Greetings Senate District 1!
Thief River Falls Day at the Capitol
I wanted to start this newsletter off on a lighter note. On Tuesday, we hosted Thief River Falls Day at the Capitol. I Was happy to be joined by the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce Rep. Deb Kiel and Rep. Dan Fabian to discuss issues facing our city and to end our afternoon by singing the Thief River Falls fight song!
Nitrogen Rule
Three weeks ago, Governor Dayton’s administration unveiled an outline proposal to reduce nitrate levels in groundwater across Minnesota – known as its “nitrogen rule.” Several weeks later, the Governor and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) still have not released full details on the rule, and we’ve had some indication that legislators may not know until session has adjourned. As the Vice-Chair of the Senate’s Agriculture Rural Development and Housing Finance Committee, this has me concerned and worried about the scope of the rule and how practical implementation will be for Minnesota farmers and landowners.
That’s why this week, I presented SF 2720 to prevent the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) from adopting mandatory rules, or “water resource protection requirements,” for nitrogen fertilizer unless the proposed requirements are specifically ratified, by law, by the Senate and House.
If enacted, this bill will ensure that Minnesota’s agricultural community’s concerns are taken into account and that executive administrations will be barred from moving wide-reaching agriculture economic policy past the legislature without any input or oversight.
MNLARS Reform
On Thursday we passed a bipartisan compromise bill that will add strict oversight and accountability, as well as additional funding, to fix the failed licensing and vehicle registration system known as MNLARS. The legislation appropriates $9.65 million from existing funds for driver and vehicle services for immediate I.T. related expenses. The bill also includes strict oversight measures, including a quarterly report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and a mechanism for the legislature to shut off all funding if development benchmarks are not met.
The bill requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Minnesota IT Services (MN.IT) officials to submit a proposed timeline, including quarterly benchmarks, for a fully-functional program to the MNLARS Steering Committee by May 15. As the software is developed, the committee must approve any additional quarterly appropriation, provided the quarterly benchmarks are being met.
Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act
Last week, Senate Republicans announced a new proposal to prevent elder abuse in long-term care facilities and repair the broken state reporting system that failed thousands of families by leaving serious cases of abuse uninvestigated. The Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act is the final product of hundreds of conversations with Minnesotans across the state who experienced abuse, family members of vulnerable adults, and care providers.
The bill includes increased oversight and accountability of the Office of Health Facility Complaints, stricter abuse prevention measures, a new streamlined and transparent complaint processes, and additional protections for consumers against misleading marketing practices.
Even once these reforms are adopted the legislature will continue to search for additional measures to protect Minnesota’s aging population. The bill also establishes the Assisted Living Licensure and Dementia Care Certification Task Force, the Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults Task Force, and the Assisted Living Report Card Working Group who will continue to investigate the elderly abuse crisis until Minnesota seniors are safe.