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Dear Neighbors,
Last week, the House passed our Commerce budget bill. Our committee crafted a bill with bipartisan, commonsense provisions to help the people of our state. This bill takes tangible action to protect Minnesotans
The Commerce Budget Bill creates a new chapter to regulate businesses? use of personal and/or consumer data and gives Minnesotans rights regarding their personal data. It removes unnecessary fees, and increases funding for the Commerce Fraud Bureau, which is the state?s premier law enforcement agency for white-collar crime.
Our state government has a responsibility to protect people and create a fairer, safer Minnesota for all. That means working to ensure consumers are protected, our kids are safe, and our policies lift up working families. That is what this bill accomplishes.
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Bill Protecting Children Online Goes to the Governor!?
The Senate has passed legislation I authored establishing legal protections for ?kidfluencers? online. The House passed the same bill last week.??
More and more children are producing content for platforms like YouTube or TikTok, amassing large online followings, and, in many cases, monetizing their content through sponsorships with big-name brands or the platforms themselves. This industry can have a very dark side.? The New York Times published an investigation revealing massive sexual exploitation of children on these platforms.? I encourage everyone to read this article.
This legislation prohibits minors under the age of 14 from creating video content for online platforms for money. This is consistent with Minnesota?s broader child labor laws.? For minors 14-18 years old that are compensated for their participation in creating video, the bill requires that compensation to be placed in a trust account accessible once they turn 18.
The bill now goes to Governor Walz and will soon be the law in Minnesota!
Other Significant Legislation Passed
Late Monday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 3431 the State and Local Government and Veterans Supplemental budget.?
The bill builds on the work of 2023 to improve the function, accessibility, and modernization of our state government services. It modifies evaluation procedures for agency IT projects, streamlines cybersecurity incident reporting, and invests in the economic development in the Capitol area under the direction of the City of St. Paul and the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB).
This bill also includes the provision Sen. Abeler and I authored to allow Anoka County to build a new jail outside of the city of Anoka.
The Veterans Finance and Policy Bill is included in the legislation and contains Governor Walz?s no-cost recommendations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Military Affairs.
The measure includes additional provisions to provide the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs with an additional financial management tool, increases the agency?s ability to better compete for and match federal funding for armory projects, and rededicates a bridge in the south metro. Video of the floor debate can be found here.
ERA House Vote on Monday
Today the House will hear legislation proposing a state constitutional amendment to codify the right to equality. The legislation, known as the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment, would submit the proposed amendment to voters at the 2026 state general election, and if approved, would take effect January 1, 2027.
The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment would guarantee every Minnesotan the same rights under the law, and codify protections against discrimination by the state based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex ? including pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
In Minnesota, we believe in freedom, fairness, and equality for everyone. This important legislation will once and for all codify those beliefs and values into law. Across the country we are seeing people?s rights and freedoms being rolled back, and this legislation will ensure that that doesn?t happen in Minnesota.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at [email protected] or 651-296-5513.
It?s an honor to represent our Coon Rapids and Anoka families in St. Paul.
Sincerely,
Rep. Zack Stephenson
Minnesota House of Representatives?
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