Bills on Deadly Force, Gay Marriage in Spotlight at State Capitol Last Week

As the state Legislature continues to work on drafts of the 2011-12 state budget—with the May 23 end of session looming—bills in the House and Senate that focus on other issues moved foward. Here are actions on some of the bills, and how Apple Valley legislators voted:

House—Rep. Kurt Bills (R-District 37B), Rosemount; Rep. Tara Mack (R-District 37A), Apple Valley

HF1061 (SF1363)—The Legacy bill that appropriates money for outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, arts and cultural heritage funds passed the House 86-45. Bills: Yea; Mack: Yea

HF1097 (SF1115)—A natural resources omnibus bill that modifies policies about control of nonnative aquatic species was passed 95-37. Bills: Yea; Mack: Yea.

HF1326 (SF0918)—A bill that authorizes brewer taproom licenses and allows bed and breakfasts to serve Minnesota beer was passed in the House 127-5. Bills: Yea; Mack: Yea.

HF1381—The bill that provides K-12 education policy passed the House 74-55. Bills: Yea; Mack: Yea

HF1467 —The bill that extends firearm self-defense laws passed the House 79-50. The bill would extend the homeowners' rights to use deadly force in their self defense on their own property. Bills: Yea; Mack: Yea.

Senate—Sen. Chris Gerlach (R-District 37), Apple Valley

HF1326 (SF0918)—A bill that authorizes brewer taproom licenses and allows bed and breakfasts to serve Minnesota beer received a third reading in the Senate and was voted on 60-0. Gerlach (chief author of Senate version): Yea.

SF1244—A bill that modifies wetland conservation act provisions, providing for state coordination of environmental permits and modifying some review procedures, received a third reading in the Senate and was voted for 48-13. Gerlach: Yea.

SF1308—The bill that proposes a constitutional amendment to define marriage as solely between one man and one woman received a third reading in the Senate, who voted 38-27 on the bill. Gerlach: Yea.

SF1363 (HF1061)—The Legacy bill appropriating money for outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, arts and cultural heritage funds received a third reading in the Senate and was voted on 52-14. Gerlach: Yea.