Zack Stephenson

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Zack Stephenson
Rep. Zack Stephenson speaking on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives.jpg
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 36A district
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
Preceded byMark Uglem
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic–Farmer–Labor
Spouse(s)Austin
Children2
ResidenceCoon Rapids, Minnesota
Alma materKnox College
University of Chicago
Occupationattorney

Zack Stephenson is an American politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 36A in the northwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Early life, education, and career[]

Stephenson was raised in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 2002.[1] He attended Knox College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in public policy analysis in 2006, and the University of Chicago Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2010.[2]

Stephenson is a prosecutor for Hennepin County. He was formerly a staffer for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.[1]

Minnesota House of Representatives[]

Stephenson was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018. He serves as chair of the Commerce Committee, and also serves on the Climate and Energy Committee, the Taxes Committee, and the Redistricting Committee.[3]

During the 2019 session, Stephenson successfully authored a bill to get rid of Minnesota's "marital rape exception". Before his bill passed, Minnesota law prevented prosecution of rape in certain circumstances when the victim was married to the rapist. With the bill's passage, rapists can be prosecuted regardless of whether they are married to the victim.[4]

Stephenson also successfully authored a provision to take the first steps towards building a new Mississippi River crossing between Dayton, Minnesota, and Ramsey, Minnesota.[5]

In 2020, Stephenson was the chief author of a bill to provide grants to small businesses that were not able to operate due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill allocated $62.5 million in grants up to $10,000, with $18 million reserved for microbusinesses, defined as businesses with less than 6 employees. Stephenson's bill passed the House by a margin of 129 to 5 and was unanimously approved in the Senate.[6]

Stephenson's legislative priorities include consumer protection and combating climate change. In 2021, he authored the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act, which significantly expands Minnesota's energy conservation programs.[7] The bill is expected to cut carbon emissions in Minnesota, in particular by incentivizing "fuel switching", whereby utilities offer consumers incentives to switch from less efficient fossil fuels to more efficient electricity.[8] Stephenson also authored the Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA), which passed into law with bipartisan support in 2021. NGIA gives Minnesota regulators and utilities new tools to decarbonize the building sector, establishes a new goal to reduce the use of fossil gas, and starts a new regulatory proceeding to plan for further decarbonization.[9]

In 2021, Stephenson also secured passage of Minnesota's Student Borrower's Bill of Rights, which regulates student loan servicers and protects student borrowers from abusive practices.[10] He has also authored legislation to ban price gouging by prescription drug companies.[11]

Personal life[]

Stephenson and his wife, Austin, have two children. He resides in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Voters guide: House District 36A: Maresh vs. Stephenson". ABC Newspapers. Adams Publishing Group. October 13, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Stephenson, Zack". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  3. ^ "Rep. Zack Stephenson (36A) - Minnesota House of Representatives".
  4. ^ "Senate approves 'marital rape' repeal, prodded by determined survivor".
  5. ^ "Rep. Zack Stephenson - RELEASE: Rep. Zack Stephenson's Proposal to Take the First Steps Towards a New Mississippi River Crossing Between Ramsey and Dayton Included in Final Transportation Budget".
  6. ^ "MN legislators approve $60M to help small businesses hit hard by coronavirus pandemic". 12 June 2020.
  7. ^ "In a session with few big legislative achievements, Minnesota lawmakers pass a 'significant' energy conservation bill". 19 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Sustainable: ECO Act broadens energy efficiency options for businesses and consumers | Finance & Commerce". 31 May 2021.
  9. ^ "New law paves the way for deeper understanding of the future of gas in Minnesota".
  10. ^ "Minnesota lawmakers propose 'bill of rights' for student borrowers, licensing requirement for loan providers".
  11. ^ "Minnesota lawmakers propose 'bill of rights' for student borrowers, licensing requirement for loan providers".

External links[]

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