Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate File 4131, which would extend the constitutional dedication of lottery proceeds to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund through 2050 and increase the transfer from 40% to 50%. Senator Rude explained that the bill would also put the reauthorization question on the 2024 ballot and add unclaimed lottery prizes to the dedicated funding. An A2 amendment was offered to split the remaining lottery proceeds into a new water improvement fund for public water system construction and repairs, with annual recommendations from the Public Facilities Authority to the legislature. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Conservation Federation and Minnesota Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, both emphasizing the trust fund’s long history of supporting conservation, habitat, and outdoor access. Several senators also spoke in favor, calling the proposal a compromise that would support both environmental funding and wastewater needs. The committee adopted the amendment and then approved SF 4131, as amended, to be passed and re-referred to the Rules Committee. The committee then began a staff walkthrough of Senate File 4062, a large omnibus environment and natural resources finance bill. Chair and staff noted the committee’s tight budget target and said the bill would be reviewed in two parts, with testimony to be heard the following day. Staff reviewed the fiscal spreadsheet, saying the bill’s net general fund spending target was $1.47 million in fiscal year 2023 and $490,000 per year thereafter, with total spending of $7.862 million in FY 2023 across the general fund, environmental fund, remediation fund, and natural resources fund. Staff then summarized the bill’s appropriations, including funding for a Lake Township wastewater system design, SCORE grants, WET rulemaking, mattress recycling oversight, an air permit study, demolition of a state-owned school building in Lake of the Woods County, section 404 permitting work through the Environmental Quality Board, ATV trail projects, an off-road vehicle ambassador, shooting sports facility grants, calcareous fen monitoring, White Bear Lake study and plan costs, Explore Minnesota tourism promotion, and a St. Louis River mercury TMDL extension. The policy article was also walked through, covering DNR reporting changes, restrictions on unadopted rules, wreck vehicle transfer, snowmobile decal modernization, recreational vehicle ownership transfer, ATV definition changes, reservation and timber payment provisions, metallic minerals environmental review reporting, minnow importation, firearms and access rules, antler point restrictions, nuisance bear relocation, and a wolf open-season provision tied to future delisting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate began with a call of the Senate, prayer, and pledge, then received House messages. The House invited the Senate to a joint convention on April 24 to receive Governor Walz’s message, which the Senate accepted. The House also announced appointment of a conference committee on Senate File 3472, relating to the Minnesota Premium Security Plan, and transmitted House Files 41, 2774, and 3346 for first reading. Committee reports printed in the agenda were adopted, and several Senate files were given second reading. The Senate also referred Senate resolutions 114 through 119 to Rules and Administration and designated House File 4165 as a special order for immediate consideration. The main floor debate centered on House File 4165, a bill requiring Minnesota to divest state investments tied to Russia and Belarus in response to the war in Ukraine. Supporters described the bill as a nonviolent, bipartisan way for Minnesota to condemn Vladimir Putin’s invasion, stand with Ukraine, and respond to testimony from Ukrainian Minnesotans and community members describing family separation, destruction in Mariupol, and humanitarian suffering. Several senators emphasized that the measure was written with State Board of Investment input and included language intended to protect retirement funds and act only to the extent practicable. A number of senators spoke in favor, including remarks about solidarity with Ukraine, democracy, and the moral need to act. One senator raised concerns about false equivalencies to other global conflicts, and another briefly objected to a historical narrative raised during the debate, saying it was not the day for that issue. The discussion concluded with the majority closing on the bill and urging a green vote; the transcript ends before showing the final roll call result on House File 4165.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Legislative leaders and the governor discussed several end-of-session issues, with the main focus on unemployment insurance, frontline worker payments, and reinsurance. The House said it had offered $1.85 billion for the UI trust fund, up from $1.15 billion, and proposed statutory changes to employer assessments; House speakers argued this was still below the $2.7 billion they believe is needed to fully refill the fund and avoid a tax increase on employers. They also proposed $1 billion for frontline worker payments, using $250 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds and $750 million from the state general fund, with payments up to $1,500 per worker. House leaders criticized the Senate’s response as a counteroffer that moved negotiations backward and said the UI trust fund should be handled separately from other issues. They emphasized that the Senate should take the issue to a vote, noting the Senate had already passed the bill with strong bipartisan support. The governor and House leaders also discussed reinsurance, saying there may be room for bipartisan compromise, but that a CMS waiver deadline by Friday was creating pressure to resolve the issue quickly. Other topics included drought relief and agriculture, especially response to highly pathogenic avian influenza, with leaders expressing confidence that those bills could be worked out in conference. The governor also mentioned education funding needs following the teacher strike and said he expected compromise there. Toward the end, there was brief discussion of a possible liquor-related commerce bill involving brewery growler sales and packaging changes, which participants said could be considered after the more urgent issues were resolved.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate unanimously passed Senate File 3372, a bill providing $20 million for additional ALS research and $5 million to support caregivers of people with the disease. The measure now goes to the governor for signature. Senator Tom Bakk read a statement from the bill’s author, Senator David Tomassoni, who is living with ALS, expressing gratitude for the broad bipartisan support and emphasizing the bill’s potential to advance research toward a cure. The statement highlighted that ALS research has long been underfunded and said the legislation, along with the Healy clinical trials, could help Minnesota make meaningful progress against the disease. Several legislative leaders and coauthors were thanked for their support, including senators, representatives, the House Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the governor. The final vote was 67-0, with the Senate agreeing to the bill’s title and passing it unanimously.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Capital Investment Committee met remotely and approved the March 24 minutes, then heard informational presentations on several capital projects. Representative Jurgens and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herkey presented HF 3656, a $59.656 million state request for a new Hastings veterans home, describing the campus as over 100 years old, with aging buildings, overcrowding, and a plan to replace multiple buildings and provide veterans with private rooms and bathrooms. Members asked about the federal match, and the commissioner said the project would seek about $111 million in federal funds, with the state share used to move the project near the top of the federal priority list. Representative Bernardi and Fridley officials presented HF 4202 for an inclusive playground at Commons Park, emphasizing accessibility for children with physical, cognitive, sensory, and developmental disabilities and noting strong community input. Representative Luke and National Loon Center director John Mulbeck presented HF 4193, a $7.9 million request toward the Cross Lake National Loon Center, highlighting prior local fundraising, a 2018 LCCMR grant, habitat restoration, research, education, and expected tourism and job benefits. Representative Petersburg and Owatonna officials presented HF 3608 for a $22 million state contribution to expand the city’s wastewater treatment plant, citing growth, watershed protection, methane capture for renewable energy, and the city’s existing reserves and grants; members asked about PFA status, and the city said it was high on the list. Representative Frederick presented HF 3692 to support children’s museums across Greater Minnesota, and Louise Dickmeyer testified for seven museums, requesting $36 million for infrastructure and exhibit needs; members asked whether Rochester was included and whether other museums would be eligible, and she said the bill was targeted to the seven museums in the coalition. Representative Bowden then presented HF 4061 for a separate $4 million expansion of the Children’s Museum of Rochester, with testimony that the museum had far exceeded visitor projections and needed more exhibit and outdoor space; members clarified that this request was separate from, but also included in, Frederick’s coalition bill. Finally, Representative Morrison presented HF 4465 for Excelsior drinking water, sewer, and stormwater work, including replacement of a more than 100-year-old water main; city officials described the city’s small tax base, prior infrastructure spending, rising utility rates and levies, and ongoing water main breaks. No votes or final actions were taken on the bills during this informational hearing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate File 3176, a DHS direct care and treatment policy bill. After adopting the A2 author’s amendment, staff explained that the bill would move several reporting requirements from quarterly to annual or otherwise eliminate obsolete statutory language, including reports on clinical facility data and census/fiscal projections. The department also described section 2, which would create a process allowing certain committed patients in the nonsecure part of the St. Peter forensic program to voluntarily return to the secure perimeter for up to 60 days if they decompensate, with clinicians able to stabilize them and, if needed, revoke the transfer and return them to the special review board process. Senators questioned how the “voluntary” return would work, whether patients could make that decision during decompensation, and how much discretion medical staff would have. The bill was then recommended to pass and referred to the Human Services Reform Committee. The committee then heard Senate File 3665, which would revise how data in the statewide voter registration system is classified, making most of it public while specifying certain private data such as birth dates and driver’s license numbers. The author said the bill was intended to clarify legislative intent, improve transparency, and address confusion and litigation over data practices. Committee members raised concerns about whether the bill would make information on 17-year-old preregistered voters public, whether challenged voter status would become public, and how the bill would affect Safe at Home protections. The Secretary of State’s office said voters under 18 are placed in pended status and that the bill should be adjusted to protect minors; it also said the bill would not change Safe at Home protections and that current practice keeps the full record of those voters off public lists. No final action on SF 3665 was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 1729, the Hunger Free Schools Act, and the bill was moved and laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill. Representative Jordan said the proposal would provide breakfast and lunch to all Minnesota students, require eligible schools to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, and increase state funding for universal meals, with costs estimated at about $187.4 million in fiscal year 2023 and higher amounts in later years due to projected participation growth. Jordan and MDE staff also said CEP participation would reduce overall costs by about $600,000 by drawing more federal funds. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. A series of parents, students, school nutrition staff, health advocates, and state and district officials described school meals as essential for children’s health, learning, and family budgets. Witnesses from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Children’s Minnesota, Saint Paul Public Schools, the Minnesota School Nutrition Association, Appetite for Change, and the Minnesota Department of Education emphasized food insecurity, racial and economic disparities, stigma around free meals, and the benefits of universal meals for academic performance and child development. Several testifiers shared personal experiences of relying on school meals or struggling to afford food, and MDE noted the bill would also fund breakfast for certain early childhood special education students in VPK-funded classrooms. During member questions, Representative Erickson raised concerns about taxpayer cost, family meal routines, and whether the bill should include an opt-out or instead expand eligibility only for families near the income threshold. Representative Kresha asked how success would be measured and whether staffing shortages would affect implementation. Jordan responded that students and parents would still be able to bring food from home, and MDE said it would follow up on measurement questions. No vote on final passage was taken in the hearing; the bill was held over for further consideration.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee heard several bills related to higher education access, governance, and workforce development. Senate File 3846, the Legislative Coordinating Commission policy housekeeping bill, was presented by Senator Kiffmeyer and LCC Executive Director Michelle Weber. The committee focused on Article 2, which would repeal the Trustee Candidate Advisory Council, described as inactive since 2012 with all vacancies; the bill was recommended to pass and referred to State Government. Senate File 3972, authored by Senator Hoffman, would expand postsecondary opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities through a technical assistance center and competitive grants. Testimony from Dr. Brian Valentini, Mary Hoff, and Brynn Sexton emphasized the lack of inclusive college options in Minnesota, the need for more local opportunities, and the benefits for employment and independent living. The committee adopted the A1 amendment, heard supportive testimony, and laid the bill over for possible inclusion before later correcting the referral so it was recommended to pass and sent to State Government. Senate File 4045, by Senator Coleman, would move the Rare Disease Advisory Council from the University of Minnesota to the Minnesota Council on Disability so it could more directly engage in public policy work. Senator Coleman and Amy Gaviglio said the change had support from council stakeholders, the Minnesota Council on Disability, and no known opposition, including no objection from the University of Minnesota. The committee passed the bill and referred it to the Health and Human Services Finance Committee. Finally, Senate File 3624, authored by Senator Jaczynski, proposed a $1 million appropriation for workforce and training improvements tied to Owatonna High School and Riverland Technical College, including a needs analysis and new equipment for advanced manufacturing and IT pathways. Testimony from Riverland Academic Dean Christy Trius and Minnesota State representative Mr. Oman highlighted local collaboration, employer needs, and the goal of creating career pathways for students. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee met on March 29, 2022, and took up several bills. Senate File 915, a Rule 47 bill by Sen. Dreheim, was summarized as amending municipal comprehensive plans to encourage unsubsidized affordable housing and limiting certain residential regulations; it was recommended to pass and sent to general orders. Senate File 4050, by Sen. Lier, would let Hennepin County pay reasonable allowances or per diem to members of county advisory boards, matching authority already available to other counties; Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Lundy testified in support, and the bill was recommended to pass and sent to general orders. The committee then heard Senate File 4212, an open meeting law bill by Sen. Jasinski that would restore limited remote participation for elected local officials for family or medical reasons, up to three times per year, from a nonpublic location while preserving public access at the regular meeting site. Testimony came from county and city association representatives and Dakota County Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord, who said the change was a modest, narrowly drafted flexibility measure; members discussed transparency and public access, and the bill was recommended to pass and re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Committee. Senate File 4214, by Sen. Utke, would expand investment options for certain local government insurance pools to better manage long-term workers’ compensation liabilities and inflation risk. The committee adopted the A2 amendment, which incorporated language from Sen. Rest’s SF 2959 and lowered a rating threshold for certain long-term equity investments from AAA to AA; testimony from the League of Minnesota Cities and the Metropolitan Council supported the change. The amended bill was then recommended to pass and re-referred to the State Government Finance and Policy Elections Committee. Finally, Senate File 4200, by Sen. Swedinski, made technical changes to regional parks funding deadlines and switched the payment basis to the most recent audited financial statement; the Metropolitan Council supported the bill, and it was recommended to pass and sent to general orders. The chair then adjourned the meeting, noting it was the committee’s last meeting before second deadline.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 2211 was heard with a delete-everything amendment adopted at the start of the discussion. The amendment broadened eligibility for the grant program to include tribal governments and homeowners associations, shifted the bill’s emphasis to organics composting, and directed MPCA to prioritize nonprofit organizations that provide composting education. The bill, as amended, would create a $5 million MPCA pilot grant program to expand residential organics composting access in multi-family housing and support education and materials for residents. Representative Hornstein and Representative Agbaje explained that the bill grew out of constituent interest, especially from renters and residents of multi-unit buildings who lack the same composting access as homeowners. Testifiers strongly supported the measure, saying it would help low-income, BIPOC, and renter communities participate in sustainable waste management, reduce landfill waste, and cut methane emissions. One testifier from an environmental justice perspective emphasized the need for education and resources, and another from an environmental education organization said organics recycling is essential to Minnesota’s zero-waste goals. Dave McNary, speaking for the Partnership on Waste and Energy and Hennepin County, supported the grant program and said it could help local governments and building owners divert more compostable material, though he suggested awards should be based on strongest overall project benefits rather than prioritizing certain applicants. Members raised questions about hauling, follow-up, statewide availability, rural infrastructure, and whether compost collected through the program would have a place to go. The authors said MPCA would oversee grant follow-up, the program would be open statewide, and they were willing to work on clarifying language. The committee then laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3320, a bill by Representative Acomb creating a refundable tax credit for certain energy-efficiency and clean-energy home improvements in owner-occupied dwellings. An A1 amendment was adopted before the bill was discussed; the amendment expanded eligibility to owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes and allowed more than one expenditure of the same type. The bill was then laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. Representative Acomb said the measure is intended as one strategy to address climate change and rising costs from extreme weather, and described the credit as covering three categories of expenditures: appliances, energy-efficiency measures, and larger improvements. Testifiers in support included Jamie Fitzgibbon of the Center for Energy and Environment, who said the bill would help Minnesotans save energy and money, reduce emissions, and support jobs, and Lee Valencore of Design Right Energy LLC, who said residential energy incentives are timely because federal credits have expired and the bill would help consumers and local energy businesses. Committee staff explained that the maximum credit would be $2,000, with up to $1,000 per category, and that the credit would phase out beginning at $150,000 for married filers and $75,000 for other filers. Members asked about labor shortages, whether the bill could encourage premature replacement of equipment, and how the credit would work for jointly owned homes and married filing separately situations. Staff said there is no clawback or recapture provision. Some members supported the bill as a way to improve home efficiency, while others criticized it as costly, favoring broader reductions in the cost of doing business instead. The chair kept the discussion focused on the bill and reiterated that it was being laid over.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first heard House File 4120, which would expand Minnesota’s farm-to-school grant program to early learning and child care providers. Representative Lippert described the benefits of connecting local farmers with schools and child care centers, and Jamie Miroccola of Tri-Valley Head Start testified that farm-to-early-care efforts have helped improve nutrition education, family engagement, and access to local foods. She said the program has shown positive health outcomes for children and that funding for curriculum and materials remains a barrier. Members asked about the program’s funding level, and the author said the bill would double the base to $1.6 million to meet growing demand. After discussion, the committee voted on the motion to re-refer HF 4120 to the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. The roll call passed 11 to 2, and the bill was sent onward. The chair then introduced House File 4555, which would provide $1 million for St. Paul’s CollegeBound children’s asset-building program and related financial health programming, with the bill to be laid over for possible budget inclusion. Representative Herr and Munir Karcher Ramos testified that the program has enrolled more than 7,000 children, grown account balances through seed deposits and family savings, and is intended to support long-term educational attainment and family financial stability. Members questioned the program’s relationship to graduation and college outcomes, and Representative Jurgens expressed skepticism about whether the account program was the best use of funds compared with direct efforts to raise graduation rates. Representative Herr cited a 78.3 percent graduation rate for Saint Paul Public Schools’ class of 2020 and said the program is meant to support children from birth through postsecondary education. Karcher Ramos said research links asset-building accounts with higher high school graduation and college enrollment, and he described interest from other Minnesota cities in exploring similar programs. No vote was taken on HF 4555 during the portion provided; it was discussed and laid over for possible inclusion in a budget bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 24, 2022 minutes, then heard House File 4269, Representative Agbaje’s bill creating a pilot program for targeted down payment assistance for first-generation homebuyers. Agbaje said the program is intended to expand homeownership opportunities for people without prior homeownership in their family, and highlighted a subdivision providing creditor immunity for lenders who rely in good faith on borrower self-attestations of eligibility. Minnesota Realtors and the Minnesota Home Ownership Center supported the bill. Representative Scott asked about the use of self-attestation and whether lenders would still verify other financial qualifications; Agbaje and a testifier said the attestation would only cover program eligibility, not broader loan underwriting. The committee voted 11-3 to refer HF 4269 to Ways and Means, with Scott abstaining. The committee then heard House File 3845, Representative Hanson’s bill to create a youth foster ombudsperson office. Hanson said foster youth need an independent avenue for complaints, oversight, and data collection, citing disparities in removals of Indigenous and Black children and arguing the office would help address abuse, neglect, and systemic failures in child welfare. Testifier Huang Murphy of Foster Advocates described severe instability for youth aging out of care, high homelessness rates, and the need for an office that could investigate complaints and create an advisory board of youth and advocates. Representative Scott raised concerns about protecting sensitive juvenile data and asked about audit trails and access controls; Murphy said the office would need secure access to confidential data, and Hanson said the bill was being amended and modeled in part on the corrections ombuds office. Representative Johnson also objected, citing data protections and due process concerns about reports used in court. Vice Chair Mueller said existing Chapter 13 data protections and the corrections ombuds model made the bill acceptable, and Representative Hollins spoke in support, saying foster youth need recourse and that privacy protections are not being adequately followed now. The discussion continued, but the transcript provided does not show a final vote on HF 3845.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met in a full-house hearing and first approved the March 25 minutes. Chair Schultz then moved through a series of homelessness-related bills on a layover basis for possible inclusion in the Human Services omnibus bill, with division reports adopted by voice vote where applicable. House File 3950, from Representative Moran, was presented as a request from the Heading Home Ramsey Continuum of Care to support Ramsey County and St. Paul’s shelter and homelessness response system. Testimony from St. Paul and Ramsey County described pandemic-era shelter expansions, wraparound services, and a need for bridge funding over the next three to five years while deeply affordable housing is built. Washington County also testified in support, saying the resources would benefit the broader region. A question from Representative Robbins focused on why the state should fund the effort rather than county taxpayers; Ramsey County responded that the funding is temporary bridge support, already supplemented by local levies, and intended to phase out as permanent housing comes online. House File 4277, by Representative Kegel, would fund the Heading Home Core AmeriCorps program at $1.1 million per year for three years. Testimony from Ampact/Serve Minnesota said the program would leverage federal funds and educational awards, place 100 AmeriCorps members statewide, and expand housing navigation capacity for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Members emphasized the program’s role in helping people access resources, stabilize housing, and connect to other supports. The bill was laid over without questions. House File 4427, by Representative Feist, focused on Hennepin County’s homelessness response and the loss of federal ARP funding in 2024. Representative Feist and Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley described major county investments in affordable housing, low-barrier shelters, 24/7 shelter operations, and housing-focused case management, and said state funding is needed to avoid a funding cliff and maintain improved shelter models. The bill was also laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 3469, an elections bill by Senator Kiffmeyer, focusing on sections dealing with absentee ballot drop boxes, ballot board observers, and live streaming of absentee ballot processing. Kiffmeyer described provisions requiring drop boxes to be live streamed to Minnesota IT and made publicly available, adding unique identification numbers and other requirements, and requiring live streaming of ballot board activity during the seven days before an election and on election day. Section 6 would allow candidates or parties to appoint absentee ballot board observers, with training requirements for both election judge and ballot board training. Staff also explained two technical amendments: A3 for cleanup language and A4 to clarify data-access language related to chapter 13; both amendments were adopted by voice vote. Members raised concerns about the practical effects of the bill. Senator Brigham asked about Safe at Home participants and whether they could use drop boxes; Kiffmeyer said the program has its own confidential process and ballots can also be mailed or returned in other ways. Senator Latz argued the 100-foot location requirement for drop boxes could effectively limit cities and counties to very few locations near city halls, making drop boxes less accessible, and questioned the four-foot observer language as potentially allowing observers too close to ballot handling. He also raised concerns about the volume, cost, and logistics of the live-streaming and data-retention requirements. Kiffmeyer responded that drop boxes are optional, mailboxes and polling places already provide voting options, and the four-foot standard was intended to allow meaningful observation while balancing privacy and security. Troy Olson, representing the Minnesota Association of County Officers, said LMC, AMC, and MAKO had been in good policy discussions with Senator Kiffmeyer and were not yet in a position to support the bill, though they felt heard on administrative concerns. On fiscal issues, Kiffmeyer said a fiscal note had been received by State Government and that funding in her target would address the current estimate, with additional money for local governments and Minnesota IT to be handled in the finance committee. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion of the meeting shown, but it did adopt the two technical amendments and continue discussion before sending the bill onward for fiscal consideration.