Legislative Update
One Year of Emergency Powers
We are nearly at a full year of the governor wielding unilateral power over how the state responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans in the house have voted more than a dozen times to end the governor's peacetime emergency and return the Legislature to its rightful place as a co-equal branch of government. Especially as we are in the middle of session, it makes no sense to continue the governor's sole control over Minnesota's pandemic response.
Business Restriction Rollback
Today, the governor announced further rollbacks of his business restrictions. Some of the changes are listed below:
- Social gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors or 15 people for indoor gatherings, both without household limits.
- Youth sports: Pod size increasing to 50 for outdoor activities.
- Religious services: Remove occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
- Celebrations: Follow venue guidance.Support small businesses:
- Bars and restaurants: Increasing allowable occupancy to 75%, up from 50%, with a limit of 250 people. The limits apply separately indoors and outdoors. Bar seating increases to parties of 4.
- Salons/barbers: Removing the occupancy limit, but social distancing required.
- Gyms/fitness centers/pools: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%. Outdoor classes can increase to 50 people.
- Entertainment venues: Increasing allowable occupancy to 50%, up from 25%, both indoors and outdoors, with a limit of 250.As summer nears, the state will adjust guidelines for large venues. All venues can open at 50% capacity up to 250 people. Venues with normal occupant capacity over 500 can add additional guests, effective April 1:
- Seated outdoor venues can add an additional 25% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Non-seated outdoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Seated indoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 3,000 people.
- Non-seated indoor venues can add an additional 10% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 1,500 people.As more Minnesotans are vaccinated, work from home will no longer be required – but it will continue to be strongly recommended – beginning April 15. All employers should continue to accommodate employees who wish to work from home.
Married Combo Licenses Available, With New Requirements
Combination fishing and hunting licenses are available for Minnesota resident married couples. There is a change this year where you and your spouse must both be present to purchase a combination license in person, and both must provide and verify their records on file with the DNR to purchase a combo license in person, by telephone, or online. For more information, visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/combo.html.
Submit Comments on the California Cars Rule
This coming Monday, March 15, is the final day comments will be accepted on the governor's California Car Mandate. Comments will be accepted Monday until 4:30pm.
The Governor is seeking to implement this policy through administrative rule rather than the legislature. If enacted, the California Car Mandate would raise the cost of all new vehicles for Minnesota families by $1,000 or more, reduce consumer choice, and make MN the only state in the Midwest to place burdensome regulations on auto dealerships.
I encourage you to make your voice heard on these harmful new rules. You can find more information on the process these proposed rules are following here, and you can submit your comments here.
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