Ingebrigtsen sums up fifth week of Legislature

Talk about it

Editor's note: Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, provided the following summary of his work during the fifth week of the legislative session:

FIRST NEW LAW – TEACHER BASIC SKILLS

On Wednesday, a bipartisan bill was signed into law to require teachers to successfully complete a basic skills examination in math, reading, and writing prior to receiving a license as a classroom teacher. The National Council on Teacher Quality released a report in 2010 giving Minnesota the grade of “D” for “delivering well-prepared teachers” and advised the state to close licensure loopholes. The Senate approved the bill on a 60-1 vote, and the House unanimously endorsed it last week before heading to the Governor for passage.

SEX OFFENDERS

The Senate unanimously passed a bill which I co-authored Thursday that amends the state law on public notification for sex offenders which Governor Dayton signed into law. This bill allows full community notification upon the transfer of the sex offender from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program to a residential treatment facility, such as a halfway house. The measure was fast-tracked and received near unanimous support in both houses after the announcement that a high-risk pedophile held for 19 years in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program will be discharged to a St. Paul halfway house under a precedent-setting ruling. It is effective immediately.

PERSONAL PROTECTION

On Thursday, another bill that I am proud to have co-authored passed through the Senate taking a great step forward for gun owners and gun rights. The Defense of Dwelling and Person Act makes four changes to existing self-defense laws: It removes the “duty to retreat” provision, creates a presumption of reasonableness that protects the victim if they defend themselves, allows victims to use force against violent felonies, and protects victims who use justified force in self defense from facing criminal prosecution. The measure also addresses state government weapon seizure during state of emergencies, and recognizes permits to carry or licenses from another state.

STATE RULEMAKING

SF1631 would stop state agencies from passing more burdensome rules on small businesses by implementing a two-year rulemaking moratorium. Many businesses from across the state have spoken out that it is hard to grow and create jobs while dealing with the numerous agency rules that stifle operations. There are a few exceptions to this bill with the most notable being for serious threats to public health and for the DNR.

REDISTRICTING

Maps redrawing legislative and congressional district lines for this fall’s elections were released Tuesday. The redistricting exercise is done every 10 years after the census. There were some surprises in the court-ordered plan, including 48 legislative matchups, and 23 new open districts. My district was changed significantly and I was placed into a district with Senator Hoffman. The district I was placed in (Senate District 8) includes Otter Tail County and half of Douglas County, leaving the remaining portion of my current district as an open seat.

Please remember that I continue to represent District 11 and look forward to continuing to do so throughout the remainder of 2012. To see how the change will affect you for the upcoming election, go to the state Geographic Information Services website at www.gis.leg.mn/html/redistricting.html , click on the interactive map and enter your address.

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