Capitol Notepad: April 22, 2009

It looks like today will see contentious House and Senate floor sessions, as no hearings are set after the House’s 11 a.m. session and the Senate’s 3 p.m. session (though Ways and Means will resume its hearing).

Senate side: Business, Industry and Jobs is hearing about a young employee collective bargaining exemption (SF 1414), and SF 2078 on tax increment financing (TIF), loan guarantees, mortgages and sustainable development.

Finance is canceled.

Taxes is hearing SF 1276 on transportation and the Met Council, as well as the omnibus tax bill (SF 2074).

The Public Safety Budget Division is hearing about juvenile justice system reporting and sex trafficking (SF 1514).

The Economic Development and Housing Budget Division is hearing about homestead-lender mediation, temporary MinnesotaCare coverage for the unemployed and the home values guarantee pilot program (SF 2010).

House side: For today’s session fiscal calendar, the House is hearing the omnibus agriculture, veterans and military affairs finance bill (HF 1122/SF 1179), the environment and energy omnibus finance (HF 2123) and the omnibus higher education bill (SF 2083).

Ways and Means is hearing the omnibus economic development bill (HF 1169) and stimulus oversight for some state agencies (HF 2251). The committee will reconvene to hear the omnibus tax bill (HF 2323) afterward.

The Cultural and Outdoor Resources Finance Division is discussing the emerald ash borer, a report on a meeting with federal authorities, and the Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It’s also discussing two forest protection bills, HF 2338 and HF 2262. Governance of outdoor funding (HF 1086), a parks and trails legacy grant program and clean water activities related to agriculture will also be looked at.

The Taxes and Health Care and Human Service Finance Division is canceled.