• This week, the Ways & Means Committee will hear DFL Rep. Rick Hansen's bill (HF861)  for Gov. Walz's MNLARS deficiency request. The bill now includes $10 million in funding for Deputy Registrars after it was amended in committee.

• The Ways & Means Committee heard an overview Monday of Governor Walz's budget recommendations from Commissioner Frans and State Budget Director Britta Reitan. This was the first opportunity that the House will have to discuss the governor's budget in committee and question members of the administration on his proposals.

• The DFL's business mandate bills continue in the Government Operations Committee on Tuesday with HF5 (Paid family leave) and HF11 (Sick/Safe time). Chair Mike Freiberg (DFL) is apparently tired of the great testimony they've heard from various small business owners and stakeholders about the harmful impact of these bills, because the hearing notice states that testimony will be limited.

• On Tuesday the HHS Finance Division will hear the Department of Human Services budget presentation. This will be a great opportunity to discuss the Governor's ONEcare Buy-In proposal, the provider tax and the billion dollars it will add to health care costs over the next two years, and fraud in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Here's a link to the Governor's DHS budget recommendations  if you'd like some (not very) light reading.

• The Public Safety Division will be hearing both major gun bills on Wednesday: Background Checks (HF8) and Red Flags (HF9) . Time and location for the gun bill hearings are 7 PM, Location: Capitol 120. This event will be ticketed on site by the Sergeant of Arms; an earlier-announced hearing location in Edina was rescinded over the weekend.

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