Michelle Fischbach in MN legislative records

On Abortion: Require exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; State Sen. Michelle Fischbach co-sponsored the bill; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May/10/17

On Crime: Increase penalties for blocking highways, airports, transit

ACLU summary and recommendations for voting NO:
• Introduced in direct response to Black Lives Matter protests
• Would have a chilling effect on speech
• Creates punishments that are disproportionate to the offense
• Minnesota already has ample laws to address this issue

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 83-44-7 on May/8/18; Passed Senate 40-27-0 on May/14/18; State Sen. Michelle Fischbach voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May/19/18.

On Energy & Oil: Voted NO on cap-&-trade for greenhouse gas reduction goals

• The legislature finds that a cap and trade program will achieve Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in a cost-effective manner.
• The right to emit greenhouse gases should be auctioned to emitting facilities rather than allocated at no cost, with proceeds from the auction invested in projects that advance the transition to a low greenhouse gas-emitting economy.
• A greenhouse gas cap and trade program is best pursued in cooperation with other Midwestern states.
• A "climate trust fund" is established [to manage revenue from auctions]

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 91-38 on April 23; passed Senate 43-21-3; State Sen. Michelle Fischbach voted NO; signed by Gov. Pawlenty on May 19.

On Energy & Oil: Remove CO2 emissions ban; authorize new coal plant

• Authorizes 1,500 megawatts of energy to be imported from out of state facilities if they meet the following requirements:
• The facilities are fueled by feedstock coal; and
• The facilities began construction after 2007.
• Repeals exemption based on a project contributing a specified fee per ton of CO2 emissions emitted annually by the project, to fund permanent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Veto Message: I vetoed and am returning Senate File 86, a bill that significantly rolls back Minnesota's restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions by energy utilities. Minnesota does not now need any new coal-fired power plants. Coal-fired electricity poses unacceptable risks to human health and to our climate.

Legislative Outcome: Bill Passed House 76-54 on May/11/2011; bill passed Senate 44-22 on 5/21/2011; Sen. Fischbach voted YES; vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May/22/2011.

On Families & Children: Define marriage as one-man-one-woman

A section shall be added to the Minnesota Constitution article XIII, to read:
• Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota.
• The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2012 general election as: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?"

On Government Reform: Shift approval of local rules from Governor to Legislature

Governor's Veto Message: The bill essentially shifts authority for conducting rulemaking from the executive branch to the legislative branch. Under current law, the legislature has granted the Governor's office final approval authority on all rulemakings. This is sound policy as it provides accountability in a way that does not paralyze either branch of government. House File 624 would impose that responsibility on the already over-stressed legislative process.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 124-8-2 on May/16/03; Passed Senate 60-0-7 on May/16/03; Sen. Michelle Fischbach sponsored HF624 and voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty on May/27/03.

On Gun Control: Convicted felons can get firearm license reinstated

• A person who is convicted of a [felony] and possessed a firearm with a suppressor may not obtain a hunting license or hunt wild animals for five years from the date of conviction.
• Certain convicted felons ineligible to possess firearms or ammunition.
• The discharge [from prison] must provide that a person who has been convicted of a crime of violence is not entitled to ship, transport, possess, or receive a firearm or ammunition for the remainder of the person's lifetime.

On Immigration: Voted NO on complying with federal REAL ID

• a valid, unexpired US passport
• a certified copy of a birth certificate
• a valid, unexpired permanent resident card, certificate of naturalization, or unexpired employment authorization document
• a valid, unexpired passport issued by a foreign country and a valid, unexpired US visa accompanied by documentation of lawful admittance into the US

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 72-58-0 on Feb. 23; passed Senate 60-7-0 on March 30; Sen. Michelle Fischbach voted NAY; signed by Gov. Dayton on May 18.