Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler and staff on the agency’s supplemental budget and bonding requests. The MPCA said its overall request is about $87.42 million, including temporary and permanent FTEs, and explained that some positions tied to multi-year work count as permanent under budget rules. Bonding items discussed included $21.1 million for stormwater adaptation construction grants, $1 million for a continuous nitrate monitoring network on major rivers, and $13.8 million to help build out Minnesota’s electric vehicle charging network and leverage an estimated $68 million in federal matching funds. The agency also described more than $34 million for solid waste capital assistance grants, a $10 million organics capacity grant, and funding to connect a neighborhood affected by 1,4-dioxane and PFAS to municipal water service. Members asked detailed questions about the stormwater grants, the nitrate sensors, the EV charging request, and the agency’s operating increase. MPCA said the stormwater money is intended as a one-time investment over five years, with planning as one component but implementation the larger cost. On EV charging, staff clarified that the $13.8 million is separate from the Volkswagen settlement but would augment existing work and satisfy the nonfederal match for a new federal program. The committee also questioned the agency’s $5.5 million operating increase and the need to maintain 42.12 existing staff positions; MPCA said the increase would prevent layoffs and preserve services in land programs. The committee requested updated information on the Volkswagen settlement balance and asked the agency to return with more detail on solar panel recycling and disposal. The discussion then shifted to solar panel product stewardship. MPCA said the proposed program would create a manufacturer-funded stewardship system, with fees collected up front and used to cover collection, reuse, recycling, and disposal costs; the agency said it does not yet know the fee amount and noted Washington state is only in early stages of a similar program. Members raised concerns that the cost would be passed on to consumers and asked how panels would ultimately be disposed of if they could not be recycled. MPCA said recyclable materials would ideally be recovered in a closed-loop system, and any nonrecyclable panels would be tested and disposed of appropriately. The chair indicated the committee would likely revisit the topic later. After MPCA testimony, the Board of Water and Soil Resources began its presentation on supplemental budget recommendations, introducing its mission and noting that its work is carried out largely through local governments and conservation districts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Health on a COVID waiver bill. Assistant Commissioner Diane Roderick said the proposal would give MDH time-limited authority to waive limits on adding hospital and nursing home beds during temporary surges, allow some nursing home bed layaway and resident transfer/discharge timing flexibilities, and temporarily adjust decedent storage rules for funeral homes, crematories, and alkaline hydrolysis facilities. She emphasized the bill was narrower than emergency-era waivers, intended for short-term surges rather than new construction or permanent capacity changes, and that any waivers would expire June 30, 2022. In response to a question from Sen. Wicklund, she said MDH tracks waiver applications and reviews them for safety concerns such as life safety code and fire standards. The committee then took up Senate File 2853, as amended by a delete-all amendment, dealing with emergency medical services waivers. Sen. Lang and testifiers from the Minnesota Ambulance Association and the EMS Regulatory Board said the bill would temporarily restore waiver authority to help EMS agencies address staffing shortages, equipment and licensing expiration issues, inspection timing, and other operational problems after the peacetime emergency ended. They described severe workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, supply chain problems, and the need for short-term flexibility while longer-term EMS reforms are developed. The delete-all amendment was adopted. Members raised concerns about the scope and length of the proposed authority, especially an extension from 2022 to 2023. Sen. Klein noted the original bill had included a $31.5 million EMSRB appropriation, but that funding had been removed and would be handled separately. In response to questions, EMSRB representatives said the longer period was needed because of board meeting timing and because the issues are systemic, not just pandemic-related. Sen. Lang said additional EMS bills may follow and described SF 2853 as a first step toward broader EMS reform. A proposal was discussed to add a 48-hour notification requirement to legislative leaders when waivers are invoked, and the committee continued discussion of the date-change amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard two bills and planned to lay all four agenda bills over for future consideration. On Senate File 2847, Senator Limmer presented a $1 million general fund appropriation for reimbursement grants to local governments operating Pathways to Policing programs, arguing it would help address police staffing shortages and recruit candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. Chief Jay Henthorne of Richfield, speaking for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, strongly supported the bill and described the program as successful in bringing in applicants and improving diversity. Members asked about the funding structure, and staff explained that the existing $400,000 base would be supplemented by the new money for a total of $1.4 million in grants; the bill was then laid over. The committee then discussed Senate File 2796, which would add $750,000 in fiscal year 2023 for a Metro Transit violent crime enforcement team, with a $1 million base in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Senator Limmer and Sheriff Fletcher said the earlier $250,000 appropriation was too small to create an effective regional transit-focused task force and that the goal was to bring Metro Transit, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County law enforcement together. Sheriff Fletcher said the team exists in statute but has not functioned because the funding was insufficient, and he urged a larger appropriation to incentivize cooperation across jurisdictions. Metro Transit General Manager Wes Coystra supported the effort but broadened the discussion to transit safety more generally, citing officer vacancies, nonviolent conduct issues, mental health and chemical addiction, and the need for more social services and housing. He also urged passage of an administrative citations bill so non-sworn staff could handle fare enforcement and free sworn officers for serious crime. Senators raised concerns about whether the Metro Transit VSET actually exists and how it would be managed; Fletcher said Ramsey County and Hennepin County already have related task forces on either side of the river, but the Metro Transit team has not yet been fully created. The bill was also laid over for possible inclusion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Environment, Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee heard an introductory update from new MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler, who described her background in permitting, wastewater, and city infrastructure, and outlined the agency’s recent work and budget priorities. Her presentation focused on water quality, PFAS, landfill capacity, recycling and composting, electric school buses, extreme-weather resilience, and Line 3 enforcement. She emphasized collaboration with local governments, farmers, businesses, and other agencies, and said the MPCA is trying to use state and federal infrastructure funding to address environmental and infrastructure challenges. On water issues, Kessler highlighted the draft 2022 impaired waters list, which adds more than 400 new impairments but also removes nearly 100, and she said the agency is requesting funding for nitrate sensors and PFAS monitoring. She discussed the PFAS blueprint, a draft monitoring plan, and budget requests for local monitoring grants and a statewide baseline study. She also described the East Metro drinking water supply plan, the Andover Red Oaks contamination response, and a $12 million bonding request for municipal water mains in Andover. In response to questions, she said the MPCA wrote to EPA about the solid manure handling rules but did not try to pressure the agency, and she noted that the new feedlot permit provisions have not yet been implemented for existing facilities because the online permitting portal is not ready. The committee also discussed solid waste and climate-related resilience. Kessler said the metro area’s landfill pressure has increased, citing the closure of the Elk River waste-to-energy facility and growth in waste generation, and said the agency is proposing landfill expansions as a short-term measure while also seeking funding for recycling market development, food-waste prevention, composting, and anaerobic digestion. She also described grants for an electric school bus pilot and for local stormwater and extreme-weather planning, along with proposed bonding and supplemental funding for stormwater infrastructure and shoreline and streambank restoration. Finally, she gave an update on Line 3 frac-out enforcement, saying the MPCA is investigating 28 inadvertent releases and expects to finalize the investigation in the spring. During member questions, Senator Swedzinski asked about EPA’s role in the manure rule issue and about landfill growth and insurance-rate increases; the commissioner and assistant commissioner responded with explanations about federal authority, waste trends, and the causes of increased landfill use.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor and Industry Policy Committee met to hear Senate File 2955, a bill addressing a gap in Minnesota’s COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumption for certain front-line workers. Senators and the chair explained that the original presumption for occupations such as nurses, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and other covered workers expired on December 31, 2021, before being renewed in early February, leaving a roughly 33-day gap in January during which workers who contracted COVID-19 did not receive the automatic presumption. Senator Isakson said the bill was intended to begin the conversation about how to help workers who fell into that gap, and he noted the bill would likely need substantial amendment, including changes to the funding source and end date. Commissioner Rosalind Robertson of the Department of Labor and Industry provided a detailed overview of how the presumption works and the size of the affected workforce. She said about 183,000 workers were covered by the presumption in 2020, while more than 2.5 million were not, and explained that without the presumption the burden is on the employee to prove workplace exposure. She also said medical bills related to the illness are covered and wage replacement begins after a three-day waiting period. Using department data, she said claim reporting lags by several weeks, so the department expected to have a much clearer picture of January claims by early to mid-March, with roughly 85 to 95 percent of claims likely in hand by then. She also noted that claims from presumptive workers are generally accepted at a much higher rate than claims from non-presumptive workers. Testimony from the Insurance Federation of Minnesota, represented by Aaron Cocking, urged the committee to wait for more complete claims data before advancing the bill. He said the proposal was premature, that the committee should see the actual number of claims and denial rates, and that any appropriation should be large enough to cover expected losses. He also raised concerns about the bill’s current structure, including the proposed end date, how long-term COVID-related obligations would be handled, who would determine primary liability, whether the bill effectively turns a rebuttable presumption into a conclusive one through a state fund, and whether reimbursement would be first-come, first-served. The committee did not take final action on the bill during the hearing; members indicated they would continue working on amendments and revisit the measure after more data and testimony were available.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate File 2957, as amended by the A2 delete-all amendment. Senator Kiffmeyer and testifier Amy Strange explained that the bill extends and cleans up exceptions for certain health care workers in phased retirement agreements and retiree earnings limits, allowing some retirees to keep working without triggering pension overpayment or repayment issues. Members discussed the bill’s use of the term “operational support,” with concerns about how broadly it could apply; the testifier said the language was intentionally broad to avoid creating new violations for about nine affected workers. The committee approved the A2 amendment and then passed SF 2957, as amended, and referred it to General Orders. The committee then heard Senate File 2818, as amended by the A1 amendment. Staff explained that the bill limits who may provide legal services for the Attorney General’s Office to office employees, employees of other Minnesota government entities, or federal employees under agreement, and restricts compensation sources and contract terms; it also includes exceptions for settlements and unpaid interns. Supporters, including Annette Meeks of the Freedom Foundation, argued the bill would prevent privately funded employees from being placed in government offices and improve transparency. Laura Taken-Holty of the Attorney General’s Office opposed the bill, saying it would interfere with the office’s discretion and ability to obtain specialized legal expertise and that the office was underfunded and understaffed. Committee members debated whether the bill would limit the Attorney General’s authority or simply regulate funding sources. Several questions focused on alleged nonprofit-funded attorneys, including Bloomberg-related funding, but the Attorney General’s Office representative said she was not prepared to answer those specifics and had only recently learned of the issue. The chair and other members noted the bill was not a budget measure and that the office could provide additional information later in writing. No final action on SF 2818 was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Property Tax Subcommittee met in a first hybrid session and began with member and staff introductions. Chair Webber noted the agenda was intentionally light while the committee adjusted to the new format, and mentioned future reports that would come before the committee, including the 4D housing report and a report on Rule 8100. The committee heard Senate File 2681, authored by Senator Lane, which would extend application deadlines for the disabled veterans homestead and market value exclusion for certain surviving spouses. Lane and testifier Trent Dilks of Disabled American Veterans said the bill is intended to help surviving spouses of Blue Water Navy veterans and other eligible spouses who missed deadlines because of delays in VA recognition or appeals. Dilks explained the bill would move the relevant deadline from two years after the veteran’s death to two years after receipt of benefits, and would also shift the certification deadline from July 1 to December 31 to better align with other veterans benefit deadlines and reduce county-level confusion. Members were told the Department of Revenue analysis showed a negligible fiscal impact. No opposition was recorded, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The chair closed by noting the committee would have longer agendas in future meetings and then adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee met in hybrid format on February 8, 2022, began with member introductions and a roll call establishing quorum, and announced that the first three bills on the agenda would be laid over while the fourth would move to Judiciary after testimony. Members discussed the committee’s new and returning senators and the importance of transportation issues across their districts. The committee first heard Senate File 2910, authored by Senator Housley, which would require training for bus drivers and service employees on assisting riders with disabilities or mobility limitations when snow, ice, or other obstructions make it unsafe to exit a bus. Testimony came from Cynthia Kelley of the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance and Joy Rendells Hayden, who described a 2017 bus-stop fall that led to a brain bleed and stroke and said the bill could prevent similar injuries. Metropolitan Council representative Judd Shetnan said Metro Transit supports the bill and is willing to work with the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee. Members raised questions about liability, certification or training standards, and whether drivers can leave vehicles to assist riders; the chair said counsel would look into liability questions. SF 2910 was laid over. The committee then took up Senate File 700, described by Senator Pratt as a bill to expand the lien available to towing operators when vehicles are towed at law enforcement’s request, allowing recovery of additional costs such as cargo handling and accident-site cleanup. Lance Clatt of the Minnesota Professional Towing Association and Minnesota Service Station and Convenience Store Association testified in support, saying the bill would better cover the true costs of major recoveries and cleanup efforts involving cargo, spills, or other hazards. The transcript cuts off during this bill’s testimony, and no final committee action on SF 700 is shown in the excerpt.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Environmental and Natural Resources Finance Committee met for its first meeting of the 2022 session in a hybrid format, with members and staff introducing themselves and noting some remote participation and technical issues. The committee then heard an overview from DNR Commissioner Sarah Strowman on the governor’s supplemental budget and bonding proposals for the department. She said the bonding proposal includes $221.4 million for the DNR, with $110 million for existing assets such as buildings, roads, trails, bridges, water access sites, and water control structures. The supplemental budget request totals $95.4 million, focused mainly on climate change and drought relief, and she emphasized that the proposals are intended as one-time investments tied to increased outdoor use during the pandemic and the state’s budget surplus. Strowman outlined major components of the supplemental request, including $42 million for climate investments in natural lands and waters, $24 million for public land acquisition, $10 million for grasslands and wetlands restoration, $5.5 million for private forest management, and $13.35 million for drought-related aid. She also described funding for stream restoration, public water access upgrades, hatchery modernization, state park flood impacts, native plant restoration, and drought response such as tree mortality, reforestation, water conservation grants, and well interference assistance. She said the combined bonding and supplemental package would support land and water restoration, state lands infrastructure, public water access sites, and fishing infrastructure. Members asked several questions about dam safety, hatchery needs, Lake Vermilion development, well interference funding, and whether the proposal would create ongoing costs or FTEs. The DNR responded that dam safety funding is primarily in the bonding proposal, hatchery needs are significant and part of a long-term plan with the $20 million request addressing urgent needs at Waterville, and Lake Vermilion’s next phase would focus on a visitor center and campgrounds south of Highway 169. On well interference, the department said the money would help small water suppliers and domestic users resolve conflicts during drought and that no FTEs are associated with that proposal. Officials also said most of the package is one-time or temporary spending, with only limited ongoing staffing tied to broadband-related work, and they agreed to follow up with exact FTE information.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first discussed several upcoming substance abuse-related bills and drafts, including a policy bill, a DHS-related bill on moving behavioral health to a new agency, and a draft on recovery community organizations. Members were told these items would be posted for discussion, with most of the committee’s time reserved for written testimony on the state of substance abuse. The committee then took up Senate File 2774, a technical clarification bill, adopted the A2 amendment, and recommended the bill be passed and placed on the consent calendar. It also considered Senate File 2876, a broader package that was described as still being worked through; the A4 amendment was adopted and the bill was recommended to pass and go to Finance. The committee then heard the governor’s DHS budget presentation. Commissioner Harpstead outlined the administration’s budget priorities, including a workforce incentive fund for DHS-licensed providers in disability services, older adult services, behavioral health, and home care. Testimony emphasized that the proposal would allow flexible incentive payments such as retention bonuses, hiring bonuses, education assistance, transportation, and child care support, but would not fund wage increases. Senator Murphy expressed concern that bonuses alone would not solve workforce shortages or retain a skilled workforce, and urged broader attention to wages and long-term retention. Assistant Commissioner Gertrude Matemba Matassa then reviewed additional DHS proposals, including $26 million to expand children’s inpatient psychiatric and psychiatric residential treatment beds, a direct access proposal to replace county and tribal placing authority and Rule 25 assessments with a streamlined clinician-based process, and funding to expand intensive treatment in foster care, a new first-episode psychosis provider site, and an emerging mood disorder program. She also described proposals to increase adult day treatment rates, permanently extend funding for Transition to Community grants and mobile crisis services, create mobile transition units, strengthen discharge planning, and expand PRTF startup grants. Members asked about page references, technical assistance, licensing coordination, and how DHS would help providers navigate the split between DHS and the Department of Health; staff said DHS would provide hands-on technical assistance and coordinate with MDH to make the process as seamless as possible.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview from the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with a focus on energy-related opportunities for Minnesota. Before the presentation, the chair and members introduced themselves and briefly reviewed several energy items from the prior session, including funding for solar on schools, the Solar Rewards Program, a solar manufacturing expansion in Mountain Iron, a St. Thomas microgrid research project, a University of Minnesota weather study, and policy actions such as the energy transition office and META technology accelerator. Commerce officials Kathleen Blauvelt and Michelle Granzi described the act as a historic, largely competitive investment in energy infrastructure, emphasizing grid resilience, energy security, lower energy costs, weatherization, and workforce and technology development. They said Minnesota could benefit if it prepares strong applications and coordinates among state agencies, utilities, local governments, tribes, and other entities. They noted that many details were still preliminary, that federal guidance and exact funding amounts were not yet available, and that some programs will require state or local matching funds. They highlighted build.gov as a resource and said the Department of Energy was creating many new programs and initiatives, including grid and transmission planning efforts. Members asked how much money might come to Minnesota, whether the Legislature would need to act this session, and how smaller communities without grant-writing capacity could compete. Commerce said roughly $200 million in formula funding was anticipated over several years, while competitive opportunities could be much larger but were uncertain. John Kelly said the governor’s budget includes a proposed $20 million State Competitiveness Fund to provide matching funds, staffing, and technical assistance for the state, local governments, and tribal governments to pursue grants. Senators also asked who would decide on projects and whether the state itself would apply for some programs; Commerce responded that eligibility and administration would depend on the specific federal program and that more guidance was still needed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first held a confirmation hearing for George Soule to the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Soule described his background as a Minneapolis attorney, tribal court judge, and longtime participant in political campaigns, and said he would approach the board in a fair, nonpartisan way with respect for the political process and compassion for innocent mistakes. Senators from both parties praised his qualifications and independence. Senator Osmek moved confirmation, the committee approved it by voice vote, and the nomination was sent on to the Senate floor. The committee then took up Senate File 2672, authored by Senator Limmer, which would require Senate confirmation of members of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission. Limmer argued the commission has become too policy-making in nature and that legislative confirmation would better preserve checks and balances and legislative accountability. An A2 amendment was adopted to delete section 2 of the bill after staff explained it contained technical conflicts and obsolete language. Senator Clausen offered an A3 amendment to impose a 60-legislative-day deadline for Senate action on confirmations, with automatic confirmation if the Senate did not act in time. Limmer opposed the change, and members raised concerns about unintended consequences and whether the language created new problems. Staff said the amendment did not have the same conflict as the deleted section, but the committee rejected the A3 amendment on a voice vote. The bill remained as amended, and discussion continued with closing remarks emphasizing legislative oversight of the commission.