Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Utilities Policy and Finance Committee met on March 3, 2022, for an informational hearing on hydrogen and ammonia, with no bills considered and no votes taken. Chair remarks framed hydrogen as a potential clean fuel and asked witnesses from the University of Minnesota Morris and the University of Minnesota to discuss current research, Minnesota’s role, and possible policy support. Michael Reese described the state-funded ammonia R&D work at Morris and argued that zero-carbon hydrogen and ammonia could create broad economic benefits across Minnesota, especially if the state positions itself to take advantage of expected federal hydrogen incentives. Reese explained that hydrogen can be produced from wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas with carbon capture, biogas, and biomass, but emphasized green hydrogen and green ammonia. He said ammonia is easier and cheaper to store and transport than hydrogen, can be used directly as a fuel or cracked back into hydrogen, and is especially promising for Minnesota agriculture, steel, mining, biofuels, construction, heavy transport, and utility-scale energy storage. He highlighted the university’s wind-to-ammonia pilot plant, which has shown technical feasibility but economic challenges at small scale, and described new projects funded by a $12.5 million U.S. Department of Energy award plus $10 million in state funding for a one-metric-ton-per-day ammonia plant, mobile ammonia gensets, and ultra-safe ammonia storage. In response to committee questions, Reese said the biggest barrier is not production but utilization, and that policy certainty and incentives are needed to scale the market. He compared the needed policy framework to the earlier ethanol model and said Minnesota should be ready to move quickly when federal incentives arrive. He also discussed using green ammonia to capture CO2 from ethanol plants and convert it into urea, which he said could lower the carbon intensity of ethanol and agriculture while creating value from captured carbon. He noted that the oxygen produced in hydrogen generation could be useful but has not yet been modeled. Dr. Will Northrup then added that his research focuses on combustion and utilization. He said ammonia burns more slowly than natural gas, so blending it with green hydrogen can improve combustion and make it more suitable for engines and gas turbines, but NOx emissions remain a key research challenge. He said the University of Minnesota group is internationally recognized in ammonia and hydrogen combustion, largely because of state support, and that the field appears to be entering a new phase of interest after earlier cycles of enthusiasm.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2849, which would create a new Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls within the Office of Justice Programs, building on last session’s task force work. Representative Richardson described the bill as a response to severe disparities in missing-person and homicide cases involving Black women and girls, including longer case-open times, misclassification as runaways, and under-response from media and law enforcement. Several testifiers, including Peter Hayden, Lakeisha Lee, Artika Rohler of MNCASA, Commander Swanna Kirkland of the National Black Police Association, and Aisha Abdullahi, spoke in strong support, sharing personal loss and arguing that the office would provide accountability, data tracking, resources, and a centralized place for community recommendations and prevention work. Committee members asked about whether the new office should be combined with the existing office for missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, whether it would be a standalone office or co-located, what data would be reported, and how the office would be funded. Richardson said the offices were not combined because of distinct differences, including the sovereign status of tribes, but noted co-location would not be prohibited and coordination with other entities was intended. He said the office would be a standalone office under the Office of Justice Programs, with reports covering items such as missing cases, homicide cases, case-closure timelines, Amber Alerts, and domestic violence demographics, and that the office would also seek grants. Questions were raised about the bill’s $500,000 annual funding and whether it would continue beyond the first year; Richardson and staff indicated the funding was intended to continue under the bill’s drafting rules, though members requested a fiscal note and expressed concern about staffing and operating costs. No vote was taken. The chair indicated the bill would be laid over for possible inclusion in another bill, and members continued discussion briefly before moving on to the next item.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 1408, authored by Representative Becker-Finn, which would update Minnesota Department of Education and K-12 educational interpreter requirements to recognize certified deaf interpreters (CDIs). An author’s A2 amendment was adopted by voice vote; it was described as technical and clarifying. The bill was then discussed as a nonpartisan effort to expand access for deaf and hard of hearing students without lowering standards, but rather adding CDI as an option when it best serves a student’s needs. Testimony strongly supported the bill. Dove Nathanson described years of denied equitable access in school and said a recent substitute interpreter who did not use ASL left him unable to get needed class information. Jimmy Belden, an interpreter and agency co-owner, testified that CDIs have a long history in other settings and can improve classroom communication, especially for students with limited language access at home. Trevor Turner of the Minnesota Council on Disability and Alicia Lane Outlaw of the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing also supported the bill, emphasizing language access, inclusion, and the need for educational placement options that fit diverse student needs. Members asked whether the bill would lower standards or create unintended consequences. Representative Becker-Finn responded that it would not lower standards, but would simply expand options so students and families can choose a CDI when appropriate while retaining ASL interpreters as an option. Representative Daniels and Representative Kresha voiced support, with Daniels sharing a personal story about his hard-of-hearing son benefiting from proper services. At the close of the hearing, the motion to lay over House File 1408 as amended for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill was renewed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3041, authored by Representative Robbins, which would eliminate the proposed $8 fee for online viewing and downloading of court documents. Robbins said constituents were concerned about the cost to lawyers, clients, journalists, and transparency advocates, and argued that the fee would make public court records less accessible even though the revenue would go to the general fund rather than the courts’ IT costs. Testimony in support came from media representatives, including Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, the Minnesota Newspaper Association, NPR, and the Star Tribune. They said access to criminal and civil court records is essential to reporting and public oversight, that the fee would chill journalism and burden smaller outlets especially in Greater Minnesota, and that public records should remain free or at least not be priced at a level unrelated to the cost of service. One testifier noted that a recent investigative project required viewing roughly 20,000 court documents, illustrating the potential impact of the fee. Members generally supported the bill. Vice Chair Scott asked about federal PACER fees, and a testifier responded that federal access does involve charges but at a much lower level than the proposed $8 fee. Several members said the courts were simply following a statutory mandate and praised the bill as a transparency measure. Robbins also noted support from the State Bar Association and said he appreciated a related addition from Representative Becker-Finn. The chair then laid House File 3041 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved the previous day’s journal. It took up a series of Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board appointments from the Committee on State Government Finance and Elections. Reports were adopted and the House consented to confirm the appointments of George Soule, Margaret Lepic, Ferris Rasheed, Stephen Swanson, and David Asp, with each confirmation motion prevailing by voice vote. The chamber then handled several bills. House File 2875, an energy bill making technical corrections to the Prairie Island net zero project, passed 132-1 after members discussed extending a contract deadline and adding an appropriation end date. House File 3175, a local government cleanup bill repealing redundant township land-use provisions and redirecting authority to existing chapter 462 powers, passed 133-0 after a minor cleanup amendment. Senate File 2575 and Senate File 2729 were received and referred to the Education Policy Committee, and the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee placed House Files 2875, 3175, and 3035 on the Calendar for the Day with a pre-filing requirement for amendments. House File 3035, relating to transit, drew the most debate. The bill would require a Legislative Auditor review of the Southwest Light Rail Project (Green Line Extension) in response to cost overruns and delays. Supporters said the audit was needed for transparency and accountability, while opponents argued for stronger action, including pausing or stopping funding. The House rejected multiple amendment attempts to broaden the bill or halt the project, including appeals of the Speaker’s rulings on germaneness, and upheld the rulings by roll call votes of 70-63 and 69-63. The transcript ends during continued consideration of amendments to House File 3035.

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Preventing Homelessness Division met remotely, approved the February 23, 2022 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Kathy Tenbrook and Eric Grumdahl on the governor’s housing stability budget. They described the proposal as a transformational, interagency package spanning six state agencies and 35 proposals, totaling $1.027 billion over three fiscal years. The presentation emphasized that homelessness prevention and response cut across the housing continuum, from cost-burdened homeowners and renters to doubled-up households and people who are sheltered or unsheltered, and that investments should include affordable housing, NOAH preservation, shelter, and targeted services. The presenters highlighted several major components: new and improved emergency shelter funding; an increase in General Assistance, which would be the first since 1986; targeted programs for people facing behavioral health challenges, youth homelessness, domestic violence, and veteran homelessness; HIV outbreak prevention and harm reduction services for people in encampments; and Minnesota Housing’s proposed $310 million capital request for affordable and public housing, including preservation, homeownership equity, homeless prevention, and Homework Starts with Home expansion. They said the package also includes system-capacity investments such as data systems, workforce analysis, and stakeholder engagement. In response to questions, they explained that the prevention-versus-response split is not a bright line because many programs serve both purposes, and they said the HIV line item is aimed at tailored harm-reduction and prevention services for people in encampments. Members generally expressed support for the continuum approach and asked about the overall size of the package, the prevention share, and the impact of expiring federal rent assistance and other pandemic-era funding. Tenbrook said the committee should expect some funding cliffs affecting shelters and other services, and that the budget is intended to sustain critical work as federal dollars end. Representative Howard also asked whether the larger state surplus might support additional investments; Tenbrook said the council is at the beginning of that review and is looking closely at remaining gaps. No votes were taken on the budget presentation during this portion of the hearing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard Senate File 2861, a substitute teacher bill, and Senate File 2302, the nurse licensure compact. For SF 2861, members focused first on the A7 amendment, which would require PELSB to retain and share disciplinary information about substitute teachers so districts could check for prior misconduct. Senator Dornick said the bill was a school-district-driven pilot program meant to address substitute shortages and that the amendment was intended to keep bad actors out of the system. Several members raised concerns that the amendment would not work legally because PELSB cannot collect or share information on unlicensed short-call substitutes under the Data Practices Act; PELSB’s Alex Luzi testified that the board can track licensed individuals but likely cannot do so for unlicensed candidates. After debate, the committee adopted the A7 amendment on a 6-4 roll call vote, then heard the fiscal note, which showed a $44,000 ARP State Fiscal Recovery Fund cost for educator licensing system work and projected general fund revenue reductions tied to section 3 because districts could apply jointly with substitute candidates instead of requiring a separate license application. The committee then heard testimony on SF 2861’s policy and fiscal implications. Senator Dornick argued the bill was a compromise developed over a long period with bipartisan input and that local districts should be trusted to choose substitute options. Senator Marty and others argued section 3 was the part that made the bill unworkable and suggested combining pieces from other short-call substitute bills instead. Department of Education Director Ado Shoony said the governor and department support a different approach that would fund PELSB staffing and IT changes to process sub licenses within five days, while still allowing background checks and tracking misconduct. After discussion, the committee passed SF 2861, as amended, to general orders on another 6-4 roll call. The committee then took up SF 2302, the nurse licensure compact. Senator Nelson described the bill as allowing Minnesota to join the enhanced nurse licensure compact so registered nurses could hold one multi-state license and practice across compact states, subject to each state’s laws and discipline. He said 39 states and territories already participate, nearly 80 percent of Minnesota nurses surveyed supported joining, and the compact would help with telehealth, mobility, military families, and workforce flexibility. He also cited broad support from hospitals, nursing organizations, business groups, and other stakeholders. The committee began discussion of the fiscal note and invited further testimony, but the transcript provided ends before any vote on SF 2302.