Legislative News

Legislative News The Results Are In

Doug Franzen

I was quite surprised by the results of last month’s election. I suspect that you were as well. The supposed “red wave” never materialized. In fact, the midterm elections were great for Democrats. Normally in a midterm, the party in power suffers significant losses in congressional seats. This election, the Democrats were able to increase their majority in the U.S. Senate and the Republicans could only achieve a razor thin majority in the House of Representatives. Very unusual! Pundits and analysts have scrambled to discover/ pontificate on why what happened, happened. My perspective is that there was not one factor but it was a combination of things leading to the final results, but those factors are subjective at best.

In Minnesota, the Republicans suffered an unmitigated defeat. Most of us involved in the political process assumed that the GOP would increase its State Senate majority and take control of the House. In reality, the DFL won the trifecta. Democrats now control the Governor’s office as well as both houses of the Legislature. It will be interesting to see what they do with their majority status. They might govern wisely or they might get a bit crazy. Time will tell but crazy has never worked for either party.

All this is interesting but should have little impact on snowmobiling. MnUSA has always had friends in both parties who were there when we needed them most. We will not forget our champions who retired or were defeated in the polls. Personally, I’ll really miss Representative Rob Ecklund and Senator Melissa Franzen. Both are snowmobilers who were dedicated to protecting and advancing our sport. Undoubtedly, you will see them on the trails this winter. One law that is not new but of great importance is MnUSA’s landowner liability law. Under Minnesota Statues 604A.2027, landowners who permit public access to their land cannot be held liable for negligence if someone is hurt while enjoying the free access to that land. The landowner still can be sued for intentional acts, wanton or reckless acts, but the protection offered by this statute is nothing short of amazing. The landowner can grant a permit/easement to a snowmobile club for a grant in aid trail and sleep soundly knowing that he/ she is protected under law. Of course, if a landowner charges a fee for this access, the law does not apply and all bets are off.

At this writing, a large storm is heading to Minnesota and should dump a pile of white gold on our trails. I am currently working out of state. Any bets as to whether I can get back to God’s country in time?

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