ST PAUL, Minn. — Editor's note: The video above aired on KARE 11 on May 14, 2024.
As Minnesota state senators and representatives wrap their latest legislative session, Gov. Tim Walz was ready with pen in hand put his official mark of office on the fruits of their labors.
On Wednesday, the governor's office announced Walz signed six bipartisan bills into law, addressing needs relating to transportation infrastructure, disability rights and family law, among others.
A summary of each is as follows:
- Housing cooperatives (Chapter 96, House File 3800): This law allows for the establishment of housing cooperatives, while also outlining the organization, operation, and powers of the board of directors of cooperatives.
- Changes to family law (Chapter 101, House File 3204): Includes updating statutes related to custody and parenting time law; clarifying the legal standard for prenuptial agreements; and helping ensure parents that utilize assisted reproduction do not need to legally adopt their own child.
- Pensions supplemental budget (Chapter 102, House File 5040): Makes changes to teacher pensions and retirement systems.
- Compensation for content creation (Chapter 103, House File 3488): Establishes compensation requirements for minors appearing in internet content creation as well as record maintenance and retention requirements for content creators. The bill establishes that if a minor under the age of 14 is featured in monetized content, they must receive 100% of the proceeds of media featuring them.
- Transportation policy (Chapter 104, House File 3436): This bill revises J-Turn laws, updates eligibility for Safe Routes to School grants, and updates several provisions in the Greater Minnesota Transit Program. The bill also expands the representatives on the Traffic Safety Advisory Council, allows additional Deputy Registrars in greater Minnesota to become full-service providers, and establishes requirements for roadable aircraft.
- Clarified protections within Minnesota's Human Rights Act (Chapter 105, House File 4109): Includes ensuring people with episodic disabilities are covered by disability protections under the Human Rights Act and extending protections from credit discrimination to include familial status. This bill also clarifies exemptions for religious organizations.
As of May 15, lawmakers continued to debate bills concerning issues such as the state's paid leave law, the fate of sports betting, election policies regarding campaign finance, and modifications to tenant and landlord provisions.
Minnesota's Legislative Session is scheduled to conclude May 20.
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