Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee began with a visit from Emily Mateyka, the Minnesota FFA state president, who described FFA’s role in career and technical education, ag education, and work-based learning. She said FFA serves about 13,000 members statewide, with roughly 35,000 students enrolled in ag education courses and 315 agricultural educators supporting them. Members praised her presentation and discussed the value of FFA and agricultural education; no formal action was taken on her testimony. The first bill heard was Senate File 1252, which would update the Minnesota State High School League’s governing board membership to reflect its current 22-member structure, including two superintendent seats added after member-school approval. Senator Rosen and league representative Roger Ernst said the change followed financial strain during COVID and would improve representation, including diversity, while keeping the board manageable. The committee voted unanimously to send SF 1252 to the floor on the consent calendar. The committee then took up Senate File 1988, as amended by an A1 technical amendment, which would fund emergency medical services education programs to help recruit and retain EMS workers, especially in rural areas. Senator Lang and Minnesota Ambulance Association representative Buck McAlpin said many rural EMS services rely on volunteers, that EMT retention is a serious problem, and that school-based or tuition-supported programs could help build the workforce. The bill was laid over for possible later action. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3341, with an oral technical amendment removing reference to early childhood education from line 1.18 at the request of ECFE members. The bill would reallocate up to 2 percent of existing ECFE aid to fund two Minnesota Department of Education positions to support statewide ECFE programming. Senator Housley and ECFE witness Susan Summers said ECFE serves families in all 87 counties and 327 districts, helps parents and children together, and needs stronger statewide support; the bill was laid over after testimony and discussion about early childhood learning and family support.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard Senate File 3472, a bill to extend Minnesota’s premium security plan, commonly called the reinsurance program, for five years. Senator James explained that the bill was being fast-tracked so the Department of Commerce could complete the federal waiver process by April 1 and give insurers time to set rates. The bill would restore the 80/20 reinsurance split up to $250,000 in claims and authorize adjustments tied to available funding. A fiscal note was presented showing a total transfer of about $1.087 billion, with discussion of how the money would flow through Commerce, DHS, MMB, and MNSure, and how the proposal affects MinnesotaCare and MNSure funding because lower premiums reduce federal and premium-based revenue. Members asked about whether the full amount had to be appropriated up front, the status of the federal 1332 waiver, and whether the bill covered MNSure’s lost revenue. Senator James said the waiver application had been submitted but was deemed incomplete, and that CMS wanted actual legislation showing Minnesota intends to continue reinsurance. He said the bill could be structured as a multi-year or year-by-year appropriation, but the committee was being shown the full five-year cost. He also said the current bill did not yet include a fix for MNSure’s revenue loss, but that an amendment would address it in Finance. He noted the state expects about $77 million annually in federal pass-through funding, while also warning that premiums could rise significantly if reinsurance is not renewed. Testimony was strongly supportive overall. Representatives from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, NFIB, the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, and the insurance agents’ coalition all backed extension of the program, saying it has stabilized the individual market, lowered premiums, and helped preserve coverage. They cited estimates that reinsurance has reduced premiums by about 20 percent on average, with some plans lower by more, and that without renewal premiums could rise by roughly 25 percent and coverage could decline. One testifier raised concerns about funding the program through an MCHA assessment on a shrinking fully insured market and suggested a broader funding source. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on Wednesday, March 2 and heard testimony on several bills, including Senate File 3240, which would appropriate money from the ATV account in the Natural Resources Fund to improve about 13 miles of ATV trail between Warroad and Roseau. Senator Johnson, trail advocates, and Roseau Mayor Dan Fabian described the route as an abandoned rail bed that needs grading, gravel, and safety improvements to make it usable and connect riders to the Beltrami State Forest. Testifiers said the project would support trail development in northwest Minnesota and could benefit local tourism and recreation; no members raised substantive objections, and the bill was held over for possible inclusion. The committee also heard Senate File 2768, a proposal by Senator Howe to fund an independent review of petroleum contamination and remediation work in Paynesville, Blaine, Foley, and Alexandria. Howe said the bill was intended to reassure residents about drinking water safety and to have a third party review MPCA cleanup efforts, citing concerns about benzene and long-running contamination issues. The Paynesville city administrator gave a detailed history of the Paynesville plume and treatment system, while MPCA officials said the communities’ drinking water is safe, current wells have not shown contamination in Paynesville, and existing monitoring and remediation are ongoing. MPCA representatives argued the bill could duplicate work already being done and divert resources from other contaminated sites, though they said they were willing to continue discussions and help estimate costs. Senators questioned the scope of the bill, the role of Paynesville as the coordinating city, and whether the OLA report on petroleum remediation should inform the discussion. The author said he was still working on a cost estimate and would coordinate with consultants and the MPCA. The committee ultimately laid the bill over, with members noting the OLA report and the need for further review.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 338, which had been heard previously and was brought back with a technical A1 amendment changing two dates related to the legislative report and appropriation timing. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill was laid over as amended for possible inclusion in the Human Services Finance and Policy omnibus bill. The bill would direct HealthForce Minnesota at Winona State to develop a pilot project for a Minnesota Direct Care Service Corps, with financial incentives and minimum work requirements, establish pilot sites and duties, require an evaluation and report, and appropriate $500,000 from the general fund to the commissioner of human services. Representative Clevorn and testifier Diane Drost argued the bill is intended to address severe PCA and direct support workforce shortages, especially for people with profound disabilities who rely on home care to remain in their communities. Drost described her daughter’s difficulty finding adequate care and said families are often forced to cover unmet hours themselves, with some clients facing institutional placement if care cannot be found. She said the service corps could recruit college students into the field, provide hourly pay, and help sustain home-based care, while also noting collaboration with Serve Minnesota and referencing prior recommendations from the Olmstead Subcabinet and other reports. Several members raised concerns about duplication, scope, training, and the use of public funds. Representative Albright questioned whether similar recruitment efforts already exist and asked for clearer objective measures and program details; Representative Robbins noted existing campus recruitment and private-sector efforts; and Representative Kiel emphasized the need for clearer public explanation of what the pilot would do and how the money would be used. In response, Clevorn said the bill is meant to create a targeted workforce pipeline for individuals with high-acuity needs, that not all PCA roles are the same, and that the proposal includes an evaluation and reporting mechanism to assess effectiveness and retention. Supportive comments also noted the need for multiple recruitment pathways and the relatively small size of the appropriation compared with the overall HHS budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Revenue presentation on the 4D affordable housing classification report. Susan Raverty explained the 4D rules, including MHFA certification, income and rent limits, the two-tier class rates, and the 2021 change that lowered the valuation tier limit from $174,000 to $100,000 for assessment years 2022 and 2023. The report found that about 83,968 units were classified as 4D in 2021, all 87 counties had some 4D property, and 4D property accounted for less than 1 percent of the tax base in most counties. The department also estimated that if 4D were taxed at a single 0.25 percent rate, statewide 4D net tax capacity would fall from $35.5 million to $18.3 million, with an average homestead tax increase of about $17 statewide. The report further noted 375 4D parcels in TIF districts and estimated an additional $10.3 million in tax increment would have been paid if those properties were classified as 4A instead of 4D. Committee members asked whether the department tracks unmet need for 4D housing, monitors compliance beyond MHFA certification, or studied the effects of COVID and civil unrest on project viability. Raverty said the Department of Revenue does not track unmet need or compliance audits and that those questions would be better directed to MHFA. She also said the report focused on existing 4D properties and projected future impacts of the proposed class-rate change rather than pandemic-related cost pressures. Members were told the full report and county/city appendices were available for follow-up questions. Testifiers then spoke in support of reducing the class rate to 0.25. Ward Inis of the 4D Coalition said the current system is the main barrier to preserving and building affordable housing, argued the two-tier structure is effectively functioning as a single tier, and said the proposal has bipartisan and local housing-sector support. Scott Cordes of Project for Pride in Living said rising property taxes, insurance, utilities, and security costs have made operations increasingly difficult, with recent annual deficits and an estimated $1 million in relief from the proposal. He said the change would help preserve existing housing and support new development, with statewide annual property tax relief estimated at $45 million to $48 million. Members asked about new construction volume and rising per-unit construction costs, and Cordes said PPL aims for about 150 new units per year and is now seeing costs in the $300,000-plus per-unit range. Libby Murphy of Minnesota Housing Partnership began testimony in support of the proposal as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate File 2854, as amended, a bill to create a one-year pilot program for roadside oral-fluid testing to help law enforcement identify drivers impaired by controlled substances rather than alcohol. The author and the Department of Public Safety described the measure as a voluntary, non-evidentiary screening tool to be developed with the commissioner of public safety, tested for accuracy and operational use, and reported back to the legislature. Testimony emphasized the growing problem of drug-impaired and poly-drug driving, cited support from law enforcement groups, and noted that other states such as Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, and Wisconsin have already used similar technology. Members asked about the technology, possible future ignition interlock applications, and whether Minnesota should rely on other states’ results; the department said Minnesota still needs its own validation process. Senator Latz moved the bill as amended, and the committee agreed to fast-track it to the floor. The committee then moved to Senate File 2889, an appropriation bill for crime prevention. The bill would provide $2.4 million to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office to prevent and combat violent crime in coordination with metro-area law enforcement and Metro Transit, plus $600,000 to the Department of Public Safety for State Patrol air support. Sheriff Fletcher testified that helicopter assets are a critical tool for apprehending serious offenders and reducing the risks of vehicle pursuits, and he supported expanding their use. A public safety report to the legislature by February 1, 2023, was also noted. During discussion, a witness urged stronger accountability and transparency language, including more specific reporting requirements on arrests, spending, forfeitures, drugs, and violence, and the chair indicated the bill may need more detail in the report language before final action.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Environment, Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee heard Senate File 3392, as amended by a delete-all amendment, which would require boater education in Minnesota. Senator Ruud described the bill as a safety measure for a state with more than 830,000 registered boats and rising boating activity, arguing Minnesota is one of the few states without a general boater education requirement and that the bill would provide reciprocity with other states. Supporters said the measure would align boating with other recreational activities that already require safety training and would help reduce fatalities and improve stewardship of lakes and waterways. Testimony in support came from Jill Sims of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Jeremy Wissek of Nisswa Marine, Gabriel Yabor of Orono marina interests, DNR State Boating Law Administrator Adam Block, law enforcement officers Shane Magnuson of Hennepin County and Jordan Windberg of Goodhue County, and Jeff Forrester of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates. They emphasized increased boating traffic, more first-time boaters, boating fatalities, user conflicts, and the value of education in teaching safety, navigation, etiquette, and aquatic invasive species awareness. Several cited national or state statistics and said education would make waters safer and more enjoyable. Joel Carlson, representing resort and marina interests, supported the bill but raised several implementation concerns. He asked for clarification on how exempt operators would be treated, whether Canadian and other foreign visitors would be handled differently, how the bill’s accompanying-operator language would interact with intoxication laws, and what form the required short examination for renters would take. Senator Ruud said she was willing to work on language changes. The committee took no final vote in the portion provided; testimony continued with additional remote witnesses after Carlson’s comments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: A Minnesota Senate committee gave final approval to a bill that would let Minnesota join the enhanced nurse licensure compact, which would allow registered nurses to hold one multi-state license in their home state and practice in other compact states. The measure is now headed to the Senate floor. Supporters said the compact would help address hospital staffing shortages, reduce burnout, and make it easier for nurses from other states to fill shifts and provide care. They argued it would improve patient care and safety by giving hospitals more flexibility and bringing in additional nursing help when needed. Opponents raised concerns that the compact could worsen wage disparities between Minnesota nurses and traveling nurses, potentially disadvantaging nurses trained and licensed in Minnesota. They also questioned whether the bill would truly improve patient safety, arguing that the larger problem is understaffing and poor working conditions that are driving nurses away.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met remotely, approved the February 28 minutes, and then took up House File 3265, as amended, which would strengthen Minnesota’s school drinking water lead protections. Representative Howard presented the bill as a response to lead exposure risks in schools, arguing for centralized reporting of test results, lowering the remediation threshold from 15 to 5 parts per billion, and creating state grant funding through MDH to help schools pay for mitigation. Testifiers including researcher Molly Codding and Steve Ring of the Sierra Club supported the bill, citing the lack of a centralized data system, the health risks of lead to children, the environmental justice impacts, and the need for a stricter standard and sustainable funding. Committee members asked about opposition, current remediation practices, and what happens when lead is found; MDH staff explained that schools can isolate fixtures, flush and retest, replace fixtures, or install filters. The committee adopted the A2 amendment and then referred HF 3265, as amended, to the Committee on Education Finance on a 17-0 vote, with one member excused. The committee then moved to House File 1808, as amended, a bill focused on school counselors and student mental health. Representative Berg said the bill would require at least one full-time school counselor in every school building, limit counselors from being used for non-counseling duties, require mental health training for administrators, and provide funding for counselor aid. Supportive testimony emphasized the importance of full-time counselors, especially in elementary schools and rural districts, and described counselors’ roles in prevention, academic support, and social-emotional learning. One counselor testified that adequate staffing and reduced non-counseling duties improved student contacts and reduced discipline disparities. Opposition came from Bob Endahar of the Minnesota Rural Education Association, who said the bill was too prescriptive, lacked funding, could be unworkable given counselor shortages, and might not fit smaller rural schools that need different staffing mixes. Representative Erickson echoed concerns about the mandate, the effective date, and the detailed duty restrictions. Representative Berg said she was open to working on the language and consulting stakeholders. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on HF 1808, but the committee had adopted the A2 amendment and scheduled a time-certain vote for later that day.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee began by taking roll, establishing a quorum, and approving the March 1, 2022 minutes. It then took up House File 338, which would create a Minnesota Direct Care Service Corps pilot through HealthForce Minnesota at Winona State to recruit postsecondary students into PCA/direct care work using financial incentives and minimum work requirements. Representative Clevorn explained the bill would establish pilot sites, require an evaluation and report, and appropriate $500,000 from the general fund to the Department of Human Services. Diane Drost testified in support, describing severe home care shortages affecting her daughter and arguing the pilot could help keep people with disabilities living in their homes and communities. The committee adopted the A1 technical amendment by voice vote and then laid HF 338, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the Human Services omnibus bill. Members then heard House File 3524, brought by the Minnesota Home Care Association, which would add care coordination and care evaluation services under Medical Assistance home care and update homemaker service rates under Medical Assistance waivers. Representative Cleveland said the bill was intended to improve access to home care so older adults and people with disabilities and complex health needs could remain at home longer and potentially avoid more intensive services. Kathy Messerly testified that the bill’s changes would help create a more sustainable home care system and thanked DHS for technical assistance and prior rate investments. The A1 amendment, which clarified the bill’s intent, included home care nursing agency services, distinguished care coordination from care evaluation, removed an unnecessary section, and updated effective dates and rate-setting language; it was adopted by voice vote. The bill was then laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of Minnesota’s Board of Cosmetology licensing structure. The auditor’s staff said the current system includes requirements that do not appear to improve public health or safety but do increase cost and burden for licensees. They highlighted confusion and inconsistency between cosmetology and barbering, and recommended changes such as repealing the salon manager license, allowing instructor and school manager licenses to supersede underlying licenses, creating a hair-only license, and considering other narrower specialty or endorsement-based licenses. The presentation also reviewed overlap and inconsistencies in how cosmetology and barbering are regulated, including differences in reciprocity, mobile services, and the treatment of shaving and waxing. The auditors said the two occupations have significant overlap in scope and training, and questioned whether separate regulatory structures remain necessary. They suggested the legislature could merge the boards again or otherwise clarify scopes of practice and reciprocity. Committee members also raised concerns about board composition, the cost of holding multiple licenses, and a 2020 board rule change that had effectively standardized salon licenses despite statutory language still distinguishing them. Several members criticized the Board of Cosmetology for not sending a representative to the hearing and for not yet advancing legislation in response to the 2021 audit report. The chair said the board should bring a bill to the legislature if it wants statutory changes and indicated she would hear such a bill. A member asked about financial controls, and the Legislative Auditor said a separate financial audit of the Board of Cosmetology had been completed and would be shared with members. No votes were taken.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then completed the roll call and confirmed a quorum. The chamber received messages from the House announcing passage of Senate File 1782, relating to local government, and transmission of House Files 1315, 2454, and 2841; no action was required on those messages. The Senate then adopted the committee reports on the agenda except those pertaining to appointments, which were laid on the table. Senate Files 2704 and 3055 received second reading, and the bills listed on the introduction calendar were given first reading and referred as indicated. The authors’ motions were adopted in one motion. A lengthy portion of the session focused on announcements of Senate interest and a dispute over whether some remarks were appropriate for that agenda item. Senator Pratt used the forum to criticize delays in hearing companion legislation related to paying off and replenishing the unemployment fund debt, arguing that the delay had wasted money and delayed benefits for workers. Senator Latz objected that the comments were beyond the scope of announcements, and the President agreed the remarks were close to the line but allowed some latitude. Senators Latz, Limmer, and Pappas also commented on the limited opportunities for floor debate and urged the President not to be overly strict, while the President reiterated that announcements should relate to actual Senate interest or events. Additional announcements noted Saint Cloud Day and Association of Minnesota Counties Day. Senator Bigham highlighted the county day event and encouraged members to meet with county commissioners. After no further announcements, Senator Housley moved that the Senate adjourn until Thursday, March 3rd at 11 a.m.; the motion prevailed and the Senate adjourned.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 2966, authored by Representative Kosnick, was heard in committee and amended before being re-referred to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The bill would expand eligibility for the veterans designation on Minnesota driver’s licenses and ID cards to include certain National Guard and Armed Forces Reserve members who have met reserve retirement requirements, while still requiring an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions. Kosnick explained that the bill was prompted by a constituent and was intended to recognize service members who do not meet the current 181-consecutive-day active-duty requirement. The committee first adopted a DE1 author’s amendment and then an amendment to that amendment, which Kosnick said removed redundant language and clarified wording from the Senate companion. Major Vicki Schwartz, a retired Army Reserve member, testified in support, describing her 26.5 years of service and explaining that she could qualify for other veteran benefits and even veteran license plates, but not the veterans designation on her driver’s license under current law. She said the change would make the designation available to veterans like her who have earned it through reserve service. After discussion, the committee voted 10-0 to re-refer House File 2966 as amended to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. A member noted for the record that the motion should be understood as amended, and the chair confirmed the bill was moving forward as amended.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Preventive Health Division met with a quorum, approved the February 23, 2022 minutes, and then took up House File 2156, which Chair Freiberg said would be voted on at the end of the hearing and re-referred to the Health Finance and Policy Committee. The bill, authored by Representative Hollins, would ban conversion therapy in Minnesota. Hollins described conversion therapy as a dangerous, discredited practice aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity, said it causes harm including depression, self-harm, and suicide, and emphasized that the bill would not affect religious or individual prayer practices and would apply only to paid services. She also noted that many states and cities have already restricted the practice and said Minnesota should continue leading on LGBTQ rights. Supportive testimony came from Troy Stevenson of The Trevor Project, Erin May Quade of Gender Justice, Matthew Shurka of Born Perfect, former Representative Hunter Cantrell, therapist Christy Rushfeldt of Rainbow Health, and Dr. Ellen Kennedy of World Without Genocide. They argued that conversion therapy is harmful and ineffective, cited research linking it to increased suicidality and other mental health harms, and said major medical, mental health, legal, and international bodies oppose it. Several speakers also said the practice still exists in Minnesota and urged the committee to protect LGBTQ youth and patients. Mary Manning of the Minnesota Department of Health also spoke in favor, saying the bill clarifies that conversion therapy should not be used by clinicians with children, youth under 18, or vulnerable adults. Opposition testimony came from Robert Post, Dale Witherington, and Luca Gropoli. They argued the bill is overly broad or discriminatory, claimed it would restrict patient choice and counseling goals, and raised constitutional and religious-freedom concerns. Post said the term conversion therapy is pejorative and that adults and children should be free to seek counseling aimed at changing unwanted same-sex attraction. Witherington and Gropoli said people can change and that the bill would deny help to those who want it, while Gropoli described his own experience as a transgender person and said the most loving approach is to allow people to seek the care they want. The hearing continued with additional testimony after Darren Meal began speaking.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Behavioral Health Policy Division met remotely, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from February 23, 2022. The committee then took up two bills from prior hearings and adopted amendments before advancing them to the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. House File 3418 received the author’s A1 amendment and was recommended for referral on an 11-0 voice vote. House File 3372 was also amended and then recommended for referral on an 11-0 vote, with one member excused. The committee then heard House File 3215, which Chair Fisher carried. The bill, as amended by the A2 amendment, would provide one-time ARPA-funded payments to community-based mental health providers to help sustain direct service operations, staffing, training, supervision, and retention efforts amid severe workforce shortages and financial strain. Fisher and House Research said the amendment reflected technical assistance from DHS and did not change the existing $100,000 cap on administrative costs. Fisher and DHS staff also discussed that the language change from grants to payments was intended to make the program more operational and efficient, though some questions remained about MMIS-related implementation details. Testimony in support came from Aspire Minnesota, Woodland Centers, and St. David Center for Child and Family Development. Witnesses described a statewide mental health workforce and access crisis, citing underfunded Medicaid rates, rising expenses, COVID-related revenue losses, high turnover, long waitlists, program closures, and difficulty recruiting staff. They said the funding would help preserve fragile community-based services, prevent further closures, and support retention and hiring bonuses, benefits, and training. Members raised questions about the administrative change in the bill, how the funds would be used, and whether the short-term funding would be enough to sustain providers once the payments end.