The Legislature is Full Swing!
The first week of the 2022 legislative session kicked off with the expedited consideration and bi-partisan support for extending certain COVID-19 related workers compensation protections. The flurry of activity in the Capitol followed just days after legislative eyes turned homeward as local communities held precinct caucus, the first step in the 2022 election cycle.
Presumptive Eligibility for Workers Compensation
Also on Thursday, the Minnesota Legislature passed its first bill of the session. HF 1203 (Howe/Wolgamott) reinstates the rebuttable presumption of workers compensation eligibility for certain individuals who contract COVID-19. Originally enacted in 2020, the statute states that certain direct care workers and first responders that contract COVID-19 are presumed to have an occupational disease that’s covered in the workers compensation law and do not need to prove the contracted COVID-19 via workplace exposure. However, since the original presumption expired on December 13, 2021, the rebuttable presumption will only apply February 2, 2022 (the date on which Gov. Walz signed the measure into law) forward.
Governor's Race
On Tuesday, February 1st, the Governor’s race got a little more interesting as the field of potential challengers gained yet another entry. Former Hennepin County Sheriff Rick Stanek announced he will throw his hat in the already crowded field of Republicans. The current Republican primary now has 7 potential challengers to Gov. Tim Walz, while Walz himself, appears unlikely to face a serious primary challenge from his own party.
Minnesota precinct caucuses were also on Tuesday last week. Caucuses are the first in a series of meetings where the political parties choose delegates, set a party platform, and endorse candidates. Former state Senator Scott Jensen emerged as the clear Republican front-runner at this stage in the primary process. Jensen eclipsed his fellow challengers by snagging 38 percent of the vote while Paul Gazelka came in second with 14 percent.
Senate Republicans Expand on Public Safety Proposals
On Thursday, February 3rd, Senate Republicans unveiled their public safety plan for 2022. The plan included several programs focused on officer recruitment and retention. Each bill will take a different approach at encouraging potential candidates from diverse backgrounds to seek careers as peace officers.
- Housley (R-Stillwater) - S.F.2848 appropriates $1 million to the Department of Public Safety to partner with the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board to promote officer recruitment.
- Jasinski (R-Faribault) - S.F. 2847 appropriates $1.5 million in fiscal year 2023 to local governments that participate in the pathways to policing program. The money will go to reimbursing eligible applicants up to fifty percent for the cost of tuition. Senator Jasinski will also introduce legislation to appropriate $20 million to the workforce Scholarship Program that encourages enrollment in associate law enforcement degrees.
- Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) - S.F. XXXX appropriates $20 million in grants across the state to students pursuing a degree in law enforcement. The funds will give eligible recipients $1,500 a year, up to two years.
- Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) - S.F. 2846 aims at making law enforcement careers more attractive to potential candidates by adding cost reimbursements for those interested and already participating in the field. The program appropriates $2.5 million in tuition reimbursements for those currently in the field and those studying to become peace officers. Eligible recipients will have to complete 1 year with an agency to get reimbursed.
- Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) - S.F. XXXX will provide $20 million in new hire bonuses. Once an officer serves a year at an agency, they will be eligible to receive a $10,000 retention bonus.
Majority Leader Jeremy Miller (R- Winona) also announced at the end of the press conference that this was only the start of Senate Republicans’ public safety role out “The bills we’re offering today are just one part of a comprehensive effort to support safer communities.”
Important Dates to Remember:
The 2022 Minnesota Legislative calendar, complete with dates for the holiday recess, is below:
- February 15, 2022 Redistricting maps expected to be released by the courts
- TBD, February 2022 Updated budget forecast from MMB
- March 25, 2022 1st Committee Deadline - committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin.
- April 1, 2022 2nd Committee Deadline - committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other house.
- April 8, 2022 3rd Committee Deadline - committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.
- April 9 - April 17, 2022 Easter/Passover Break
- May 16, 2022 Constitutional deadline to adjourn
- August 9, 2022 Primary Election Day
- November 8, 2022 General Election Date
Federal Update
The House could take up a stopgap funding bill this week that would extend current spending levels through March 11, averting a partial government shutdown on Feb. 18. The continuing resolution under discussion would only move to the floor if an agreement on topline funding allocations for defense and nondefense programs is reached first. The three-week CR would signal that lawmakers are moving closer on a fiscal 2022 omnibus package, rather than pushing the deadline months down the road or passing a full-year CR.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the Senate would be on board with a three-week extension, and the length was still under discussion. If the House took up a stopgap bill this week, it would allow House lawmakers to avoid returning to Washington next week, when the chamber has no votes scheduled, providing the Senate didn’t make changes that would require another House vote. "Negotiations are very vigorous and I think that we're going to get the agreement, both on the top line, how much spending is going to be in, and how it will be spent. But it's not there yet," House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-MD., told MSNBC's "The Sunday Show" program.
A couple of notes here:
- House Democrats have an “issues retreat” scheduled for March 9-11 in Philadelphia, so if there’s an omnibus on the floor that week (and/or the Senate floor), that’s a concern. The House could come back if needed.
- The House will vote this week on the short-term CR. It’s not clear if the Senate will take it up this week or next. The House is out of session next week (with codels to Israel and elsewhere), while the Senate is in.
- There’s still talk of attaching additional Covid relief funding and/or disaster aid to a bipartisan omnibus spending deal; if it ever happens.
Please reach out to any of the Larkin Hoffman Government Relations team members with any questions.
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