Capitol Review: Abortion Reform, Baseball Money & Taxes

Editor's note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they're voting, the bills they're writing and the issues they're getting behind. Come back to Burnsville Patch every week for a new Capitol Review.

Here is a look at what your legislators have been doing recently:

Senator Dan D. Hall (R-District 40) of Burnsville

Email: sen.dan.hall@senate.mn

Phone: 651-296-5975

Senator Hall was elected in 2010 and is serving his first term in office. He is the vice chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. He also serves on the committees for Health and Human Service and Judiciary Public Safety.

Co-authored a bill pertaining to seat belt use (SF1034)

The bill modifies the admissibility of seat belt use evidence in certain civil actions. The bill was introduced Mar. 25.

Co-authored a bill pertaining to pharmacy audits (SF 0973)

The bill establishes and provides for a pharmacy audit integrity program which would clearly define terms and specify pharmacy benefit manager contracts and procedures for conducting and reporting audits. The bill was introduced Mar. 21.

Authored a bill pertaining to parks (SF 0960)

The bill prohibits disproportionate reductions to the Metropolitan Council Regional Parks Appropriation. The reduction shall not be a greater percentage than that for the commissioner of natural resources for state parks. The bill was introduced Mar. 21. 

Co-authored a bill to terminate HCD (SF 0956) 

The bill terminates the Hennepin County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCD) and redistribute certain duties to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). The bill was introduced Mar. 21. 

Authored an amendment to the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (SF 0894)

The bill prohibits abortions at or after 20 weeks gestational age unless certain exceptions apply. Violation of these guidelines would result in criminal and/or civil penalties. The bill was introduced on Mar. 17.

Authored a bill pertaining to domestic abuse (SF 0882)

The bill expands the criminal category of "targeted misdemeanor" to include misdemeanor-level violations of domestic abuse and no contact order. The expansion would also require fingerprinting for said perpetrators. The bill was introduced on Mar. 17.  

Co-authored a bill pertaining to payment of construction contracts (SF 0861)

The bill requires persons making payments on a construction project must make progress-based payments monthly as the work progresses. Payments shall be based upon estimates of work completed as approved by the owner or the owner's agent. A progress-based payment shall not be considered acceptance or approval of any work or waiver of any defects therein. An owner or owner's agent retains the right to reserve in escrow up to five percent of the progress payment. This bill was introduced on Mar. 17. 

Co-authored a bill pertaining to baseball stadium tax revenue (SF 0876)

The bill modifies the management and allocation of tax revenue collected by Hennepin County for the Target Field baseball stadium. According to the bill, legislators are hoping for an annual sum of $4 million to allocate to youth activities and youth amateur sports in Hennepin County. The money would also serve to extend the hours of operation for Hennepin County libraries and Minneapolis public libraries. The bill was introduced on Mar. 17.  

State Rep. Pam Myhra (R-District 40A) of Burnsville

Email: rep.pam.myhra@house.mn

Phone: 651-296-9895

Representative Myhra is a retired CPA and teacher. She serves on the committees for Capital Investment, Education Finance, Education Reform and Taxes. 

Authored a bill on education reform (HF0638)

The bill modifies the school grading system and report cards and creates a school recognition program. The bill was first introduced on Feb. 21 and was amended on Mar. 16.

Co-authored a bill pertaining to abortion reform (HF0936)

The bill prohibits abortions at or after 20 weeks gestational age unless certain exceptions apply. Violation of these guidelines would result in criminal and/or civil penalties. The bill was first introduced on Mar. 7 and amended on Mar. 21.

Co-authored a bill pertaining to tax subtractions (HF0999)  

The bill allows for increased income tax subtraction for income relating to material participation in a corporation or partnership. The bill was introduced on Mar. 9. 

Co-authored a bill pertaining to housing tax (HF1319)

The bill allows the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and all suballocators to allocate credits annually for a five-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2012. The total amount of credits that may be allocated each year has yet to be determined. The bill was introduced on Mar. 28.