Last Monday - February 9 - Senator Scott Dibble introduced the Building Sensible Communities bill (pdf summary) as SF 549. Joining Senator Dibble as co-authors for the bill are Senators Rest, Olseen, Carlson, and Dille. The interest in the bill was immediate, shown by a quick request to be heard in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

The Committee heard the bill last Wednesday afternoon and eventually voted to approve an amended version of the bill and move it on to the next Senate committee. The bill will now be heard this Tuesday, February 17 in the Senate Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee.

Additionally, the bill was introduced in the House today - February 16 - by Representative Frank Hornstein as HF 898. The initial co-authors for the House bill are Representatives Liebling, Brynaert, Hansen, Nelson, Bigham, and Ruud. The House bill will be heard first by the Environment Policy and Oversight Committee, maybe as early as February 24.

As this important bill moves forward, we encourage you to call your senator and representative to urge them to support this bill, which will provide more transportation options for Minnesota and help us save money, reduce pollution, preserve our farmland and open space, and protect our fantastic quality of life for future generations!