Labor Omnibus
On Tuesday, the Senate Labor Committee heard a bill (SF 2744) authored by Sen. Seeberger (DFL) appropriating funds for mental health initiatives in the construction industry.
“According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health concerns among construction workers are higher than rates among the general population and the construction industry’s suicide rate is more than three times higher than the national average. As a part of Minnesota’s construction industry, Housing First Minnesota supports any initiative that seeks to reverse these concerning trends,” stated Mark Foster, Vice President of Legislative & Political Affairs, in a letter of support for the bill.
The bill was ultimately included in the Senate’s Labor Omnibus bill, the A3 Amendment, that was discussed and passed out of committee on Thursday. Other provisions that Housing First Minnesota supported included reasonable adjustments to the electrical inspections and plumbing review and inspections.
“Today, we proudly build some of the safest, most durable and most-energy efficient homes in the country. As we’ve shared with the committee in recent hearings, the housing industry supports proper fees for service. With these fees not being adjusted since 2007, we believe that an adjustment is fair and appropriate,” said Foster.
The House Labor committee is still negotiating their omnibus bill, which currently sits in the Ways and Means Committee.
Housing Omnibus
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House Housing Committee heard the housing finance omnibus bill (HF 2445), carried by Chair Igo (R).
The A4 Amendment was adopted by the committee, which allows the state to prioritize municipalities that have pro-housing policies for competitive development program awards. The criteria include jurisdictions that allow for multifamily housing in commercial corridors; allow for duplexes, ADUs, and townhomes; does not have parking mandates; does not mandate large lot sizes; or does not have aesthetic mandates in place.
“This is providing a carrot — not a mandate, but a carrot — to cities to update their own policies in a way that will make it easier to build more homes,” said Rep. Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, who is co-chair of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee.
The bill was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee.
The Senate Housing Omnibus bill was heard in the Finance Committee on Wednesday and is expected to be discussed on the Senate Floor soon.
Just Over a Month Remains
Today at noon marks the 3rd committee deadline, meaning committees must have acted favorably on major appropriation and finance bills for them to move forward.
The legislature is on Easter/Passover recess next week. Activities will resume at noon on Monday, April 21. Housing First Minnesota continues to advocate for home builders and homeownership for all Minnesotans as the legislature moves into its final weeks.
A review of this week’s media coverage can be found here:
- State funds tied to zoning reform in housing bill that advances in House | Minnesota House of Representatives
- House housing budget includes incentives for zoning reforms | Minnesota Reformer
