SSPA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
May 23, 2019

As mandated by our state constitution, the Minnesota Legislature’s 2019 session officially adjourned their regular session this past Monday night without completing and passing their required budget bills to fund all aspects of government operations for the next biennium. This will now necessitate a special session to complete this work, otherwise a state government shutdown will occur beginning July 1 when the current budget expires.

Over the past three days, legislative leaders and the governor have been privately negotiating a final agreeable budget to be passed and enacted. While agreements had been achieved late Sunday May 19 regarding total dollar amounts for the budget, conflicting policy measures remained to still be determined.

Specific to cosmetology policy, this included a pending senate proposal to deregulate eyelash extension services, hair styling services, and make-up artistry within the omnibus state government finance bill (SF2227-Kiffmeyer).

Earlier today, the house and senate state government finance committees released their proposed final agreement that has been in closed negotiations this week. THE AGREED UPON LANGUAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY DEREGULATION OF THESE SERVICES! Only a clarification of the existing deregulation of African hair-braiding services is contained in the final bill.

THANK YOU, members and our associated allies for joining us and responding promptly with our calls to action earlier this month to defeat this deregulation language from becoming reality. Together we can make a difference and counter threats to our profession from ill-advised legislation such as this.

The special session needed to complete the regular session’s budget work may occur as early as Friday May 24, or next week after the Memorial Day weekend. Though it is highly unlikely this deregulation amendment will reappear in the special session, SSPA remains vigilant until final adjournment of the special session, nonetheless. SSPA will keep you posted on developments accordingly.

Thank you!