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2007 Senator Olafson Co-Sponsored Bills
House Bill 1178
This bill reinstated the reorganization bonus for the North Border School District. The bonus and appropriation were approved in the 2005 Legislative session, and the North Border district subsequently successfully completed the reorganization process. Unfortunately, a number of students unexpectedly left the school district, leaving the newly organized district just below the minimum number required to qualify for the reorganization bonus. The bill reinstated a Department of Public Instruction previously approved appropriation and resulted in a payment of approximately $487,000 to the North Border School District. This bill received unanimous approval in both the Senate and House Education Committees and a unanimous floor vote in both chambers.
House Bill 1282
This bill would increase the allowable assessments for federally constructed drain or soil conservation projects, and would require that water resource boards and county commissions in counties affected by these projects would jointly agree to the assessment district and, if unable to agree, that they hold a joint meeting to address all common water management problems. The impetus for this bill was to try to preclude disagreements and misunderstandings between adjoining political subdivision entities. This bill, in its final form, passed the Senate on a unanimous vote, and the House on a vote of 72 to 19.
House Bill 1303
This bill changes the way agricultural property is assessed for taxation purposes, and requires the use of soil surveys, modifiers, and the actual use of the property in determining a fair assessment value. This bill is intended to bring about fairer and more objective taxable assessment values in our state. In its final form, the bill passed the Senate on a unanimous vote, and the House on a vote of 84 to 10.
House Bill 1446
This bill would increase the allowable excess mill levy for townships from 50 percent over the basic limit to 100 percent. This option is needed in townships where excessive heavy truck traffic exists or where a proximity to a high population urban area places unusual strain on township infrastructure. It is essential to note that the excess mill levy can only be implemented with an affirmative vote of the township residents. This bill passed the Senate on a vote of 36 to 11 and the House on a vote of 58 to 34.
House Bill 1501
This bill would prevent frivolous claims or claims which are late-filed after issuance of an environmental permit. It will protect the permitting process from specious claims and claims filed solely for the purpose of harassing the applicant. It will allow a court to award attorney’s fees and costs to the applicant when the opposing party has not acted in good faith and has made a claim which can not be factually supported. The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 42 to 2 and the House on a vote of 82 to 7.
House Bill 1514
This bill provides for an income tax credit for investment in devices which derive energy from biomass sources. This bill passed the Senate on a vote of 45 to 0 and the House on a vote of 90 to 0.
House Bill 1515
This bill provides funding for a biomass research program which is connected to the Private Land Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS) program. The program includes provisions for research into cellulosic ethanol production, which is getting a great deal of attention from those involved in ethanol production and research. The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 33 to 14 and the House on a vote of 73 to 21.
Senate Bill 2149
This bill would provide for statutory authority for Job Development Authorities to take an equity position in a business they are assisting. This bill passed the Senate vote of 43 to 3 and the House vote of 89 to 3.
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