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This week might seem like a bit of a rerun for observers of the Minnesota Legislature. Several bills that commanded attention from lawmakers last year are on committee dockets again. 

The rebooted bills are almost certain to run into similar obstacles in a Legislature where the House and Senate are controlled by different parties. But debate over them will help tee up what voters will hear during the fall campaign. 

Some of the bills getting another run up the flagpole:

The balance of power in the Legislature — DFLers run the House and Republicans lead the Senate — hasn’t changed this year, so why are bills that got nowhere last year getting another push? 

It’s an election year, and these types of bills serve the purpose of revving up the respective party bases — or are aimed at those crucial swing voters.

Striking a cooperative tone, lawmakers discuss guns, insulin

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Senate panel approves emergency insulin bill

House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said when the House tried to pass these bills last year, “we heard the excuse of ‘not in a budget bill, not in a budget year,’” she said. “Well, it’s a policy year. They’ll get standalones.”

The Senate also had bills that passed last year but didn’t move in the House, such as new restrictions on abortion or penalties for interfering with pipeline construction.

Lawmakers will get a chance to consider some new policies, though. They include a constitutional amendment to establish the “right to a quality education.”

A sampling of other hearings to watch at the Capitol this week: 

Reporter Tim Pugmire contributed to this report. 

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Brian Bakst

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Lawmakers are set to hear several bills that received hearings during last year’s session. Because the Legislature passed a two-year budget last year, they have more time this year to look at policy issues. 

Politics Reporter Brian Bakst talks with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about the week ahead at the capitol

Politics Reporter Brian Bakst on the week ahead at the capitol

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What to watch at the Legislature this week: Paid family leave, guns, education

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