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Today, the House Economic Development and Finance Committee heard HF232, which puts in place a robust tourism industry grant recovery for Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT). Hospitality Minnesota’s Jill Sims testified in support of the bill. The bill was laid over at the end of the hearing, so members can continue to work on the bill. We will continue to monitor and support the bill.
Currently, the bill has 3 components, which include:
As Legislature prepares to vote on how to spend Minnesota's record $17.6 billion dollar surplus in the coming months, Governor Walz announced his FY 2024-2025 budget recommendations yesterday. The budget proposes expenditures of $65.2 billion, as well as $8 billion in tax cuts. The administration proposes that a significant portion of the state’s estimated $17.6 billion surplus be distributed through spending and rebate checks.
We’ll share key provisions in future updates, as we dig deeper into the Governor's official budget recommendations. This week, SF553 was introduced by Senator Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven), establishing boater education requirements for operators born on or after July 1, 1987. The bill requires the Natural Resources Commissioner to establish a working group of interested parties to develop course content and implementation and create a short boater safety exam to be administered by motorboat rental businesses. The exam can be administered electronically or on paper, at the choice of the motorboat rental provider. If passed, the law would go into effect July 1, 2025.
Late last week, HF580 was introduced by Representatives Koegel (DFL-Spring Lake Park) and Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) to establish a mandatory delivery fee for personal property (goods/product) delivered by motor vehicle. The bill requires any retailer selling personal property (goods/product) to charge a delivery fee (ranging from $0.40 in 2024 to $0.50 in 2027) and then remit the fee back to the state. The remitted fees would be used to fund the highway user tax distribution fund (60%), metropolitan area transit account (36%) and the great Minnesota transit account (4%). We are working to fully understand the implications for food delivery. The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing, nor is there a companion bill in the Senate.
Today, the House began the hearing process for Paid Family and Medical Leave, HF2/SF2. This morning, HF2 was heard in House Workforce Development Finance and Policy. Hospitality Minnesota members Troy Reding (Ally Restaurants) and Mindy Fredrikson (Gunflint Lodge Outfitters) spoke on the bill – raising challenges the one size fits all approach brings to small businesses.
HF2/SF2 will continue to work through the committee process, with the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee hearing the bill this afternoon. If you would like to testify at an upcoming hearing, please reach out to Jill.
Key components of the Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation, as drafted, include:
Late last week, HF626 was introduced by Representative Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville), allowing cities and towns to establish additional licensing requirements for hotels. This bill would give cities or towns the opportunity to revoke existing licenses should they fail to comply with the conditions of the license.
Driver's Licenses for All, HF4/SF27, which allows individuals to obtain driving credentials regardless of immigration status, has continued to move forward, passing its final committee in the House this week. We expect the House to vote on the bill next week, and the Senate has not scheduled any further hearings. We will continue to monitor and weigh in to show our support appropriately. Check out previous testimony below.
Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation, SF34/HF19, continues to work its way through the legislature. On Thursday, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government and Veterans will hear SF34 and the House Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law will hear HF19. We will continue to monitor the progress of the bills and weigh in appropriately.
Key components of the Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation, as drafted:
Effective 180 days (~6 months) after passage Drivers Licenses for All (HF4/SF27), which allows individuals to obtain driving credentials regardless of immigration status, has continued to have hearings in the House and Senate. We expect the House to vote on the bill as early as next week. Hospitality Minnesota has long supported immigration reforms and has included this on our 2023 legislative agenda. As we await comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, the reform at the state level will bring forward a practical solution what will benefit all of Minnesota.
Last week, HM Director of Government Relations Jill Sims testified in support of HF4/SF27 in House Transportation and Senate Transportation committees, which was featured in KSTP news over the weekend. This week, the legislature started the hearing process for Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation, SF34/HF19. Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation has been identified early on by legislative leaders a priority bill to pass. Hearings were held in both Senate Labor and House Labor Committees. The legislation will continue to work its way through the committee process this week and next week. HM is closely monitoring the bill as a one size fits all mandate is challenging for small businesses. HM is weighing in appropriately and working in coalitions to give feedback on the legislation.
Key components of the Earned Safe and Sick Time legislation, as drafted:
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Capitol UpdateFollow as we advocate for the hospitality industry at the local, state and federal levels. This work has been a hallmark of the Association for decades, and will continue to be a core benefit of membership. Archives
May 2023
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