Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met remotely on March 28, established a quorum, and adopted the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair also noted that the committee had three videos to review and mentioned Minnesota’s first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, with an update expected later from the Department of Agriculture. The first bill heard was House File 3913, which would fully fund the Agri Bioincentive Program for existing participants, repay facilities that were underpaid in prior years, and sunset the program to new applicants after 2022. Representative Stevenson described the program as supporting advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals, and cited economic benefits and the original funding commitment. Testimony from the Great Plains Institute/Bioeconomy Coalition and Minnesota Forest Industries supported the bill, emphasizing private investment, rural jobs, forest biomass markets, and products such as cellulosic ethanol and dissolving cellulose. Representative Rick Hansen questioned whether the state was legally obligated to make the payments and asked about the technical process for converting cellulose into fuels and products; witnesses explained the enzymatic and pulping processes and noted potential uses for lignin in jet fuel, renewable diesel, and plastics. Representative Anderson raised concerns about moving the program’s end date earlier and whether that could limit emerging renewable jet fuel projects. After discussion, HF 3913 was laid over. The committee then heard House File 3800, a horse racing and thoroughbred incentive proposal authored by Representative Albright and co-authored by Representative Anderson. Albright said the bill would provide a one-time economic stimulus through annual grants to support thoroughbred racing, aftercare, and related educational and mental health programs, arguing that horse racing generates significant economic activity and jobs in Minnesota. Testifier Joe Scardo of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Racing Alliance said the program would attract and keep more thoroughbreds in Minnesota by requiring horses to spend 120 days in the state before becoming eligible for a $750 per-race stipend, with aftercare support to keep horses in Minnesota after racing. He said the bill would also support local agriculture, feed producers, veterinary services, internships, ESL and summer school programs, and mental health services for stable-area workers and the broader community. Committee members asked about the use of existing breeder funds, local feed sourcing, and the post-racing lives of thoroughbreds; Scardo said retired horses can be used for pleasure riding and other equine activities, and that adoption and aftercare efforts are growing. The discussion ended with light remarks, and the bill presentation continued without a final vote in the excerpt.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House took up House File 2774, an employment bill aimed at warehouse worker safety and transparency. The author, Rep. Greenman, said the bill responds to injuries and intense quota systems in large warehouses, especially Amazon facilities, by requiring companies with more than 250 workers to disclose quotas and performance standards, give workers access to their own performance data, protect meal, lunch, and prayer breaks from quota interference, require monthly safety meetings, and allow the Department of Labor and Industry to investigate large employers with injury rates above a set threshold. Supporters argued the bill is needed because existing OSHA/DLI standards do not address opaque algorithmic quotas, surveillance, and high injury rates, and several members described worker testimony about fear, surveillance, missed breaks, injuries, and turnover, including stories from immigrant workers and workers in Shakopee. Opponents argued the bill is too narrowly targeted at one company and that existing OSHA and DLI authority should be used instead of creating new statutory requirements. Rep. Erdahl and Rep. Keel questioned whether the bill would affect agriculture, grain storage, and other large employers, while Rep. Nash warned that the measure could push companies toward more automation and fewer jobs and said it could create broader data-collection and labor implications beyond Amazon. Supporters responded that the bill is a general warehouse safety standard, not just a one-company measure, and that it is intended to prevent harmful practices from spreading to other employers. During debate, members also discussed broader concerns about surveillance and privacy, with Rep. Gomez linking the issue to facial recognition and corporate monitoring, and several speakers emphasizing worker dignity and the right to safe conditions. No amendments were offered at the desk, and the bill was given its third reading. The transcript ends while debate continues, before any final vote is shown.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 766, as amended by a delete-everything amendment, dealing with treated seed. Rep. Jerry Hansen explained the bill would add a definition of coated agricultural seed, clarify that treated seed cannot be used for food, feed, oil, or ethanol feedstock, and direct Pollution Control Agency rulemaking and consumer guidance funding to address disposal of treated seed. The DE amendment was adopted after brief discussion, and the bill was referred to the Environment Committee. Testimony largely centered on the Nebraska Mead ethanol-plant contamination incident and the risks of disposing of neonicotinoid-treated seed through ethanol production or other improper means. Supporters, including Dr. Judy Wu Smart, Sarah Hoyle of the Xerces Society, and Morgan Munson of the Land Stewardship Project/Pollinator Friendly Alliance, argued that treated seed disposal can spread systemic pesticide residues, harm pollinators and waterways, and that Minnesota should set clearer rules, labeling, and disposal standards. They said the bill would help prevent similar contamination and protect pollinators, soil, water, and rural communities. Opposition came from Patrick Murray of the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers, who said seed treatments are already heavily regulated, applicators are certified, and the bill could unnecessarily restrict farmers’ access to existing products and be duplicative of current law. Rep. Anderson also raised procedural concerns about the DE amendment limiting minority amendments and argued the bill could reduce food production, though Hansen responded that the bill is about disposal of no-longer-viable treated seed, not pesticide application, and that rulemaking is needed to clarify lawful disposal. No roll-call vote was taken on the bill itself in the transcript.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met remotely, approved the March 23, 2022 minutes, and then took public testimony on the DE1 amendment to House File 3401. One testifier, a Somali autism advocate, spoke against suspending students with disabilities for behavior tied to their disability, arguing schools should teach and support students rather than punish them. She described her son’s suspension from Bloomington Public Schools and urged lawmakers to provide resources to keep students in class. The committee then moved into amendment work on HF 3401, which included online learning and reporting provisions. Chair Richardson explained that the DE1 amendment would allow a resident district or charter school to provide online instruction for a student with a short-term or temporary physical, emotional illness, or disability in a day treatment or residential program, with student or parent/guardian consent, and would shift staff hiring/dismissal reporting to HELSB. The committee adopted an A7 amendment to the DE1, making it the author’s preferred form. Representative Erdahl then offered an amendment focused on staff and student safety and another requiring reporting on the state civics test; both were debated, with Chair Richardson opposing them as drafted and noting she was open to future work on the issues. Both amendments failed on roll-call votes of 8 ayes and 11 nays. Representative Bennett offered an amendment to remove “non-public schools” from the definition of enrolling district in the online learning provisions, arguing the language was vague and could unintentionally subject non-public schools to MDE requirements. Chair Richardson and MDE staff said the intent was instead to expand access for non-public students to supplemental online learning through shared-time aid, not to regulate non-public schools as providers. After discussion about drafting clarity and legislative intent, the committee rejected the Bennett amendment on another 8-11 roll call. The meeting ended with discussion of a DE2 amendment, but the transcript cuts off before any action on it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 4242, as amended by the A1 technical amendment. Representative Long described the bill as creating a time-limited pilot program for speed safety cameras in Minnesota, including a local option pilot and a work zone pilot. He said the bill is intended to reduce speeding-related crashes, especially near schools and in work zones, while adding safeguards such as warning signage, a warning-ticket period, public notice, privacy protections, limits on when citations can be issued, and an option for a free traffic safety course in lieu of one fine. The committee voted to adopt the A1 amendment, and later agreed to lay the bill over in committee for now. Testimony largely supported the bill. Ethan Foley of the City of Minneapolis said the city faces serious speeding problems and supports the measure because it includes both local and work zone pilots; he emphasized that the bill reflects best practices and balances enforcement with fairness and privacy. Roger Benson, a Minneapolis public works employee, described dangerous speeding in a work zone that put workers at risk and said accountability would help deter such behavior. Sarah Risser, whose son was killed by a speeding driver, gave emotional testimony in favor of new traffic enforcement tools, saying cameras changed her own driving behavior and could help prevent needless deaths. Frank Dalma of the University of Minnesota cited research showing automated speed enforcement can reduce crashes and fatalities, and said the bill addresses legal and privacy issues that previously blocked local camera programs. Members also raised concerns, especially about commercial driver’s licenses, leased vehicles, and the earlier Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that struck down Minneapolis’s red-light camera program. Representative Petersburg asked how the bill avoids that problem and whether CDL holders could be unfairly affected. Representative Long and Foley responded that the bill is intended to fix the state-law authority issue identified by the court, and that the author’s amendment was meant to address CDL concerns and federal law compliance. Representative Olson and Representative Torkelson questioned how liability would work when the driver is not identified, and whether a CDL holder could be penalized for another person’s driving; Long said the bill includes defenses for leased vehicles and that he would follow up on remaining questions. Representative Mason said he would support the bill because of the severity of dangerous speeding, while Representative West said he remained wary of camera enforcement and its broader implications.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee met on March 25, 2022, and took up several bills, with Senate Files 3749 and 2857 receiving action while other bills were laid over. Senate File 2857, authored by Senator Hley, would increase the amount directed to the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership from marriage and dissolution filing fees without raising the overall fee paid by applicants. Testimony from program staff and a former participant described the program’s services for displaced homemakers, including job readiness, trauma-informed support, and limited direct assistance, along with outcomes such as high completion rates and help overcoming barriers related to domestic violence, homelessness, and lack of transportation. Members expressed strong support, discussed the program’s long history and funding structure, and the bill was laid over after discussion; an amendment offered by Senator Bigum was withdrawn after he agreed not to slow the bill down. The committee then heard Senate File 3749, which would allow the Board of Private Detective and Private Agent Services to recognize pre-assignment training completed for another Minnesota license holder within the past three years and require employers to provide training certificates to employees regardless of who paid for the training. The board’s executive director testified that the change would reduce confusion, improve portability for workers, and avoid unnecessary repeat training costs. Members asked about whether the certificate would apply in other states and about cross-border investigative authority; the testifier said the bill would apply only in Minnesota, though out-of-state training could be reviewed for approval, and that investigators are generally limited at the border except in certain multi-state or statutory exceptions. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then approved the bill on a voice vote, recommending it to pass and move to the floor. The committee also began discussion of Senate File 4134, a bill from Senator Inger Britson focused on law enforcement training funding. The author described a proposed $5 million appropriation for police training programs at community colleges, initially centered on Alexandria Technical and Community College but broadened through the amendment to include other schools as well. The A1 amendment, which was adopted, would fund equipment and training needs such as body cameras, vehicle equipment, de-escalation simulation tools, and crime-scene training technology. The bill was introduced and explained, but no final vote was taken on it during this portion of the meeting.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met virtually on March 25, 2022, took attendance, and approved the minutes from the previous day. It then heard House File 4221, which would remove a statutory exception that prevents Hennepin County from paying per diem or expense allowances to members of county advisory boards and commissions. Chair Nelson and Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley said the bill would put Hennepin County on the same footing as other counties and help recruit a more diverse pool of participants. The committee adopted the division report and passed the bill to the general register on an 11-1 vote, with Representative Drazkowski voting no and one member excused. The committee next considered House File 3542, which was amended with the A2 amendment after concerns from Minnesota Management and Budget about federal arbitrage rules and the structure of the stadium reserve. The amendment removed the original section and instead directed MMB to review the reserve annually and use excess stadium reserve funds to prepay stadium bonds, with supporters saying the change would avoid federal issues while still saving the state more than $59 million in interest. Testimony came from MMB and a Vikings representative, both supporting the technical fix. The committee adopted the amendment and then referred the bill, as amended, to the Ways and Means Committee on a 12-0 vote with one excused. The committee also heard House File 4248, which would provide one-time block grant funding for Minnesota public television stations. Representative Carlson and Minnesota Public Television Association representative Les Heen said the grants had been flat for years and that stations needed support for equipment, education, and staffing needs. The bill was laid over as amended for possible inclusion. Finally, the committee heard House File 3285, which would allow counties to advertise and sell county-owned property through online auctions while still requiring newspaper notice and allowing smaller leases to be negotiated. Supporters described it as a modernization measure, while some members raised concerns about access, local participation, and the possibility of foreign buyers; the bill was laid over as amended after discussion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: This Capitol Report segment covered several Minnesota policy debates. Senator Andrew Matthews discussed his Consumer Choice of Fuel Act, which would require legislative approval before state agencies adopt rules from another state, such as the Pollution Control Agency’s move to adopt California clean car standards. Matthews argued the legislature is more transparent and accountable than agency rulemaking, said the standards could raise costs for dealers and consumers, and said the bill would protect consumer choice for fuel-powered equipment as well as vehicles. He also said the legislature should still look for ways to improve air quality, but through policy decisions made directly by lawmakers. Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan outlined revisions to the supplemental budget, emphasizing direct payments of $1,000 for couples and $500 for families, along with proposals aimed at lowering long-term costs for health care and child care and providing a 2.5% cost-of-living increase for state pension holders. Walz said the state’s strong fiscal position and rainy day funds made the package possible. The program also highlighted a Republican paid family and medical leave proposal that would create a private insurance product employers could buy, paired with tax credits for small businesses, with supporters saying it would expand access while using existing private-sector infrastructure. Walz separately said negotiations with legislative leaders were still active on unemployment insurance trust fund stability and a bonding bill, with some optimism about reaching agreement. Senator Bill Weber discussed bills aimed at helping family farms transfer to the next generation. He said rising land values, input costs, and estate taxes make succession difficult, and his proposals would raise the first-tier ag homestead valuation to $2.5 million and clarify homestead eligibility for farms organized through trusts, LLCs, or LLPs. He said the goal is to reduce property tax pressure and prevent farms from losing homestead status during ownership transitions. The segment also included testimony on a bill advanced by the Senate Human Services Committee to help people with intractable pain; supporters said restrictive CDC opioid guidelines have denied care to patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, hospice patients, and others stable on long-term therapy, and one patient testified that fear of DEA scrutiny caused her doctor to stop treating her.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 4447 was presented as a workforce-focused human services bill aimed at addressing shortages in direct care, behavioral health, and related services. The author described it as including four main strategies: Medicaid rate increases, incentives for frontline workers, new programs to support low-wage workers and career pathways, and administrative changes. Department of Human Services staff testified in support, highlighting permanent rate increases for PCA, Community First Services and Supports, elderly waiver, and other services, along with workforce incentives, behavioral health investments, expanded Direct Support Connect content, and a cultural safety pilot intended to improve retention. They also noted a provision supporting SNAP and MFIP participants in completing health care degrees as a creative workforce pipeline. Advocates from Legal Aid/Minnesota Disability Law Center and MNCCD said the bill would help people with disabilities and older adults remain in their homes and communities by improving staffing and supporting aging in place. They emphasized that workforce shortages have forced some people into congregate settings or caused group homes to close, and they supported both short-term retention tools and long-term rate investments. A representative from the Autism Society of Minnesota shared a personal example involving her adult son with high support needs, explaining that their duplex-based living arrangement depends on direct support staff and that the bill’s PCA rate and workforce grants would help with hiring and retention. Another testifier from Aspire Minnesota expressed support for the bill’s mental health and workforce provisions. One committee member raised a concern that the workforce incentive fund grants appeared limited to nonprofit groups, questioning whether that was appropriate given the mix of nonprofit and for-profit providers. The bill author responded that the measure was being laid over so it could be worked on further and more conversations could occur. The committee then laid House File 4447 over for possible inclusion in the human services bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Senator Bill Weber’s efforts to adjust Minnesota property tax rules to help family farms transfer to the next generation. Weber described how modern family farms are often larger, more complex operations organized through LLCs, LLPs, trusts, or partnerships, with multiple family members involved rather than the traditional small, single-owner farm. He said rising land values increase wealth on paper but do not improve cash flow, while property taxes, fertilizer, seed, and chemical costs continue to squeeze margins. Weber explained one bill would raise the first-tier valuation for the agricultural homestead exclusion to $2.5 million, which the Department of Revenue estimates would reduce real estate taxes on the average unit by about $1,200. He said the goal is to provide some relief from property taxes and to prevent farms from losing homestead status because ownership and operating entities differ even when the same family is involved. He also described a more technical bill intended to clean up homestead rules so the Department of Revenue recognizes these modern ownership structures. A major theme was farm succession. Weber said transferring farms is increasingly difficult because estate values can exceed Minnesota’s $3 million estate exclusion even on relatively modest acreage, and because older generations sometimes remain involved longer due to financial pressure. He said farm succession often requires careful estate planning and support from ag educators and farm management personnel. The conversation ended with Weber noting that investor-owned farmland is not necessarily negative, since rented land can help beginning farmers get started, but that some amount of rental land is needed because many new farmers cannot afford to buy land outright.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Andrew Matthews discussed his Consumer Choice of Fuel Act, which would require legislative approval before Minnesota state agencies could adopt rules from another state, such as California’s clean car emission standards. He argued that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency exceeded its statutory authority by adopting California-style standards through rulemaking rather than through the legislature, and said the legislative process is more transparent, accessible, and accountable to constituents. Matthews said the bill would effectively cancel the California standards in Minnesota and also protect consumer choice for fuel use in equipment such as generators, lawnmowers, boats, and motorcycles. He said the issue is not opposition to cleaner vehicles themselves, but opposition to agencies making policy decisions without elected lawmakers’ approval. He also argued that the market, not mandates, should determine how quickly electric and low-emission vehicles become more common, citing dealer testimony that demand is still limited and that forced inventory requirements could raise costs. In response to questions about air quality, Matthews said the legislature should always look for ways to improve it, but maintained that the agency’s current rules go beyond regulating vehicle emissions and instead affect what products can be bought and sold on dealer lots. No vote or formal committee action was described in the transcript.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee approved House File 33, sponsored by Rep. John Hewitt, which would give the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission authority to impose civil penalties on people who disrupt youth athletic events. Hewitt said the bill is aimed at profanity, vulgar language, and racial attacks directed at officials or participants. The committee passed it unanimously, 18-0, and sent it to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. The House also passed Senate File 3372, a $25 million appropriation for ALS research and support programs, with strong bipartisan support, 121-9. Supporters described the bill as a way to help patients and families affected by ALS, and Rep. Anne Neu Brindley gave emotional testimony about the disease’s impact. The measure returns to the Senate, where it had already passed 67-0. In another unanimous vote, the House passed House File 4165, sponsored by Rep. Sydney Jordan, to direct the State Board of Investment to divest from Russia and Belarus within 15 months. Jordan cited the war in Ukraine and the bill’s bipartisan support, noting the state’s investments in those countries had already declined sharply since the invasion. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the March 24 minutes by voice vote and then took up House File 3529, which was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill. The bill, authored by Representative Wogamat, would change the threshold for certain information-sharing in mental health-related situations from an “emergency interaction” to a statutorily defined “mental health crisis,” and would also expand adult protection team participation to include community corrections and local law enforcement. The author said the goal is to improve coordination among law enforcement, social services, and health providers while balancing privacy concerns around sensitive mental health data. Testimony in support came from Nikki Niles of Dodge, Fillmore, and Olmsted County Community Corrections, who described an Olmsted County multidisciplinary outreach model involving social workers and police that helps divert people from the criminal justice system and said current data-sharing limits can hinder effective response. Jody Gerkin of CentraCare also supported the bill, saying the health system is involved in community partnerships and wants to help address the worsening mental health crisis while protecting patient privacy. Sue Abderholden of NAMI Minnesota said the bill should be understood as allowing the sharing of only basic, crisis-response information—not full medical records—so responders can learn what they need to de-escalate a situation. Representative Albright raised detailed questions about how responders determine when data is needed, how real-time 9-1-1 information fits in, and what happens to shared data afterward, including retention and cybersecurity protections. Testifiers responded that the bill is narrowly tailored, that responders rely on professional judgment at the scene, and that current law already limits disclosure to the minimum necessary for responding to the crisis. Terrell Clark of Stearns County and the League of Minnesota Cities’ Irene Gowan also emphasized that the data would be used only for the mental health call and not for other purposes, and that the bill is intended to support safer, more effective responses without broadly opening access to private information.

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house