The Minnesota Legislature has been grinding along over the past month as our lawmakers are attempting to put together the state’s next two-year budget, which must be enacted before the session’s mandated adjournment on May 19. Failure to achieve such by next month would then require a special session in June to accomplish this. A new budget must be passed before July 1 to avert any state government shutdown.
Given the unique political makeup of our legislature this year after last fall’s election (that resulted in no majority for either party in the house and a very slim DFL majority in the senate), legislative progress on non-budgetary (policy) issues have been very limited unless they command broad bipartisan support.
Fortunately, our concerns this year are primarily focused on fiscal (budget) matters, and we have been working with the transportation committees as they’ve been crafting their omnibus finance bills.
Yesterday, the Senate Transportation Committee released their version identified as SF 2082 (Dibble). The amendment (not currently posted) includes the following:
- No-fee transaction reimbursement provided directly to deputy offices
- Ranging from $2 to $12 depending on transaction type
- Would begin August 1, 2025
- Includes both MV and DL transactions
- Funded with $2.1 million each year for the next two years
- The DVS proposal to begin offering online DL renewals is NOT INCLUDED
- Our opposition to this provision of the Walz budget was repeatedly communicated to legislators by MDRA and at our Day on the Hill. However, this matter could still be revived later in session or special session.
- The DVS proposal to require new plates upon MV transfer of ownership is included
Tomorrow, the Senate Transportation Committee will do a final “markup” of SF 2082 and is expected to pass the bill, where it will go to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration and then to the senate floor for passage.
Meanwhile, the House Transportation Committee cancelled their regularly scheduled meeting yesterday which was slated to have their omnibus version released. This suggests that the evenly split committee has not come to an agreement on certain aspects of their bill, and we await their eventual convening. Disagreement is likely focused on other provisions not concerning deputy-related matters.
Please be mindful that in addition to the political split impacting legislative progress, our state budget forecast is less than ideal overall as well. While the current forecast for the next two years suggests a minimal surplus, the two years after that indicates a sizable deficit in the range of $5-6 billion which needs to be taken into consideration. Furthermore, there is considerable concern about possible federal cutbacks to existing state programs which could upend any state budget enacted this year. Should this come to pass, it could trigger a special session later this year as well.
Given the political and fiscal dynamics that we are facing at the capitol this year, yesterday’s developments were very positive for deputy registrars and DL agents. We are focused on building upon these results to achieve the best outcomes for us through the remainder of the session, and if need be any special session(s)!
Thank you, members, and we’ll keep you posted on further developments!
MDRA Legislative Committee
Jim Hirst, MDRA lobbyist
