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Dear Neighbor,
Hope you are having a great summer. I’ve certainly enjoyed spending time at various events, meetings and other gatherings to help stay connected with local residents.
July 1 kicked off a whole host of new laws in Minnesota, including changes tied to the state budget as the new fiscal year begins. This includes getting our state back on a more sustainable course after the former trifecta sent state spending skyrocketing with a 40-percent increase two years ago. This year, House Republicans restored balance by securing the largest cut in government spending in state history. We also cut millions from unaccountable nonprofits and rejected proposals to further raise taxes on Minnesota families.
There are some other state law changes worth noting beyond the budget, including changes for outdoors enthusiasts. Here’s a quick rundown of new laws in effect:
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Boating permits A new law requires many boaters to now obtain an operator’s permit to a permit to drive a boat or personal watercraft. It starts with boaters age 21 and under, but will expand to older age groups by 2028. More info from the DNR is here.
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Lane splitting for motorcyclists Motorcyclists can now legally lane split and filter. That means you can pass cars in the same lane if you’re going under 25 mph, and you can weave through stopped traffic (like at lights or in jams) as long as you’re going no more than 15 mph faster than traffic. This link from the Minnesota Department of Public safety has more information.
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Bass fishing Anglers can now fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass all year round in Minnesota.
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Shotgun zone repealed Southern Minnesota’s old shotgun-only zone for deer hunting has been eliminated, meaning hunters are no longer limited to shotguns, muzzleloaders, or handguns. Modern firearms and tech advances made the old law obsolete.
Click here for more information on all the new laws as of July 1.
Lookin' local
 Summertime by George! is having another successful season bringing live music to our community Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. Can't thank our Rotary volunteers enough for their help! Tonight, Kat Blue hits the stage at 5:30, followed by The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band. Come on out!
 Enjoyed recently visiting with a volunteer for mock interviews at CareerONE/Career Solutions in St. Cloud. It's great to see the hard work that's taking place to prepare people in our area for success in the workforce.
 It's always a pleasure to celebrate public safety in our community.
Please Contact Me
It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. You can call me at 651-296-6316, or email me at [email protected]. I am here to serve you!
Bernie
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