Capitol Update
Healthy Legacy's 2010 state legislative agenda:
Promoting Green Chemistry (SF 2590/HF 2837): Incorporates "green chemistry," an approach to designing and manufacturing products in ways that minimize the use and generation of toxic substances, in the criteria for a "green economy" in Minnesota statutes, along with existing criteria (energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting water quality and promoting the use of biofuels). Adding green chemistry to existing criteria will give green chemistry companies access to current economic development programs. Chief authors are Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Kate Knuth. The bill was heard in key House and Senate committees and the full Senate recommended passage. We await a final vote in the Senate and a floor vote in the House. Read the Green Chemistry Legislative Factsheet.
Green Cleaning in Schools and Public Buildings (SF 2593/HF 2968): Requires the use of environmentally sensitive cleaning products in these settings by Sept. 2012, if it's determined to be cost effective. Many schools and municipalities are already using green cleaners and find them to be just as effective and also cost-effective. Use of green cleaners protects the health of students and staff, especially janitors. It also protects the environment from the introduction of toxic cleaning chemicals into wastewater, ground water and surface water. Chief authors are Sen. Patricia Torres Ray and Rep. Sandra Peterson. The bill passed in Senate Health and Environment Committees. However, because it did not meet the policy committee deadline, the bill will not pass this year. Read the Green Cleaning Legislative Factsheet.
A summary of our legislative victories from 2009.
- BPA-Free Baby Products HF326/SF247
HOUSE
Passed: Healthy Policy Committee (Chair Thissen)
Passed: Labor and Consumer Protection (Chair Davnie)
Passed: Commerce and Labor (Chair Atkins)
Passed: FLOOR (126-5)
SENATE
Passed: Health Policy Committee (Chair Marty)
Passed: Environment and Natural Resources Policy (Chair Chaudhary)
Passed: Business, Industry and Jobs (Chair Metzen)
Passed: FLOOR (53-8)
Signed by Governor Pawlenty: 5/7/2009
Read the BPA-Free Baby Products Fact Sheet.
- Toxic Free Kids Act HF250/SF225
HOUSE
Passed: Health Policy (Chair Thissen)
Passed: Environment Policy (Chair Eken)
Passed: Labor and Consumer Protection (Chair Davnie)
Passed: Commerce Committee (Chair Atkins)
Passed: Public Health and Housing Finance Committee (Chair Clark)
Passed: Environment Finance (Chair Wagenius)
Passed: Finance (Chair Carlson)
Passed: Ways and Means (Chair Solberg)
Passed: Environment Finance Conference Committee (Chair Wagenius)
Passed: FLOOR (93-35)
SENATE
Passed: Health Policy (Chair Marty)
Passed: Environment and Natural Resources Policy (Chair Chaudhary)
Passed: Judiciary (Chair Moua)
Passed: Business, Jobs and Industry (Chair Metzen)
Passed: Environment Finance (Chair Anderson)
Passed: Health Finance (Chair Berglin)
Passed: Finance (Chair Cohen)
Passed: Environment Finance Conference Committee (Chair Anderson)
Passed: FLOOR (52-15)
Signed by Governor Pawlenty: 5/7/2009
Read the Toxic Free Kids Act Fact Sheet.
TAKE ACTION to support these bills