“Silly season” is one way to describe the second deadline week at the Capitol. With action on bills happening around every corner, your Housing First Minnesota advocacy team is working to advance housing priorities, oppose ideas that would worsen Minnesota’s housing affordability problems, and monitor a variety of other issues that could impact the industry.
Friday marks the second deadline at the Capitol, in which a bill must have passed through committee of both legislative chambers in order to continue this session. Here’s a run-down of the bills your Housing First Minnesota advocacy team is working on.
SF 1294, a bill to establish a Legislative Commission on Housing Affordability, was heard in the Rule and Administrative Committee and referred to the Finance Committee. The House companion language will be proposed as an amendment to the Housing Omnibus bill on Wednesday.
Houses Files 5, 6, and 11 are bills that are related to Paid Family Leave, Wage Theft, and Earned Sick and Safe Time, respectively. All three would have a significant impact on businesses large and small. They are scheduled to be heard in the House of Representatives tonight. The Senate is not expected to advance any of these.
HF 823, a bill related to the hiring process of private consultants, is scheduled to be heard in the Government Operations Committee on Thursday. The Senate companion is currently in the State Government committee.
Bills related to contract retainage are moving in each chamber. HF 878 and SF 947 currently have substantial differences in language. Expect the conversation to continue in each chamber.
HF 2281 and SF 2182 would change the contractor education requirements in that one of the currently required fourteen hours would need to focus on financial management. Each bill is scheduled to be heard in committee in their respective bodies this week.
Additional bills related to stretch energy codes, the authorization of infrastructure fees, and gas fireplace disclosure requirements did not meet the requirements of the first deadline. Expect continued conversation regarding these issues and others outside of the legislative session.
Follow @HousingFirstMN for frequent updates from your Housing First Minnesota advocacy team.
