Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met to hear House File 14 and House File 4375, two similar bills intended to move Minnesota’s border-to-border broadband grant program forward independently. The chair explained that identical amendments were being offered to both bills so one could advance on its own. On House File 14, the committee adopted an amendment raising the maximum grant amount from $5 million to $10 million, increasing the state share of project costs from 50 percent to 75 percent, requiring a report from the Office of Broadband Development by December 31, 2022 on whether the new levels are appropriate, and appropriating $100 million from the general fund for broadband grants. The bill was then referred to the Ways and Means Committee. Testimony largely supported the bills and the amendments. Brent Christensen of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance, Brian Krambeer of My Energy Cooperative, Eda Brookovina of RAMS, and Nathan Zacharias of the Minnesota Rural Broadband Coalition all backed increased funding and higher grant caps, arguing that many rural and low-density areas cannot meet current match requirements and that larger projects need more support. Several witnesses emphasized that broadband is an essential service and that Minnesota’s program has been a model for other states, but that the state now needs to invest more to reach unserved households. Representative Bliss raised concerns about supply-chain delays, labor constraints, and the risk that larger funding pools could attract less reputable providers. In response, industry witnesses said supply chains remain strained, with long delivery times for fiber, but that providers are adapting and can use longer timelines; they also said the Office of Broadband Development does a strong job screening applications. Bliss said he would support the bill, and witnesses noted that spreading funding over multiple years could help match construction realities and improve project planning. Representative Kiel and others asked about the status of federal broadband money. Office of Broadband Development Executive Director Angie Dickerson explained that Minnesota has submitted its program plan to the U.S. Treasury for the previously allocated $70 million in federal capital projects funds and is still awaiting approval, which has cost at least one construction season and possibly more. She said Minnesota has more than 240,000 households lacking access to the state’s 2026 speed goal and estimated it would cost about $1.3 billion to connect them. She also said states can use state fiscal recovery funds for broadband, but Minnesota has not allocated those funds to broadband so far.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House met in regular session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the clerk called the roll, establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous day was approved as corrected, and reports from standing committees and divisions were adopted without objection. The House also received a Senate message announcing a joint convention with the Senate to receive Governor Tim Walz’s message later in the day, and the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee report placed several bills on the calendar for Thursday, March 31, with pre-filing requirements for amendments to House Files 1442, 3216, 3217, 3545, and 4406. Members then handled several committee re-referral motions. Representative Acomb moved House File 3759 from Higher Education Finance and Policy to Climate and Energy Finance and Policy; when asked, she explained it would create a weather-resilient extension program based on a University of Minnesota weather study funded last year. The motion prevailed. Representative Eklund moved House File 4451 to State Government Finance and Elections, describing it as authorizing a separation and retention incentive program for IR employees; that motion also prevailed. Representative Poston moved House File 4618 from Health Finance and Policy to Human Services Finance and Policy, explaining it would create grants for financially struggling nursing homes after the pandemic and had been sent to the wrong committee; that motion prevailed as well. The House also took up introductions of House Files 4670 through 4708 and adopted non-controversial motions and resolutions. In announcements, Majority Leader Winkler said there would be a reception the next day for Bill Marks in Room 316 of the Capitol to recognize his service to the House and the state. The House then agreed to adjourn until 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, 2022, and finally adjourned on a motion by Representative Winkler.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee heard testimony on Senate File 4253, Senator Champion’s equity bill, and later began discussion of the governor’s supplemental budget bill. The committee first adopted two author’s amendments to get the bill into the desired shape before hearing from a series of advocates and organizations seeking funding for workforce, business development, and community investment initiatives. Testimony highlighted several proposals: the Center for Economic Inclusion requested $10 million for an Inclusive Job Growth Fund to support minority-owned businesses through job-creation contracts, forgivable loans, revenue-based financing, and equity investments; NEON sought $6 million toward a $12.5 million commercial food business incubator in North Minneapolis; and the Minnesota Strong campaign proposal called for $15.2 million for a statewide/national narrative campaign, including $3 million for the Ray McKenzie Group to help reshape Minnesota’s message to Black communities. The Alliance for Metropolitan Stability and the Business Resource Collective described support for culturally specific small business ecosystems, and Elaine Rasmussen emphasized gaps in capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs and the need for more culturally responsive financing. Additional testimony focused on community stabilization and employment pathways. Reverend Jerry McAfee and Alfred Babington Johnson described 21 Days of Peace, a church-based violence intervention and trauma-response effort that works with law enforcement and aims to create jobs and neighborhood stability. David Lee Johnson of Mind the Gap described a workforce program serving underemployed and unemployed African Americans through financial literacy, housing support, job placement, and CDL training, reporting 212 participants served and 87 CDL recipients placed into wage jobs. The transcript does not show any final vote on the bill or the supplemental budget during the portion provided, beyond adoption of the two amendments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the Senate environment omnibus bill and its delete-everything amendment from leaders of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, along with follow-up questions from members. Commissioner Kessler of the MPCA said the agency supported parts of the amendment, including an extension for the St. Louis River mercury TMDL appropriation and a change to 3M report frequency, but argued the bill omitted several governor’s budget proposals. She emphasized investments in extreme-weather resilience, waste prevention and recycling grants, and PFAS response, including grants to remove PFAS-containing materials and funding to better understand PFAS levels in soil and water. She also described concerns with a septic-system provision that would allow patched tanks without standards, saying it could threaten groundwater and bypass local decision-making, and noted the agency would send additional written feedback. Commissioner Strommen of the DNR thanked the committee for including DNR lands and policy provisions but said the bill missed major opportunities to invest in tree planting, habitat restoration, outdoor access, aging infrastructure, and support for private forest landowners and fish hatcheries. She pointed to increased outdoor use and wear on state parks as reasons for additional funding, and said the governor’s budget would help communities and the state’s outdoor economy. She also urged funding for a $1.73 million enforcement deficiency tied to public safety costs, saying game and fish dollars should not be used to cover those expenses. John Jaske of BWSR highlighted the bill’s 404 assumption component and said the agency supported related proposals not included in the amendment, especially water storage and treatment projects and soil health investments that could leverage federal funds and help retain water, reduce runoff, and improve crop systems. He also said BWSR needs funding for a tribal liaison required by law and wanted COVID-relief-related conservation work to continue. In questions, MPCA assistant commissioner Dana Vanderbosch explained the septic-system concerns in more detail and said the agency’s groundwater monitoring shows rising nitrate and other contamination trends in some areas, though she did not identify specific regions on the spot and offered to provide follow-up information. She also said the agency uses a robust rulemaking process for water-fee changes, with stakeholder input and legislative approval still required. Environmental Quality Board director Katie Pratt said a bill section limiting where citizens can petition for environmental review would reduce Minnesotans’ ability to request review of potential projects. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 3289, a request from the city of Morton for forgiveness of a late Local Government Aid filing penalty so the city could receive its LGA payment by June 30. Morton’s city clerk testified that the audit and filing were delayed by multiple circumstances despite best efforts. The bill was moved and laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The committee then took up Senate File 2788 for the city of Echo, which sought similar penalty forgiveness and payment of state aid by June 30. Echo’s mayor said personnel changes, including a new clerk and outside help, contributed to the late filing, but the audit was completed satisfactorily. The bill was moved and laid over for possible inclusion. Senate File 4021 addressed an unintended gap in the property tax exclusion for surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans. The bill would restore eligibility for a small group of “sunsetters” who lost the benefit during the transition from an eight-year exclusion to a lifetime exclusion. An A1 clarifying amendment was adopted, testimony noted the affected group was very small—about 10 households—and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee also heard Senate File 3200, a housing bill creating a permissive local property tax exclusion for projects with at least 20% affordable units. An A2 amendment was adopted to broaden the program from cities to municipalities, including towns and unorganized territories, and to make other technical changes. Testimony from the bill’s advocate emphasized the need to simplify affordable housing finance and attract private capital, while members raised concerns about county involvement, possible tax shifts, and whether the program should also address workforce housing in rural areas. The bill was not advanced at the end of the discussion and was left for further work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 3699, a bill related to pediatric hospice, with testimony from Crescent Cove founder Katie Lynen Felzer and a parent, Katherine Williams, who described her son Malachi’s end-of-life care there. Testimony emphasized the emotional and practical support Crescent Cove provides to children and families, and the bill was described as creating a Medicaid benefit for residential pediatric hospice. The A1 amendment was adopted, changing the proposed reimbursement rate to 100% of the Medicare rate for home care hospice services. Members asked about the scope of the bill, and the testifier clarified it applies to residential hospice for children, not home hospice. The committee then laid the bill over. The committee next took up Senate File 3613, which would support home-based care for children with complex medical needs. Testimony from Cameo Zender of Pediatric Home Service explained that the bill would move enteral services away from the current Medicaid durable medical equipment framework toward a value-based model better suited to pediatric needs. A Department of Human Services representative said the department was working with providers on a reimbursement methodology and noted the issue involved “individually priced” enteral products. Senator Abler said the state should not treat these children’s services like Medicare-based adult services and noted no savings had been assumed in the forecast. The committee adopted the motion to recommend passage and re-refer the bill to the finance committee. The committee then began Senate File 4198, the omnibus health and human services bill, which combines multiple previously heard bills. Staff walked through the included provisions, and the committee adopted the A7 amendment, which renamed and expanded the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority to include health care financing. The A8 technical amendment was also adopted, with an oral correction, to clarify background study language for licensed professionals. The committee then began discussion of the A15 amendment, which would remove or extend various statutory reporting requirements, including some reports that would continue publicly on agency websites but no longer be separately sent to the legislature. Discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended, including a question about the removal of medical cannabis reporting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on March 30, 2022, and took up Senate File 3283, authored by Senator Port, after first adopting the A1 author’s amendment. The amendment narrowed the bill’s scope to candidates for the legislature and constitutional offices, rather than all public officials, and made wording changes for consistency in statute. Senator Port said the bill was intended to close a campaign finance loophole identified in a Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board advisory opinion, by prohibiting contributions from lobbyists, political committees, political funds, or associations registered with the board when those contributions are exchanged for special access to meeting rooms, hospitality areas, or other event spaces used for informal meetings or socializing with public officials during session. Supportive testimony came from Anastasia Belladonna Herrera of Common Cause Minnesota and George Beck of Clean Elections Minnesota. Both argued the bill would reduce pay-to-play access, improve transparency, and prevent lobbyists and special interests from gaining unequal access to legislators. Beck described a prior party-unit fundraiser proposal that would have used pre-session lobbyist contributions to provide exclusive in-session access, saying it violated the spirit of state law. Jeff Sigurdsson of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board testified as a neutral technical witness and explained the board’s advisory opinion and how the board would interpret the bill. Committee members raised concerns about the bill’s breadth and enforceability, especially the meaning of “special access,” the “in exchange for” language, and how intent or “primary purpose” would be determined. Senators Howe and Osmek questioned whether ordinary constituent meetings, private meetings, or meetings with donors or association members could be unintentionally covered, and whether the bill could create perception problems or require legislators to investigate who has donated. Sigurdsson responded that the bill would apply only when there is a contribution from a covered entity and an exchange for special access, and that the Campaign Finance Board would handle complaints. The committee did not finish all questions; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken at the meeting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor and Industry Policy Committee took Senate File 3881 off the table and heard an A3 amendment that combined several labor and industry provisions. Counsel explained that the amendment included Department of Labor and Industry budget items, permanent and retroactive building permit fee reductions, window cleaning safety language, elevator code changes, load control/electrical inspection exemptions, backflow prevention exemptions, and a technical correction to earlier workers’ compensation advisory council language. The chair noted that some elevator and load-control provisions were still being worked on, and that paid sick leave was not a Senate position in this bill. Commissioner Roslyn Robertson testified in support of the bill’s included funding for youth skill training and prevailing wage enforcement, but said the department preferred a sunset on the fee reductions and had concerns about several policy sections. She said the department supported the window cleaning language, but opposed or remained concerned about the load management exemption, the backflow prevention provisions, and the loss of licensing requirements for certain work, citing public safety and drinking water concerns. She also criticized the bill for omitting several agency priorities, including apprenticeship funding, agricultural and food processing worker protections, earned sick and safe time, OSHA conformity, commercial building climate provisions, assisted living oversight, combative sports changes, and a two-year fee holiday for trade licenses. Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Dr. Barbara Doyle of the Urban League Twin Cities urged more LEAP apprenticeship funding, describing the program as a pathway to stable employment and citing a participant who became a union apprentice and is now earning $33 an hour. Associated Builders and Contractors and Jaybird Mechanical opposed the backflow exemption, arguing that licensed plumbers should remain responsible for repair and rebuilding because of the complexity and safety implications. Joe Neustrom of Aerolift supported the general elevator language but warned that the wording around “platform lifts” was ambiguous and could unintentionally affect existing inspected equipment; he suggested an exemption approach instead. Adam Dunk of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters praised the elevator language and prevailing wage funding and urged the committee to reconsider apprenticeship funding. No final vote or committee action on the amendment or bill was taken in the portion provided.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3581, as amended, a bill by Representative Winkler to create a second career pathway and scholarship support for law enforcement training, with funding for intensive training, scholarships, explorer programs, mentorship, and outreach. Before the bill itself was heard, the committee adopted the A6 amendment to the DE-9 amendment, which expanded eligibility to include one or two nonprofit private colleges with POST-approved law enforcement programs and added a private-college representative to the scholarship selection committees. Representative Winkler said the amendment was acceptable and that the scholarship cap would keep costs aligned with public institutions. Testimony in support came from Representative Sandell, Concordia University St. Paul’s Jennina Sitch, Minnesota State representatives, and law enforcement advocates including Officer Brad Chin and Officer Ray Brown of the National Black Police Officers Association. Supporters said the bill would help address a shortage of applicants, improve diversity in law enforcement, and build on existing scholarship and mentorship efforts already underway. Minnesota State testified that its colleges already operate POST-certified programs and that the proposal would support current programming and capacity. Members raised concerns about the lack of specific cost figures, the size of living stipends and other awards, and whether the private-college amendment could increase expenses. Representative Winkler responded that the amendment capped per-participant costs and that private institutions could not charge more than public institutions. Additional questions focused on the bill’s use of Department of Public Safety versus higher education authorities, the discretion given to selection committees and the commissioner, and the rationale for creating a more intensive pathway rather than relying on existing programs. The committee adopted the A6 amendment and then the DE-9 amendment, leaving House File 3581 before the committee in amended form for further consideration.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3852 was taken up officially after having been heard informationally earlier in the session. Representative Nohr offered the A1 amendment, described as technical changes only, including inserting “multidisciplinary,” deleting “mental health,” changing “program” to “project,” and making other minor wording corrections. The committee adopted the A1 amendment by voice vote. After the amendment, members were offered the chance to ask questions, with Amanda Vickstrom of Elder Justice and Sean Burke available for discussion, though no further questions were raised. Representative Nohr then spoke in support of the bill, saying it addresses a significant funding gap in adult protective services and helps protect vulnerable older adults and others at risk. He noted Minnesota accepts only 24% of eligible cases, with particular concern for BIPOC individuals and people with mental health or substance use issues. The committee did not take final action on the bill itself. Representative Nohr moved to lay over House File 3852, as amended, for possible inclusion in the human services omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 23 and March 29, 2022 minutes, and then heard House File 4183, authored by Representative Long. The bill would fund partnerships between union construction apprenticeship programs and community organizations to expand and diversify Minnesota’s clean energy and energy-efficiency workforce, with an emphasis on pathways for Black, Indigenous, Latino, immigrant, and other BIPOC workers into the trades. Representative Long and supporters said the bill addresses workforce shortages in a fast-growing clean energy sector and helps create family-sustaining careers and economic mobility. Testimony in support came from Rod Adams of the New Justice Project, who described barriers facing Black youth and formerly incarcerated people, cited Minnesota’s racial wealth gap, and said the program could create real career pathways and intergenerational stability. Mary Cruz Lozano-Rios of Unidos Minnesota Education Fund said the bill would help address racial inequities and occupational segregation by creating pathways into green construction and energy jobs with holistic support. Kyle Macarios said registered apprenticeship programs are the strongest training model and that the bill would help prepare people from communities of color for entry and success in those programs. Opposition came from Megan Hennen of Associated Builders and Contractors, who argued the bill duplicated a prior measure, lacked reporting requirements and clear spending detail, and was too narrow and exclusionary by favoring certain programs over others. Several members echoed concerns about the absence of metrics, the use of taxpayer dollars, and whether the recipient organizations had sufficient workforce-training experience. Representative Long said the organizations had related grant and pipeline experience and estimated the program could serve 75 to 100 pre-apprenticeship participants, 300 to 400 people with direct services, and 3,000 to 5,000 community members through outreach. No final vote on HF 4183 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was discussed and questions were raised about its structure, funding, and outcomes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Preventing Homelessness Division met remotely on March 30, 2022, approved the March 23 minutes, and then took up the DE amendment to House File 4225 as its division report. Chair Gomez described the proposal as a major investment in Minnesota’s homelessness response system, emphasizing shelter capacity, long-term operating support, and services for unhoused people, youth, seniors, veterans, and survivors of exploitation and trafficking. Nonpartisan staff walked members through the fiscal spreadsheet, explaining that the report includes both base-budget changes and one-time funding, with major items such as $75 million for emergency shelter facilities, funding for the Homeless Youth Act, Safe Harbor-related grants, transitional housing, and shelter-linked mental health grants. Staff also noted a separate item on housing support income modifications for low-income seniors and veterans, and said a fiscal note was still pending for that provision. The policy walk-through covered sections that would prioritize trauma-informed, culturally inclusive Safe Harbor services; extend the legal duration of transitional housing from 24 to 36 months and give DHS more discretion to extend stays; reduce countable income for certain SSI, VA, and retirement/disability benefit recipients; strengthen Homeless Youth Act grant rules and carryover authority; extend the Task Force on Shelter reporting deadline; require studies on pregnancy/parenting among homeless youth and on survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking; and create a grant program for local governments, nonprofits, and tribal governments to improve and expand shelter facilities. No formal vote on the division report was taken during the portion provided, as the chair said action would come after the walkthrough and public testimony. Public testimony was largely supportive. Rhonda Addison of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless praised the shelter capital investment, emergency services funding, and transitional housing changes. Zach Eichten, also with the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and Homes for All, supported the bill as amended and highlighted the shelter, youth, Safe Harbor, mental health, and transitional housing provisions, while noting a desire to continue pursuing the Close-Knit chosen-family hosting proposal. Nicole Mills of Oasis for Youth urged funding for the Homeless Youth Act and said the investments would help the estimated 1,300 homeless youth ages 10 to 24 in Minnesota each year. Jennifer O’Rourke, speaking for Ramsey County, thanked the committee for including part of Ramsey County’s request but said the county was disappointed not to see direct appropriations continue into later fiscal years. Beth Holder of The Link also supported the increased investments, especially for youth, Safe Harbor, and transitional housing. A member asked whether the division had a target and whether the numbers were part of an open-services target; Chair Gomez replied that no official target had been announced and that the proposal was being assembled as part of Chair Schultz’s broader bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met remotely and approved the March 23, 2022 minutes. It then considered House File 4661, which would update a 1909 statute limiting city Memorial Day spending from $300 to $10,000. The author and a veteran testifier said the change would help municipalities better honor veterans and fallen heroes, with no state cost. Members asked whether the bill was specific to Duluth or statewide; the author said the issue arose in Duluth but the bill would apply to any municipality. The committee voted to recommend the bill be re-referred to the State Government Finance and Elections Committee. The committee next took up House File 4317, as amended by a DE1 amendment, which creates a $40 million affordable homeownership incentive account at the Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities Fund. The bill is intended to help cities develop single-family affordable housing and expand homeownership opportunities for African Americans, African immigrants, and other protected groups in the metro area. The amendment clarified the account structure, appropriated the $40 million, and changed references from commissioner to the Metropolitan Council. The amendment was adopted. Testimony in support came from Dr. Bruce Corey, Kizzy Downing of Model Cities of Saint Paul, David McGee of Build Wealth Minnesota, Naida Presley of the Saint Paul NAACP, Linda Sloan of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, and Lisa Barajas of the Metropolitan Council. Supporters described severe racial homeownership disparities, rising housing costs, limited starter-home inventory, and the need for down payment assistance, counseling, lending support, and more housing production. Barajas said the council supports the goal of closing the gap but noted that some proposed activities are outside the council’s current expertise and that directly funding existing agencies might be more effective for counseling and lending-related work. Representative Olson questioned Dr. Corey about whether the economic projections accounted for property taxes and maintenance costs. The transcript ends during that exchange, and no final vote on House File 4317 is shown in the excerpt.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 29 minutes and then heard House File 3404, as amended, from Rep. Morrison. The A1 amendment was adopted; it added DHS-preferred language, made the weekly per diem for intensive treatment in foster care more flexible, and aligned implementation dates and language with DHS work plans. The bill would expand access to family-centered, community-based mental health models for children with intensive needs, including intensive treatment in foster care, collaborative intensive bridging services, high-fidelity wraparound, and a therapeutic services model. Testimony from Lutheran Social Service, Dakota County, and a parent described severe service gaps, long waits, and the value of consistent, family-based care. The committee laid HF 3404 over for possible inclusion in the human services omnibus bill. The committee then took up House File 4588 from Rep. Ryer, and the A1 amendment was adopted. The amendment was described as giving counties and tribes more flexibility in how services are provided and limiting budget flexibility in part of the state for allocation changes. The bill would restructure adult mental health initiatives (AMHIs) by treating them as permanent mental health infrastructure rather than a pilot, allowing more local flexibility, and increasing funding. Rep. Ryer argued AMHIs are essential to community-based mental health services and that current funding is inadequate given rising need and pandemic impacts. County and regional witnesses from St. Louis County and Blue Earth County, speaking for MAXA, MICA, and regional AMHIs, supported the bill and warned that the Department of Human Services’ proposed funding formula could shift millions of dollars away from some counties, reduce services in more than 30 counties, and cost one region about 25% of its mental health workforce. They said the state should not take money from one region to give to another and urged new long-term investment instead. A committee member asked about provider shortages and access to services; the discussion ended with no recorded vote on HF 4588 in the excerpt, after testimony and questions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Legacy Finance Committee met to hear an informational discussion on House File 4377, a Clean Water Fund proposal from Chair Hanson. Hanson explained that the bill would direct roughly $47.4 million in supplemental clean water money to a range of projects, including CREP and peatland restoration, microplastics and nanoplastics monitoring across agencies, PFAS monitoring in trout streams, tributaries, private wells, and Battle Creek/Pig’s Eye areas, lead sinker collection and lead service line work, tire-derived chemical research, and a $500,000 appropriation to the Minnesota Conservation Corps for water-quality restoration work. He emphasized that the bill was based on committee testimony, that the appropriations fit Clean Water Fund requirements, and that the goal was to use available dollars now rather than wait for the usual Clean Water Council process. Members largely discussed the environmental and public-health rationale for the proposal. Supportive members highlighted PFAS contamination across the state, the need to address microplastics, the environmental justice implications for communities near highways, rivers, and contaminated sites, and the value of the Conservation Corps in engaging youth and diversifying the outdoor workforce. Hanson also answered questions about peatlands, describing the program as voluntary and aimed at restoring drained peatlands for water-quality and carbon-sequestration benefits, with federal matching dollars. He clarified that the repeated $7.665 million figures were separate appropriations, not duplicates, and fiscal staff confirmed the Conservation Corps line item and the bill total. Representative Green raised concerns about the peatland provisions, especially any impact on school trust lands, and said he preferred mining peat rather than buying out lands; a DNR representative said the issue could be discussed further with interested parties. Green also questioned whether the bill was fully thought out and said he could not support it as written. Representative Erdahl asked why the supplemental money had not gone through the Clean Water Council, and Hanson responded that the committee had already heard extensive testimony and that the Legislature should prioritize problem-solving over process. No vote was taken on the bill during this discussion.