Greetings MDHA Members!
Last night the Minnesota Legislature adjourned after completing the work of assembling a two-year budget for Minnesota. Barring any need for a special session, they won't return to the capital until February of next year.
By no stretch was this a typical legislative session. The 2022 election gave Minnesota a DFL trifecta - coupled with a record near $19 billion dollar surplus and nearly a third of the legislature being brand new - all bets were off as to what the end result might be.
With the passage of a $72 billion dollar state budget - the largest in Minnesota's history, it remains to be seen the impact the increased spending will have on the state's economy. In addition - the majority party in St. Paul passed their ambitious social issue agenda without too much trouble - even considering they had just a one vote margin in the senate.
By most measures, the MDHA had a good legislative session. Several policies were included in the final Omnibus Environment bill that will benefit deer hunters across the state for years to come. Nearing the top of that achievement list are unprecedented measures to slow the spread of CWD, new investments in public lands, updated statutes around paperless licensing, and appropriations for new sport shooting facility grants.
We cannot forget the work done on prevention either. Stopping dangerous anti-wolf hunt policy was at the top of the list - and we built a successful coalition of partners that will continue to be effective into the future.
We built relationships - identified challenges - and worked to ensure your voices were present at the capital. And that effort will continue through the interim and into preparations for the next session.
We did not prevail on every issue - you prioritized opposing legislation that violated rights guaranteed under the second amendment. We made your voice heard, as did many other sporting and gun enthusiast groups, but in the end the legislature slid two of their own priorities into the omnibus public safety bill. Background checks will be expanded to include private transfers of certain semi-automatic weapons and pistols. And the "red-flag" law, which provides for court orders to law enforcement to confiscate weapons from people deemed a hazard to themselves or others was passed. I am confident we will hear much more about these provisions in the coming months - and it's safe to assume there will be legal challenges in court.
From my perspective - it has been a pleasure representing you at the capital - I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your organization and many of you. I look forward to working to make your efforts pay off as we go forward!
Enjoy your summer!
Erik Simonson
MDHA Lobbyist
