Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met under call, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then proceeded through routine business including messages from the House, committee reports, second readings of Senate File 3257 and 3661, and first readings of several House and Senate bills. House File 3175, a local government cleanup bill dealing with township planning and zoning references, was taken up as a special order. After roll call voting, it passed 66-0 and its title was agreed to. The main floor debate centered on Senate File 3472, the reinsurance/premium security account bill. Supporters said the bill is needed to continue Minnesota’s reinsurance program, stabilize the individual market, and help secure a federal waiver; they argued the program has been used successfully since 2018 and that the bill includes the same $50,000 attachment and $250,000 exit levels used previously. Opponents argued the program should be shorter or paired with broader health care reform, saying it mainly sends taxpayer money to private insurers without addressing underlying costs or out-of-pocket expenses. Senator Klein offered an amendment to shorten the program from five years to two years, but it failed 31-36. Senator Wiklund then offered the A-21 amendment to add about $600 million from the general fund to the Health Care Access Fund if the federal waiver does not fully protect MinnesotaCare/basic health plan funding. She argued the bill could strain the fund and risk MinnesotaCare stability. Senator Dames opposed the amendment, saying the fund can cover the projected costs and that no money would be taken if the waiver is approved. The A-21 amendment was not adopted. The discussion continued with questions about whether reinsurance lowers health care costs or only premiums, and members exchanged broader views on the Affordable Care Act, MinnesotaCare, insurer profits, and the need for future reform.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 3534, a bill creating a narrow exception for Metro Deaf School, a charter school serving deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing students. Supporters said the school had operated since 1993 as a specialized federal setting and needed authority to limit enrollment so it could stay focused on its mission. An Education Minnesota testifier raised concern about the precedent for other specialized schools, but the bill author said the Minnesota Department of Education had reviewed the language and was fine with it. The committee approved SF 3534 and sent it to the consent calendar. The committee then took up Senate File 3656, the “scholarship program for students with disability act.” Bill staff explained that the proposal would let eligible students with disabilities attend an eligible nonpublic school while preserving some funding for the resident district: 50 percent of general education aid would remain with the district, and special education aid would follow the student based on disability category costs. The bill also set application timelines, allowed students to return to their resident district, gave eligible nonpublic schools autonomy, and required districts to give a reasonable explanation if they denied enrollment. Senator Duckworth said the bill was intended to help families, make districts more whole, and prevent unexpected special education bills. Several parents testified in support, describing children with Down syndrome, special needs, or dyslexia and saying private or specialized schools better met their children’s needs but were often unaffordable. They argued the scholarships would expand access, reduce family costs, and improve inclusion. Education Minnesota testified in opposition, saying the bill could undermine public education, weaken IDEA and FAPE protections, and set a precedent for other one-off exceptions; the group also warned that private schools could still refuse students with disabilities and that the bill might not guarantee comparable services. The transcript provided does not show a final vote on SF 3656 before it moves on to testimony and discussion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate File 2991, which Senator Pratt said would close a loophole in existing law governing manufacturers’ representatives by ensuring Minnesota law applies and that any hearing or venue must be in Minnesota. A testifier for the Manufacturers’ Agents National Association supported the bill as a way to prevent out-of-state manufacturers from forcing Minnesota reps to litigate elsewhere. The committee took a voice vote and passed the bill to General Orders. The next bill, Senate File 2543, addressed self-insurance for agricultural cooperatives. The chair and testifiers explained that current rules rely too heavily on cash flow, which can unfairly disqualify seasonal co-ops even when they have substantial working capital or net worth. The bill would allow those measures to be considered and would prevent the commissioner from canceling self-insurance solely because of negative cash flow if the co-op has sufficient working capital. The committee again voted to pass the bill and refer it to General Orders. The committee then turned to Senate File 2753, a peer-to-peer car sharing bill. Senator Utke described it as a framework for insurance, consumer protection, and public safety for services like Turo, and an amendment was adopted. Supporters from Turo and related stakeholders said the bill follows an NCOIL model, requires coverage throughout the sharing period, assigns liability in a comprehensive way, and includes safety provisions such as barring shared use of vehicles with unresolved recalls. Enterprise Holdings, the Minnesota Association for Justice, and the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association all raised concerns, especially about low liability limits, exclusions that could leave injured parties without adequate coverage, and tax exemptions in section 9 that they said would give peer-to-peer platforms an unfair competitive and fiscal advantage. Senator Utke said the bill would move to Civil Law and asked for support so the issues could be worked out further; no final committee vote was recorded in the transcript for this bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met remotely on March 14 and first adopted the minutes from the previous meeting. Chair Sundin then focused the hearing on emerging farmers, noting progress made since the last session and inviting the Department of Agriculture to report on the legislatively mandated emerging farmers working group and annual report. Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey described the department’s work since 2019, including listening sessions, creation of the emerging farmers working group, and establishment of an emerging farmer office. He said the department continues to see major barriers for emerging farmers, especially access to land, capital, and financing, and cited census and state data showing persistent racial disparities in farm ownership. Bailey also highlighted the Local Food Purchasing Assistance grant work, team-building with the working group, outreach efforts, and the need for better data collection, recommending that MDA serve as a central repository for emerging farmer data. Lillian Ortego, the emerging farmer outreach and engagement coordinator, said the office is intended to be a one-stop shop that listens to farmers, addresses language barriers, and helps navigate public-private partnerships and internal MDA programs. She described outreach to tribal nations, immigrant farmer groups, and organizations such as The Village in Rochester, and said the office is working with DEED and other partners. She emphasized ongoing needs for land access, capital, translation, technical assistance, and communication tools, and said the office is also working on a farm business management instructor position and a farm advocate for metro-area farmers. Jansen Hang of the Hmong American Farmers Association and the working group said the group was created to address inequities facing Hmong and other emerging farmers, including lack of access to land, markets, training, credit, and capital. He urged continued support for staffing and resources, including microloans, mini-grants, bilingual training, and technical assistance. Members asked about land access and data collection; witnesses said some farmers are using incubation models or renting land, but purchasing land remains difficult because of capital barriers, and that current census data is incomplete, so MDA is trying to gather better information through collaboration with its programs. No votes or formal committee actions beyond adopting the minutes were taken.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3860, authored by Representative Bolden, was presented as a “grow-your-own” school nurse bill aimed at recruiting and supporting licensed school nurses through recruitment grants, scholarships, and loan forgiveness. Bolden said the measure is intended to help school health aides and others advance into licensed school nurse roles, addressing workforce shortages and the important role nurses play in students’ physical and mental health. Testimony from the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota strongly supported the bill. Witnesses described shortages of licensed school nurses across rural, suburban, and urban districts, said many schools lack adequate access to an LSN, and argued that the bill could improve student care, increase staff diversity, and help bridge trust gaps in communities of color. One testifier also noted that school nurses often handle assessments, medical plans, interventions, and responses that support student safety and mental health. Members raised questions about compensation and whether school nurses are paid comparably to hospital nurses. Bolden acknowledged that compensation is a concern but said the bill does not directly address pay, focusing instead on recruitment and retention. Another member suggested a different approach centered on career pathways through community and technical colleges. Bolden responded that multiple strategies will be needed and that this bill is one piece of the solution. The committee voted on the motion to refer HF 3860 to the Committee on Education Finance. The roll call passed 11-8, and the bill was referred to Education Finance.

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first took up House File 3237, an administration bill to expand and clarify Minnesota’s small business procurement program. After adopting a DE1 amendment to restore current-law language around “goods and services,” the bill was presented as a package of changes to increase state contracting with targeted group, economically disadvantaged, and veteran-owned small businesses. The proposal would raise the small-business purchase threshold from $25,000 to $100,000, increase the competitive-bid preference from 6% to 12%, streamline certification by recognizing certain national certifications, apply subcontractor goals more consistently to prime contractors, clarify best-and-final-offer rules for construction procurement, and remove obsolete reporting language. Betsy Hayes of the Department of Administration testified in support, saying the changes would expand vendor participation and improve efficiency while maintaining fraud controls. Representative Nash raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and the higher threshold, while Representative Bonner and Representative Zhang supported the bill as a way to help Greater Minnesota businesses. The chair laid the bill over for possible inclusion. The committee then heard House File 3986, a barbering board update bill. Representative Nelson and Board of Barber Examiners executive director Brent Grobanowski described it as a modernization measure responding in part to an Office of the Legislative Auditor report. The bill would credit cosmetologists with up to 1,000 hours toward barber licensure through reciprocity, better define the boundary between barbering and cosmetology, eliminate a requirement that failed barber students return for 500 hours of school, allow more frequent examinations, create definitions and fees for mobile barber shops, and remove outdated board appointment requirements tied to a now-defunct statewide union. Members discussed the overlap between barbering and cosmetology, including hair coloring and straight-razor shaving. An oral amendment related to reciprocity was discussed but not adopted at that time because it had not been previously submitted; the chair said it could be considered later in an omnibus bill. The bill was then laid over for possible inclusion. The meeting then moved to House File 2747, where Representative Claiborne moved the bill to the General Register and moved the A1 amendment. House Research’s Matt Gehring began explaining that the amendment narrows the bill’s scope so it would not apply more broadly than intended, but the transcript cuts off before the full explanation, any vote, or further action on the bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met remotely, established a quorum, and approved the March 9, 2022 minutes. The chair explained that the day’s bills were informational hearings and that a memo would be sent to the chair of Capital Investment after the hearing. No formal votes were taken on the bills discussed in the transcript. Members heard presentations on several North Minneapolis and community development projects. House File 3663 would appropriate funds to the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center to rebuild Camp Catherine Parsons, with testimony emphasizing youth programming, STEM, environmental education, and the camp’s long history and conservation easement. House File 3664 sought $15 million for the V3 Sports Center regional health and wellness facility, described as an economic development engine that would add jobs, host swimming and other programming, and address health disparities. House File 3790 requested $2 million for youth programming and $6 million for a new youth center facility, with testimony from Community Action Partnership and the Unity Community Mediation Team focusing on violence prevention, safety, and youth-led services. The committee also heard House File 40, which would provide $6 million for NEON to build a food business incubator in North Minneapolis; the project was presented as a way to support entrepreneurs, create jobs, and expand access to commercial kitchen space. House File 3546 sought $5 million for Norway House expansion and renovation, with testimony highlighting cultural programming, immigrant services, and neighborhood impact. House File 3566 would fund upgrades to the Hastings Civic Arena, including refrigeration, roof replacement, and solar panels, and the committee discussed whether the project might be better suited for a bonding request. Finally, House File 3628 proposed $3 million for African Economic Development Solutions to rehabilitate a vacant building into Ravka Plaza, a commercial and cultural center for immigrant-owned businesses; testimony stressed job creation, neighborhood revitalization, and support for African immigrant entrepreneurs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met virtually and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then heard House File 3853, which would elevate the Minnesota Youth Council to a state agency-like status similar to the ethnic councils and provide it with greater standing and support. The author and several youth council representatives testified that the bill would strengthen youth voice in policymaking, expand access to legislators, and add staffing/resources so the council can better advise the governor and legislature. Members asked about fiscal impact and staffing; the author said a fiscal note had been requested, no changes to existing councils’ funding were proposed, and the bill would create a parallel state agency structure with associated costs. Representative Mason spoke in strong support, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then took up House File 3394, a resolution asking Congress to name the South St. Paul post office for Officer Leo Pavlak, who was killed in 1933. Representative Hanson and South St. Paul Police Commander Brian Wiki described Pavlak’s death and the family’s long legacy of public service, including descendants who served in law enforcement and public office. The committee voted to send the resolution to the General Register; the roll call showed 12 ayes and one abstention/excused member, and the motion prevailed. Finally, the committee heard House File 4069, a bill affecting the Legislative Auditor’s access to a state data security account that has accumulated about $1.3 million since 2014. Deputy Legislative Auditor Lori Lyson said the account has been inaccessible because vetoed appropriation language left no authority to spend it, and that the funds would support additional audit staff and more audits, especially in financial, IT, and fraud work. Mark Haveman of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence supported the bill, citing growth in state spending and a decline in OLA staffing. Representative Bonner raised concerns about the original intent of the funds and the bill’s reduced oversight language, and Representative Nash asked about the veto’s effect on the account; the bill was laid over for later consideration.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota’s February budget and economic forecast, which projected a nearly $9.3 billion surplus for the fiscal year ending next June. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Showalter said the forecast is only a snapshot in a volatile environment shaped by inflation, labor shortages, energy prices, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He said the state’s reserve is at a high point and that the surplus reflects stronger-than-expected incomes, sales, and corporate profits, but he cautioned that the forecast is a starting point and lawmakers must use judgment in deciding whether to pursue tax relief, spending increases, or targeted help for people most affected by the pandemic and inflation. State economist Laura Colbikitos added that the Ukraine war could push up oil, energy, and agricultural prices, complicating the outlook for Minnesota and the broader economy. The Senate then approved, 35-32, a bill allowing Minnesota to join the nurse licensure compact with 39 other states. Supporters argued health care is increasingly mobile and telehealth-driven, while opponents said Minnesota’s current licensing system already works and that the compact does not address why nurses are leaving bedside care. The program also covered testimony on a bill to expand ALS research funding, prompted in part by the diagnosis of former Senator David Tomassoni. Testifiers described ALS as a progressive disease with no known cause in most cases, noted that veterans are at higher risk, and urged more research so future patients have hope and better treatment options. Additional committee discussion centered on a proposal to address “gap cases” in the criminal justice and mental health systems, where defendants found incompetent to stand trial can fall through the cracks and later commit new crimes. Witnesses said the bill would create a clearer path from criminal court into treatment and restoration services, including a separate process for juveniles. The transcript also included strong testimony against a Republican-led parents’ bill of rights, with LGBTQ youth advocates warning it would increase discrimination and harm to queer and trans students. No vote was reported on those latter measures in the transcript.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: A bipartisan press briefing highlighted House File 778, sponsored by Rep. Zack Stevenson, to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. The proposal would allow adults to wager online and at businesses offering sports betting, including brick-and-mortar betting at tribal casinos and statewide mobile betting operated by tribes with commercial partners. The House Commerce Committee approved the bill 14-4 the next day. Supporters emphasized consumer access and tribal involvement, while some testifiers and members raised concerns that mobile betting could increase gambling problems, especially among younger adults. The House Education Policy Committee also approved House File 2856, sponsored by Rep. Heather Keeler, which would replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day and require schools to hold programs on Native American history and culture. Keeler said the change reflects Minnesota’s treaty relationships and responsibility to recognize tribal nations. Rep. Peggy Bennett supported honoring Indigenous people but questioned whether the state should eliminate Columbus Day rather than create a separate observance. On Thursday, the House passed House File 3420, sponsored by Rep. Mike Sundin, to provide about $10 million in drought aid to eligible farmers affected by last year’s drought. Sundin said the funding would help farmers facing major economic losses, while Rep. Paul Anderson supported the bill but said the aid was too limited given the scale of damage and compared it unfavorably with larger aid in Wisconsin. The bill passed 101-33 and was sent to the Senate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: This segment was an interview with Minnesota state economist Dr. Laura Colombiquedas about the February budget and economic forecast and the risks that could affect it. She said the outlook was still strong, but warned that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could significantly alter conditions, especially through higher oil and energy prices, higher agricultural commodity prices, and broader uncertainty for the U.S. and Minnesota economies. She noted that the conflict was not included in the forecast because it occurred after the outlook was completed. Colombiquedas said inflation is likely to stay elevated because energy costs feed into consumer goods and agricultural inputs are rising as well. She said Minnesota’s food processors are facing higher input and labor costs, while farmers producing wheat and sunflower may need to adjust marketing and planting plans in response to price changes. She also said the Federal Reserve has tools to fight inflation, but the war makes its job harder because inflation expectations can become unanchored if businesses and households expect higher prices. The discussion also focused on labor force participation and the tight labor market. She said Minnesota’s unemployment rate is low at 3.1 percent, but slow labor force growth, retirements, and people leaving the workforce during the pandemic continue to limit employer hiring. On the revenue side, she said higher wages, consumer spending, and corporate profits are driving stronger-than-expected income, sales, and corporate tax collections, contributing to the state surplus. She concluded that Minnesota and employers are better prepared than before to handle future pandemic variants, having developed more tools and procedures to manage disruptions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 1152, as amended, after having laid it over from the prior week. Chair Law explained that the bill needed referral to Judiciary, so the committee would move directly to a vote. Representative Long and staff summarized the amended bill as a Clean Slate-style expungement measure that now excludes all felonies and applies only to certain misdemeanors, excluding person crimes, criminal sexual conduct, and enhanceable offenses. Staff also noted that access for DHS and other sensitive employment roles remains, as do access rights for courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement, and that current law provides employer protections if someone is hired based on an expunged record. Members generally spoke in support of the bill’s rehabilitation and second-chance goals. Support was cited from the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, multiple business groups, Justice Action Network, the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Violence Free Minnesota, and MNCASA, with no opposition testimony reported at the earlier hearing. Representative Miller said he checked with law enforcement and his sheriff and had not heard opposition. Representative O’Neill also spoke in favor, emphasizing restoration, healing, and reducing collateral consequences while still holding people accountable. Representative Grossell raised a concern about eligibility for stays of adjudication and related dispositions. House research staff clarified that stays of imposition and felony convictions sentenced as gross misdemeanors or misdemeanors would not qualify, but stays of adjudication are eligible under the bill. Grossell said he could not support that aspect and asked that it be fixed later. After discussion, the committee voted on the motion to refer House File 1152, as amended, to Judiciary; the motion passed 17-1 with one member absent.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Minnesota’s February budget and economic forecast, which projected a nearly $9.3 billion surplus for the fiscal year ending next June, up about $1.5 billion from the November forecast. Commissioner Jim Showalter said the forecast is a snapshot rather than a final answer, noting that conditions remain fluid because of inflation, COVID-era economic changes, and the broader effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He said the state’s budget reserve is at a high point and that Minnesota is in a much stronger fiscal position than it was at the start of the pandemic, when deficits and reserve depletion were major concerns. Showalter said much of the surplus is driven by Minnesotans’ stronger-than-expected economic performance, including higher incomes, profits, and tax revenues, though he described part of the surplus as a one-time phenomenon. He emphasized that lawmakers must use judgment in deciding whether to spend the surplus, cut taxes, or provide rebates, and suggested that any response should be targeted toward people and children who have struggled most during the past two years. He also said tax cuts and spending increases are effectively the same use of surplus dollars. The interview also addressed Governor Walz’s proposal for direct rebates of $500 for individuals and $1,000 for married couples. Showalter said such relief could help people cope with inflation and rising costs, especially those who are just getting by. He said the state is in good shape to weather inflation and other uncertainties, but that policymakers will need to make choices about how to respond while continuing to deliver goods and services Minnesotans expect.