Explore Minnesota Tourism Funding
Last week, Senator Ruud presented SF 721 to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee, of which she is the Chair. The bill is a legislative priority of both the Minnesota Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus and the Minnesota Tourism Growth Council. The legislation would increase the base budget of Explore Minnesota Tourism by $5.768 million is fiscal years 2020 and 2021. In addition to the base budget increase, the bill also provides $1 million in both 2020 and 2021 for new event grants.
Explore Minnesota Tourism Executive Director, John Edman testified in support of the proposal along with Megan Christianson of Visit Grand Rapids and Anna Thill from Visit Mankato. The legislation has broad bi-partisan support in the Minnesota Senate and was referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee. We will continue to work with the Administration, Legislative Leaders and our bill supporters to gain increased financial support for Minnesota Tourism.
Post Labor Day School Start
On Wednesday (February 20), the House Education Policy Committee will hear House Files 314 and 531. Both bills attempt to eliminate Minnesota’s current prohibition on starting public schools prior to Labor Day. HF 314 would make the change permanent, while HF 531 would only allow for the change in school years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. MACVB will be working with a broad coalition of resort owners, the Minnesota State Fair, 4H and the Ag Community to defeat these proposals.
Governor’s Budget
Following a few weeks of legislative oversight hearings and presentations by various state agencies, the Legislature is preparing to respond to Governor Walz’s budget and begin the process of hearing policy bills. The Governor will formally release his budget on February 19th but has been slowly releasing portions of his budget at various speaking events. In recent days he’s committed to increased funding for education, local government aide and mentioned a “moonshot” proposal for addressing the further expansion of broadband in rural Minnesota.
Legislative Session Deadlines
The House and Senate have reached an agreement on Committee Deadlines for the 2019 Legislative Session. This agreement allows for the finalization of the 2019 Legislative Calendar.
February 19th Formal Presentation of Walz Administration Budget
March TBD Release of the February Fiscal Forecast
March 15th First Committee Deadline
March 29th Second Committee Deadline
April 12th Third Committee Deadline
April 13th – 23rd Easter/Passover Break
May 20th Final Day of 2019 Legislative Session
For a bill to remain alive it must pass out of all policy committees in one body prior to the First Deadline. Policy Bills must pass through all policy committees in the other body prior to the Second Deadline to remain alive. The Second Deadline brings the completion of most policy committee work for the legislative session. All finance related bills must be through the appropriate finance divisions to meet the Third Deadline. However, nothing really dies while the legislature is in session and the rules in either body can be suspended to allow a bill to advance after the deadlines.
Website Design and Development by W.A. Fisher Interactive. Report Problems