Video & Transcript Research : 'House Resolution 247'
Page 124 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I've been with the House since 2011. Mr. Chair, Jeff Witte with House research.
- <00:07:43.840>
since I've been with the house since I've been with the house since 2011<00 - 2011 Mr chair Jeff dble with house 2011 Mr chair Jeff dble with house research<00:07:50.599>
- House File 7 is a priorities bill from the House Republican caucus in the public safety area.
- come from the bill that House come from the bill that House Republicans<00:10:31.160>
have
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, Ben Frey, House Republican Research. Over here, H. Jennifer Nelson, House DFL Research.
- Yeah, Ben Frey, House Republican Research. Over here, H. Jennifer Nelson, House DFL Research.
- Yeah, Ben Frey, House Republican Research. Over here, H. Jennifer Nelson, House DFL Research.
- Yeah, Ben Frey, House Republican Research. Over here, H. Jennifer Nelson, House DFL Research.
- Yeah, Ben Frey, House Republican Research. Over here, H. Jennifer Nelson, House DFL Research.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Hi, Cynthia Templin, House Fiscal.
- house house research<00:13:24.320>
hi <00:13:24.560>Cynthia <00:13:25.000>templin <00:13:30.199>- c><00:13:25.839>
House research hi Cynthia templin House research hi Cynthia templin House fiscalresearch fiscal Chris CL claim in house research fiscal Chris CL claim in house - c><00:13:25.839>
- that and what this does is this house that and what this does is this house fail<01:08:39.080>
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25 - Part 1
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:38.080>
research energy Bob El house research energy Bob El house research department - committee Cher wasinski moves at house committee Cher wasinski moves at house file<00:04:18.359>
- I'm here to support House File 9.
- Industries I ask you to oppose house Industries I ask you to oppose house file<00:36:32.520>
- <00:37:03.880>
file house file house file 9<00:37:06.560>the <00:37:06.680>chamber<
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Mota good morning Molly Peterson house Mota good morning Molly Peterson house dfl research<00:02
- Danielle Penelli from House Research, Joe Harney, House Fiscal, Doug Berg, House Fiscal, and Sarah Sunderman
- , House Research.
- programs, Safe Harbor shelter and housing programs, Safe Harbor shelter, Housing Shelter Link youth
- programs, Safe Harbor shelter and housing programs, Safe Harbor shelter, Housing Shelter Link youth
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25 - Part 2
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- we sit in very close margins in our respective caucuses and we know nothing can be passed off the House
- /c><00:13:50.959>
passed <00:13:51.480>off <00:13:51.800>the <00:13:52.000>house - nothing can be passed off the house nothing can be passed off the house floor<00:13:53.600>
without - Chair Murphy, thank you for the opportunity to present House File 9 before the Energy Committee.
- With eight ayes and seven nos, the House File 9 will move on to the Committee on Taxes and is passed.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House panel hears bill proposing constitutional amendment to return surpluses to taxpayers 2/11/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now have House File 4, Representative Johnson, if you want to come up for the hearing table.
- Representative Johnson moves House File 4.
- that and what this does is this house that and what this does is this house fail<00:02:59.920>
- I thank you for the opportunity to share our deep concerns with House File 4.
- there's a standard practice of the house there's a standard practice of the house is<00:19:45.679
Summary:
House File 4, as amended, was heard in committee. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create a Minnesota tax relief account that would capture projected general fund revenues exceeding 105% of projected expenditures and return those funds to taxpayers, primarily through property tax relief or income tax relief. The committee adopted an amendment to put the bill in the author’s preferred shape, and later adopted a technical amendment from Representative Smith to insert the word “projected” before “expenditures” on line 2.2.
Representative Johnson presented the bill as an affordability measure meant to return surplus money to the people rather than create new spending, arguing it would help homeowners and taxpayers if a surplus occurs. Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity supported the concept of returning surplus funds to taxpayers but also urged broader tax and budget reforms, including triggers for rate reductions and changes to budgeting practices. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota opposed the proposal, warning that embedding budget and tax rules in the Constitution would reduce legislative flexibility, weaken public investment, shift costs to local governments, and make it harder to respond to recessions or emergencies.
Members raised questions about how the formula would work, who would qualify for refunds, whether corporations with property tax liability could benefit, and how the proposal would handle forecast-based calculations and unexpected events such as pandemics or federal policy changes. House research and committee staff clarified that the bill would need to go to Ways and Means and then Rules to satisfy House requirements for constitutional amendments, and that a fiscal note had been requested and was in process. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion of the transcript provided, but the motion before it was to recommend passage and send House File 4 to Ways and Means.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This is my first term on this committee, second term overall in the House.
- This is my first term on this committee, second term overall in the House.
- I represent Blaine, Ham Lake, and Columbus in the Minnesota House.
- I'm Solve Beckle, House fiscal staff.
- WRA uh hello everyone solve Beckle House WRA uh hello everyone solve Beckle House fiscal<00:15:08.399
Summary:
The Minnesota House Commerce Committee held its inaugural meeting with Chair Tim O’Driscoll and co-chair Representative Greg Davids opening the session and inviting members to introduce themselves. Members briefly described their districts, business backgrounds, and priorities, with recurring themes including small business competitiveness, insurance and health care access, property and real estate issues, agriculture, and making Minnesota easier to do business in. Committee staff also introduced themselves and reminded members and testifiers about sign-in procedures and microphone use.
The committee then heard an overview from Eric Toell, interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management, on the agency’s work and budget priorities. He said the office now oversees adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis, and hemp-derived cannabinoid products, has grown from about nine employees to 90 full-time staff plus temporary workers, and has been working with a Cannabis Advisory Council on testing, warning labels, and implementation issues. He also described outreach efforts, including webinars, newsletters, guidebooks for local governments, and office hours for applicants, along with enforcement of hemp-derived product rules through more than 3,000 inspections and an increase in compliance rates from about 35% to 75%.
Toell also reported that the medical cannabis program has surpassed 51,000 patients and nearly 2,500 registered health care providers, and that a chronic pain report found more than a third of patients reported decreased pain. On the adult-use side, he said the office has posted proposed rules for public comment, plans to adopt them after review, and will open a licensing window from February 18 to March 14. He explained that the office is also managing community reinvestment grants and a technical assistance grant, with an emphasis on safeguards to ensure funds reach intended recipients. No votes were taken during this meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This report was released in June of 2024 but has not yet been heard in either the House Education Policy
- Committee or the House Finance Committee.
- <00:01:09.720>
education <00:01:10.400>policy in either the house education policy - in either the house education policy committee<00:01:11.200>
or <00:01:11.400>the <00:01 - :11.560>
house <00:01:12.040>finance <00:01:12.560>committee committee or the house
Summary:
The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings.
The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies.
Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Sullivan with the House Research Department.
- I'm trying to figure out who they are. voted the house for four years now uh voted the house for four
- Chair Nash moves that House File 3 be...
- So I respectfully urge you to support House File 3.
- Next on the agenda, we have House File 2.
Summary:
The committee met on February 11 and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal and district facts. Chair Jim Nash then outlined the committee’s goals for the session, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, the need to address a looming structural deficit, and the committee’s role in moving legislation forward. The committee also reviewed its rules for the year.
The main item was House File 3, authored by Chair Nash and referred to Ways and Means. The bill would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report tracking whether agencies have implemented prior audit and evaluation recommendations, with the goal of improving internal controls, transparency, and accountability and helping legislators make funding decisions. Nash described the bill as a preventative measure to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, and said it was modeled in part on practices used in Colorado. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the office already produces similar update reports but lacks resources to independently verify many agency responses; she said the bill would provide a framework for more regular reporting and discussion, not a “shame tool.”
Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the bill would increase accountability and transparency for how public agencies manage taxpayer resources. A letter from the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits was also noted in support. Representative Clardy offered the A7 amendment to add an appropriation matching the fiscal note; Nash accepted it, saying savings could be found later in the process. The committee approved the A7 amendment by voice vote. During discussion, Representative Quam supported the bill’s focus on accountability, and Representative Freiberg questioned the Legislative Auditor about the office’s expertise on a specific ambulance-services recommendation in the report. Randall responded that the office’s staff are policy research generalists who use standards, best practices, interviews, surveys, and site visits to develop recommendations, and that the goal is to prompt further discussion rather than require blind acceptance. The transcript ends during that exchange, with no final committee vote on House File 3 shown.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- third uh round on capital house third uh round on capital investment<00:09:48.760>
and <00:09: - We house a large number of our staff at that location, but we're completely out of space.
- <00:14:08.199>
a <00:14:08.360>large on Marland Avenue we house a large on Marland - to reuse some of those buildings that may be empty in the future, we can bond for housing as well.
- that may be empty in the future, they can bond for housing as well.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal facts. Chair Franson then announced that the committee would hear the governor’s bonding request for state agencies, starting with the Department of Public Safety. Commissioner Bob Jacobson, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, and State Patrol Colonel Christina Boich were introduced as the presenters.
The Department of Public Safety focused on three capital projects: a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory, an expansion of the BCA regional office and laboratory in northern Minnesota, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters funded with trunk highway cash. Evans said the BCA’s St. Paul headquarters is severely overcrowded and that demand has grown because of sexual assault kit testing, digital evidence work, drug evidence, and a sharp rise in cybercrime and child exploitation cases. He said the regional facilities would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for testimony and evidence drop-off, expand training access for local law enforcement, and allow the BCA to serve southern and northern Minnesota more efficiently.
Members questioned the high cost of the projects, including Representative Skraba’s concern about the per-square-foot cost. Evans responded that the facilities are expensive because they are specialized laboratories, not office buildings, and must include costly equipment, HVAC systems, redundant power, and other lab-specific features; he said retrofitting existing buildings would cost about the same as new construction. He also said the Southern Minnesota project had increased from about $48 million to $68.1 million due to final design changes, larger space needs, and rising construction costs. Representative Sexton asked about training availability, and Evans said the new facility would include a classroom for 40 to 60 students and could be used by other agencies at low or no cost. Representative Hansen asked about regional training centers, and Evans said the BCA uses them for specialized training but still needs this classroom-based regional space. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I call this meeting of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee to order.
- If you have stable housing, accessible housing, affordable housing, um, we have thriving communities.
- affordable housing um accessible housing affordable housing um we<00:55:01.799>
have <00:55:01.960 - need in this housing.
- housing.
Summary:
The committee met for an agency overview from Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. After member and staff introductions, Ho described Minnesota Housing’s mission, structure, and role as a mission-driven financial institution that issues bonds, uses earnings to support operations, and works across the housing continuum from homelessness prevention to homeownership and preservation. She emphasized that the agency is not a builder or regulator, but funds and partners with developers, local governments, nonprofits, and lenders. She also noted the agency’s four divisions, including a new local government housing programs division created after the 2023 legislative session expanded the agency’s responsibilities.
Ho reviewed funding and program activity, saying Minnesota Housing spent $1.96 billion in fiscal year 2024 and helped more than 73,000 households. She highlighted that the agency’s work is heavily competitive and often oversubscribed, with many projects selected through RFPs and grants but more applications than available resources. She discussed 2023 and 2024 investments, including homeownership, rental, and manufactured housing projects, and said roughly half of competitive dollars have gone to Greater Minnesota over the last several years. She also explained the difference between funds committed and funds actually disbursed, noting that construction and rehabilitation projects can take many months to close and draw down funds.
The commissioner also updated members on new programs created in 2023 and 2024, including first-generation down payment assistance, the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program, public housing rehabilitation, state housing tax credits, and other local and regional initiatives. She said some programs are already closed out, while others remain in early implementation or are still accepting applications. Ho mentioned a forthcoming technical amendment to adjust a high-rise sprinkler program after eligibility issues limited participation. She closed with examples of projects preserved or funded, including a St. Louis Park preservation deal, public housing preservation in Greater Minnesota, a St. Cloud challenge project, and the first-generation down payment assistance program, which distributed $50 million to about 1,450 first-time buyers, most of whom were Black, Indigenous, or people of color. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Ashley Ang, House Fiscal Analyst from the nonpartisan House Fiscal Analysis Department.
- Ashley Ang, House Fiscal Analyst from the nonpartisan House Fiscal Analysis Department.
- Ashley Ang, House Fiscal Analyst from the nonpartisan House Fiscal Analysis Department.
- Ashley Ang, House Fiscal Analyst from the nonpartisan House Fiscal Analysis Department.
- Ashley Ang, House Fiscal Analyst from the nonpartisan House Fiscal Analysis Department.
Summary:
The committee held an introductory organizational meeting for the newly named Workforce and Economic Development Committee, with Chair Dave Baker noting a quorum and that no votes or formal actions were scheduled. Members and staff introduced themselves and described their districts, backgrounds, and priorities. Several members emphasized worker protections, labor experience, small business concerns, rural economic issues, and the importance of balancing employer and employee interests. Others highlighted education-to-workforce pathways, affordability, support for seniors, and opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities.
Chair Baker said he wants the committee to find a balance between protecting labor and ensuring a strong employment base, fair rules, and fair taxes, while also acknowledging concerns about recent policy trends and the need to get proposals right before they leave the committee. Members from both parties echoed themes of collaboration and economic opportunity, though some Republicans criticized past rules and regulations as burdensome on small businesses. The committee also welcomed nonpartisan staff and DFL/GOP staff, including the committee administrator, legislative assistant, House Research, and fiscal analysis staff.
The committee then received an overview from DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek and deputy commissioners. Varilek described DEED’s mission as empowering growth of the Minnesota economy for everyone, increasing prosperity and extending it broadly, and coordinating with other agencies such as Labor and Industry to avoid duplication and use taxpayer dollars efficiently. He said DEED focuses on business attraction, retention, and expansion, workforce development, and helping Minnesotans—including people with disabilities—prepare for jobs and independent living. A deputy commissioner began outlining the economic development division’s structure and operations, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation was completed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/11/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- research Department I'm one of the house research Department I'm one of the three<00:01:17.240>
house - table we have a Nathan Hopkins um house table we have a Nathan Hopkins um house research<00:03:02.920
- All civil law, housing, and okay, perfect.
- <00:47:00.119>
research wondering if someone if house research wondering if someone if house - <00:57:46.240>
senate of all three branches um house senate of all three branches um house
Summary:
The Judiciary and Civil Law Committee met to hear an informational presentation from the Board of Judicial Standards. After brief member and staff introductions and a review of committee rules, the board’s executive secretary, Sarah Bas, and Mary Pat Maher explained the board’s history, mission, and operations. They described the board as an independent state agency that handles complaints about judicial misconduct and disability, issues advisory opinions, and educates judges on ethics. The presentation covered the board’s composition, complaint intake and screening process, and the levels of discipline available, ranging from summary dismissal and letters of caution to private admonitions, deferred disposition agreements, public reprimands, and formal complaints that can lead to Supreme Court review.
Members asked about the board’s budget, public access to discipline records, confidentiality of complaints, and how the board balances accountability with protecting public confidence in the judiciary. The board said public discipline is posted on its website, while private admonitions, deferred dispositions, dismissals, and letters of caution remain confidential. It also said judges generally are told who complained so they can respond, though the board can withhold the source for good cause. Questions also focused on whether attorneys are underreporting misconduct, how many complaints are nuisance complaints, and whether the online complaint system changed the types of complaints received; the board said nuisance complaints make up more than half, the complaint types have not changed much, and it does not have data comparing complaint sources to outcomes. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/10/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm calling the Minnesota House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee to order, and
- I represent House District 45B, which is Minnetonka, Wayzata, Deephaven, Shorewood, and Woodland.
- <00:57:42.960>
district Residency challenge in house district Residency challenge in house - <00:57:45.720>
district 40b and the contest in house district 40b and the contest in house - <01:30:00.199>
the the number of days to resolution the the number of days to resolution the
Summary:
The Minnesota House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met to begin its session with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview from Secretary of State Steve Simon and elections director Paul Linnell on the state’s elections administration and budget needs. Simon said the office’s committee-jurisdiction budget request was for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) election security grant match: Minnesota received about $1 million in federal funds in 2024 and needs a $200,000 state match to unlock the money for election security navigator work. He also previewed the office’s broader presentation on the 2024 election, outreach efforts, and election security.
Simon described the 2024 election cycle as successful, saying his administrative goals were high turnout and low drama. He reported that Minnesota had very high turnout in the November election, with more than 3.27 million ballots cast and about 76.4% turnout, and noted that more than 1.3 million voters cast ballots before Election Day. He also highlighted outreach and accessibility efforts, including the Students Voting Program, Youth Day at the Capitol, National Voter Registration Day activities, expanded online voter tools in additional languages, and work to inform eligible Minnesotans about the Restore the Vote law for people leaving prison. He emphasized that elections are a team effort carried out largely by counties, cities, townships, and election judges.
Linnell then explained the state’s election administration structure and responsibilities, including the Statewide Voter Registration System, candidate filing and election reporting systems, voting equipment certification, and post-election performance reviews. He said counties are central to voter registration updates and ballot preparation, and noted that in 2024 there were a handful of counties with ballot errors that required court action, with a vendor process change identified as a contributing factor. Committee members asked for more detail on the number and identity of the affected counties. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Robert Bierman says he is the DFL lead on this House fiscal committee.
- Representative Mary Franson says she represents House District 12B, portions of Douglas, Otter Tail,
- <00:02:42.879>
fiscal <00:02:43.879>Jonathan <00:02:44.360>cter Harney House - fiscal Jonathan cter Harney House fiscal Jonathan cter committee<00:02:45.239>
administrator < - research Annie house research Annie house research<00:04:32.880>
I'm <00:04:33.039>Elizabeth
Summary:
The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities.
Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years.
MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House agriculture committee hears testimony on sustainable aviation fuel 2/10/25
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota.
Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector.
Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity.
Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- [Music] The House will come to order. Prayer by the chaplain.
- Chaplain: Madam Speaker, members of the House, good afternoon.
- The chief clerk will report the House files and give them their first reading: House Files 26 through
- 39.160>
through 283 first reading house files 26 through 283 first reading house files 26 through - Senate motions and resolutions.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved the previous day’s journal without objection. The clerk reported a large batch of newly introduced House files, numbered 26 through 308, for first reading. The chamber also received messages from the Senate announcing its organization and the election of Bobby Joe Champion as President of the Senate.
The main substantive action was a motion by Representative Gilman to recall House File 22 from the Education Policy Committee and re-refer it to Children and Families Finance and Policy, with the bill described as relating to families and creating a Parents’ Bill of Rights before returning to Education Policy. The motion was adopted. No further debate on the bill occurred in this meeting.
During announcements, Representatives Skraba and Johnson invited members to a St. Louis County delegation reception on February 12 in St. Paul, highlighting regional projects, businesses, nonprofits, government, and labor unions. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2025, and subsequently adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 2/10/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I call the February 10th, 2025, meeting of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee
- Staff, we look forward to hearing about your role in the House.
- Staff, we look forward to hearing about your role in the House. I'll start with you, Lead Pinto.
- district 10B which I represent house district 10B which includes<00:04:17.759>
a <00:04:17.880 - Ben Johnson: Madam Chair, I'm Ben Johnson with House Research Department.
Summary:
The committee held its first meeting on February 10, 2025, with member and staff introductions and opening remarks from Chair Kristin Robbins about the committee’s bipartisan mission to address state fraud and improve oversight of executive branch spending. Robbins said the committee would focus on both legislation and informational oversight hearings, likely in coordination with standing policy committees, and emphasized concerns about reported fraud in state government and the need to prevent waste before it occurs. Members from both parties generally expressed support for the committee’s work and interest in learning more about the issues.
The sole agenda item was a presentation from the Legislative Auditor on the 2023 report, “Oversight of State-Funded Grants to Nonprofit Organizations.” Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Deputy Legislative Auditor Jodi Munson Rodriguez explained that the report reviewed how comprehensive Minnesota’s grants management policies are and how well agencies follow them. They said the policies cover the grant lifecycle but often lack detail, and the office found widespread noncompliance in recent years. The presentation included examples such as limited standards for progress reports, flexible monitoring requirements, and no required timeline for closeout reviews. The auditors also noted that state agencies spent an average of about $514 million annually on nonprofit grants from fiscal years 2018 through 2022, with about 2,400 nonprofit organizations receiving grants.
The auditors said several factors contribute to compliance problems, including inconsistent funding for grants management, limited training, and uneven use of electronic grants systems. They also noted that statutes gave little authority to enforce compliance. Since the report was released, the Department of Administration has taken some steps, including changes to pre-award financial review policies and a timeline for closeout reviews, but the auditors said other recommendations remain only partially implemented. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on at this meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The hour 1:00 is here, and I will call the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee meeting to
- I represent House District 27B, which is the areas of Princeton, Zimmerman, and St. Francis.
- I'm the House research analyst, and my favorite food is chocolate chip banana bread.
- I'm Tim Walker with the nonpartisan House Public Information Service. My name is Ken Saber.
- I'm Tim Walker with the nonpartisan House Public Information Service.
Summary:
The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee held an introductory meeting that began with housekeeping, a correction to the committee rules (the room number should be G3, not G35), and member and staff introductions. Members described their districts, agricultural ties, and priorities for the session, including consumer food costs, urban agriculture, farm economics, livestock disease preparedness, and support for Minnesota’s agricultural sectors. No votes were taken during the introductory portion.
The committee then turned to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Deputy Commissioner Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because of its potential for agriculture, forestry, and clean energy, and reviewed Minnesota’s 2023 SAF tax credit and related sales tax exemption. She said the state has feedstocks and should continue investing so Minnesota can attract SAF production and support rural jobs. Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines testified that aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s main path to net zero by 2050; he cited current use of SAF, the need to scale production, and Minnesota’s role in supplying feedstocks and hosting future production.
Peter Frost of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building the full SAF value chain in Minnesota. He emphasized that Greater MSP is coordinating investors and partners to grow the regional economy and said the SAF effort is intended to create jobs and economic development. Committee members did not ask questions during the portion captured, and no formal action or vote was recorded on the SAF presentations in this transcript excerpt.