On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee heard the Labor Budget omnibus bill, SF 2373.
The bill includes modest increases for electrical and plumbing inspections that have not been increased in nearly fifteen years and provides funding for initiatives to promote mental health in the construction industry. The bill was merged with the Jobs and Economic Development omnibus bill (SF 1832) later in the week and is expected to be heard on the Senate Floor next week. The House companion has yet to be publicly shared.
On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee heard the housing finance omnibus bill (HF 2445), while the Senate version (SF 2298) was taken up on the Senate floor.
After a lengthy discussion related to a “carrot” approach for cities to adopt pro-housing zoning policies, the House Ways and Means Committee laid over HF 2445. The hearing can be viewed here, with the Housing Omnibus discussion beginning at 21:00. The Senate heard and passed their version of the omnibus bill on the floor.
On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee took up SF 2298, substituting it with the language of HF 2445. The bill has been calendared to be heard on the House Floor on Tuesday.
Key Exemption
Housing First Minnesota signed onto a coalition letter in support of a bipartisan bill (HF 1620 / SF 681) to fix a 2023 law banning the sale of nearly every key in the state. Contact your legislators urging them to support carving out an exemption for keys while keeping protections in place for other lead-containing products.
Common Interest Community Ombudsperson and New Registration Requirements
Also, this week the Senate passed the Omnibus Commerce Bill, which includes provisions to create a new common interest community ombudsperson and require registration with the Department of Commerce for residential common interest communities or associations. See Article 5 for both provisions.
Street Impact Fee Language Introduced in Last-Minute Bill
Despite being past legislative deadlines and with just weeks remaining in session, a new bill that would authorize expansive street impact fee authority was introduced this week in the Senate. No House companion has been introduced yet.
“Any serious housing policy reform bill removes affordability roadblocks and does not add costly unchecked homeownership taxes, it’s that simple,” said Mark Foster, Vice President of Legislative & Political Affairs. “Fortunately, the Housing Committee Chairs have been laser-focused on real, proven strategies that would bring more housing supply online and decrease costs. The coalition looks forward to continuing to work with legislators in the interim to move forward the ‘Yes to Homes’ initiatives next year.”
Who is Considered a Lobbyist?
After years of confusion about who could be considered a lobbyist, especially at the local level, legislators appear poised to finally resolve the language. The Senate Elections omnibus bill includes important language around “expert witnesses”:
“Expert witness” means an individual preparing or delivering testimony or a report consisting of information, data, or professional opinions on which the individual has particular expertise gained through formal education, professional or occupational training, or experience in a field in which the individual is or has been employed.
Additionally, lobbyists would NOT include an expert witness who communicates with public or local officials, other than the Public Utilities Commission, if the communication occurs at a public meeting or is made available to the general public.
A review of this week’s media coverage can be found here:
