Compiled Thurs., Feb. 15 Rough edit of Briefly for the week of Feb. 12 - 16 Living wage bill okayed A bill requiring large and medium sized businesses that receive state financial assistance for job creation to pay employees at least a poverty level wage was approved Weds., Feb. 14, by the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee. S.F. 1997, authored by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), provides that businesses that receive a state subsidy of sat least $25,000 for job creation must pay the new employees resulting from the job creation at least $7.28 per hour. The bill spells out a number of exceptions and includes the employer's contributions to the employee's health or dental coverage as part of the employee's wage. Small businesses are exempt from the requirement as are businesses in which the chief executive officer's total compensation is less than 25 times the compensation of the lowest paid worker. Nonprofit corporations are covered by the bill if the chief executive officer's compensation is paid more than 25 times the wages of the lowest paid employee. In addition, the bill exempts on the job training programs or to businesses employing blind or disabled individuals. Hottinger said "State economic development programs are working well for job creation but are not doing well in creating high wage jobs. Most of the new jobs pay less than $8 per hour." Hottinger added, "Voters are demanding to know the results of state tax dollar expenditure and the bill provides for accountability." Hottinger said, " This bill puts action behind the rhetoric." Proponents of the measure echoed Hottinger's statements that the bill provides accountability for businesses applying for state assistance. Mel Duncan, of the Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action, said, "There is a clear and strong demand for accountability in public spending." Chris Jacobs, Jobs Now Coalition, said "The concern of the coalition is job quality and the bill provides a means for assessing the performance of the taxpayers' investment." Two speakers said that they were concerned about the bill. Tom Hessse, of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and Judy Cook, of the Minnesota Retailer Merchants Association, both said that they supported the goals of the bill. However, both said that the measure needed to be crafted in such a way that there was more flexibility in setting the lowest wage level. Cook said some entry level positions might be created that do not warrant that wage rate. Hottinger responded that flexibility is a legitimate concern and said he would work to resolve the issue. The bill was approved on an 11-2 roll call vote and advanced to the full Senate. In other action, the panel, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), advanced three additional bills. S.F. 2397 modifies numerous provisions regarding administrative procedures and enforcement of the wage and hour provisions of employment laws. The measure was approved and re-referred to the Judiciary Committee. S.F. 2056 is a Dept. of Trade and Economic Development housekeeping bill and makes numerous technical changes in laws relating to the department. The measure was approved and re-referred to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. H.F. 2154 requires manufactured home park owners or operators to notify the owner of a unit that is to be vacated about how scheduled improvements will benefit residents of the park. The measure was approved and sent to the Senate floor. All three bills were sponsored by Novak. Ethanol exemptions okayed The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine), approved a bill that exempts certain vehicles from the state ethanol mandate Weds., Feb. 14. Authored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), S.F. 2779 permits gas stations to sell nonoxygenated gasoline to motorcycles, boats, and cars with either pioneer, classic, street rod or collectors licenses. The proposal also permits sales to off-road vehicles, including farm implements and race cars. Previous provisions, one requiring pumps to have a special dispensing nozzles and another that imposed a five cent tax on the fuel, were removed from the measure. "This is not a perfect system," Morse said of the changes. "But the bill strikes a balance, and gives the people with concerns an option." Several witnesses testified in support of the proposal including Chris Radatz, Minnesota Farm Bureau; Tom Cochrane, Minnesota Agri-Growth Council and Todd Otis from the Hennepin County Chapter of the American Lung Association. Opposing the measure were Bill Strusinski, representing the Minnesota Street Rod Association and Amoco's Dan Gunderson. The bill now proceeds to the Senate floor. New Senator sworn in The highlight of the Mon., Feb. 12, floor session was the swearing in of the Minnesota Senate's newest member. Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville) won a special election held Tues., Feb. 6, for the District 14 seat formerly held by Joe Bertram. Fischbach presented her election certificate and was sworn in by Supreme Justice Jeanne Coyne. Fischbach was named to the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, the Family Services Committee, and the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee and the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. Deer feeding funds debated The Finance Committee schedule a meeting Wed., Feb. 14, to debate a bill for emergency deer feeding. Chaired by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids), the committee heard testimony from the bill's sponsor, Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-Cook). The plan proposes taking $500,000 from the game and fish fund and $500,000 from the general fund for deer feeding efforts. Johnson explained the economic effects of deer hunting, saying that the sport brings economic activity to the state as well as bringing money to the state treasury. Forty percent of the deer herd will die this year due to extremely high snow levels and the inability of deers to reach food, Johnson said. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has not endorsed the program and estimates that the feeding plan will save 20,000 deer. While he said that the estimates may be too high, the DNR estimates the worth of each deer at $500. Johnson explained the proposed deer feeding plan for the northern part of the state. The plan will rely on volunteers for distribution of the feed and will be designed to supplement private feeding efforts for maximum benefits to the deer population. Remote areas will be reached by snowmobiles, he said. Johnson said "I don't want to make this an emotional thing, to save Bambi, but I think we can make a difference." Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.) asked how she is supposed to prioritize the deer feeding proposal over programs to help children become more healthy, such as school meal programs. Johnson said that the deer feeding proposal generates economic activity and without generating economic activity there are no programs for children. Additionally, he said, there are a number of people in the state who are low-income and depend on deer as a food source Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) offered an amendment to use $500,000 from the game and fish fund and use the $500,000 from the general fund to fund school meal programs. The amendment failed. Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls) spoke on behalf of the bill and stressed the amount of revenue hunting brings to the state. "Minnesota has the largest amount of hunters per capita. There are an estimated 450,000 deer hunters in the state," he said. The bill was approved and sent to the Senate floor. Committee Update Agriculture and Rural Development Ethanol exemptions proposed Exemptions to the state's mandate requiring use of oxygenated fuel dominated the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee's discussion Mon., Feb. 12. Authored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), S.F. 2797 exempts off-highway vehicles from the oxygenate requirement. Under the bill, aircraft, motorcycles, snowmobiles, sports cars at off-highway racing events and other recreational vehicles can use gasoline that does not meet the 2.7 oxygenate requirement. The bill also adds a five cent per gallon tax on the sale of special recreational fuel; the tax is earmarked for improvements to the corresponding recreational program, such as the water recreation account and the snowmobile recreation account. "This is a proposal to strike some middle ground," Morse said of the exemptions that allow certain vehicles to use premium gasolines. "It gets to the very engines and uses that people are most concerned about." Bill Strusinski spoke against the bill. "This provides no choice for consumers," he told members. Certain vehicles, such as street rods, older and vintage cars, have special needs, and a higher octane fuel is needed to operate them, he said. Strusinski also objected to the economic impacts of the bill. The Minnesota state fair hosts the second largest street rod event in the country, he told members, "and many cars simply won't come because of this bill." The projected loss totals $8.6 million, Strusinski said. Jerry Jacoby, from the Minnesota Ethanol Coalition testified in support of the bill. He told members that the problem is not with the quality of ethanol fuel products, but with public perception. "There is a perception that there's something wrong with our fuel," he said, "and that's just not true." Jacoby also told members that when viewing the matter of consumer choice, the issue of air quality can not be ignored. "Concerning the matter of public choice, the public did chose -- they chose to have cleaner air in our state." No action was taken on the bill and Committee Chair Roger Moe (DFL-Erskine) said that members would continue debate at a future meeting. S.F. 2612, sponsored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples) was re-referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division. The bill establishes a program to help dairy farmers with management techniques, implementation of new technologies, financial guidance and other informational services. The committee adopted an amendment that allocates $300,000 to establish the one-on-one educational teams, as well as an amendment that directs the Board of Animal Health to examine alternatives to hot iron branding of animals. Members also confirmed gubernatorial appointees Vivian Evans, to the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority, and Dr. John Howe, to the Board of Animal Health. Commerce and Consumer Protection Landfill cleanup bill advances A bill designed to clean up Minnesota's worst landfills was approved by the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Thurs., Feb. 8, although the measure's authors say it needs more work.. S.F. 2120 sets up a system to resolve claims against insurers for environmental response costs at landfills in the state superfund program. The committee approved a change by the Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee on Insurance in the term used to describe the state's ability to assess damages from "direct action" to "state action." Bill sponsor Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), said the revision was made to narrow the context of the provision and avoid setting a precedent. He said the wording is still under discussion, and there could be additional amendments. Morse said the positions of interested parties have drawn closer, but talks are still underway on the mediation process and financial liability. Subcommittee Chair Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato) said negotiators did an "excellent job on a difficult piece of legislation." The bill was sent to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. The committee approved S.F. 1875, which sets up a task force to study and make recommendations for alternative funding mechanisms for various health care taxes, surcharges, and assessments. The author of the proposal, Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), said the goal is a more equitable health care payment system. The bill was sent to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. S.F. 2311, sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (R-Rochester), won approval on a split vote following discussion about how the measure affects legislative authority. Kiscaden said the bill sets up a process for assessing proposed health coverage mandates and gives lawmakers the information they need to evaluate such proposals. She said the measure has attracted "broad community support." Some Senators objected to a provision that no committee action can be taken on a mandate until the commissioner of the Department of Health completes the required assessment and reports to the legislature. Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), said she is "a little uncomfortable" with restrictions on lawmakers. Committee Chair Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury), said Kiscaden should consider removing the provision from the proposal. The bill was approved after the committee accepted an amendment, offered by Hottinger that requires the assessment be completed within 180 days. The measure was re-referred to the Health Care Committee. S.F. 588 was approved and sent to the full Senate. Bill author, Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear Lake), said the measure adopts federal guidelines on deceptive trade practices related to environmental marketing claims. He said the bill, which gives the Attorney General the power to investigate complaints of false or inaccurate advertising, is designed to crack down on companies that incorrectly promote their products as being "environmentally friendly." Insurance hike rejected The Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Mon., Feb. 12, rejected a bill that would have raised auto insurance rates. S.F. 1482 increases the minimum required auto insurance coverage for property damage liability from $10,000 to $25,000. Bill sponsor Sen. Edward Oliver (R-Deephaven), said the present rate was set in the early 1970's and is no longer realistic. He said the higher minimum would cost motorists from two to five dollars, with metro residents paying the most. Sen. Cal Larsen spoke in opposition to the proposal, saying "this is another case of driving up the insurance premium for everybody. We've got to stop this nonsense." Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan), called it unfair that some drivers will "pay more than others because of where they live." Sens. Carl Kroening (DFL-Mpls.), Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), and William Belanger (R-Bloomington), also expressed reservations about the measure, which was defeated on a split voice vote. The committee, chaired by Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury), approved S.F. 2616, that prohibits the retroactive termination of insurance coverage without the consent of the insured. Sponsor Anderson said the measure is a reaction to an incident in which a worker was terminated, and had his insurance canceled effective back to the day he was hired. S.F. 2780, authored by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), also results from an incident that came to the attention of a Senator. A Mankato insurance agent told the committee she and another agent were fired after talking with a lobbyist about legislation to prohibit insurers from imposing policy quotas on it's agents. The bill prohibits an insurance company from terminating or penalizing an agent because the agent contacted any government department or agency concerning a problem with an insurance company. The committee approved S.F. 950, sponsored by Sen. John Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul). The measure regulates the enforcement of copyright licenses on music licensing firms such as the American Society of Composers and Producers (ASCAP) and B-M-I. The firms collect fees on behalf of the artists from broadcasters and other users of licensed music. John Bergland with the Minnesota Association of Innkeepers said the firms in the past have not followed proper procedures in negotiating, and urged the committee to "put some constrints on what they can do." The bill requires the firms to provide rate and term schedules, and sets guidelines for inspections, negotiations, and collections. The committee also approved S.F. 2591, which permits a municipality to issue the currently-allowable twelve days of temporary on-sale liquor licenses per year in any combination of days. Sponsor Sen. Kenric Scheevel (R-Preston) said the change offers organizations more flexibility than the current three four-day periods specified in law. The committee approved Scheevel's amendment that prohibits an organization from having more than one temporary license granted in a 30 day period. All bills approved were sent to the full Senate for consideration. Lyme coverage mandated Lyme disease treatment would be included in all health plans under a bill approved by the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, Weds., Feb. 14. S.F. 221, authored by Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake) also prevents the imposition of restrictions on lyme coverage, such as deductibles and waiting periods, if the restrictions do not apply generally to other conditions. Sen. William Belanger (R-Bloomington), said he opposes the bill because it raises the cost of health insurance for everyone, and only benefits a small number of people. Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), offered an amendment, that was accepted, which replaces "suspected but not confirmed cases" with "diagnosed cases" under the coverage requirement. The bill was referred to the Health Care Committee. The committee, chaired by Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury), approved S.F. 191. The bill prevents the non-renewal, reduction, or elimination of homeowner insurance coverage based on the number of claims a homeowner files. Sponsor Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), said the bill results from a notice a constituent received from an insurer after filing a claim for a stolen bicycle. Solon said the insurer threatened to cancel the policy if two more claims are filed. Solon said the bill, which was sent to the floor, bases continuation of coverage on the monetary amount of claims rather than the number. S.F. 2023 was approved and re-referred to the Health Care Committee. Sponsor John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), said the measure requires health plan companies to offer at least one point of service product in the market area in which they operate. He says that "maintains consumer choice in a rapidly consolidating health care market." S.F. 1986 was approved and re-referred to the Finance Committee. The bill designates responsibility for older cemeteries. Sponsor Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch), said lack of clear jurisdiction makes it unclear who is responsible for upkeep. The bill also allows the Hennepin County Medical Examiner to charge a reimbursement fee for some procedures involved in investigating deaths. Two other proposals, both sponsored by Sen. Jerry Janezich (DFL-Chisholm), won the committee's approval. S.F. 2201, exempting a new motor vehicle dealership from relocation distance requirements from other auto dealerships, was sent to the floor. S.F. 2813, removing the phrase "mode of operations" from statutory language defining a truck part, was sent to the Consent Calendar. Crime Prevention Eight bills advance Several bills were okayed and referred to the floor by the Crime Prevention Committee, chaired by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), Thurs. Feb. 8. Four of the eight measures were authored by Sen. David Knutson (R-Burnsville). S.F. 2193, the result of a task force charged with studying impaired driving access, creates a separate law that prohibits persons under 21 from driving after consuming alcoholic beverages. Knutson said that the measure's goal is to eliminate teenage drinking and driving under all circumstances. "Our intent is that no teenager have a drop of alcohol and then drive a motor vehicle," Knutson said. "This is the public policy I think we should pursue." The measure now goes before the full Senate. Two bills related to the DWI law were also approved by the committee. S.F. 2192 gives the court authority to impose consecutive sentences for impaired driving and, in certain cases, for offenses stemming from a single incident. The measure, which goes to the floor, gives the court authority to impose consecutive sentences if an individual drives after suspension, revocation, denial or cancellation of a license or violates the terms of a limited license. S.F. 2190, which was re-referred to the Finance Committee, adds snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and motor boats to the statute covering license revocations for impaired driving. The measure specifies that a person's license will be revoked if an offense occurs five years after a prior impaired driving conviction, a prior license revocation, or any time after two impaired driving convictions. Knutson's fourth measure, S.F. 2319, amends the Minnesota Civil Defense Act of 1951. The bill changes the name of the act to the Minnesota Emergency Management Act of 1996 and expands its scope to include natural and other disasters of major size and destructiveness. The measure, which proceeds to the Senate floor, contains a provision that grants workers' compensation coverage to individuals who provide volunteer assistance in an emergency. The Committee sent the remaining four bills to the floor. S.F. 2357, authored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), authorizes the development of a statewide data base for juvenile records. Ranum told members that because of the changing nature of juvenile crimes and increased mobility, a statewide system is necessary. Under the current court computer system, each county is only able to access information on juveniles residing within that particular county. Consequently, a juvenile with an extensive record in Ramsey County, could move to Dakota County, but the juvenile's history and records would remain in Ramsey County, Ranum explained. S.F. 2346, carried by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (R-Marshall), expands the definition of criminal justice agency to include all sites identified and licensed as detention facilities. Lesewski told members that the bill allows information sharing by providing appropriate persons with broader access to the detention information system that is supported by the state operated computer network. S.F. 2054, sponsored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), requires vehicles to stop, when yielding the right-of-way, to pedestrians within a marked crosswalk or within any crosswalk at an intersection. And finally, a bill sponsored by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), S.F. 1864, makes a change to the Data Practices Act. The measure provides that data identifying individuals or businesses as members of a criminal alert network, including their names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, are private or nonpublic data. Two bills advance The Crime Prevention Committee, chaired by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), okayed two bills Mon., Feb. 12. A bill that establishes a community oriented chemical dependency pilot project, S.F. 1810, was approved and re-referred to the Crime Prevention Finance Division. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), establishes an outreach and assessment program aimed at helping troubled communities reduce neighborhood drug trade. The measure requires that Hennepin County establishes criteria to determine which neighborhoods are eligible to participate in the program. Furthermore, the bill specifies that after-care programs must be provided and requires coordination with the Hennepin County drug court initiative. Berglin told members that the measure is to fund outreach and aftercare, rather than treatment itself. "This bill helps afflicted neighborhoods intervene at the early stages," she said. "It attacks the demand for these drugs." The project pairs a police officer with a chemical dependency expert, and together the team approaches the substance abuser and offers treatment, Berglin explained. "We think this approach will demonstrate more effectiveness than other approaches have demonstrated." Cornell Tahdooahnippah, representing the Phillips neighborhood, spoke in favor of the bill. "It will bring some relief to the good people of the Phillips neighborhood who are being held hostage by the crack cocaine dealers," he said. Dan Cain, from Eden Programs, also testified in support of the proposal. He told members that the chances for successful recovery are greatly enhanced if after-care programs are provided. "Part of after-care is a good job and a place to live," Cain added. S.F. 1929, authored by Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin), establishes a criminal penalty for violating a cease and desist order issued by the commissioner of health. Sen. Gene Merriam's (DFL-Coon Rapids) amendment that reduces the penalty from a gross misdemeanor to a misdemeanor was adopted and the bill was sent, without recommendation, to the floor. Sen. Thomas Neuville's (R-Northfield) bill to create MinnCor, S.F. 1613, was laid over for further review. Prison industry bill okayed Members of the Crime Prevention Committee met Weds., Feb. 15 and advanced a bill requiring the evaluation of the operation of prison industries in Minnesota. S.F. 1613, authored by Sen. Thomas Neuville (R-Northfield), also specifies that state agencies are to purchase from correctional industries items that are comparable in price, quality, and delivery to items from other vendors. In addition, the measure requires the commissioners of administration and corrections to appoint a joint task force to explore additional methods that support the philosophy of providing a substantial market opportunity to correctional industries that maximize inmate work opportunities. According to the bill, the evaluation of prison industries by an independent consultant includes the development of a five-year business plan. The measure also specifies factors to be considered in developing the five-year business plan. Among those factors, the consultant is directed to assume that a private corporation will be operating prison industries, that the same number of inmates will be employed, and that the corporation will operate without any state subsidy unless it is not possible to profitably operate the program under the requirements outlined in the bill. An amendment, offered by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), touched off a discussion about the goals of prison industry programs. The amendment required the consultant to work with MinnCor to develop methods to improve and expand industrial and commercial activities in state and local correctional facilities consistent with providing employment and vocational training and developing proper work habits of inmates. Sen. Gary Laidig (R-Stillwater) spoke in support of the amendment, arguing that the goal of prison industries was not confined to profitability, but included public safety issues as well. Neuville opposed the amendment and said that having an independent consultant provided more credibility. The amendment failed on a divided voice vote. The bill was approved and referred to the Crime Prevention Finance Division. In other action, the committee, chaired by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), also approved a bill providing a process for sealing some criminal records and modifying the grounds for sealing records. S.F. 2254, authored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), had extensive hearings in the Joint Judiciary Crime Prevention Data Privacy Subcommittee. Committee discussion was confined primarily to an amendment, offered by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), authorizing peace officers to issue citations for truancy, allowing peace officers to confiscate license plates without valid registration and after more than 30 days has elapsed since the registration expired, and requiring that known street names or aliases of juvenile offenders be included in the statewide juvenile information system. The amendment was fine tuned with several smaller amendments before gaining committee approval. The bill was approved and advanced to the full Senate. Education Omnibus meets early deadline Two weeks before deadline, members of the Education Funding Division approved the completed 1996 Omnibus Education Bill. The division's Fri., Feb. 9 meeting was marked by a flurry of amendments to S.F. 1884, carried by Committee Chair Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.). Senators voted to incorporate 35 of the amendments into the omnibus bill. They also approved a division budget of $32 million, of which $14 million is spent on technology for schools and $5 million for inner-city after-school programs. The governor had suggested that the division spend $52 million. The division plans to spend most of Minnesota's $824 million revenue surplus buying down the school property tax recognition shift, as current law requires. The shift forces school districts to "recognize" property tax money they won't receive for another year. Division members approved an amendment reducing the shift from 48 to 17 percent in 1996, at a cost of $502 million, and reducing it again to 6.5 percent in 1997, at a cost of $176 million. Pogemiller said the spending will "repay our local school districts" for money the state has essentially borrowed from their operating funds. The committee decided not to pay back a similar referendum levy shift, saying districts need more time to plan for the revenue impact. Sen. Martha Robertson (R-Minnetonka) objected to an article of S.F. 1884 allowing school districts to adjust referenda levies annually for inflation. "When people vote on a referendum, they vote an an amount," she said. Senators debated the measure but did not vote whether to delete it. They did, however, approve Robertson's motion to delete an article that required private schools to transfer student records to public schools. Sen. Jerry Janezich (DFL-Chisholm) successfully amended the bill to allow several Iron Range school districts to bond $21 million against taconite tax revenue for school construction and renovation. Senators also approved a Janezich amendment directing $500,000 of the after-school program grants to areas outside Minneapolis and St. Paul. Senators approved amendments allowing school districts to enter into service contracts with tribal governments and providing $1.6 million to compensate tribal schools for AFDC students who transfer in late in the year. The division also approved amendments clarifying districts' obligations to assess disabled students' assistive technology needs; outlining who pays for special education assessment appeals; and requiring Braille competency for teachers of the blind. The committee amended the bill to provide $350,000 to train and retrain employees from other agencies who join the Department of Children, Families and Learning. They also extended DCFL's deadline to complete new administrative licensure rules until the end of this year. Several amendments containing grants were approved: $74,000 to Net Lake schools to operate a collaborative community center; $40,000 to an international classroom speaker program; $100,000 to the career teacher program (now called Family Connections); and $69,000 for multicultural training for teachers in the Red Lake school district. Several district-specific amendments were also approved, permitting the former Clarkfield school district to levy $10,000 annually to operate its swimming pool; allowing Delavan, Blue Earth and Elmore schools to levy an extra $97,000 for consolidation; specifying a ward election for consolidating Argyle and Stephen schools; transferring funds in the Lyle and Ada-Borup school districts; and permitting Faribault schools to start the school year early. The bill was forwarded to the full Education Committee. Division gets budget overview The Education Committee Higher Education Division began consideration of the capital budget requests of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) and the University of Minnesota Tues., Feb. 13. Ettore Infante, senior vice president for academic affairs, University of Minnesota, outlined the school's $132.7 million package, which he said emphasizes health and safety items, facility renewal, and two major library construction projects. Another important component, he said, is expansion of the science building on the Morris campus. The university's request also includes replacing the greenhouse on the Crookston campus and a new building for the magnetic resonance imaging program. MnSCU Chancellor Judith Eaton said the $141 million spending plan for the 62 campuses is evenly divided between improvements and new projects, with most of the improvement money going to Greater Minnesota facilities, and most of the new project money earmarked for urban campuses. She characterized the package as "prudent...and tough-minded." University of Minnesota-Duluth Chancellor Kathryn Martin urged the division to fund a proposed $20-million library, which she said is a "benchmark facility" that would double as a work station and offer training in areas that benefit northeast Minnesota businesses. Bruce Grube, president, St. Cloud State University, urged the division to include in the bonding bill money for a library that has been in the planning stage since the late 1970's. "We have a terrific space need on campus," he said. Sen. Jerry Janezich (DFL-Chisolm) asked division members to put some money into the Hibbing Community College/Range Technical College Integration Project, a $20 million plan to relocate the technical college. He said the facility "sets us up for education on the Range for the next twenty years." Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), said he will push for $30 million in bonding authority to relocate the University of Minnesota's planned riverfront steam generator plant to another site. Pogemiller, who chairs the full Education Committee, said the money may cut into the overall bonding request, but "the plant will be built on the river if we don't do anything." Division Chair LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls) said he is favorably impressed by two aspects of the budget presentations--the emphasis on "asset maintenance and renewal,"and the low debt service figures. He noted what he called the disparity' between the two systems' bonding requests--$273 million-- and the $151 million the governor proposes spending. He said the price tags of some items on the schools' lists are "higher than the available dollars." Full committee okays omnibus After a brief review, the full Education Committee approved the 1996 omnibus education bill, S.F. 1884, which is carried by committee Co-Chair Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.). The bill was re-referred to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. Pogemiller says the bill contains two of the governor's three major initiatives: $5 million in after-school money and $14 million for technology. The Education Funding Division rejected a proposal to provide tuition vouchers for low-income families to spend at private schools. The bill appropriates $32 million but does not lift caps on K-12 funding. Pogemiller said the intent of Senate leadership is to instead cap all other funding divisions next session. Sen. Gen Olson (R-Minnetrista) said she intends to try to remove a contended provision, allowing school districts to ask for excess levy referenda that rise annually with inflation, when the bill is heard in the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. Senators approved the funding division's report ranking education-related projects seeking state bond funds. Top priorities are a $6.9 million instruction building and various upgrades at the Minnesota Center for the Arts, $2.7 million in upgrades including demolishing Dow Hall at the Faribault Academies, and $20 million in grants to renovate or construct buildings for after-school programs. The report was forwarded to the Finance Committee. The committee also approved S.F. 2097, carried by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (R-Marshall), a housecleaning bill from the Department of Economic Security. The bill exempts employees transferred from DES to the Department of Children, Families and Learning from certain contract requirements. Senators deleted a section of the bill containing DES's mission statements and objectives, saying that the language does not belong in law. A lengthy "mandate reduction" bill sponsored by Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) is the result of more than 200 suggestions from the Minnesota State College and University system. The bill, S.F. 2143, allows MnSCU to use the state's central motor pool and travel services, specifies that campus presidents may close school during an emergency, allows financial aid officers to exercise more professional judgement, and requires the MnSCU board to set policies for campuses to purchase goods and services. The committee approved a clarifying amendment to S.F. 2143 and re-referred the bill to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. Division considers supplemental requests The Higher Education Division heard supplemental budget requests Weds., Feb. 14, from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), and the governor's office. Lisa Derenee, with the Department of Finance, said the governor's $15 million request includes $9.5 million for the University of Minnesota academic health center to develop and purchase new information technology and $5 million to redesign and restructure university health care education programs. Money also goes to Bemidji State University to establish an applied research, design, and development center; the Higher Education Services Office to hire tutors for Twin Cities elementary students; and the Department of Administration to plan a statewide on-line information system for state libraries. Dennis Hefner, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, MnSCU, outlined three alternative funding plans --ranging from $5 million to $9 million-- for an "electronic academy." He said the academy would develop and promote new ventures, electronic classrooms, distance learning, and electronic services. "Technology is changing society and higher education at a rapidly increasing rate," he said, "it is critical we remain on the cutting edge." Dr. Bill Brody, with the University of Minnesota Health Center, said the top priorities at the university are re-engineering health care education and increasing spending for academic health care technology. Division Chair Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), requested more details on the cost of the programs, and asked if any reserve hospital funds could be transferred to the health center. Stumpf said the Legislature does not have the resources to fund all the requests, and will operate under a "capped amount" of about $10 million. "We don't want to lead the public down a false road, to raise false expectations," he said. The division also heard from members of a student lobbying group, the University of Minnesota Coalition for Higher Education. They urged the Legislature to support the university's bonding requests, and called for lower tuition and greater access to public education. Ethics and Campaign Reform Board name changed The Ethical Practices Board does not deal with ethical practices, according to a bill heard by the members of the Ethics and Campaign Reform Committee. Members voted Thurs., Feb. 8, to change the name of the board to one more appropriately describing its functions. The bill originating debate was authored by Sen. Carl Kroening (DFL-Mpls). S.F. 2491 changes the name of the board to the "board of public disclosure." Ethics are not involved in the board's functions, only disclosure of financial information related to campaigns, said Kroening. Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), chair of the committee, disagreed with Kroening's assessment of the name, saying that the board does more than campaign financing. Senate Counsel, Peter Wattson, said that there are three areas in which the board is designed to provide oversight. The board was originally organized to oversee campaign finance, conflicts of interest and gift law. Wattson said, formerly, campaign financing was a questions of ethics. Now that certain acts have become illegal, Watson said, the question is less one of ethics and more one of legality. Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) told Kroening that he understood the inaccuracy of the title and offered an amendment containing the title "board of campaign finance and public disclosure." The amendment was adopted, and the bill was approved and re-referred to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. The committee also heard Sen. Don Betzold's (DFL-Fridley) presentation of S.F. 2255. The bill allows statutory cities to fill vacancies occuring on a city council. Betzold cited three cases in which elected officials stopped attending city council meetings. Marty said the language in the bill did not cover cases such as those cited by Betzold. The bill allows a vacancy to be declared in the office of the mayor or council member when the officeholder "dies, resigns ceases to be a resident of the city or council district, or is unable to serve in the office or attend council meetings for not less than 90 days because of illness or prolonged absence from the city or council district." Members approved the bill, sending it to the Senate floor. The committee also approved a bill, authored by Cohen, modifing election campaign expenditure limit rules. S.F. 840 is designed to allow a candidate freedom from limits if the candidate faces opposition from a strong opponent who has not agreed to the limit, even if that opponent is not the candidate of a major party. Currently, campaign spending limits apply to major party candidates and may free one candidate from the limits while allowing acceptance of public subidy if the other candidate does not agree to the limits. In 1994, however, a problem arose in a south Minneapolis House race where the DFL candidate agreed to the spending limit, while her opponent did not. The opponent was able to accept public siubsidies, but bound by the limits even though the opponent was not. Marty sponsored S.F. 2338, a bill requiring increased disclosure of activities performed by lobbyists. The bill's requirements are similar to recent changes in federal requirements. Marty said the bill requires lobbyists to disclose specific issues lobbied, who was lobbied, employees acting on behalf of a principle lobbyist, and how much money is spent lobbying. Bob Hentges, representative of the Minnesota Government Relations Council, said he and his organization oppose the legislation. S.F. 2338 adds a burden to lobbyists, said Hentges, and make no contribution to the public's interest. Marty said that if the federal government can require this information, certainly the state of Minnesota can take a small step to disclose where money is going. After debate among members, Marty laid the bill over until next session. Deer feeding bill advances The Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division completed its action on S.F. 2596, a bill appropriating money for emergency deer feeding operations, at a Weds., Feb. 7, meeting. Tim Bremicker of the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) said that feeding efforts in the northern part of the state are not cost effective, and recommended against a statewide feeding program. Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake) said "The question should be, is this a good use of the public dollar?" Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls) offered an amendment designating the sources of the funding. Under the amendment, $500,000 comes from the general fund and $500,000 comes from the game and fish fund. In addition, fifty cents of every resident deer hunting license fee would be dedicated to funding emergency deer feeding operations in the future. Sen. Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury) offered an amendment to Lessard's amendment putting a $1 surcharge on deer hunting licenses in lieu of the general fund appropriation. Price's amendment failed, but Lessard's amendment was adopted. Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids) offered an amendment requiring a study of the effectiveness of feeding. The amendment was adopted and the bill sent to the full Environment and Natural Resources Committee. The division also heard a variety of other bills. Sen. Gary Laidig (R-Stillwater) presented S.F. 2376, a DNR bill involving the sale and use of state lands. An amendment concerning inadvertant trespasses and improvements on state land was added and the bill was forwarded to the full committee. S.F. 2114, authored by Division Chair Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), makes changes in the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program. The bills allows the prioritizing of land purchases to complete wetland restoration projects. The measure advanced to the full committee. Also discussed was S.F. 1635, sponsored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch). The bill is a response to federal efforts seeking equitable applications of environmental regulations. The bill was laid over to work out technical amendments. Several bills advanced Working against the first of several deadlines for committee action, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a marathon six hour meeting Fri., Feb. 9. The first item considered by the committee, S.F. 2596, carried by Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-Cook), appropriates $1 million for an emergency deer feeding operation. The emergency appropriation is in addition to $260,000 appropriated last year for the same purpose. The measure was approved and forwarded to the Finance Committee. Considerable time was spent on S.F. 2120, a bill establishing a process for the state to recover clean up costs from insurers of landfill operators. The collection process, according to bill sponsor Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), is to first identify insurers of selected facilities. Once insurance coverage is confirmed, the state can negotiate with the insurer for a reasonable part of the clean up costs, Morse said. If the insurer is unwilling to settle, the state can then initiate legal action against the underwriter, he said. Morse offered amendments clarifying the negotiation process. One provision allows an insurance policyholder to settle all the state's environmental claims that originate from any site included on the state's list of clean up sites. Chuck Spevak, an attorney representing the Insurance Federation of Minnesota, opposed the provision and said, it would interfere with policyholders settling with claimants other than the state. Morse defended the provision saying,"the state would have a reduced role in the negotiations," if the provision were removed. The amendments were adopted and the bill sent to the floor. The committee also heard a bill re-referred from the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee concerning county ordinances regulating feedlots. S.F. 2675, carried by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), requires counties to seek Pollution Control Agency and Dept. of Agriculture input before enacting such ordinances. Sen. Steve Dille (R-Dassel) offered an amendment making technical changes to the bill and requiring a reviewing agency to explain objections to a proposed ordinance. The amendment was adopted and the bill advanced to the full Senate. Liability concerns gave rise to another bill considered by the panel. S.F. 1799, sponsored by Sen. Paula Hanson (DFL-Ham Lake), provides clean up cost liability protection to farmers who spread lawn waste on their fields. Sen. Kevin Chandler (DFL-White Bear Lake) expressed concern that the liability immunity expansion went to far. "The new language has implications we don't want," Chandler said. Sen. Harold "Skip" Finn (DFL-Cass Lake) questioned why the Environment and Natural Resources Committee was dealing with a liability issue and said the bill properly belonged in the Judiciary Committee. Hanson replied that the bill amended the section of law on groundwater contamination liability. Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio) moved to send the bill to the Senate floor. The motion was adopted. Sen. Dan Stevens (R-Mora) presented four bills to the committee for consideration. The first, S.F. 2104, delays the prohibition on using paint containing lead for road markings until July 1, 1998. According to Rick Beck of the Dept. of Transportation, newer paints that use organic pigments don't reflect light as well at night and the colors appear washed-out. Another of Stevens' bills, S.F. 2499, delays until July 1, 1997, the requirement that high-volume oil filter retailers must provide a collection system for used oil filters. The two bills were approved and sent to the Senate floor. Stevens' last two bills, S.F. 1778 and S.F. 2077, were virtually identical and repeal the toxics in products law. Stevens successfully offered an amendment to the latter bill to give the committee more alternatives. The amendment establishes a process by which a manufacturer may apply for a toxin use ban exemption if the manufacturer can give a reasonable explanation of why the ban is not feasible. The panel approved the amended bill and sent it to the Senate floor. Throughout the course of the meeting, the panel heard bills authorizing the sale of various parcels of tax-forfeited land and assembling an omnibus land sale bill. The final bill, S.F. 2544, also authored by Sams, initially dealt only with land in Wadena County. Additional land sale bills amended into the omnibus bill were S.F. 2557, authored by Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd) for Crow Wing County; S.F. 2770 for Aitkin County and S.F. 2640 for St. Louis County, both authored by Committee Chair Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls); S.F. 2535, authored by Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL-Bricelyn), for Faribault County; S.F. 2743, authored by Finn for Hubbard County; and S.F. 2580, authored by Sen. Gene Merriam (DFL-Coon Rapids) for Anoka County. The entire package advanced to the full Senate. A related bill, S.F. 2687, sponsored by Douglas Johnson, ratifying sales of county fee lands by Lake County, also advanced to the Senate floor. Sen. Gary Laidig (R-Stillwater) carried the omnibus land management bill, S.F. 2376, for the Dept. of Natural Resources. Laidig explained that the measure, "gives the commissioner more discretion in boundary issue determinations." Finn offered an amendment prohibiting state agencies from acquiring privately owned land without approval from the county board. Laidig opposed the amendment because he said it would hold the state hostage. Finn's amendment failed, but other technical amendments were adopted. The measure was sent to the floor, but Laidig later moved a reconsideration of the bill to lay it over. The committee consented to the motion. Other bills acted on by the committee included S.F. 2409, authored by Samuelson, requiring fish houses of nonresidents not be left unattended, and S.F. 1775, carried by Merriam, requiring the purchase of a turkey stamp to hunt wild turkeys. Both bills were amended. Samuelson's bill advanced to the floor while Merriam's bill was re-referred to the Finance Committee. Family Services Adoption measure okayed The Family Services Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin), unanimously approved a bill Thurs., Feb. 9, that makes changes to the state's adoption law. Sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (R-Rochester), and supported by the Dept. of Human Services, S.F. 1888 incorporates recommendations of an advisory committee established by the 1994 Legislature. The committee was charged with studying the 1994 law and suggesting revisions that might better protect children, birth parents and adoptive parents. "I am very pleased with the efforts of the task force," Piper said, "and to see that all of their recommendations are included in the bill." Bob DeNardo, from the DHS, highlighted the measure's major provisions for the committee. The bill requires a birth parent to notify the other birth parent of his or her adoption intentions prior to or within 72 hours of the child's placement. When it is in the best interests of the child, S.F. 1888 extends the filing time prospective parents are entitled to and grants visitation rights to grandparents of adopted children. Additionally, the measure allows prospective parents to submit an affidavit stating whether or not anyone in the household has been convicted of a crime, is the subject of a substantiated allegation of child or vulnerable adult abuse in the past ten years, or is the subject of an open investigation; the sworn affidavit fulfills the requirements of an adoption study and expedites the adoption process. The bill also simplifies procedures for recognizing the adoption of a foreign-born child, makes adoption records public after 75 years and gives adopted persons, 65 or older, information contained on the individual's birth certificate, unless the birth parent has filed an unrevoked affidavit prohibiting disclosure. Judith Anderson, from the Minnesota Adoption Resources Network, spoke in favor of the bill. "Adoption is a lifelong dynamic," she told members, "and the focus must be on the needs of the child, rather than on the needs of competing adults." David Pilgrim, from the Children's Home Society of Minnesota, also supported the measure. S.F. 1888 now goes before the full Senate. Gaming Regulation Welfare benefits uses limited Limiting the availability of public assistance benefits at gambling establishments is the aim of a bill assembled by the Gaming Regulation Committee at a brief, Tues., Feb. 13, meeting. The committee took parts of three bills, S.F. 2380, sponsored by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (R-Marshall), S.F. 2611, sponsored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), and S.F. 2351, sponsored by Committee Chair Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio), and incorporated them into Berg's bill. Under the bill, public assistance warrants will bear a restrictive endorsement prohibiting check cashing services located at a gaming houses from cashing them. The commissioner of human services is also required to prevent the use of electronic benefit transfer cards at ATMs located at casinos. Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville) asked how the check cashing services would be punished for ignoring the cashing restriction. "The warrant is uncollectible," answered Berg. Not included in the combined bill were provisions reducing future benefits for persons who violate the prohibition. Sen. Kenric Scheevel (R-Preston) asked why such provisions were left out. Barb Anderson, of the Dept. of Human Services, responded that such provisions were difficult to administer and also were contrary to federal regulations. Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.) inquired,"where would the endorsement appear?" Anderson responded that the endorsement would appear at the top of the back of the warrant. Spear further asked if the restriction would be in the form of a symbol or if it would be written out. "All of our regulations must be written in plain English at a seventh-grade reading level," Anderson answered. The composite amendment was unanimously adopted and sent to the Senate floor. Gaming Regulation Card tournaments for seniors Minnesota's senior citizens could play low-stakes card games under a bill heard by the Gaming Regulation Committee at a Weds., Feb. 14, meeting. The bill, S.F. 2613, allows seniors to play in tournaments sponsored by nonprofit organizations such as the VFW and senior citizen centers as long as total prizes are less than $100. The bill's sponsor, Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), said the bill was meant to promote socializing by seniors, and not gambling. The committee removed limits in the bill that specified what games could be played and what organizations could host the tournaments. Sen. Thomas Neuville (R-Northfield), addressing other limits in the bill said,"why don't we just legalize social gambling?" Committee Chair Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio) turned the focus of discussion toward renegotiating the Tribal-State gaming compacts. Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls) offered an amendment to Stumpf's bill creating a commission of state officials to negotiate with tribal leaders on gambling matters. The amendment was adopted and S.F. 2613 was sent to the full Senate. Later in the day, the committee reconvened and heard S.F. 2818, sponsored by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato). The bill was amended to be identical to Lessard's amendment, and then sent to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. Governmental Operations and Veterans Ice arena bill okayed A bill that appropriates $19 million for the development of the state's ice arenas, S.F. 2297, was approved by the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Thurs. evening, Feb. 8. Authored by Committee Chair James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), the measure contains a $9 million appropriation to the Amateur Sports Commission for establishing and expanding ice rinks statewide. Metzen told members that hockey is the state's fastest growing sport and that the measure meets demand for new ice rinks and improvements to existing rinks. "This is a chance to do some good for kids while they are still in their productive years," he said. The measure also includes a $10 million appropriation to fund expansion of the Mariucci Ice and Tennis Facility at the University of Minnesota. On hand to support Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller's (DFL-Mpls.) amendment were the University of Minnesota's Mark Dienhart, Chris Voeltz and Doug Woog. Coach Woog told members that this is an opportunity to make the U's hockey program one of national championship caliber. "We're ahead of the game now," Woog said, "and we don't want to lose the fine, young individuals we have now, nor those we can attract, to other states." Members referred the measure to the Finance Committee. A second bill carried by Metzen, S.F. 2597, was also approved by the committee. The measure, which proceeds to the floor, establishes an independent advisory council on intergovernmental relations. The proposal specifies that the geographically balanced council must be comprised of 16 members. Under the proposal, eight seats are held by representatives from units of local government, four seats are allocated to members of the Legislature and the remaining four seats are held by the executive branch. Several other bills were approved by the committee and referred to the floor. S.F. 2676, sponsored by Sen. Paula Hansen (DFL-Ham Lake), provides workers' compensation and liability insurance coverage for employees of entities established by the Amateur Sports Commission. Pogemiller's proposal, S.F. 1117, expands Minneapolis health insurance subsidy to cover eligible teachers who retired before May 1, 1974 or who had 20-plus years of basic member service in the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association. Sen. James Vickerman's (DFL-Tracy) measure, S.F. 2189, is a housekeeping bill that covers the Minnesota Municipal Board and Sen. Leroy Stump's measure, S.F. 2517, makes changes to the membership of higher education candidate advisory councils. Stumpf's proposal cuts the number of council members from 24 to 14 and reduces members' term from six to four years. S.F. 2675, authored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), was re-referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division. The bill establishes a dairy producers board to assist farmers with the production, processing and marketing of dairy products. The measure contains a $100,000 appropriation from the general fund. Sen. Phil Riveness' (DFL-Bloomington) bill, S.F. 1903, establishes a seven- member board to develop and administer an auto theft prevention program. The measure calls for an appropriation and was re-referred to the Finance Committee. Hospital merger advances The Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee agreed Fri., Feb. 9, to set conditions governing the proposed merger between the University of Minnesota and Fairview Hospitals Fri., Feb. 9. Carried by Committee Chair James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), S.F. 2175 maintains current collective bargaining agreements covering university employees until successor agreements are reached and maintains current compensation rates for unrepresented employees until June 30, 1997. Other benefits, including seniority status and eligibility for Regents' Scholarships, are maintained under the measure, along with a requirement that the merged entity provide training to U of M employees. "I am concerned about the fate of 4000 employees at University of Minnesota," Metzen said. "This bill before us is an attempt to protect these employees and to keep the dialogue going -- nobody wins if the hospital closes." An amendment that incorporates pension protections into the measure was adopted by the committee. Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), told members that the provision is a recommendation of the pension commission and that "the bill should include protection provisions for pensions." Fairview Hospital's Pam Tivitz, told members "the hospital is committed to having this merger work and to remaining a public resource." Nonetheless, she said that the bill contains requirements that diminish Fairview's ability to be competitive. The "deal breakers" could force Fairview to walk away from the discussion, Tivitz added. Carol Carrier, from the University's Human Resources department, said that some progress has been made and that certain groups from University Hospitals have agreed to meet weekly with her department. Tom Beer from AFSME testified in support of the measure. "As of today, we have not been part of negotiations," he said. "Talking" and "negotiating" are two different things, Beer told members, and the bill provides the bare minimums to start authentic negotiations. The bill proceeds to the Finance Committee. Two measures carried by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), S.F. 1871 and S.F. 1875, were sent to the floor. S.F. 1871 requires that long-term care insurance, including nursing home and home care benefits, be offered to retiring state employees. Under the bill, premiums must be paid by the employees. S.F. 1875, a bill to contain growth rates of fee structures used by health care providers, limits fees to parameters established by the North Central Regional Consumer Price Index. Any provider, other than a nursing home, who provides health care services and is eligible for reimbursement under the Medical Assistance Program, is subject to the growth limits. The measure sets out two options, revenues or fees, for providers to comply with the limits. The bill also specifies that annual audits of all providers with over 100 physicians are required, along with random audits of smaller health care providers. Three other measures were approved by members and referred to the full Senate. S.F. 1833, authored by Sen. Linda Runbeck (R-Circle Pines) , authorizes immediate discharge of state employees convicted of criminal sexual conduct, but does not bar the individual from further state employment. S.F. 2491, sponsored by Sen. Carl Kroening (DFL-Mpls.) changes the name of the Ethical Practices Board to the Board of Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure, and S.F. 2169, carried by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), abolishes the Transportation Regulation Board as of July 1, 1997. Tech changes approved A bill that grants classified civil service status to certain employees of the state's technical colleges was approved by the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Tues., Feb.13. Author Leonard Price (DFL-Woodbury), told members that S.F. 2260 corrects a situation that resulted from the merger of technical schools and state colleges. Under the old system, individuals were classified employees, Woodbury said. "But because of the merger, these people lost what they previously had," Price said. "Frankly, this is a matter of fairness," he added. Elizabeth Murray, of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, testified in support of the bill. "We believe it places the issues at hand where they belong, at the bargaining table." The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, represented by Gene Jensen, was on hand to support the measure. The bill now goes before the full Senate. Also sent to the floor was S.F. 1882, a bill that creates a separate deaf and hard-of-hearing services division. Carried by Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), the bill places the new division under the oversight of a management team comprised of individuals from the Dept. of Children, Families and Learning, the Dept. of Economic Security, and the Dept. of Human Services. Ann Sherman, from the Commission of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, told members that the bill allows for more efficient use of government resources and provides better service for the community. "The individual is served in a more whole person way, instead of fragmented and split between various agencies," she said. "It's a collaborative approach, and a progressive way of working with government." Sen. Deanna Wiener's (DFL-Eagan) bill, S.F. 2092, repeals obsolete laws. Wiener told members that the bill is the product of work done by Legislative staff, the Revisor's office, agency heads and others from the constitutional offices and that the 254 laws removed govern a vast range of issues and departments. "This is not a typical revisor's bill," Weinersaid. "It removes items that are no longer relevant, for example a law that covers manners that must be used at social events and dances." The measure now goes to the full Senate. The committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), approved S.F. 2532, authored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), and sent it to the floor. The bill allows state employees to donate vacation time to a co-worker who is ill. Counselor licensing bill okayed A bill that establishes a Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and requires counselors to be licensed, S.F. 891, was approved by the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee Weds., Feb. 14. "This bill is long overdue," said author Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth). The measure establishes an 11 member board to license counselors, sets out the board's duties and delineates the requirements for licensure. Criteria include completion of a Master's degree, 24 months or 2,000 hours of supervised postgraduate work and successful completion of a board exam. Dr. Walter Roberts, from Mankato State University, testified in support of the bill. "It increases consumer protection for those seeking counseling in the state," he said. Roberts told members that if the bill is not passed, "consumers will remain vulnerable to unqualified and unsupervised individuals who represent themselves as something they are not." The committee, chaired by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), re-referred the bill to the Health Care Committee. S.F. 2143, a bill that removes state mandates affecting public higher education institutions, was laid over. The purpose of the bill is to provide more flexibility and autonomy to MnScu, said. author Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing). Health Care Prescription bill sent to floor The Health Care Committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.) approved S.F. 2643, a bill to permit the dispensing of a controlled substance if the prescription is from a physician, osteopath, dentist, podiatrist, or veterinarian who is licensed to prescribe in any state or jurisdiction of the United States. Under current law, the prescription must be from a doctor who is licensed in this state or a bordering state. Representatives from Crown Medical testified Thurs. Feb. 8, on behalf of Sen. Edward Oliver's (R-Deephaven) bill, S.F. 2643, saying it would enable Crown and other medical supply companies to provide complete care to clients. Currently, the company often finds itself only able to arrange medication plans for part of medical treatment, representatives said. Crown representatives told the committee that if a patient is admitted for a heart transplant, they are able to provide medication for transplant, but no post medication. This often applies to transplant, cancer and AIDS patients. The bill was approved and sent to the floor. Members also approved S.F. 2728, a bill requiring a study of migrant farmworker health and socio-economic data. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch). Rachel Fang and Elena Thomas, representatives of the Urban Coalition, testified that 15,000-18,000 migrant farm workers come to Minnesota each year seeking work. S.F. 2728 provides a forum to conduct a study of migrant worker health as well as to study the economic impact the workers have in Minnesota, Thomas said. Data will be used to improve services that are now provided in a piecemeal fashion to the migrant community, she said. Under the bill, the commissioner of human services will collect, analyze and publish health and socio-economic data about migrant farmworkers in Minnesota in consultation with an advisory committee made up of representatives from migrant-serving agencies, county economic assistance program staff, and migrant farmworkers and family members. The bill contains a $50,000 appropriation from the general fund to the commission of human services. The bill was approved and sent to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. The next bill debated by the committee was S.F. 2264, a bill authorizing counties to implement county-based Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP) demonstration projects. An amendment, offered by author Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Bainerd), clarifies goals for PMAP with respect to individuals with special disabilities. The amendment, which was adopted, also ensures that counties participating in direct contracting meet the requirements of essential community provider status. Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (R-Rochester) offered an amendment to establish standards and criteria for demonstration projects. The amendment, which was adopted, also requires the commissioner of human services to agree with the county or counties on a methodology for sharing rish and sharing savings. The bill was re-referred to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. Samuelson presented S.F. 2732, a bill to appropriate $100,000 to the commissioner of human services for a grant to a nonprofit agency that provides residential services and supported housing outreach activities to deaf and hard-of hearing adults with mental illness. The grant must be used to expand the agency's program to include community support services. The bill was approved and re-referred to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) presented S.F. 1994, a bill requiring every newborn infant to be screened for hearing loss unless the parents object on religious grounds. Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy) said he is concerned about the cost that small hospitals will incur to meet such a requirement. Berglin suggested that the issue be brought up in conjunction with Kiscaden's bill to study the mandated requirement on insurance companies. The bill was approved and re-referred to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. S.F. 2335, a bill making modifications to laws governing the practice of nursing, was approved by the committee and sent to the Senate floor. The bill, authored by Samuelson, allows nurses to carry out orders by physicians licensed in another jurisdiction. Under current law, problems arise when patients see a physician in another state and return to Minnesota to receive nursing care, Samuelson said. S.F. 2335 was approved and sent to the Senate floor. Asset bill approved A bill restricting asset transfers for Medical Assistance eligibility was presented to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.). S.F. 1881 was amended on Mon. , Feb 11, deleting two sections relating to burial funds. Berglin explained that the amendment leaves the burial provisions as they currently exist in law. Because of amendments adopted by the Judiciary Committee, sections of the bill related to burial funds are no longer relevant, said Berglin. Two amendments offered by Berglin were adopted by the committee, one to clarify the type of service provided to the Department when being notified of the sale of property, the other to limit the claim against the estate of a spouse who did not receive medical assistance who either predeceases or survives the spouse who did receive medical assistance. Testimony was heard from Mike Hickey, state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses in opposition to the bill. Hickey suggested that a public awareness campaign be launched before any legislation is implemented and said that two provisions, endless look-back and the conclusively presumed standard are the most detrimental. The division approved the bill and re-referred it to the Health Care Committee. Members also debated a bill to modify several provisions of the nursing facility alternative payment demonstration project. S.F. 1951, presented by committee chair, Sen. Don Samuelson (DFL-Brainerd), was amended, removing various sections in order to keep policy and funding sections separate. The bill was approved and moved back to the Health Care Committee. The committee debated S.F. 1662, a bill mandating the posting of signs warning of the risk of alcohol use during pregnancy at all alcohol points of sale in the state. Because there is not cost to the bill, Berglin suggested sending the bill back out to the full Health Care committee. The bill was approved and re-referred to the full committee. Governor's DHS bill debated The Health Care Committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), focused on S.F. 2025, the governor's Department of Human Services Health Care Bill at a meeting Wed.. Feb. 13. The bill changes provisions related to health and continuing care for medical assistance and general assistance medical care recipients. Sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (R-Rochester), the original bill was altered with several non-technical amendments. Included among these was an amendment offered by Berglin requiring the commissioner of human services, in conjunction with the legislative oversight commission, to study eligibility requirements. The requirements to be studied include insurance barriers and other methods to prevent the erosion of private coverage, income and asset limits, benefit sets including acute, chronic and long-term care services and other issues. Berglin was also successful in adding an amendment requiring the commissioner of human services, in consultation with counties, home care providers, foster care providers, and representatives of home care recipients who are both children and adults, to review the provision of home care services to children and adults living in licensed foster care settings and provide recommendations to the Legislature. Adoption of an amendment, sponsored by Kiscaden establishes county responsibility if the prepaid plan determines, under the terms of the medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or MinnesotaCare contract, that a hospitalization was not medically necessary. Several witnesses supplied testimony on S.F. 2025, especially related to, a section establishing new methods to assure quality of services and streamlining and simplifying regulation of services. Gerry Glomb of Cooperating Community Programs said that his organization supports the changes to the law. Glomb said the bill will help allow a decline in program management staff and a shift toward increased income. Currently there is no way to increase wages, said Glomb. Most non-monetary venues, he said, lie in regulatory reform. Glomb said that the bill will also allow a better orientation to the needs of those receiving services. An increase in job satisfaction will also result from the provision, said Glomb, as employees find themselves working more with people and less with paper. Don Priebe of Cooperating Community Programs said that a consolidation of licensing rules begins the transformation from a process based regulatory system to an outcome based regulatory system. Ann Henry of the Minnesota Disability Law Center opposed the bill, saying "there is a piece missing -- the consumer perspective." Henry said that the new reductions in regulations keep providers happy, but eliminate accountability of case managers. The bill was approved and sent to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. Committee members approved S.F. 1729, a bill requiring the commissioner of health to study alternative medicines. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch) requires information on types of therapies available, consumers and providers of these therapies, and health plan coverage to be studied. The bill was re-referred to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. A bill making changes to the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB) was approved with little debate. S.F. 2310, sponsored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), transfers responsibility from the commissioner of health to EMSRB for a variety of duties. The duties include using a portion of the emergency medical services fund to support reporting systems as well as distributing the portion of fines collected for violation of the seat belt law to the regional emergency medical services systems. The bill was re-referred to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. Four bills approved The Health Care Committee began its Weds., Feb. 14 meeting with S.F. 2102, a bill presented by Sen. Phil Riveness, (DFL-Bloomington) requiring the commissioner of human services to implement a budget-neutral telemedicine demonstration project to test the quality and cost-efficiency of devices that monitor recipients in their own homes. Dr. Colin Mahud, a physician from American Telecare Inc. spoke on behalf of the bill, saying that the Mayo Clinic has begun using the devices for nursing home patients, patients needing home care visits and as a means to cut unnecessary hospital visits. The device is worth $4,000 said Mahud, and has already been incorporated into Group Health's services. The bill was approved and sent to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) presented S.F. 2249, a bill deleting the requirement for annual redetermination of Medical Assistance eligibility for severely disable children. Piper said that the bill provides administrative simplification of the TEFRA program as well as saving time and money in needless repeated application for Medical Assistance. The bill was approved and re-referred to the Health Care and Family Services Finance Division. A bill allowing physicians to prescribe and administer controlled substances for the treatment of intractable pain was approved by the committee and sent to the Senate floor. The bill, S.F. 2227, sponsored by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (R-Rochester), does not give physicians any new authority, said Kiscaden. It simply gives direction to the Board of Medical Practice and will help physicians appropriately prescribe without fear of investigation, she said. The committee, chaired by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.) finished the meeting with S.F. 2008 authored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), a bill requiring every health plan that provides maternity benefits to provide coverage of a minimum of 48 hours of inpatient care following a vaginal delivery and 96 hours of inpatient care following a cesarean section for the mother and her newborn. The bill was laid over. Also laid over was S.F. 1887, a bill sponsored by Betzold clarifing the responsibilities of the Department of Human Services for payment of costs related to certain appeals and S.F. 1927, a bill authored by Kiscaden, requiring managed care organizations to file a biennial plan relating to the achievement of public health goals. Jobs, Energy and Community Development Utility merger bill gains The Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), devoted the entire Weds., Feb. 7, meeting to discussion of a bill regulating utility company mergers. Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), chief author of the measure, said "S.F. 2337 is a consumer bill that applies directly to the proposed NSP merger with a Wisconsin utility company." According to Hottinger, the bill requires the companies to provide the Public Utilities Commission with adequate information regarding service levels available to retail customers. The information includes data relating to the number, cause, and duration of outages and the number and type of personnel assigned to deal with each outage, industry maintenance standards for major equipment and the company's scheduled maintenance, the minimum number of employees needed for maintenance, major unscheduled repairs and a report on customer complaints and the utility's response. Hottinger said that the information is to be among the factors the PUC is to consider when determining rules related to standards of practice for electric public utilities and in determining rates. In addition, the bill specifies that for the purpose of considering a merger application, "public interest" includes the interests of the employees of a public utility proposing a merger. The measure also specifies that the PUC require the utility to agree to binding commitments to maintain a minimum level of investments and staffing before approving the merger. Finally, the bill prohibits a public utility from entering a binding agreement to sell a power plant, service center, or headquarters building, until six months after notifying its employees of its intent to sell. Proponents of the measure included Bernie Brommer, president, MN AFL-CIO and Tom Koehler, representing IBEW-Local 160. Both said that the bill is necessary to help restore the relationship between NSP and its employees. However, Jerry Larsen, representing NSP, argued that the bill was unnecessary because NSP already has much of the required information readily available. Variety of bills gain Members of the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), met twice Thurs., Feb. 8, to consider a variety of bills before the first committee deadline. Several of the measures were approved and advanced to the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division. S.F. 2512, authored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), extends the program to research, study, and report on the effects on dairy cattle of electric current in the ground. S.F. 2431, carried by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), authorizes additional funding for employment support services for persons with mental illness. S.F. 2441, carried by Novak, establishes a state program to supplement the federal emergency shelter grant program. S.F. 2724, authored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), provides for the settlement of extended employment program appeals and authorizes independent audits by extended employment program providers. S.F. 2658, sponsored by Sen. Dan Stevens (R-Mora), provides funding to restore the 1894 Kanabec County courthouse. S.F. 2488, carried by Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), creates an amateur radio volunteer system and creates a communications committee. S.F. 2659, carried by Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL-Bricelyn), provides an appropriation for the Minnesota Historical Society Farmamerica. S.F. 2348, authored by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (R-Marshall), is a bill relating to utilities that repeals obsolete rules relating to the 1986 Tax Reform Act. The measure was approved and re-referred to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee. Six measures were advanced to the Senate floor. S.F. 2552, carried by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), modifies provisions governing the calculation of workers compensation insurance premiums and modifies provisions relating to independent contractors. S.F. 2701, authored by Sen. Edward Oliver (R-Deephaven), memorializes the President and the U.S. Congress to increase the federal minimum wage. H.F. 374, authored by Novak, exempts a large electric power generating plant from a certificate of need proceeding when selected by the public Utilities Commission from a bidding process to select resources to meet the utility's projected energy demand. S.F. 2149, carried by Murphy, modifies provisions relating to payment of wages and reducing the age requirement for newspaper carriers under the children labor law. S.F. 2188, also carried by Murphy, modifies local economic development authority powers and clarifies local conflict of interest provisions. S.F. 2349, carried by Lesewski, authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to levy civil penalties for violations by public utilities and telecommunication companies. Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch) offered an amendment outlining additional conditions for the PUC to consider when making a determination on a proposed merger. Johnson said that she was concerned that the merger not have adverse effects on existing and developing competition. The amendment failed to gain approval. Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-Cook) moved to have the bill lie over; the motion also failed. The bill was approved on a divided voice vote and sent to the Senate floor. Ethanol exception okayed A bill providing for an exception to the requirement that all gasoline sold in Minnesota contain an oxygenate, such as ethanol, sparked considerable debate at the Tues., Feb. 10, meeting of the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee. The panel, chaired by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), devoted the entire hearing to consideration of the bill. The measure, S.F. 2040, sponsored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), originally exempted all premium gasoline, except as required by federal law, from the oxygenate requirement. (Federal law requires gasoline sold in the Metro Area during the winter months to contain an oxygenate.) At the outset of the hearing, Kelly offered an amendment specifying that the number of retail dealers selling premium gasoline without an oxygenate be limited to no more than on-half of the retail dealers in the state. Kelly said the amendment was an attempt to arrive at a compromise between the supporters and opponents of the original bill. The amendment was adopted. "I simply want to offer consumers a choice in the kind of gasoline they put in their vehicles," Kelly said. Bill Strusinski, representing the Minnesota Street Rod Association, was one of the supporters who spoke in favor of the measure. "I'm an ethanol supporter, but I am also for choice...ethanol doesn't work in all situations," Strusinski said. Strusinski said that small engines, and older classic, antique and street rod type vehicle engines suffered with the use of ethanol. Bill King of the Midwest Marina Association and Art Gallob, an aviation pilot, also said that boat and airplane engines perform better with gasoline that does not contain ethanol. Jim Simnick, representing Amoco Oil, said that the bill's supporters did not want to have a negative impact on the ethanol industry but, instead, wanted consumers to have a choice in the type of gasoline available. Opponents of the measure argued that by opening the door to exceptions, the entire industry could suffer a setback. Dept. of Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson, said that 300 to 400 jobs may be directly attributed to ethanol production and that any change in the law could have an impact on the industry. Bob Fox, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said, "Economics and the Environment are the main reasons" the association is opposing the measure. Fox disputed the claims of engine damage from ethanol and said that 90 percent of the fuel is still gasoline. Former state Sen. Jim Nichols, representing the Central Minnesota Ethanol Co-op, said, "Minnesotans pay $70 million a year for energy in this state, almost all of it imported. Ethanol reduces the need to import energy." Nichols also said unoxygenated fuel is very polluting. Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch) offered an amendment that she said was an attempt to reach a compromise on the issue. The amendment authorizes retails to sell a "special recreational fuel" not subject to the oxygenate requirement. Under the amendment, the unleaded premium grade gasoline may be dispensed from pumps with wider nozzles and may be sold for use in aircraft, motorcycles, snowmobiles, cars or car engines manufactured before the 1976 model year. In addition, the amendment contained provisions for a five cent per gallon tax on the fuel and for appropriations to fund a toll-free number to inform consumers on the location of retailers. The amendment was amended to delete the provisions dealing with the five cent per gallon tax and the appropriations. Kelly opposed the amendment, but members adopted the amendment on a 7-6 roll call vote. The measure was advanced to the full Senate on a 12-1 roll call vote. Judiciary Notary ad regulation debated A bill regulating notaries public generated considerable debate at the Mon., Feb. 12, meeting of the Judiciary Committee. According to Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), in many Latin American countries, notaries public are attorneys. Immigrants in this country, seeking legal assistance, are sometimes under the mistaken impression that notaries public are attorneys. As a result, some unscrupulous notaries public have misrepresented their legal status with respect to providing immigration services. The bill, S.F. 2372, requires notaries public who advertise in languages other than English to include a statement in English and the other language that makes it clear the notary public is not an attorney. The bill was amended to include language regulating the provision of immigration services and spelling out exactly which services are authorized. Committee members, chaired by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), questioned whether it was necessary to provide criminal penalties in the bill and whether existing law prohibiting nonattorneys from practicing law was sufficient. Pappas argued that county attorneys are reluctant to prosecute under the practice of law without a license statutes and that the bill was an attempt to act proactively. Members laid the bill over until an amendment is drafted addressing some of the issues raised during the discussion. A bill modifying the powers and duties of court referees for the duration of a family court block calendar pilot program also touched off considerable discussion at the hearing. The bill, S.F. 2672, authored by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), authorizes Ramsey County to establish a pilot project under which related family, probate, and juvenile court matters may be assigned to a single judge or referee. The role of the referees, though, generated considerable debate. However, Judge Charles Flinn, Jr., speaking for the measure, said that since additional judgeships have not been granted to Ramsey County, it was vital that the referees be used to handle the work load. The measure was approved and advanced to the full Senate. A measure clarifying provisions relating to foster care and child protection provisions was also advanced to the Senate floor. Only portions of S.F. 1885, authored by Sen. David Knutson (R-Burnsville), were within the panels jurisdiction. One portion defined the term "egregious harm" in the juvenile code for purposes of determining the termination of parental rights. The section of the bill that proved most controversial allows the social services agency responsible for making a reasonable effort to request to discontinue the provision of services aimed at returning the child to the parent at the initial hearing of a termination of parental rights petition. That section of the measure was deleted and the bill was advanced. In other action, panel members approved several less controversial bills. S.F. 2098, authored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), clarifies the definition of acts constituting a nuisance. S.F. 2476, carried by Cohen, clarifies the process for a writ of certiorari. S.F. 2598, sponsored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), is the revisor's bill that corrects erroneous, ambiguous and omitted text and obsolete references in the statutes. Human Rights Dept. debated Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) presented a "short and simple bill, attempting to have continuing legislative oversight of the state's human rights department." to members of the Judiciary Committee at the Tues., Feb. 13 hearing. The presentation resulted in a full blown debate among Senators. S.F. 2709 bill requires the commissioner of human rights to submit a report to the Legislature on the department's plan to eliminate the case backlog in the department. The measure was supported by Elliot Long, from the Legislative Audit Commission, who said that the department of human rights (DHR) takes too long to investigate discrimination cases. Long said that, on average, the DHR takes over 14 months to investigate and close discrimination cases. More than three quarters of the department's cases are dismissed or withdrawn, he added. Further, Long said nearly all state contractors have affirmative action plans approved by DHR, but the department is not monitoring the implementation of those plans. DHR Commissioner David Beaulieu said that there has been a decline in the amount of staffing funds available and a 30 percent growth increase in the amount of cases. Beaulieu said that if more funding was made available, the immediate goals of the department would be attention and prioritization of cases between one and two years old. Testimony was heard from Maggie Zalamea of the Spanish Speaking Affairs Council and Joe Day of the Indian Affairs Council. Both witnesses expresses concern over the rate at which cases are investigated. Zalamea said that legislation should mandate a focus on high impact cases, those affecting 30 to 40 people in a certain category. Additional significance should be placed on focusing on patterns of practice, she said. Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge said resources are a part of the solution, but internal management changes would also contribute to the overhaul of the department. "This is not a partisan issue. What I want are results and performance," she said. The bill was approved and sent to the Finance Committee. The committee also approved S.F. 2372, a bill regulating the provision of immigrant services and advertisements by notary publics in languages other than English. The bill requires a notary public who is not an attorney and who advertises services in a language other than English to include a notice in English and the language in which the advertisement appears that the notary public is not an attorney and may not give legal advice. The measure was re-referred to the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee. Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato) sponsored S.F. 236, a bill to include occupational therapists in the limitation period for bringing suit against health care professionals. The bill makes it clear, said Hottinger, that health care professionals are protected under a two year statute of limitations versus a six year statute of limitations. The bill was approved and sent to the Senate floor. S.F. 1735, a bill authored by Sen. David Knutson (R-Burnsville), enacts the Uniform Prudent Investor Act. Under current law, said Knutson, trustees are bound by prudent investor standards on each investment. S.F. 1735 extends these standards and allows them to apply to an entire portfolio. The bill was approved and sent to the Senate floor. A bill establishing a nuisance action against a person who promotes prostitution or is a patron of prostitution was presented by Anderson. S.F. 2014, is a tool for citizens to go after prostitution in their neighborhoods, said Anderson. Neighborhood groups or residential groups could bring action under the bill, she said. Keith Ellison, a resident of a north Minneapolis neighborhood said that he supports the bill. "It is one of the best ways I have heard to attack the source without penalizing vulnerable persons who are pulled into prostitution," Ellison said. "The bill puts a weapon into the hands of those who can use it." Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.) questioned why the current process won't work. There are two ways to bring action, he said. The methods, said Spear, include going to court yourself, or going to a prosecutor. Why can't neighborhoods tell a prosecutor about disturbances, Spears asked. An amendment, offered by Spear, deleted a provision to direct court awarded damages from nuisance cases to nonprofit organization providing advocacy services to persons used in prostitution or victims of domestic violence. The bill was approved and sent to the Senate floor. S.F. 1704, a bill sponsored by Reichgott Junge, making technical and housekeeping changes to the Limited Liability Company Act, was approved by members and sent to the Senate floor. Two bills authored by Betzold were also sent to the floor: S.F. 1866 is a bill providing for the isolation and detention of persons with active tuberculosis who pose an endangerment to the public health, and S.F. 489 is a bill regulating punitive damages in civil action cases. Veternary records debated The focus of debate at the Weds., Feb. 14, meeting of the Judicary Committee was S.F. 1982, a bill authored by Sen. Steve Dille (R-Dassel) changing the veterinary practice act. Dr. Roland Olson, the executive director of the Board of Veterinary Medicine, testified that the bill was a housekeeping bill with many technical amendments. Of particular concern, he said, were sections of the bill that provide immunity for individuals who are engaged in the investigation of violations of the Veterinary Practive Act. A section providing that veterinary medical records are private and may not be disclosed to a person other than the client unless authorized by the client, is also important, Olson said. Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (R-Rochester) said that because there are animals sold for breeding purposes and, subsequently, issues related to quality of bloodline and health, the records of animals should be kept private. The section "protects the privacy of the owners who have an investment in the animals, not the animals themselves," said Kiscaden. Several other sections of the bill relating to violations of the Veterinary Practice Act received much attention from members. Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.) moved to delete sections of the bill dealing with judiciary issues. The amendment was approved and S.F. 1982 was sent to the Senate floor. The committee approved a bill, sponsored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), relating to real property and probate law. The bill provides conditions for registered property applications and records, provides for the application of certain curative provisions and changes probate and trust provisions. It was approved and sent to the Senate floor with little debate. Members heard testimony on a bill, sponsored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), to make equal opportunities in athletic programs available on the basis of sex not an unfair discriminatory practice. The bill relates to a specific race, the Bruegger's Bagel Run, which is trying to remain a race exclusively for women. Anderson said that the race should not be considered discriminatory because women have had limited sports opportunities in the past and have distinct physical differences from men. Testimony was delivered by Sue Wurl, president of the Northern Lights Running Club who said that women, in this case, can be considered a special interest group. There are events placing significance on many other types of groups, including men, gays and the disabled, she said. Testimony in opposition to the bill was heard from Steve Horner, who said "we need to be firm, fair and consistent in treatment of men and women." The bill was laid over. Metropolitan and Local Government Bill creates housing council Sen. Ted Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park) said everyone's happy with the compromise created by his bill S.F. 2387. The bill, which creates a council to manage public housing, was one of seven bills approved Weds., Feb. 7, by the Metropolitan and Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy) S.F. 2387 helps implement the $118 million settlement in a public housing lawsuit, Mondale said. The joint powers board created by the bill will act as a housing and redevelopment authority to rehabilitate, construct, purchase and manage rental housing units financed with federal assistance. "This is a very bipartisan project," said Sen. Martha Robertson (R-Minnetonka), who moved the bill. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. A bill sponsored by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), S.F. 2073, was approved and sent to the floor. The bill requires local governments to consider whether a public works project is necessary and cost-effective before ordering it. Reichgott Junge said the bill is meant to address the concerns of a group of New Hope residents who worried that cities may be lead astray by consulting engineers who recommend projects, then bid to perform the work. Two bills were approved and re-referred to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee: S.F. 2261, authored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch), allowing sanitary districts to maintain and repair a road by agreement with the agency formerly responsible for the road; and S.F. 2451, authored by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), allowing the Metropolitan Airports Commission to bond for facilities improvements against projected revenue. S.F. 2255, authored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), was approved and referred to the Ethics and Campaign Reform Committee. The bill allows city councils to appoint a temporary council member or mayor if the officeholder is ill or absent for 90 days. S.F. 2258, authored by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), allows the city of Duluth to spend public money on private property to abate the flow of storm water into sanitary sewers. The bill was approved and sent to the floor. S.F. 2223, authored by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), allows the city of Minneapolis to negotiate contracts with stage hands. The bill was approved and recommended for the consent calendar. Transit levy shifted A bill allowing "opt-out" cities to levy taxes for local bus routes was approved by the Metropolitan and Local Government Committee Thurs., Feb. 8. Senators re-referred the bill to the Transportation and Public Transit Committee. Sen. Terry Johnston (R-Prior Lake), author of S.F. 2588, said the local levy replaces a refund previously provided by the Metropolitan Council. The bill limits the levy to 88 percent of the 1995 levy for Metropolitan Council Transit Operations; the Met Council may levy the remaining 12 percent. Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.) said she worries that wealthy cities opting-out of transit taxes will weaken the metro-wide transit system. A bill sponsored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Mpls.), broadening membership of family service collaborative governing boards, was approved and sent to the floor. The bill suggests the board include tribal representatives and permits private citizens to serve as board members, if appointed by an elected official. S.F. 2698, a bill authored by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), grants cities a 60-day extension for zoning and permit decisions if the zoning or permit applicant is notified in writing. Cohen said the extra time will allow St. Paul's community councils to hear more testimony on controversial projects. The bill was approved and recommended for the consent calendar. Sen. Roy Terwilliger (R-Edina) presented S.F. 2457, a bill appropriating $2 million of state bond funds for a south metro public safety training center shared by Minnetonka, Hopkins, Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie, Bloomington and the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. The center would also be available for use by any police or fire department, said Terwilliger. The bill was approved and forwarded to the Finance Committee. The committee also approved S.F. 2581, authored by Sen. Steve Dille (R-Dassel) and S.F. 2602, authored by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.). S.F. 2581 aids the consolidation of the cities Norwood and Young America by allowing the new city council to be elected in 1996 from two wards, but at-large thereafter. The bill was sent to the floor. S.F. 2602, sponsored by Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Mpls.), allows Minneapolis to create special service districts in the Linden Hills and 50th and France business districts. The bill was forwarded to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan) presented S.F. 2428, a bill amending the Metropolitan Land Planning Act. Dee Blomquist, a former Eagan mayor, said she objects to a provision of the act that states a city's zoning must be updated to conform with its comprehensive plan. Eagan's comprehensive plan, she said, is too far-sighted to be a good basis for current zoning. But Senators, who did not vote on the bill, said they wanted to leave the act alone. "I think it's a mistake to be flip-flopping so soon," Flynn said. Redevelopment project pitched The city of Minneapolis, along with Hennepin County and Brooklyn Center, is seeking $18.1 million in state bond funds for a redevelopment project that planners say will provide new homes, decrease crime, and raise property values in crumbling neighborhoods. S.F. 2321, carried by Sen. Carl Kroening (DFL-Mpls.), outlines a collaborative "reinvestment program" to revitalize Humboldt Avenue, 29th Street, and Brookdale mall. The Metropolitan and Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), approved the bill at its Mon., Feb. 12 meeting. The measure now goes to the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee. The bill appropriates $10 million to acquire and demolish older homes along Humboldt Avenue, from North Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center. According to Kroening, the empty lots would be sold to private developers to build larger "move-up" houses to attract young families. "This is a market-driven approach to try to reclaim neighborhoods," said Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat. Another $3.1 million is dedicated to storm sewer and pond improvements needed to redevelop the Brookdale Mall and $5 million is earmarked for developing a "greenway" strip of park land along 29th Street in Uptown Minneapolis. Minneapolis City Council Member Alice Rainville said a portion of the greenway is reserved for privately developed housing ranging from low-income "artist" apartments to new single-family homes. The entire reinvestment program requires $18 million matching local funds. "This makes perfect sense," said Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park). "Time and time again we sit around and ask: what do we do with inner cities?" But Sen. Dick Day (R-Owatonna) criticized the approach, saying "I find it hard to believe that this $30 million is well-spent." Sen. Phil Riveness (DFL-Bloomington) presented a bill to muffle one of the less popular aspects of living near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: noise. The committee approved S.F. 2004 and sent it to the floor. The bill extends a noise-abatement program that reserves 40 percent of passenger facilities charges to sound-proof affected homes and public buildings. The committee approved Kroening's bil, H.F. 2532, which allows the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to create three new unclassified jobs; and Sen. Bob Lessard's (DFL-Intl. Falls) bill, H.F. 2401, which exempts Itasca County from bidding requirements in the sale of the county hospital. Senators also approved the governor's appointment of Richard Packer, a Coon Rapids developer and former city planner, to the Metropolitan Council. All three measures were sent to the floor. Fixing leaky septic systems A loan program approved by the Metropolitan and Local Government Committee makes it easier for homeowners to fix failing septic systems and contaminated wells. S.F. 2112, sponsored by Sen. Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), was approved Weds., Feb. 14. Under the bill, municipalities may bond to create the loan program, which is not subject to the municipal debt limit. Homeowners may apply for the loans to replace or repair septic system and to seal and replace contaminated wells. Loans are paid back through directed property taxes, similar to a special assessment. Morse said it makes sense to allow bonding for the public purpose of preventing water pollution. The bill now goes to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee The committee forwarded S.F. 2482, authored by Sen. Jane Krentz (DFL-May Township) to the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee but did not make a recommendation on the bill. The bill creates "Local Government Performance Aid" for cities and counties that design and use standardized performance measures. The program costs $16 million, and is funded by a $2 reduction in HACA per jurisdiction resident. Roger Peterson of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities objected to the bill, saying any performance aid should be in addition to current funding to avoid "penalizing" cities. Krentz said she believes the bill "is not ready" for a recommendation, but she wanted it on the table with other tax reform measures. Senators also approved a bill allowing Carlton County to levy in Sawyer, an unorganized township, for a recreation center. The bill, S.F. 2288, is authored by Sen. Florian Chmielewski (DFL-Sturgeon Lake) but was presented by Committee Chair Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy). Committee members expressed some concern that the township should hold a referendum on the levy, but decided to let the matter be addressed in the Taxes and Tax Laws Committee, where S.F. 2288 was forwarded. The committee did vote on a bill, sponsored by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), that prohibited free parking at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. A representative from the Metropolitan Airports Commission said MAC has passed a rule to restrict free garage parking to commissioners doing business and designated airport employees. Traveler's Aid and Serviceman's Center volunteers may continue to park free in the ramps. Senators said the bill was unnecessary and adjourned without hearing testimony on S.F. 2339. Bill targets abandoned homes New tax forfeiture procedures outlined in S.F. 2398, sponsored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), speed the removal of abandoned buildings that blight older neighborhoods. The bill was one of seven approved by the Property Tax Subcommittee on Tues., Feb. 13; all were forwarded to the full Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. The accelerated procedure for seizing tax-delinquent property applies only to vacant, abandoned buildings, said Kelly. The bill allows a judge to shorten the redemption period during which the delinquent owner may reclaim property from five years to five weeks, if a city or HRA has proved the property is abandoned. Mortgage foreclosure now has a five-week redemption period, Kelly noted. A fiscal disparities program is on the horizon for the Iron Range under S.F. 1977, presented by Sen. Jerry Janezich (DFL-Chisholm) and approved by the subcommittee. Janezich said the program is identical to that in the Metro Area, except that the base year from which growth is measured will be assessment year 1995. Sen. Ted Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park) sponsored a bill, S.F. 2049, that allows cities to activate special service districts without legislative permission. Commercial property owners must still petition to create districts, which increase property taxes to fund special services. The bill, which was approved by the subcommittee, also extends use of special service districts to apartments and condominiums in which residents wish to fix up common areas. The subcommittee also approved S.F. 1979, authored by Sen. Dan Stevens (R-Mora), subjecting lease-purchase of real estate to municipal debt limits; and S.F. 2207, authored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf, decreasing property tax rates for apartment buildings in cities of less than 10,000 population. Senators approved two bills authored by Sen. Douglas Johnson (DFL-Cook): S.F. 2115, allowing Duluth to establish special service districts; and S.F. 1841, authorizing a Duluth project to replace vacant and run-down houses. S.F. 2549, sponsored by Sen. Cal Larson (R-Fergus Falls), was rejected by the subcommittee. The bill limits increase of a property's assessed market value to the rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index. The subcommittee also reviewed, but did not vote on, seven bills concerning taxes on cabins and other seasonal recreational property. Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), the subcommittee chair, said the bills will be voted on in the full Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. S.F. 2618, authored by Sen. David Knutson (R-Burnsville), and S.F. 2625, authored by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), reduce the property tax class rates for seasonal property. S.F. 2621, authored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), removes the term "recreational" from laws defining seasonal property. Mondale's bill S.F. 2630 reduces class rates for lake front properties to discourage their development or subdivision. Three of the bills concern the effect of school excess levy referenda on cabin-owners who are absent when the vote is taken. Sen. Linda Runbeck (R-Circle Pines) suggests a constitutional referendum providing voting privileges to cabin owners in S.F. 2626. Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul) authored S.F. 2627, exempting the properties from referenda taxes in his bill. Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller's (DFL-Mpls.) bill, S.F. 2629, includes bond referenda in laws requiring conversion of referenda levies to market value, thereby easing the tax burden on cabin owners. Library lien approved Time to turn in those library books. Under a bill authored by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), public libraries will be able to use Minnesota's Revenue Recovery program to collect overdue fines and charges over $25. Pappas chairs the Income and Sales Tax Subcommittee, which approved the bill Weds., Feb. 14. She said S.F. 2358 extends to municipal libraries a practice already used by county libraries. The Revenue Recovery program, which allows an government agency to capture state income tax refunds, was designed to collect child support, criminal restitution, and public hospital bills. Public service manager Fran Galt said St. Paul Public Libraries lose $200,000 worth of materials each year. Senators also approved sections of S.F. 2508, carried by Sen. William Belanger (R-Bloomington), which contains the governor's supplemental tax provisions. Members approved provisions to eliminate entirely the sales tax on replacement capital equipment by July, 1998, but deleted two sections of S.F. 2508 that exempt income earned by leasing moveable property in other states. The $3.6 million tax break was requested by Northwest Airlines, said Matt Smith, commissioner of the Department of Revenue, after being questioned by Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope). "I'm just so surprised Northwest Airlines is asking for this. I think there's a line that was crossed on this one," said Reichgott Junge. The sections were deleted on a divided voice vote. Four bills creating sales tax exemptions were approved. Unsold pull-tabs and tipboards are exempted under S.F. 977, authored by Sen. Ted Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park). The bill costs $5 million in 1996-97. Car title transfers between parents and foster children are exempted under H.F. 2139, authored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley). The Department of Revenues estimates minimal revenue loss from the provision. Both S.F. 2570, authored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch) and S.F. 2358, authored by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton) exempt wind energy from sales tax, at an annual cost of $400,000. Johnson's bill creates a permanent exemption; Novak's exemption expires in the year 2000. Senators forwarded both so the full committee could debate the expiration clause. Senators approved S.F. 2168, authored by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), allowing Mankato to redirect part of its half-cent local sales tax to airport improvements. Hottinger says the idea was approved by 84 percent of voters in a recent referendum. All approved bills now go to the full Taxes and Tax Laws Committee. The committee did not approve a bill sponsored by Reichgott Junge that is designed to educate Minnesotans about the state's use tax. Many people don't realize, Reichgott Junge said, that the law currently requires Minnesota residents to pay sales tax on items purchased form other states. S.F. 1863 would remind residents of the law with a line on the state income tax return, inquiring if the person filing owed any use taxes for the previous year. Wisconsin has a similar law, said Smith, but few residents use the line. Smith was also concerned that the tax return form is already crowded with type. Transportation and Public Transit Board duties divided up A measure that deregulates some transportation carriers, and phases out the Transportation Regulation Board, won approval from the Transportation and Public Transit Committee Thurs. evening, Feb. 8, and was sent to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee The action follows last year's decision to abolish the board, as of July 1 1996, because most of it's duties and functions have been preempted by federal law. S.F. 2169 eases regulations on some of the existing functions of the board and moves the rest into the Department of Transportation. Five board employees move to MnDOT. "We have tried to come up with a reasonable, workable proposal," said bill sponsor Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul). Committee Chair Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), said the committee drew up the proposal after the board and other interested parties were unable to agree on how to proceed. One dozen witnesses testified on various aspects of the proposal. Douglas Bester with Bester Brothers Transport and Storage said he opposed any attempt to deregulate household goods carriers. Maureen Scallen with Airport Express said deregulation of motor route and charter carriers this session "would be a real disservice to the people of Minnesota." Lisa Peterson with the Minnesota Trucking Association said her group is glad to see the remaining regulations on freight carriers lifted, but is concerned about some of the language in the bill. Ron Jerrard with the Teamsters union told the committee Minnesota has not benefitted from deregulation, and the state should maintain oversight of those functions not taken over by the federal government. Philip McDonald with the Minnesota Senior Federation urged the committee to avoid endangering public safety by going too far. The committee approved an amendment that reinstates four safety regulations after hearing testimony from Karl Knutson, the state legislative director of the Brotherhood of Maintenance and Way Employees. The regulations include posting crossing guards and flagging devices at potentially dangerous locations such as railroad crossings. An amendment by Sen. Mark Ourada (R-Buffalo) was accepted. It requires household good movers to obtain a permit from the commissioner, and sets the amount of insurance they are required to carry at $100,000. An amendment that continues the regulation of airport passenger service, offered by Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), was approved. The committee approved two other bills and sent them to the full Senate. S.F. 2063, sponsored by Pappas, authorizes the issuance of a charter carrier permit for trolley-type vehicles in St. Paul. S.F. 2342, a measure sponsored by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), completes the deregulation of freight carriers by defining them as carriers of property. The bill exempts them from most state regulation, but requires them to register with MnDOT, and follow state safety guidelines. Drivers' license rules tightened Young drivers would need to practice more to get a driver's license under a bill approved Fri., Feb. 9, by the Transportation and Public Transit Committee. S.F. 1865 requires anyone under 18 to undergo six months of "supervised driving." Sponsor Sen. Terry Johnston (R-Prior Lake), said under current regulations students can get a permit, take a class, get a license, and be on the road in two weeks, without sufficient experience. The requirement was originally contained in S.F. 2155. Johnson amended it onto another bill she authored, S.F. 1865, a measure that allows motorcycle owners who are Vietnam veterans to purchase special license plates for a $10 fee, because the "supervised driving" bill was not eligible for consideration. A bill that allows a parent to name another individual a designated parent to care for a minor child for up to a year was approved and sent to the full Senate. Under S.F. 1792, the parent may also have a symbol placed on a driver's license to indicate a designated parent has been named. Bill sponsor, Sen. Paula Hanson (DFL-Ham Lake), said the information will be helpful to officials in case of crisis. The committee, chaired by Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), voted to send to the full Senate a bill to allow a city affected by a Department of Transportation highway construction or improvement project to help plan and evaluate the work. S.F. 1708 sponsor, Steven Morse (DFL-Dakota), said the bill gives communities a role in the process.. Several Winona residents who served on a task force studying a Highway 61 construction project testified that their findings were ignored. A representative from MnDOT said the department always wants community participation, but such groups aren't usually given decision-making authority. S.F. 2446, which directs MnDOT to gather information on telecommunications systems, and make recommendations to the Legislature on how best to integrate and coordinate them, was approved and sent to the Finance Committee. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL-North Branch), also authorizes the Department of Employee Relations to declare a "telecommuting day" under weather and road condition criteria to be established. The committee approved, and sent to the floor, S.F. 2466, sponsored by Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL-Int'l. Falls). The measure exempts first hauls of unprocessed or raw farm products or unfinished forest products that are overweight by less than ten percent from the requirement that a vehicle found to be overweight by more than four percent be re-registered at a higher weight limit. S.F. 2270 was approved and sent to the Consent Calendar. The bill, authored by Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), transfers $25,000 a year for three years into the rider training division of the motorcycle safety program fund to purchase additional training motorcycles. Gas tax hike approved A bill that raises the state gas tax five cents a gallon was approved by the Transportation and Public Transit Committee Weds., Feb. 14. S.F. 2691, sponsored by Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), also authorizes the Metropolitan Council to implement a sales tax of up to one-half cent in the Metro Area to eliminate the current Twin Cities area property tax for transit. Greater Minnesota transit services and Metro Mobility would continued to be funded through state general fund appropriations, and "opt-out" transit services would be guaranteed no less than their present funding level. Pappas said the gas tax would raise an estimated $120 million. The revenue would be distributed according to the formula in the state constitution to pay for trunk highways, county state-aid highways, municipal state-aid highways, and township roads and bridges. The committee approved an amendment, offered by Sen. Terry Johnston (R-Prior Lake), to delete a section that would have removed existing limitations on the council to issue bonds, and defeated an amendment offered by Sen. Arlene Lesewski (R-Marshall), to remove the automatic indexing of the gas tax. Lesewski said the provision gives MnDOT a blank check. Committee Chair Sen. Carol Flynn (DFL-Mpls.), said indexing "assures we meet the transportation needs of the state over time as expenses increase." The bill was sent to the Metropolitan and Local Government Committee. A related bill, S.F. 2588, was approved and sent to the Tax Committee. The measure, authored by Johnston, allows a city that is participating in the replacement transit service program (the opt-out program) to choose to levy a transit tax rather than receiving assistance from the Met Council. Under the bill, the tax revenue could be spent on transit operating and capital costs, and to pay off bonds. The committee approved a bill that requires the Department of Public Safety to refund fees paid for driver's licenses, instruction permits, or identification cards if the card is not received within six weeks of application S.F. 2684, sponsored by Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), also calls for an evaluation of the new security driver's license and identification card program. The measure was sent to the Government Operations and Veterans Committee. Two other bills received committee approval and were sent to the floor. S.F. 2213 changes statutes that require a driver or vehicle owner to show proof of insurance within ten days of being cited. Under the bill, proof is required no later than the date specified in the citation for the driver's first court appearance. Sponsor David Knutson (R-Burnsville), said the proposal will help unclog the legal system, and give cited motorists more time before facing license revocation. S.F. 2571 allows the owner of a residence to prohibit someone not living at the residence from using the residence address on a license or identification card. The owner is required to send written notice, naming the person, to the Department of Public Safety. Bill sponsor, Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-New Hope), said the bill results from a letter from constituents whose son insisted on using their address, even though he doesn't live at the residence. Floor Action Bills advance In addition to swearing in of newly elected Sen. Michelle Fischbach, Senators also processed bills on the various Senate calendars at the Mon., Feb 12 floor session. Four bills were granted final passage on the Consent Calendar. H.F. 2239, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Neuville (R-Northfield), allows the city of Morristown to maintain and pay for electrical power to operate traffic control devices located outside the city limits. S.F. 2067, authored by Sen. David Knutson (R-Burnsville), eliminates a requirement that specific documents be acknowledged in divorce proceedings. S.F. 2514, carried by Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-Mankato), clarifies the county of financial responsibility for hearings on the use of neuroleptic medications. S.F. 2584, sponsored by Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), eliminates some duties of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes. Three measures were given final passage on the Senate Calendar. S.F. 1872, authored by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), requires peace officers to undergo training in community policing techniques. S.F. 1879, also sponsored by Berglin, combines the alternative care program and the home- and community-based services waiver for the elderly program. H.F. 2150, carried by Sen. Gary Laidig (R-Stillwater), authorizes the city of Stillwater to issue one additional on-sale liquor license. All three measures were passed unanimously. Members also granted concurrence and repassage to S.F. 1862. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), authorizes the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Dept. of Health to use unmarked vehicles and provides that passenger vehicle classification license plates be issued to those vehicles. Several bills were also approved on the General Orders Calendar. S.F. 1919, authored by Sen. Linda Runbeck (R-Circle Pines), makes numerous technical changes to laws governing reemployment insurance. H.F. 1926, authored by Sen. Sam Solon (DFL-Duluth), regulates the practice of dental hygiene. S.F. 1856, carried by Berglin, provides applicants for Medicare with a brochure on long-term care insurance. S.F. 1699, sponsored by Sen. Charles Berg (DFL-Chokio), modifies provisions for aquatic farms and makes changes in provisions for recreational vehicles. H.F. 2355, sponsored by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), authorizes a city, county, or town to require specific information in applying for, or as a condition of, granting approval of permits required under official controls. S.F. 1622, authored by Knutson, regulates proof of loss in homeowner's insurance claims. S.F. 2267, sponsored by Hottinger, prohibits public employers other than the state from requiring employees to take a leave of absence upon becoming a candidate for elective office. S.F. 2340, carried by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), defines the crime of motor vehicle operation resulting in bodily harm. S.F. 2013, sponsored by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), adopts changes to the Midwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste and makes conforming changes in state law. Visitation bill okayed Senators devoted most of the Thurs., Feb. 15, floor session to considering bills on the General Orders Calendar. Members granted preliminary passage to a number of bills and the proceeded to grant final passage to bills on the Senate Calendar and the Consent Calendar. One measure that sparked considerable debate was S.F. 1996. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL-St. Paul), makes a number of changes in laws governing child visitation. The bill requires specificity in visitation orders, modifies provisions relating to visitation expeditors and provides for the establishment of mandatory visitation dispute resolution programs. The bill was granted preliminary passage. Another measure generating debate, S.F. 842, modifies the duties of the Board of Psychology, changes licensure provisions and outlines disciplinary procedures. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), was progressed in order to allow time for an amendment to be drafted. Four additional bills gained preliminary approval. S.F. 1941, authored by Sen. Steve Dille (R-Dassel), specifies compliance requirements for existing individual sewage treatment systems. S.F. 2130, authored by Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls.), exempts Community Integrated Service Networks formed to provide services for the elderly from providing the standard health maintenance organization benefit set. S.F. 2111, carried by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), changes the requirement for a canola commodity council referendum. S.F. 1789, authored by Sen. Terry Johnston (R-Prior Lake), provides a process for the recall of mayors. Bills on the Consent Calendar were granted final passage. H.F. 2634, carried by Sen. Ted Mondale (DFL-St. Louis Park), provides for one additional chief deputy sheriff in the unclassified service in Hennepin County. H.F. 2114, authored by Sen. David Knutson (R-Burnsville), changes the codes for two types of drivers licenses. H.F. 2652, sponsored by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), grants the city of Minneapolis the authority to negotiate trade and craft contracts for stagehands. S.F. 2118, sponsored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples), provides for other safe house programs similar to the McGruff program. S.F. 2698, carried by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), provides for extending agency deadlines. All but one of the measures that gained preliminary approval at the Mon., Feb. 12, floor session gained final passage at the Thurs., Feb. 15, floor session. The exception, S.F. 2013, authored by Sen. Steven Novak (DFL-New Brighton), relating to the Midwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste, was out for comparison with the House companion measure. Preview Monday, February 19 Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Chair: Sen. Steven Morse 8 a.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Bonding: Science Museum, Duluth Lake Superior Center, OEA solid waste grants, Agriculture Department RFA. Finance State Government Division Chair: Richard J. Cohen 8 a.m. Room 118 SOB Agenda: Supplemental budget requests. Rules and Administration Personnel Subcommittee Chair: Sen. Roger D. Moe 9 a.m. Room 237 Capitol Agenda: Personnel rosters. Rules and Administration Committee Chair: Sen. Roger D. Moe 9:15 a.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: Report of the Personnel Subcommittee. Report of the Bill Referral Subcommittee. Late Bills (Rule 2.03). The Senate will meet at 10 a.m. Finance Committee Chair: Sen. Gene Merriam 12 noon Room 123 Capitol Agenda: K-12 Education supplemental appropriations bill (Pending passage by Tax Committee). Health Care and Family Finance Division Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson 1 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Budget allocations. Crime Prevention Finance Division Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman 2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: Omnibus appropriations crime bill. Jobs, Energy and Community Development Funding Division Chair: Sen. Carl Kroening 2 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Bills. Supplemental budget allocations. Finance Capital Budget Subcommittee Chair: Sen. Phil Riveness 4 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Overview of capital budget requests: Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Department of Trade and Economic Development (PFA). Tuesday, February 20 Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Chair: Sen. Steven Morse 8 a.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: LCMR. Supplemental budget. Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division Chair: Sen. Langseth 8 a.m. Room 112 Agenda: S.F. 2702-Langseth: Transportation appropriations. Education Committee Co-chairs: Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller and Sen. LeRoy Stumpf 10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Higher Education appropriation bill. Higher Education Division Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf 10 a.m. Following Education Committee Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Capital budget allocations for MnSCU and the U of M. Crime Prevention Finance Division Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman 12 noon Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Omnibus appropriations crime bill. Health Care and Family Services Finance Division Chair: Sen. Don Samuelson 1 p.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: Budget allocations. Jobs, Energy and Community Development Funding Division Chair: Sen. Carl Kroening 2 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Division capital budget recommendations. Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement Chair: Rep. Richard Jefferson 2 p.m. Room 5 SOB Agenda: Summary of 1995 actuarial valuations for the statewide and major local public pension plans. Finance Capital Budget Subcommittee Chair: Sen. Phil Riveness 4 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Overview of capital budget requests: Office of Environmental Assistance, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Capital Area Architecture Planning Board, Department of Economic Security, Housing Finance Agency. Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Property Tax Chair: Sen. John Hottinger 4 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 835-Pappas: Metropolitan Council transit bonding authority and proceeds use modifications. S.F. 2211-Limmer: Expand eligibility for special homestead classification for disabled. S.F. 2365-Mondale: Metropolitan government; Metropolitan Council; livable communities. S.F. 2398-Kelly: Real estate shortening redemption period to 5 weeks for certain property. S.F. 2451-Novak: Metropolitan government; authorize Metropolitan Airports Commission to issue revenue bonds. S.F. 2525-Lesewski: Rock County gravel tax. H.F. 2415(S.F. 2594)-Pogemiller: Modify bonding authority to cities for single family housing. S.F. 2603-Pappas: Reduce county property taxes by funding fiscal year cost shift for state takeover of certain income maintenance costs. S.F. 2604-Flynn: Study of property assessment; equalization & payment procedures. S.F. 2620-Flynn: Provide a reduced class rate for certain apartment buildings property taxes. S.F. 2665-Janezich: Allow certain cities to turn over property taxes to join economic development association. S.F. 2718-Oliver: Freeze on estimated market value for homesteads owned by persons at least 65 years of age. S.F. 2387-Mondale: Tax treatment of partial PHA Facilities. S.F. 2602-Spear: Minneapolis Special Service District. S.F. 2674-Kelly: St. Paul rental tax equity program. S.F. 2777-Novak: Technical and policy changes to low-income housing tax credit program. S.F. 2785-Runbeck: Provide for distribution of property tax penalties. S.F. 2787-Vickerman: Wind energy conversion systems; recovery through property taxes. S.F. 2823-Metzen: Additional information required on proposed notices in cases of pending referendums Wednesday, February 21 Gaming Regulation Committee Chair: Sen. Charles Berg 8 a.m. Room 107 Capitol Agenda: Confirmations to Minnesota Racing Commission: Connie Churchill, John C. Farrell, Carol Connolly, Mark J. Custer, James H. Filkins. Gambling Control Board: Dennis Flaherty and Howard Register. Transportation and Public Transit Committee Chair: Sen. Carol Flynn 8 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 2702-Langseth: Omnibus transportation funding bill. Higher Education Division Chair: Sen. LeRoy Stumpf 10 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Capital budget allocations for MnSCU and the U of M. Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair: Sen. Leonard Price 1 p.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Confirmation appointment of David Gruenes as Commissioner of the Department of Commerce. Primary source report presentation. Crime Prevention Finance Division Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman 2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: Omnibus appropriations crime bill. Jobs, Energy and Community Development Funding Division Chair: Sen. Carl Kroening 2 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: To be announced. Finance Capital Budget Subcommittee Chair: Sen. Phil Riveness 4 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Overview of capital budget requests: Department of Human Services, Veterans Homes Board, Department of Children Families and Learning, Arts School. Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Income and Sales Tax Chair: Sen. Sandra Pappas 4 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 1630-Chmielewski: Hermantown, permit imposition of local sales tax. S.F. 2523-Mondale: Income tax credit for wage increases provided to certain employees. S.F. 2782-Laidig: Extend sales tax exemption for personal property purchased by people who own horses. S.F. 2807-Pappas: Sales and use, change time limit for refund claims, provide tax rate reduction and exemption of replacement capital equipment, permanent exemption on farm machinery. S.F. 2502-Riveness: Gaming, allowing property tax to be paid from lawful purpose expenditure. Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee on Property Tax Chair: Sen. John Hottinger 5 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: S.F. 2302-Metzen: South St. Paul authorize expenditure of tax increments to pay debt service on refunding bonds. S.F. 2484-Betzold: Authorize Brooklyn Park economic development authority to establish a distressed housing district. S.F. 2614-Hottinger: TIF; clarify calculation of local contributions; make technical changes; special law for city of Morris. S.F. 2645-Pappas: TIF; allow tax increments to be used in housing interest rate reduction programs for 15 years. S.F. 2670-Langseth: Breckenridge modify tax increment financing requirements. S.F. 2729-Janezich: Mountain Iron; change net tax capacity & expend duration of a TIF district. S.F. 2748-Stumpf: City of East Grand Forks-extend duration of TIF. S.F. 2803-Riveness: Authorize creation of housing replacement district in areas subject to airport noise; income tax benefits. S.F. 2804-Merriam: Coon Rapids; authorize establishment of a TIF district that is exempt from certain requirements. S.F. 2815-Price: Woodbury; extend period of time tax increment may be collected from economic development district. S.F. 2819-Pogemiller: Authorize creation of heritage & historic subdistricts within TIF districts. S.F. 2833-Day: Owatonna; modify certain TIF requirements for a housing district. Thursday, February 22 The Senate will meet at 8 a.m. Finance Committee Chair: Sen. Gene Merriam 12 noon Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Higher Education supplemental appropriations bill. State government supplemental appropriations bill. Crime Prevention Finance Division Chair: Sen. Tracy Beckman 2 p.m. Room 15 Capitol Agenda: Prison consultant draft report. Joint Senate Finance Capital Budget Subcommittee and House Capital Investment Committee Co-Chairs: Sen. Phil Riveness and Rep. Henry Kalis 4 p.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Consultants' presentation on the 800 bed Rush City prison proposal. Friday, February 23 Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division Chair: Sen. 8 a.m. Room 112 Capitol Agenda: Bonding requests. Finance Committee Chair: Sen. Gene Merriam 10 a.m. Room 123 Capitol Agenda: Transportation supplemental appropriations bill. Jobs, Energy, and Community Development supplemental appropriations bill. ****Compiled by the Minnesota Senate Publications Office 02/15/96****