St. Paul Reporter

Negotiations in the Minnesota Legislature have concluded, with a special legislative session scheduled for Monday to address the remaining bills needed to finalize the state budget. Lawmakers will return to the Capitol to consider key issues including Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Taxes, and Environment.

Minnesota State Representative Josh Heintzeman (R-Brainerd), who is serving as a committee chair for the first time in an evenly divided House, described this session as unprecedented. “Serving as a committee chair for the first time, in an evenly divided House, with Democrats controlling the Senate and Tim Walz occupying the governor’s mansion, I knew this session would bring major challenges. In many ways, this session has been unlike anything we’ve seen in Minnesota’s history,” Heintzeman said.

Heintzeman discussed details of this year’s environment bill. While he acknowledged it is not what House Republicans would have passed if they held a majority, he emphasized certain achievements under current political constraints. “Is it perfect? No. Is it the bill House Republicans would have passed if we held an outright majority? No. However, given the political realities, we delivered real wins,” he stated.

He highlighted that his caucus managed to prevent some proposals from DFL environmentalists while also securing permitting reform and other measures such as repealing the shotgun zone and making bass fishing season continuous. Additionally, $952,000 was allocated from the ATV account for grants to clubs for ATV trails.

Addressing public concerns about recent changes related to boating laws and fees, Heintzeman clarified several points: “One claim says that I am responsible for the new mandatory boat driver’s license and its $37 fee. This is false. That law, which takes effect in July of this year, was approved by the Democrat trifecta in 2023. I voted ‘no’ on that bill.” He also stated that boat registration fees were not increased by this year’s environment bill but had been raised during 2023 by Democratic leadership.

On aquatic invasive species surcharges, Heintzeman explained there is no new surcharge introduced; rather, an existing surcharge dating back to the early 1990s will increase as part of broader budget negotiations between Governor Walz and legislative leaders.

Despite these developments, Heintzeman expressed disappointment over not being able to achieve further agency cuts or repeal green energy mandates due to political balance in both chambers and gubernatorial veto power: “The reality is that much of what we would have done if we were running the House was simply not possible because of the 67-67 tie, a Democrat majority in the Senate, and Governor Walz’s veto power.”

He encouraged constituents to reach out with feedback or questions regarding pending legislation.