Tag: House Commerce Committee

Amid ongoing pandemic, House Commerce Committee advances restaurant assistance

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA –Today, the House Commerce Committee advanced legislation authored by vice chair Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL-Eden Prairie) to cap fees for restaurants that partner with third-party food delivery services.

“Throughout the pandemic, many Minnesotans have taken advantage of ordering delivery from their local restaurants – this serves a dual purpose of keeping your family safe and healthy with a restaurant meal at home while supporting a local business during these challenging times,” said Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn. “The hospitality industry is facing an uphill road to recovery and this bill will provide much-needed relief to local businesses across the state and ensure they can continue serving our communities now and into the future.”

While the business model and fees for the third-party delivery platforms vary from one another, many eateries have reported paying commission of over 30% of the purchase price of the order.

Continue reading “Amid ongoing pandemic, House Commerce Committee advances restaurant assistance”

House Commerce Committee approves moratorium on non-profit to for-profit HMO conversions; bill includes strong consumer protections

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved a bill requiring any transition of a non-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) to a for-profit enterprise to be reviewed and approved by the Minnesota Attorney General. The legislation, HF 533, authored by Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth) also prohibits a non-profit HMO from using earnings for any purpose other than providing comprehensive health care – giving the Attorney General oversight if a non-profit seeks to transfer assets to a for-profit arm, and extends the moratorium on HMO conversions to 2029.

“Minnesotans expect that money they’ve paid toward health care will go toward just that purpose: providing health care, not enriching insurance company executives and shareholders,” Rep. Schultz said. “The repeal of the for-profit ban was in addition to the $542 million handout insurance companies received from the reinsurance bill. As we work on real solutions making health care more affordable and improving the quality of care Minnesotans receive, the accountability measures in this bill will help ensure that money for health care is spent on people, not going toward corporate profits.”

In 2017, the Republican-led Legislature ended Minnesota’s 40-year ban on for-profit health insurers operating in Minnesota. This policy was repealed without any oversight measures being put in place. Continue reading “House Commerce Committee approves moratorium on non-profit to for-profit HMO conversions; bill includes strong consumer protections”

House DFLers Announce Feb. 26 Public Hearing to Address Predatory Payday Lending

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA —  On Tuesday, February 26, the House Commerce Committee will discuss bipartisan legislation to regulate predatory payday lending. Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) will present HF 1501, which would cap the interest rate and annual fee on payday loans at 36%. According to payday lending statistics in Minnesota from the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, fees charged equate to annual interest percentage rates ranging from 391%-1,170%. Sixteen states, including South Dakota, and the District of Columbia already have payday loan regulation in law. Chair Laurie Halverson (DFL-Eagan) is also a sponsor of the bill. Minnesota Attorney General Ellison is supportive.

What: A public hearing on HF 1501 in the House Commerce Committee

When: February 26, 2:30 PM

Where: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155

Who: House Commerce Committee members, advocates, financial institutions

Please note that committee may run later than 4:00 PM and/or recess and reconvene in the evening depending upon bill testimony and discussion.