DFLEC Legislative Action Alerts March 10
Multi Caucus Meeting
Before getting to the important legislative issues for the week, a quick note that there will be a multi-caucus meeting tonight, Sunday, March 9th, to meet candidates running for DFL office in the upcoming business meeting. If you are a State Central Committee member you can vote on these elections. All are welcome.
Here is the information from Brian Swancutt at Stonewall Caucus:
Please join Stonewall DFL, the DFL Environmental Caucus, MYDFL, and the DFL Disability Caucus tomorrow, March 9th, at 7:00 pm for our DFL Officer Candidate Forum. This event will be held online via Zoom, and the link for registration is here: DFL Multi-Caucus Party Officer Candidate Forum Registration Link
Additionally, we are asking that questions to the officer candidates be submitted ahead of time using this form: DFL Multi-Caucus State Officer Candidate Forum Question Submission Form
Action alerts:
Please note the bills listed below that are coming up in committee this week. Submit testimony or sign up to speak 24 hours before the hearing, write to the committee members, and to your own representatives in the MInnesota House and Senate. Several committees have not yet posted bills for Wednesday and Thursday. Use the combined calendar to see what is happening.
Monday, March 10
12:30 PM: Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Location: 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Senator Nick A. Frentz
OPPOSE S.F. 1142 Rarick Net energy metering provisions modification
This bill would roll back net metering for cooperative members. The House version, HF845, was heard on Feb. 20.
Please write to committee members to let them know you oppose this bill.
Agenda:
Call to Order
Tuesday, March 11
1:00 PM: Energy Finance and Policy
Location: Capitol 123
Chair: Rep. Chris Swedzinski
V. OPPOSE HF787 (Anderson) - Electricity generated outside the state exempted from the requirement that a proportion of retail electricity be carbon-free by certain dates.
This is another attempt to gut our carbon free by 2040 law. We need to voice strong opposition.
We cannot preserve a livable climate skirting our greenhouse gas reduction goals by importing electricity generated from carbon belching fossil fuel sources from other states.
If you wish to testify or submit written testimony, please email aj.borowiak@house.mn.gov by 1:00 PM on 3/10/2025.
1:00 PM: Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Location: Capitol G3
Chair: Rep. Josh Heintzeman
OPPOSE HF1425 (Skraba) - Sale of state-owned land in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness prohibited.
This bill would prevent the sale of school trust land. They want to be able to save it for mining and logging or land swaps.
OPPOSE HF1570 (Skraba) - Sale or lease of boathouse sites at Soudan Underground Mine State Park authorized.
This bill would allow a private corporation to operate within a state park.
TESTIMONY AND MATERIALS SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Individuals wishing to testify or submit written testimony or handouts for the hearing must e-mail the committee administrator (amy.zipko@house.mn.gov) by 1 p.m. the day prior to the hearing. Handouts must be in PDF format with OCR capability. In-person testimony may be limited due to committee time constraints.
3:00 PM: Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Public Notice Date: 3/07/2025 2:07 PM
Location: 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Chair: Senator Foung Hawj
Please submit documents to be posted for committee members by March 10, 2025, 3:00 pm. Late submissions may Not be posted in advance of the hearing Or included in prepared materials for committee members.
All handouts and requests for testimony (both in-person and virtual) MUST be submitted using the following Testimony Request Form:
Testimony Request Form - 3-11-25
Agenda:
Call To Order
YOU may wish to support some or all of these allocations.
S.F. 0975 Oumou VerbetenArt From the Inside grant appropriation to use the arts to address the needs of incarcerated persons and persons on supervised release
S.F. 1965 PhaCultural studies materials development appropriation for underrepresented groups
S.F. 1869 HousleyCity of Forest Lake veterans memorial appropriation
S.F. 1537 Johnson StewartMinnesota Public Radio appropriation
Parks & Trails Legacy Partner Agency Update
5:00 PM: Meeting Time Note: Ways and Means will convene at 5:00 PM on Tuesday March 11 in Capitol Room 120.
Location: Capitol 120
Chair: Rep. Paul Torkelson
3. SUPPORT THIS BILL AS IS, NOT AMENDMENTS: HF1218 (Heintzeman) Funding from the environment and natural resources trust fund, prior appropriations modified, and money appropriated.
*MATERIALS SUBMISSION DEADLINE: There will not be public testimony in the Ways and Means Committee. Individuals wishing to submit letters, written testimony, or handouts for the hearing must email the committee administrator harry.kennedy@house.mn.gov and the committee legislative assistant allie.spellman@house.mn.gov by 12 p.m. (noon) the business day prior to the hearing (March 10, 2025). Handouts must be in PDF format with OCR capability. The Chair may waive the noon deadline for handouts, but handouts received after noon on the business day before the committee meeting might not be printed for committee members and the public.
Bills Added
Heintzeman
Funding from the environment and natural resources trust fund, prior appropriations modified, and money appropriated.
Committee Documents:
Wednesday, March 12
Rise and Repair Lobby Day. - PLEASE JOIN ME!
SCHEDULE & HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Full Day Engagement:
10:00 AM – Advocacy training, prep session, and morning coffee at Christ on Capitol Hill (105 University Ave W, across from the Capitol)
11:45a - 12:20p - Light lunch served before walking across the street to Capitol
Legislative visits throughout the day pending legislator schedules (most 2-4pm)
Joining us for the Rally:
12:45 PM – Assemble on the Capitol steps
1:15–2:00 PM – Rally in the Rotunda!!
Now is the time to dig deep, unite, and push for the change we know is possible. When we stand together, we are a powerful force capable of accomplishing what this moment demands. We have the power to protect wild rice, freshwater, and biodiversity—our sacred life sources that need our care now more than ever. Let’s move forward with hope, resilience, and the strength of our collective will.
RSVP & Learn More: RiseAndRepair.org/rally
3:00 PM: Transportation
Public Notice Date: 3/07/2025 2:29 PM
Location: Hybrid Hearing 1100 Minnesota Senate Bldg. and Livestream YouTube
Chair: Senator D. Scott Dibble
If you wish to offer testimony in this hearing, please contact the committee administrator at beth.ethier@mnsenate.gov before 9:00am on Wednesday, March 12 specifying which bill and whether in favor or opposed. Time per testifier may be limited. Written testimony may be submitted up to 2 pages in PDF format. Documents received after 9:00am on the day of the hearing might not be duplicated for members or posted with the agenda. Testimony submitted in any form to a Senate committee is public information and is made accessible to the public on the Senate website and archived on the Legislative Reference Library website.
Agenda:
THESE BILLS MAY BE OF INTEREST TO YOU, ESPECIALLY BIKING ADVOCATES
S.F. 2162 Dibble State-aid engineering and design standards variances modification
S.F. 0219 Abeler Electric-assisted bicycle rebate program modification
S.F. 2094 Johnson Stewart Various requirements governing active transportation modification
Thursday, March 13 CHECK THE COMBINED CALENDAR IN A DAY OR TWO
Remember to Resist: Forum and DFLEC Meeting
Sunday, March 23rd 6:30 PM on Zoom
Join the DFL Environmental Caucus for a forum geared to RESIST the Republican's state and federal actions to undo all the progress we've made on environmental issues. A short meeting of the full caucus will follow the forum. REGISTER HERE.
We have not set a detailed agenda for this meeting because under the present circumstances, you never know what is going to happen between now and then! But rest assured that there is a lot of activity in the legislature, and we will have important things to talk about. Your attendance will be very much appreciated.
PLEASE ADD THIS IMPORTANT ACTION FOR TUESDAY TO SUPPORT: SUPPORT: The SF 1690 100% eWaste bill is in State & Local Gov. Tuesday at noon: 03/11/25 12:00 PM in 1200 Minnesota Senate Bldg. - State and Local Government