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Conference Committee Update, April Budget Update, and More

Conference Committee Update

With just over a week left in the 2023 legislative session, committee hearings and floor sessions are being scheduled and re-scheduled at the last minute as the legislature races to finish their work on (or before) the adjournment date of May 22. Conference committees are busy ironing out the differences between massive omnibus bills and other priorities passed by the House and Senate. Several of them have wrapped up their work and sent their deals back to the House and Senate for final passage.

Here is a list of finance bills that have been passed by both bodies and sent to Gov. Walz for his signature:

  • HF1937 Omnibus Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Bill
  • HF1999 Omnibus Legacy Finance Bill
  • HF2335 Omnibus Housing Finance Bill
  • HF2073 Omnibus Higher Education Finance Bill
  • SF1955 Omnibus Agriculture Finance Bill

 

April Budget Update

The Minnesota Department of Management and Budget released the April Revenue review, showing that general net fund receipts are $134 million (3.8 percent) more than anticipated. Year-to-date receipts now exceed the February forecast by $306 million (1.2 percent). Revenue from sales and corporate taxes were lower than forecast, while individual income and other taxes exceeded expectations.

 
Senate Passes Paid Family & Medical Leave Bill

The Senate passed their paid family and medical leave bill on Monday with a party line vote of 34-33. The bill sets aside $668.3 million to set up the program for FY2024, before money is collected via a payroll tax on employees and employers, similar to Social Security benefits.

The money also establishes a new Family and Medical Benefits Insurance Division within the Department of Employment and Economic Development to oversee the program. Starting July 1, 2025, employees would be eligible for benefits if they are unable to work due to a serious health condition, safety leave, pregnancy, pregnancy recovery, or to care for a family member’s serious health condition, or a newborn. Employers would be able to opt out of paying into the state plan if they create their own private plan that meets or exceeds the same benefits.

The House version of the bill allows for 18 weeks of paid leave, with an additional 6 weeks permitted for pregnancy complications. The Senate version would cap total time for someone using benefits at 24 weeks. The bills now go to a conference committee to work out the differences before a final version can be signed by Gov. Walz.

 
Dates to Remember

May 22: Last Day of the 2023 Legislative Session

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