Minnesota Legislative Bulletin 3-6-10

For those of you who commented on the mandatory sick leave bill and interior design licensing requirements, thank you. Your comments have been passed along to Minnesota Retailers Association whose lobbyist needs the information.

The following committee deadlines were proposed in a joint resolution this week and will likely be passed by each body on Monday:

March 12 - Committees must act favorably on a bill in the house of origin
March 19 - Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other house
March 29 - House and Senate finance divisions must act favorably on omnibus appropriation bill.

The result is that with the first bill deadlines set for next week, committee activity will be frantic at best

Below are the results of the legislative activity this past week. Please feel free to give me your comments.

Paula Siewert
(763)595-4053 or (800)469-9078

Overtime Bill is Removed From the Agenda for Additional Consideration

SF 2347, the bill that modifies Employer overtime payment obligations was pulled off the agenda from the Business Industry and Jobs Committee on Wednesday. The bill, which has been pushed by the author as a simple means to make Minnesota labor law comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act seams to have broader significance. The bill requires employers in Minnesota to pay overtime to any employees who works more than 40 hours must be paid overtime. There are exemptions in federal law for certain employers and passage of this bill would eliminate those exemptions. The author asked that the bill be removed from the agenda in order to have additional conversations with several business interests. If your segment of retail has concerns, please contact Minnesota Retail Association by emailing shana@mnretail.org.

Plastic and Paper Bag Tax Passes Senate Commerce

SF 2338, the 5 cent tax on plastic and paper bags, passed the Senate Commerce Committee on a close 5-4 vote on Thursday. The bill does exempt dry cleaners, pharmacies, bulk items from grocery stores and hardware stores. The bill was sent to Senate Tax Committee in spike of the threat by Governor Pawlenty's threat to veto any tax increase. MnRA was the only Association to testify against the bill.

Interior Design Licensing Requirements Dies in Committee

SF 2591 the legislation that would have require special interior design architectural licensing for any person who holds out as being able to perform or does perform any professional service in connection with the planning or design of interior spaces, including preparation of documents relative to non-load-bearing interior construction, space planning, finishes, materials, and furnishings or administration of construction for interior spaces where the safeguarding of the occupant's life, health, safety, welfare, or property is concerned or involved. The legislation would have exempted employees of retail stores.