Capitol Review: Legislators Introduce Bills to Kick Off Session

Editor's Note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they're voting, the bills they're writing and the issues they're getting behind. Come back to Northfield Patch every Monday for a new Capitol Review. 

This year’s session of the Minnesota Legislature officially opened Jan. 24. Here is a look at bills authored or co-authored by local legislators during the opening week:

State Rep. Kelby Woodard (R-District 25B) of Belle Plaine

• Woodard co-authored a bill that would establish gaming machines at a licensed race track, with fees imposed going to a Minnesota First fund that would dedicated for the Minnesota Vikings and a ballpark for the St. Paul Saints. The bill (HF1779) was referred to the House Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee on Jan. 24.

• Chief-authored a bill that would require operating referendum levies to follow resident students to charter schools. The bill (HF1860) was referred to the House Education Finance Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill that would modify scrap metal processing regulations. The bill (HF1901) was referred to the House Transportation Policy and Finance Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill that would prohibit state funding of abortions and would propose a constitutional amendment. The bill (HF1928) was referred to the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee on Jan. 26.

• Co-authored a bill that would require a physician to be physically present for abortion procedures. The bill (HF1929) was referrred to the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee on Jan. 26.

• Co-authored a bill that would restrict legislator coverage and end contributions to an unclassified retirement program. The bill (HF1932) was referred to the House Government Operations and Elections Committee on Jan. 26.

• Co-authored a bill that would require counties and cities to report additional budgetary information. The bill (HF1954) was referred to the House Operations and Elections Committee on Jan. 26.

Woodard is vice chair of the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee and serves on the Education Finance and the Education Reform committees.

Woodard's Twitter handle is @KelbyWoodard

State Sen. Al DeKruif (R-District 25) of Madison Lake

• DeKruif co-authored a bill that would require teacher candidates to pass a basic skills exam. The bill (SF1493) was referred to the Senate Education Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill dealing with the contingent appropriation to fund state road operation, maintenance, planning and construction. The bill (SF1530) was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill requiring drug screenings for people to be eligible for General Assistance and the Minnesota Family Investment Program. The bill (SF1535) was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Jan. 26.

• Chief-authored a bill that would require operators of natural gas, propane or electric facilities to locate and mark locations of customer-owned service lateral underground facilities before excavation. The bill (SF1539) was referred to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Jan. 26.

• Chief-authored a bill that would authorize the City of Montgomery to transfer property to the Montgomery Legion Post, if the transaction is approved by the City Council. The bill (SF1544) was referred to the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee on Jan. 26.

• Chief-authored a bill relating to electrical contractor fees. The bill (SF1551) was referred to the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee on Jan. 26.

• Chief-authored a bill providing appropriations for highway safety rest stops in case money is not appropriated for state roads operation and maintenance. The bill (SF1561) was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 26.

• Chief-authored a proposed constitutional amendment requiring a photo ID to be eligible to vote. The bill (SF1578) was referred to the Senate Local Government Elections Committee on Jan. 26.

DeKruif serves on the Education, Jobs and Economic Growth, and Transportation committees.

DeKruif's Twitter handle is @SenatorDeKruif

State Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36) of Lakeville

• Thompson co-authored the proposed Minnesota Ski Safety Act. The bill (SF1509) was referred to the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill modifying income tax rate schedules for individuals, estates and trusts. The bill (SF1545) was referred to the Senate Taxes Committee on Jan. 26.

Thompson serves on the Commerce and Consumer Protection, Education, Judiciary and Public Safety, and State Government Innovation and Veterans committees.

Thompson's Twitter handle is @ThompsonSenate

State Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36B) of Farmington

• Garofalo co-authored a bill modifying child care assistance fund payments. The bill (HF1766) was referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill that would establish gaming machines at a licensed race track, with fees imposed going to a Minnesota First fund that would dedicated for the Minnesota Vikings and a ballpark for the St. Paul Saints. The bill (HF1779) was referred to the House Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill requiring school districts to conduct operating referendums on the general election day in even-numbered years. The bill (HF1858) was referred to the House Education Finance Committee on Jan. 24.

• Chief-authored a bill defining the districts classified as “metro” for education funding purposes. The bill (HF1859) was referred to the House Education Finance Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill that would require operating referendum levies to follow resident students to charter schools. The bill (HF1860) was referred to the House Education Finance Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored the proposed Minnesota Ski Safety Act. The bill (HF1865) was referred to the House Civil Law Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill authorizing school districts to base leave of absence and discharge decisions on teacher evaluation outcomes. The bill (HF1870) was referred to the House Education Reform Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill allowing the Delano, Monticello and Rockford school districts to transfer money from their debt redemption funds to other accounts without making a levy reduction. The bill (HF1913) was referred to the House Education Finance Committee on Jan. 24.

• Co-authored a bill authorizing a number of property tax changes. The bill (HF1914) was referred to the House Taxes Committee on Jan. 24.

• Chief-authored a bill repealing reporting requirements for non-implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. The bill (HF1983) was referred to the House Education Finance Committee on Jan. 26.

Garofalo chairs the Education Finance Committee and serves on the Redistricting, Taxes and Ways and Means committee.

Garofalo's Twitter handle is @PatGarofalo

What to you think about the proposed legislation? Tell us in comments.