In This Issue:
- Adult-Use Cannabis Has First Hearing
- Senate Taxes Committee Reviews 2022 Tax Bill Agreement
- Lawns to Legumes Funding Passes Committee
- MnDOT Federal Funds Authorization Passes Committee
- Senate and House Committees Begin Housing Discussions
- Bills of Note
Adult-Use Cannabis Has First Hearing
HF 100 – Stephenson (Coon Rapids) was heard by the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday. The bill would legalize adult-use (21 years and older) cannabis in the state of Minnesota. The bill is similar, but not identical to HF 600 which passed the Minnesota House of Representatives last year. Testimony in the House Commerce Committee was limited to Article 1, which establishes the Office of Cannabis Management, defines cannabis products, licenses, identifies legal limits for possession of cannabis, moves the medical cannabis registry program under the Office of Cannabis Management, and establishes the cannabis industry renewal grant program.
Article 1 also contains language preempting local governments from meaningfully regulating cannabis at the local level. Article 1, Section 13 strips the ability of cities to provide local oversight and regulation on the sale of cannabis. Metro Cities submitted written testimony affirming the association’s support for the authority of cities to issue local licenses for adult-use cannabis retailers and the ability for cities to opt out of authorizing the sale of products in their local jurisdiction. The A9 amendment, offered by Rep. Daudt, would have given cities and other local units of government the ability to issue annual cannabis retailer licenses, but stopped short of allowing cities to completely ban the sale of cannabis. The A9 amendment was not adopted.
HF 100 was passed and referred to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. The Senate companion, SF 73 – Port (Burnsville) has not had a hearing yet. Click HERE for a summary of HF 100, as introduced.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Senate Taxes Committee Reviews 2022 Tax Bill Agreement
This week, the Senate Taxes Committee, chaired by Senator Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, reviewed the 2022 agreement for an omnibus tax bill. The agreement was presented to the 2022 Taxes Conference Committee but did not receive final passage.
That bill included various provisions of interest to Metro Cities, including tax increment financing, local option sales taxes, bills exempting construction materials from the sales tax for certain entities, local government aid, and changes to the 4d rental classification program.
Metro Cities provided testimony on a number of provisions, including the construction sales tax exemption and local government aid, and expressed support for a broad bill to address the construction sales tax exemption as well as legislation to address the local government aid formula for updates.
Questions? Contact Patricia Nauman at [email protected].
Lawns to Legumes Funding Passes Committee
HF 207 – Tabke (Shakopee) was heard and passed by the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. The bill appropriates $2 million in FY 2024 and $2 million in FY 2025 from the general fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) for the Lawns to Legumes program. The Lawns to Legumes program provides grants to private homeowners to convert traditional lawns to pollinator friendly landscapes. The program also funds “demonstration neighborhoods” that act as pollinator corridors. Preference for grant funding is given to applicants in areas important for at-risk species. A map produced by the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources identifies much of the metropolitan area as having a high potential for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee. Metro Cities submitted testimony in support of HF 207 and will continue to track its progress through the legislative process. Senator Morrison (Deephaven) is carrying the senate companion bill.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
MnDOT Federal Funds Authorization Passes Committee
HF 26 – Koegel (Spring Lake Park) was heard and passed by the House Transportation Committee on Thursday. The bill authorizes MnDOT to use $315.5 million the agency received from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). HF 26 is scheduled to be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, January 17th. The Senate companion, SF 24 – Dibble, has not been heard yet. Future authorizations, additional state appropriations for match requirements, and funding for local matches and technical assistance are expected in the weeks to come this legislative session. More specific information on what MnDOT requires in their role as primary administrator of federal funds will become available when the Governor’s Budget Recommendations are released. Click HERE for slides presented by MnDOT at Thursday’s House Transportation Committee on the IIJA.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Senate and House Committees Begin Housing Discussions
This week, House and Senate housing committees heard from a variety of housing organizations in Minnesota. The committees heard presentations from Minnesota Housing, Minnesota Housing Partnership, and presentations on the challenges in the continuum of housing from a variety of statewide organizations, including entities addressing homelessness, nonprofit developers, realtors, and homeownership organizations. A rally in the State Capitol rotunda on Wednesday was held by housing advocates.
Metro Cities is creating a housing resources web page on our website that will include various information, resources and updates on housing issues. Stay tuned.
Questions? Contact Ania McDonnell at [email protected].
Bills of Note
HF 140, Huot: Bill expands eligibility for soft body armor reimbursement to include firefighters, public safety officers, and qualified emergency medical service providers.
HF 156, Feist: Bill amends provisions related to utility billing practices in manufactured home parks.
HF 198, Koegel: Bill removes state of emergency requirement associated with the medical exception to the open meeting law.
HF 207, Tabke/SF 170, Morrison: Bill appropriates $4 million for the Lawns to Legumes program.
HF 220, Quam: Bill dedicates a portion of LGA to create a loan program to renovate rural municipal water treatment facilities.
HF 221, Quam: Bill establishes an emergency infrastructure repair and
replacement account for loans and grants to local governments for infrastructure
damaged in disasters.
HF 222, Quam: Bill exempts a portion of commercial-industrial property market value from city levies.
HF 230, Quam: Bill dedicates a portion of LGA to cities for housing.
HF 250, Quam: Bill imposes an alternative fuel vehicle tax.
HF 255, Quam/SF 145, Koran: Bill prohibits the acceptance of a municipal ID for state or federal services.
HF 259, Olson, L.: Bill exempts certain elderly living facilities from taxation.
HF 261, Engen: Bill includes a $600,000 appropriation for State Patrol’s use of air patrol in coordination with the Ramsey County Sherriff.
HF 281, Witte: Bill requires law enforcement agencies to report carjacking data to commissioner of public safety and requires the commissioner to publish carjacking data in their annual uniform crime report.
HF 302, Howard: Bill prescribes issuance of housing infrastructure bonds, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF 306, Richardson: Bill creates a Center for Economic Inclusion with funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF 318, Hassan: Bill creates a community wealth-building grant program and community wealth-building account, and appropriates money.
SF 98, Mohamed/HF 125, Hassan: Bill provides for a right to counsel in certain public housing eviction actions.
SF 128, Fateh: Bill prohibits the use of facial recognition technology by governments.
SF 129, Fateh: Bill prohibits the acquisition and use of facial recognition technology by governments.
SF 130: Fateh: Bill restricts the elimination on the adoption of rent control laws by local governments.
SF 186, Limmer: Bill requires the BCA to prepare an annual report on Fusion Center activities.
SF 217, Draheim: Bill prohibits municipalities to use designated building officials for inspections and allows municipalities authority to opt out of prohibition by ordinance authorization. Bill authorizes civil action against a municipality for negligent construction code inspection under certain conditions.
SF 218, Draheim: Bill prohibits building code adoption without legislative approval, establishes a moratorium on adoption of new or amended building codes, requires energy code changes to be offset by savings, and clarifies building code inspection requirements.
SF 231, Draheim: Bill modifies planning and zoning fees.
SF 232, Draheim: Bill limits municipal planning and zoning controls.
SF 233, Draheim: Bill requires voter approval for capital improvements over $1,000,000.
SF 234, Draheim: Bill creates a housing infrastructure grants pilot program and appropriation.
SF 235, Draheim: Bill introduces the Legalizing Affordable Housing Act local land use and building permits modification legislation.
SF 236, Draheim: Bill repeals an exception allowing local governments to control rents if approved by voters.