AASPMN hosted its Day at the Capitol event the first week of March. AASPMN members from across the state came to Saint Paul to advocate for passage of our legislation and to educate lawmakers on challenges and issues facing the automotive repair industry. 

AASPMN members met with their local elected officials throughout the day and were able to generate a number of co-authors for our legislation as a result. We appreciate everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to come and participate in this event.

Participating in the legislative process makes a huge difference in how our legislation is viewed by lawmakers, and we hope to continue to grow this event in years to come. As noted in previous updates, there are going to be an unusually large number of new lawmakers sworn in during the next legislative session, so it will be a great year for AASPMN members to participate in our event and get to know lawmakers as they start their career. 

Our Day at the Capitol event lined up with a hearing on our priority piece of legislation, Senate File 2209, in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. AASPMN Executive Director Linden Wicklund, Josh Shaw and Sarah Czech all testified in support of the bill and made compelling arguments for why state statute needs to be strengthened. The Insurance Federation of Minnesota testified in opposition of the bill, which was laid over by the committee for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill later this session. 

The legislative session has been ramping up toward committee deadlines at the end of March with numerous bill hearings and long nights scheduled between now and then. Lawmakers will take a week off for the Easter Passover break and then come back looking to move omnibus bills, possibly a tax bill and possibly a large capital investment bill. 

Much work remains between now and then, we will continue to advocate for our legislation and keep you informed if there are bills that would impact AASPMN members as the session progresses.