Kendra Mobilia

The Minnesota House is poised to vote on a bill that would study how medical waste is ending up in the general waste stream. Depending on the findings, hospitals and surgical centers could face fines if they can’t fix the problem.

Senators are considering a bill to enforce safety standards for children on social media by adding new requirements and safeguards. 

The Senate passed a bill to add benefits for Vietnam War-era veterans of what’s known as the Secret War in Laos. The bill opens the door to new benefits for these veterans but not all of the benefits that other American veterans receive. 

After setting up a task force three years ago to study the issue, some Minnesota legislators now want to legalize a compound found in some mushrooms for medical use in Minnesota to treat PTSD, depression, substance use disorder, anxiety and chronic pain.

Minnesota farming and clean energy groups are promoting a plan to build two anhydrous ammonia facilities in Blue Earth. The facilities would produce ammonia for Minnesota farmers to use for fertilizer and eliminate the need to import it from other states and countries. 

HCMC, Minnesota’s largest safety net hospital, is facing a financial crisis. Workers and county officials are calling on the Legislature to approve a Hennepin County sales tax increase to save the hospital.

A legislative committee discussed proposals to address a shortage of morticians in rural Minnesota, and a change in a recent law that allowed for natural organic reduction of deceased bodies.

In an effort to prevent death by suicide, Minnesota lawmakers are discussing a measure that would require transportation officials to consider barriers and higher railings when bridges are built or repaired. 

At a time when Minnesota farmers are struggling, state lawmakers are debating an extension to the state’s Farmer-Lender Mediation Act for another five years. It helps farmers work with lenders to try to resolve debt.

Lawmakers are considering a measure that would add new technology to cars to prohibit some drivers from exceeding the speed limit.