Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 24 and then heard House File 616, Representative Fisher’s bill to establish a Lead Safe Homes grant program, also called the Dust and Luke Shields Act. Fisher and supporters from Micah and the Sustainable Resources Center described lead paint in older rental housing as a major preventable hazard, especially for children, and urged funding for testing, window replacement, paint stabilization, and other lead hazard reduction work. Testifiers shared personal stories of lead poisoning and its lasting effects, and argued that prevention is far less costly than the long-term medical, educational, and social costs of lead exposure. Members expressed strong support for the bill, though one member said the proposal should go further by requiring landlords to test for lead as a condition of rental licensing. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. The committee then took up House File 2463, Representative Ryer’s bill requiring landlords to test rental properties for radon, disclose results to tenants, and mitigate elevated levels. The bill was amended with a technical change that shortened the remediation period from 180 days to 120 days, and the committee adopted the amendment. Supporters, including University of Minnesota law students, Live Smoke Free, and Cancer Survivors Against Radon, said radon is an invisible but serious health risk and that tenants need testing, disclosure, and a legal remedy when landlords fail to act. They emphasized that rental housing should be held to the same safety expectations as owner-occupied homes. Opposition came from the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, which said the bill is too broad, could duplicate testing already required in some financing situations, and may create problems for properties with existing mitigation systems or unique building characteristics. The group also raised concerns about the availability of licensed professionals and the 120-day remediation timeline. The bill was moved to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law after the amendment was adopted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 1, 2022, and first took up Senate File 2647, which would expand the membership of the Local Road Improvement Program Advisory Committee by adding a town board member appointed by the Minnesota Association of Townships. An A1 amendment was adopted to address concerns about adding a town engineer, and Senator Coleman explained the change was intended to give townships a voting seat on a committee that helps allocate road improvement funds. Testimony from the Minnesota Association of Townships supported the bill as a way to give townships a voice in decisions affecting the program. The committee recommended the bill be passed as amended and re-referred it to State Government Finance and Policy and Elections. The committee then returned from a brief recess to hear Senate File 2959, as amended, which would expand eligibility for local governments to invest certain funds through the State Board of Investment by lowering the bond-rating threshold from AAA to AA, provided the rating had been held for 18 months. Senator Rest said the bill was meant to help more cities and counties earn better returns on idle funds, and Mayor Bill Blonigan of Robbinsdale testified in support, saying his city had strong financial management and could have earned significantly more through the state investment program than it did on its own. Senators discussed whether the bill was permissive and whether governments could withdraw funds later; counsel confirmed that governments may withdraw some or all of their money or terminate the account under subdivision 9. The committee then recommended the bill be approved as amended and re-referred it to State Government Finance and Policy and Elections. The meeting ended with no further agenda items and the committee adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The segment covered reactions to Minnesota’s February Budget and Economic Forecast, which projected the state budget surplus at nearly $9.3 billion. Governor and legislative leaders said the larger-than-expected surplus creates room for both immediate relief and longer-term policy changes, with several comments focusing on tax relief, rebate checks, and reducing costs for Minnesotans. Leaders from both parties emphasized different priorities. Supporters of tax cuts argued the forecast strengthens the case for permanent ongoing tax relief for working Minnesotans and senior citizens, while others said the state should use the surplus to put one-time checks in people’s hands now, estimating about $500 per person or $1,000 per couple. House Democrats said Minnesotans are still facing record inflation and paycheck-to-paycheck pressures, and that state leaders should help with everyday costs, improve economic security, and invest in communities and public safety. No formal committee action or vote was taken in the segment; it was a news-style roundup of statements and positions following the forecast release.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the February 24, 2022 minutes after a motion and voice vote, then heard House File 3544, a bipartisan appropriation for Reach Out and Read Minnesota. The bill’s author and testifiers described the program as an early childhood literacy and primary prevention effort that gives books and developmental guidance to children from six months to age five at well-child visits. Testifiers emphasized research showing benefits for children’s language development, reading habits, clinic attendance, and family trust, and noted that the program has expanded in Minnesota, especially in greater Minnesota, with prior support from the administration after the legislature did not fund it last year. Members asked about parental literacy, language access, who delivers the program, administrative costs, and how much additional funding would expand the program; the response was that trained medical providers deliver it, most funding goes to books and clinic support, and the goal is to add about 10 clinics per year, reaching roughly 44,000 more children and 96 new clinics over three years. The chair laid the bill over for possible inclusion in a committee budget bill. The committee then took up House File 3591, as amended by the A1 technical amendment. Representative Howard described the bill as a permanent funding proposal for family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) child care providers, whom he said care for large numbers of Minnesota children and are especially important for BIPOC, low-income, immigrant and refugee families, children with special needs, and families in greater Minnesota. He said prior one-time federal and state funding had supported provider identification, training, and educational resources, and that the bill would build on that infrastructure to support social-emotional learning, health development, early literacy, school readiness, and community partnerships. Testimony from Ruth Evangelista of La Red Latina Ocasión highlighted a Latino-led FFN network in Richfield, Bloomington, and statewide that provides culturally responsive training and leadership development for Latina providers, improving care quality and helping providers see their work as essential to children’s futures. The chair also noted that Cindy Yang from the Department of Human Services would provide general information on FFN care, though not specifically on the bill. The bill was presented and amended, but no final vote was taken; it was discussed as part of the committee’s budget process.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for a Youth Public Safety Day hearing and first adopted the February 25 minutes. Chair Mariani outlined the day’s agenda, which included a bill on youth intervention grants, a bill on juvenile interrogation protections, a school safety presentation, and a bill related to human rights and public safety. House File 2701, authored by Representative Cleveland, sought a one-time $3 million general fund appropriation for youth intervention grants through the Office of Justice Programs. Testimony from Kendrick Walton, Emily Fulton Foley, and Paul Munir emphasized restorative justice, youth mental health, safe youth spaces, and the value of community-based programs. They described the YIP grant as supporting low-barrier services, outreach, technology access, and training for youth workers, parents, and youth. Members asked about the funding structure; Munir said YIPA keeps a 5% administrative share, most programs are matched dollar-for-dollar, and the funds support professional development. Cleveland said the programs return estimated savings of $9.78 for every state dollar invested, and the chair laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the committee’s finance bill. Representative Feist then presented House File 2749, which would add protections for youth questioned by law enforcement or in school settings. Feist said the bill is intended to address custodial-interrogation-like situations, require parental notification when police question youth, and limit the use in court of statements made without counsel. Sarah Davis of the Legal Rights Center supported the bill, citing research on youth susceptibility to pressure, high Miranda waiver rates, and examples of false or coerced confessions involving school and police questioning. The bill was introduced as the start of a broader conversation about protecting youth constitutional rights.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 23, 2022, and then heard House File 3048, which would provide a one-time $10 million investment for the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resource Research Institute (NRRI). Representative Sandstead described the request as funding an expansion of NRRI’s Duluth lab and a new mineral processing and metallurgy building in Coleraine, arguing the work supports water quality, forest health, and future mineral economies. University Vice President for Research Michael Oakes and NRRI Executive Director Rolf Wieberg testified in support, saying the project aligns with the university’s strategic goals and would address overcrowded, outdated facilities while supporting research, industry partnerships, and job creation. Members asked about why the project was not pursued through bonding, NRRI’s budget and funding sources, the age and condition of the labs, and the thermal modification of wood products; witnesses explained the bill was a straightforward way to secure one-time funding and described current research applications and facility limitations. The committee laid HF 3048 over for possible inclusion. The committee then took up House File 2752, a $65 million supplemental request to the University of Minnesota focused on affordability and student support. Representative Clevorn said the bill includes $30 million to expand the systemwide Promise Program, $30 million to expand the Greater Minnesota Scholarship for the Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester campuses, and $5 million for advising, mental health, tutoring, and financial literacy services. Vice Provost Robert McMaster testified that the university aims to ensure admitted students can attend regardless of finances, described the existing Promise and Promise Plus programs, and said the proposal would increase aid for lower-income students while also reaching middle-income families who do not qualify for Pell or state grants. He also said the Greater Minnesota scholarship would help recruit and retain students on those campuses and that expanded student support would improve retention, graduation, and reduce debt. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion after presentation and testimony began, with the committee continuing to hear the proposal.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Capital Investment Committee met remotely on March 1, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from February 24. The chair announced that all bills would be heard informationally only, with amendments for reference only, and said the agenda would focus on housing-related capital needs. The first bill discussed was House File 3244, the Homes for All agenda, which would provide $400 million in housing infrastructure bonds and $100 million in general obligation bonding. The bill would also expand eligibility for permanent housing projects serving households up to 50% of area median income, with preference for projects serving households at or below 30% AMI. The author and testifiers described the growth of the Homes for All coalition, the use of housing infrastructure bonds to leverage private and local funds, and the continuing unmet need for affordable housing and public housing repairs across Minnesota. Testimony in support came from Wendy Underwood of Catholic Charities and Alison Strike of Carver County CDA/Minnesota NAHRO. Underwood described how housing infrastructure bonds helped Catholic Charities purchase and rehab an existing building in Minneapolis into deeply affordable supportive housing, while also creating a recuperative care center, clinic space, and administrative offices. Strike emphasized that public housing has large deferred maintenance needs, with most units over 35 years old and statewide capital needs estimated at more than $350 million. She gave examples of POP-funded projects that improved air quality, hot water reliability, accessibility, fire safety, security, windows, boilers, and energy efficiency in public housing developments. Members asked about the governor’s budget recommendation, and staff responded that the governor proposed $60 million in GO bonds for public housing and $250 million in housing infrastructure appropriation bonds. The committee then heard House File 3090, the shelter capital bill, presented by Chair Gomez. She explained that the A1 amendment would increase the bill’s one-time cash appropriation from $75 million to $100 million based on updated statewide need estimates. Gomez and testifiers described rising homelessness, including unsheltered homelessness, families with children, youth, and disproportionate impacts on Black and Indigenous Minnesotans. She noted that shelter capacity is concentrated in the metro and St. Louis County, leaving many greater Minnesota communities without local emergency shelter and forcing people to leave their home communities to access services. The bill was framed as funding for new shelter, deferred maintenance, life-safety work, HVAC systems, and rehabilitation of existing shelters. No votes were taken on the informational hearing items beyond approval of the prior minutes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee adopted the February 24 minutes and then heard House File 3439, as amended, which would shift certain costs for mentally ill and dangerous individuals from counties to the state when a person is held at a state facility while awaiting placement in another state facility, such as St. Peter. The author and county testifiers said counties currently pay 100 percent of the cost in these situations despite having no control over bed availability, citing examples of long waits and large county costs. A Department of Human Services representative said DHS has concerns and is still reviewing the amended language, especially because it could shift liability back to the patient in some cases. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Human Services omnibus bill. The committee then heard House File 3863, a Direct Care and Treatment technical and policy bill. DHS explained that sections of the bill would reduce the frequency of certain required reports, including moving a quarterly clinical report to annual and changing a fiscal data submission to February only, with stakeholders and MMB said to be agreeable. The bill would also repeal outdated language related to an unused enterprise model, closed programs, and regional treatment catchment areas. Members questioned the implications of removing catchment-area language and the lack of plans for new regional treatment centers; DHS said the change is meant to provide more flexibility in placing patients where care is most appropriate. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. Finally, the committee adopted the Behavioral Health Division report and laid over House File 1929 for possible inclusion in the Human Services Finance bill. Representative Bonner introduced the bill as an investment in early psychosis and first-episode psychosis programs, describing the human and economic costs of untreated psychosis and arguing that early intervention improves outcomes. A NAMI Minnesota representative noted the bill’s appropriation had been left blank in the version before the committee, while the Governor’s budget included $4 million. The transcript cuts off before the full testimony and any further action on the bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3726, the Outdoor Heritage Fund bill, which Representative Eklund moved to re-refer to the Legacy Finance Committee. Eklund and Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council staff described the bill as the council’s annual recommendation package, totaling about $155.4 million for 46 programs intended to restore, enhance, or protect roughly 80,929 acres of habitat and 127 miles of shoreline, while leveraging additional conservation dollars. Testifiers Mark Johnson and Joe Pavelko explained the council’s bipartisan, nonpartisan process, the bill’s structure by habitat category, and how the recommendations are organized by acres, funding, ecological section, and resource type. They noted that most recommendations are continuations of ongoing programs, with six new proposals this year, and that the metro urban share is higher than usual because of a large St. Paul project. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Dave Carlson of the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance said his organization, representing more than 50 hunting and conservation groups, supports the council’s recommendations and the dedicated Outdoor Heritage Fund because it helps fund restoration and preservation work that otherwise would not happen. Members also raised concerns and questions about land acquisition practices, including whether projects can pay above appraised value, how NGOs handle property ownership, and whether Outdoor Heritage dollars could be used improperly in eminent domain situations. Johnson said DNR can buy up to 10% above appraised value only under limited circumstances, NGOs generally do not pay above appraised value, and Dakota County’s easement work would use a RIM-style process. He also said the council has a technical review panel that checks project implementation and that eminent domain is generally prohibited except in narrow seller-requested cases. Several members questioned the balance between land acquisition and habitat enhancement, the role of NGOs, and whether the state should keep buying more land given the amount already in public ownership. Johnson said only one NGO, the Nature Conservancy, typically holds land long term and pays property taxes, while most other NGO projects eventually transfer to the DNR or another public entity. Members also asked about climate impacts and how projects are protected if damaged by floods or storms, but that discussion was not completed in the excerpt. No vote was shown in the transcript excerpt, though the motion to re-refer the bill was made at the start.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 616, authored by Representative Fisher, which would establish a Lead Safe Homes grant program, also called the Dustin Luke Shields Act. Fisher said the bill is intended to address lead paint hazards in older housing, especially rental units, by providing funding for testing and remediation. He moved that the bill be laid over for possible inclusion, and the chair later announced that House File 616 was laid over. Testimony in support came from Sue Watmo Phillips of MICAH and Rachelle Monanto Poleska of the Sustainable Resources Center. Phillips described the personal impact of lead poisoning on Dustin and his family, argued that lead exposure is preventable, and said the bill would help expand testing and lead-hazard reduction work. Poleska explained that lead is a neurotoxin that harms children’s brain development, noted that older homes are at highest risk, and said the program would help families identify and reduce hazards through home visits, grants, and remediation such as window replacement and paint stabilization. Several members echoed support while emphasizing the seriousness of lead exposure. Representative Hassan said the issue affects families across communities and thanked the testifiers for their advocacy. The chair added that landlords in Minnesota generally are not required to test for lead, only to disclose hazards they already know about, and argued that children should not be used as “lead detectors.” The chair also noted there is no safe level of lead exposure and suggested stronger standards for rental licensing may be needed in addition to the grant program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an MPCA update on Minnesota’s Clean Cars standards from Commissioner Katrina Kessler, Assistant Commissioner Craig McDonald, and Climate Director Frank Kohlasch. MPCA described the standards as part of a broader effort to reduce vehicle emissions, expand EV charging infrastructure, support electric school buses and fleet electrification, and create jobs. The agency highlighted grants for eight electric school buses, more than 1,100 EV charging stations statewide, VW settlement-funded fast chargers, and a $20 million supplemental budget request to help businesses transition fleets to electric vehicles. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on how Minnesota’s rules relate to California and federal standards. MPCA explained that the state adopted California’s light-duty vehicle emission standards through rulemaking in 2021, that the rules begin with model year 2025, and that the federal government does not have a zero-emission vehicle standard. Officials said the EPA waiver issue was expected to be resolved soon, that federal greenhouse gas standards for model years 2023-2026 would align with Minnesota’s standards by model year 2025, and that any future changes to Minnesota’s standards would require a new rulemaking process. They also said California’s future actions would not automatically change Minnesota’s rules. Senators Kiffmeyer, Howe, Koran, and Pratt repeatedly questioned the agency about uncertainty, the state’s reliance on California, the possibility of changes affecting other vehicle or equipment categories, and whether the agency could or would adopt additional California standards such as heavy-duty truck rules. MPCA responded that the current rule covers only light-duty vehicles, that any departure from the adopted standards would require a full new rulemaking with public process and economic analysis, and that the agency was not planning additional action at this time. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the update.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was confirmed, and the minutes from the February 23, 2022 meeting were approved. The agenda included two bills and two informational hearings focused on public-sector labor law, union access, employee data privacy, dues deductions, and bargaining rights. Representative Long presented House File 2005 as a response to the Janus decision, saying it would update Minnesota law to give public-sector unions better access to new employees, meeting space, electronic communication, and regular new-hire data, while also allowing salary deductions for union dues and protecting employee information. Testifiers from SEIU Minnesota and Teamsters Local 320 supported the bill, describing it as a modernization of PELRA and a way to protect workers’ privacy and unions’ ability to communicate with members. Representative Vang said the bill was a common-sense way to rebalance labor rights and add clarity. The committee then took up House File 603, with Representative Jordan offering an author’s amendment that was adopted. Jordan said the amended bill would ensure union access to new hires, protect private contact information, bar retroactive claims tied to fair-share fees, and expand mandatory bargaining for educators to include class sizes, standardized testing, and student-to-staff ratios. Teachers and union representatives testified in support, arguing that class size, testing burdens, and staffing levels directly affect learning conditions and student support. Representative Raleigh raised concerns about whether the bill would require employers to share personal cell phone numbers and whether it changed a worker’s right not to join a union; Jordan and a witness said the bill did not compel union membership, and the privacy issue would be further reviewed, including in Judiciary.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met with a quorum present and briefly handled routine business. Members approved the minutes from February 24, 2022, and then approved the calendar for the day for March 3, 2022. No substantive bills, testimony, or policy issues were discussed. After completing those procedural actions, the committee reported no further business and adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate File 3165 and then focused on the staffing crisis affecting disability waiver and group-home services. Michelle Prigge, CEO of Cardinal of Minnesota, testified that the provider operates 55 homes and serves 80 in-home clients, but severe staffing shortages had left more than 30% of client hours vacant at the worst point in summer 2021. She said the organization tried wage increases, referral and sign-on bonuses, home consolidation, and recruitment efforts, but ultimately decided to downsize and close 10 programs to better protect client safety and remain sustainable. She also noted that a COVID-19 vaccine mandate would cost about 50 employees, and said reimbursement rates are not keeping pace with wages and inflation. Prigge said 24 individuals were affected by the closures, but most had transition plans in place: five would continue with Cardinal in another setting, 12 would be served by another provider in the same homes, and the remaining individuals had identified next steps or were still deciding. The commissioner of human services described DHS’s response to closures, including county case managers’ legal responsibility for finding services, DHS’s community capacity team, the Disability Hub, and the new ombudsman for people with disabilities. The commissioner said the state had seen an average of 69 people per year affected by group-home closures over the past five years, but the licensing data showed closures exceeding openings for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2021, which he called concerning. Members questioned whether state resources were reaching families and case managers, and one senator criticized the vaccine mandate as contributing to staffing losses. Prigge acknowledged the mandate was part of the staffing challenge but said it was disclosed transparently and should not overshadow the broader workforce crisis. Another senator said many providers likely would have reduced staffing even without a mandate and emphasized the need to keep people adequately staffed. The chair said the committee would continue monitoring closure notices and noted legislative proposals such as a temporary staffing pool, allowing supervised work while background checks are pending, and other waiver-related changes that could help prevent future closures. The committee then moved to Senate File 3408, introduced by Senator Senjem, which would address youth sexual trafficking and exploitation. The bill proposes a one-time $300,000 study to better measure the scope of the problem, along with $9 million for human services grants supporting street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional and long-term housing, and related health activities, plus $2 million for regional safe harbor navigators. The bill was presented for discussion and laid over for later consideration.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the February 28 minutes and then took up House File 2056, which was laid over for possible inclusion in the Health Finance bill. The committee adopted a DE1 technical amendment before hearing the bill from Representative Howard, who described it as a prescription drug affordability measure modeled on prior insulin affordability work. He said the bill would cap copays at $25 for certain medications and at $50 for related medical supplies used to manage diabetes, asthma, and allergies, and argued it would help families, improve adherence, and reduce downstream health costs. He also noted that Minnesota has fallen behind other states on insulin copay caps and cited Colorado experience suggesting little or no premium impact. Testimony strongly supported the bill. Quinn Nystrom and Leah Greenside described the high out-of-pocket costs of insulin, continuous glucose monitors, pumps, and related supplies, and said many patients delay or avoid needed care because of cost. They argued the bill would improve health outcomes and prevent hospitalizations, while Greenside gave specific examples of large price differences between manufacturer prices and in-network vendor prices. Committee members asked whether the bill covered equipment or only drugs, whether copays should vary by tier, and whether insurers might shift costs into premiums; Howard responded that the bill covers medical equipment and related supplies as defined in the bill, that there is little generic competition for these devices, and that evidence from other states and Minnesota’s own insulin copay experience suggests minimal premium impact. The committee then laid over House File 2056, as amended, for possible inclusion in the health finance bill. The committee next began House File 3365, also laid over for possible inclusion, and adopted an A1 technical amendment. The author introduced the bill as a broader critique of health insurance cost-sharing, arguing that deductibles and out-of-pocket costs can deter patients from getting needed care even when they have coverage. The discussion had just begun when the transcript ended.