House committee amends 2023 lead-and-cadmium ban to exempt professional art supplies and keys; bill sent to environment committee

Summary

The House Commerce, Finance and Policy Committee adopted two amendments to narrow parts of Minnesota's lead-and-cadmium consumer-product ban, adding exemptions and an 18-and-over restriction for cadmium artist paints. The bill, House File 737 as amended, was referred to the Environment, Finance and Policy Committee for further work.

Representative Bjorn Olsen brought House File 737 to the committee to narrow portions of Minnesota's 2023 law restricting lead and cadmium in consumer products, saying the statute unintentionally barred materials used by professional artists. "I cannot make my product any longer in the state of Minnesota," Olsen said, recounting a constituent who makes cadmium-based pastels.

The committee adopted an author's amendment (A2) that adds a set of exemptions for professional art supplies, writing instruments and other items stakeholders argued are not intended to expose children. Darren Rennie, co-owner of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing in St. Paul, told the panel that "Artist paint and associated supplies make up 30% of our annual sales" and said the store already feels the law's market impact.

Kirk Kudalka…

House committee amends 2023 lead-and-cadmium ban to exempt professional art supplies and keys; bill sent to environment committee

Summary

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