Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate held a non-session retirement ceremony for departing members, with the presiding officer explaining the order of speeches, service-day totals, and a service award presentation. The event was largely ceremonial and emotional, with applause throughout and repeated thanks to staff, family, and colleagues. No legislation was debated or voted on. Several retiring senators reflected on their service and priorities. Johnson Stewart emphasized infrastructure, pavement engineering, clean water, ponding, sewer and water projects, and bonding. Gagan thanked constituents, family, and staff, and spoke about the value of listening to different sides and the importance of relationships across the aisle. Bigum said she was not really retiring, thanked her district, staff, security, maintenance, and family, and closed with a request to “be kind to counties.” Isacson focused on family, staff, and the role of legislative assistants and nonpartisan staff, while also noting his interest in education, career and technical education, and mental health. Clawson and Kent both reflected on their first day in the chamber and Daniel Webster’s words about building strong institutions and doing something worthy of remembrance; Clawson highlighted stewardship, education, and shared interests, while Kent described the decision not to run again as bittersweet and thanked advocates, staff, and colleagues. The presiding officer also noted that the retiring members would receive service awards and photos, and that Kleenex was available for those who needed it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House met on the final day of the 2022 regular session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, and approved the previous day’s journal. The body then introduced House Files 4904 and 4905 and took up several Rules and Legislative Administration resolutions to close out the session in orderly fashion. The House adopted a journal resolution authorizing the chief clerk to correct and approve the final journal and include later interim committee or commission proceedings, a parking resolution allowing continued use of specified parking lots and the State Office Building ramp for members and employees between sessions, and a facilities resolution directing the chief clerk and chief sergeant-at-arms to maintain House spaces in the Capitol complex for legislative use during the interim. All three resolutions were approved without objection after brief remarks by Representative Winkler. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of farewell and retirement speeches from departing members, including Representatives Lippert, Christensen, Detmer, Wick, and Zhang. Their remarks focused on personal reflections, family and staff thanks, and broader themes such as rural and urban needs, climate change, housing, health care, child care, public safety, veterans, and the importance of bipartisan relationship-building. Several members also highlighted policy accomplishments from recent sessions, including farmer mental health support, environmental protections, assisted living and direct care worker reforms, opioid response, insulin affordability, child care, toxic chemical bans, school funding, broadband expansion, and COVID-19 recovery efforts. The session concluded with applause and additional closing remarks about public service and the importance of serving Minnesotans.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled House File 3872, the higher education bill, by adopting the conference committee report and moving the bill to third reading. Supporters said the compromise bill focused heavily on workforce development, including scholarships for law enforcement, construction, and social workers, increased funding for tribal schools, affirmative consent language, an Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center, and a provision to hold students harmless from Pell Grant changes. Several senators praised the conference committee’s work but also criticized the bill for not doing enough on tuition relief, student services, mental health, maintenance, and institutional funding. After debate, the motion to adopt the report prevailed, and the bill was laid on the table pending later action. The chamber then took up Senate File 4091, the Jobs, Commerce and Energy conference committee report. Senator Pratt described a package built around a much smaller target than the House proposal, with funding for the Main Street revitalization fund, small business grants, border community relief, the Northwest Angle, refugee and immigrant job support, Launch Minnesota, logger safety grants, veteran job placement, and a workforce development fund. He also highlighted unemployment insurance fraud reporting, a technical fix to the unemployment bill, and other labor provisions. Senator Rarick said the labor section largely reflected items agreed to by both chambers, including building code and permit fee changes, elevator and workers’ compensation clarifications, and combative sports language. Energy and commerce provisions were also summarized. Senator James said the energy section continued solar rewards, added contingency funding for the Ford site, host city economic development money, natural gas securitization, weatherization funding, tribal solar-on-schools support, state matching funds for federal infrastructure dollars, PACE changes, and a tribal energy council. The commerce section included changes to the Department of Commerce’s mandate review process, dental network leasing, and homeowners association procedures. The report was adopted after discussion, though senators questioned the majority’s plan to hold the bill for later final action and then move it through the remaining steps before adjournment.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The conference committee met to finish and adopt the remaining articles of the tax bill, with some light birthday celebration at the start for the chair. In Article 1, staff highlighted changes to the individual income, corporate franchise, and estate tax provisions, including removal of House language on a Rural Finance Authority application system for the beginning farmer credit, revisions to the dependent care credit phase-out, and reduced amounts for the young child expense additions. The article also included new sections for the new markets tax credit and related DEED/Revenue administration language. Article 1 was then moved, approved on a voice vote, and adopted. The committee next took up the State Aids article, which increases local government aid by $30 million annually with a hold-harmless provision, increases county program aid by $30 million annually, sets soil and water conservation district aid at $6 million annually, and provides $24 million for community career workforce academy grants plus a direct grant to the Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges. It also includes a $5.2 million electric generation transition account. After discussion, the article was adopted. The Property Tax article followed, with changes including a lower school equalization factor, a clarification for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe property tax refund provision, removal of a sunset on the energy storage system exemption, a 4D approval exception for certain cities or towns, an updated state general levy reduction, and a new reporting requirement on 4D property tax savings. Members asked for a broader property tax impact run, and the article was adopted. The Miscellaneous article was then considered. Staff described several technical and policy changes, including striking a $50 fee for entering a payment agreement, clarifying problem gambling hold-harmless language, limiting county pandemic community relief aid to rental assistance payments, converting the polar vortex response program from a tax credit to a grant program, and adding an administrative appropriation for the Department of Revenue. The committee also adopted oral amendments to clarify that SCORE grant funding comes from the environmental fund and to correct the administration language for the affordable housing market value exclusion program. Finally, the Local Taxes article began, with the main House-side change being an extension of Plymouth’s local lodging tax expiration to 2040, though staff noted a technical correction still needed to conform the draft to that intent. The transcript ends as discussion of the local taxes article was beginning.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The State Government Finance and Elections and Transportation Conference Committee met in hybrid form on Sunday, May 22, with a quorum present. Members first adopted an amendment clarifying the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity’s authority to enter closed session after proper notice, then approved a $30 million general fund matching-grants pool for the Commissioner of Management and Budget to provide state matching funds for competitive grant opportunities, especially federal IIJA-related grants that are not formula-driven. The committee then adopted House language on collateral, which was described as making state deposits more secure, including by recognizing letters of credit as a form of collateral similar to cash. Members also adopted a combined amendment to compensation-study language: after discussion, the committee modified the proposal so the study would refer more broadly to “law enforcement officers” rather than only the State Patrol, while retaining the intent that the study be used to compare salaries and inform appropriate pay increases. The committee also adopted the A112 spreadsheet reflecting the posted budget agreement and noted it included the previously adopted matching-funds language and cybersecurity grant program language. After the substantive amendments were approved, the committee voted to direct staff to prepare a conference committee report incorporating all adopted provisions and allowing technical and conforming changes. The committee then recessed rather than adjourn, leaving the meeting open in case agreement is reached on the transportation portion of the bill, with members told to watch for email notice and a possible later reconvening.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The meeting focused on end-of-session negotiations over Minnesota’s budget and major policy bills, with repeated discussion of the tax bill, bonding, education (E-12), transportation, public safety and judiciary, and health and human services. Republican speakers argued the state surplus should be used for tax relief and said Democrats were prioritizing spending over putting money back in Minnesotans’ pockets. They highlighted support for full Social Security tax exemption, property tax relief, income tax cuts, and a renter’s credit, while Democrats defended the broader tax agreement as benefiting all income earners, including renters and lower-income Minnesotans. There was sharp disagreement over the tax bill’s structure and whether the renter’s credit was a tax cut or a social program. Republicans said the deal had shifted from an expected $4 billion in tax relief paired with spending and a bottom-line deposit to a package they viewed as too heavy on spending. Democrats countered that the agreement was global and already negotiated by both chambers, and urged the Senate to finish its work rather than delay. Both sides also discussed whether the governor had signed off on the tax agreement; one speaker said the governor had, while another said they had not personally spoken with him. Leaders said some provisions were close to completion, especially the tax bill and E-12, while transportation, public safety, and HHS remained farther apart. Transportation talks included an offer on roads and bridges and the auto parts sales tax shift. Public safety negotiations centered on funding more police and tougher penalties, while HHS focused on nursing homes, assisted living, and disability providers. Several speakers said they were willing to keep working and meet with the Speaker, but they were not optimistic about a special session and emphasized that any special session would need clear, prescriptive parameters and an agreement in advance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, including dispensing with further roll call proceedings to bring in absent members, confirming a quorum, and adopting a motion to refer Senate Resolutions 146 and 147 to the Committee on Rules and Administration. Senate Resolution 148, relating to Senate business during the interim between sessions, was then adopted on a roll call vote of 67 ayes and 0 nays. The main substantive debate centered on Senator McEwen’s motion to withdraw Senate File 3633 from the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee, give it a second reading, and place it on General Orders. The bill would appropriate $650,000 from the general fund for a University of Minnesota Water Council study on Minnesota’s long-term clean water needs. Supporters, including Senator Johnson Stewart and Senator Weaker, argued the study was urgent because of climate change, PFAS, microplastics, drought, and other water threats, and said it could help position the state for federal funding. Senator Westrom opposed the motion, saying the issue would have been better addressed through the LCCMR process, which already includes funding for water and environmental studies. After roll call, the motion to withdraw SF 3633 failed 34-33, so the bill remained in committee. The Senate then received a House message on Senate File 4476, a redistricting bill, noting the House had appointed conferees. In announcements and leadership remarks, members discussed end-of-session negotiations on conference committee reports for E-12 education, public safety, transportation, health and human services, and the tax bill, with leaders saying time was short and that the Senate would recess to continue caucusing and negotiations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The meeting featured a lengthy farewell address honoring Senator David Tomassoni’s retirement after 22 years in the Senate and 30 years of legislative service overall. He reflected on the honor of public service, the personal sacrifices of the job, and the friendships he formed with colleagues, staff, and lobbyists. He also thanked Senate leadership and members from both parties for their respect and support, noting that he was able to finish the session and participate in the passage of the ALS bill. Tomassoni spent much of his remarks recognizing former colleagues and friends, including Tommy Kavina, Jim Metzen, Dick Cohen, and others, and he praised the Iron Range, mining, and logging industries as central to Minnesota’s economy and history. He also thanked numerous staff members, especially his legislative assistant Laura, and credited family support, including his wife Charlotte and their children, for helping him through years of service. A recurring theme was the impact of COVID-19 and the shift to remote testimony, which he said made it easier for people from greater distances to participate in the legislative process. He closed by expressing gratitude for the support shown at his final Iron Range party and for the opportunity to serve, saying he wished his successor well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee reconvened to work on the transportation portion of the state government, finance, elections, transportation, and pensions bill, focusing on an amendment related to the Driver and Vehicle Services Division and the independent expert review recommendations from a prior transportation omnibus bill. Members discussed how to structure $14 million in payments to deputy registrars, with fiscal staff explaining that the language needed to clearly show the money was intended as a one-time appropriation and not an ongoing base. After discussion, the committee settled on keeping the funding split as two $7 million appropriations, with clarifying language to make the 2024 amount part of the base only for that year and zero in later years. Representative Nash asked whether the revised language would still provide revenue distribution for non-fully compliant deputy registrars. Chair Hornstein and Senator Josinski responded that the distribution would be based on transactions and would include both deputy registrars and full-service providers, with the intended percentages preserved. Senator Josinski said the compromise reflected broader negotiations, including fee-sharing, driver’s license term length, and staffing levels, and expressed support for the two-year fee-sharing approach rather than an ongoing arrangement. The committee adopted the A114 amendment and then adopted the oral amendment clarifying the appropriation language. After that, members were told there was nothing further to come before the committee on the transportation piece, and the conference committee recessed, with the possibility of returning later if needed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House considered Senate amendments to House File 4065, a health and human services policy bill with about $3 million in spending. Representative Schultz urged concurrence, saying the bill reflected extensive House work and some Senate provisions, and Representative Liebling supported it as a good policy bill while criticizing the lack of a broader HHS budget agreement. She said the House had made multiple offers to the Senate over eight days and expressed hope for future funding for child care, homelessness, public health, food support, long-term care, and nursing homes. Representative Albright opposed the bill, arguing it failed to address long-term care, disability service provider funding, and non-emergency medical transportation, and objected that the conference committee bill included hemp and cannabis regulation instead of urgent needs. He also thanked nonpartisan staff for their work. After debate, the House concurred with the Senate amendments on a voice vote and gave the bill its third reading. On final passage, the clerk called the roll and the bill passed 68-65, repassing House File 4065 as amended by the Senate and agreeing to its title. Afterward, Representative Winkler announced a DFL caucus and moved a recess to the call of the chair; Representative Daudt said Republicans would caucus as well. The House approved the recess and went into recess.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up Senate amendments to House File 2725, a judiciary-related bill that the Senate said added mental health provisions, including loan forgiveness for mental health providers and other mental health initiatives. Representative Edelson urged concurrence, saying the changes would help communities and the state. The House agreed to concur, and the bill was given its third reading as amended by the Senate. During floor debate, Representative Daut opposed the bill, arguing it was rushed at the end of session and did not adequately address the state’s mental health bed shortage or provide the funding needed to support hospitals. He said the issue deserved more time and broader reform, and he urged members to vote no. No further discussion followed. The House then took a roll call vote on final passage. The bill passed and was repassed as amended by the Senate by a vote of 68 ayes to 60 nays, with its title agreed to. The House then adopted an adjournment motion and adjourned until Monday, May 23, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up House File 3255, a commerce omnibus-style bill, first adopting a delete-all A2 amendment that assembled several previously heard measures. The bill included the Department of Commerce supplemental budget, with an $8 million appropriation for fraud staffing, insurance division staffing, and security staffing, plus a transfer to the financial institutions account to offset general fund impacts. It also incorporated agreed-upon language on market conduct exams, affinity groups, a banking regulation fix related to collateral for federally chartered home loan banks, a technical change reflecting an agreement between auto dealers and manufacturers on electric vehicle sales in franchise agreements, and a preliminary licensing application provision. Supporters said the package combined multiple commerce-related bills and consumer protection measures; one senator noted it also funded fraud protection and criticized the Senate for not separately taking up a price gouging bill. The bill passed 67-0. The chamber then passed House File 3775, a technical commerce bill changing corporate reporting deadlines from 120 days after fiscal year end to 12 months after the original registration date. After adopting the amendment and taking roll, the bill passed 67-0. The Senate next adopted a conference committee report on House File 3420, the drought relief bill. The final package totaled $18.4 million, including $13.1 million for agriculture emergency response and drought relief and $5.3 million for DNR tree seedling and drought relief. Highlights included farmer grants of up to $7,500, low-interest loans, emergency response funding for avian influenza, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab support, meat processing and ag education investments, bioincentive funding changes, emerging farmer support, down payment assistance for new farmers, and a major rural broadband investment. The report was adopted 66-1. Finally, the Senate adopted the conference committee report on House File 3765, the natural resources/LCCMR bill. The agreement funded 80 projects from the $70 million trust fund proceeds, including cover crops, pollinator projects, and trail development, while limiting trail-related land work to easements and avoiding land acquisitions. Senators praised the compromise and the work of conferees and staff; one senator spoke in support of a Pigs Eye landfill-related project in his district. The conference report was adopted, and the bill passed after roll call.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 1829, a commerce bill prohibiting discrimination against organ and bone marrow donors. Representative Herr explained that the conference changes were technical, and in floor discussion he and Representative Quam said the bill would prevent insurers from denying coverage or charging higher rates without merit, while not creating a new mandate. Representative Drazkowski argued it would add to the state’s insurance mandates and raise costs, but the bill was repassed as amended by conference by a vote of 125 ayes and 6 nays. The House then concurred in Senate amendments to House File 3255, another commerce bill. Representative Stevenson said the bill included a one-time $522,000 appropriation for an auto theft prevention equipment library, expanded the Commerce Fraud Bureau to cover financial crimes, added five peace officer positions, and funded additional department positions, while omitting some House provisions such as catalytic converter theft measures and social media algorithm regulation. The motion to concur prevailed, and the bill was repassed as amended by the Senate by a vote of 70 ayes and 64 nays. Next, the House adopted a conference committee report on Senate File 4476, the redistricting corrections bill. Representative Murphy thanked staff and said the report made technical corrections to district maps based on issues raised by the courts and the Secretary of State, emphasizing the privacy of the vote and the work of the GIS office. Representative Torkelson supported the report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference unanimously, 133 ayes and 0 nays. After the redistricting vote, Majority Leader Winkler moved a recess to the call of the chair. The motion prevailed and the House stood in recess.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee met remotely on May 22, 2022, to review and adopt a conference committee spreadsheet for the environment and natural resources finance bill. Members first approved a technical correction that swapped funding sources for fish hatchery improvements and public water access sites, with the chair noting it did not change the bottom line. Staff then walked through the agreement, which included appropriations for Pollution Control Agency programs such as a St. Louis River mercury TMDL extension, Red River Basin phosphorus management, SCORE grants, air permit study work, petroleum tank cleanup reporting, air monitoring equipment, and a brownfield account, along with revenue changes and transfers affecting the remediation fund. The Department of Natural Resources section included funding for fish hatchery improvements, AIS grants, No Child Left Inside, law enforcement deficiency funding, Canisteo Mine Pit O&M, shooting sports facilities, non-game wildlife, elk reintroduction, ash tree replacement, school tree planting, ATV and trail projects, ORV trail ambassador grants, zoo-related increases, and lottery-in-lieu allocations. Other items covered the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Metropolitan Council parks account, Explore Minnesota tourism, and repayment of MElCAT. A representative asked for more detail on an appropriation to address a vacant school building/school cleanup, and staff said they would try to provide more information. The committee also discussed the absence of operating funds in the agreement, with members saying that issue had been the main sticking point and that the final deal reflected leadership and administration decisions. After the walkthrough, the committee voted 10-0, with five House and five Senate votes in favor, to adopt the spreadsheet. It then unanimously directed nonpartisan staff to work with the reviser to draft the conference committee report and make any technical corrections, and the committee recessed pending the report.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with a prayer focused on Memorial Day and honoring military զոհ sacrifices, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous day was approved without objection. The chief clerk then reported first readings for House Files 4902 and 4903, but no bill details or debate were given in this segment. The Speaker announced appointments of Representatives Murphy, Cleveland, and Torkelson to a conference committee on Senate File 4476. Minority Leader Daudt then made brief announcements that DFL members would caucus in Room 120 after recess, GOP members should await notice for their caucus, and the Rules Committee would meet immediately after recess. Daudt moved a recess to the call of the chair, and the motion prevailed. The House recessed without any recorded votes on legislation in this excerpt.