Big Picture Issues
Tax Conformity Bill Signed Into Law
The Legislature this week moved quickly to pass a federal tax conformity bill. The bill brings the state’s tax code into conformity with 46 provisions which have been signed into federal law since 2019. The bill had to be signed into law by Governor Walz by Friday (it was) to give the Department of Revenue adequate time to make needed changes in state tax forms in time for filing. The House passed the bill unanimously on Monday and the Senate passed it unanimously on Wednesday.
Deadlines/Spring Break Announced
House and Senate leadership this week announced deadlines for the 2023 session as well as the dates of Spring Break:
- March 10: First committee deadline by which a bill must be heard in all policy committees in one body or the other;
- March 24: Second committee deadline by which a bill must be heard in all policy committees in both bodies; and
- April 24: Third committee deadline, by which finance bills must be reported out of committee.
Spring break will be from 5:00 PM on April 4, 2023 through Monday, April 10, 2023.
House Commerce Approves Price Gouging Bill
The House Commerce Committee on Monday approved HF6 (Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids), a bill which bans “unconscionably excessive” price increases for “essential consumer goods” including pharmaceuticals and medical services. The bill would have Minnesota join 22 other states that bar sellers of goods and services from taking advantage of consumers during a crisis such as a flood, tornado or other disaster. The bill’s provisions would be triggered by the Governor declaring a state of emergency. If a disaster is declared, the bill prohibits price increases of more than 25% above the seller’s average price during the 60-day period before an abnormal market disruption. The bill was approved and referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.
Schedule for the Week of January 16
Monday, January 16 – The Legislature is closed in honor of Rev. Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.
12:30 PM - Commerce and Consumer Protection
Location: G-15 Capitol
Chair: Senator Matt D. Klein
Agenda: Overview of Committee Jurisdiction and Budget from Senate Counsel and Fiscal Analyst
Presentation by Minnesota Department of Commerce
12:30 PM - Jobs and Economic Development
Location: Hybrid Hearing 1100 Minnesota Senate Bldg. and Livestream YouTube
Chair: Senator Bobby Joe Champion
Agenda: S.F. 0002Mann Paid family and medical leave establishment and appropriation scs0002a-1
Bill Introductions
Bills marked ** have a high likelihood of passage
**Long; Hollins; Olson, L.; Richardson; Kotyza-Witthuhn; Howard; Greenman and Hortman introduced:
HF96, A bill for an act relating to human services; establishing transitional cost-sharing reduction, premium subsidy, small employer public option, and transitional health care credit; expanding eligibility for MinnesotaCare; modifying premium scale; requiring recommendations for alternative delivery and payment system; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 62V.05, by adding a subdivision; 256L.04, subdivisions 1c, 7a, 10, by adding a subdivision; 256L.07, subdivision 1; 256L.15, subdivision 2; 290.06, by adding a subdivision. The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce Finance and Policy
Robbins introduced:
H.F.76, bill for an act relating to insurance; requiring disclosure of whether money from a patient assistance program is applied to a health plan deductible; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62Q.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce Finance and Policy.
**Senators Wiklund and Maye Quade introduced--
SF49 A bill for an act relating to human services; establishing transitional cost-sharing reduction, premium subsidy, small employer public option, and transitional health care credit; expanding eligibility for MinnesotaCare; modifying premium scale; requiring recommendations for alternative delivery and payment system; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 62V.05, by adding a subdivision; 256L.04, subdivisions 1c, 7a, 10, by adding a subdivision; 256L.07, subdivision 1; 256L.15, subdivision 2; 290.06, by adding a subdivision. Referred to the Committee on Human Services.
Senators Klein and Abeler introduced--
S.F. No. 196: A bill for an act relating to health care; creating a Minnesota advance premium tax credit and cost sharing subsidies for eligible individuals who enroll in an eligible qualified health plan through MNsure; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 62V.05, subdivision 1, by adding subdivisions; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 290. Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.
Senator Draheim introduced--
S.F. No. 253: A bill for an act relating to taxation; individual income; expanding the long-term care insurance credit; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 290.0672, subdivision 2. Referred to the Committee on Taxes.
Senator Draheim introduced--
S.F. No. 254: A bill for an act relating to health insurance; requiring disclosure of whether funds from a patient assistance program are applied to a health plan deductible; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62Q. Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.
Senator Xiong introduced--
S.F. No. 266: A bill for an act relating to commerce; securities; changing the investment limit for small corporate offerings; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 80A.50. Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.
Senators Gruenhagen, Klein, and Utke introduced--
S.F. No. 270: A bill for an act relating to insurance; allowing the sale of life insurance policies that convert to long-term care insurance policies; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 60A.06, subdivision 3; 61A.54; 62S.01, subdivision 18. Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.
Senators Nelson and Coleman introduced--
S.F. No. 282: A bill for an act relating to taxation; individual income and corporate franchise; allowing tax credits for parental leave costs; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 290.0131, by adding a subdivision; 290.0133, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 290.Referred to the Committee on Taxes.
