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Legislative notes for the week of May 21-25, 2007

"Playing ping pong" was the way that one lawmaker described the legislative process this session. The Legislature would pass a bill, send it to the governor, he would veto it, and back it came.

The House and Senate met late Sunday and Monday evenings, but all work was finished by midnight on the constitutional deadline, May 21. After many special sessions in recent years, the message that they finished on time will be important for lawmakers to take home.

The session brought emphasis on higher education and innovations. In addition to the higher education bill, we also are highlighting items of interest to the state colleges and universities in other legislation. Please note that not all of these bills have received Gov. Tim Pawlenty's signature and will not become law without it. The governor also has the power to line-item veto the bills, so some changes may be made. All information was accurate at this time.

Higher Education, HF 1063

This bill has not yet been signed by the governor.

• Funds 86 percent of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities request ($151.8 million was funded, with $177 million requested). This funding was given in a block grant with legislative language requiring the Board of Trustees to spend the funding on the "operation and maintenance of the system, including technology infrastructure improvements to deliver more online programs and services to students; and funding for initiatives to recruit and retain students traditionally underrepresented in higher education."
• Creates new textbook provisions to make books more affordable.
• Develops the Achieve Scholarship program to award high school students for taking rigorous courses.
• Caps the state grant tuition rate for public and private two-year colleges at $6,114 in the first year and $5,808 in the second year used in calculating the student award amounts.
• Includes a 1 percent performance payment to the system if three of five specified goals are met.
• Eliminates non-resident tuition rates at Century College, Inver Hills Community College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Normandale Community College, St. Cloud Technical College and St. Paul College.
• Directs the system to fund a community-based energy development pilot project at Inver Hills Community College, Mesabi Range Technical and Community College, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, and Riverland Community College.
• Provides for a clean room at St. Paul College.
• Creates a pilot project between the Northeast Minnesota Higher Education District and area high schools to produce a new technology-savvy workforce.
• Studies the need for upper-level higher education opportunities in northeastern Minnesota.
• Requires students to receive personal financial management information during orientation.

Health and Human Services, HF 1078

This bill has not yet been signed by the governor.

• Increases the age limit for full-time students to stay on their parents' health insurance up to age 25.
• Creates a pilot "fragrance free" Minneapolis public school to help students and staff sensitive to smell.
• Commits the state to seek universal health care coverage for all Minnesotans by 2011, which is defined as all Minnesotans having coverage for primary and preventative care and access to a full range of services, as well as being required to pay into the system according to their ability.

Jobs and Economic Development, HF 122

This bill has not yet been signed by the governor.

• Provides $10,000 each year for the Student Inventors Congress.
• Gives a one-time appropriation of $300,000 to the city of Worthington for an agricultural-based bioscience training and testing center.
• Grants one-time funding of $1.75 million to the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota for a bioscience business development program to promote Minnesota as a global leader in biosciences business activities.
• Creates a biosciences business marketing program in greater Minnesota with one-time funding of $125,000.
• Restores funding for Youthbuild, including an area to focus on careers in technology and the medical field.
• Bolsters Explore Minnesota Tourism with $500,000 of state funds to be matched by nonstate sources at a $1 to $3 match.
• Provides private restroom access in public places for customers with eligible medical conditions, if no public restroom is available.
• Creates a 17-member working group to recommend and establish policies of Minnesota trade; this would be overseen by the Department of Employee and Economic Development.
• Develops a 12-member Board of Electricity; the board will adopt rules to regulate the licensing of workers in this field, create rules to regulate continuing education in this field and recommend fees for licenses and certifications.
• Requires all American flags sold in this state were made in the United States of America.

Energy bill, "Next generation energy act 2007", SF 145

This bill has not yet been signed by the governor.

• Requires the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to be energy efficient; specifically, the system "shall identify policy options, barriers and economic benefits and costs for state government operations to achieve the energy savings goals in section 216B.2401 and the resulting carbon emission reductions."

E-12 Education bill, HF2245

This bill has not yet been signed by the governor.

• Awards five world language grants to school districts interested in creating world language programs or to enhance existing programs for students in grade kindergarten to grade 12.
• Restores cuts to early childhood education programs.
• Increases the availability of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate course offerings.
• Allows districts to use professional development revenue to "pay for coursework and training leading to certification as a college in the schools or concurrent enrollment teacher."

Ag and veterans affairs, HF 2227

This bill has been signed by the governor and had a few line-item vetoes.

• Gives $100,000 in the first and second years for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities "for mental health counseling support to farm families and business operators through farm business management programs at Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College."
• Places a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities representative on the NextGen Energy Board to determine how the state can most efficiently achieve energy independence, agricultural and natural resources sustainability, and rural economic vitality.
• Grants the chancellor one appointment to serve on the renewable energy roundtable; this group will "consult, advise, and review projects and initiatives funded by the state."

Environment and natural resource, SF2096

This bill has been signed by the governor and had a few line-item vetoes.

• Gives the commissioner authority to eliminate pest problems by entering "into contracts with municipalities, nurseries, colleges, universities, state or federal agencies in connection with new or emerging plant pest programs, including research, or any other organization with the legal authority to enter into contractual agreements."
• Requires the commissioner to publicize job opportunities for conservation officers at colleges and universities.

Federal Update

Federal tax credits too little?

Concerned that most low-income and middle-income students are not benefiting from higher education tax credits, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus wants to explore the issue. Last week, he indicated his committee soon will mark up education tax incentives and specifically consider reforms to make higher education tax benefits help more students.

More information

Encouraging Veterans to seek higher education

Returning home from war, veterans now are being given advice from hospital military advisors - "Go to school." A new program entitled, "American Council on Education's Severely Injured Military Veterans: Fulfilling Their Dreams" was piloted in February. Nearly 100 returning soldiers have participated so far. To encourage the service members to pursue higher education, the program helps break down many barriers. Veterans are counseled on how to match their interests to courses, learning online, completing applications for admission and financial aid, taking required standardized tests, and succeeding in college.

More information