Minnesota Council On Disability

Your Policy, Training and Technical Resource

Summary of Omnibus State Government Appropriations Bill

Tour overlooking the Senate chamber, Minnesota State Capitol

As the Minnesota Legislature builds Minnesota’s state budget for the next two years, the Minnesota Council on Disability will create an overview of certain omnibus bills and how the proposals will affect Minnesotans with disabilities.

What’s an Omnibus bill?

Roughly translated, the Latin word “omnibus” means “for all, for everybody.” Learn everything you need to know about omnibus bills and why they are so popular at the Minnesota Legislature.

Omnibus State Government Appropriations Bill

Chamber: Senate

Policy Focus: State Government Finance and Policy and Elections

Bill Number: SF 2227

Authors: Senators Kiffmeyer (chief author), Howe, Koran

Brief Description: This omnibus bill is a bill for an act relating to operation of state government; appropriating money for the legislature, governor’s office, state auditor, attorney general, secretary of state, certain agencies, boards, councils, and retirement funds; changing provisions in
state government operations; establishing commissions and task forces.

What We Like

  1. The month of May is designated as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month and permits the governor to promote and encourage the observance of the month.
  2. Reforms to the state’s hiring program, Connect 700 for on-the-job demonstration process and appointment to the job.
  3. Expanding state agency affirmative action plans and expands permissions for agencies to consult with numerous stakeholders, including the Council on Disability, in developing plans.
  4. Working group on state employment and retention of employees with disabilities established.
  5. Article 3, Section 1 requires the legislature’s information technology to comply with digital accessibility standards adopted for state agencies and creates a related legislative employee working group.

What we’re Concerned About

  1. The change to rules impacting residential construction or remodeling in Article 2, Section 11 may negatively affect how building code regarding the state’s accessibility code is adopted and implemented.

Minnesotans are encouraged to contact their legislators and share their concerns on policy decisions and how it impacts their lives. Find your legislator and contact them.

The Minnesota Council on Disability exists to serve people with disabilities in Minnesota through development of effective policy, training, technical resources and collaborations with public and private stakeholders. Any policy inquires can be directed to Public Policy Director Kody Olson at kody.olson@state.mn.us.