May 20, 2011

HF 1341/SF 1269 requires the Department of Human Services to account for services provided to people under the age of 22 in Minnesota's public health care programs, including Medical Assistance and MNCare. Currently, this data is reported in aggregate and does not break down the expenditures for adults versus children. This change will provide valuable data the state can use to track and manage costs. This bill passed the Legislature with broad bipartisan support.

HF 721/SF 430 eliminates a requirement that a disability certificate displayed on the dash board of a vehicle be placed on the driver's side. This law will allow people who use a disability certificate to place the placard on any part of the dash. It also amends an exemption from conviction for a violation of disability parking restrictions. The bill passed the Legislature with unanimous support.

SF 194/HF 444 makes a variety of technical and substantive changes in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Article 9 of the UCC deals with secured transactions; this bill modifies the existing statute to clarify filing issues and address other matters in Article 9. The bill passed the Legislature with unanimous support.

HF 724/SF 520 will remove Trunk Highway 332, which runs between U.S. Highways 71 and 53 south of International Falls, from the trunk highway system and turn it over to the county state-aid highway system. This bill passed the Legislature with unanimous support.

HF 1139/SF 921 authorizes local governments that are leasing or purchasing public safety equipment for fire departments to use sole-source acquisition (rather than putting out for bid) when acquiring used equipment, if there is clearly and legitimately only one source, and it is best to establish the price by direct negotiation. It also authorizes long-term leases for governments to acquire new or used equipment. This bill passed the Legislature with broad bipartisan support.