Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up House File 3845, a bill creating an office of a youth foster ombudsperson. Representative Hanson, the bill’s author, described it as a bipartisan effort developed with youth in foster care, foster advocates, staff, and legislators to improve oversight, collect complaints and concerns, and address disparities and harms in the foster care system. Hanson said the office would help track issues, support independent investigations, and improve equity and accountability for children in foster care. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, sharing personal stories about foster care, adoption, reunification, and the need for children to have a voice and a safe place. Several speakers emphasized the trauma experienced by foster youth, the importance of protecting children from abuse and neglect, and the need for better data and oversight. Representative Johnson noted the amendment would ensure reports go not only to the governor but also to legislative chairs and minority leads so problems are identified earlier. The House adopted the A-7 amendment, which added legislative reporting requirements, and then passed the bill as amended. After roll call, the bill passed 121-4, and its title was agreed to.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up House File 3285, a local government bill authorizing counties to sell certain fee parcels of land through an online auction process. Representative Sandstede, the bill author, described it as a local control and modernization measure that could broaden bidding, increase county revenue, reduce costs, and return taxable land to the tax rolls. She said the bill was supported by the Association of Minnesota Counties and the Minnesota Inter-County Association. Members debated several amendments focused on access and notice. Representative Quam offered an amendment to prioritize local buyers and later withdrew it. He then offered an amendment to require nearby residents to be notified of sales; Sandstede opposed it as duplicative and too costly, citing existing notice requirements, and the amendment failed. Representative Nash offered an amendment to allow hybrid auctions with in-person bidding alongside online bidding, arguing that rural broadband gaps would otherwise exclude local residents and that online-only sales could favor outside buyers; Sandstede opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the bill’s county-option approach. Supporters of the amendment cited limited broadband access in rural areas, but the amendment was rejected on a roll call vote, 56 yeas to 68 nays. With no further amendments, the bill was read a third time and passed. The final vote on House File 3285 was 77 yeas and 47 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3805, an act to remove the sunset on the Capital Area Security Advisory Committee, was taken up on the House floor. Representative Nash, the bill’s author, said the committee works on security for the entire Capitol campus, including employees and visitors, and coordinates with state officials and outside security experts to develop policy and funding proposals. He argued the issue is ongoing and asked for a green vote so the committee’s work can continue without an expiration date. Representative McDonald supported the bill but said he generally favors sunsets on commissions and advisory boards so the legislature can revisit issues periodically. He said he did not oppose the measure, though he suggested the Senate’s version with a future sunset would allow for later review. Nash responded that the debate was appropriate and reiterated that Capitol security is a continuing concern. With no amendments offered, the bill was given third reading and the House proceeded to a roll call vote. The measure passed with 115 ayes and 9 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up several major measures during the session. It passed Senate File 4410, the omnibus health and human services bill, which combines health and human services provisions with some early childhood items. The House version was described as 870 pages and providing $768 million in supplemental funding for state health and human services programs. Supporters said it would make health care more affordable and accessible, while opponents argued the spending growth was unsustainable. The bill passed as amended, 69-64, with Republicans voting against it. The House also passed the omnibus tax proposal, House File 3669, after a four-and-a-half-hour debate, by a 69-62 vote. Sponsored by Representative Paul Marquart, the bill would provide nearly $1.7 billion in tax reductions and credits in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next. Provisions highlighted included an expanded renter’s credit, a $325 rebate for each child age 16 and under, and a $3,000 child care tax credit for each child under age 5. Supporters called it a bipartisan bill that would deliver a large property tax cut, while some Republicans opposed it because it did not include cuts to Social Security or income taxes. Later in the week, the House passed four bills on Friday, including a bipartisan measure to create the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson, sponsored by Representative Jessica Hansen as House File 3845. The measure was presented as a way to ensure foster youth have adults advocating for their best interests. The session also included a national anthem performance by John DeCosemcer, the official anthem singer for the Minnesota Wild, at the beginning of proceedings.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard a brief update from Nicole Freeman of the Secretary of State’s Office, joined by Julie Strother and general counsel B.B. Black, on the office’s role in post-redistricting boundary corrections. Freeman explained that Minnesota Statutes 2.91 allows the Secretary of State to issue correction orders only in limited technical circumstances, such as ambiguous district descriptions or boundary lines that do not align cleanly with census blocks. She noted that counties and municipalities submit requests for review, and if a request qualifies, the office must consult with the Reviser of Statutes and the Legislative Coordinating Commission before issuing an order. Freeman said the office has issued eight correction orders so far, all posted in the official documents database, and that this is fewer than half the number issued in 2012. She attributed the decline in part to improved mapping technology and better GIS work, which reduces the need for line adjustments. She also stated that some requested changes fall outside the Secretary of State’s authority under section 2.91 and would require legislative approval instead. Representative Torkelson asked whether there is a statutory deadline for making these corrections. Freeman responded that she was not aware of any time limit in statute, though historically many corrections have been made before candidate filing begins. She added that the current correction orders were issued on March 31.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met and established that a quorum was present. The committee first approved the minutes from May 4, 2022, after a motion by Representative Badger and no discussion. The chair then moved approval of the May 9, 2022 calendar under Rules 1.21 and 3.33. The calendar included House File 3834, described as Elkin’s bill for Bloomington, and House File 4221, concerning Bloomington and Nelsonville for Hennepin County commissioners. After a brief vote, the motion prevailed and the calendar was adopted. With no further business before the committee, the meeting adjourned.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Redistricting Committee met on May 5, 2022, to consider Senate File 4476, which contained targeted redistricting corrections and related technical changes. The committee first adopted the December 9 minutes, then heard a briefing from Nicole Freeman and Julie Strother of the Secretary of State’s office on the limited authority under Minnesota Statutes 2.91 to issue correction orders when district descriptions are ambiguous or improperly named. Freeman said the office had issued eight correction orders so far, fewer than in 2012, and noted that requests outside that authority would require legislative action. The committee then heard testimony on several local redistricting issues tied to voter privacy and administrative burden. Northfield Township and Rice County officials asked to move a two-person census block so the township would not need a separate precinct for only two voters; they said the parcel could not be subdivided and that the split would create confidentiality concerns and extra election costs. Chippewa County testified on Granite Falls Township, where three voters were left in a separate precinct in a different legislative district, and asked to keep the township entirely in District 16A to avoid a tiny precinct that would make voting patterns obvious. Members also discussed an A3 amendment involving Akeley Township and Congressional Districts 7 and 8, where the Secretary of State’s office said a small township segment should follow the township boundary rather than a road, even though no voters currently live there. The A4 amendment concerned Marion Township in Olmsted County, where small noncontiguous pieces near Rochester would leave a very small precinct; county staff said the current proposal might not fully solve the privacy issue because census data at that level can be imprecise and future annexation could further reduce the number of voters. The committee also heard that no annexation had yet occurred in that area. Finally, House Research’s Matt Gehring explained the A2 technical amendment, which would repeal outdated 2013 boundary adjustments, clean up the statutory district descriptions, and give counties, cities, and towns until June 17, 2022, to adjust precinct boundaries to match any new changes. Members praised Gehring’s work, but the transcript does not show final votes on the bill or amendments before the excerpt ends.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber received House messages, including the House’s appointment of a conference committee on Senate File 4410 (health and human services) and the transmission of House File 3669. The Senate referred House File 3669 to the Committee on Taxes, adopted committee reports, and advanced several bills through second reading and introduction. It also approved conference committee appointments for Senate File 2673, Senate File 4091, and House File 4300, then recessed briefly to appoint committees and later recessed to the call of the President. The main floor debate centered on Senate File 4025, the opioid settlement bill. Senator Rosen explained that the bill updates Minnesota’s 2019 opioid response law to align with the national settlement, create a separate settlement account, preserve direct payments to counties and cities, and establish reporting requirements and DHS administrative authority. Supporters emphasized the importance of directing funds to local governments and treatment efforts, and the bill’s role in addressing the opioid and fentanyl crisis. The A7 amendment, which addressed municipal reporting and DHS administration, was adopted. Senate File 4025 then passed on a 66-0 roll call. The Senate also took up Senate File 3008, which changes Minnesota liquor distribution law by ending exclusive contracts for distillers and distributors in response to a court ruling and commerce clause concerns. Supporters said the bill promotes competition, fair pricing, better selection, and improved service, especially for rural communities and small businesses. The bill passed on a 66-0 roll call after third reading and final passage. The chamber also heard a committee report on Senate File 4233, a military enlistment incentives appropriation bill, which was adopted and amended as recommended.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The redistricting committee reconvened to consider Senate File 4476 and related amendments. Chair Murphy first moved the A3 amendment, which addressed a crossover of County Road 83 between Congressional Districts 7 and 8 in Hubbard and Cass Counties, including Akeley and Singapore Townships. Lee Torkelson indicated agreement with the amendment, and Representative Schultz said he supported it but would abstain from the vote because he is running for Congress in the 8th District. The committee adopted A3 by voice vote. Chair Murphy then moved the A2 amendment, described as changing a deadline to the 17th. Members voiced support, and the amendment was adopted without opposition. Chair Murphy noted that the committee was not taking up A4 at that time, and that no further amendments were before the committee. Torkelson thanked Murphy for working cooperatively on the issues, and Murphy said the changes improved the bill by better protecting voters’ rights and privacy. The committee then voted on Senate File 4476, as amended, and recommended it for placement on the General Register. The roll call showed 17 ayes and 0 nays, with some members excused and Schultz’s abstention noted earlier. After the unanimous vote, members briefly commented on the significance of the bill before the meeting was adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate File 4233, the veterans and military affairs appropriations bill, and first moved to clear the roll call and declare the bill urgent so it could be advanced to final passage. Senators Lange and Duckworth both requested to be excused from voting on the bill under Rule 41.2, and those motions prevailed because both said they could be eligible for the service bonus provisions. Senator Lange described the bill as a bipartisan agreement with the House and the Department of Veterans Affairs, highlighting funding for enlistment and reenlistment bonuses, the U.S. Minneapolis-St. Paul commissioning, veterans homes provisions, the Redwood Falls State Veterans Cemetery operating fund, tenancy support and landlord engagement, low-barrier supportive housing for veterans, a Fargo VA Medical Center Fisher House project, temporary housing and outreach, grants for veterans service organizations, county veteran service officers, and a Big Marine Lake wastewater and veterans campground project. He also explained the bill’s major service bonus for Minnesota veterans, including post-9/11 veterans, and said he recused himself because he would be eligible for the benefit. Three amendments were adopted: the A-51 amendment extended the application deadline for service bonuses to June 30, 2025; the A-52 amendment made changes related to salary differential overpayment debt cancellation and notice requirements; and the A-50 amendment clarified residency/status rules for bonus eligibility. During debate, several members praised the bill as a clean, bipartisan veterans measure, while Senator Herr and Senator Abeler raised concerns that it did not include funding for Metro Veterans Meals on Wheels, which supporters said is important for veterans’ nutrition, connection, and suicide prevention. Senator Newton said that issue could be considered in another bill. The bill then received third reading and passed 64-0, with its title agreed to. Afterward, the Senate moved to announcements and then adjourned until Monday, May 9 at 11 a.m.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with a prayer marking the National Day of Prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous day was approved, standing committee reports were adopted, and several bills received second or first readings, including House Files 2725, 4670, and 4863-4865. The Rules and Legislative Administration Committee also designated House Files 3834 and 4221 for the May 9 calendar and required pre-filing of amendments to those bills. The main floor action involved Senate messages returning several bills with amendments or requesting conference committees. The House voted to refuse concurrence and appoint conference committees on House File 3872 (higher education), Senate File 2673 (public safety), and Senate File 4091 (commerce, jobs, and economic growth). The Speaker appointed House conferees for each of those bills. The House also received Senate File 3008, relating to liquor, and ordered it compared with House File 2767 by the chief clerk. During announcements, Representative Dameth spoke about a House resolution recognizing the first Thursday in May as a statewide day of prayer, fasting, and repentance, and referenced prayer for Ukraine. Representative Winkler announced a special “state of hockey” celebration for the next day. Non-controversial motions and resolutions were adopted without objection, and the House voted to adjourn until 12 noon on Friday, May 6, 2022.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal without objection, and received first readings on House Files 4854 through 4862. No messages were received from the Senate. The main item on the calendar was House File 3669, the House tax bill, which Representative Marquart described as a bipartisan measure aimed at the largest property tax cut in more than 20 years, with benefits for families, seniors, workers, renters, small businesses, and affordable housing. He highlighted credits for child care, student loan debt, and a one-time child tax rebate, along with relief for unemployment recipients and business tax conformity changes. Marquart and Chair Joaquim emphasized the bill’s property tax provisions, including moving the renter’s refund to a renter’s credit, updating the homestead market exclusion, increasing the property tax refund, expanding the senior deferral program, and revising the targeted property tax refund. Joaquim also described changes to local government aid, county program aid, school levy equalization, tax increment financing, and local option sales taxes, saying the bill would broaden eligibility, simplify applications, and deliver aid sooner. Both speakers framed the bill as a broad effort to offset rising costs and support property owners and renters. The House adopted the author’s A42 amendment to the bill without objection. Representative Barr then offered another amendment to shift $484,650 of local government aid from Minneapolis to Anoka County, arguing the county had not been reimbursed for emergency response costs during the Minneapolis protests; he requested a roll call, but the request did not receive enough support. The transcript ends before any final vote on that amendment or on final passage of House File 3669.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Cybersecurity Commission met in hybrid format, approved the January 10 minutes, and then reviewed draft statutory changes and draft rules for holding closed meetings. Michelle Weber of the Legislative Coordinating Commission summarized the proposed legislation, which would define closed meeting records, require the LCC to keep them private for at least eight years and allow release no later than 20 years, and set minimum procedures for closed meetings. Those procedures include public notice, limiting attendance, addressing alleged confidentiality violations, and preserving confidentiality if an ethics complaint is filed. The commission voted to adopt the draft statutory changes and recommend moving them forward in the conference committee process. Weber then walked through the draft closed-meeting rules, including notice requirements, a majority vote to enter closed session, limiting attendance to members and presenters, appointing a secretary to keep records, confidentiality reminders, in-person attendance, and restrictions on electronic devices. Members discussed how to handle phones, watches, and other devices, and the commission amended the rules to replace “encouraged” with a requirement that members turn off devices. The rules were further amended to say the LCC will develop options for secure storage of members’ devices during closed meetings. Members also added language giving the commission flexibility on notice: when possible, reasonable notice should be provided, but a meeting may be closed without prior notice when necessary. The commission approved the amended rules for closed meetings. Members briefly discussed future work, including the likelihood of holding a first closed-door session to test the process and discuss cybersecurity topics not yet shared publicly. The meeting then adjourned.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call and approval of the prior meeting minutes. Members then adopted an A01 amendment to the 2022 budget resolution (Bud Res 04-2), which reduced net general fund spending by $311 million and increased the workforce development target by $161.7 million. The amendment also updated the spreadsheet to reflect additional bills that had moved since the last revision. Representative O’Neill noted concern that the state was overspending and could face a $1.32 billion problem next biennium. The main bill heard was House File 2725, a proposal from Representatives Edelson and Albright to address “gap cases” involving people found incompetent to stand trial but not meeting civil commitment standards. The bill would create standards for competency restoration, establish a competency restoration board and forensic navigator positions, and give judges more tools to order treatment and medication. The authors said the bill was the product of a multi-year task force and extensive stakeholder work, and that it was intended to improve both public safety and access to treatment. The committee adopted a DE-3 amendment and an A3 amendment tied to the revised fiscal note. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal impact, workforce needs, and scope. The revised fiscal note was described as funding 127 FTE forensic navigators, with about $11.3 million in first-year program costs, $10.9 million in later years, and $5 million for additional competency exams; the authors also said the bill would cover competency restoration education costs. Representative Miller questioned the bill’s prescriptive structure and whether agencies were comfortable with it, while Representative Scott raised concerns about implementation timing, staffing shortages, victim notification, curriculum development, and who currently follows up on provisionally discharged individuals. Representative O’Neill objected to the revised mental illness definition as a major policy change in Ways and Means and asked about targeted misdemeanors; the authors and a NAMI representative said the definition was crafted with clinicians and county attorneys, and that targeted misdemeanors such as domestic assault, fifth-degree assault, and DWI were included so navigators could be appointed in those cases. Supportive members said the current system is not working and that the bill is an important step, though not perfect.