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Legislative Update

It’s been a busy and exciting week at the Capitol as bills make their way to the floor and votes begin. I look forward to keeping you updated on key legislation and the important work being done. I’m especially thrilled about a special guest visiting the Capitol early next week which I will share with you! Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and stay engaged in the process.

HF12, Riley Gaines, and a letter from Pam Bondi

As I mentioned last week, there has been a lot of discussion at the Capitol and across the country about girls' sports. After the President signed his Executive Order banning boys from playing in girls' sports, the MSHSL announced that they would abide by Minnesota state law rather than federal law and would continue to allow boys to play in girls' sports. House Republicans called on Attorney General Pam Bondi for assistance, and she recently responded with the following letter to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens.

We are grateful for the support of Pam Bondi and others in Washington in upholding the law in Minnesota. On Monday, HF12, the Preserving Girls' Sports Act, will be up for debate and a vote on the House floor. This bill is a critical step toward ensuring the protection of female athletes in Minnesota. I am thrilled to share that we will be hosting a rally that morning, featuring 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and girls' sports advocate Riley Gaines. 

The Preserving Girls' Sports Act is essential to ensuring fairness, safety, and equal opportunities for female athletes in Minnesota. Girls deserve to compete on a level playing field, where their hard work, dedication, and talent are not overshadowed by biological differences that give boys a competitive advantage. Allowing boys to compete in girls’ sports undermines Title IX protections, which were established to guarantee opportunities for female athletes. This bill is about preserving the integrity of girls' sports and protecting the future of women’s athletics. Passing this legislation will uphold fairness in competition and honor the purpose of female sports programs across our state.

FFA

Last week was National FFA Week, and I was pleased to meet some of our local participants at the beginning of this week. I had the opportunity to connect with students from Sebeka, Park Rapids, and Wadena-Deer Creek, and it was wonderful to hear about their experiences and legislative priorities. I truly appreciate their passion for agriculture and leadership, and it was fantastic to meet these students!

Association of MN Counties Day

I had the chance to meet with several county commissioners during AMC Day at the Capitol. Their primary concern stems from the unfunded mandates imposed by last session's Democrat trifecta. These mandates are being handed down to counties, creating financial burdens that are both unbearable and unsustainable. It's evident that these mandates are already, and will continue to, have devastating effects on our communities.

Committee Work Continues

As a member of both the Health Committee and the Human Services Committee we have been hearing bills and considering top issues across the state. I have learned so much thus far but we are only scratching the surface of what we will cover this session. I look forward to sharing updates as they come!

HF21

Now that we are hearing bills on the floor, one I'd like to highlight is HF21. This bill reigns in the governor's power during times of emergency, following the extent of gubernatorial power that we saw during COVID here in Minnesota. For me, this bill was an obvious one to support to keep checks and balances a priority in all branches of government. We took this bill to the House floor Thursday afternoon, but without Democrat support it failed to pass and was laid on the table for possible action later in session.

Please Reach Out

You can reach my office at Rep.Krista.Knudsen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-9918. Follow me on Facebook for more frequent updates.

2424 Centennial Office Building          658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, MN 55155 rep.krista.knudsen@house.mn.gov 651.296.9918