Weekly Update for 5/19/07

This Week at the Capitol

At this writing at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, we are heading into the final couple of days of the 2007 Legislative Session with most of the top budget issues still unresolved – including education, health and welfare, transportation, and jobs/economic development. Legislative leaders and Governor Pawlenty have been in and out of discussions and legislators on conference committees have been meeting to fine tune agreements and work out the details of the (approximately) $35 billion 2008-09 state budget.

We are remaining hopeful that a special session can be avoided. We have until midnight Monday to complete our work during the regular session. Stay tuned.

However, I can update you on some other issues that may affect you or someone in your family. Here is a brief selection of new laws. Some were passed as stand alone bills and others were incorporated in omnibus bills which I supported.

Ticket Resellers. Starting August 1, it will no longer be illegal to sell an event ticket for more than face value in Minnesota, opening the door for ticket resellers who operated outside the state’ s borders to relocate here, and potentially driving down the cost of tickets for consumers.
Veterans’ Programs. Lawmakers have approved about $65 million to help veterans, their families and active military members. Additional funding is available for areas such as medical help to college assistance. The bill provides a nearly 70 percent increase over current funding. Minnesota is preparing for nearly 3,000 National Guard members to return to the state in late summer and has allocated $1.5 million for reintegration programming.

Venison Donation. Encouraging hunters to thin Minnesota's deer herd while also stocking state foodshelves, the Legislature endorsed a bill that funds venison processing through surcharges on nonresident hunting licenses and voluntary contributions from Minnesota hunters.

Crime Prevention. The $2 billion “crime bill” adds new judges, creates an identification procedure for authorized scrap metal sellers to fight theft, tightens protections for domestic abuse victims and stiffens penalties for sexual predators using the Internet. The bill contains law enforcement and courts funding, including youth-intervention programs and funding for 15 new forensic scientists at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Radon Gas. Homebuyers will have some new protections from radon gas in newly built homes. A new law will require the installation of radon protections as part of the state building code for residential buildings. The cost of installation is $400 as compared to a $5,000 estimated retrofitting. Much of Minnesota is considered in high radon zones; radon is connected to lung cancer.

Hunting & Fishing Fees. Hunters must still pay state pheasant and waterfowl stamp fees and their license will show those endorsements, but the actual stamps won't be required in their possession. Nonresident fishing license fees will increase to $37.50 with an additional $2 surcharge. A new three-year license for ice fishing houses will be available for winter anglers.

Predatory Lending. A new law protects Minnesotans against reckless home mortgage lenders by making residential mortgage fraud a felony. Anyone misrepresenting information in the lending process commits a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and must pay restitution to victims. In the past, mortgage fraud was charged under statutes such as mail fraud, money laundering or theft by swindle, making prosecution more difficult.

Cancer Coverage. Like mammograms and ovarian cancer testing, Minnesota insurance companies will now be required to cover colorectal cancer screening.

Electronic Waste Recycling. This legislation establishes a statewide program to collect and recycle used computers and TV monitors from households. The bill requires each manufacturer that sells those products in Minnesota to collect and recycle an amount proportional to the weight of the products sold in the state during the previous year. The type of products manufacturers can collect to meet this target are much broader than just computer and TV monitors, including computer CPUs, printers and keyboards, fax machines and DVD players.

Mercury Restrictions: This legislation further regulates mercury-containing products and prohibits their sale in the state. A fluorescent or high-intensity discharge lamp must be disposed of by delivery of the lamp to a lamp recycling facility, or to a facility that collects and stores lamps for the purpose of delivering them to a lamp recycling facility, including, but not limited to, a household hazardous waste collection or recycling facility. In addition, placing high-density discharge lamps in the garbage is illegal.

Residential Dishwasher Detergent. Effective July 1, 2010, no person shall sell or distribute any household dishwasher detergent that contains more than 0.5 percent phosphorus by weight. This law does not apply to the sale or distribution of detergents for commercial or institutional dishwashing purposes.

Sesquicentennial Funding. A state commission planning Minnesota’s 150th birthday is now authorized to accept donations, educate visitors about Minnesota’s history, and plan the May 11, 2008 event.

Scrap Metals. A new law requires scrap metal dealers keep records of their purchases of scrap metal and make those records available to law enforcement agencies to help them apprehend and prosecute scrap metal thieves.

Smoking Ban. Starting October 1st, smoking will be forbidden in Minnesota’s bars, restaurants, bingo halls, private clubs like the VFW, and nearly all other public areas. Under the law, smokers, owners and managers who don’t stop the activity could be charged with a petty misdemeanor. The new law will allow local governments to impose stricter rules in outdoor areas.

Upcoming District Events

Elko New Market Fire Rescue Days
Saturday, June 30, 2007.The day starts with a parade, fun and food; followed by the Firefighter's Dance in the evening.
Wagner Park

Sunday, July 1, 2007
The NEW Lions Club will have a pancake/sausage breakfast
Elko New Market Area Hall, 601 Main Street.

Prior Lake National Public Works Week
May 23 - May 26For more information visit the APWA website http://www.apwa.net.

Scott Watershed Management Organization Hosts a Raingarden Workshop
to teach homeowners how to design and install a rain garden using native plants.

Saturday, May 19, 2007
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
New Prague Library

How to Contact Me

Senator Claire Robling
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
143 State Office Building
Saint Paul, MN 55155-1206
Office: 651.296.4123
Fax: 651.767.
sen.claire.robling@senate.mn
www.senate.mn/senatorrobling