Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Housing Finance and Policy Committee received an update from the Minnesota Housing commissioner on the federal RentHelpMN emergency rental assistance program. The commissioner described the program’s goals as keeping renters housed during the pandemic while also helping property owners cover lost income, and emphasized that the aid was temporary federal funding. He said the program had been targeted to low-income renters, with most recipients below 50% of area median income and many below 30%, and noted that the assistance had helped avoid large rent arrears and possible homelessness. He also highlighted coordination with nonprofit field partners, property managers, and the courts, including Minnesota Housing staff helping courts track application status in more than 1,300 eviction-related cases through the evictions off-ramp process. Members focused heavily on funding levels, administrative costs, housing stabilization services, and the decision to close new applications. The commissioner explained that Minnesota received $673 million total, with about $537 million coming directly to Minnesota Housing and roughly $450 million estimated for direct assistance after admin and related costs. He said ERA 1 allowed 10% for administration and ERA 2 allowed 15% for administration plus 10% for housing stabilization services, though no housing stabilization money had yet been spent and a $9 million RFP was underway. In response to questions, he said that $9 million would not be enough to keep the program open for February rent, and that if the program had stayed open longer it would have been oversubscribed and unable to pay claims. The commissioner also walked through the program timeline and the January 28, 2022 deadline for new applications. He said applications had surged in January even before the closure announcement, making January the largest month of applications the program had seen, and that the agency changed its policy from paying arrearages plus three months forward to paying one month forward to stretch remaining funds. He estimated about 100,000 applications from 74,700 unique households had been submitted by the deadline, with 84,000 payments made so far to 48,000 households and about $375 million paid out. He said the agency had asked Treasury for reallocated funds, but had not received any in the first round and did not expect much in the second, and he also noted that the commissioner and staff were still processing applications and final numbers would continue to shift.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee met in a hybrid format and began with member roll call and brief introductions, with several senators noting the return to in-person meetings and some early technology/audio issues. The committee then took up three bills, all on Rule 47 motions to place them on general orders after prior committee consideration. Senate File 1782, authored by Senator Osmek, would allow townships and other political subdivisions to establish inflow and infiltration prevention programs, which current law limits to cities. Senate File 1974, authored by Senator Jasinski, would amend municipal contracting law by raising the cap on county contracting with small businesses from $250,000 to $500,000. Both bills were briefly summarized by counsel, moved by the chair, and approved without opposition. The committee also heard Senate File 2248, authored by Senator Rarick, a local bill for the city of Mora that would allow its Public Utilities Commission to expand from three members to five. Mayor Alan Scramstead and PUC chair Greg Gardner testified that the larger board would help address quorum problems and reduce meeting cancellations, while senators asked about the history of three-member boards, costs, and whether the language was permissive. Counsel and the author confirmed the bill was specific to Mora and permissive in nature. The committee approved the motion to recommend passage and send the bill to general orders, then adjourned after completing all agenda items.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a University of Minnesota supplemental budget and capital request presentation tied to the system’s IMPACT 2025 strategic plan. University leaders highlighted recent accomplishments, including record research expenditures, improved graduation rates, lower tuition growth, expanded affordability programs, and new initiatives such as Next Gen Med and Next Gen Ag. They said the request is intended to build on those priorities while using the state’s budget surplus to invest in the university’s future and its service to Minnesota. Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations Byron Franz outlined the request in detail. The university is seeking $75 million in recurring funding, including $60 million to expand scholarships through the Promise Program, $5 million for student services, and $10 million for public safety and security. The broader proposal also includes major one-time investments for safety and security infrastructure, sustainability and research, and capital renewal. Franz said the university’s 10-year capital renewal need exceeds $5 billion and that the request includes $400 million for HEBR, $75 million to renovate Fraser Hall into a modern chemistry teaching lab, $1.6 million for design of Duluth chemistry space, $140 million for the Twin Cities Health Discovery Hub, and $12 million for design of an academic health center in Duluth. The affordability portion of the request would expand the Promise Program and create a new Greater Minnesota Scholarship. Franz said the Promise expansion would increase aid for current recipients and extend eligibility to about 4,000 more students, while the new scholarship would support Minnesota residents at Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester. He also described the Native American Promise tuition program and said the university’s goal is to reduce student debt and increase access, especially for Greater Minnesota and underrepresented students. Dean Brian Bohr then presented the FARM project, or Future of Animal Agricultural Research in Minnesota. He described it as a state-of-the-art integrated research and education platform linking animal agriculture, crop systems, and One Health research, with educational pathways from K-12 through graduate study. He said the project has completed feasibility work, has a $60 million private pledge from the Hormel Foundation pending further development, and would require $60 million in state support to move forward. No votes were taken; the chair said members would hold questions until after the full presentation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee met on February 7, 2022, and took up Senate File 2848, a bill by Sen. Housley to appropriate $1 million to the Department of Public Safety for a statewide campaign to promote peace officer careers. Housley and testifiers from the Minnesota Chiefs Association and Minnesota Sheriffs Association said agencies are facing severe recruitment and retention problems, with applicant pools down 70 to 80 percent and about 900 unfilled officer positions statewide. They argued the bill would support branding, marketing, and outreach through the POST Board, including possible local use by agencies, colleges, and universities, to encourage more people to enter law enforcement. Several senators raised concerns about the bill’s breadth, the lack of guardrails on how the money would be spent, and whether a marketing campaign would meaningfully address deeper issues affecting morale and recruitment. Sen. Latz questioned whether the committee had enough data to justify the spending and suggested the issue was more than advertising. The bill’s supporters responded that similar efforts have worked in other states and pointed to examples such as Alaska State Patrol recruiting campaigns and military branding efforts. Sen. Kiffmeyer and others said the campaign could help inform people how to enter the profession and complement local recruitment efforts. The chair indicated the bill would be voted on and, if approved, sent to the Finance Committee. The discussion focused on whether the proposal was an effective use of taxpayer dollars and whether the committee had sufficient evidence before moving it forward. No final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt provided.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the Department of Health on use of COVID-19 flexible response funds to support hospitals and long-term care facilities during the Omicron surge. Commissioner Malcolm described a $40 million emergency staffing pool funded through federal ARP dollars to contract with a national staffing firm for 199 registered nurses and 20 respiratory therapists, equivalent to about 330 FTEs. The staffing was allocated through regional healthcare preparedness coalitions, with hospitals paying 25% of the cost and federal funds covering 75%. The department said the contract was executed quickly, had 140 providers on the ground at the time of the hearing, and would be extended in duration through about the end of April without adding funds. Members asked for more detail on where the nurses came from, how much they were paid, lodging and other costs, and how much COVID relief money remained; the department said it would follow up with the vendor and Minnesota Management and Budget. The second major topic was the hospital decompression strategy, funded with $2.49 million from the governor’s flexible funds and $5 million from the LCRC. The department explained that it worked with selected existing skilled nursing facilities to take hospital discharges for patients who no longer needed hospital-level care but still needed rehabilitation or post-acute support. Private vendors, the National Guard, and state contracts provided staffing, with about 80 FTEs supporting the sites. The department said the initial four sites were in Shakopee, Brainerd, Hastings, and St. Paul, with a later COVID-positive recovering patient site also opened in St. Paul. The program had made 116 beds available and supported 303 admissions so far, and officials said the sites were helping reduce emergency department boarding and transfers to higher levels of care. Members asked several questions about the program’s structure, ethics, and geography. Commissioner Malcolm and Assistant Commissioner Roderick clarified that the decompression sites were existing high-quality skilled nursing facilities, not a new category of facility, and that they were chosen through an application process and regional coordination. They said the initial sites were not taking COVID-positive patients, though a separate site was created for recovering COVID-positive patients. Officials also said long-term care facilities statewide were receiving broader crisis staffing and infection-control support, including National Guard response teams and staffing databases. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the department agreed to provide follow-up information on staffing costs, recruitment sources, and remaining funds.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 2677, as amended, which would use $2.73 billion from the general fund to repay Minnesota’s federal unemployment insurance loan, pay accrued interest, and replenish the UI trust fund to a projected $1.3 billion level. Senator Pratt said the bill would prevent additional assessments on employers, allow DEED to recalculate premiums before April payments are due, and align with the governor’s request. The A2 authors amendment was adopted by voice vote. Pratt also said the bill was bipartisan, noting Senator Putnam would co-author it and Representative Pawlowski would carry it in the House. Members raised questions about whether the bill was competing with frontline worker or hero pay and about whether DEED could actually recalculate employer assessments after notices had already gone out. Pratt responded that the bill was not intended as a tradeoff with frontline worker pay, that laid-off health care and frontline workers had already received unemployment insurance, and that he had not been told DEED could not make the recalculation. He said the timing was important to avoid overtaxing employers and to get the fund restored before the first payments were due. Testimony from business and chamber representatives strongly supported the bill. Chris Gruhat of DNG Excavating described a projected 24 percent increase in unemployment taxes for her seasonal business and said the added costs could force price increases or threaten the company. Mark Erdahl of Red Wing Shoe Company said the pandemic forced furloughs and that the trust fund fix would protect the company’s ability to invest and hire. Troy Redding of Alley Restaurants, Andy Wilkie of Greater Mankato Growth, and Lauren Schathorst of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce all urged quick passage to avoid double-digit payroll tax increases, citing inflation, supply-chain problems, and workforce shortages. Kelly Gibbons of SEIU Local 284 offered a different perspective, arguing that unemployment insurance is a safety net for workers, especially seasonal school workers who are often women and people of color, and said the state should do better at protecting all workers. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate K-12 Finance and Policy Committee met on February 7 in a hybrid format and heard an update on Live More Screen Less, the organization implementing Minnesota’s digital well-being law. Catherine Myers opened by thanking the committee for its prior bipartisan support and describing the group’s work to address the effects of technology on student mental health, learning, and safety. She said the organization has grown from a small team into a larger staff and board structure and is using state grant funding for four main efforts: an online resource hub, a network of partner organizations, a parent communications campaign, a train-the-trainer series for adults, and a peer-led student education program. She also noted ongoing work with Faribault Public Schools and an external evaluator. Board treasurer James McGuire reviewed the grant finances, saying spending was on track and that most expenditures were tied to personnel and program delivery. He explained that the “human resources” category included salaries, consulting, and benefits, and said the organization had hired two additional full-time employees plus contracted specialists since the grant began. Committee members asked several questions about how the money was allocated, whether the report would provide more detail, and whether the new staff were directly implementing curriculum in schools. Liv Volkman Johnson testified about her own experience with social media pressure and youth mental health, citing the Surgeon General’s advisory on youth mental health and arguing that technology can contribute to bullying, exclusion, and distress when used irresponsibly. Marie Hampton focused on the Facebook/Instagram internal research revealed in 2021, saying it confirmed concerns about the harms of overuse and social comparison, especially for teen girls. She described Live More Screen Less’s partnerships with schools, state agencies, and national groups, including work on screen-time guidance for early learning and input on youth survey questions. In response to committee questions, Hampton said the organization addresses both screen time and content, uses a balanced and intentional approach, and frames its work around five dimensions of well-being. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on deer farm chronic wasting disease (CWD) oversight and the DNR’s October 2021 stop-movement order on white-tailed deer. Members first introduced themselves and new staff, then paused to offer condolences and a moment of silence for the recent death of Assistant Commissioner Peter Cheshot’s young daughter. The DNR then presented its report on the stop-movement order and the new concurrent authority shared with the Board of Animal Health, explaining that the order was issued after a Wisconsin deer farm with CWD-positive animals was linked to deer imported into Minnesota and other states. DNR staff said the October order was intended to give time to trace deer moved over a five-year period, and that the order was lifted after about two months once reasonable efforts to locate the animals were exhausted. They said the experience showed gaps in interstate traceability and led to a recommendation to prohibit importation of cervids from any county, township, or state with CWD. Members questioned whether the Board of Animal Health had been properly consulted and whether the new concurrent authority was necessary. DNR officials said they had worked with the Attorney General, Governor’s Office, and Revisor on the emergency order, and that the Board of Animal Health should have been notified earlier as a matter of courtesy. Board of Animal Health Executive Director Beth Thompson explained that the board received trace notification from Wisconsin on August 13 about five deer from a CWD-positive herd, traced them within hours, and quarantined the Minnesota herd; one deer remained in Minnesota and was euthanized and tested negative. She said the board did not notify the DNR of that trace, but also noted that traceability is standard across livestock species and that communication between agencies needs improvement. Senators asked about the timeline, the scientific basis for the stop-movement order, and how concurrent authority would work going forward. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard informational updates from DNR leadership on several divisions, with discussion focused on lands and minerals, ecological and water resources, forestry, and parks and trails. Early in the meeting, Senator Weber raised concerns about several local issues he said he intended to pursue, including road safety near Lake Shatak/Kili Island, limits on lake weed-control treatment, and maintenance of wildlife management areas; committee leadership said staff would follow up with him privately. No votes were taken. Joe Henderson of Lands and Minerals described the division’s management of 5.6 million acres of state land and 12 million acres of state mineral resources, and highlighted the move to online surplus land sales through MNBid, which he said increased participation and revenues. He also reported strong iron ore production, historically high mineral lease revenues, and a 10-year high in permitting activity, including 25 permit-to-mine applications and amendments and numerous water appropriation permit changes. Katie Smith of Ecological and Water Resources reviewed the 2021 drought response, including the state drought task force, water-use reductions, temporary suspension or modification of lower-priority water appropriations, and requests for supplemental funding for public water supply conservation grants and homeowner well assistance. She also discussed Dakota skipper reintroduction efforts, St. Louis River habitat restoration projects, a bait harvest pilot to balance bait access with invasive species prevention, and invasive carp removal efforts. In response to questions, she said water quality has improved overall over decades, though conditions vary by watershed. Forrest Bow of Forestry said the division manages wildfire suppression, state forests, forest health, and reforestation. He reported an unusually severe fire season with about 2,200 fires statewide, far above the five-year average of 1,200, and more than 900 aircraft flights or drops used in suppression, with assistance from 14 states and two provinces. He also noted drought-related seedling mortality and the need for sustained funding for reforestation and shade-tree planting. Anne Pierce of Parks and Trails reported strong post-pandemic recreation use, including more than 11.5 million state park visits in 2021, increased overnight visits and permit sales, and a shift toward spring and late-fall use that is creating staffing and self-service challenges.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Eric Pratt and several bipartisan coauthors held a press event promoting Senate File 2677, a proposal to repay Minnesota’s unemployment insurance trust fund debt and restore the reserve so businesses avoid coming payroll tax increases. Supporters said the bill would allocate about $2.73 billion to pay the federal debt and interest, with the goal of keeping the UI system solvent and preventing what they described as an unwarranted tax hike on employers. Pratt, Representative Gene Pawlowski, Senator Jason Rarick, and Representative Barb Haley all urged the Legislature to pass the measure as a stand-alone, “clean” bill rather than fold it into an omnibus package, and said they wanted it enacted quickly because interest is accruing daily and the tax changes are approaching. Business and chamber representatives testified in strong support, arguing that the UI tax increase would hit small, medium, and large employers alike and make it harder to hire, rebuild, and compete for workers. The Minnesota Chamber, Duluth Area Chamber, and individual employers described specific projected increases, including large percentage jumps and substantial dollar increases for businesses in retail, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and education. Speakers said many employers were not prepared for the change, that some had never laid off workers but would still be affected, and that using the state surplus and federal relief funds to backfill the trust fund was the fairest solution. Several business owners gave personal examples of the impact, including a school reporting a sharp increase in UI taxes, an excavating company projecting an additional $26,159 in taxes, and a small manufacturer saying it had worked hard to keep employees through the pandemic. Legislators and witnesses repeatedly said the bill should move before a March 15 deadline to avoid delays and additional costs. In response to questions, Pratt said the bill’s main purpose is to repay the debt, restore the fund, and reset tax rates, while some technical details and the taxable wage base could still be discussed later; he also said the Senate expected to advance the bill to Finance and then to the floor soon, with bipartisan support.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and pledge, then the clerk called the roll and members were reminded to keep floor conversation to a minimum. The body received executive and official communications with no action required, and then adopted the committee reports printed in the agenda. In the introduction and first-reading order, two higher education bills were introduced: Senate File 2964 and Senate File 2965, both referred to the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee. Under motions and resolutions, the Senate approved motions to add Senator Pratt as a co-author to Senate File 2623 and Senate File 700, and referred Senate Resolutions 94 through 96 to the Rules and Administration Committee. The Senate also approved a motion to return the withdrawn Board of Animal Health appointments of Dean Compart, Peggy Hawkins, and Jim Vets to the Agriculture and Rural Development Finance and Policy Committee. During announcements, Senator Miller moved that the Senate recess to the call of the Chair, approximately 5:00 p.m.; the motion carried and the Senate recessed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program previewed the opening of Minnesota’s 2022 legislative session and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. Miller said Senate Republicans would prioritize permanent tax relief in response to the projected $7.7 billion surplus, including eliminating state taxes on Social Security income, while opposing one-time rebate checks. He also emphasized public safety, calling for more police officers and tougher accountability for violent offenders, and said Republicans would pursue a back-to-basics education agenda focused on literacy, reading, math, science, and history. On bonding, he said the Senate would focus on core infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and asset preservation, while coordinating state dollars with expected federal infrastructure funds. He also said Senate Republicans would not increase the previously proposed $250 million for frontline worker pay, but would support a bipartisan fix for the unemployment insurance trust fund, which he said could be an early session win. Winkler said House DFLers were open to compromise on frontline worker pay and unemployment insurance, but preferred one-time tax credits over permanent tax cuts, warning that ongoing cuts could create future deficits. On public safety, he described the House DFL approach as holistic, combining law enforcement resources, intelligence sharing, and community violence prevention. He said the DFL would pursue paid family and medical leave and sick and safe time because the pandemic exposed the cost of lacking those benefits, and argued the surplus could help fund startup costs. He also said the DFL would address child care shortages and housing affordability, including concern about the housing relief fund and the need for more units. For higher education, he said the state should expand aid and grants to improve access, and on bonding he pointed to roads, bridges, transit, clean water, and other core infrastructure, noting the state’s capacity to bond for more than $2.7 billion. The program also covered opening-day activities at the Capitol, including Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan greeting lawmakers and Senate President David Osmek being sworn in. Later segments highlighted a DFL-led Equal Rights Amendment compliance effort, with lawmakers saying Minnesota should review its laws and rules for consistency with the 28th Amendment and prepare any needed changes for the 2023 session. The final segment featured a Senate GOP proposal to boost law enforcement recruitment through a public service campaign, scholarships for Minnesota State students, pathways-to-policing support, and a $10,000 signing bonus/reimbursement program funded at $20 million, aimed at addressing a shortage of licensed officers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller outlined Senate Republican priorities for the session, centered on using the projected budget surplus for permanent tax relief rather than a one-time rebate. He said Republicans want to eliminate state taxes on Social Security income and argued that ongoing tax cuts would help Minnesotans cope with inflation. He also said public safety would be a top priority, with proposals to fund more police officers and hold violent criminals accountable. On education, Miller said Republicans want a back-to-basics approach focused on keeping kids in the classroom, increasing parental involvement, and emphasizing core subjects such as reading, math, science, and history. He said the caucus will put a strong focus on literacy because reading difficulties are contributing to students falling behind. He also said Senate Republicans had proposed using the previously approved $250 million for frontline worker bonuses, but would not support increasing that amount after the working group failed to reach agreement. Miller said the caucus sees potential for bipartisan action on replenishing the unemployment insurance trust fund and said Republicans will introduce a proposal soon. On bonding, he said Republicans want a bill focused on roads, bridges, and asset preservation, and noted that state matching funds may be needed to leverage roughly $4.5 billion to $5 billion in federal infrastructure dollars. He expressed optimism that a bipartisan bonding bill could pass this session.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler discussed the DFL priorities for the 2022 legislative session, including frontline worker pay, replenishing the unemployment insurance trust fund, public safety funding, paid family and medical leave, child care, housing, higher education affordability, and bonding. On frontline worker pay and unemployment insurance, he said there is room for compromise and argued that any relief should prioritize workers and families rather than large corporations. He also said the DFL wants to avoid permanent tax cuts that could create future deficits, favoring one-time tax credits instead. On public safety, Winkler said the DFL’s approach should be holistic, combining law enforcement resources, better intelligence sharing across jurisdictions, and community-based violence prevention efforts. He said there are no quick fixes and that funding should go where it can do the most good. On paid family and medical leave and sick and safe time, he said the pandemic has made the need more urgent because families are losing income when child care, schools, or workplaces are disrupted, and he described the programs as a basic benefit that should be available to all Minnesotans. Winkler also said child care shortages and housing affordability problems have been worsened by the pandemic and need broad action, including more affordable child care so parents can work and more housing units to bring costs down. On higher education, he said the state can help with tuition and state grants but cannot solve the full cost problem alone. On bonding, he pointed to federal infrastructure funding and said Minnesota should continue investing in roads, bridges, transit, clean water, and other core infrastructure, noting the state has capacity to bond for more than $2.7 billion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and pledge, took roll, and established a quorum. Executive and official communications were received and referred with no action taken. The chamber then introduced first-reading bills, including Senate File 2684, referred to Health and Human Services Finance and Policy, and Senate File 2722, referred to Transportation Finance and Policy. The Senate also adopted author motions in one motion. A major floor item was Senate File 1203, a workers’ compensation bill concerning COVID-19 presumptions for certain employees. Senators discussed an A1 amendment that made technical changes and extended the presumption through January 13, 2023, while leaving a gap period for workers who contracted COVID between January 1, 2022, and enactment. Supporters said the amendment was a compromise reached with the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council and was needed to protect frontline workers such as firefighters, nurses, paramedics, and police officers; critics argued the gap would leave some workers burdened with proving work-related infection and urged retroactive coverage. The amendment was adopted, the bill was given its third reading, and it passed 66-0. The Senate also handled several motions to re-refer bills and resolutions, including Senate Files 2420 and 2422, both moved to the Environment, Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee, and Senate Resolutions 88 through 93 to Rules and Administration. House File 1203 was moved from committee, declared urgent, amended, and advanced to final passage. Later, senators made announcements about committee process for commissioners, a school art display initiative in the Capitol, and upcoming community events. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 7, at 11 a.m.