Legislators Kick-Off the 2020 Legislative Session; We’re Ready to Advocate for You

On February 12, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran

Yesterday marked the first day of Minnesota’s 2020 legislative session and we are ready to advocate for you, maximizing our time at the State Capitol advocating for several public policy solutions this session that will benefit the seniors you serve and their caregivers.  

The second year of every biennium is typically focused on bonding and this year is no different; a top priority for legislators is a capital investment bill focused on our state’s infrastructure. There are some policy issues leftover from last session, both large and small, that will see renewed activity this year and we should be prepared for a vigorous debate over how to spend the budget surplus. Budget discussions are expected to heat up after the February budget forecast is released at the end of the month.

KEY DATES: Legislators will have just one month until the first bill deadline – March 13 – when bills have to be moved out of all policy committees in at least one body to remain alive; and then an additional week until the second deadline – March 20 – when the other body must act on those bills.

Priorities for the session will come into focus after March 20 as the field of bills still available for passage is greatly narrowed. The final bill deadline, for finance bills, is April 3, which is also the last working day before the legislature’s Spring Break begins on April 4. Legislators will return to Saint Paul on April 14, giving them about five weeks to finish their work before the constitutionally required adjournment date of May 18.

OUR PRIORITIES: LeadingAge Minnesota and the Long-Term Care Imperative are proud to bring forward focused legislative priorities developed and vetted by provider members. You have shared your concerns and challenges and we are advocating for several public policy solutions this session that will benefit the seniors you serve and their caregivers. See a complete list of our 2020 legislative priorities.

SAVE THE DATE: We invite you to save the date for our Day at the Capitol that will be held on March 19. More information will be sent out later this week.

GET WEEKLY UPDATES: If you would like to receive detailed weekly updates from the Capitol, please sign up for our Capitol Conversations email that is delivered to your inbox every Friday.