Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate approved a bill 36-31 that would require K-12 teachers to provide parents with a syllabus within the first two weeks of the school term. The syllabus would outline the class timeline, materials, objectives, and order of instruction, with supporters saying it would strengthen parent-teacher partnership and help parents monitor student progress and provide support when needed. Supporters argued the measure would make an existing best practice more consistent across districts and noted that many schools already share this information. They said teachers would still retain professional judgment and could update the syllabus if plans changed. Opponents raised concerns that teachers often need to adjust lessons in response to current events, student interests, or urgent issues, and that a rigid syllabus requirement could limit that flexibility. The vote was the main action taken in the transcript.

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 3414, which would prohibit local governments from adopting rent control on private property and would apply retroactively to November 1, 2021, effectively nullifying the Minneapolis and St. Paul rent control measures. The chair limited testimony time and opened the hearing with supporters first, followed by opponents, then questions. No final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided; the bill was moved before the committee and then heard with testimony and member questions. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Realtors Association, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, argued that rent control reduces housing supply, discourages investment, and has already caused projects to be paused or canceled. They cited reports of an 80% drop in housing permits in St. Paul, thousands of units delayed or shelved, and reputational harm to Minnesota as an investment market. Several said the policy would lead to more litigation and that the real solution is increasing housing supply rather than rent caps. Opponents, including Saint Paul renters, homeowners, a retired teacher, and housing advocates, said the local rent stabilization measures reflected the will of voters and should not be overridden by the Legislature. They described personal experiences with unstable housing, large rent increases, displacement, and the need for protections for renters, families, and youth. They argued that rent stabilization is one tool to address housing insecurity and that the bill would silence local democracy and favor corporate or real estate interests over residents. In closing remarks, the bill author said the main issue is housing instability and that current social programs are failing, while supporters of the bill emphasized that rent control has not worked historically and that new housing production is the key to affordability. During questions, a member raised the broader issue of rent burdens statewide and asked how to help the many Minnesotans paying more than 30% of income toward rent.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to homelessness and youth services, with testimony focused on the need for more funding, shelter capacity, and specialized supports. Senator Dibble presented a bill to strengthen and expand the Homeless Youth Act, including tighter grant language, a study on pregnant and parenting homeless youth, and a larger appropriation. Testifiers from Oasis for Youth and The Bridge for Youth described their work serving homeless and pregnant/parenting youth, emphasizing that shelter, outreach, and trusted adult support can be life-changing and help break cycles of homelessness. The committee adopted an A1 amendment changing a date on that bill. The committee also heard a bill to support chosen-family hosting arrangements for disconnected youth, described as a lower-cost way to stabilize young people living with friends or extended family. The proposal would provide financial support, case management, and shared expectations, and the committee adopted an A2 delete-everything amendment; members indicated they intended to move the bill forward, though there was some confusion about the amendment language and placement. Another bill, Senate File 3710, would provide $14.5 million over five years to support the Ramsey County Continuum of Care and existing shelter operations. Ramsey County and St. Paul officials, along with a fire chief and shelter providers, testified that the funding would help keep more than 500 people housed in the current shelter system while longer-term housing solutions are developed. The bill was laid over. The committee then heard Senate File 3140, a statewide emergency shelter grant program that would provide up to $10 million through DHS to cities, counties, tribal units, and nonprofits for shelter capital needs. Testifiers from the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, a domestic violence shelter in Crookston, a deaf and hard-of-hearing advocacy organization, and Hennepin County described severe shelter shortages, safety concerns, and capital projects that are ready but lack final state funding. The bill was laid over, and the committee also began hearing Senate File 2777 from Hope for Youth, which was introduced as a youth homelessness prevention and support effort, though the testimony in the transcript cuts off before further action.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate File 3040, a bill appropriating funds for the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul commissioning event. Senator Benson described the ship’s significance to Minnesota and the Navy’s use of littoral combat ships, and a testifier from the commissioning committee explained that the funds would support event costs not covered by the Navy, such as social activities and related public programming. The committee adopted an oral amendment clarifying that the appropriation is one-time only, then approved the bill as amended and sent it to the Finance Committee. The committee then heard Senate File 2875, which changes who may receive a veteran designation on a driver’s license and what documents can be used to prove eligibility. Senator Howe said the bill would reduce barriers for veterans, retirees, and some Guard and Reserve members who may not have a DD-214, while still limiting the designation to those with honorable service. Members discussed how DD-214s are used and noted that the bill would allow alternative federal or military ID cards; the committee adopted the A5 delete-all amendment and then passed the bill as amended to the Finance Committee. Finally, the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs presented the governor’s supplemental budget proposal, focusing on a new Holistic Health and Fitness program. Executive Director Don Kerr said the proposal would fund a small team of military and civilian staff to support readiness, injury prevention, nutrition, sleep, mental health, and physical therapy for roughly 13,000 service members, with the goal of retaining soldiers and positioning the state to transition to anticipated federal funding later. No vote was taken on the budget presentation during the portion of the meeting shown.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota legislators from both parties and both chambers held a press event to announce legislation responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The proposal would direct the State Board of Investment to divest from Russia-related holdings, bar new investments in Russian securities or currency, and codify the governor’s executive order prohibiting state contracts with Russian companies. Sponsors also said they planned to add Belarus to the measure. Speakers framed the bill as a moral and symbolic statement that Minnesota stands with Ukraine and will not financially support the Russian government. Several Ukrainian-American community members and advocates testified about the personal impact of the war. Luda Anastasiyevsky described her family in besieged Mariupol and the humanitarian catastrophe there, including shelling, destroyed infrastructure, shortages of food and medicine, and the destruction of a maternity ward. Asia Mihailenko Sturgell described relatives in Kyiv sheltering from air raids and coping with shortages, and said the bill would help cut commercial ties with Russia and pressure Putin’s regime. Other supporters, including Rep. Carrie Dietzick, Rep. Jim Nash, and Ethan Roberts of the Jewish Community Relations Council, emphasized bipartisan support, solidarity with Ukraine, and the importance of standing against authoritarian aggression. In response to questions, legislators said the SBI has a fiduciary duty to maximize returns, but the legislature can direct it to prioritize morality in certain cases, citing past divestment actions involving Sudan, South Africa, and Iran. They said the divestment timeline in the draft bill would require best efforts by August 1, 2022, with at least 50 percent of holdings removed by nine months and 100 percent by 15 months, and that the contracting ban would be permanent unless changed by future legislation. They also said the bill began moving almost immediately after the invasion, that the goal is both practical and symbolic, and that additional efforts may include refugee support, medicine procurement, and possibly protective gear for Ukraine.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met remotely on March 10 with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the previous day by voice vote. The committee then took up House File 917, as amended by an author’s amendment that changed the effective date from 2022 to 2023. The bill would raise the supplemental transportation sparsity revenue rate from 18.2 percent to 70 percent to help school districts with large geographic areas and long bus routes cover transportation costs without drawing from general fund dollars. Representative Sandstede presented the bill and said it addresses a longstanding statewide problem affecting districts from the Iowa border to the Canadian border, including metro-area districts. Superintendents Steve Massey of Forest Lake Area Schools and Tim Lutz of Bemidji Area Schools testified that their districts must use general fund money to cover large transportation deficits because the funding formula is based on enrollment rather than miles driven. They described long bus rides, route reductions, and impacts on staffing, programming, and bus replacement. Committee staff estimated the change would cost about $11.5 million annually, with Bemidji receiving about $431,000 more and Forest Lake about $402,000 more under the proposal. Members asked about the fiscal impact and whether the bill would create ongoing costs, and Representative Drazkowski raised concerns about open enrollment and whether districts might duplicate transportation routes to recruit students. The superintendents responded that open enrollment is driven by families, not deliberate district recruitment, and that their districts still face large transportation burdens because of geography and student distribution. Representative Sandstede closed by arguing that COVID-related enrollment declines have made the transportation problem worse and urged support for the bill. The committee then laid House File 917 over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House met with a prayer recognizing Women’s History Month, then completed the pledge, quorum call, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The chamber received committee reports, second readings of House Files 315 and 3254, introduced House Files 4116 through 4227, and took up messages from the Senate, including Senate Concurrent Resolution 15 on session deadlines and Senate Files 2666 and 3372, which were referred to committees. The main floor debate centered on House File 2746, a public safety bill making clarifications to the Hometown Heroes/Hometown Assistance program for firefighters. Representative Youakim explained that the bill adjusts the program’s start date, changes the fiscal agent to the State Fire Marshal, and revises the definition of critical illness to align with an insurance policy purchased by MNFire so state dollars can be used efficiently. Supporters described the program as helping firefighters with cancer, heart disease, and mental health impacts from the job, and several members shared personal stories about firefighters’ service and risks. Questions focused on whether the bill could cover additional illnesses and whether there should be a cap on administrative costs; Youakim and Representative O’Neill said the language had been tightened in Ways and Means, administrative costs were reportedly under five percent, and the House would revisit the issue in a year. Opposition came from Representative Drazkowski, who argued the program began as a one-time COVID-era expenditure and should not become an ongoing entitlement, warning it could lead to similar programs for other occupations. Other members, including Representatives Johnson, Bennett, and Quam, spoke in favor of the bill while noting the dangers firefighters and first responders face and suggesting the need for broader support for emergency personnel. The debate concluded without amendments at the desk, and the bill was given its third reading; the transcript does not show a final roll-call vote before it ends.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on Homeless Advocacy Day and first approved the March 9, 2022 minutes. Chair Gomez then gave an overview of six homelessness-related bills heard in her Preventing Homelessness Division, emphasizing two main priorities: expanding emergency shelter capacity and supporting youth and families experiencing homelessness. She said the bills had been vetted in division, that some passed unanimously while the larger funding bills had divided votes, and that there was broad agreement on the need to act even if members differed on the approach. The committee took up House File 3090, as amended, which would create an emergency shelter facilities grant program. The A1 amendment increased the appropriation from $75 million to $100 million and made technical changes to grant administration. Chair Gomez said the funding reflected updated needs assessments and would help address the lack of shelter access outside the metro area, potentially adding about 2,000 beds statewide. Testimony from the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and Avenues for Youth supported the bill, describing a statewide shelter gap, racial disparities in homelessness, and the need for trauma-informed, low-barrier shelter options for youth and families. The division report was adopted and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. The committee then heard House File 3294, which funds the emergency services grant program. Representative Ryer said the bill would provide $35 million in fiscal year 2023 and $30 million in each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025, for a total of $95 million, to support ongoing shelter operations and programming statewide, including new capacity created under HF 3090. Testifiers said the program is essential to keeping shelters service-rich and sustainable, and that providers are facing a funding cliff as pandemic-era support ends. The division report was adopted and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Human Services omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Files 126 and 127, both authored by Senator Wieger and both seeking additional funding for noise barriers, with SF 126 proposing $500,000 and SF 127 proposing $3 million for a specific Oakdale project. The committee adopted identical A1 amendments on each bill, changing a year reference from 2022 to 2023, and then heard extensive testimony from Oakdale officials and residents describing long-standing freeway noise, heavy truck traffic, and the impact on neighborhood livability. Mayor Paul Renke, resident Monte Korff, and Bonnie and Doug Peterson all supported the bills, saying the noise has persisted for years and that a barrier is needed; Senator Kent and Senator Carlson also spoke in support, noting increased freight traffic and prior MnDOT noise-wall efforts in other communities. Members raised questions about the bill language, especially a provision stating that where existing berms or other noise barriers exist, no additional barrier is required. Testimony from residents suggested the berms reduce but do not eliminate noise, and Senator Wieger said the language could be refined. MnDOT’s Natalie Reese explained that noise walls are handled either through a voting process for larger federal projects or through a separate stand-alone, city cost-share, application-based program. After discussion of funding, policy, and the effect of roadway elevation changes on noise reflection, the committee laid over SF 126 as amended and SF 127 as amended. The committee then heard Senate File 3531 from Senator Pratt, which would expand third-party commercial driver’s license testing in Minnesota in response to a recommendation from an independent review and to address CDL testing bottlenecks. Supporters, including the Minnesota Trucking Association and 160 Driving Academy, said the state has a shortage of professional truck drivers, that testing delays are limiting entry into the workforce, and that allowing private truck driver training schools to test would add capacity while maintaining standards through certification, audits, and state/federal testing requirements. No vote was taken on SF 3531 during the portion of the meeting shown, and testimony was still underway when the transcript ended.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 8 minutes, and heard an informational presentation from MnDOT on trunk highway bonding and the Corridors of Commerce program. The first bill, House File 3600 by Representative Long, would require more complete reporting to the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Pipeline Safety on utility locate-request response times and utility damage incidents, with an exemption for small utilities. Testimony from the Office of Pipeline Safety and the Associated General Contractors supported the bill as a way to improve data collection, safety, and oversight of the state’s one-call system. Representative Petersburg raised concerns about farm taps and how they are tracked, and Representative Mason asked about the scale of damages; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus transportation bill. The committee then heard House File 3635 by Representative Dabney, which would add or strengthen transit operator training related to assisting riders with disabilities and mobility limitations, especially in snowy or icy conditions. Testimony from Joy Rindel Hayden described a serious 2017 Metro Transit bus stop fall that led to a brain bleed and stroke, and she argued the incident was preventable with better training and snow removal. The Brain Injury Alliance and Metro Transit supported the bill, with Metro Transit noting it already provides regular training and emphasizing coordination with the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee. The committee voted 17-0 to re-refer the bill to the General Register. Finally, the committee took up House File 2941 by Representative Torkelson, which would add $20 million for the MERCY program, MnDOT’s Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Program for short-line and freight rail infrastructure. Testimony from Twin Cities and Western Railroad and the Minnesota Regional Rail Association said the program helps small railroads replace aging track and bridges, improve service, and support rural businesses and the broader economy. Members discussed the size of the need, the program’s criteria, and whether rail investments could be paired with other community projects; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus transportation bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee heard a presentation from Pine Technical and Community College President Joe Mulford, joined by Pine County Administrator David Minke, on local efforts to make college more affordable and to address regional workforce shortages. Mulford described Pine Technical as a small, flexible two-year college serving east central Minnesota, with many part-time and Pell-eligible students, and said the college’s strategy is focused on increasing higher education attainment and meeting employer demand in health care, manufacturing, and other sectors. The main discussion centered on scholarship programs and pathways designed to reduce cost barriers. Mulford highlighted the Friends and Family Foundation program, which pays two years of tuition plus $1,000 for graduates of certain high schools; the Pine County College Initiative, which mirrors that model for Pine County graduates and homeschool students using county stimulus funds; the Kickstart Program, which covers one year of tuition plus $1,000 for eligible students in several area schools; and legislatively funded workforce development scholarships, which Pine Technical fully used for the coming fall and sometimes supplements with private matching funds. He said these programs help front-load the college decision by making costs clearer and reducing financial uncertainty for students. Mulford also described non-scholarship innovations, including incumbent-worker training with employers such as Rosenbauer, an accelerated synchronous early childhood education program for working adults, and Pine County-supported short-term training for underemployed or unemployed residents that includes stackable credentials and pathways into nursing, welding, cyber security, and other programs. He said these efforts have helped students move from short-term training into longer programs and have supported local businesses directly. No votes were taken, and the committee was told at the outset that the meeting was informational only.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then proceeded through routine business, including receiving communications and adopting committee reports. The chamber advanced several bills on second reading, and Senate Resolutions 107 and 108 were referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. The main floor debate centered on Senate File 3923, a motion to suspend the rules, declare urgency, and bring the bill to the floor. Senators argued over whether the measure was an urgent compromise tied to unemployment insurance trust fund replenishment and frontline worker pay, or a political maneuver. The motion required 45 votes but failed on a 31-36 roll call, with Senators Torres Ray voting aye under Rule 40.7 and Senator Tomassoni voting no. The Senate then took up Senate File 3372, a bill appropriating money for ALS research and caregiver support. Senators described the bill as a tribute to Senator Tomassoni and emphasized the need for more research, citing the limited treatment options for ALS, the number of Minnesotans affected, and the burden on families and caregivers. The bill was described as including $20 million for collaborative ALS research and $5 million for caregiver support grants, with appropriations extended into the next biennium to allow more time for grant use and planning. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, and the chamber agreed to suspend the rules and advance the bill to third reading and final passage.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Technology and Reform Committee met on March 10 and heard Senate File 3723, a bill to create a statewide repository for law enforcement body-worn camera data. Senator Beum said the measure is intended to reduce local costs, especially storage, by shifting the repository to the state while keeping each agency’s data separate and protected. He also suggested the bill may need a phased-in rollout, possibly starting with agencies that do not yet have body cameras, and said the bill would likely continue to move through additional committees because of related state government, privacy, and civil law issues. Senator Haley’s bill, listed on the agenda, was not heard because amendments were not yet ready. Sheriff Tim Leslie of Dakota County testified in support, saying body cameras have reduced liability and frivolous lawsuits in his office, but storage and redaction are the major costs. He estimated the camera device itself is about 30% of the cost and storage about 70%, and noted his office has two staff members dedicated to redaction. He compared the proposal to the statewide radio system, arguing that law enforcement could own the cameras while the state owns the repository. State Auditor Julie Blaha said her office could handle the audit role with additional staffing, explaining that current audits of portable recording systems are straightforward, take about 45 hours, and cost roughly $4,000 to $5,000 each; auditing all 417 agencies every other year would require five to six additional staff. Committee counsel Miss James described a technical, non-substantive A1 amendment that standardized the term “state repository,” corrected references to the commissioner so they point to the commissioner of IT services rather than the commissioner of administration, and removed language about “established systems and protocols” in favor of a direct instruction to safeguard information. The committee adopted the A1 amendment. Members then raised questions about how records requests would work, whether facial recognition or other uses of footage would change, and what safeguards would protect data integrity and privacy. Senator Beum responded that the bill does not change current request procedures or local authority over footage use, and both he and Mr. Newmeister emphasized that further policy work is needed, including possible advisory input from stakeholders and the public.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Eric Pratt, Rep. Anne Neu Brindley, Rep. Barb Haley, and business advocates held a press event urging the Minnesota House to pass legislation to repay and replenish the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund before a March 15 deadline. They said failure to act would trigger higher payroll taxes on employers, arguing that the Senate had already approved the bill 55-11 with bipartisan support and that the governor, Senate Republicans, House Republicans, and some Senate Democrats support the measure. Speakers also criticized House Democrats for not bringing the bill to the floor and said the fund must be restored to solvency, not just the debt repaid, to prevent future tax increases and protect workers in a downturn. Rep. Haley framed the bill as both a business and worker measure, saying replenishing the fund would preserve the UI safety net while allowing businesses to use money for wages, hiring, and operations instead of taxes. Doug Lon, representing the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, said the UI debt arose from the pandemic and government shutdown decisions, and that the state has the resources to address it. He emphasized the urgency of the March 15 billing cycle and said the chamber wanted legislative leadership and a clean bill. Testimony from business representatives underscored the impact on employers. Brady Folkstead of Lakeville Bank described pandemic-era strain on small businesses and said they cannot absorb another tax increase. Eric Gibson of Indigo Science said an unexpected UI cost increase would force cuts to people or equipment and create uncertainty in budgeting. John Reynolds of the National Federation of Independent Business said small-business members overwhelmingly want a vote and called it unreasonable that the issue was still unresolved. In response to questions, Pratt said there was no deal yet, that the bill had not been calendared in the House, and that lawmakers would use available procedural tools to try to move it forward before the deadline.