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Minnesota lawmakers gaveled in for their final day of voting of the legislative session on Sunday with just hours to pass an array of budget touchup and policy bills.

Earlier in the week, legislative leaders and the governor 

 to pass a $1.2 billion public construction projects bill, refund expansion for some property taxpayers, a temporary decrease in license tab fees and new funding for school and lawmaker safety measures.

But broad swaths of those proposals had yet to be passed as of noon Sunday as lawmakers entered the final stretch to act before a midnight deadline.

The Minnesota Senate was scheduled to come into session at noon to begin voting on bills. The House of Representatives has a full calendar of proposals set to come up when lawmakers gavel in at 1 p.m.

A proposal to keep in place weapons screening and additional security at the Capitol building passed both chambers Saturday and now moves to the governor’s desk for his signature. 

The bill also boosts funding for court security measures around the state and 

 under the State Patrol that will investigate threats to elected officials and help coordinate temporary police security for lawmakers if they face credible threats.

“This bill, as I have said repeatedly, is not just for legislators,” Rep. Kelly Moller, DFL-Deephaven, said Saturday. “It is much broader than that and provides statewide security.”

Lawmakers have said the additional safety measures are needed after they’ve tracked a surge in threats — and after the June assassination of former House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the attempted killings of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Both shootings took place at the lawmakers’ homes.

Details about additional supplemental budget bills and a capital investment bill are expected to come to light as the proposals get hashed out Sunday.

School safety measures advance without gun restrictions

A proposal to boost funding for anonymous threat reporting is also on its way to the governor’s desk after passing both the House and Senate on Saturday. 

The package has been a priority for lawmakers from both parties following the August shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School. Two children died and dozens more were injured.

“For mass school shootings where four or more are killed, the shooters are insiders. Shooters are in crisis. Shooters tell others, that’s why we must a layered approach,” said Coon Rapids DFL Rep. Kari Rehrauer. “One of those effective layers is anonymous threat reporting.”

Some lawmakers said the $5 million appropriation for the threat reporting mechanisms wasn’t enough.

“We should be embarrassed, completely embarrassed,” said Rep. Elliott Engen, R-White Bear Township.

Another supplemental budget bill related to health is expected to include additional funding for student mental health programs. 

Democrats have also pressed Republicans in the tied House to take up measures restricting ghost guns, assault-style weapons and high capacity magazines. Thus far, those have not picked up support from GOP lawmakers in the chamber. The DFL-led Senate approved them on a party-line vote.

This is a developing story. Please check back later for updates.

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Sunday is the final day for lawmakers to cast votes on bills, with several outstanding as the legislative session deadline looms.

Minnesota lawmakers enter final voting day with priorities in the air

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