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Committee sends scuba weed‑removal safety bill to Environment Committee after families recount two recent fatalities
Summary
House File 1355, carrying an author amendment naming the measure for the two deceased workers, was amended and referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Testimony described gaps in training and safety equipment for commercial lake weed removal using scuba gear and urged rapid action before the spring season.
The Minnesota House Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee voted to re‑refer House File 1355 to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee after emotional testimony from the families of two men who died while working as scuba weed removal divers and testimony from scuba‑training and industry experts.
Representative Baker introduced the bill and moved an author’s amendment (the “A2” amendment) that the sponsor described as naming the measure for the families involved; the chair called the amendment the “Brady Ahn(e) and Joseph Anderson Safety Act” in the hearing record. The committee approved the amendment by voice vote and then voted to send the bill to the Environment Committee.
Family members described the circumstances of two recent deaths. David and Laurie Anderson testified about their son Joseph Anderson, who drowned on his third day on the job after receiving under 15 minutes of on‑site instruction and working near a steep…
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