Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Education Finance Committee met on March 2, 2022, with a quorum present and approved the March 1 minutes by voice vote. The committee then took up House File 1710, authored by Representative Wogemont, which would increase state aid to Minnesota’s 12 regional public library systems by $2 million per year and revise the distribution formula to make funding more stable by reducing the equalization factor and increasing the basic aid share. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill. Testimony in support came from leaders and board members of regional library systems, including Great River Regional Library, Lake Agassiz Regional Library, and the Rice Street branch of the Saint Paul Public Library. Witnesses described the current formula as volatile and unfair, saying it can cause large year-to-year swings and force local cities and counties to cover gaps. They emphasized that libraries provide essential services such as internet access, job search help, literacy programming, technology support, and community space, especially for rural residents, students, immigrants, and other vulnerable groups. Committee members asked about the bill’s purpose, whether it was mainly a formula fix or a response to recent spending, and how it would affect county contributions. Staff explained that the bill is intended to stabilize the formula going forward and that county contributions are separate from the state aid distribution. One witness from Lake Agassiz said her system is currently deficit spending because of the formula and that local governments have been filling the gap. No final vote on the bill was taken beyond the motion to lay it over.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard from Minnesota FFA state officers, who described FFA as a youth leadership and agricultural education organization serving students across the state. The officers emphasized that FFA, classroom agriculture education, supervised agricultural experiences, and work-based learning together help students build skills, explore careers, and find belonging. They shared personal stories about how FFA connected them to agriculture, including career interests in veterinary medicine and agricultural communication, and they highlighted the need to expand agriculture programs and teacher recruitment so more students can access these opportunities. Members asked about FFA’s “Cultivate” video series, and the officers explained that it is a public YouTube and social media series focused on leadership traits such as respect, compassion, professionalism, and determination. They said the series is intended to model inclusive, respectful behavior for both FFA members and the broader public. Senators also asked about future careers and challenges in agriculture; the officers responded that agriculture is changing rapidly, that technology and student innovation will be important to feeding a growing population, and that FFA helps prepare students for those challenges. The committee then took up Senate File 3585, authored by Senator Matthews, which would ensure that mental health data connected to the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline remains private and not subject to public records requests. An amendment was adopted to align the bill with the House version, add pass-through recipients, and make the bill effective immediately upon enactment. The committee heard testimony from Department of Agriculture staff, including Meg Moynihan, and after discussion the amendment prevailed; the bill was moved forward with the recommendation to pass and be re-referred to the Civil Law Committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 2156, which would ban conversion therapy in Minnesota and was moved by the chair to be recommended for re-referral to the Health Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Hollins presented the bill as a ban on harmful, discredited practices aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity, emphasizing testimony from medical and mental health organizations, the bill’s focus on paid services, and its stated exceptions for prayer and religious practices. The chair announced testimony limits, deferred member questions until after testimony, and said the bill would be voted on at the end of the hearing. Supporters testified that conversion therapy is harmful and ineffective, citing elevated risks of depression, self-harm, and suicide among LGBTQ youth, especially transgender and nonbinary youth. Testifiers included Troy Stevenson of The Trevor Project, Assistant Commissioner Mary Manning of the Minnesota Department of Health, Erin May Quade of Gender Justice, Matthew Shurka of Born Perfect, former Representative Hunter Cantrell, Christy Rushfeldt of Rainbow Health, Emily Flower, and Dr. Ellen Kennedy. They described personal experiences or research-based concerns, argued that the practice is already occurring in Minnesota, and said the bill would protect minors and vulnerable adults and align Minnesota with other states and professional associations. Opponents argued the bill would restrict counseling choices, burden parents, and infringe on religious freedom and free speech. R. Paul Post, Dale Witherington, Darren Meal, and others contended that sexual orientation can change, that the bill is vague or discriminatory, and that it would prevent people from seeking help for unwanted same-sex attraction or related trauma. No vote was taken in the portion provided, though the chair indicated the bill would be voted out at the conclusion of the hearing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Commerce Committee met remotely, approved the March 1, 2022 minutes, and then took up House File 2767, which Chair Stevenson described as a bill to establish open wholesaling for liquor in Minnesota and extend the Coleman Act’s competitive framework to all wholesalers regardless of where they are based. The committee adopted an A1 amendment, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a liquor omnibus bill. Chair Stevenson and several testifiers argued the bill would preserve competition, consumer choice, and fair pricing. Supporters included Minnesota wholesalers, liquor store owners, and restaurant representatives who said open wholesaling helps small and outstate businesses get better prices, maintain supply during shortages, and avoid exclusive supplier arrangements that could raise costs. Testimony emphasized that the current system has worked for decades and that removing open wholesaling would hurt retailers, restaurants, municipal liquor stores, employees, and consumers. Opponents of closing open wholesaling warned that exclusive contracts would create monopolies or near-monopolies for certain brands, reduce product availability, and increase prices. Several speakers cited specific examples such as Captain Morgan and described supply-chain disruptions, labor shortages, and pandemic-related pressures as reasons the current system remains important. Chair Stevenson also clarified for the record that the committee was considering whether to keep open wholesaling in Minnesota, while noting separate litigation over the Coleman Act’s constitutionality was not before the committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Legacy Finance Committee met remotely, approved the February 23 minutes, and heard an informational presentation from Minnesota Humanities Center CEO Kevin Lindsey on the center’s work and use of Legacy funds. Lindsey described the center’s mission, its renovated historic building on Ivy Avenue, and a range of programs focused on civic engagement, statewide access, public humanities, literacy, and cultural understanding. He highlighted initiatives such as Third Way Civics, story-circle programming, democracy discussions, poetry and book projects, educator institutes, field trips, and a recent series on Black life and community issues after George Floyd’s murder. He also noted the center’s role in administering cultural heritage grants, museum grants, and legislatively directed civics funding, including $1.25 million per year for the current biennium for cultural identity and heritage work. The committee then heard from grantees. Abdullah Sharif of Somali Community Resettlement Services described culturally focused classes for Somali and other East African communities in southeastern Minnesota and Minneapolis, including language, heritage, dance, and orientation classes for both youth and adults. He said the program helps children learn to read and write Somali, helps families bridge generational and cultural gaps, and teaches basic Somali phrases to service providers; he reported strong demand and about 75 participants learning language skills. Melissa Olson was introduced next, but the transcript cuts off before her full remarks. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken during the portion provided.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Local Government Division continued its hearing on House File 3256, a housing-related bill focused on removing barriers to development and changing zoning and planning rules. Testimony from Minnesota Realtors supported the bill’s broader housing-supply goals but opposed provisions adding impact fees in street improvement districts and requiring energy-cost disclosures in real estate transactions. Representative Elkins said he would remove the energy disclosure language from the bill and move it into a separate measure, while continuing to work with Realtors, utilities, and other stakeholders. The Metropolitan Council and the League of Minnesota Cities testified that some provisions affecting metro planning and zoning should remain part of the regional planning process rather than be set in state law. They supported repeal of special-session laws affecting Oak Grove and Nowthen, but raised concerns about articles dealing with planning/zoning relationships, Livable Communities programs, minimum residential densities, and accessibility charges. Metro Cities and city officials from Minnetonka, Perham, and Hugo argued the bill would preempt local authority, create inflexible density mandates, and interfere with local comprehensive planning, infrastructure decisions, and shoreline or stormwater considerations. Several local officials said cities already use tools such as accessory dwelling units, duplex allowances, planned unit developments, and ordinance changes to address housing needs in ways that fit local conditions. They emphasized that housing challenges differ across the state and that state policy should provide incentives and local flexibility rather than mandates. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Property Tax Division met with a quorum, approved the February 23 minutes, and noted that committee packets and revenue impact materials had been distributed in advance. No public testimony was requested for the hearing, though written testimony had been submitted. The committee heard House File 2865 and House File 3066, both dealing with the disabled veterans/surviving spouse property tax exclusion. Representative Detmer and testifier Trent Dilks of Disabled American Veterans said the bills are intended to fix timing language so surviving spouses are not excluded because benefits were awarded later than the veteran’s death. Members discussed a possible technical date correction and the history of prior changes to surviving spouse eligibility, including removal of earlier time limits and transfer rules. Both bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the division report. House File 3384, as amended, would expand the senior property tax deferral program by raising the income limit from $60,000 to $96,000 and reducing the required occupancy period from 15 years to 5 years. Supporters said it would help seniors age in place and could increase participation by about 33 percent. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over. House File 3432 would increase the household income subtraction for property tax refund claimants age 65 or older or with a disability; the author said it would help seniors stay in their homes, and the bill was laid over. The committee also heard House File 3472, which would simplify the property tax refund system by basing it on federal adjusted gross income and eliminating most other income subtractions and exclusions except for dependents, disability, and age 65+ deductions. Fiscal staff said updated estimates showed a significant cost, including about $156.2 million for the homestead credit state refund and $51.8 million for the renter credit in fiscal 2025, for a biennial impact of about $423 million. Discussion focused on the complexity of the current formula and the bill’s effect on homeowners and renters, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the division report.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 2949, authored by Representative Feist, which would link the general education formula to inflation. Feist argued that without inflation adjustments, school funding loses purchasing power over time, forcing districts to rely more on local voter-approved referendums and creating instability and inequity. She said the bill would give districts more predictable funding and better planning ability, and noted support from several school organizations. Testimony in support came from Superintendent Renee Corney of Saint Anthony-New Brighton Schools and Tina Burkholder of Monticello Public Schools. Corney described budget deficits, staff reductions, and the difficulty of planning when state funding does not keep pace with costs. Burkholder explained that state aid makes up most district revenue, salaries and benefits make up most expenses, and contract increases and other inflationary costs often outpace the average formula increase, creating annual budget gaps. Members asked questions about the role of local levies and whether funding was truly unequal. Feist said not all communities can pass levies and that the state should ensure all students receive the same support; Representative Kresha countered that the formula is already equal on a per-pupil basis and cautioned against treating failed referendums as evidence of unequal state funding. Representative Yuakim and Representative Jordan also spoke in support, emphasizing planning, student needs, and the impact of underfunding. The bill was laid over for further consideration and possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee met remotely on March 1, 2022, with a quorum present and approved the minutes from February 24. The main item was House File 3726, the Outdoor Heritage Fund bill, which Representative Eklund moved to re-refer to the Legacy Finance Committee. Eklund and staff from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council described the bill as recommending 46 programs totaling about $155.36 million, expected to restore, enhance, or protect roughly 80,929 acres of habitat and 127 miles of shoreline, while leveraging additional conservation funding. They said the recommendations include prairie, wetland, habitat, and administration projects involving state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations, and that the council’s annual recommendation was unanimous. Mark Johnson and Joe Pavelka of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council explained the council’s review process and walked members through the funding and acreage breakdowns. Dave Carlson of the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance testified in support, saying his organization and its member groups back the council’s recommendations and the Outdoor Heritage Fund’s conservation work. Members asked about land acquisition practices, including whether projects can pay above appraised value, how NGOs handle acquisitions, and whether funds are used properly. Johnson said the DNR may purchase up to 10 percent above appraised value only under limited circumstances, while NGOs generally buy at or below appraised value because of accreditation and tax concerns. Representative Heintzeman raised concerns about appraisals, land management, and public access, arguing that some organizations acquire land and later transfer it to the state and that management should better reflect hunters’ expectations. Representative Green questioned how many NGOs actually retain land, and Johnson said The Nature Conservancy is the main NGO that holds property long term and pays property taxes on it. Johnson also said the council’s technical review panel checks project implementation and that outdoor heritage funds cannot be used for eminent domain except in narrow statutory circumstances at the seller’s request; he cited Goose Prairie Marsh as an example where the funds were not used for eminent domain. No vote on the bill was recorded in the excerpt beyond the motion to re-refer it.