Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up House File 3669, the second engrossment of the tax bill, with Rep. Marquart presenting it as a bipartisan package centered on the largest property tax cut in more than 20 years. He described the bill as aimed at helping families, seniors, workers, small businesses, and affordable housing, and thanked committee staff and members for their work. He highlighted major provisions including a new child care and dependent credit, a larger refundable student loan credit, a one-time child tax rebate, unemployment insurance subtraction, business pandemic relief, and changes to property tax relief, including moving the renter’s refund to a renter’s credit and using adjusted gross income so non-taxable Social Security is not counted for that program. He also said the bill would cut taxes on Social Security for many seniors, expand homestead and targeted property tax relief, update local government aid and county program aid formulas, and include housing, local sales tax, and other local provisions. Rep. Joaquim then outlined the property tax portion of the bill, emphasizing fairness and equity through the property tax refund program, homestead exclusions, renters’ credit, senior deferral, levy equalization, and aid to cities and counties. She said the renter’s credit change would expand eligibility, simplify the application, and deliver money months earlier, while the property tax refund changes would increase refunds for middle-income homeowners. She also described updates to the homestead market exclusion, senior deferral program, targeted property tax refund, school levy equalization, and a revised local government aid formula, along with increased county program aid. She said the bill’s property tax changes amount to the largest property tax cut in 20 years. The body adopted the author’s A-42 amendment, which removed an expiration date and made technical changes related to the tax expenditure review commission. A second amendment, offered by Rep. Barr, would have shifted $484,650 of local government aid from Minneapolis to Anoka County to reimburse the county for costs incurred during the Minneapolis protests; Barr argued the county had not been repaid and that the transfer would prevent a future local tax increase. After discussion, the transcript cuts off before showing a final vote on that amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate began with prayer, a Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber then received several House messages: the House agreed to a conference committee on Senate File 4062 (environment, natural resources, and tourism), requested concurrence on Senate File 4410 (health and human services), and refused to concur in Senate amendments to House File 4293 (state government appropriations and pension plans), prompting the Senate to appoint conference committees on SF 4410 and HF 4293. The Senate also moved to special orders House File 3872, the higher education bill, for immediate consideration. House File 3872 drew the main debate. Senator Rarick described it as a higher education/workforce bill focused heavily on public safety and law enforcement recruitment, including $3.7 million for law enforcement degree grants, $10 million in workforce development scholarships, youth skills-path and learn-to-earn initiatives, funding for underrepresented student-teacher grants, MICC, University of Minnesota public safety, and the NRI program. He also highlighted policy changes for older learners, a holistic admissions provision from Senator Putnam, changes to a Mankato State board commission, and increased NRI funding from the permanent university fund. Senator Putnam supported the bill’s workforce goals but argued it underfunded Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the state grant program, and did not adequately address affordability or student needs. Senator Clausen made similar points, saying the bill omitted key investments in the state grant program and core higher education institutions despite Minnesota’s strong higher education profile and economic reliance on colleges and universities. Amendments were offered and withdrawn during debate. Senator Westrom proposed the A6 amendment to clarify that students with natural immunity or conscientious objections could not be barred from college or online education by vaccine mandates, but the amendment was ruled not germane and then withdrawn. Senator Putnam offered the A3 amendment to require Minnesota State institutions to hire counselors and set a counselor-to-student ratio, citing student mental health concerns; he later withdrew it after noting the staffing requirement would be substantial. The bill remained under discussion, with members emphasizing both workforce development benefits and concerns that the measure did not adequately fund broader higher education priorities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 4209, which would create an ombudsperson office for foster children. Senator Housley described the office as a way to provide independent oversight, track complaints, investigate problems in foster care, and help address abuse or neglect within the child protection system. An A6 amendment was adopted to clarify jurisdiction language, and the bill was explained as carrying a general fund cost of about $775,000, or roughly $2.227 million over three years. Bong Murphy of Foster Advocates testified in support, and the committee recommended the bill be passed and placed on General Orders. The committee then considered Senate File 3636, a structured settlement bill. The A7 amendment was adopted after staff explained it finalized the bill’s language, shifted registration oversight from the Department of Commerce to the Secretary of State, and reflected a small fiscal impact with fees expected to cover costs. Supporters said the bill responds to concerns about bad actors in the structured settlement market by requiring registration, surety bonds, and added court protections, especially for minors and payees. The committee adopted the amendment and then recommended the bill be passed and placed on General Orders. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3701, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage funding bill. The A2 amendment was adopted to incorporate additional money from the February forecast, with staff saying it added about $3.688 million and did not make a substantive policy change, only spread the extra funds across appropriations. Members discussed the scale of land acquisition and conservation spending, including concerns about taking land out of production and the impact on local agriculture, while supporters emphasized habitat restoration, willing sellers, and the extensive vetting process. Director Mark Johnson explained that the bill would fund about 8,000 acres in fee acquisitions, about 18,000 acres in easements, and that some parcels would carry PILT obligations while others would remain on the tax rolls. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill discussion continued with no final disposition shown in the transcript.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and Policy Committee heard Senate File 2307, a bill focused on student data privacy and limits on surveillance technology used in schools. Senator Matthews explained that the bill had originally included parent opt-out provisions for curriculum-related data use, but those were largely removed and replaced with a notice process. The remaining core provisions address restrictions on vendor use of student data, limits on commercial use, and guardrails on monitoring of student devices, especially outside classroom hours. Matthews said the bill had been revised through extensive stakeholder work and was intended to protect students and families without unduly burdening schools. The committee adopted the A9 amendment. Matthews described several changes in the amendment, including extending a data-destruction timeline from 30 to 90 days, clarifying that web-based cloud services are not treated as commercial users of data, and adding notice language in place of the opt-out section. He also pointed to monitoring exceptions for imminent threats, compliance with state and federal law, and E-rate requirements. Committee members expressed support for the revised bill, saying it better balanced privacy with school operations. Testimony was generally supportive. Anthony Paternus of Osseo Area Schools, speaking for school administrators and technology leaders, said the amended bill was workable and addressed their main concern about the original opt-out language while preserving schools’ ability to use essential systems. Caitlin Snyder of Education Minnesota supported the bill, citing privacy concerns and the potential for biased surveillance practices. Andrew Liddell, a remote testifier and digital rights advocate, strongly supported tighter limits on data collection and surveillance, warning that school technology can collect extensive personal information and be used in harmful ways. The committee did not take final action on the bill beyond adopting the amendment and hearing testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4091, the jobs and economic growth bill, and first adopted a DFL amendment (DEA 4355) to insert House language. Representative Noor presented the bill as a broad economic recovery package, emphasizing support for small businesses, workers, families, and underserved communities. He highlighted a revolving loan program, community business lending, redevelopment funding, targeted grants, border relief, women-of-color economic security funding, technical assistance, an Office of New Americans, workforce and tech training, paid family and medical leave, and child care investments. He also argued the bill would help Minnesota attract workers and businesses and noted the state’s strong business and labor statistics. Representative Ecklund then described the labor portion of the bill, focusing on worker safety and labor standards. He said the bill updates Minnesota OSHA penalties, creates an agriculture worker wellness committee and an ombudsman for agriculture and food processing workers, increases logger safety grants, includes oil refinery safety provisions, and incorporates warehouse worker protections. He also pointed to earned sick and safe time, a construction license fee holiday, apprenticeship funding aimed at BIPOC women and veterans, limits on noncompete and no-poach clauses, youth skills training, Public Employment Relations Board funding, and a veterans liaison. Representative Long spoke for the climate and energy provisions, citing weatherization, gas cost securitization, electric vehicle and bus infrastructure, clean energy deployment, energy efficiency, workforce diversification, and a buy clean/buy fair approach. Representative Stevenson outlined the commerce and consumer protection provisions, thanking committee members and staff and noting bipartisan contributions from minority-authored bills. He highlighted student loan advocacy, structured settlements, social media protections for youth, catalytic converter theft measures, expanded auto theft prevention funding, an equipment library for smaller law enforcement agencies, and additional resources for the Commerce Fraud Bureau to address insurance fraud, worker compensation fraud, wage theft, and financial crimes. The DFL amendment was adopted, and the bill was presented for discussion; no final vote on the bill itself was recorded in the excerpt.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up the 2022 budget resolution, Bud Res 04-2, as amended, and heard an explanation of the A01 amendment from Chair Moran and staff. The amendment reduced net general fund spending by $311 million, reflecting lower spending in the UI frontline worker conference committee bill, and increased the workforce development target by $161.7 million. Staff also noted that the spreadsheet was updated to add additional bills in the “other bills” category to reflect measures that had passed or moved to the floor since the last revision. Representative O’Neill raised a concern that, while not a Tails target issue, the budget was overspending and would create a $1.32 billion problem in the next biennium. No further substantive discussion followed, and no special vote was required. The committee then voted on the A01 amendment. The motion passed on a voice vote, with nays heard, and the amendment was adopted.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from April 29, 2022 by voice vote. The committee then took up the calendar for the day, and the chair moved adoption of the May 6, 2022 calendar pursuant to Rules 1.21 and 3.33. There was no discussion on the calendar motion, and it passed by voice vote. After the calendar was adopted, the committee adjourned.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up House File 3669, the second engrossment of the tax bill, with Representative Marquart presenting the measure as a bipartisan package delivering the largest property tax cut in more than 20 years. He described the bill as aimed at helping families, seniors, renters, workers, and small businesses, and thanked committee staff, the Department of Revenue, and members on both sides for their work. He highlighted major provisions including a new Great Start child care and dependent credit, a one-time child rebate, a larger student loan credit, relief for workers who received unemployment insurance, and business tax relief tied to federal conformity and pandemic-related grants and loans. Marquart emphasized the bill’s property tax components, saying it would provide over $250 million in direct property tax cuts for homeowners and renters. He said the bill moves the renter’s refund into a renter’s credit on income tax forms, changes the calculation from household income to adjusted gross income, and would expand eligibility and speed delivery of benefits. He also said the bill reduces taxes on Social Security for many seniors, increases the homestead credit state refund, updates the senior deferral program, and expands the targeted property tax refund. He gave several examples to illustrate the size of the tax cuts for families, seniors, and renters. Representative Joaquim then outlined the property tax division of the bill, focusing on fairness and equity in the property tax refund program, homestead exclusions, local government aid, county program aid, levy equalization, and updates to tax increment financing. She said the bill also includes changes to local option sales taxes, lodging taxes, and a major transformation of the renters credit by moving it to the income tax system and using adjusted gross income. She noted that the bill updates the homestead market exclusion, raises the senior deferral income threshold, and improves the targeted property tax refund. No vote was taken in the portion provided; the bill was presented and members were invited to ask questions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a motion to recommend Senate File 3455 be passed and re-referred to the Committee on Finance; the motion carried on a voice vote. The remainder of the meeting focused on transportation funding and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), with MnDOT officials Kim Collins and Eric Rodin providing an update on how the new federal law and state appropriations interact. MnDOT explained that IIJA increases federal transportation funding, with most money flowing through formula programs and additional funds available through competitive discretionary grants. They outlined estimated annual amounts for Minnesota, including highway, airport, transit, and grant funding, and emphasized that most federal dollars require state matching funds and legislative budget authority before they can be accessed. They also described the governor’s supplemental and capital budget requests as potential sources of matching funds, including support for trunk highways, local roads and bridges, aeronautics, transit, and climate-related transportation work. A substantial portion of the discussion covered how MnDOT selects projects for federal grant applications. Officials said they prioritize projects that are already developed, fit within the state transportation improvement program or 10-year plan, and align with federal criteria such as resiliency, equity, safety, flooding, and freight needs. They identified several projects MnDOT planned to pursue for grants, including the Albertville third lane project, Highway 24 in Clearwater, Highway 10 in Wadena, Highway 169 in Aitkin County, Highway 53 in Eveleth, the Moorhead rail grade separation, and the Blatnik Bridge in Duluth, while noting that some projects had already been submitted under earlier grant rounds. Members asked about Highway 212, local government participation, and how matching funds would work if a coalition of cities pursued a grant. MnDOT said local governments can apply, but the applicant is generally responsible for closing any funding gap, though MnDOT often partners with local governments and helps provide state funds. Senators also discussed the role of Local Road and Bridge Replacement Program funds as possible match for federal grants and the need for continued coordination between the legislature and MnDOT as discretionary grant opportunities are announced over the five-year life of the federal law.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4091, the jobs and economic growth appropriations bill, and first adopted Representative Noor’s DFL amendment, which added language supporting small business recovery, revolving loan programs, community business access to capital, targeted investments in marginalized communities, the Office of New Americans, workforce development, and paid family and medical leave. Noor and other supporters described the bill as an equitable economic recovery package that would help small businesses, workers, families, immigrants, and refugees, while also promoting Minnesota and addressing labor shortages. Representative Ecklund then spoke in support of the labor and industry portions, highlighting worker safety, agriculture and food processing protections, earned sick and safe time, apprenticeship and youth training, noncompete and no-poach restrictions, veterans’ coordination, and funding for labor enforcement and fraud investigations. Representative Long presented the energy and climate portions, saying the bill invests in weatherization, utility cost relief, electric vehicle infrastructure, electric buses, resilient infrastructure, climate planning, clean energy deployment, energy efficiency, and workforce training for the clean energy economy. He also emphasized health benefits, climate justice, and support for communities transitioning away from fossil fuel plants. Representative Stevenson then outlined the commerce provisions, including student loan consumer protections, structured settlements, social media algorithm restrictions for youth, catalytic converter theft enforcement, auto theft prevention, and additional resources for the Commerce Fraud Bureau to investigate insurance fraud, wage theft, and related financial crimes. Several amendments were considered and adopted. The House adopted an author’s technical amendment, A17, and a friendly amendment, A10, clarifying that the social media algorithm language would not apply to business-to-business tools like Webex and Teams. Representative Richardson’s A33 amendment, which would have added stronger catalytic converter theft requirements for scrap dealers and related enforcement measures, was offered and then met with a roll-call request on the amendment to the amendment, A35, from Representative Rasmussen, who argued it would impose costly burdens on businesses rather than target criminals. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of that amendment sequence, but earlier amendments were adopted by voice vote or unanimous consent, and the bill discussion continued with questions invited from members.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, including prayer, roll call, adoption of the committee report, second reading of House File 3872, first reading and referral of introduced Senate bills, and referral of Senate Resolution 134 to the Rules and Administration Committee. The body then moved to special orders and took up House File 3254, which was described as closing a loophole in the law governing manufacturer’s representatives by ensuring Minnesota law and venue protections are not avoided through out-of-state litigation. Senators Pratt and Latz supported the bill, and it passed 66-0 with the title agreed to. The Senate next considered House File 3545, which expands allowable uses of an existing breeders fund to support racehorse adoption, retirement, and repurposing. Senator Duckworth emphasized that the bill does not create a new tax or fee and that the money comes from existing wagering-related fees, while Senators Coonish and Dietzick asked about how the funds would be used and where they come from. The bill passed 66-0, and its title was agreed to. Finally, the Senate took up House File 4300, the omnibus literacy appropriations bill. Senator Chamberlain argued that Minnesota’s reading scores have declined and that the bill focuses on literacy through a temporary suspension of certain World's Best Workforce requirements, $700,000 for regional literacy centers, removal of the word “balanced” from statute, stronger attention to teacher preparation and the science of reading, and $30 million for LETRS training. Senator Wieger said the majority supported increased literacy funding but raised concerns about broader education funding, mental health, special education, and teacher shortages. The A9 amendment was adopted, and debate continued on the bill’s broader education funding and accountability provisions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Property Tax Subcommittee met to consider Senate File 3706 and adopted the A2 author’s technical amendment before opening testimony. The amendment clarified effective dates and eligibility language for several provisions, including the tribal property tax exemption, the affordable housing market value exclusion program, cooperative utility attachment language, the riparian buffer credit, and electric generation transition aid for school districts. Staff also updated the fiscal spreadsheet to reflect the amendment, noting the riparian buffer credit was changed to 100% and that the affordable housing exclusion’s refund timing moved from FY25 to FY26; the amendment was then adopted by voice vote. Testimony was split between supporters and opponents of the bill’s major property tax changes. Business groups including the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Business Partnership, and NFIB strongly supported the phase-out of the statewide general property tax, arguing it is a regressive cost that hurts competitiveness and Main Street businesses. Affordable housing advocates supported the 4D reforms and related housing provisions, saying the changes would help preserve and develop affordable housing. The Minnesota Realtors Association supported the homestead market value exclusion changes, the state levy phase-out, and senior property tax deferral updates. The Department of Revenue supported the senior deferral changes but raised concerns about the fiscal impact of eliminating the statewide general levy, the affordable housing exclusion, and the need to ensure the provisions are administrable. Opposition came from We Make Minnesota, which argued that eliminating the statewide property tax would reduce state revenue by billions over time, shift burdens to other taxpayers, and make the overall system more regressive. Committee members and the chair defended the levy phase-out as a long-term framework, discussed past tax allocation changes, and emphasized that the bill’s effects are transparent even if some future-year costs fall outside the spreadsheet window. Members also noted support for the bill’s other elements, including agricultural buffer relief, veterans benefits, and resort property tax tier changes. No additional amendments were offered after testimony, and the discussion moved toward further committee action on the bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved the previous day’s Journal. Members observed a moment of silence for former Representative Robert Latz, with remarks highlighting his service in the House, his work on civil rights and fair housing, and the presence of his family in the gallery. House File 4853 was introduced and given first reading. The House also received a Senate message on Senate File 4062, the environment, natural resources, and tourism omnibus finance bill, and agreed to the Senate’s request to appoint a five-member House conference committee; the motion prevailed. The main floor business was Senate File 4410, the health and human services omnibus bill. Chair Liebling, Chair Schultz, Chair Fischer, Chair Gomez, Chair Freiberg, and Chair Pinto described the bill as a broad package aimed at making health care and human services more affordable and accessible, expanding public health efforts, addressing behavioral health and substance use disorder needs, preventing homelessness, supporting the health care workforce, improving child care and early learning, and funding lead remediation, long COVID guidance, tribal care, and other prevention measures. Several members emphasized workforce shortages, the need for more services, and the bill’s investments in vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and those affected by mental health or substance use disorders. The House adopted the author’s technical amendment A15-1. It then debated and rejected amendment A22, which would have removed the bill’s hospital nurse staffing committee provisions; supporters argued the bill’s staffing language would create rigid staffing ratios and reduce hospital flexibility, while opponents said the measure reflected nurses’ core request and had already been revised to include bedside staff and enforcement changes. The roll call on A22 failed, 63 ayes to 66 nays, so the amendment was not adopted. The transcript then began consideration of amendment A14, offered by Representative Rasmussen, to reduce the MNSure premium tax to lower health insurance costs, but the excerpt ends before any action on that amendment is shown.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Legislative Task Force on Child Protection held an introductory meeting led by Co-Chairs Representative Dave Pinto and Senator Mark Johnson. They explained that no official business or votes would be taken, that the meeting was being held on short notice because the task force had been reconstituted after a hiatus, and that the public could find materials, including the task force’s legal charge, on the Legislative Coordinating Commission website. The co-chairs said the immediate purpose was to begin with introductions and background on child protection and child welfare, then use future meetings to identify priorities from the task force’s broad charge. Members and staff shared their backgrounds and reasons for serving. Representative Rena Moran described the task force’s origins in response to the death of Eric Dean and emphasized reducing trauma to children while keeping child well-being at the forefront. Representative Patricia Mueller spoke about her experience as a longtime public school teacher and mandated reporter, and Senator Andrew Matthews discussed constituent cases and prior task force service. Senator Hoffman raised a question about who would lead implementation of the 93 recommendations in the prior report, and DHS staff said the department has been responsible for implementing prior recommendations, with some changes requiring legislation and others handled administratively. DHS representatives Tiki Brown, Jamie Sorenson, Jennifer Summerfeld, and Autumn Baum said they look forward to working with the task force and noted that earlier work focused on pre-court child welfare issues such as screening, transparency, family assessment, resources, and training. The co-chairs said the task force had missed an earlier appointment deadline and would likely meet regularly, possibly monthly and virtually, beginning in June, with the first meetings focused on learning the prior work and narrowing priorities. No motions, votes, or formal actions were taken at this meeting.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4410, the health and human services omnibus bill, and first heard extended opening remarks from committee leaders before considering amendments. Representative Liebling described the bill as a broad package aimed at making health care more affordable and accessible, investing in public health, reducing prescription drug costs, and strengthening the health care workforce. She also thanked committee staff, legislative staff, agency commissioners, and colleagues for their work on the bill. Representative Schultz highlighted the human services portions, saying the bill makes historic investments for older adults, people with disabilities, and care workers. Representative Fischer focused on behavioral health, citing rising needs in mental health and substance use disorder services, a testimony from Hope Rothwell about how early services helped her avoid homelessness and continue her education, and funding for wages, grants, scholarships, and technical assistance to address workforce shortages. Representative Gomez emphasized homelessness prevention, describing the scale of homelessness in Minnesota, racial disparities, and the bill’s support for shelter space, operations, case management, and services for seniors, veterans, youth, and trafficked children. Representative Freiberg described preventive health provisions, including long COVID guidance, rebuilding public health infrastructure, support for tribal providers, and multiple lead-reduction measures such as testing, remediation, service line replacement, school reporting, and inventories of lead lines. Representative Pinto outlined child care and early learning provisions, including higher child care assistance rates, expanded eligibility, continued stabilization grants, and voluntary home visiting. No final vote or amendment action was recorded in the excerpt; the speakers generally urged support for the bill.