CAPITOL REVIEW: Marriage Licenses, Health Policy, Civil Actions and Nine New Vetoes

Editor's note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they're voting, the bills they're writing and the issues they're getting behind. Come back to Eagan Patch every week for a new update.

Here is what your legislators have been doing recently:

Sen. Ted Daley (R-District 38) of Eagan

Authored a bill on the use of school facilities (SF1068)

In instances where civil action is likely to occur, school facilities used for recreational purposes are granted immunity from suit. The bill was received from the House on May 17, passed by the Senate on May 20 and was scheduled to be presented to the governor on May 23. 

Co-authored a bill relating to family law and service personnel (SF1464)

The bill allows recovery of a portion of the marriage license fee for members of the armed forces who complete premarital education after the license is issued. The bill was introduced and referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on May 21. 

Rep. Doug Wardlow (R-District 38B) of Eagan

Authored a bill relating to civil actions (HF0211)

The bill modifies the remedies related to certain unlawful or deceptive trade practice actions. It also permits appeals of certain court orders related to class actions. The bill was passed in the Senate on May 17 and subsequently amended in the House on May 23.

State. Rep. Diane Anderson (R-District 38A) of Eagan

Authored a bill relating to chemical and mental health policy (HF1500)

The bill makes certain technical and conforming changes for implementation of a new rate-setting methodology. The bill was received from the Senate on May 16, amended by the House on May 20 and was scheduled to be presented to the governor on May 24.

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Elsewhere in the legislature, Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the remaining nine budget bills passed by Republican lawmakers and said a government shutdown is likely unless they agree to a budget plan that includes new revenues, it was reported in the non-partisan Public Information Services. 

In a press conference on May 24, Dayton called the Republicans’ budget plan “harsh and unfair,” and said he would call legislators back for a special session after he and legislative leaders worked out a compromise to fund state government for the next two years.

According to Public Information Services, Dayton last week called for a $1.8 billion tax increase on the top 2 percent of income earners in the state, saying it represented a middle ground between the Republicans’ budget and the $3.4 billion tax increase he proposed in February this year.