Video & Transcript Research : 'House Resolution 254'
Page 126 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House DFL Media Availability 1/27/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- they would need to pass off the house they would need to pass off the house floor<00:02:28.400><
- committee equal numbers of house committee equal numbers of house Democrats<00:02:42.080>
and - <00:02:42.239>
House Democrats and House Democrats and House Republicans<00:02:44.040> - to have um dispute resolution got to have um dispute resolution figured<00:12:23.880>
out <00: - I think Secretary Joan Groh convened the House three or four times before the House members were able
Summary:
On January 27, 2025, Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman and Representative D. Dibble said they had resumed negotiations after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a quorum in the House is 68. They said the ruling brought Republicans back to the table and clarified that actions taken by Republicans between January 14 and January 24 had no legal effect because the House was not validly organized. Both said they had spent several hours over the weekend and that talks were making gradual progress, though no final agreement had been reached.
The main issue remained power-sharing in a tied House. Hortman said the DFL wants Republicans to run the chamber only until the House returns to a 67-67 tie, at which point the parties would implement the previously negotiated shared-governance agreement with co-chairs, equal committee membership, and a co-speaker. She said Republicans instead want to continue operating as if they had a majority. Hortman also said the DFL was looking for ways to make the interim Republican-majority period meaningful, including possible permanent committee arrangements, while still preserving the principle of shared power once the tie is restored.
A second major topic was the GOP effort to remove Representative Brad Tabke. Hortman and Dibble said Tabke had won his seat three times—on Election Day, in a recount, and in court—and argued that removing him would be an undemocratic precedent. They also said the Supreme Court’s ruling confirmed that Secretary of State Steve Simon was properly presiding over the House under the quorum rules. In response to questions about pay for absent members, Hortman said legislative pay is set by the Constitution and statute and that no action without a quorum could change it. They said they had exchanged roughly 10 written offers since January 13 and hoped to reach an agreement soon, possibly by the end of the week.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Republican Media Availability 1/27/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, as you can tell from the House of Representatives today, a quorum was not found.
- He is regarded right now as a member of the House. He has a seat. He has a button.
- He is regarded right now as a member of the House. He has a seat. He has a button.
- He is regarded right now as a member of the House. He has a seat. He has a button.
- <00:07:06.400>
of contentiousness here in the House of contentiousness here in the House of
Summary:
House Republican leaders held a press availability focused on the ongoing Minnesota House stalemate caused by the absence of Democratic members, which left the chamber without a quorum. Speaker Lisa Demuth and Leader Harry Niska said Republicans were present and ready to work, argued that Democrats were refusing to attend session, and said the Secretary of State had not allowed motions to be taken on the floor. They also criticized Secretary of State Steve Simon for adjourning the House and for not recognizing Republican motions or members.
Niska described a proposed motion under Article 4, Section 13 of the Minnesota Constitution that would have compelled absent members to attend the next session and would have withheld their legislative salary and per diem until they returned. He said the motion was blocked and argued that the Constitution gives the House authority to compel attendance and impose penalties. The leaders repeatedly said Democrats needed to “show up for work,” and said the situation was delaying negotiations over a power-sharing agreement and other House business.
The discussion also touched on Representative Brad Tabke, whose seat has been part of the dispute. Republicans said Tabke had not appeared in the chamber and that his absence was not helping negotiations. Demuth said Republicans would return the next day at 3:30 p.m. and continue working if Democrats appeared. No votes were taken, and no motion was adopted during the availability.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The House will come to order. Prayer by the chaplain. Good afternoon. It's a privilege to be here.
- c><00:05:46.160>
not <00:05:46.680>present <00:05:47.680>the <00:05:47.840>house - role a quorum is not present the house role a quorum is not present the house is<00:05:48.160>
Summary:
The House convened with a chaplain’s prayer delivered by Pastor Ryan Brilley of Central Lutheran Church in Elk River, Minnesota. The prayer focused on wonder, attention, and noticing the “burning bushes” in everyday life, drawing on the story of Moses and quoting Abraham Heschel in asking for grace, awe, and mystery.
The presiding member then noted that January 27 was Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and asked members to observe a moment of silence in honor of those who perished in the Holocaust. Members stood for the Pledge of Allegiance afterward.
No legislation was debated or acted on. The clerk took the roll, and the House was informed that a quorum was not present. As a result, the House adjourned until 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Republican Press Conference 1/27/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm also the chair of the new Fraud and State Agency Oversight Committee in the House, and I'm here to
- that for six years, while the worst of this fraud has been going on, the House has never had a hearing
- But these are committee members and other members of the Minnesota House Republican caucus, and we are
- that for six years, while the worst of this fraud has been going on, the House has never had a hearing
- But these are committee members and other members of the Minnesota House Republican caucus, and we are
Summary:
Representative Kristin Robbins, chair of the new House Fraud and State Agency Oversight Committee, said the committee’s first public hearing was canceled and used the meeting to outline its planned work. She said the committee had invited DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead to discuss fraud during her tenure, but Harpstead declined, and the committee instead planned to hear from Bill Glan of the Center of the American Experiment about his fraud and waste tracker. Robbins framed the committee’s mission as oversight of state government fraud, citing the Feeding Our Future case and other ongoing investigations, and said the work was not partisan.
Robbins said the committee would also hold hearings on specific areas such as CCAP and medical transportation, along with other issues raised by whistleblowers. She said she had heard from at least two dozen whistleblowers in the prior week, including people from multiple state agencies and private-sector grant administrators, and described efforts to protect their confidentiality. She also said she is authoring a bill to expand whistleblower protections and that the committee is setting up a whistleblower portal.
In response to questions, Robbins said she had a private meeting scheduled with Harpstead before her departure from office and said the committee could schedule another hearing if the House is able to meet with a quorum. She said she hoped for bipartisan participation, emphasized that neither party wants taxpayer money wasted, and said the committee would continue meeting and organizing hearings as soon as possible.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House DFL Media Availability 1/24/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the number of people it takes to transact business in the Minnesota House
- It's time now for the House GOP to recognize the will of the voters of Shakopee.
- When does the stalemate begin to affect the work product of the House?
- Just the practicality of it is that when the House is tied, 67-67, the Minnesota House can't do anything
- um the Minnesota house can't do 6767 um the Minnesota house can't do anything<00:16:11.519>
unless
Summary:
Minnesota House Democrats reacted to the Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling that a quorum in the House is 68, saying the decision confirms that neither party can act alone and that Republicans and Democrats must negotiate to organize the chamber. They argued that the GOP’s actions over the prior two weeks were illegitimate once Secretary of State Steve Simon determined there was no quorum, and said all committee activity and the election of a presiding officer during that period were not valid.
A major focus was the status of Rep. Brad Tabke’s seat in Shakopee. Democrats said Republicans were trying to use a temporary one-seat advantage to oust Tabke despite his election win, recount victory, and court ruling, which they said found it mathematically impossible that he lost. They said they would not return to the Capitol unless Republicans agreed not to remove him and to respect the voters’ will.
Democrats said they were still open to a negotiated power-sharing deal and emphasized that such agreements should be in writing. They described their current offer as allowing Republicans to run the chamber while they hold a one-seat advantage, with committee members from the DFL not voting, and then moving to full power sharing if the House returns to a tie. They said the special election timeline was not changed by the court ruling and that the governor could still issue the writ on February 5, with the session having begun on January 14.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Vice Chair Burkel will take the chair's seat while I present House File 8.
- Vice Chair Burkel will take the chair's seat while I present House File 8. that exact number because
- I would move that House File 8 be recommended to be re-referred to the Labor and Workforce Development
- First, I guess I would like to start the discussion around House File 8 with a little bit of personal
- <00:55:24.400>
file <00:55:24.680>8 motion correct correct for house file 8 motion
Summary:
The committee approved the January 21, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Chamber Foundation on its report about Minnesota’s environmental permitting system. The presenters said the report was based on research by Barr Engineering and the Policy Navigation Group and argued that permitting delays can discourage investment and make Minnesota less competitive for manufacturing, mining, energy, clean tech, and other industrial projects. They highlighted that Tier 1 permits are generally issued quickly, but Tier 2 air and water permits often take much longer than the state’s 150-day goal, with some median timelines ranging from 419 to 771 days for Tier 2 air permits and similar delays for industrial water permits. The report also said Minnesota’s permit timelines were longer than peer states and estimated that reducing delays could increase annual output by $260 million to $910 million and support 960 to 3,400 additional full-time-equivalent jobs per year.
Committee members asked about which businesses fall under Tier 2 permits, the economic impact of permitting delays, and whether the Chamber had discussed the report with the governor or MPCA. The presenters said Tier 2 permits typically involve higher-emitting facilities such as manufacturing, utilities, mining, and other industrial operations, and that the economic estimates were based on modeling rather than exact lost-job counts. They also noted that the governor had been briefed and that MPCA had been invited to the hearing but did not attend.
The committee then took up House File 8, which Chair Heintzeman said is intended to improve permitting efficiency while maintaining environmental standards. He described provisions that would reduce the number of 60-day wetland application extensions, require MPCA to issue permitting efficiency reports twice a year, break out data on missed timelines by municipal versus industrial applicants, treat failure to meet the 150-day Tier 2 deadline as a final action subject to judicial review, and require quicker notice when applications are incomplete. He also outlined sections that would allow separate construction and operating permits, expand expedited permitting, and change environmental assessment worksheet petition rules. The bill was moved to be re-referred to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, and the discussion began, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the bill is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 1/23/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- I will call the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee to order.
- When we were in the courts, we were housed.
- When we were in the courts, we were housed.
- When we were in the courts, we were housed.
- When we were in the courts, we were housed.
Summary:
The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the January 21 minutes and then reviewed committee rules, emphasizing deadlines for handouts, testimony notices, and substantive amendments, along with a warning that disruptive signs, noise, or demonstrations could lead to removal from the hearing room. The chair said the rules would be shared with the full House and noted the committee would operate with quorum and not tolerate chaos.
The committee then heard a presentation from Tammy Baker Olson, the state program administrator for the Guardian ad Litem Board, on the program’s structure and budget request. She explained that guardians ad litem are independent voices for children’s best interests in child protection and family court cases, not attorneys or direct service providers. She said the program operates statewide, with 243 employees, and in 2024 advocated for more than 12,000 children, attended over 30,000 court proceedings, and filed reports in over 16,000 hearings. She also described specialized Family Court and Indian Child Welfare divisions, efforts to address racial disparities, and training requirements for guardians.
Members asked about mileage and travel demands, the distinction between a child’s attorney and a guardian ad litem, caseloads, re-entry outcomes, the move from contractor/volunteer models to employee-based staffing, and the role of volunteers. Olson said most guardians use personal vehicles and mileage reimbursement, average caseloads are about 24, and the program has not seen a statewide increase in cases but does face staffing vacancies and turnover in some areas. She said the board believes the employee model improved advocacy and supervision, while the program is rebuilding a modest volunteer pool. She also said the program supports Indian Family Preservation Act-related work and has a formal process for handling conflicts of interest, which should be raised immediately to a supervisor rather than waiting for a complaint process.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like to move House File 2 before the committee.
- I believe that House File 2 addresses these issues.
- All right, and with that, House File 3 will be laid over for future date.
- All right, and with that, House File 3 will be laid over for future date.
- for the notes house file two I had house for the notes house file two I had house file<00:15:26.279
Summary:
The House State Government Finance and Policy Committee met on January 23, 2025, approved the minutes from January 21, and took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as requiring state agencies to report suspected fraud to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts online, conduct unannounced site visits for grant recipients, require reporting of grant violations, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related crimes. No testifiers were present.
Committee members asked about how the reporting requirements would work, whether the bill should reference inspectors general or other law enforcement channels, and whether whistleblower protections would cover employees making reports. Representative Joy suggested the bill should halt funding immediately when fraud is reported, while Representative Ston raised the possibility of including contract employees. The committee administrator said the general whistleblower statute likely applies, but would follow up if needed.
Representative Anderson noted that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent and asked about any outreach; Representative Davis said he was surprised and had not been contacted directly. The chair said the bill would be laid over because no fiscal note was yet available, and encouraged further discussion with members and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits before the bill returns. The chair then moved on to a brief discussion of the governor’s budget proposal, noting that several agencies had declined to appear, and the meeting adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State government committee hears anti-fraud bill, HF2 1/23/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And we will be moving House File 2.
- I would like to move House File 2 before the committee. Committee, committee.
- agency must immediately notify law enforcement and the chairs and ranking minority members of the House
- of Representatives and Senate House of Representatives and Senate committees<00:02:39.959>
with - House File 2, I had House File 3 on the brand...
Summary:
The committee took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as a response to recent fraud scandals and said it would require state agencies to report suspected fraud immediately to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts and staff contacts online, require unannounced site visits to verify grant recipients and financial stability, mandate reporting of grant-process violations to supervisors, the commissioner or designee, and the legislative auditor, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related criminal offenses. He also said the bill’s concepts would apply to nonprofits through grant-making and oversight provisions.
Members asked several clarifying questions about whether reporting obligations were either/or or cumulative, whether whistleblower protections would cover those making reports, and whether contract employees should be included. One member suggested adding language for inspectors general or other appropriate law-enforcement contacts for clarity, and another raised the idea of halting funding immediately when fraud is reported; the author responded that section 10 already provides for immediate suspension upon criminal charges. Representative Joy supported the bill but suggested funding should stop during investigations, and Representative Anderson noted surprise that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent. The author said he was open to considering contract employees and additional wording.
The chair announced the bill would be laid over because a fiscal note was not yet available, stating a commitment not to move bills out of committee without one. He said members could continue refining the bill and that the committee administrator could help contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to seek more detailed concerns. The author closed by emphasizing the bill as a nonpartisan effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse in state spending.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Taxes Committee considers HF4, bill proposing constitutional amendment 1/23/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Johnson moves House File 4.
- So members, we have House File 4 with the 4A1 Amendment attached.
- So members, we have House File 4 with the 4A1 Amendment attached. Thank you, Mr.
- We thank you very much for the opportunity to testify in support of House File 4.
- I appreciate the opportunity to share our concerns with House File 4.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4, first adopting the H004A1 amendment without objection. The author described the bill as a constitutional amendment intended to create a tax relief account funded from projected budget surpluses, defined as revenues exceeding 105% of projected expenditures based on the November forecast. Supporters framed the proposal as a way to return excess taxpayer money to families, homeowners, and seniors rather than allowing the state to retain or redirect it.
Testimony in support came from Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity, who praised the bill’s clarity and argued that taxpayers are overburdened and should receive surplus funds back; she also suggested broader tax and budget reforms, including rate reductions and tighter spending limits. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project testified in opposition, saying the legislature already has authority to use surpluses for rebates or tax cuts and warning that constitutionalizing tax policy would reduce flexibility, weaken accountability, and make it harder to respond to changing conditions, emergencies, or recessions.
Members then briefly commented, with Republicans expressing support for returning money to taxpayers and citing cost-of-living pressures and fixed incomes. The committee did not hear a formal department position. At the end of the hearing, Representative Johnson renewed the motion that House File 4, as amended, be recommended to pass and sent to the Ways and Means Committee; the motion prevailed on a voice vote.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- possible bless the members of this house possible bless the members of this house with<00:00:57.160
- The chief clerk will report the House files and give them their first reading: House Files 194 through
- Motions and resolutions: there are copies of the non-controversial motions at the House desk and online
- <00:04:50.280>
94 <00:04:51.000>session house 94 session house 94 session 2025<00:04:53.000 - 309 first reading of house files through 309 first reading of house files 194<00:05:46.720>
through
Summary:
The House convened with prayer by Reverend Justin Grim of the St. Paul area and the Pledge of Allegiance, then the clerk called the roll and announced a quorum was present. The House approved the Journal of the previous day without objection and adopted the reports of standing committees and divisions.
During the order of business, the chief clerk reported House Files 194 through 309 for first reading. The House also took up non-controversial motions, which prevailed without objection. No bill debate or substantive policy testimony occurred in this segment.
In announcements, Representative Nisa moved that when the House adjourns it do so until 3:30 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2025. The motion prevailed, and the House adjourned accordingly.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 1/23/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- for the House, and then similarly on page 19, updates to the list of committees for the House to reflect
- Lastly, on page 30, House Rule 10.05 related to remote House operations has new language on lines 30.5
- 11 uh and point out a change to house 11 uh and point out a change to house rule<00:01:52.880>
- Lastly, on page 30, House Rule 10.05 related to remote House operations has new language on lines 30.5
- <00:04:14.959>
of in the Minnesota House of in the Minnesota House of Representatives<00:04
Summary:
The House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met to approve the January 15, 2025 minutes and then reviewed proposed permanent House rules for the 2025 session. House Research outlined the main changes, including eliminating the fiscal calendar and consent calendar, denying per diem reimbursement when a member is absent from a floor session, clarifying germaneness for certain statutory amendments, codifying election-challenge procedures from the temporary rules, updating the list of major finance and revenue bills, revising committee listings to match the new committee structure, and adding remote-operation rules that require the House Journal to identify members attending or voting remotely and bar per diem on those days.
The committee first adopted an A6 author’s amendment clarifying that the per diem restriction for remote participation applies only to days a member attends and votes remotely during a floor session. Representative Schultz then offered the A4 amendment, which he described as improving public access to legislators and encouraging greater public engagement with members in their offices; it was adopted after no further discussion.
After the amendments were approved, the committee adopted the permanent rules of the House as amended. The chair noted that the permanent rules would be taken up during session on Monday, January 27, 2025, and the meeting adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The Tax Committee in the House and the Senate have agreed on two different tax bases that schools use
- Those are the ag lands outside of the house, garage, and one acre, and seasonal recreational property
- /c><00:10:34.360>
in <00:10:34.600>town <00:10:35.279>but the same value as a house - in town but the same value as a house in town but for<00:10:35.600>
the <00:10:35.720>egg< - <00:21:39.520>
is the school district where their house is the school district where their
Summary:
The committee first approved the January 21st minutes by voice vote. Members then resumed a school finance overview focused on how Minnesota’s “base” budgeting system works and how future committee targets are set above or below that base by the Ways and Means chair, in consultation with fiscal staff. Staff emphasized that school funding decisions are tied to the state budget base and that changes made by the tax committee can affect school levies and school finance more broadly.
The presentation then turned to property tax fundamentals. Staff explained that roughly 65% of school district revenue comes from state aid and about 20% from property taxes, with property tax revenue applying to school districts rather than charter schools. They reviewed the two main school tax bases—referendum market value and adjusted net tax capacity—along with class rates, sales ratios, and equalization. They also described tax credits, especially the school building bond agricultural credit, which helps reduce the property tax burden on agricultural land in Greater Minnesota.
Members discussed student choice programs and how funding follows students. In response to questions from Representative Quam, staff explained postsecondary enrollment options (including direct enrollment and College in the Schools) and online learning, noting that funding generally follows the student to the serving institution or district. Staff also reviewed Minnesota’s pupil-counting system, including average daily membership and pupil weighting, and explained that students attending charter schools, other districts through open enrollment, or online programs are counted where they are served.
The presentation concluded with broader school finance context: funding sources, equity and adequacy goals, constitutional and statutory authority, and the state’s school data systems (EUP/FARS, MARS, and STARS). Staff also began reviewing long-term enrollment trends, noting the impact of the baby boom, later growth from the mid-1980s through about 2000, and projected modest declines in public school enrollment through 2029.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Summary:
The committee opened by approving the January 16 and January 21 minutes. Members then heard testimony focused on the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the proposed paid family and medical leave program on Minnesota school districts, with the chair framing the hearing as an opportunity to hear from major employers and school leaders about costs and operational effects.
Kimberly Lewis, speaking for the Minnesota School Boards Association and related school administrator groups, said districts generally already provide generous, locally negotiated sick leave and had initially adapted to ESST by separating vacation, sick time, and ESST into different buckets. She argued that a 2024 law effectively converted previously bargained sick leave into ESST, which she said undermines contracts, creates large unfunded costs, and may raise constitutional contract-clause concerns. Lewis cited large accumulated leave banks in some districts, increased sick leave use, and estimated significant costs from paid leave, including a reported $2.5 million impact for one large district. She urged flexibility such as prorating ESST for midyear hires and part-time staff and exempting coaches, short-term substitutes, and similar employees from ESST.
Superintendent Anarie Fuco of St. Michael-Albertville said her district expects about $400,000 in added fiscal 2026 costs from ESST and paid leave, plus indirect costs from substitute coverage and increased absenteeism. She said schools already have generous bargaining agreements, but the new laws reduce verification and require districts to track leave for temporary staff, creating what she described as a need for “substitutes for our substitutes.” Fuco said the district would face more than $211,000 in direct payroll costs from paid leave alone and asked for flexibility or exceptions for districts already offering comparable benefits. Members asked follow-up questions about how substitute teachers accrue leave and how many districts may be cutting budgets; Lewis and Fuco said many districts are making cuts and that substitute and staffing burdens are growing. A third testifier began by Zoom, but the transcript cuts off before her full testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- that the governor is still asking the commissioners to not participate in the legislative work of the House
- of Representatives so we will the House of Representatives so we will duly<00:00:58.559>
note - We only guarantee housing for freshmen at the University of Minnesota, and we have less student housing
- Students have to find their housing in the area surrounding the university.
- students live we only guarantee housing students live we only guarantee housing for<00:51:58.559
Summary:
The committee approved the January 21 minutes and then heard an overview from the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement on its community engagement awards program. Amber Cameron explained that the office supports partnerships across the university’s campuses and that nominations for the Outstanding Community Service Awards were evaluated by faculty and staff selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall application quality. She said the community partner award was based only on the nomination materials and described the award process, including that nominations could come from individuals, grassroots groups, or organizations and that the award carried a $5,000 prize.
The main discussion focused on the 2024 community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality. Cameron said the nomination documented a long-standing relationship with the university through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning, including work in 130 course offerings over 24 years across 17 academic departments and participation by about 1,000 students. She cited examples from the nomination such as student research and policy work that contributed to Travis’s Law. Committee members questioned the organization’s age, its letterhead and public activism, the meaning of its relationship with the university, and whether the work was appropriate for an award. Cameron responded that the award did not require formal tax status and that her office facilitated the process rather than judging the organization’s broader views.
Members also asked for additional information on the vetting process, the courses involved, the award funding source, the ceremony, and related materials. Cameron said the awards were funded through OMN funding, that the program was being sunset and replaced with a new internal engaged-scholar awards structure, and that she would follow up on requests for documents, speaking notes, and other details. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the committee moved on after the testimony and questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House higher education panel questions U of M representatives about award 1/23/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- before we get into the testimony, because of some disturbances we've had here in committee, um, in the House
- Street Southeast, from the 35W exit to Huntington Bank Stadium, where many of their fraternity chapter houses
- <00:32:12.559>
are our fraternity chapter houses are our fraternity chapter houses are located - We only guarantee housing for freshmen at the University of Minnesota, and we have less student housing
- Students have to find their housing in the area surrounding the university, and those areas are not safe
Summary:
The committee heard testimony from Amber Cameron of the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement about the University’s Outstanding Community Service Awards and, specifically, the community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality in 2021 and 2024. Cameron explained that the awards program recognizes faculty, staff, students, and community partners, that nominations are reviewed by University selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall impression, and that the committee evaluates only the application materials. She said the nomination for Communities United Against Police Brutality described a long-standing partnership with the University through student learning, including work through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning and a student white paper connected to the passage of Travis’s Law.
Committee members raised concerns about the organization’s history, its public messaging, and whether it was appropriate for the University to honor it. One member argued that the group’s IRS records showed it was formally organized in 2020, questioned claims that it had existed for 25 years, and objected to the organization’s letterhead and activism. Cameron responded that the award does not require formal tax status and that the selection process relies on the nomination packet rather than outside information. She also said the award nomination documented work with 130 course offerings across 17 academic departments and about 1,000 students over 24 years.
Cameron further said the award program was being phased out and retooled into a new internal Engaged Scholar Awards program focused on community-engaged scholarship rather than volunteer service. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the discussion ended with questions about the nomination materials and how the University defines the organization’s work with students and faculty.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I call the meeting of the House Capital Investment Committee to order on Thursday, January 23rd.
- Today we have a very exciting day in the House Capital Investment Committee.
- some additional accountability that maybe would be harder to have if those responsibilities were housed
- within a grante te or a a were housed within a grante te or a a contracte<00:32:23.039>
I <00: - allocated 5 million but as we the house allocated 5 million but as we all<01:32:44.880>
know <
Summary:
The House Capital Investment Committee met on January 23 and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The main presentation was from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of Minnesota’s Sustainable Building guidelines, also referred to as B3. The auditors said the guidelines apply to certain new buildings and major renovations funded with general obligation bonds and are intended to improve energy efficiency, occupant health, and environmental quality. They described the program as involving the Departments of Administration and Commerce, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research, and project teams, but found widespread confusion over who is responsible for administering and enforcing the program.
The auditors reported that oversight and accountability are limited, compliance is not clearly tracked, and there is no agency assigned to ensure projects follow the guidelines or to require compliance data. They said many projects in a review of 2020 bonding projects had not begun tracking compliance, and that up-to-date data were often missing. They also found the law’s stated program objectives are outdated because the referenced energy-code provision was repealed in 2009, and that measurable goals have not been established for most of the guideline categories. The office recommended that the legislature designate a responsible agency, clarify duties in statute, require compliance monitoring and data collection, update the program’s stated goals, and direct systematic evaluation of cost and sustainability outcomes.
Members asked about consequences for noncompliance, funding, and whether cost impacts should be studied first. The auditor said the requirements are legal obligations, but no real enforcement consequences have been used so far, and any consequences discussed have been mostly theoretical. She said the Departments of Administration and Commerce were receiving about $1 million combined to support the contract with the Center for Sustainable Building Research, while other state agencies were not receiving dedicated funding for oversight. In response to questions about costs, she said the overall effect of the guidelines on project costs and sustainability is still unknown, but that the legislature could direct an analysis of cost impacts before taking further action.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We have House Fiscal today, and there's a lot of information in your packets from House Fiscal.
- Both Katrina and I are from the House Fiscal Analysis Department, and like House Research, our department
- Both Katrina and I are from the House Fiscal Analysis Department, and like House Research, our department
- targets by House rule.
- research<01:27:59.280>
are both House fiscal and house research are both House fiscal and
Summary:
The House Tax Committee met to receive a presentation from House Fiscal staff Cynthia Templin and Katrina Heimark on state tax revenues, property tax aids and credits, and key budget terms and timelines. They explained the difference between fiscal years, tax years, biennia, the general fund, and dedicated funds, and reviewed the legislative budget calendar, including the governor’s January budget recommendation, the February forecast update, March budget resolution deadlines, and the expected end of session in May.
The presentation focused on how Minnesota tax revenue is collected and where it goes. House Fiscal said fiscal 2024 total revenue for public services was about $102.5 billion, with $46.5 billion coming from state and local taxes. Of total state tax revenue, about 85% goes to the general fund and about 15% is dedicated to other funds. They noted that income and sales taxes make up the largest share of state collections, while local property taxes are the largest share of local revenue. They also reviewed constitutional and statutory dedications, including the Legacy sales tax dedication, the motor vehicle sales tax dedication to transportation, and the auto parts sales tax dedication that was changed in 2023 to a 100% transportation dedication phased in over 10 years.
Members asked several questions about slowing income tax growth, possible effects of migration and corporate departures, and whether changes in population or wages were affecting revenue trends. Templin said she was not aware of recent independent or MMB studies tying revenue loss to migration, but would look into it. Members also discussed the sharp rise in tax receipts in fiscal 2021 and 2022 after the pandemic downturn, with staff explaining that the low fiscal 2020 base and a shift toward goods purchases during COVID helped drive the increase, especially in sales tax revenue. No bills were taken up and no votes were recorded during this portion of the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- [Music] I will call the House Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy to order, and the committee
- ><00:52:58.599>
structure <00:52:59.559>in <00:52:59.680>the <00:52:59.880>house - structure in the house and I just<00:53:00.559>
want <00:53:00.799>to <00:53:01.440> - > the<00:53:24.040>
way <00:53:24.200>I <00:53:24.280>see caucuses in the house - but the way I see caucuses in the house but the way I see it<00:53:24.640>
is <00:53:24.760>
Summary:
The House Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy met to approve prior minutes and then take public testimony on the governor’s budget recommendations for human services. The chair explained the hearing format and noted that DHS declined to testify. Much of the testimony focused on proposed reductions or caps affecting disability waiver services, nursing homes, and elderly waiver programs, as well as related fee and tax changes in the budget.
Representatives of ARM argued that the governor’s proposal would cap inflationary adjustments at 2%, limit rate exceptions, cap billable days, and restrict individualized home supports, which they said would worsen workforce shortages, reduce wages for direct support professionals, and destabilize disability services. They said the package would cut about $600 million over four years and could lead to group home closures, higher turnover, and families losing access to local homes and services. Committee members asked about real-world impacts and future rate adjustments, and ARM responded that providers have already planned around expected 2026 rates, so a cap would create immediate budget and staffing problems.
Long-Term Care Imperative testified against nursing home-related cuts, saying the budget would cap future rate increases, limit health insurance costs in rate setting, phase out closure-related agreements and incentives, and fail to fully fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. They estimated the nursing home provisions could amount to a $218 million cut over four years, or roughly $350 million when combined with other underfunding, and said every nursing home and bed in Minnesota would be affected. They also criticized the lack of an inflation factor in Elderly Waiver, a proposed 54% increase in assisted living fees, and possible changes to provider-assessed fine and penalty funds. Members asked about staffing and bed availability, and the testifiers said reduced funding would likely force more beds out of service.
A later testifier, Dan Andre of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, raised concerns about the DHS budget’s proposed increase in the HMO surcharge and about carving pharmacy and non-emergency medical transportation benefits out of managed care. He argued the tax increase would raise premiums for fully insured and Medicare supplement enrollees and that managed care coordination helps members access care and medications. The hearing also included one unrelated, disruptive testimony about the Minnesota Sex Offender Program and other agencies, which the chair redirected back to the human services budget. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House environment committee approves HF8 1/23/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I would move that House File 8 be recommended to be re-referred to the Labor and Workforce Development
- Um, first I guess I would like to start um the discussion around House File 8 with a little bit of personal
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House File 8.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of House File 8.
- file 8 as correct correct for house file 8 as amended<00:30:42.559>
um <00:30:42.799>to
Summary:
The committee heard House File 8, which was moved for referral to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee. The bill’s author described it as a permitting and environmental review reform measure intended to maintain environmental standards while making permitting more predictable and timely for businesses, municipalities, and agricultural projects. He walked through nine sections, including limiting Wetland Conservation Act extension requests, requiring the MPCA to issue permitting efficiency reports twice a year, separating municipal and industrial permit data, allowing judicial review when the MPCA misses a 150-day two-tier permit goal, requiring quicker notice of incomplete applications, allowing separate construction and operation permits, creating a business permitting ombudsman at DEED, eliminating duplicative scoping EA requirements for projects already requiring a mandatory EIS, and adding an intent statement that the bill does not relax standards.
The author and supporters emphasized that the bill is meant to reduce delays and duplication rather than weaken protections. He cited letters of support from groups including Building Trades, Mining Minnesota, pork producers, the Minnesota Biofuels Association, Apex, and the Red River Watershed, while noting that some groups opposed the bill. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Red River Watershed Management Board, and Minnesota Milk, all of whom said permitting delays and inconsistent processes add significant cost and uncertainty. They argued the bill would help farmers, watershed projects, and businesses invest and expand in Minnesota while preserving environmental standards.
Supporters also provided examples of the costs of current permitting processes, including long delays for air permits, repeated extensions, and large sums spent on environmental review before projects are halted or delayed. The Red River Watershed Management Board said its projects have spent millions on permitting and review, with some projects taking years and involving many permits from state, local, and federal agencies. Minnesota Milk said the bill and amendment would let farmers and responsible governmental units sequence applications more efficiently. No vote was taken in the portion provided beyond the motion to recommend re-referral, and the committee proceeded to public testimony.