Dear Minnesota MTs:

We wanted to write a brief update as to what is happening on the legislative level at this time. Currently, our bill language is being updated, and we have quite a bit of support from several other legislators and the Minnesota Department of Health Regulation. We have a chief author, Senator Lindsay Port (Dist. 55) lined up for the next legislative session, but at this time, we have one representative in particular who has been vocally pushing back against our efforts– Representative Tina Liebling (Dist. 24B). She is also, unfortunately, the chair of one of the main committees through which the bill has to pass to be heard on the House side. Last year and years prior, the Task Force has been extremely meticulous by going through hoops (in the form of questionnaires) that Liebling has required to get the chance to have new license bills heard. However, she ended up prioritizing other bills, despite them not fully completing the questions or having bill numbers attached in some cases. We both thoroughly completed the bills and had the bill number attached. 

Elections are coming up on November 5th, 2024 and her seat is up for re-election. Our bill from this most recent legislative session was able to get jacketed three days before the deadline, but we were unfortunately unable to get it included in the omnibus bill. (The omnibus bill would have allowed it to circumvent the committee on which Liebling served.) 

So a question to the community: Does anyone have any personal connections to Liebling? What about Girls and Boys Club or United Way as these are organizations about which she feels strongly, and we may be able to connect with her from these angles. 

Please reach out if you live or work in her district in Rochester (24B) as she would be more likely to respond to her own constituents. Or you can click here to find in which district you work/live if you’re not sure.

Thank you for your patience as this has been a long process, but many thanks to the efforts of Todd, Amy, Sean, Maggie, Ericha, and many others who have worked so hard to try and get licensure for us here in MN! 

Have questions, concerns, or suggestions? Submit them HERE!

State Recognition Task Force
minntaskforce@gmail.com