Capitol Review: Abortion Funding, Statewide Literacy, Synthetic Drugs and Feeling Safe at Home

Editor's note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they're voting, the bills they're writing and the issues they're getting behind. Come back to Burnsville Patch every week for a new Capitol Review.

Have a look at what Burnsville legislators have been doing recently:

Rep. Pam Myhra (R-District 40A) of Burnsville
Email: rep.pam.myhra@house.mn
Phone: 651-296-9895

Representative Myhra is a retired CPA and teacher. She serves on the committees for Capital Investment, Education Finance, Education Reform and Taxes.

Authored a bill creating a statewide literacy initiative (HF1487)

Statewide literacy initiative formulated to ensure every child succeeds in reading at or above grade level by the end of grade 3; to identify and remediate students who struggle in reading in a timely manner; and to intervene effectively when students experience reading difficulties so that they acquire the skills they need to make academic progress throughout elementary and secondary school. 

The bill also requires school districts and charter schools develop a local literacy plan to monitor the reading proficiency of students in kindergarten through grade 3, inform parents of their students' reading proficiency and growth, and set intervention strategies to bring students to grade-level proficiency.

The bill was introduced and referred to the Education Reform Committee on April 14.

Sen. Dan D. Hall (R-District 40) of Burnsville
Email: sen.dan.hall@senate.mn
Phone: 651-296-5975

Senator Hall was elected in 2010 and is serving his first term in office. He is the vice chair of theEnvironment and Natural Resources Committee. He also serves on the committees for Health and Human Service and Judiciary Public Safety.

Co-authored a bill relating to campaign finance (SF1233) 

The bill modifies the definition of a corporation relating to corporate political contributions. It also prohibits campaign contributions from governmental units and defines the penalty for violation. The bill was introduced and referred to the Local Government and Elections Committee on April 18.  

Authored a bill on abortion funding (SF1224)  

The bill prohibits the use of state family planning grant funds for abortion services or administrative expenses, payment to organizations performing abortion services, or for payment to organizations with abortion acceptance policies (pro-choice). The bill was introduced and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee on April 18.  

Co-authored a bill on absentee voter reform (SF1171)

The bill modifies persons permitted to assist absentee ballot voters in hospitals and health care facilities by requiring election judge accompaniment to voter and voter's assistant. It also defines criminal penalties for improper voter assistance. The bill was introduced to the Local Government and Elections Committee on April 14 and Hall joined the bill on April 18. 

Co-authored a bill adding a provision to the 'safe at home' program (SF1214)

The bill stipulates that if a program participant is involved in a legal proceeding as a party or witness, the court or other tribunal may issue a protective order to prevent disclosure of information that could reasonably lead to the discovery of the program participant's location. The bill was introduced to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on April 18. 

Authored a bill relating to human services (SF1179)

The bill authorizes local agencies to negotiate supplemental agreements to certain contracts for the purpose of contracting for specific performance. The bill was introduced to the Health and Human Services Committee on April 14. 

Authored a bill on synthetic cannabinoids (SF1166/HF0057)

The bill criminalizes unlawfully selling or possessing any amount of a synthetic cannabinoid. Those caught selling the drug are guilty of a gross misdemeanor; those caught unlawfully possessing the drugs are guilty of a misdemeanor. The bill also criminalizes the operation of motor vehicles while under the influence of synthetic cannabioids.

The change in statute applies on or after Aug. 1, 2011. The bill was introduced and referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on April 11.