Building a new home could cost you more if a fire sprinkler initiative is renewed in Minnesota. Mike Paradise, the President of the Builders Association of Minnesota says even though an appeals court overturned the rule, the in-home sprinklers initiative is likely far from over.

The proposed Department of Labor and Industry rule requiring all new homes larger than 4500 square feet to have in-home fire sprinklers.  However, all home-buyers could see an impact from this rule.  Paradise explains that it is an issue fire fighters have been pushing for some time, saying, “the fire services is pushing it, they’re intent on getting sprinklers in all homes, if they can.”

Minnesota State Senator Roger Chamberlain is telling Minnesotans to look out for this issue, saying it will likely trickle down to smaller homes as well, explaining, “it’s the issue because it’s going to increase the cost of not just large homes but every home, and it sets a precedent for increasing this sort of regulation by FIAT.”

The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association did not respond to questions regarding if they plan to push this issue further.

 

A State Legislature commission is addressing the issue of police body cameras.  On Tuesday a data privacy commission heard new testimony on the issue from groups like the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell was among the members of law enforcement testifying.  Schnell told Alpha News back in August that the concern surrounds the privacy of routine calls, saying a majority of what officers do involve responding to calls for the elderly, or more sensitive cases involving domestic and mental health issues, saying, “those are things that we think need to be protected, in addition to the fact that officers are inside people’s public homes, and if that became publicly available anyone could broadcast that at any time.”

The special commission does not yet have another date listed to continue the data privacy discussion.

 

Governor Mark Dayton is requesting fifteen million dollars be set aside during a special session to address economic disparities affecting Minnesotans of color.  Governor Dayton also wants lawmakers to extend unemployment benefits to the almost fifteen hundred mine workers on the iron range who were laid off.  House Speaker Kurt Daudt has yet to agree to a special session.

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