Got Mail? For Hansen, Game and Fish Bill Occupies Inbox

Mendota Heights-area legislator Rep Rick Hansen (D-District 39A) said he received the most emails last week in regard to the omnibus game and fish bill. He described the bill as “a grab bag. There’s some prizes in there, but there’s a lot of junk too.”

Among the provisions that Hansen is opposed to, the bill allows for spearing in Cass Lake, gives counties the authority to establish coyote bounties and directs the Department of Natural Resources to remove antler point restrictions in southeast Minnesota. 

Hunting and fishing license fee increases and new license options that Hansen supports are not in the bill.

A provision to prohibit the release of non-native and invasive swine does get Hansen’s approval, as do some cleanup provisions for the DNR.

Omnibus bills weren’t the only work being done last week. Hansen sits on the legislative audit commission, which narrowed a field of 50 topics down to a dozen for consideration for next year’s audit reports. From the dozen, 6-8 issues will be chosen by members of the Legislature. Hansen said he wants to see a review of how effectively the state responds to disasters such as flooding and tornados. “It’s time to take a look at that outside of the crisis,” said Hansen.

Sen. Jim Metzen (D-District 39) is scheduled to present a bill in the Jobs and Economic Growth Committee April 12 that would ease the timeframe for that hit hard for some residents in older condominium buildings.

UPDATE: Metzen was out with an injury April 12, and the hearing has been rescheduled for April 13. If Metzen cannot present the bill, it may be presented by co-sponsor Sen. Geoff Michel (R-District 41), according to staff.

Sen. Jim Metzen

Existing bills authored by Sen. Jim Metzen

Status updated:

— Jobs and economic development appropriations. SF899 Portions of this bill were incorporated into SF887, the Senate’s jobs and economic development omnibus appropriations bill. introduced March 16

—Small business investment tax credit provisions modifications. SF790 incorporated into SF887 introduced March 14

—A bill for elevator code changes compliance timeline modification is scheduled for a hearing in the Jobs and Economic Growth Committee April 12, 10:30 a.m.. SF617 introduced March 4

No change:

—Inflow and infiltration reduction program metropolitan area grants appropriation. SF797 awaits a hearing in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. introduced March 14

—Water quality enhancement citizen participation in the Star Lakes pilot program appropriation. SF796 awaits a hearing in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. introduced March 14 

—A bill for probate and appointment proceedings time period modification awaits a hearing in the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. SF587 introduced March 4

—A bill for trunk highway #55 and county state-aid highway #63 (Argenta Trail) interchange construction environmental impact statement and scoping bond issue and appropriation awaits a hearing in the Transportation Committee. SF484 introduced Feb. 28

—A resolution urging support for the Republic of China as a part of the global community awaits a hearing in the State Government and Innovation Committee. SF483 introduced Feb. 28  

—A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for the Darvan Acres Nature Center; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds. SF482 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to natural resources; appropriating money from the Outdoor Natural Heritage Fund for Darvan Acres Nature Center awaits a hearing in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. SF481 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to capital improvements; appropriating $250,000 in bond proceeds for a transit facility on the Robert Street Corridor awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF531 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to energy; regulating projects funded by renewable development
account awaits a hearing in the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. SF495 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill providing Trunk highway #52 noise barrier replacement bond issue and appropriation of $3 million awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF391 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to HF74. SF49 introduced Jan. 18

— A bill providing $240,000 for Inver Grove Heights historical buildings rehabilitation and capital improvements grant bond issue and appropriation of $240,000 awaits a committee hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF297 introduced Feb. 10

Rep. Rick Hansen

Existing bills authored by Rep. Rick Hansen

No change:

— A technical bill to modify Legislative auditor governing provisions. HF1332 awaits a hearing in the Government Operations and Elections Committee. introduced March 30

— Phase 1 Capitol security and access improvements money appropriated. HF1287 awaits a hearing in the State Government Finance  Committee. introduced March 23

—Water supply and groundwater degradation prevention provided, and money appropriated from the clean water fund. HF1127 Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. introduced March 14

— Legislative Environment Commission established; Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, and Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources eliminated; water system improvement loan program eliminated; appropriations from outdoor heritage fund modified; and appointments provided. HF1073 awaits a hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. introduced March 14

—A bill to provide funds for the state Capitol building was reviewed and laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus appropriations bill in the Legacy Funding Division. HF777 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill to provide competitive grant money for arts education to k-12 students awaits a hearing in the Legacy Funding Division. HF778 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill to allow Mighty Duck grants to be used for new or renovated air handling systems of indoor ice facilities awaits a hearing in the State Government and Finance Committee. HF684 introduced Feb. 24

— A bill providing bonding money for Highway 52 barrier replacement awaits a hearing in the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee. HF477 introduced Feb. 14

—A bill providing $1 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall awaits a hearing in the Jobs and Economic Development Committee. This is the companion bill to SF145. HF277 introduced Jan. 31

— A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF74 introduced Jan. 13

—A bill providing $25 million in bonds for conservation easements to be purchased by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, with priority given to flood prone land in southeast Minnesota awaits a hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF109 introduced Jan. 18