The first special session in the history of the state was called in 1862 by then governor, Alexander Ramsey. In the ensuing 145 years more than 40 special sessions have been called. There is great speculation on whether Gov. Tim Pawlenty will call a special session yet this year. As we go to press, it seems unlikely.

During the session, 4,915 bills were introduced and 150 became law. When chambers cleared, the state budget had increased by just over 10 percent, a state-wide smoking ban was enacted, major energy reform had passed, there was increased funding for early childhood, K-12 and higher education, health care coverage was extended to more children and there was greater funding for clean water.

Following adjournment, House and Senate members, as well as the governor, have been traveling the state explaining the resulting legislation.  

During the session, the Minnesota Senior Federation joined forces with allies and monitored legislation through final passage.

After July 1 a complete review of all new laws passed will be available at the New Laws 2007 Web page, www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/NewLaws/NewLawsmain.asp.

Health and human services funding. More than 56 percent of the ongoing new funding, $94 million, will be applied to nursing homes, which will see a 2 percent increase in funding in fiscal year 2008 and 2 percent more over a multi-year period of rebasing, a process that shrinks disparity between rural and urban facilities.

Major portions of spending are allocated to health care initiatives; $28 million to removing barriers to coverage by shortening application forms, eliminating some verification requirements and removing the employee subsidized  insurance (ESI) barrier, which prohibits entrance to MinnesotaCare within 18 months of utilizing employee-subsidized benefits.

There is $21 million for health care outreach including incentives programs and grant support to nonprofits and organizations that assist incoming enrollees. There is $12.6 million to eliminate the limited benefit set established in 2003, $11.5 million to increase eligibility for MinnesotaCare participants without children and $55 million over an extended time to “Cover All Kids.”

The law also establishes several health care reform efforts, including a study on the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange, which could consolidate purchase of private insurance under one entity; the health care transformation task force, which will study how best to achieve universal access to health care in Minnesota. Funding will also go to: mental health initiatives; counties for case management; child care, including an attempt to reduce child care co-payments; homeless prevention; lead reduction activities; and the Veterans Home Board and numerous other health-related boards.

The legislation also increases funding to the The Senior Nutrition Program, allocating an additional $125,000 in each year of the biennium. It also allocates $125,000 in each year of the biennium to Senior Companion Program, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and Foster Grandparent Program. The legislation provides that amount to be shared by these three programs ($42,000, $42,000 and $41,000, respectively.)

New laws passed of particular concern to seniors are:

Car buyer protection - helps buyers of vehicles know what they’re buying. The law, going into affect Jan. 1, 2008, requires dealers to inform buyers how much each add-on will cost and how much they increase monthly loan payments. Dealers will be required to provide installment payment information with and without option packages.

The law also creates a definition of “certified” to prevent improper use of the term. For instance, the vehicle can’t be termed certified if the odometer does not reflect actual mileage.

Gift card full value - makes it unlawful for a business to sell a gift card that has an expiration date or service fee of any kind, including for nonuse. The law applies to cards sold on or after Aug. 1. There are exceptions: prepaid calling cards; card distributed for loyalty or promotional reasons without money given in exchange; cards given for employee recognition; cards sold below face value to employer or nonprofit organizations for fundraisers: and cards that can be used at multiple sellers or for goods and services, such as a mall card, provided any expiration date and associated fees are disclosed.

Credit, debit card protection - offers protection to debt and credit card users’ information. It makes a business responsible for the security of your data from your credit or debit card when it’s in their immediate possession or when they transfer that data to a third-party processor. Though commonly agreed to in practice, it’s now the law.

Do not disturb human remains - makes anyone who intentionally destroys, mutilates or injures human burial sites or human burial grounds guilty of a felony. Under the new law, which takes affect Aug. 1, a person will also be guilty of a felony if they disturb human burial grounds or remove human remains without the consent of the appropriate authority.

Viewing personnel records - ensures that employees know they have the right to review their personnel file. The law requires employers with more than 20 employees to provide written notice to a newly hired employee concerning rights and remedies regarding their employment record. The law also requires employers to provide this information upon termination of employment.

Commission on guardians - establishes a study group to make legislative recommendations concerning conservatorship and guardianship. The study group is to make recommendations to the legislature by March 15, 2008, about rights of ward and protected persons, powers and duties of conservators and guardians, the complaint process and training and financial auditing.

Trust fund for trailer parks - makes residents living in a manufactured home park who become dislocated eligible for moving reimbursement. Creates the Minnesota manufactured home relocation fund, which owners and renters will contribute to annually or upon the sale of the park. Park occupants forced to move due to sale or conversion of the property will be eligible for help with the cost of moving their trailer.

Regulating data privacy - puts tighter restrictions on the sale of Social Security numbers by nongovernmental entities.

Consumer contract cancellations - effective Aug. 1, this law will help military personnel and their families get out of consumer contracts without penalty when they are deployed or if their duty station changes.

There were also notable bills that didn’t pass: The property tax relief bill, a bill authorizing state funding of stem cell research, legalizing the medical use of marijuana, creating dedicated funding for the outdoors and the arts, and millions of dollars worth of funding for bonding projects. These initiatives aren’t dead yet. Much of the legislation not passed this year is likely to be taken up next year when the House and Senate reconvene at noon on Feb. 12, 2008.