Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Rules and Legislative Administration Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from May 5, 2022. The committee then adopted the calendar for May 11, 2022 under Rules 1.21 and 3.33, which included House File 2725 on competency restoration and Senate File 3008, a liquor-related bill. The chair also moved, under Joint Rule 2.03 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, to waive committee deadlines for future action on Senate File 4476 and refer it to the General Register. That motion prevailed without discussion. The committee then took no further business and adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Leaders said they were in the middle of high-level budget negotiations, comparing House, Senate, and administration proposals while fiscal staff worked through detailed numbers. They also received briefings from DEED on the state’s broadband plan, including how to achieve border-to-border service, and on the federal IIJA infrastructure funds, with discussion of the state match and how the money would be structured and allocated. The speaker said several recent items had already been resolved or were close to completion, including replenishing the UI trust fund, funding frontline workers and COVID-related needs, and possibly signing a veterans package as soon as the next day. Opioid settlement money was also expected to move forward in coordination with the governor’s office. The overall message was that the Legislature was making progress on immediate priorities and was now shifting toward compromise on the budget, with another two-hour meeting scheduled later that day. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on tax policy and the state budget balance. The speaker said staff had reviewed tax proposals but that no detailed negotiations had begun yet, and emphasized a preference for a balanced package that provides short-term relief without creating a long-term deficit. On Social Security taxes, the speaker said there may be room to compromise further, while warning that full repeal would mostly benefit the wealthiest Minnesotans. The speaker also said any final deal would likely have to combine tax cuts, direct payments, and investments in child care, health care, and education. The speaker also answered questions about special education funding, arguing that the federal government has failed to fully fund mandated services and that the resulting cross-subsidy forces school districts to cover costs by increasing class sizes, cutting staff, or relying more on property taxes and levies. In a separate exchange, the speaker described a recent meeting with the Wilfs/Vikings as focused on infrastructure, public safety, stadium-area development, labor practices, and economic growth, with no discussion of sports betting. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The K-12 Education Conference Committee met to begin discussion of House File 4300, with the House and Senate members introducing themselves and noting a tight schedule that would require testimony to continue at a later hearing. The committee focused first on student and staff mental well-being and mental health, which House members described as a major issue in the bill. Chair Richardson emphasized the long-standing need for supports, citing rising youth suicide and the prevalence of mental health issues among children. Chair Davnie outlined the House proposal as including expanded school-linked mental health services, more student support personnel, additional support for Level 4 students, and extending public school counselor services to private elementary students. Chair Pinto added that the bill includes $2.5 million per year for school social workers to support young children and families. Senator Chamberlain offered a different framing, saying the Senate has focused on social media, school stability, and reading as key drivers of student distress, while also noting existing safe schools and school-linked mental health funding. He argued for minimizing new mandates and acknowledged workforce shortages in mental health professions. Commissioner Mueller said mental health is central to learning and urged the committee to adopt House and governor proposals to expand student support personnel and improve recruitment, retention, and diversification. She also referenced the Richfield and District 287 tragedy as evidence of the need for ongoing supports. Testimony from Dr. Ann Garrity of the University of Minnesota and school counselor Kela Coolers reinforced the need for early, community-based, and school-based mental health supports. Garrity cited research showing increases in youth anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts, along with disparities in access and the importance of addressing parent stress, community supports, and prevention rather than only clinical care. Coolers described rising self-harm assessments, referrals, and less visible signs of distress in elementary students, such as anxiety, cyberbullying, and academic disengagement. Because of time limits, the chair announced that testimony on student well-being and mental health would continue at the committee’s Wednesday hearing; no votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 4649, as amended, was heard as Representative Hollins’ two-year bill to reauthorize the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which is set to expire in 2024. The DE4 author’s amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the chair then moved the bill to be recommended for re-referral to the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee. The bill would place a ballot question before voters to extend the lottery revenue dedication for the trust fund through 2050 and, in the amended version, direct the other half of the lottery proceeds to a new housing fund for affordable housing, homeownership, and housing rehabilitation, with a housing council to advise on spending priorities. Testimony was largely supportive. Steve Morse of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership said a broad coalition of environmental, conservation, justice, sporting, and recreational groups backed the proposal and described the trust fund as a long-term, dependable source for protecting Minnesota’s natural resources. Courtney Phillips of the Shell Rock River Watershed District said trust fund grants had enabled innovative water-quality and wetland projects that small organizations could not otherwise complete. Mike Verhoeven of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers supported asking voters to continue directing lottery dollars to natural resources, saying the bill aligned with his organization’s mission. Renny Gaither of Frogtown Green described local benefits from trust fund investments, including a park, tree planting, and pollinator habitat, and Libby Murphy of the Minnesota Housing Partnership supported the housing portion, citing a shortage of affordable homes, energy burdens, climate resilience, and the need to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing. Members from the majority praised the bill as an innovative way to address both environmental and housing needs, noting the connection between building efficiency, climate impacts, and affordable housing. Representative Heintzeman raised procedural objections, questioning why the bill was being heard so late in session, why it had not gone through the Housing Committee, and whether it was intended to move this year. Representative Hollins responded that the housing idea came from prior discussions with housing stakeholders and legislators, that the bill and amendment were posted on time, and that she expected it to move forward to Rules. No roll-call vote was taken in the portion provided beyond adoption of the amendment and the motion to advance the bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate began by dispensing with further roll-call proceedings, taking the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeding through executive and House messages. The body laid a list of gubernatorial notary appointments on the table, received notice that the House had passed Senate File 4025 on opioids with no further action required, and agreed to conference committees on Senate File 2673 on public safety and House File 3872 on higher education. The Senate also adopted committee reports and advanced several bills through second reading and introduction. The main floor work centered on special orders. House File 3296, a motor vehicle bill addressing a loophole involving damaged vehicles and salvage branding, was amended with a technical A2 amendment and then passed 67-0. House File 3682, updating the definition and requirements for qualified newspapers to reflect e-editions and online publications, also passed unanimously. House File 4406, the annual reviser’s corrections bill, was described as purely technical and passed 67-0. The Senate also took up Senate File 3540, the omnibus pension and retirement policy bill. Senators Rosen and others described a package of pension-related provisions, including studies of workers’ compensation and pension adequacy for first responders, disability assessment authority for advanced practice nurses, survivor purchase of service credit, military service credit issues, volunteer firefighter and teacher retirement changes, and other technical corrections. Two amendments, A1 and A50, were adopted, and the bill passed 33-0. Afterward, the Senate recessed briefly to appoint conferees for House File 3872, then approved the conference committee appointments. The meeting ended with announcements about American Indian Day on the Hill, the I-90 party, and a retirement reception for legislators at CHS Field. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, May 10 at 11:00 a.m.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 4850, a bill to reform the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Representative Hanson moved the bill and an author’s A1 amendment, which was adopted. Hanson said the amendment would require any capital projects funded through LCCMR to go through a process similar to bonding projects, including review by MMB to confirm they are legitimate projects. Hanson then described the bill’s broader reforms: changing the commission from a legislative-majority structure to a more evenly divided bipartisan format, with two members from each party in each house; adding eight governor-appointed citizen members by congressional district; including a tribal member; and tightening conflict-of-interest rules so conflicted members would not vote on the final package. He also said registered lobbyists could not serve, but people who work for an entity with lobbyists could serve if they are not themselves registered lobbyists. He noted the bill did not include an explicit two-term limit for citizen members, though he was open to that idea. Representative Heintzman questioned the lobbyist restriction and raised concerns about the bill’s timing and process. Representative Ecklund supported reform, said term limits for citizen members should be considered, and argued the current process had become too entrenched and political. Hanson responded that the bill would improve accountability and transparency and that current appointees would serve out their terms before the new structure took effect. The committee then voted on Hanson’s motion to recommend re-referral of House File 4850, as amended, to the Ways and Means Committee. The motion passed 10-7, with two members excused.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3834 was presented as a technical, administrative local government bill to clarify the legal status of the Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Representative Elkins explained that the bill corrects an old session-law oversight so Bloomington’s HRA is clearly governed by the statewide HRA statute, rather than being left in a gray area. Representative Carlson and Elkins both spoke in support, noting the HRA’s role in affordable housing, neighborhood preservation, rental assistance, housing rehabilitation loans, first-time homebuyer assistance, and redevelopment programs. No amendments were offered. The bill was read for third reading and the House proceeded to a roll call vote after brief discussion ended. The bill passed with 108 ayes and 22 nays, and the title was agreed to.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved the previous day’s journal and adopted standing committee reports. The chamber received messages from the Senate, including Senate concurrence on a conference committee for House File 3872 (higher education), transmission of Senate File 3540 (retirement), and a request for House concurrence on Senate amendments to House File 3296. The Rules and Legislative Administration Committee also announced the calendar for the next day and pre-filing requirements for amendments to specified bills. The main floor action focused on two local government bills. House File 3834, a technical cleanup bill clarifying that Bloomington’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority is governed by the general HRA statute rather than older session law, was described by its author as an administrative correction; a former HRA member also spoke in support. The House passed the bill on a roll call vote of 108-22. House File 4221, which would remove a long-standing exception so Hennepin County could pay per diems or allowances to members of county advisory boards and commissions like other counties, was presented as a fairness and recruitment measure; it also passed after debate by a roll call vote of 87-44. After the bills, the House adopted non-controversial motions, heard an announcement about an event honoring retiring legislators at CHS Field, and approved a motion to adjourn until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. The House then adjourned.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The conference committee on Senate File 4062 met to begin negotiations, with House and Senate conferees and staff introducing themselves and agreeing to a hybrid meeting format for the week. Chairs Hanson and Ingebrigtsen both said they were hopeful the committee could resolve differences in the remaining two weeks of session, though they acknowledged the chambers were still far apart on several issues. No votes were taken at the outset; the committee moved directly into a side-by-side walkthrough of the bill. Senate counsel Ben Stanley first reviewed the Senate side of the Article 2 side-by-side, covering a wide range of Department of Natural Resources and related policy provisions. These included changes to snowmobile, ATV, and off-highway motorcycle registration and transfer rules; trail and access provisions; hunting and fishing changes such as minnow definitions, two-line fishing, antler point restrictions, shotgun zone changes, bear relocation permits, and walk-in access modifications; and several water and permitting provisions tied to the White Bear Lake decision, calcareous fens, groundwater management, and environmental review. He also noted provisions affecting PCA fee authority, unadopted rules, environmental rights act limits, EAW petition requirements, and various other DNR, PCA, and water-law enforcement items. House member Janelle Taylor then walked through the House side, which included many different or additional provisions. These covered repealers related to turtle seller licenses and lead/cadmium language, creation of a Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office, pollinator and pesticide restrictions, a statewide watercraft operator permit system, turtle licensing changes, non-toxic shot requirements in WMAs, BWSR easement and soil-health provisions, expanded water-law enforcement authority, public meeting and permit requirements, environmental justice definitions and permit analysis requirements, feedlot financial assurance, abandoned manure storage reporting, lead service line definitions, air monitoring and air toxic reporting, a Pig’s Eye Area Task Force, and rules on safe disposal of neonic-treated seed. The committee did not reach final agreement or take substantive action in this portion of the meeting; the discussion was a detailed presentation of differences for later negotiation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4025, an opioid settlement bill, under a motion to suspend the rules and declare urgency so it could receive second and third readings and be brought to final passage the same day. Representative Olson, the bill’s author, said the measure was needed to begin using expected opioid settlement dollars quickly to fight the opioid crisis, and Representative Baker urged support for the suspension. The motion prevailed, and the bill was read for the second and third times. In debate, Olson explained that the bill updates Minnesota’s 2019 opioid law to accommodate nationwide settlement funds from opioid manufacturers and distributors, estimated at about $300 million. The bill implements a 75/25 distribution agreement between local governments and the state, creates separate accounts for licensing-fee revenue and settlement revenue, and changes current law so settlement money can be spent right away rather than waiting for the pharmacy-fee sunset. It also includes a claims bar to maximize settlement recovery, clarifies that all settlement money counts toward the $250 million threshold tied to the fee sunset, extends that sunset to July 1, 2031, and requires annual reporting by municipalities receiving direct payments to DHS on how the funds are used for opioid remediation. Additional DHS funding is included to collect and report the data. Representative Cagle and Representative Baker spoke in support, emphasizing that the money should go quickly to treatment, prevention, recovery, workforce, and other local efforts, and noting the work of the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (ORAC) in directing grants and identifying effective programs. Olson and Baker thanked a long list of partners, including the Attorney General’s Office, legislative staff, and local government associations, for negotiating the settlement and bill language. After no amendments were offered, the House voted on final passage and the bill passed 119-8, with its title agreed to.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3768, a civil law bill on structured settlements, was presented as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing injured people from selling future settlement payments for far less than their value. Representative Cagle said the bill was developed with consumer advocates, attorneys, annuity insurers, and settlement-purchasing companies after media reporting highlighted abuses in the current system. The bill strengthens disclosures to consumers, requires courts to make written best-interest findings using specified factors, and directs courts to obtain independent advice in certain cases involving minors or people with impairments. The bill also requires settlement-purchasing companies to register with the Secretary of State, post a bond, and comply with new prohibited-practice rules intended to curb harassment and pressure tactics. An A3 amendment with technical fixes was adopted without objection. Representative Scott spoke in support, calling it a strong consumer protection bill, and Representative Cagle thanked the advocates who helped shape it. After third reading, the House took a roll call vote. The bill passed as amended by a vote of 121 ayes and 4 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4233, a veterans and military affairs funding bill, and first suspended the rules so it could receive second and third readings and be placed on final passage. Members described the measure as a bipartisan compromise and emphasized that it was being considered as a standalone veterans bill rather than folded into a larger state government finance bill. The bill was presented as a package of investments for veterans housing, services, and military support. Representative Ecklund outlined the bill’s main provisions, including funding to complete veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston; more than $6.5 million to address veterans homelessness through supportive and permanent housing and landlord support; $25 million in post-9/11 bonus payments for eligible veterans and Gold Star families; enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses for the National Guard; increased grants for county veterans service officers and veterans organizations; and funding for a veterans campground wastewater upgrade, the Redwood Falls State Veterans Cemetery, the Fisher House near Fargo, and activities related to the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul. Other members spoke in support, citing personal or family military service and praising the bill’s focus on housing, homelessness, suicide prevention, and care for veterans. Several members also noted the importance of keeping the veterans bill separate and praised the bipartisan work of the House and Senate chairs and staff. Some expressed disappointment that suicide prevention funding was not included, but said they expected to pursue it next year. After discussion, the House voted on final passage and approved the bill 121-1, with the title agreed to.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted noncontroversial motions, comparison reports, and committee reports without objection. It also received second reading of Senate File 3008 and first reading of House Files 4866 to 4868 before moving to the day’s calendar. House File 3285, a local government bill authorizing counties to sell certain fee parcels of land through an online auction process, was debated at length. The author said the bill would modernize county land sales, expand bidding, increase revenue, and save costs, with support from county associations. Amendments were offered to require broader notice and to create in-person or hybrid bidding options for residents without broadband; supporters argued rural residents and nearby landowners could be disadvantaged by online-only sales, while opponents said the bill already provided notice, the amendments were costly or duplicative, and the online process was more efficient. Both amendments failed, and the bill then passed 77-47. House File 3768, relating to civil law and structured settlements, was presented as a consumer protection measure responding to abuses in the sale of long-term settlement payments. The author said the bill strengthens disclosures, requires court findings that a sale is in the consumer’s best interest, provides for independent advice in certain cases, and requires registration, bonding, and prohibited practices for purchasing companies. A technical A3 amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 121-4. House File 3845, creating a youth foster ombuds office, was introduced as a bipartisan effort to improve oversight and accountability in foster care. Supporters emphasized the need to address abuse, neglect, discrimination, and racial disparities in the child welfare system and to give youth a clearer avenue for complaints and tracking issues. An A7 amendment was adopted to require reports from the ombuds office to go not only to the governor but also to legislative chairs and minority leads. The bill then moved to third reading with broad support from members speaking in favor.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The transcript appears to be from a ceremonial opening rather than a legislative committee or floor meeting. It includes an introduction of John de Cosmecer, identified as the official anthem singer for the Minnesota Wild, followed by the performance of the national anthem. After the anthem and applause, the speaker briefly energizes the crowd with a hockey-related remark: “Let’s play hockey, and let’s go Wild!” No bills, policy topics, testimony, votes, or formal actions are discussed in the excerpt.