Current Legislative Issues
The Community of Minnesota Resorts (CMR) is a non-profit association of family owned resort and campground businesses dedicated to improving resorting in Minnesota. The CMR advances legislative initiatives addressing governmental policies that can enhance the ability of resorts to compete and remain viable tourism establishments for countless Minnesota families.
Thousands of Minnesotans share memories of their “time at the lake.” Legislators can help preserve the resort and campground experience for future generations by approving simple and cost-effective legislation and opposing efforts that negatively impact the tourism industry.
March 9, 2022 quote from Senator Carrie Ruud on Day on the Hill - "Thank you for all your advocacy. Just showing up makes a big difference when we are thinking over legislative pieces. Seeing the number of faces who cared enough to spend a few minutes with us makes a big impact."
Retired Resorter
Sue Malikowski says,
"I rode one of the first "vans" to Day on the Hill, around 2002?
I am not particularly politically driven. I was convinced how important it was to "show up."
I've been to DOH every year since! (Well, with a 'pause' when exiting the day-to-day resort life, but back again now as a CMR Retired Resort Member and CMR Office Manager!)
The difference one person can make, not to mention the relationships, education and memories are priceless!"
Sunset Bay Resort
Jim & Kristin Wherley say,
"We also were reluctant to get on the bus for Day on the Hill our first year. I think it took us a couple of years to be convinced to go. We had a son playing college golf at the time, and we chose to go see him compete (Puerto Rico, Las Vegas-what can we say?)
But, we realized as business owners that we needed to be involved in anything and everything that impacted our business. Our first time, we were just the smiles in the corner and didn't open our mouths.
Kristin always volunteers to be the note-taker for the group, so that she doesn't have to speak. We found that the legislators are regular people like us - so many of them are also business owners. The bus trip is a highlight. We love to catch up with everyone."
CMR supports additional state tourism recovery grants. CMR President, Mike Schweiters, testified on this topic twice: February 10 for senate, and February 16 for the house. Thanks from all of us, Mike!
Grants would be available to support meetings, conventions and group business, multi-community and high-visibility events, and tourism marketing.
Here is a link to related article:
Legislative panel backs $6M plan to aid Minnesota tourism after pandemic battering
Adjust The Tax Tiers The legislature has recognized the problems high property valuations can place on family-owned resort properties and their ability to remain competitive. This expense is typically the single biggest expense. To combat the problem the legislature amended the property tax code to tax resort value on a tiered approach and has adjusted those levels to address inflation and raising values.
The legislature last increased the resort property tax tiers in 2008. We have seen a steady increase in assessor evaluations in the last 14 years. We are asking the legislature to again address the resort property tax tiers with an appropriate increase.
2022 session - Legislation has been introduced that would require a watercraft operators certification program for boat operators born after certain dates. These requirements currently only apply to youth operators.
CMR supports safety on the water. We are working to make sure the legislation does not negatively impact resort boat rentals from both out-of-state and Minnesota guests alike. The proposed bill exempts out-of-state guests from obtaining Minnesota certification but needs clarification so that resort owners are not required to verify the requirement from other states.
Minnesota is one of the few boating states without a watercraft certification program for adult operators. The increased size and power of watercraft operating on our waters has moved the Department of Natural Resources and other interested groups to believe Minnesota needs more focus on boater safety and operator training.
SF 3392 Status in the Senate for the 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) (mn.gov)
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FROM: Joel Carlson, March 15, 2022
Good morning CMR -
Sen. Ruud's boat operator training and certification bill is up again today in the Senate Environment Finance Committee. The updated bill and a proposed amendment are in the committee link below.
- They have clarified exempt operators so that non-Minnesota residents (any state or country) would not be required to have the training in any respects unless they were renting a boat for more than 60 days (highly unlikely)
- They are adding language that the short test is only required once in a 60 period, not every time a boat is rented.
- Adding a DNR requirement to have a working group that will develop the training course and test.
- Added that the test can be paper or electronic.
- The effective date is July 1, 2024.
Please review the links and send any comments. I have spoken with the DNR about the work group and CMR would of course be included.
Joel
Safety education and permitting requirement for certain watercraft operators; Certain obligations requirements on motorboat rental businesses
- Link opens in separate tabThe Minnetonka Squadron of America’s Boating Club Letter of Support for S.F. 3392
- Link opens in separate tabS.F. 3392 A-5 Amendment
- Link opens in separate tabBoater Education Coalition Letter of Support
- Link opens in separate tabBoater Education Fact Sheet
- Link opens in separate tabBoating and Fishing support letter for S.F. 3392
- External linkS.F. 3751Ingebrigtsen
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 8:13 PM
To: cmr-board@minnesota-resorts.com
From: Joel Carlson, CMR Lobbyist
Subject: Broadband extension bill
Hello everyone....
During the Day on the Hill last week we discussed the broadband line extension bill of Rep. Rasmusson and Sen. Mark Johnson. The bill allows a resident or business to put their address into a portal indicating they need service, and then lets service providers bid to provide the service which may or may not come with a grant to help pay for the line extensions. The issue was discussed with several of the legislators during DOH, including the two authors.
(The cable companies are supporting this, although the one I work with (Comcast) is not a rural provider.)
Here is a link to the bill: SF 3476 1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) (mn.gov)
We have been asked to send a short letter of support for the authors, a draft of which is below for you to consider.
Let me know if you think this is something we should send,
Thanks!
Joel
___________________________
March 15, 2022
Senator Andrew Mathews
Chair, Senate Civil Law and Data Practices Committee
2105 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
St. Paul, MN 55155
RE: SF 3476 Broadband Line Extensions
Senator Mathews:
Thank you for taking the time to speak with the Community of Minnesota Resorts during our virtual Day on the Hill last week. We appreciate your willingness to listen to our concerns.
During several of our legislative meetings the issue of rural broadband was discussed. We have long advocated for border-to-border broadband and are supporting Senator Johnson’s legislation to extend broadband service lines to unserved areas.
Broadband is a critical service for our businesses and resort guests. Many visitors attempt to stay virtually connected while away from the office and this was even more evident during the pandemic. SF 3476 helps focus attention and competition on known areas that need service and the grant process included in the bill can help make line extension viable.
Thanks for all you are doing to support tourism and resorts.
Sincerely,
Mike Schwieters, President
Community of Minnesota Resorts
Boyd Lodge, Cross Lake
cc: Sen. Mark Johnson
Rep. Jordan Rasmussen
Joel Carlson, CMR Lobbyist
Highlights from past CMR legislative issues
Legislative Advocacy Results in Passage of SF 3358
Congratulations to the Community of Minnesota Resorts! Our legislative lobbying during Day on the Hill and cooperative effort with the Department of Labor and Industry has proven to be successful! Governor Walz recently signed SF 3358. We as resorts can now hire 16 & 17 year old youth to operate “lawn care equipment” meaning lawn trimmers, weed cutters, and machines (riding and walk behind mowers) designed to cut grass and weeds that meet safety specifications. Please ensure the safety of all workers when using this equipment by providing proper training, ensuring safety mechanisms are present and operational, and supplying personal protective equipment as outlined in the bill. The Community of Minnesota Resorts and its members worked hand in hand with the Department of Labor and Industry to include resorts in this bill and get it passed. This is no small accomplishment, and we must all respect being entrusted to safely hire and utilize these youth at our resorts now that the bill is signed.
Thank you to our Lobbyist Joel Carlson and our friend Senator Carrie Ruud for your guidance and support through this process. Also, our thanks to the Department of Labor and Industry for recognizing that these youth can become an even more valuable part of the work force at resorts by accomplishing these landscaping tasks. As we stated some time ago, our efforts and discussions with the representatives of the Department of Labor and Industry was the correct approach and an excellent example of business and government working together to achieve a mutually beneficial solution to issues that face us.
Lobbied successfully for resorts and campgrounds to be open due to restrictions implemented due to the pandemic and Governors Executive Orders. It was eventually determined that resorts and campgrounds could effectively implement various operational items to protect the health of guests, and provide a venue that allowed for social distancing. Cabins were allowed to open on time, and campgrounds were allowed to open June 1st. Without this lobbying resorts and campgrounds could have lost an entire season of income jeopardizing the economic stability of the entire industry.
Lobbied for economic relief for the resorts in the Northwest Angle, who due to restrictions put in place by Canada, and their unique geographic situation could not see visitors during the summer months. This topic was of prevalent discussion in most of the two dozen meetings at our Zoom Day on the Hill event in February 2020. Eventually, economic relief did occur for these resorts in the way of a financial relief package in 2021.
The legislature frequently exempts capital investments from sales tax to promote projects, enhance infrastructure and promote investments that will yield long-term benefits to the state. Encouraging resorts to invest in their properties, which returns enhanced sales and lodging tax revenues to the state, makes good economic sense. (Lobbying efforts for this have been repeated many times over last two decades. With so many groups requesting sales tax exemption for various specifics, this has become low on our priority list. We welcome input and creative ways to come back at this via another angle. Contact CMR legislative committee members!
Minnesota’s push to enhance high-speed broadband service across Minnesota is a vital business development tool – even to tourism. With more companies accommodating flexible work schedules and remote telecommuting making certain that we are able to provide reliable internet service to guests is a must. Keeping it affordable is an understatement - we support the legislature’s and Governor Walz push for increased broadband funding.
Lobbied successfully to eliminate a duplicate minnow licensing regulation specifically for resort owners. CMR collaborated directly w/ DNR.
Lobbied successfully to support more funding for Explore Minnesota Tourism – directly resulting in advertising collaborations. CMR members have benefitted from this effort by co-op advertising via TV commercials, web banner ads, and many other digital marketing campaigns.
CMR supports Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) advertising and promotional efforts to boost Minnesota as a tourism destination. EMT’s efforts have a positive and measurable impact on the tourism industry and the State’s economy. EMT is a cooperative and cost-effective partner for small tourism groups like CMR. Every $1 of tourism marketing and promotion returns $84 in total spending. The EMT supports tourism state-wide and is critical for greater Minnesota.
CMR was invited by Minnesota Department of Health to collaborate on regulation language going into effect 2016 regarding a nationwide mandate for seasonal well water systems testing to be done monthly. Due to CMR involvement at numerous meetings, most resorts continue to be allowed annual testing of well water.
Successfully lobbied for further reductions in resort property taxes – a program initiated by the CMR in 2003 to account for inflation.
CMR lobbied successfully for a standardized law on Statewide Shoreland Regulations for resorts. We are now able to replace existing cabins within lake setback zones. Prior to enacting this law, resorts were unable to upgrade cabins – or make any improvements to cabins located within the setback zone without securing a variance. Several CMR members dedicated their personal time/energy over months to advise in DNR meetings on this law.
CMR lobbied and successfully help pass a bill allowing homestead exemption for LLC resorts.
CMR successfully lobbied the legislature and the Governor to pass and sign into law a Post–Labor Day school start. Several CMR members testified in a hearing at the capitol – and we battle every session to retain this law!
Resorters and tourism interests strongly defend the simple requirement that schools begin after Labor Day, without unfair exemptions granted by the Department of Education. This issue is critical to small resorts and the legislature has been standing up for Minnesota’s tradition of summer and tourism for years. There is no information that indicates starting school before Labor Day has a measurable positive impact on learning outcomes – and the law should be corrected to eliminate unfair exemptions to the legislative mandate. Parents overwhelmingly support school starting after Labor Day!
