighton), also heard testimony on S.F. 1231, a
bill that limits the authority of public utilities to disconnect
services during the winter months.  
     S.F. 98, authored by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids),
requires owners of apartments or manufactured home parks to
consult data maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension,
which provides identification of convicted offenders.  Under the
bill, persons convicted of a violent crime may not be given
access to homes unless accompanied by a person designated by the
employer.
     LuAnn Koskien, the mother of a young woman abducted and
murdered by her landlord, testified in support of the bill. 
Koskien stated that the bill provides tenants with a level
playing field with a landlord.  She told members that the bill
may prevent tragic crime from affecting others.
     A number of individuals testified against the bill.  Among
the opponents were, Diana Wilhelmson, president of the St. Paul
Assn. of Responsible Landlords, Ron Dody, a Bloomington apartment
manager, and Doug Clark, supervising attorney for housing issues
for St. Cloud Area Legal Services.  Most opponents supported
criminal background checks but were opposed to one section of the
bill which requires the landlord to give 24 hour notice to the
tenant before entering the premises.  The committee passed an
amendment, offered Sen. Dennis Frederickson (IR-New Ulm), that
removes the 24 hour notice requirement from the bill.  Members
also adopted an amendment offered, by Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-
Cook), that allows owners to hire caretakers before receiving
criminal background data.  Johnson told members that criminal
background checks often take 4-8 weeks to process.  If the owner
finds that the applicant has a violent criminal record, immediate
dismissal is required.  S.F. 98 was approved and sent to the
Senate floor.         
     S.F. 1231, authored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul),
provides protection for utilities customers whose monthly incomes
fall below 180 percent of federal poverty guidelines.  The bill
states that utilities providers that supply heat to residential
homes may not disconnect low income customers between Oct. 15 and
Apr. 15.  Anderson told members that the current law governing
utilities disconnection is too complex for most people to
understand.  As a result, relatively few individuals apply for
protection.
     Lennis Arndt, public utilities coordinator for the city of
Luverne, and Sue Ganser, a customer operations analyst for NSP,
spoke in opposition to the bill.  Gossner told the panel that the
bill "creates many more problems than it solves."  She explained
that most utilities companies provide a reasonable payment plans
for customers. She reminded members that the current law requires
customers to pay only 10 percent of their total bill in order to
continue service.  "This is a bill," Ganser said, "that removes
any responsibility the customer has to pay the utilities
company."  The panel failed to approve S.F. 1231.         

Six bills heard
     Members of the Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Funding Division, chaired by Sen. Carl Kroening (DFL-Mpls.) heard
six bills on Fri, Mar. 31.  Action was taken on only one bill.
     S.F. 334, authored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul),
provides assistance to contract-for-deed homebuyers.  It also
requires a community impact statement before the construction of
low-income rental housing in targeted areas.  Kelly called the
bill, "a comprehensive housing plan that directs how our money is
spent rather than allowing individual agencies to choose."
     S.F. 818, introduced by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul),
requires a small appropriations increase for two programs funded
under Minnesota Project Innovation (MPI).  Randy Olsen, executive
director of MPI, told members that the organization enables
Minnesota companies to develop partnerships with high technology
businesses.  
     S.F. 824, authored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch),
funds a microenterprise support group.  The program provides
loans to starting or expanding businesses in Minnesota.  Johnson
told members that an average loan would be approximately $3,000. 
The Dept. of Trade and Economic Development is responsible for
appointing the loans.
     Members approved S.F. 875, introduced by Sen. Dennis
Fredrickson (IR-New Ulm).  The bill increases the bonding
authority of the Public Facilities Authority from $350,000 to
$450,000.  The bill moves on to the full committee.
     S.F. 1167, authored by Kroening, funds the Learn-to-Earn
Program.  The program employs about 150-200 at-risk youth each
year.  The agency provides support and supervision in order to
create pride in a strong work ethic.
     S.F. 931, introduced by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota),
creates a schedule by which the Department of Economic Security
must complete its audits for extended employment programs.  It
institutes a penalty system if the audits are not completed by
the scheduled date.

Metro communication system okayed
     The Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee met
Fri., Mar. 31., and heard numerous bills before the midnight
deadline for approving Senate bills. 
    A bill creating a coordinated communication system for use by
Metropolitan Area public safety agencies was approved and re-
referred to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. S.F. 467, according
to its sponsor, Sen. Ted Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park), provides a
coordinated system that would result in a 5 to 1 cost savings
over the many systems that are used now. The 800 megahertz system
would be maintained by MnDOT and paid for with a 4-cent increase
in 911 assessments on each telephone line in Minnesota. Funding
is also derived from user fees paid by the Dept. of
Transportation, local government units that use the system, and
other users. 
     The committee, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New
Brighton), heard S.F. 1000, a bill creating a revolving
contaminated site cleanup loan program within the Metropolitan
Council. Under the bill, the council may grant loans to local
governments in the Metropolitan Area for funding cleanup efforts
that have the approval of the Pollution Control Agency. The bill
provides criteria for eligibility for the loans and gives the
council the authority to prioritize loan application to provide
the highest return in public benefits for the public costs
incurred. The bill, authored by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), was
approved and re-referred to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. 
     S.F. 801, a bill modifying provisions in the state's lead
abatement law, also received the panel's approval. The bill,
authored by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), directs the
commissioner of economic security, with the commissioner of
health, to collect data on the effectiveness of providing swab
team services to reduce lead exposure in young children. The bill
was sent to the Senate floor. 
     S.F. 903, sponsored by Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington),
provides criteria for evaluating applications for economic
recovery grants and loans now in use.  The bill also prohibits
making grants or loans solely on the criteria of attracting
business from out of state or retaining businesses that are
considering moving out of the state. The panel approved an
amendment offered by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch)
prohibiting use of economic recovery grants for projects related
to sports facilities. The bill goes next to the Senate floor. 
     The committee also approved S.F. 870, moving the
responsibility of elevator inspection from the Dept. of Labor and
Industry to the Dept. of Administration and makes the statutory
requirements for elevator safety statewide. The measure is
sponsored by Sen. Paula Hanson (DFL-Ham Lake). The committee sent
the bill to the full Senate.  
     S.F. 1207, sponsored by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy),
authorizes a $1 million appropriation for the Prairieland Expo
facility to be used for land acquisition. The bill was approved
and sent to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 1348, a bill appropriating $1 million from the general
fund to the Minnesota Finance Agency to remove blighted multi-
unit residential rental property, also received approval. Under
the measure, sponsored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), grants
may be used to acquire or demolish multi-unit residential rental
properties. The grants may be used for households with incomes
less than or equal to 125 percent of area median income. The bill
was approved and sent to the Jobs, Energy and Community
Development Finance Division. 
     S.F. 1133, also sponsored by Betzold, appropriates $85,000
in FY 1996 and 1997 to the commissioner of trade and economic
development for a grant to the North Metro Business Development
Commission. The grant is to be used to expand the commission's
business retention and expansion program. The bill was approved
and sent to the committee's finance division.
     S.F. 826, sponsored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul),
appropriates $15 million from the general fund to the
commissioner of trade and economic development for contamination
cleanup grants.     S.F. 1085, sponsored by Sen. Florian
Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake), provides and funds a grant
program to regional development commissions to identify and
support energy efficient projects. The program, to be
administered by the commissioner of public service, limits grants
to $50,000. The bill was sent to the finance division.
     S.F. 1076, a bill to regulate the placement of large wind
energy conversion systems, also received the panel's approval.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch),
sets forth a policy that the state will site the systems in an
orderly manner compatible with environmental preservation,
sustainable development, and the efficient use of resources. The
measure also requires a builder of a large wind system to obtain
a site permit from the Environmental Quality Board.  
     S.F. 1140, sponsored by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (IR-Marshall),
provides an extended employment program to maintain and advance
the employment of persons with severe disabilities. The program
includes providing technical assistance, innovation and expansion
grants to rehabilitation facilities. The bill was approved and
sent to the full Senate. 
     S.F. 1467, sponsored by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul),
directs the Dept. of Trade and Economic Development's tourism
division to conduct a study assessing the benefits of publicly
owned civic and convention centers to convention and tourism
industry. The bill was referred to the committee's finance
division.
     S.F. 1334, also sponsored by Cohen, appropriates $4 million
for the 1996-97 biennium for the community resources program,
which provides services relating to child care, housing, jobs-
related programs and youth-related programs. The bill was sent to
the finance division.
     S.F. 1442, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear
Lake), qualifies waste wood burning by the St. Paul Heating
District as biomass-produced energy mandated in last year's
Prairie Island Bill. The committee voted to approve the bill and
send it to the Senate floor.
     S.F. 1424 appropriates $52,839 from the general fund to the
Minnesota Historical Society for the purpose of operating the
North West Company Fur Post Interpretive Center. The bill,
sponsored by Sen. Janet Johnson, now goes to the finance
division.  
     S.F. 935, sponsored by Kelly, appropriates $500,000 to the
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board for a program in St. Paul
that connects the human resource needs of employers with the
city's employment and job development programs. 
     S.F. 1244, also sponsored by Kelly, establishes a rental tax
equity pilot program in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and South
St. Paul. The program's aim is to help landlords provide safe,
decent, and affordable housing through property tax reductions
and to give incentives to other landlords to improve their
properties. The bill sets the dollar limit for credits in
Minneapolis and St. Paul at $1.5 million 
     S.F. 1381, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear
Lake), appropriates $70,000 from the general fund to the
commissioner of economic security for the biennium ending June
1997, for employment support services for people with mental
illness. It also appropriates $50,000 to the commissioner for
planning the statewide reimbursement system in current statute
that reimburses providers for employment support services for
persons with mental illness. The bill was approved and sent to
the finance division. 


Children's Dept. bill advances
     A bill creating a new state department aimed at improving
the well-being of children gained the approval of the Jobs,
Energy and Community Development Committee Tues., Apr. 4. 
     S.F. 1103, sponsored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), creates
the Dept. of Children, Families and Learning. Under the bill,
seven agencies will transfer programs to the new department. The
largest change is the transfer of all programs from the Dept. of
Education. Ranum said the department is needed to facilitate
cooperation and coordination among the many state agencies and
programs that serve children.
     The panel, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton),
discussed at length an amendment offered by Sen. Carl Kroening
(DFL-Mpls.) removing several functions now provided by the Dept.
of Economic Security that the bill folds into the new department.
The amendment was approved. 
     An amendment offered by Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-Cook)
requires a 50 percent cut in managerial and administrative
employees. The panel approved an amendment to the amendment
offered by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (IR-New Ulm) changing the cut
to 25 percent. The committee approved the change and adopted the
amendment. The bill was referred to the Health Care Committee.
     S.F. 347, authored by Sen. Ted Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park),
permits tenant screening services to report court record
information concerning unlawful detainer filings. The committee
approved a delete everything amendment offered by Sen. Ellen
Anderson (DFL-St. Paul). The Anderson amendment specifies that
landlords must notify rental applicants if the landlord will use
a tenant screening service. the amendment also requires the court
to maintain a summary list of completed unlawful detainer
actions. It also specifies that a screening service may not
report unlawful detainer actions more than four years old. The
bill was approved and re-referred to the Judiciary Committee. 
     Last, the committee approved S.F. 777, sponsored by Sen. Jim
Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), memorializing the President and Congress
to abandon the proposed sale of the Western Area Power
Administration. The bill now goes to the full Senate. 

Workers comp bill heard
     Members of the Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Committee, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton) heard
testimony, Wed., April 5, on a bill designed to reduce costs
associated with workers compensation litigation. 
     S.F. 1020, authored by Novak, provides small employers with
an opportunity to lower their insurance costs by self-insuring
with a mutual group.  The bill also mandates a 10 percent rate
reduction for employers who have not had an accident in the last
three years.  The bill also contains a collective bargaining
agreement, which allows major workers compensation procedures to
be established.
     Finally, the bill cuts and changes the benefit system
associated with workers compensation claims.  It eliminates the
current two-tier system, and returns Minnesota to a single
permanent partial reimbursement system.  It also limits temporary
total benefits to 100 weeks, and temporary partial benefits to
350 weeks.  Novak described S.F. 1020 as a bi-partisan effort to
create reasonable workers compensation rates.  He told members
that the bill reflects the concerns of workers as well as the
insurance and legal communities.
     Novak introduced an amendment, which was adopted, slightly
altering the state's supplementary benefit system.  The committee
approved S.F. 1020 and re-referred the bill to the Commerce and
Community Protection Committee.

Judiciary
Paternity bill advances
     Members of the Judiciary Committee met Mon., Apr. 3, to
consider a variety of bills.  The panel, chaired by Sen. Carol
Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), approved all the bills and sent the measures
to the full Senate.
     S.F. 1024, authored by Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls),
changes the time limitation for bringing a law suit to declare
the nonexistence of the parent and child relationship in cases
where the parents have executed a declaration or recognition of
parentage.  Under the bill, a person has six months from the time
the person obtains the results of blood or genetic tests that
indicate the nonexistence of a parent and child relationship in
which to bring a lawsuit. 
     S.F. 864, authored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (IR-Rochester),
streamlines the procedure for obtaining an ex parte order for
protection in domestic abuse cases.  The bill provides that a
hearing is not required when there is an application for an ex
parte order for protection unless there is a request for a
hearing.  However, the bill specifies that if the petitioner does
not request a hearing, an order served on a respondent must be
accompanied by a form that the respondent can use to request a
hearing.  The measure also specifies that if a hearing is
requested, notice of the hearing would have to be served upon the
petitioner not less than five days before the hearing.  The
measure specifies that if the respondent requests a hearing, the
hearing must be held within 10 days of receipt by the court of
the request. 
     H.F. 32, carried by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), authorizes
retired court administrators, with the approval of the chief
judge of the judicial district, to perform marriages.  H.F. 323,
authored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch), specifies that
the owner of a single-metered residential building is responsible
for paying utility bills.  Further, the measure specifies that a
tenant may recover treble damages or $500, whichever is greater,
if the owner violates the provisions.  H.F. 399, carried by Sen.
Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake), makes numerous changes in
laws relating to filings with Secretary of State's Office.  S.F.
565, authored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), makes a number
of statutory changes necessary for the federal Lien Registration
Act.  H.F. 567, sponsored by Kiscaden, provides for disclosure of
hospital and health care provider tax data to the commissioner of
human services and the federal government.  The bill was
recommended for placement on the consent Calendar.

Medical device warranties gain
  Members of the Judiciary Committee met Weds., Mar. 5, and
approved a bill requiring a manufacturer who sells or leases a
new medical assistive device such as wheelchairs, assistive
listening devices and communication boards to furnish the
consumer with an express warranty.  H.F. 990, sponsored by Sen.
Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), also provides that a consumer may
bring an action to recover damages and that a consumer who
prevails in the action must be awarded any pecuniary loss,
together with costs and reasonable attorney's fees.  In addition,
the bill requires the manufacturers to provide reimbursement for
temporary replacement of assistive devices.  The bill was
advanced to the full Senate.
     In other action, the committee, chaired by Sen. Carol Flynn
(DFL-Mpls.), approved three additional bills.  S.F. 1152, also
authored by Anderson, requires employers who recruit employees to
relocate to Minnesota to work in meat or poultry processing
plants to make a number of disclosures such as nature of the
work, wages, workers compensation coverage, benefits, relocation
arrangements, and the availability of housing.  The bill
originally specified criminal penalties for failure to make the
disclosures.  However, committee members adopted an amendment to
delete the criminal penalties.  The bill does, though, provide
for a cause of action for violation of the disclosure provisions. 
The measure was approved and sent to the full Senate.
     S.F. 462, carried by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch),
contains numerous changes to the Waste Management Act.  The bill
was before the committee primarily because of provisions
authorizing counties to issue administrative penalties for
violations of solid and hazardous waste laws.  In addition, the
bill requires that documents submitted by attorneys be submitted
on recycled paper.  However, the bill specifies that a court may
not refuse a document because it was not submitted on recycled
paper.  The bill was approved and re-referred to the Governmental
Operations and Veterans Committee.
     S.F. 885, authored by Sen. Jane Ranum, modifies the grounds
and procedure for proving a nuisance.  According to Ranum, the
bill was designed to give prosecutors better tools with which to
shut down questionable businesses.  Originally, the bill removed
the requirement that specified that a public nuisance exist only
after three or more misdemeanor convictions or two or more
convictions, of which at least one is a gross misdemeanor or
felony.  The bill provided that a public nuisance exists upon
proof of two or more separate behavioral incidents of any one or
more particular kinds of conduct such as prostitution or
gambling-related activity.  Members of the committee amended the
bill to remove the new language and to reinstate the requirement
for criminal convictions.  In addition, members deleted sections
of the bill providing for an order of abatement and specifying
that money from the sale of moveable property be used to fund
community crime prevention programs.  The bill was advanced to
the full Senate.

Metropolitan and Local Government
Anti-poverty bill proceeds
     The Metropolitan and Local Government Committee, chaired by
Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy) approved a bill Thurs., Mar. 30,
aimed at eradicating poverty. The author of S.F. 1482, Sen.
Edward Oliver (IR-Deephaven), called for a shift in focus, toward
an inter-related perspective aimed at the causes of poverty, not
just the symptoms. "Concentrations of poverty are really
concentrations of joblessness," Oliver said. "Housing choices
result from having a job."
     The measure, which Oliver referred to as the Metropolitan
Anti-Poverty Plan, contains a metropolitan revitalization fund, a
jobs opportunity program, and a housing section. This "incentive
based approach" contains programs to bring jobs and job training
to the city core, increase public transit between urban and
suburban areas, and initiate affordable housing programs.
     Specifically, the bill contains provisions for urban
homesteading, contaminated site clean up for both industrial and
commercial redevelopment, exemption of HRA building materials
from sales tax, and affordable housing investment tax credits.
Before re-referring the bill to the Jobs, Energy and Community
Development Committee, members removed a controversial section
that shifts some Local Government Aid from rural to urban areas.
     Curt Johnson, chair of the Metropolitan Council, testified
in support of the measure. "An integrated approach to integrated
issues is a the best way to remedy this problem," Johnson said.
     Bob Renner, from the Municipal Legislation Commission
praised the bill for its financial ingenuity. "The bill contains
many creative ways of obtaining funding, presenting carrots as
incentives," said Renner.
     Opposing the measure was Tim Flaherty of the Coalition of
Greater Minnesota Cities. He told members that taking money from
rural regions to finance development of inner cities is unfair.
     Nancy Larson, from the Minnesota Association of Small Cities
also spoke against the bill. "You always see city problems," she
said, "the media's full of images of their troubles, but few see
the problems of rural towns." Larson said that the difficulties
that exist in city cores, are the same ones plaguing small rural
towns---poverty, housing and joblessness.
     S.F. 1233, a bill that establishes housing as a metropolitan
system, was approved by the committee and sent to the floor.
Carried by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), S.F. 1233 "provides
a moderate voice in the housing debate."
     Pappas said that establishing housing as a system, one which
demands consistent long term planning, will provide for regional
stability.
     Also sent to the full Senate was S.F. 1396, a measure that
requires counties, cities, and towns to codify and place up-to-
date copies of ordinances in corresponding law libraries.
Authored by Sen. David Knutson (IR-Burnsville), the bill also
provides that the library reimburse the entity for the costs
incurred.
     S.F. 563, a measure that requires the Met Council to
reimburse Dakota County for studies done related to proposed
airport sites was approved and re-referred to the Finance
Committee. Sen. Linda Runbeck (IR-Circle Pines) objected to the
precedent being set by Sen. James Metzen's (IR-South St. Paul)
bill. "If counties spend funds at their own discretion, I don't
think they should then come to us for money," Runbeck said.

Wind turbine bill approved
     A measure that exempts wind energy conversion systems from
the power plant siting act, S.F. 1076, was approved by the
Metropolitan and Local Government Committee at its Mon., Apr. 24,
meeting. The committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-
Tracy), re-referred the measure to the Governmental Operations
and Reform Committee.
     Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch), the bill's author,
said that the intent of the legislation is to make it easier to
site wind turbines. "Our thinking is to exempt facilities that
use clean energy resources," Johnson said. Exemption from the act
would lessen the time required by the siting process, she
explained.
     Johnson said that because wind turbines are safe energy
sources with no environmental impact on adjacent areas, and as
part of an effort to encourage use of clean energy resources, the
units should be allowed expeditious siting procedures.
     The measure also gives siting authority, to be carried out
in an orderly manner compatible with environmental preservation,
to the state.  Johnson said that in many cases, counties don't
have zoning ordinances covering wind turbines. She added that she
has encountered no opposition from the local units of government
regarding wind turbine siting.
     S.F. 1374, carried by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), gives
cities an additional month to file a budget data summary with the
state auditor. The measure also authorizes publication of a
city's summary budget in a city newsletter, or other city
mailing, sent to households.
     Marty said that some of the newsletters have greater
coverage than the official newspapers. Giving cities the
newsletter option could result in greater coverage of important
information, Marty said.
     Vickerman offered an amendment that limits the newsletter
option to cities in the Metro Area. Members adopted the amendment
and referred the bill to the full Senate.

Four bills advance
     At its meeting Weds., Apr. 4, the Metropolitan and Local
Government Committee advanced two bills directly to the Senate
floor, while re-referring two others to the Taxes and Tax Law
Committee.
     S.F. 1451, authored by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), makes
a correction to a street name, and authorizes the city of
Minneapolis to establish three additional special service
districts. The districts include parts of Nicollet Avenue, Cedar-
Riverside, and Central Avenue Northeast.
     Berglin said that area property owners asked for the
legislation so that they can receive additional services for
which they agree to be assessed charges. The bill was re-referred
to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee.
     S.F. 1441, carried by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.)
was also re-referred to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. The
bill regulates the deposit and investments of public funds.
     Pogemiller said that the bill stems from the recent
financial crisis experienced by Orange County, resulting from
investments in certain derivative funds. "The bill is a
recodification of statutes relating to investments of public
funds," Pogemiller said. He added that most of the repealed
language is reworked in S.F. 1441, with updated and clarified
rules.
     A bill sponsored by Sen. Edward Oliver (IR-Deephaven),
authorizes the city of Chanhassen to buy playground equipment
from someone other than the lowest bidder. S.F. 1523 allows the
city to prepare specifications that can be used to advertise for
bids, and award contracts to the bidder of its choice.
     Before sending the measure to the floor, members approved an
amendment that requires the program to be reviewed by the
legislature as of Feb. 1, 1997.
     H.F. 1065, carried by Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon
Lake), was also referred to the floor and placed on the Consent
Calendar. The bill amends St. Louis County rules and allows it to
collect and expend road and bridge taxes of unorganized townships
in a single fund.

Rules and Administration
Senate rules approved
     The Senate Rules and Administration Committee, chaired by
Sen. Roger D. Moe (DFL-Erskine), met Tues., Apr. 4, and adopted
the permanent rules of the Senate for the 78th Legislative
Session.  The rules, which were developed by a Subcommittee on
Permanent and Joint Rules, contain several new provisions.  Sen.
Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), chair of the subcommittee,
explained each of the new provisions and the rationale behind
making the changes.
     The rules govern the operation of the Senate over the course
of the legislative session.  One of the more significant changes
is a provision that requires rotation of committee chairs.  The
rule specifies that a member may not serve as the chair of a
standing committee or a division, or a committee or division with
substantially the same jurisdiction, for more than two
consecutive terms.  The limit does not apply to the chair of the
Committee on Rules and Administration. The rule further specifies
that the limit applies to time served as chair in the 80th
Legislature and thereafter.
     Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.) moved to delete the
provision.  Pogemiller said that the rule enables members to
avoid the responsibility of acting to remove committee chairs. 
Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.) said that the rule change would
remove chairs with a great deal of experience and expertise in
complex policy areas.  However, Sen. Dean Johnson (IR-Willmar)
countered that the rule is "healthy for the institution" and
sends a very clear signal that we are interested in reforming
ourselves."  The Pogemiller motion failed on a voice vote.
     Another new provision authorizing the chair of the Committee
on Rules and Administration, after consultation and advice from
the minority leader, to add members or delete members from the
standing committees also sparked discussion.  Some members said
that the provision placed too much authority in one individual. 
Reichgott Junge countered that the provision allowed members who
were overburdened with committee assignments to have an easier
method of changing assignments.
     Other new provisions include a requirement that a bill
prepared by a state department or agency be introduced three
weeks before the first committee deadline in odd numbered years
and two weeks before the first deadline in even numbered years.  
Another rule change specifies that an amendment to insert a
constitutional amendment is not germane to a bill that does not
already include a constitutional amendment.  Another provision
requires that all bills creating a new commission, council, task
force, board or other body to which a member of the Legislature
will be appointed must, before passage, be referred to both the
Committee on Governmental Operations and Veterans and the
Committee on Rules and Administration.  In addition, bills
authorizing or increasing a sentence of imprisonment to a state
correctional institution are to be referred to the Committee on
Crime Prevention.  Another change specifies that a resolution may
not be changed to a bill, and a bill may not be changed to a
resolution.  Another change specifies that Senate committees,
subcommittees and divisions must adjourn by 11 p.m. unless two-
thirds of the members present vote to suspend the requirement. 
Finally, the rules clarify the procedures of the Subcommittee on
Ethical Conduct.  

Taxes and Tax Laws
Tobacco tax bill heard
     The Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Income and Sales Tax
met Thurs., Mar. 30, to consider several measures that may be
included in the omnibus tax bill.  Members discussed the measures
and heard testimony but took no formal action.
     The panel, chaired by Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury),
considered a measure increasing the tax on cigarettes and other
tobacco products.  S.F. 1080, carried by Price, provides that the
revenue derived from the increase be earmarked for the health
care access account and a tobacco use prevention account.  The
measure specifies a 40 cent per pack increase on cigarettes
beginning July 1, 1995 and the provides that the tax rates be
indexed annually beginning in 1996.  The tax on other tobacco
products would rise from 35 percent to 64 percent under the bill.
     In other action, members considered four additional bills. 
S.F. 17, authored by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sr. (DFL-Paynesville),
increases funding for firefighters state aid.  S.F. 367, authored
by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), changes the dependent care
credit by striking the limitation that made the credit available
only to married couples.  S.F. 754, carried by Sen. Sam Solon
(DFL-Duluth), changes the gross premiums tax rate imposed on town
and farmers mutual insurance companies and specific mutual
property and casualty insurance companies.  S.F. 896, sponsored
by Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake), increases the premium
tax imposed on town and farmers mutual insurance companies and
mutual property and casualty insurance companies.

Property tax freeze okayed
     A bill providing for a one year property tax freeze cleared
the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee Tues., Apr. 4.  S.F. 1570,
sponsored by Majority Leader Roger D. Moe (DFL-Erskine),
specifies that property taxes payable in 1996 remain at the 1995
level.  In addition, the bill has a provision that prevents a
"snapback" rise in 1997 property taxes.  "This proposal is an
attempt to keep $220 million in property taxes in the taxpayers
pocket. It's that simple," Moe said.  We would have time to
revamp the system and examine the funding of education systems in
the state, Moe said. 
     The bill provides for three exceptions to the property tax
freeze: new property, property that has been improved and
property that has been devalued.  In addition, the measure
provides that school districts that lose property tax revenue
under the bill will receive additional state aid to make up the
difference.  The measure also requires the Legislative Commission
on Planning and Fiscal Policy to prepare a property tax and
education aids reform package for the 1997 legislative session.
     The committee, chaired by Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-Cook),
adopted several amendments to the measure to take care of unique
situations that would arise should the bill become law. In
addition, members heard public testimony from a number of
representatives of local government units. The measure was
approved on a vote of 12-4 and sent to the Senate floor.
     In other action, members also approved the MinnesotaCare
bill, S.F. 845.  The measure, sponsored by Sen. Linda Berglin
(DFL-Mpls.), contains several tax related provisions.  The bill
clarifies that nonresident providers must pay the tax on revenues
received for all services provided in Minnesota, adds the
MinnesotaCare tax to the list of taxes where personal liability
attaches to the officers and other employees who are responsible
for filing, paying or withholding the tax on behalf of a health
care entity, and removes the provision in the pharmacy laws which
states that the issuance of a Minnesota license to an out-of-
state wholesaler will not change or affect the tax liability
imposed on the wholesaler.  The bill was approved and re-referred
to the Finance Committee.

Bond allocation bill okayed
     The Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Income and Sales Tax
met Weds., Apr. 5, to consider several bills for inclusion in the
omnibus tax bill and two bills dealing with public debt.  Sen.
Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury), chair of the subcommittee, said
that the panel would take no formal action on the bills being
considered for the omnibus measure.
     S.F. 1543, authored by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.),
changes procedures for allocating bonding authority.  The measure
sets the annual volume cap under federal tax law and provides for
pool allocations.  In addition, the bill specifies deadlines and
provides for transfer of any remaining balance of bonding
authority in the small issue pool to the housing pool.  The
measure was advanced to the full committee. S.F. 1393, also
carried by Pogemiller, provides the conditions and requirements
for the issuance of debt and specifies the use of the proceeds. 
The bill also provides procedures for use of obligations to
satisfy unfunded pension liabilities and authorizes the use of
capital improvement bonds for indoor ice areas. The bill was laid
over for further consideration.
     S.F. 1502, authored by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul),
modifies the revenue recapture law to require annual notice to
the debtor of the collection of a debt through revenue recapture. 
S.F. 1411, sponsored by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), exempts a
specific area in downtown Minneapolis from the local sales tax
imposed to finance the city's convention center.  Spear said that
the measure allows the Minneapolis Women's Club, which is a
501(c)(3) organization, to be exempt from the sales tax on food
and drink. S.F. 1029, authored by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy),
eliminates alternative fuel vehicle permits and provides for
refunds of fees paid for unused portions of the permits.  In
addition, the bill replaces the annual permit fee schedule with a
tax rate schedule for alternate fuels.

Transportation and Public Transit
Funding bills, others advance
     A bill increasing the state's gas tax by 5 cents per gallon
was approved by members of the Transportation and Public Transit
Committee during a Fri., Mar. 31, meeting. The committee, chaired
by Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake), also advanced
three other bills.
     S.F. 573, authored by Chmielewski, increases the gasoline
excise tax from 20 cents to 25 cents from July 1, 1995 to March
31, 1996. Beginning April 1, 1996, the gasoline tax will be based
on the rate of change in the consumer price index of the previous
year.
     The bill also establishes a state trunk highway safety
program, and requires the transportation commissioner to consider
the average condition of the pavement surface when allocating
funds for construction.
     The bill was re-referred to the Governmental Operations and
Veterans Committee.
     S.F. 832, carried by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), also
establishes a 5-cent gas tax increase, generating approximately
$120 million in FY 96. In addition the bill authorizes the
Metropolitan Council to impose an additional .5 percent sales tax
on all applicable sales within the Metro Area.
     The bill also removes references to the Met Council's
limitations for issuing bonds for transit capital improvements;
currently the council cannot issue bonds in excess of $30.7
million. Sen. Terry Johnston (IR-Prior Lake) expressed concern
about the provision, saying it was removing legislative oversight
from the Met Council's bonding authority.
     The bill was approved on a 8-5 roll-call vote and advances
to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee.
     The committee also advanced S.F. 995 to the floor. Authored
by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), the bill relates to motor
carrier services. A federal preemption of state intrastate
economic regulation of trucking industries became effective Jan.
1, thereby requiring the state to deregulate and conform motor
carrier laws to federal regulations. The state can no longer
regulate rates, routes or service based on need; however the
state is authorized to regulate carrier safety, household goods
movers, and charter and regular-route passenger carriers.
     Among the bill's provisions is a carrier registration
requirement and $20 fee for motor carriers of property and
passengers, including farm vehicles which is an expansion of
current law. The bill also increases vehicle registration fees
for trucks by 1.5 percent and eliminates a variety of
transportation activities from limited state regulation.
     Finally the committee approved a bill, S.F. 1329, abolishing
the Transportation Regulation Board (TRB). Sen. Steve Murphy
(DFL-Red Wing) carried the bill, that also provides for a
transition study conducted by the TRB and the commissioner of
transportation to determine the most effective way to transfer
the powers, duties and functions of the board to another agency.
The bill advances to the Govermental Operations and Veterans
Committee.

DOT funding bill advanced
     A bill appropriating $2.53 billion for the biennium for
transportation and transit purposes was approved by the
Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division at a meeting
held Tues., Apr. 4. Discussion centered on appropriations for
several public safety initiatives.
     Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), chair of the division and
author of the bill, said the bill did not deviate much from the
governor's recommendation. Langseth said the bill is a "lean and
mean" approach to both the highway and transit budgets, but that
the Legislature should decide how to deal with the funding
restrictions facing both programs. Legislators will have to
decide if the state is going to maintain the status quo or try to
solve the problems for both highways and transit, he said.
     The largest portion of the budget is $1.625 billion for the
Trunk Highway Fund; other major appropriations include the County
State Aid Highway and the Municipal State Aid Streets funds.
     Some additions to the governor's proposal include
initiatives in the general administration portion of the budget:
$100,000 each year for grants to stimulate telecommuting as an
alternative to driving; and, $250,000 for researching and testing
electric vehicle technology.
     Members discussed for some time the $275,000 a year
appropriation for the Crime Fax Network. Another $1.8 million is
to be used for the statewide juvenile criminal history and
misdemeanor system, tracking system for domestic abuse orders for
protection, and implementing electronic fingerprint technology.
According to Langseth, the appropriations from the Trunk Highway
Fund are to be reimbursed for expenses not related to the fund.
     Members also heard testimony from Ed Cohoon of the Dept. of
Transportation who said the budget does not include inflationary
increases for salaries. Up to 400 staff could be laid off
depending upon the outcome of salary settlements this fall, he
said.

DOT funding bill approved
     A bill appropriating $2.5 billion for the next biennium for
the Dept. of Transportation was approved by the Transportation
and Public Transit Committee, Weds., Apr. 5. The committee,
chaired by Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake), also
advanced seven other bills.
     Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), author of the bill, said
the omnibus bill was similar to the governor's recommendation. He
also encouraged the committee to decide how to deal with the
funding restrictions facing both the transportation and transit
programs. Legislators will have to decide if the state is going
to maintain the status quo or try to solve the problems for both
highways and transit, he said.
     The largest portion of the budget is $1.625 billion for the
Trunk Highway Fund; other major appropriations include the County
State Aid Highway and the Municipal State Aid Streets funds.
     The bill was re-referred to the Finance Committee.
     The committee approved and advanced S.F. 1199, a bill
authored by Sen. William Belanger (IR-Bloomington) requiring a
vehicle buyer to notify the registrar of motor vehicles of the
transfer within 10 days.
     H.F. 901, carried by Sen. Linda Runbeck (IR-Circle Pines),
requires driver education programs to include instruction on the
effects of alcohol and drugs on driving.
     Belanger offered another bill, S.F. 1163, authorizing the
issuance of original license plates 20 or more years old. The
bill advances to the Senate floor.
     Sen. Gary Laidig (IR-Stillwater) presented S.F. 720, a bill
adding the words "amateur radio" to amateur radio license plates.
The committee also advanced a bill, S.F. 1011, authored by Sen.
Thomas Neuville (IR-Northfield), prohibiting the sale, use and
possession of radar-jamming devices.
     S.F. 1171 expands statutes regarding traffic escort services
to include guards, patrols and security personnel. The bill,
carried by Sen. James Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), advances to the
floor.
     The committee re-referred S.F. 1091 to the Judiciary
Committee. The bill, carried by Sen. Don Kramer (IR-Brooklyn
Center), expands regulation of providers of special
transportation services.
     The committee also tabled two other bills. S.F. 1089,
authored by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (IR-Marshall), dealt with a
variety of traffic regulations, including allowing a turn on a
red arrow traffic signal, and prohibiting local governments from
lowering residential speed limits. And S.F. 1096, presented by
Sen. Joe Bertram Sr. (DFL-Paynesville), directing the Dept. of
Transportation to apply a firearms safety training symbol to
Minnesota drivers licenses or identification cards.

Floor Action

Bills granted final passage on the Senate Calendar, Apr. 3, 1995.
S.F. 155-Stumpf: Authorizes poultry farmers to trap great horned
owls.  41-24
S.F. 204-Chandler: Requires reporting and analysis of federal
mandates imposed on state agencies.  66-0
S.F. 446-Solon: Repeals price markup provisions in the sales
discrimination law. 66-0
S.F. 687-Krentz: Requires minimum clearance when passing bicycles
or individuals on roadways or bikeways and requires bicycle
traffic laws to be included in the driver's manual and driver's
license tests.  62-4
S.F. 673-Vickerman: Provides for determination of base value of a
motor vehicle for registration tax purposes.  66-0
S.F. 16-Betzold: Modifies provisions relating to the
administration and prescription of neuroleptic medications. 66-0
S.F. 144-Hanson: Limits access to data on holders of disabled
parking certificates and modifies provisions governing the
display and use of the certificates.  66-0
S.F. 193-Bertram: Authorizes an annual expense allowance for the
veterans homes board of directors.  66-0
S.F. 380-Betzold: Clarifies language designating the rank of the
adjutant general, clarifies language on the acceptance of money
by the adjutant general on behalf of the state and clarifies the
authority of the adjutant general to lease land.  65-0
S.F. 381-Betzold: Provides greater flexibility in the appointment
of members of the armory building commission, authorizes the
commission to use funds for constructions, clarifies which
municipalities may provide sites for armories and clarifies the
authority for levying taxes for armory construction. 66-0
S.F. 382-Betzold: Authorizes the adjutant general to assign
retired officers to temporary active duty, changes eligibility
for the state service medal, changes penalties for wrongful
dispostion of military property and eliminates obsolete language.
66-0
S.F. 184-Murphy: Clarifies authority for the use of funds from
surplus facilities of the veterans homes board.  66-0
S.F. 290-Kelly: Provides that contamination cleanup grants cover
the costs of developing a response action plan and cleanup costs
incurred before the award of a grant. 65-0
S.F. 445-Lewsewski: Requires the Pollutiion Control Agency to
permit the operation of waste combustors.  65-1
S.F. 133-Johnson, D.J.: Authorizes the private sale of tax-
forfeited lands in Cook County. 66-0
S.F. 444-Lesewski: Adds territory to Split Rock Creek State Park.
66-0
S.F. 1100-Bertram: Allow unlimited use of the proceeds of lawful
gambling for payment of real estate taxes and assessments for the
premises. 61-3
S.F. 368-Lesewski: Clarifies the employment status of farm crisis
assistance personnel.  65-0

Bills granted final passage on the Consent Calendar, Apr. 3,
1995.
S.F. 680-Pariseau: Authorizes the commissioner of natural
resources to sell land in Scott County. 65-0

Bills granted final passage on the Special Orders Calendar, Apr.
3, 1995.
<nonindent>S.F. 121-Sams: Provides a remedy when an insurer
refuses in bad faith to pay or to settle a claim. 35-30
S.F. 1018-Knutson: Specifies the responsibilities of guardians ad
litem in juvenile and family court.  61-3
S.F. 299-Larson: Changes references to visually handicapped
people and making changes of a technical and housekeeping nature.
62-0
S.F. 364-Anderson: Authorizes rehabilitation counselors in the
Dept. of Economic Security to communicate threats made against
other persons by clients. 63-0
S.F. 1440-Berglin: Adds to the definition of base level funding,
adds provisions for local children's mental health collaborative,
changes provisions for integrated fund task force and require
approval for a collaborative's integrated service system. 63-0
S.F. 373-Berglin: Creates a definition of subacute care and
requires efforts to seek waivers. 52-12
S.F. 239-Johnson, D.E.: Authorizes the sale of tax-forfeited land
in Kandiyohi County. 63-0
H.F. 282-Price: Permits state employees to donate vacation leave
for the benefit of a specific state employee. 49-16
S.F. 893-Price: Changes the date for the Minnesota Comprehensive
health Association enrollment freeze. 64-0
S.F. 447-Price: Recodifies and restructions the higher education
statutes to facilitate the merger of the higher education
systems. 49-14
S.F. 172-Lessard: Authorizes the issuance of test license plates
to automobile manufacturers for cold weather testing purposes.
62-3
S.F. 830-Finn: Allows the sale of state forest lands and requires
the commissioner of natural resources to convey land to the city
of Akeley for public purposes. 64-0
S.F. 605-Vickerman: Requires minors under the age of 18 to wear a
helmet when operating or riding snowmobiles on public property.
64-0
S.F. 752-Novak: Allows for alternative regulation of telephone
companies for a limited period and authorizes rulemaking to
promote fair and reasonable competition for local exchange
service. 64-0
S.F. 759-Novak: Changes some Dept. of Economic Development
operating procedures, claters the corporate structure of
Advantage Minnesota, Inc., and clarifies economic development
authority powers.  65-0
S.F. 1200-Merriam: Requires county sheriffs to be licensed as
peace officers before taking office. 63-0
S.F. 644-Merriam: Modifies the provisions of a land sale to the
city of Anoka.  62-0
S.F. 320-Hottinger: Authorizes warrantless probable cause arrests
for fifth degress assault committed on school property. 65-0
S.F. 292-Knutson: Changes the name of the McGruff program.  61-3
S.F. 577-Janezich: Allows two nursing homes to share an
administrator under certain circumstances. 63-1
S.F. 1060-Chandler: Modifies provisions relating to reemployment
insurance.  55-10
S.F. 793-Dille:  Repeals the requirement for specific reports by
the Dept. of Agriculture. 64-0
S.F. 839-Dille: Changes pesticide dealer requirements, changes
the expiration of pesticide applicator certifications, provides
an exeption for farmers hauling anhydrous amonia, and requiriong
consideration of passive bioremediation in some cases. 53-12
S.F. 1209-Betzold: Modifies provisions concerning the county
medical examiners officers. 64-0
S.F. 838-Solon: Exempts persons performing barbering services for
charitable purposes from registration and other requirements. 66-
0
S.F. 1086-Johnson, D.J.: Prohibts lobbbying by a principal
campaign committee or political party committee that issues
refund receipt forms.  45-20
S.F. 474-Johnson, J.B.: Regulates insurance accident and sickness
policy reinstatement.  64-0
S.F. 873-Johnson, J.B.: Authorizes the sale of tax forfeited land
in Isanti County. 64-0
S.F. 965-Langseth: Authorizes the issuance of permits for 12-foot
wide loads of baled straw. 66-0
S.F. 386-Berglin: Modifies provisions relating to nursing home
moratorium exceptions. 66-0
S.F. 447-Cohen: Dept. of Commerce housekeeping bill, regulates
service of orders and other papers, modifies enforcement powers
and regulates notaries public. 63-3
S.F. 615-Riveness: Establishes a high-speed bus service pilot
project in the Metropolitan Area.  62-0
S.F. 1042-Reichgott Junge: Modifies provisions relating to
limited liability organizations, modifies name requirements,
eliminates a filing requirement, and clarifies when debts arise
or accrue for limited liability partnerships.  67-0
S.F. 163-Piper: Changes the expiration date for the Crime Victim
and Witness Advisory Council from June 30, 1995 to June 30, 1997.
64-0
S.F. 1055-Piper: Exempts certain social workers from the
requirement to obtain home care provider license; exempts some
social workers employed in a hospital or nursing home from
examination and requires hospital and nursing home social workers
to be licensed. 63-2.

Bills granted final passage on the Consent Calendar, Apr. 6, 1995
S.F. 349-Lesewksi: Modifying the plain language requirement for
the Dept. of Economic Security. 66-0
S.F. 118-Betzold: Revisor's bill correcting erroneous, ambiguous,
and omitted text and obsolete references.  66-0
S.F. 171-Lessard: Requires the sale of specific school trust
lands in St. Louis County. 64-0
S.F. 1023-Lessard: Provides notice requirements for sales of tax-
forfeited lands. 64-0
S.F. 1280-Dille: Authorizes the sale of tax-forfeited land in
Meeker County. 64-0
S.F. 1255-Limmer: Authorizes the use of force in defense of
assault in correctional facilities under the control of or
licensed by the commissioner.  64-0
H.F. 564-Riveness: Providing licensed peace officers with the
powers of a notary public for administering oaths upon
information subitted to establish probable cause.  64-0
H.F. 567-Kiscaden: Providing for the disclosure of specific
hospital and health care provider tax data to the commissioner of
human services and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
62-3
S.F. 1520-Lessard: Extends the notification requirements for
landfarming contaminated soil.  66-0

Bills granted final passage on Special Orders, Apr. 6, 1995
S.F. 1570-Moe, R.D.: Freezing property tax values, levies and
rates for taxes payable in 1996. 38-29

Preview  Meetings scheduled for April 10 - 14

Monday, April 10

Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Income and Sales Tax
Chair: Sen. Len Price
8 a.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Income and sales tax articles of the Omnibus tax bill.

The Senate will meet at 10 a.m.

Crime Prevention Finance Division 
Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman
12 noon Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Steven Morse
12 noon Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

Education Funding Division
Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller
2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

Higher Education Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf 
2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol (or Room 318)
Agenda: Higher education appropriations.

Crime Prevention Finance Division 
Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman
6 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Steven Morse
6 p.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

Education Funding Division
Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller
8 p.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
8 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

Tuesday, April 11

The Senate will meet at 9 a.m.

Crime Prevention Finance Division 
Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman
12 noon Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Steven Morse
12 noon Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Chair: Rep. Richard Jefferson
1 p.m. Basement Hearing Room SOB
Agenda: Consideration of the future provision of actuarial
services to the commission after the June 30, 1995 expiration of
the current contract with Milliman and Robertson, Inc.:
appointment of Actuarial Services Subcommittee; consideration of
a timeline for rebidding the actuarial services contract; review
and authorization of the issuance of a request for proposal
document.

Education Funding Division
Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller
2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

Higher Education Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf 
2 p.m. Room 318 Capitol 
Agenda: Higher education appropriations.

Taxes and Tax Laws Committee
Chair: Sen. Douglas Johnson
4 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Omnibus tax bill.

Crime Prevention Finance Division 
Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman
6 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Steven Morse
6 p.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

Education Funding Division
Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller
8 p.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
8 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

Wednesday, April 12

The Senate will meet at 9 a.m.

Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Chair: Sen. Bob Lessard
12 noon Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: S.F. xxxx-Morse: Omnibus Environment appropriations bill.

Rules and Administration Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct
Chair: Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge
12 noon Room 125 Capitol
Agenda: Johnson vs. Finn complaint.

Education Funding Division
Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller
2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol.
Agenda: To be announced.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Budget allocations.

Higher Education Division
Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf
2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol (or Room 318)
Agenda: Higher education appropriations.

Taxes and Tax Laws Committee
Chair: Sen. Douglas Johnson
4 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: S.F. 845-Berglin: MinnesotaCare.

Crime Prevention Committee
Chair: Sen. Allan Spear
6 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Confirmation of Frank Wood, Commissioner of Corrections.
Confirmation of Michael Jordan, Commissioner of Public Safety.

Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Chair: Sen. Bob Lessard
6 p.m. Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: S.F. xxxx-Morse: Omnibus Environment appropriations bill.

Education Funding Division
Chair: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller
8 p.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
8 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Budget allocations.

Thursday, April 13

The Senate will meet at 9 a.m.

Crime Prevention Committee
Chair: Sen. Allan Spear
12 noon Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Confirmation of Frank Wood, Commissioner of Corrections.
Confirmation of Michael Jordan, Commissioner of Public Safety.

Environment and Natural Resource Committees
Chair: Sen. Bob Lessard
12 noon Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: S.F. xxxx-Morse: Omnibus Environment appropriations bill.

Education Committee
Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf
2 p.m. Room 112 Capitol
Agenda: Higher education appropriations.

Health Care Committee
Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin
2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: S.F. 1110-Samuelson: Omnibus health and human services
bill.

Health Care and Family Services Finance Division
Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson
2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: Allocations.

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

****Rough edit of April 7, 1995****