Dayton Signs Mack's Community Paramedic Bill

On Thursday, Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law a bill chief authored by Rep. Tara Mack (R-District 37A), Apple Valley, which will let paramedics get further training to do more with patients during pre-arranged appointments in their homes.

"I was thrilled that the governor signed it," Mack said. "It’s very exciting. It’s important for the whole state and particularly for the rural areas where you have underserved populations.”

Mack said especially in rural areas where people aren't close to a primary-care doctor, they'll call 9-1-1, which is more expensive.

She said the bill became better over the course of 15 or 16 drafts, but that the Minnesota Nurses Association still did not support the final version. But, she said, the bill's intent was not to take duties away from nurses.

Paramedics still will work under a physicians direction and won't have a "scope of practice," Mack said.

The biggest news at the Capitol, however, is the continued work on state budget bills.

The Senate and House have finished their budget bills, Sen. Chris Gerlach said, which will go to conference committees for legislators to work out the disparities between versions. Gerlach said he and other Republican legislators would like Dayton to be involved in the process, because he and Democratic party members only put in some of the governor's bills.

"We're lacking a lot of detail from him on what he wants to do," Gerlach said.

Mack also said she thought Dayton's involvement on the front end would be helpful.

The budget bill process is about three or four weeks ahead of schedule, Gerlach said, which was done purposely so there would be more time to negotiate.

"We really don't want to have that time squandered," he said, by sending bills to Dayton only to be vetoed.

"We'd rather do it with the governor's involvement than without," Gerlach said.

New Bills

Rep. Kurt Bills—Bills is author of a bill to authorize the state lottery to establish gaming machines and impose a gaming machine revenue tax. HF1352, introduced April 4.

Rep. Kurt Bills—Bills is author of a bill to require state contractors to use E-Verify. HF1376, introduced April 5.

Rep. Kurt Bills—Bills is chief author of a bill to prevent unfair business practices of credit card companies. HF1386, introduced April 6.

Rep. Kurt Bills—Bills is author of a bill to regulate uninsured and underinsured coverage, medical benefits and marketing practices. HF1395, introduced April 6.

Sen. Chris Gerlach—Gerlach is chief author of a bill to modify the provisions for buses' use of highway shoulders. SF1098, introduced April 5.

Action on Existing Bills

Reps. Kurt Bills and Tara Mack—Bills and Mack are authors of a bill to establish the Healthy Minnesota contribution program. HF0008, introduced Jan. 10. The bill received a second reading in the House Ways and Means committee on April 6.

Sen. Chris Gerlach—Gerlach is author of a Senate version of a bill to regulate broker price opinions on residential real estate. HF0323, received from the House on April 5. The bill received a second reading in the Senate Rules and Administration committee on April 7.