The second week of the 2012 Legislative session saw partisan fights in both the House and Senate. The Republican majority in the House passed keys parts of their legislative agenda by taking up several tort reform bills on the House Floor. The Senate took up the confirmation of several Executive Branch commissioners on the Floor. At the end of the week, most legislators were ready to head home and back to their districts.
Tort Reform - As a part of the Republican Reform 2.0 agenda, four bills were passed by the House which address tort reform. Supporters of the bills claim that they will address lawsuit abuse and lower the cost of doing business for Minnesota companies, creating a better job climate. The bills address issues such as the statute of limitations and awarding attorney fees in certain civil lawsuits. Opponents of the bills claim that these bills will not create new jobs for Minnesotans and will instead favor insurance companies and big corporations. The opponents also claimed that the bills are an attack on the middle class and small businesses that may be suing large companies. The four bills were passed by the Senate at the end of the 2011 session and will return to the Senate for final adoption before going to the Governor for a signature or veto.
Senate Confirmations - The full Senate took up the issue of confirmation of several Executive Branch Commissioners on the Senate Floor this week. The Senate approved the confirmation of the following commissioners: Department of Public Safety Commissioner Ramona Dohman, Department of Transportation Commissioner Thomas Sorel, and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Thomas Landwehr. The Senate also considered the confirmation of Ellen Anderson to the Public Utilities Commission. Ellen Anderson is a former DFL State Senator from St. Paul who was appointed to the PUC early in 2011. During the debate over her confirmation, several Republican Senators maintained that her views on energy and utility issues are too extreme. After a lengthy debate, the Senate voted on partisan lines to refuse to consent and to not confirm the appointment by a vote of 29-37. Under former Governor Pawlenty's tenure, the DFL controlled Senate failed to confirm two of his Commissioner appointments: Lt. Governor Carol Molnau as Department of Transportation Commissioner and Sherri Pierson Yecke as Department of Education Commissioner.
Committee deadlines - The House and Senate announced that they have formally agreed to committee deadlines for the 2012 session. The committee deadlines are as follows:
First deadline will be Friday, March 16, 2012. The first deadline is for committees to "act favorably on bills in the house of origin."
Second deadline will be Friday, March 23, 2012. The second deadline is for committees to "act favorably on bills, or companion bills, that met the first deadline in the other house."
Third deadline will be Friday, March 30, 2012. The third deadline is for committees to "act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills."
The deadlines above do not apply to the House Committees on Capital Investment, Ways and Means, Taxes or Rules and Legislative Administration, nor to the Senate Committees on Capital Investment, Finance, Taxes or Rules and Administration.
Precinct Caucus Break - The House and Senate are currently on a legislative break for the upcoming precinct caucus meetings. Precinct caucuses will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 across the state. This is the first step toward the 2012 election where all members of the Minnesota House and Senate will be up for re-election. The Legislature will reconvene on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.
