The Minnesota Senior Federation is tracking progress of numerous bills in the state legislature. Here's a subset of significant bills we are following.  The list is updated each Friday. If you would like to lobby on behalf of legislation, call Lee Graczyk at 651/783-5028, or Max Neuhaus at 651/783-5004. Click here for current issues and activism.

Health care system

Long-term care task force, SF2080/HF2203
Concerns implementing long-term care task force recommendations, reducing nursing facility beds excess capacity, allocating savings to home and community-based services, and expanding services for elderly and caregivers. Last Senate action: Re-referred to finance committee. Last House action: Referred to health policy and finance committee.

Universal health care system, SF2468/HF3106
Concerns a universal health care system to provide affordable access to high quality medical care and stating legislative findings relating to the high cost of health care and access to services. Additionally, it concerns requiring the commissioner of health to establish a temporary working group to design a universal health care system for the state and to propose legislation for submission to the legislature by a certain date, specifying working group membership representation requirements and certain requirements for the proposed legislation. Last Senate action: Referred to rules and administration committee. Last House action: Author added - A. Peterson.

Right to affordable health care, SF2625/HF3754
Concerns proposing an amendment to the Minnesota constitution, article XIII, to provide for the right to affordable health care.  Last Senate action: Second reading. Last House action: Author added - Moe.

Assisted living services requirements establishment, SF2888/HF3144
Concerns establishing requirements for assisted living services such as limiting the use of the term assisted living and specifying procedures for certain home care providers for terminating home care services for assisted living clients and specifying certain written notice requirements. It also concerns modifying the home care bill of rights for purposes of assisted living. Last Senate action: Re-referred to finance committee. Last House action: Author added - Kelliher.

Clinical trial registration, SF3342/HF2869
Concerns the clinical trial registration and the civil penalties provided. Last Senate action: Author added - Day. Last House action: Referred to health policy and finance committee.

Medical use of marijuana, SF1973/HF2151
Concerns providing for the medical use of marijuana in the treatment of certain debilitating medical conditions and providing protections for the medical use of marijuana by certain qualifying patients and primary suppliers. Last Senate action: Re-referred to finance committee. Last House action: Author added - Lillie.

Housing

Supportive housing funding, SF2486/HF3098
Concerns appropriating money to the commissioner of the housing finance agency (HFA) for transfer to the housing development fund and authorizing the issuance of state bonds for loans and grants for temporary or transitional housing for homeless youth, homeless families, battered women and individuals leaving prostitution and for permanent rental housing for certain persons without a permanent residence. Last Senate action: Referred to finance committee. Last House action: Author added - Moe.

Jobs, energy and community development: Low-income heating assistance, SF2656/HF3465
Concerns appropriating money to the commissioner of commerce for distribution to eligible households for home heating assistance. Last Senate action: Re-referred to finance committee. Last House action: Author added - Davnie.

Prescription drugs

Prescription drug discount program, SF2725/No House Action

Concerns requiring the commissioner of human services to establish and administer a prescription drug discount program and to execute a rebate agreement from manufacturers choosing to participate in the program for drugs covered under the medical assistance (MA) program. Last Senate action: Author added - Lourey.

Property owners

Eminent domain provision modifications, SF2750/HF2846
Concerns modifying certain appraisal and negotiation requirements for the acquisition of property and regulating the use or consideration of appraisals in condemnation hearings. Last Senate action: House conferees. Last House action: Authors added - Erickson and Klinzin.

Taxes

Property tax refunds for senior and disabled claimants exemption increase, SF2875/HF3642
Concerns increasing the property tax refund exemption amount for seniors and disabled claimants. Last Senate action: Referred to taxes committee. Last House action: Author added - Fritz.

Homestead property tax, No Senate action/HF0992
Concerns providing homestead property tax computation using household income. Last House action: Author added - Olson.

Homestead property tax limitation, SF2279/HF2469
Concerns homestead property tax limitation provided based on the income of the homeowner. Last Senate action: Author added - Wiger. Last House action: Author added - Bernardy.

Transportation

Motor vehicle sales tax revenue, SF2444/HF2915
Concerns a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Minnesota constitution, article XIV, to dedicate and apportion motor vehicle sales tax revenues for transportation and public transit purposes. Last Senate action: Re-referred to rules and administration committee. Last House action: Author added - Moe.

Motor vehicle sales tax revenue, SF2446/HF3048
Concerns modifying a proposed amendment to the Minnesota constitution, article XIV, dedicating certain percentages of revenue from the sales tax on motor vehicles to transportation and public transit. Last Senate action: Referred to transportation committee. Last House action: Author added - Magnus.

Voting rights

Photo ID Bill, SF0923/HF1443
Concerns voter registration proof of citizenship and required picture identification. Additionally, it concerns providing identification cards at no charge to specified individuals. Last Senate action: Referred to elections committee. Last House action: Second reading.