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Legislative Update ? February 22, 2023

Dear Neighbors,

Meteorologists predict a historic winter storm to last from today through Thursday, which could reach blizzard conditions. Predictions estimate 15-20". Here are some steps that the Inver Grove Police Department recommends [ [link removed] ] taking in preparation: prepare your family and selves, stock up on necessities, and charge your phones. DON?T leave your home unless it is an emergency. If you do have to leave. Give yourself enough time to safely travel to your destination, provide enough space in between you and other drivers on the roads, and SLOW DOWN. Stay safe and check the US National Weather Service Twin Cities Minnesota [ [link removed] ] page for forecast updates!

NWS Twin Cities________________________________________________________________________

Notary Public

Did you know that according to Minnesota State statute [ [link removed] ], every member of the Minnesota legislature is an ex officio notary public? As a notary I can serve as an unbiased and impartial witness, attesting that a person signing a document is authentic. Last week I received my updated notary stamp, updated to reflect my new district and term in office. If you ever have any need for a notary, please do not hesitate to contact me or my office by emailing me at [email protected]

notary stamp

Environment Committee Update

Yesterday, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which I chair, heard a number of bills, including a bill to update wetland banking rules [ [link removed] ] and my bill to improve the petroleum tank release cleanup program [ [link removed] ] by strengthening guidelines and making consultants more accountable for the quality of their work. You can watch a recording of the hearing here [ [link removed] ].

Finally, we heard a bill to ban the use of the harmful ?forever chemicals? PFAS in firefighting foam [ [link removed] ]. After hearing this bill earlier in the session, today we made amendments to address concerns about firefighter turnout gear and allow voluntary biomonitoring of firefighters so that we can better understand the health consequences of PFAS. We previously heard testimony [ [link removed] ] from firefighters who see higher rates of cancers because of these chemicals and from Tom Dimond, a South Saint Paul resident active in advocating for PFAS prevention and cleanup.

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House Floor Votes

This Monday, the House voted on several important pieces of legislation. We passed legislation to crack down on catalytic converter theft [ [link removed] ]. Our bill aims to deter thieves and bad actors by changing state laws governing the possession of catalytic converters by individuals and the purchase of catalytic converters by scrap metal dealers. Local law enforcement has testified in support of this bill, and I was proud to sign on as a co-author.

We also passed a bill banning the dangerous and discredited practice of ?conversion therapy? for minors and vulnerable adults [ [link removed] ]. Every major professional health organization opposes the practice and we heard firsthand from Minnesotans negatively impacted by the practice. I was proud to vote for this bill to make our state more welcoming for all Minnesotans regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Finally, we voted to create an Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls [ [link removed] ]. Black Minnesotans have told us that they experience a lack of urgency from our public institutions when Black women and girls are reported missing. This new office will set strong standards for promptly sending alerts and support the community members closest to the pain of not knowing what happened to a missing family member or loved one.

Hansen
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Stay in Touch!

Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the legislative session. You can reach me by email [email protected]?or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my Legislative Assistant Sam O'Neill at 651-296-3305 or via email [email protected].?

Sincerely,

Rick Hansen
State Representative






*Representative Rick Hansen*

407 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-6828
Email:[email protected]
Website:?[link removed]
Legislative Assistant:?Sam O'Neill 651-296-3305







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