Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up two measures: Senate File 3881, a labor-policy bill with some appropriations, and Senate File 4091, the jobs omnibus bill. On SF 3881, Senator Rarick described provisions on elevator code changes, load control receivers, backflow repair, and COVID-19 workers’ presumption, and the committee adopted two amendments. The A6 amendment clarified elevator-related language so millwrights could work on certain material lifts and platforms while elevator contractors retained authority to do electrical work; it passed after questions about jurisdiction and was supported as a technical fix. The A5 amendment reduced fiscal items to a $25,000 youth skills training appropriation and removed language that would have sent the bill to the transportation committee; it also passed. The bill was then laid on the table. The committee then heard Senate File 4091. Senator Pratt outlined the jobs package as a continuation of prior economic recovery efforts, including workforce development, child care grants, Launch Minnesota, unemployment insurance changes, and workplace protections. He also highlighted new or modified items such as a $175,000 study on workers’ compensation and pension adequacy for first responders, a $50,000 PTSD pilot for first responders, changes to labor-management grants, DEED reporting on unemployment fraud, wage theft reforms, tribal eligibility and cleanup grant changes, energy transition assistance, and a revised pre-credential definition. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the A3 technical amendment correcting a reference to the Office of Justice Programs was also adopted before testimony began. Commissioner Rosalind Robertson of the Department of Labor and Industry testified in opposition to parts of SF 3881 and the related wage-theft changes, saying the bill removed agency funding for prevailing wage enforcement and did not include several agency priorities. She supported the A6 elevator fix but raised concerns about broader exemptions for load management devices and backflow prevention, warning of public safety risks. She also objected to the bill’s omission of apprenticeship funding, earned sick and safe time, OSHA penalty conformity, commercial building energy code changes, assisted living oversight, combative sports regulation, and a fee holiday for trade licenses. Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon of DEED then began testimony, thanking the committee and saying he would identify areas of support and concern in the omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3765, Chair Hanson’s LCCMR appropriations bill, which was referred from the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Hanson moved the bill and the A2 amendment. He explained that the amendment restored several hundred thousand dollars to the DNR’s state trails/state parks land acquisition and holding account so that all projects would be treated equally after across-the-board reductions. The committee adopted the A2 amendment without objection. Hanson then described HF 3765 as a merit-based LCCMR appropriations bill totaling a little over $70 million. He noted that the bill would be handled separately from the omnibus bill and that the House would conference with the Senate, whose proposal used a different scoring approach. In response to questions from Rep. Garofalo about environmental education items in the bill, Hanson explained that many projects use the DNR as a fiscal agent or pass-through for outside partners such as Hamline University, Osprey Wilde’s Environmental Learning Center, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, NAYA Nature Center, Laurentian Environmental Center, and Great River Greening. He said the projects were intended to connect youth and diverse communities with environmental education, wildlife conservation, and stewardship. Garofalo specifically asked about a line item labeled “Yes! Students take action to complete eco projects,” and Hanson said it funded a partnership to connect Minnesota youth with natural resource experts to identify ecological challenges and complete community projects. Garofalo said he would vote no and encouraged others to do the same. After closing comments, the committee voted on the motion to recommend HF 3765, as amended, for placement on the General Register. The motion passed by a vote of 17 ayes and 11 nays.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate File 4045, which would move the Chloe Barnes Rare Diseases Advisory Council from the University of Minnesota to the Minnesota Council on Disability. Senator Coleman and council chair Amy Gaviglio said the move would give the council more autonomy to advise the legislature, pursue policy work, and seek grant funding, and they noted broad stakeholder support. Members discussed a fiscal note showing no general fund impact, a transfer of about $344,000 in fiscal year 2023 from the university to the Council on Disability, and a small governor’s office cost for appointments. After brief supportive comments, the committee approved the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy and Elections. The committee then took up Senate File 3249, a broad mental health bill, and adopted the A11 amendment, which added requirements related to locked facilities. The A12 amendment was also adopted; staff said it was mostly technical but also required counties to prioritize evidence-based services and set up an ongoing process in the Adult Mental Health Initiative to identify and evaluate evidence-based and promising practices. Testimony in support came from county and provider representatives, including Angela Youngerberg, who warned that a proposed AMHI funding formula could reduce grants in more than 30 counties and eliminate services without additional funding, and Colleen Davern, who described the Shelter Link mental health grant as removing barriers for youth in shelters and improving engagement and outcomes. Sue Abderholden of NAMI Minnesota supported several parts of the bill, including supervision grants for mental health trainees, locked facilities for competency restoration, higher payment rates for mental health services, Shelter Link funding, adult mobile crisis services, loan forgiveness, and crisis stabilization services for children. She said many children are boarding in emergency rooms because needed levels of care are unavailable. Commissioner Terrell Clark, speaking for counties, supported much of the bill but raised concerns about the competency restoration and forensic navigator language, arguing that the program should be structured at the state level rather than through individual counties. The discussion ended with ongoing testimony and no final action on the bill in the portion provided.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened, prayer was offered, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a quorum was established. The journal and standing committee reports were approved without objection, and the chamber moved through introductions and first/second readings of several bills. The main floor action began with House File 2819, a natural resources bill described as the snowmobile trespass bill. Representative Hanson explained that the Senate amendment was a minor technical correction removing redundant statutory language. The House concurred with the Senate amendment, then passed the bill on a roll call vote of 115 ayes to 19 nays. The House then took up Senate File 2736, a children’s/immigration-related bill addressing special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS). Representative Feist said the bill conforms Minnesota law to federal law by allowing guardianship-related court orders for eligible youth up to age 21, and described testimony about a Liberian youth named Melvin to illustrate the need. Representatives Miller and Munson raised concerns about safeguards, possible exploitation, and whether the bill could extend protections too far; Feist, Pinto, Mohler, and others responded that the bill is narrowly tailored, includes court and counsel safeguards, and does not expand Minnesota rights beyond federal requirements. After extended debate, the bill passed 132 ayes to 2 nays. House File 4065, a human services recodification bill on long-term care consultation services, was then amended with a technical A2 amendment and passed as amended. Members emphasized that it was a technical bill with no fiscal or policy changes, and it passed 132 ayes to 1 no. Finally, House File 3620, a labor and industry bill on manufactured home installation and compliance forms, was presented as a noncontroversial measure to address installer shortages and streamline used manufactured home sales. Supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified installers and help affordable housing production; the bill was discussed but the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that measure.

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: This Capitol Report episode covered several energy and policy debates in the Minnesota Senate. Senator David Senjem discussed advanced nuclear energy, saying Minnesota should consider lifting its nuclear moratorium so smaller, modern reactors can be evaluated as part of a broader clean-energy mix. He also defended current nuclear waste storage at Prairie Island and Monticello, and described two other energy-related proposals: a mechanism for natural gas utilities to issue bonds to smooth out extreme customer bill spikes after extraordinary events, and a $10 million energy storage incentive program for Xcel customers to help fund battery storage paired with solar installations. The program also highlighted Minnesota’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lawmakers backed a bill to divest state pension funds from Russia and Belarus and to codify the governor’s ban on state contracts with Russian entities. Supporters said the measure was a symbolic but meaningful way for Minnesota to stand with Ukraine and its large Ukrainian-American community, while opposing Putin’s war and atrocities. Governor Walz signed an ALS research bill authored by Senator David Tomassoni, providing $20 million for research and $5 million for caregiver support. Speakers at the signing praised the bipartisan effort and said the funding could help lead to future treatments. The episode also featured Senator Susan Kent on paid family and medical leave; she argued Minnesota needs a statewide program to help workers facing childbirth, illness, injury, or caregiving responsibilities, while a Republican senator raised concerns that private-insurance-based alternatives would be narrower, more expensive, and less universal. Finally, the Civil Law and Data Practices Committee debate focused on a bill to restrict social media algorithms targeting children, with supporters citing youth mental health harms and opponents warning about unintended consequences for parents, content recommendations, and First Amendment concerns.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Sen. Warren Limmer, chair of the Senate Judiciary and Crime Prevention Committee, outlined the Senate Criminal Justice/Public Safety bill as a response to rising violent crime in Minnesota. He said the bill emphasizes public safety, tougher penalties for repeat offenders, carjackings, and firearm-related violent crimes, along with measures aimed at accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system. He also said the bill includes funding for law enforcement recruitment, retention, training, equipment, and probation, and that it seeks to address what he described as lenient charging and sentencing decisions by some prosecutors and judges. A major point of discussion was the bill’s limited use of nonprofit organizations for violence prevention or community work. Limmer said he was skeptical of directing large amounts of taxpayer money to untested nonprofits because of accountability concerns and the lack of a track record, preferring city and county-led community policing efforts. He said the House proposal relies much more heavily on nonprofits, while his plan includes “pretty much zero” nonprofit funding. He also said the bill would require prosecutors to make public reports to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission when charges are dismissed and would identify judges in severe downward departure decisions, though a misdemeanor penalty for prosecutors was not included. Limmer said the bill would devote about $200 million overall, though the total was still being finalized pending a fiscal note on rape kit costs. He said it includes $50 million for public defenders, salary increases across the judiciary, and $20 million in police hiring bonuses, with a retention figure still pending. He also described a provision to restore state support for 50% of county probation costs and defended local control over probation rather than shifting it to a centralized Department of Corrections model. On a separate bill, he said he was comfortable moving the stolen car tracking device bill with an amendment, and he expected the public safety bill to be among the first budget bills to move forward, though differences with the House would need to be resolved.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator David Senjem, chair of the Energy and Utilities Committee, discussed several energy proposals centered on expanding affordable carbon-free power in Minnesota. On advanced nuclear energy, he said Minnesota should keep it “on the menu” and consider lifting the state’s nuclear moratorium so utilities can evaluate smaller, advanced reactor technologies. He argued that current waste storage at Prairie Island and Monticello is secure, and said public education could reduce fear and misunderstanding about nuclear waste and safety. Senjem also described broader energy trends, saying the state should pursue a mix of wind, solar, hydrogen, and nuclear to support energy independence, reliability, and affordability. He said advanced nuclear may cost more upfront but could provide long-term safe, reliable power. He characterized the committee’s hearing on advanced nuclear as evidence that the technology is an exciting and emerging option. He then outlined two other bills aimed at lowering energy costs. One would let natural gas utilities, with Public Utilities Commission oversight, issue bonds to spread out the costs of extraordinary gas-price spikes like those seen after the Texas polar vortex. The other would provide $10 million in one-time funding for an energy storage incentive program, allowing Xcel customers to receive grants for battery storage systems, including home storage paired with solar panels. Senjem said both proposals were intended to reduce consumer cost shocks and advance new energy tools.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Education Finance Committee met on April 1, 2022, and first approved the minutes from its March 31 meeting by voice vote. The committee then took up House File 4570, a preschool education budget proposal from Representative Pinto, and adopted the A3 amendment to align the bill language with the accompanying spreadsheet and current committee action. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill. HF 4570 would create a new voluntary pre-kindergarten program for eligible four-year-olds by combining existing voluntary pre-K, School Readiness Plus, and Pathway 2 scholarship funding into a mixed-delivery model. House Research explained that school districts, charter schools, licensed child care providers, family child care providers, and Head Start agencies could participate, with requirements including at least 850 hours of instruction, comparable pay for teachers, a lead teacher bachelor’s degree requirement by 2028 with some grandfathering, annual mixed-delivery planning, and statewide coordination. The bill also includes a transition year in fiscal year 2023 and an appropriation of $96.9 million for the program, while the fiscal spreadsheet projected broader total costs of about $155 million in FY 2023 and $185 million in later years when related funding changes are included. Commissioner Heather Mueller and Assistant Commissioner Bobby Burnham testified in support, describing the proposal as a targeted, statewide early learning investment that would serve about 23,000 underserved four-year-olds and improve coordination across providers. Public testimony was generally supportive: Brie Ostoff of the Minnesota Community Education Association backed the streamlining of funding but noted logistical questions; Craig Gratke of the Minnesota Head Start Association supported the mixed-delivery approach and asked for flexibility on hours and staffing; and Rick Heller raised concerns about accessibility and the treatment of twice-exceptional students, suggesting statutory changes. Members also raised questions about provider relationships, transportation, before- and after-school care, and access for underserved families.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: This joint hearing of the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee and the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee focused on the connection between early childhood investments and long-term public safety. Chairs Mariani and Pinto opened by explaining the hearing’s purpose and noting that no votes would be taken. The first presentation came from Dr. Megan Gunnar of the University of Minnesota, who described research showing that early experiences shape brain development, executive function, and later behavior. She emphasized that stable relationships, responsive caregiving, and high-quality early education support healthy development, while toxic stress, family instability, and parental stress can undermine it. She said policies that promote stability, home visiting, early education beginning in infancy, and access to mental health and substance use services can help build a safer society. Andre Dukes of Northside Achievement Zone testified next, describing his organization’s work to disrupt the “cradle-to-prison pipeline” by supporting families from early childhood through school and beyond. He highlighted parent education programs, including a father-focused curriculum called Proud Papa, and said engaged fathers often report stronger motivation, less stress, and less involvement in unlawful activity. He argued that father-child bonds and early support can improve family outcomes and reduce long-term risk. Sheriff Jim Leslie of Dakota County, speaking for the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, said early childhood funding is a “pay me now or pay me later” investment that can reduce future incarceration, improve graduation and employment, and save public dollars. He pointed to the costs of operating jails and urged support for high-quality early childhood education, especially for children in poverty. Chief Marissa Adam of River Falls also testified for Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, arguing that early childhood care and learning reduce crime by keeping children on a path toward productive lives and away from the criminal justice system. She cited Minnesota crime and education statistics, referenced research linking quality early education to lower arrest and incarceration rates, and said the state’s current budget surplus creates an opportunity to invest in children and public safety. She also noted local child care shortages and access barriers, including gaps for working families and limited after-hours care. The hearing ended with discussion of these themes and an indication that members would have time for questions after the presentations; no formal action or vote was taken.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met in an extra session to meet a deadline, approved the March 30 minutes, and then took up several bills. House File 3470, which creates a bed moratorium exception for Children’s Minnesota to open a new 22-bed inpatient mental health unit at St. Paul Hospital, was presented as a response to the youth mental health crisis and supported by several health and mental health organizations. The committee voted 19-0 to re-refer the bill to the general register. The committee then moved House File 4704, described by the chair as a backup vehicle bill with leftover language from last session, to Ways and Means by a 19-0 vote. House File 3403, Representative Stevenson’s bill, was then taken up after a technical A3 amendment was adopted without objection. The bill would let applicants for licensed occupations request an advance determination of whether a criminal record would disqualify them before spending time and money on training or education. Testimony on HF 3403 came from Anna Odegaard of the Minnesota Asset Building Coalition, who said the bill would improve transparency and reduce barriers to work for people reentering the community after incarceration. Members raised concerns about whether the process duplicated existing background checks, whether it could slow licensing down, and whether fees were too high; Stevenson responded that the preliminary review would use the same information as the final review, would be optional, and that any fee paid up front would be credited toward the eventual license fee. He also said the bill does not change licensing standards and that if someone is found ineligible, the fee is not refunded. Supportive comments from members emphasized helping people avoid wasted training costs and addressing workforce shortages, while questions remained about outreach and how applicants would learn the option exists.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate unanimously passed House File 3420, as amended, to provide drought relief for farmers and ranchers affected by last summer’s drought. The bill allocates $10 million in aid, including grants for affected farmers and livestock producers, support for specialty crop farmers, and assistance through the Rural Finance Authority to help with low-interest loan applications and repayments for struggling operations. The measure also includes $1 million for the veterinary diagnostic lab to upgrade equipment and increase testing capacity for highly pathogenic avian influenza, which had recently been detected in the state, and $500,000 for the Department of Agriculture’s emergency response account. Supporters said the funding was needed quickly to help farmers stay in business and to strengthen the state’s response to animal disease outbreaks. The bill was described as important to Minnesota’s agriculture economy, with speakers emphasizing the impact of drought on cattle ranchers and other producers. The Senate voted 66-0 in favor, and the title was agreed to.