Legislative Update rom Bob Meier 3/23/12

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With the second committee deadline coming to an end today, bills are starting to solidify and come to shape.

The Senate passed the Omnibus Legacy Bill yesterday which is SF 2493 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S2493.0.html&session=ls87)

In the House this bill (HF 2430) was heard in the Legacy Division where it was amended and referred to the full Environment Policy and Finance Committee and passed last night. (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H2430.1.html&session=ls87)

The House Environment Committee also heard HF 2171 which is the Game and Fish bill and referred it to the Ways and Means Committee. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H2171.3.html&session=ls87 . This is not the most current version of the bill however; check back Monday and it should be updated.

In the Senate yesterday and today they heard the Game and Fish Bill (SF 1943) https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S1943.2.html&session=ls87

They also heard the Senate Game and Fish Fee increase bill (SF 2490) https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S2490.0.html&session=ls87 and the Omnibus Environment Policy Bill (SF 1830) https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S1830.1.html&session=ls87

At the end of the hearing the committee combined the game and fish bill, the fee bill into the policy bill (SF 1830). This bill should be updated on the website early next week. I also anticipate that it will be up for a vote in the Senate next week as well.

In the House they did not hear the Game and Fish Fee increase bill yet (HF 2951) https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H2951.0.html&session=ls87

Stay tuned on the fee issue in the house. There is still a lot of time remaining in session.

Next week look for the Game and Fish Bill, Legacy Bill and the Policy bill to be heard in the Ways and Means Committee in the House. I also expect that there will be longer floor sessions next week as bills make their way to conference committees.

If you have any questions about any of the information contained in this email please contact me at bob.meier@state.mn.us or at 651-259-5024.

Make sure you get outside and enjoy our great states natural resources!

Bob Meier