McDonald's Environment Bill Goes to Governor, Koch Nuclear Bill Being Discussed

Republicans from Wright County have had a busy couple of weeks in the State Legislature with social and environmental initiatives filling up their respective dockets.  

On Monday, Feb. 28, the House and Senate passed a bill regulating the permitting and subsequent disposal of environmental pollutants into state waters.

Co-authored by Delano native Joe McDonald (R-District 19B), House bill HF0001 and its Senate companion SF0042 define the specific time frame to which the permit application must adhere. They also specify the facility and/or equipment required for disposal of pollutants and the penalties for failure to do so.

The bill was presented to Gov. Mark Dayton late on Monday evening and is expected to find little resistance from the governor’s office.

In the Senate, Majority Leader Amy Koch’s (R-District 19) bill to repeal the ban on building nuclear energy facilities in Minnesota has met with some contention in the legislature.

Bill SF0004 Initially passed in the Senate on Feb. 2 and then the House on Feb. 17, but an amendment in the House version has derailed the process. A committee of three conferees was requested by the Senate on Feb. 21 to resolve discrepancies in the House and Senate versions of the bill.

The Senate has appointed Koch, Julie Rosen (R-District 24) and Linda Scheid (D-District 46) to meet with House representatives Joyce Peppin (R-District 32A), Joe Hoppe (R-District 34B) and DFLer Tim Mahoney (District 67A).  

Senate Majority Leader Koch has passed two resolutions and authored or co-authored two bills in February. They include:

SR36 – A Senate resolution relating to appointment of a committee to escort the Governor to the House Chamber for a Joint Convention. Introduced on February 3.

SR41 – A Senate resolution congratulating Martin Carter of Buffalo, Minnesota, for receiving the Eagle Scout Award. Introduced on February 19.

SF272 – An authorization to allow Independent school district no. 879 (Delano) to use funds to build a new education building. Introduced on February 9.

SF363 – A modification of sales tax in the city of Clearwater. Introduced on February 17.

For a complete list of bills authored or co-authored by Senate Majority Leader Koch, please follow the link.

Rep. Joe McDonald has authored two bills in in Feburary. They include:

HF0660 – A bill providing for a 36-month presumptive executed sentence for certain repeat sex offenders, effective Aug. 1, 2011. Introduced February 24.

HF0719 – One-time permission for Independent School District no. 879 (Delano) to transfer up to $235,000 from its building construction fund to its operating capital account.

Rep. McDonald has co-authored 17 bills in Feburary and 37 overall. For a complete list of the bills to which Rep. McDonald has attached his name, please follow the link. Please note that the first 17 bills represent February legislation.