Paul Gazelka 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 April 24, 2017; Passed Senate 38-7 on May 4; State Senator Paul Gazelka voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May 10

On Abortion: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

Veto letter excerpts:

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 80-47 on April 20, 2017; passed Senate 43-23 on April 18; State Sen. Paul Gazelka voted YES; vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May 22.

On Civil Rights: No state authorization of same-sex marriage

Legislative Summary: An act relating to marriage; providing for civil marriage between two persons (replacing the current definition of "a man and a woman"); providing for exemptions and protections based on religious association.

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

Veto message by Governor Mark Dayton: do not support the broad transit provisions in this bill. The language does not provide clarity regarding the actual crimes, for which it creates stiffer penalties. I believe that the Statute's existing language: "tends to...." is unacceptably vague and subjective. Current law gives law enforcement the authority and tools needed to protect public safety.

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

On Drugs: Voted NO on establishing rules for medical marijuana

• "Disqualifying felony offense" means a violation of a state or federal controlled substance law that would be a felony if committed in Minnesota.
• "Health care practitioner" means a licensed doctor or advanced practice registered nurse, who has the primary responsibility for the treatment of a person diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition.
• "Medical cannabis" means any species of the cannabis plant, or any mixture or preparation of them, including resins, liquids, oils, pills, or vaporized delivery method.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 46-16-5, April 24; State Sen. Paul Gazelka voted NO; passed House 89-40-5, May 9; signed by Gov. Dayton, May 29

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. Gazelka voted YES; vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May/22/2011.

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

An 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?"

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 70-62-2 on May 21, 2011; passed Senate 38-27-2 on May 11, 2011; State Sen. Paul Gazelka voted YES; Gov. Dayton spoke at "Vote No" rallies; "Amendment 1" failed to pass in general election on Nov. 6, 2012, by a vote of 52% to 48%.

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.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 39-22-6, April 23, 2015 (State Sen. Paul Gazelka voted NO); passed House 115-19-0, April 28, 2015; signed by Governor Dayton, April 28, 2015

On Immigration: Require compliance 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

Wikipedia Background: The REAL ID Act of 2005 modifies US federal law pertaining to issuance procedures for state driver's licenses. Prior to the REAL ID Act, each state set its own rules and criteria regarding the issuance of a driver's licenses or ID cards, including what documents must be provided to obtain one.

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

On Government Reform: Require photo ID to vote

All voters must be subject to identical standards of eligibility verification before voting and the state must make photographic identification available to eligible voters at no cost to them. The following persons shall not be permitted to vote at any election: A person not meeting the above requirements [for photo ID]; a person who has been convicted of a felony, unless restored to civil rights; a person under guardianship, or a person who is not mentally competent.

Legislative Outcome:Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on April 4, 2011 and hence reintroduced as constitutional ballot initiative; passed House 72-62 on March 20, 2012; State Sen. Paul Gazelka voted YES; passed Senate 35-29 on April 4; defeated 54%-46% by voters as "Amendment 2" on Nov 6, 2012.