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CS




Dear Neighbor,

Greetings from St. Paul, where we continue working at a brisk pace to move priority bills through the process this session. Here is a look at the latest notes on bills and other subjects:

*Energy committee*

It was another productive week in the House committee on energy that I chair. We conducted a hearing for the Clean Hydro Bill (H.F. 75 [ [link removed] ]) which removes the capacity requirements for hydroelectric energy to qualify as an eligible energy technology under the renewable energy standard. We also conducted a hearing for a net-metering bill (H.F. 845 [ [link removed] ]) which eliminates artificially high utility bills that pay for solar projects. Both of these bills are part of the approach our state needs for affordable, reliable energy.

*Electronic pull tabs*

House Republicans have authored legislation (H.F. 733 [ [link removed] ]) to restore electronic pull tab gaming features after a change in law has left Minnesota charities facing a significant decline in revenue.

In 2023, Gov. Tim Walz and legislative Democrats approved a law eliminating the “open all” feature that made the electronic pull-tab games popular. This just took effect on Jan. 1, but local veterans organizations, such as American Legions and VFWs, already have reported a dramatic drop in activity, ranging from 20- 44 percent statewide. Even at a 30-percent revenue decline, those relying on charitable proceeds in Minnesota – EMS groups, food shelves, youth sports teams and associations, Boys and Girl Scouts, and other local charities

It’s hard to fathom why anyone would want to throttle down revenue for groups that do so much good. Not only that, but electronic pull tabs historically have been a good draw for local establishments, attracting customers during tough economic times.

We need to repeal the change in law that is damaging charitable gaming so local groups have the resources they need to continue investing in our communities.

*Sign up for TeenPact event*

Registration is now open for upcoming TeenPact classes at the Capitol in St. Paul as students from around the state gather for hands-on training in leadership and government.

TeenPact is a nationwide Christian non-profit educational ministry, known for its teen-oriented programs on leadership, citizenship, and government. It designed to help students understand the political process, value their liberty, and engage the culture. Through hands-on and practical teaching, TeenPact Students learn how to embrace their call as the next generation of leaders, find encouragement among like-minded peers, and develop the skills to engage the culture.

A four-day class will take place March 31-April 3 for ages 13-19, and a political workshop for that same age group is available April 4. A one-day class for ages 8-12 is scheduled for April 4. The class for ages 8-12 is a condensed version of the class for the older group. Students will pray for their leaders during a prayer walk, explore the State House, become legislators in a mock legislature where they discuss bills they’ve written themselves, and more.

Additional information and registration details are available at teenpact.com/minnesota [ [link removed] ]. Please share this with anyone you think may be interested!

*Office visits*

swedz

Enjoyed meeting with a variety of people in St. Paul again this week, including sugar beet growers (above) and pork producers (below). Thank you all for taking time to visit and provide me with valuable input.

Swedz

*Safe and fair girls sports*

In last week’s newsletter, I mentioned House Republicans have authored H.F. 12 [ [link removed] ], which says: “Only students of the female sex may participate in an elementary or secondary school athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls.”

I just want to follow up to say that bill had its first House hearing this week and it continues moving through the bill process. I look forward to this bill reaching the House floor for a vote on approval soon. Polling [ [link removed] ] shows an overwhelming 80 percent agree with the House Republican position on this issue; more than two out of three Democrats or leaning Democrats say transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women.

It will be interesting to see how House Democrats vote on this issue. Will they side with the overwhelming majority, or cater to the radical extremists as was so often the case during the last biennium?

Stay tuned for more on that and other issues as the 2025 session continues.

Sincerely,

Chris






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State Rep. Chris Swedzinski
2nd Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155
[email protected]
(651) 296-5374







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