Video & Transcript Research : 'House Resolution 72'
Page 139 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 1/22/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Summary:
The committee approved the January 16, 2024 minutes without objection. Members then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its December 2024 performance audit of the Department of Human Services’ outstanding provider debt in Minnesota’s Medicaid fee-for-service program. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall said the audit was launched after the office noticed a large accounts receivable balance during the state financial statement audit and became concerned that DHS did not understand the extent of the overpayments, had poor data, and planned to forgo recovery of some recoverable balances.
Deputy Legislative Auditor Lori Lyson explained that DHS had reported $51.7 million in provider debt across about 2,500 providers in fiscal year 2023, with testing focused on long-term care facilities and the largest balances. The audit concluded DHS did not comply with legal requirements and lacked adequate internal controls. Findings included that DHS had not attempted to recover more than $40 million since collection notices were last sent in 2015 and 2019; that the department planned to write off some balances under $1,000 and some older than six years despite the auditors’ view that at least some of that debt may still be recoverable; that DHS overstated accounts receivable in its financial reporting because it had not updated its allowance calculation since 2019; and that MMIS data were insufficient to verify balances, with 20 of 59 sampled providers not reconciling and many dates inaccurate.
In response to member questions, the auditors said the overpayments appeared to be routine program adjustments rather than fraud, but the department could not explain many of them because detailed data are only retained for about three years. They also said they did not know which specific DHS leader approved not collecting the debt, and that responsibility for recovery appeared split between program and finance staff, with each pointing to the other. The auditors recommended DHS recover the debt where possible, improve internal controls, retain better documentation, ensure accurate financial reporting, and work with the legislature if needed to clarify recovery authority.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Education policy panel hears HF6 1/22/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Peggy Bennett from District 23A: I move House File 6 before the committee with the intention
- House File 6 covers several of the education priorities of the House Republican caucus for education.
- House File 6 covers several of the education priorities of the House Republican caucus for education.
- The chair lays over House File 6 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill to be further considered at
- <00:19:34.360>
file today uh the chair lays over house file today uh the chair lays over house
Summary:
The committee heard presentation on House File 6, an education omnibus-style bill advanced by Representative Peggy Bennett and other Republican members. Bennett said the bill reflects caucus priorities around literacy, parental engagement, local control, and school flexibility. She described three articles: Article 1 on revisions to the READ Act and the science of reading; Article 2 on education innovation and parent-friendly school information; and Article 3 on funding flexibility and temporary relief from several new mandates enacted in recent biennia.
On Article 3, Bennett said school boards would be allowed to transfer certain funds and delay implementation of specified mandates through the 2028-29 school year, including provisions tied to recent early childhood and education omnibus laws as well as paid family and medical leave and earned sick and safe time. She framed this as giving districts time to implement requirements carefully and with fidelity, and said such decisions would be made by local school boards in public meetings. She also argued the bill would reduce the burden of new mandates and preserve local decision-making.
Representative Mueller then presented Article 1, saying it strengthens the state’s commitment to the science of reading, ends the Department of Education’s partnership with CAREI, repeals some 2024 requirements she said were ideological, and restores expectations for teacher preparation and assessment. Representative Bakeberg presented Article 2, which would require a more user-friendly school performance report, consolidate certain innovation-related programs into a new chapter, and replace the Department’s equity/diversity/inclusion center with an Office of Achievement and Innovation focused on academic achievement. He said the office’s guidance would be advisory only and that local districts would retain final authority. The chair then laid House File 6 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill and further consideration at a later date.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The House will come to order.
- The chief clerk will report the House files and give them their first reading: House Files 11 through
- 193 first reading house files 11 through 193 first reading house files 11 through There are 193 motions
- and resolutions.
- Representative Nisa said the resolution is an effort to get the House back in order.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a personal privilege statement from a member who spoke about the fatal shooting of his cousin, U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Chrismland, in Vermont. The member described Chrismland’s military and law enforcement service and requested a moment of silence, which the House observed. A quorum was then established, and the Journal of the previous day was approved without objection. Standing committee and division reports were also adopted without objection.
The House then received first reading of House Files 11 through 193 and took up a large set of non-controversial motions and resolutions. One resolution offered by Representative Nisa addressed the absence of the 66 DFL members from the chamber and urged the Governor to enforce the law and direct the State Patrol and Sergeant at Arms to secure the absent members so the House could continue its work. Nisa said the House needed to restore order and complete the budget. Representative McDonald supported the resolution, saying Democrats needed to return so the House could do the business of Minnesotans.
The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The House then approved a motion to adjourn until 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2025, and subsequently adjourned on that schedule.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 1/22/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- being elected to the House being elected to the House Representatives<00:01:53.280>
I <00: - I'm the House fiscal analyst for the agriculture committee this year.
- I'm the new House research analyst for agriculture.
- <00:04:39.120>
fiscal my name is Ken sa I'm the House fiscal my name is Ken sa I'm the House - uh I'm Jared Swanson also with house uh I'm Jared Swanson also with house research<00:05:28.400>
Summary:
The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met for an introductory session to begin the new legislative session. Members and staff went around the table introducing themselves and describing their agricultural backgrounds, including farming, livestock, crop production, county government, and related research or staff roles. Chair Paul Anderson emphasized agriculture’s importance to Minnesota’s budget and economy, welcomed new members and staff, and noted that the committee would have a full agenda.
The committee then heard a presentation from the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Extension, and the Forever Green initiative on the GREE program (Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer). Testimony described GREE as a state investment created in 2015 to support agricultural productivity and growth through research, education, extension, and technology transfer. Speakers highlighted its broad focus areas, including crop and livestock genetics, soil health, water quality, nutrient management, microbial science, agroecological innovation, and technology stewardship, as well as rapid-response funding for emerging issues such as waterhemp, PRRS, and avian influenza.
University witnesses said the program has brought in faculty and extension educators, generated sponsored research awards, and leveraged state funding into additional grants and contracts. They cited a reported roughly 12-to-1 return on investment and said the state has invested about $39 million since 2015. They also noted additions such as a deep winter greenhouse program and a tribal representative on the advisory group. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I've been with the House for five years, and I'm the House Republican researcher.
- Ben Johnson, I'm with the nonpartisan House Research Department.
- <00:03:53.599>
since with the house since with the house since 2011<00:03:55.439>uh <01:43:19.159>- You don't have quorum in the House.
and dispatched and sits above the house and dispatched and sits above the house
Summary:
The Public Safety Committee held its first meeting of the session, opened with a quorum present, and reviewed basic decorum expectations and committee procedures. Members and staff introduced themselves and described their districts and backgrounds. The chair said the committee would focus on protecting victims and preventing crime, and that the first presenters would be law enforcement groups as subject-matter experts.
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association testified first, warning of serious recruitment, retention, and retirement pressures in law enforcement. The group cited survey data showing most members would not recommend the profession to family, rising assaults on officers, a shortage of roughly 1,000 officers statewide, and more than 2,000 officers nearing retirement eligibility. They also urged continued funding for POST Board training reimbursements and described broader concerns about anti-police rhetoric and public policy. The presentation was interrupted by a disruptive outburst in the room, after which the committee returned to order.
The Minnesota Sheriffs Association then outlined its 2025 priorities: expanding mental health treatment beds and revisiting the 48-hour law, making the Fandino-Castile training fund permanent, updating drone/UAV statutes for missing-person searches, training, and evidence preservation, requiring permit-to-carry holders to report name changes, expanding BCA authority for sexual assault investigations on state-owned military facilities, replacing aging public safety radios in the ARMER system, and strengthening employer background-check response requirements. Members asked questions about mental health capacity, UAV uses, and officer assaults; witnesses said the state needs more beds, staff, and support for both short-term crisis stabilization and longer-term treatment. The Minnesota Police Chiefs Association closed by echoing concerns about recruitment and retention, supporting the $6 million POST training reimbursement fund, and calling for tougher penalties for fleeing police, auto theft, and violent crime. No votes or formal actions were taken."}】【。assistant to=final 天天中彩票大奖json 天天中彩票追号json ఇలా to=final 彩神争霸快三 to=final 手机天天彩票 ்ந்து result 彩票平台招商 ્યો क्ता ંડ {
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I call this meeting of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee to order.
- Research and House Fiscal.
- c> fiscal from house research and House fiscal from house research and House fiscal that<00:02:56.480
- Housing Stability.
- <00:37:16.240>
for housing or um owner occupied housing for housing or um owner occupied housing
Summary:
The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee met for an informational session with no bills taken up and no votes or formal actions. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Speno said the committee would focus on understanding housing policy and barriers to building more homes, noting Minnesota’s housing shortage and the need to support both single-family and multifamily construction.
House Research analyst Mary Davis and House Fiscal analyst Katrina Heimark gave an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s programs and funding streams. Davis outlined areas the committee may hear about, including real estate law, landlord-tenant law, manufactured home parks, housing cooperatives, zoning, property taxes, and MHFA programs. Heimark described MHFA’s five main budget areas—development and redevelopment, housing stability, homeownership assistance, preservation, and resident/organization support—and reviewed recent appropriations, emphasizing that much of the large 2024–25 funding was one-time money and that ongoing base funding is lower in 2026–27.
Members asked several questions about how prior appropriations were spent, whether unused funds return to the general fund, and whether funds can be repurposed. Heimark said transferred funds generally are not returned to the general fund if unspent, but are expected to be used for the purposes outlined in the appropriation; she also said she had requested more detailed expenditure information from the agency and would follow up. Questions also focused on who benefits from programs such as rental housing rehabilitation and the affordable rental investment fund, with the testifiers explaining that most MHFA programs are targeted to low- and moderate-income households and that income eligibility varies by program. The committee also discussed the new metro-area sales tax revenue dedicated to housing, with members requesting more detail on reporting, oversight, and allowable uses.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum but, because agency representatives did not attend, the chair said no official action would be taken and no bills would be passed at this meeting. The purpose of the session was to provide an opportunity for agencies to present an overview related to the governor’s proposed budget for Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development, but that discussion was postponed to a later date.
Most of the meeting focused on committee procedures and expectations. The chair reviewed the committee’s initial rules, emphasizing that members should speak through the chair, keep respectful order, and notify the committee administrator if they cannot attend. The chair also said the committee would try to accommodate testimony time depending on the agenda and would allow virtual participation by Zoom to ensure broader public access.
The chair explained that any proposed bill changes must be submitted by 1:00 p.m. the day before a hearing so staff can prepare amendments and share them with members. Minutes were noted as presented without a motion to approve. Near the end, members confirmed the windchill was about 37 below, and the chair announced there would be no meeting the next day, with the next meeting scheduled for Thursday. The meeting then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informational interview with Rep. Cal Warwas (R-Clinton Township) Jan 21st, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Please start by telling us a little bit about yourself and why you decided to run for a seat in the House
- I'm a 28-year miner, and I decided to run for the State House of Representatives because of the trifecta
Summary:
The transcript is an interview with Cal Warwas, a third-generation Iron Range miner and newly elected House candidate for District 7B. He said he ran because of the state’s “trifecta” and wanted to restore balance in state government. He described the Iron Range as a scenic, recreation-rich area with low crime and friendly towns, and outlined the district as a large T-shaped area stretching across much of the range and south along the Highway 53 corridor.
Warwas said voters in the district want new mining projects to move forward, lower property taxes, and a state government that listens to the Iron Range. He emphasized his family’s long mining history, noting that his grandfather worked in natural ore, his father spent more than 31 years at U.S. Steel Minntac, and he has worked in mining for about 28 years.
The interview also touched briefly on his family life; he said he and his wife have nine children and three grandchildren. No bills were discussed and no votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the transcript.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I work for the Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department.
- strm and I work for the Minnesota House strm and I work for the Minnesota House of<00:09:23.839>
- Christina perah from nonpartisan house Christina perah from nonpartisan house research<00:10:42.519
- school administrators that is housed school administrators that is housed under<01:09:47.120>
- programs um that used to be housed programs um that used to be housed within<01:11:02.600>
the
Summary:
The Education Finance Committee met on January 21, 2025, for its first hearing of the session and began with organizational business. Members and staff introduced themselves, described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair reviewed committee procedures, including how to request bill hearings, amendment deadlines, and handout deadlines. The committee also heard introductions from nonpartisan and partisan staff, including House Research and House Fiscal Analysis personnel who will support the committee’s work this session.
The main substantive item was an overview presentation on the state budget and education finance process. Staff explained how Minnesota’s general fund is forecast twice a year, how the committee should read the budget documents and aid/levy tracking sheets, and how the current biennium compares with the upcoming budget window. They described the November forecast, noted that the committee will later receive the February forecast, and outlined the committee’s role in reviewing K-12 state aid spending, school district revenue, and property tax impacts.
Staff walked through the aid appropriation summary spreadsheet and explained its columns, including end-of-session spending, fiscal year 2024-25 actuals and estimates, and the 2026-27 and 2028-29 planning horizons. They emphasized that many education programs are forecast-driven and can change with enrollment and other data. The presentation also summarized the state’s overall revenue mix and spending priorities, noting that K-12 education is the largest general fund category and that state aid makes up the majority of school revenue. No bills were heard and no votes or formal actions were taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It is made up of the Speaker of the House, the majority leader of the House, the minority leader of the
- is made up of the Speaker of the House is made up of the Speaker of the House the<00:02:02.280><
- <00:02:03.960>
the the majority leader of the House the the majority leader of the House the - <00:02:05.759>
two minority leader of the house two minority leader of the house two appointed - Support for House File 3.
Summary:
The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director.
Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff.
Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House energy panel OK's bill to lift MN's moratorium on new nuclear power plants 1/21/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair Murphy, moving House File 9 before the committee with a motion.
- they're located section four of house they're located section four of house file<00:29:39.200>
- allowing me the time to comment on house allowing me the time to comment on house file<00:42:00.800
- Affordable power is a huge part of affordable housing.
- Affordable power is a huge part of affordable housing.
Summary:
House File 9 was heard as a proposal to alter Minnesota energy policy by creating exemptions and “off-ramps” from the state’s 2023 clean energy requirements. The bill would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility, end the moratorium on new nuclear plants, delay certain carbon-free energy compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, restrict demolition of fossil fuel plants under that same benchmark, support carbon capture and sequestration, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round. The author moved the A1 amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture policy language does not create a state funding obligation; the committee took up the amendment with no discussion and proceeded to a vote, though the result was not stated in the transcript. The bill was then referred to the Committee on Taxes.
The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to improve reliability and affordability, especially during extreme cold, and said current mandates are forcing coal retirements faster than replacement generation can be built. They cited MISO and NERC reliability concerns, Xcel’s proposed rate increases, and the need for an “all-of-the-above” energy approach that includes nuclear and hydro. Supporters also said the bill would help keep energy costs down for families and businesses and would allow Minnesota to use existing generation assets longer if rate targets are not met.
Testimony from the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on reliability, affordability, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, and carbon capture. The Chamber said Minnesota’s electricity costs have become less competitive for businesses and argued that stable, affordable power is essential for economic growth and future technologies such as AI. The Minnesota Utility Investors also supported allowing new nuclear and all hydro power to be considered. In contrast, the Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable long-term waste solution, describing its long history living near the Prairie Island nuclear plant and spent fuel storage and urging continued consultation on the issue. Xcel Energy said it supports low rates and sees nuclear as one option, but emphasized that any support for lifting the moratorium depends on full participation by the Prairie Island Indian Community and that decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The House is organized.
- there okay so let's start out with house there okay so let's start out with house research<00:05
- Clay, and I are from House Research.
- I'll let our colleagues from House I'll let our colleagues from House fiscal<00:07:25.440>
sort - prepared by house prepared by house research<00:07:45.159>
there <00:07:45.520>will
Summary:
The House Tax Committee met for an organizational and orientation session. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several lawmakers noting their districts, business backgrounds, and interest in tax policy. Chair Greg Davids then opened the committee’s first substantive item: a presentation from House Research and House Fiscal staff on how the committee works and on basic tax concepts.
House Research staff Sean Williams and Chris Clayman explained their roles in drafting bills and amendments, writing bill summaries, answering legal and policy questions, and modeling tax proposals. They also described the committee’s key documents, including partisan and nonpartisan bill summaries, revenue estimates, fiscal notes, and supporting materials. Their presentation covered core tax concepts such as tax bases, rates, deductions, exemptions, credits, tax revenues, and tax expenditures, emphasizing that tax expenditures function like spending through the tax code and are reviewed by a legislative commission.
The staff then reviewed Minnesota’s major taxes, focusing on the individual income tax and business taxation. They explained that Minnesota’s individual income tax starts with federal adjusted gross income, then applies state additions, deductions, subtractions, and credits, and that the state’s income tax brackets and rates are set separately from federal law. They also outlined the difference between corporate franchise taxes for C corporations and individual income tax treatment for pass-through entities, and discussed how the federal SALT cap led Minnesota and other states to adopt pass-through entity taxes so businesses could preserve federal deductibility of state taxes. Members asked questions about a duplicate “marriage penalty” entry on a slide, the purpose of Minnesota’s marriage penalty credit, comparisons with other states, and the timing and effect of the pass-through entity tax; staff answered that the duplicate was a mistake, the credit offsets bracket-related marriage penalties, and the pass-through entity tax was adopted in response to the federal SALT cap.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I call the meeting to the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee to order.
- Um, we're going to move House File 7 before the committee.
- <00:14:03.480>
file reliable affordable and Safe House file reliable affordable and Safe House - Affordable power is a huge part of affordable housing.
- <00:53:01.280>
committee committee but in the housing committee committee but in the housing
Summary:
The House Energy Finance and Policy Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard House File 9, which was referred to the Committee on Taxes after the committee’s action. The bill was presented as an energy policy measure aimed at reliability and affordability. It would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility under the state’s energy standard, delay certain carbon-free compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, prohibit local permits to demolish fossil fuel plants under certain conditions, state support for carbon capture and sequestration without creating a state funding obligation, end the nuclear moratorium, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round starting after June 30, 2026. The committee also took up and adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture language does not obligate state spending.
The bill’s sponsor argued that Minnesota’s current energy policy is driving up costs and threatening reliability, especially during extreme cold, and said the bill would create “off-ramps” from existing mandates to protect ratepayers and businesses. He cited reliability concerns, MISO/NERC risk assessments, rising utility rates, and the need for an all-of-the-above energy approach, including hydro and nuclear. He also said the bill would reduce taxes by broadening the sales tax exemption for residential heating.
Testimony was mixed but generally focused on reliability, affordability, and the role of nuclear power. The Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on keeping power reliable and affordable, with both saying Minnesota needs dispatchable, carbon-free resources and noting concerns about high electricity costs and future demand from data centers and AI. The Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable waste solution, describing the long-term burden of spent nuclear fuel on its community and asking for more consultation. Xcel Energy said its nuclear plants have operated safely and reliably for decades, support low-cost and low-carbon power, and could be part of the state’s energy transition, but it emphasized the need for tribal participation and said decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I represent House District 10B in rural central Minnesota. I represent five counties.
- I’m Brad Heger at the nonpartisan House Fiscal Analysis Department.
- I’m Brad Heger at the nonpartisan House Fiscal Analysis Department.
- That's House File 8. This committee is going to be working very hard right out of the gate.
- just be watching for that that's house just be watching for that that's house file file file 8<00
Summary:
The committee met for an organizational hearing of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several legislators noting their backgrounds in farming, mining, water management, and outdoor recreation, and the chair reviewed draft committee rules emphasizing decorum, quorum, timely starts, and submitting bill hearing requests to the committee administrator. The committee also heard from nonpartisan staff and caucus staff who will support the committee this session.
House Research and House Fiscal staff then provided an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the major agencies and programs it oversees. The presentation covered the Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Quality Board, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Metropolitan Council regional parks and water resources, Conservation Corps of Minnesota, Minnesota Zoological Board, Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Staff summarized the main statutory chapters and subject areas under each, including wildlife, state lands, mining, water use, air and water permitting, environmental review, wetlands, drainage, and natural resources funding.
The finance portion explained the committee’s appropriation types and major funding sources, including direct, statutory, and open appropriations. Staff highlighted the general fund, bonding, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Game and Fish Fund, and the Heritage Enhancement Account, along with how those dollars are typically used for parks and trails, habitat, land acquisition, flood and drainage projects, and agency operations. Members also discussed whether DNR and BWSR responsibilities in overlapping water statutes can conflict; staff said responsibilities are generally clear in statute, though conflicts can occur and are usually resolved.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I've been with the House Republican caucus since about 2011.
- I'm Tim Stum from the nonpartisan Office of House Research.
- Tom Brennan, House GOP Research, been with the caucus off and on for about four years now.
- Members, Christina Perah from House Research. I work with Mr.
- The School Trust Lands Director is housed within the Department of Natural Resources.
Summary:
The Education Policy Committee met for its first hearing of 2025 and began with member and staff introductions, along with opening remarks from Chair Peggy Bennett about her first time chairing the committee. Members briefly described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair also reviewed committee rules and procedures, including deadlines for bill requests, amendments, testifiers, and handouts.
Nonpartisan House Research then provided an extensive overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the education code. The presentation covered the Department of Education’s duties, including supervision of public schools, rulemaking under legislative authority, state and federal education funding and compliance, standards and assessments, accountability systems, student discipline, and model policies. It also discussed related entities such as PELSB, the Board of School Administrators, the Perpich Center, regional centers of excellence, Compass, MTSS, and the READ Act. The committee asked questions about zoning for school sites and about teacher licensure changes, including the tiered licensure system and recent adjustments affecting special education teachers and standards of effective practice.
No bills were heard and no votes were taken. The meeting was primarily organizational and informational, focused on orienting members to the committee’s work and the structure of Minnesota’s education policy system.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial branch, public defender budget requests to House judiciary and civil law panel 1/21/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- mission is to provide justice through a system that assures equal access for the fair and timely resolution
Summary:
The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee heard a presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on the Minnesota judicial branch’s 2026-27 budget request. He outlined the courts’ structure and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court cases annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. Shorba emphasized the courts’ constitutional role, the fact that court fines and fees are deposited into the general fund rather than retained by the branch, and recent legislative investments that helped reduce pandemic-era backlogs, improve technology, sustain treatment courts, and raise interpreter and examiner pay.
The budget request focused on several areas: a 6% judicial salary increase to address recruitment and retention problems, including a 15% rise in turnover and a 27% drop in applicants since 2020; funding for health care and office lease cost increases; digital accessibility compliance work required by new federal ADA rules; a modernized justice partner access system for court records; higher pay for forensic psychological examiners, whose workload has risen sharply; increased juror compensation from $20 to $100 per day and mileage adjustments; and ongoing funding for interpreters, jury services, and cybersecurity. Shorba said the total request would be a 12% increase over the FY 2026-27 base budget.
Members asked follow-up questions about funding for newly launched treatment courts and how those courts are financed after federal grants expire. Shorba said he would provide more detail later and noted the branch generally starts treatment courts with federal funding before seeking state support. Representative Ric also asked about labor negotiations, and Shorba explained that the judicial branch negotiates its own contracts rather than using the executive branch, with three unions involved and many unrepresented employees. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
State government committee approves HF3 1/21/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, I will officially move House File 3 to come before the committee with a referral to the Committee
- on Ways and Means, and I will say that House File 3 is evidence that every good thing that we do here
- So we urge you to support House File 3.
- that um so we urge you to support house that um so we urge you to support house file<00:10:31.160
- House File 3 is recommended to be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary:
The committee heard House File 3, authored by Chair Nash, which would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report for fiscal committees showing how well agencies have implemented prior audit recommendations, especially those related to financial practices, internal controls, and management. Nash said the bill is intended to give legislators a clearer, ongoing tool to evaluate agencies before making funding decisions and to help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. He noted the bill would use existing audit information rather than create a new reporting burden, though he said it would deepen the review of implementation.
Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the Office of the Legislative Auditor already tracks implementation to some extent through annual information collected by Minnesota Management and Budget, but that current reporting is based largely on agency self-reporting and is not always independently verified. She said the bill would expand that work and provide the legislature with more useful accountability information. A representative from Americans for Prosperity also supported the bill, calling it a transparency and stewardship measure that would help taxpayers and legislators see whether agencies are following through on recommendations.
Several members spoke in favor, describing the bill as a common-sense accountability measure and comparing it to audit practices in local government and private organizations. Nash and Randall also discussed Colorado’s similar process, where audit follow-up information is presented during budget hearings. Members raised concerns about fraud and inefficiency in state government, and Nash said the bill is meant to help lawmakers better protect taxpayer dollars. The committee voted to recommend House File 3 and re-refer it to the Committee on Ways and Means.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Republican Press Conference 1/21/25
Transcript Highlights:
- We're working with House IT on that, but this is really important.
- We're working with House IT on that, but this is really important.
- We're working with House IT on that, but this is really important.
- We're working with House IT on that, but this is really important.
- What are the ballpark costs on House File 3?
Summary:
The meeting focused on a package of anti-fraud bills and oversight reforms. House File 3 would direct the Office of Legislative Auditor to compile existing audit and recommendation data into a matrix or numeric score showing how well agencies have implemented past recommendations over a five-year look-back period, with the goal of giving legislators a clearer, more usable accountability tool. Supporters said it would not create new data, only aggregate what already exists, and estimated the bill’s cost at about $240,000. They argued it would help lawmakers identify agencies that repeatedly fail to address waste, fraud, and abuse.
House File 2 would require state employees and agencies to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and to legislative committee leaders, require unannounced in-person site visits for grant recipients, and add criminal penalties for failing to carry out those duties. House File 1 would create an independent state Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud in state government, with subpoena power, authority to stop payments, and the ability to share information with other agencies. Speakers said the new office should be independent and nonpartisan, separate from existing agency inspector general functions, and more focused on investigations than the Legislative Auditor.
Members also discussed the new fraud and oversight committee, which will meet on Mondays and plans to invite DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead to testify. The committee said it will work alongside standing committees, create a whistleblower reporting website, and investigate issues as they arise. In response to questions, Robbins said HF 3 already had a fiscal note and HF 2’s fiscal note was still pending. She also said the committee is considering AI tools to flag irregularities in state programs, and that such tools might have detected problems like those seen in Feeding Our Future.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to call the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee to order.
Summary:
The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee met and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair noted that agency overviews from the Office of Higher Education and other state agencies were not available, so the committee proceeded with University of Minnesota presentations instead. The committee also reviewed posted committee rules.
University of Minnesota representatives gave an overview of the university’s research enterprise, describing it as a system of five campuses with a possible expansion to St. Cloud, and highlighting research strengths across campuses in agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, and the Twin Cities flagship campus. They said the university has more than $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures, receives most of its research funding from federal sources, and is ranked highly for both overall research and interdisciplinary research. Examples discussed included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Forever Green initiative, and research tied to sustainable crops, health, and commercialization.
Members asked questions about specific research areas, including biodegradable or renewable plastics, wheat research, food dyes, health and environmental toxins, and the market for winter camelina and winter pennycress. University staff said they could follow up with more detailed information and explained that the winter crop work is intended to become market-driven over time, while also improving soil health and creating new revenue streams for farmers. They also clarified that the university’s federal research funding includes money from NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and other agencies, and that the “other” funding category includes foundations, subawards, and internal university seed funding.
The committee then heard a second University of Minnesota presentation focused on partnerships, commercialization, and workforce development. Testimony highlighted collaborations with industry and government partners such as U.S. Steel, 3M, Medtronic, Cisco, and defense-related industry leaders, as well as programs supporting microelectronics, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation fuels. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee ended the segment by moving on to the next testifier.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Berg is with House fiscal staff. Ms. Penelli, Ms. Suman, and I are with House Research.
- <00:02:24.400>
fiscal staff um Mr burgers with House fiscal staff um Mr burgers with House - $10,000 equity in their house, so a home is excluded.
- $10,000 equity in their house, so a home is excluded.
- <00:42:28.000>
research Publications on the house research Publications on the house research
Summary:
The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and budget, with the chair emphasizing the committee’s role over a large portfolio of children, youth, and family programs and the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). House Research and House Fiscal staff explained their roles and described the 2023-24 reorganization that transferred many programs from DHS, DPS, MDH, and MDE to DCYF, along with a statute recodification and a crosswalk resource for members. Doug Berg then walked through the committee’s budget structure, explaining the difference between all-funds and general fund views, the major funding sources, and how forecasted programs and grant bases roll forward. He highlighted that the committee’s general fund base is a little over $2.1 billion for the biennium, with large federal components such as SNAP and TANF, and noted smaller accounts including child protection-related opioid funds and federal reimbursement offsets (FFP) for administrative costs.
Members asked several questions about federal financial participation, TANF, and the effect of the repeal of the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). Staff explained that FFP generally applies to administrative costs for federally related programs and usually does not change much unless program activity changes, while TANF is a block grant that has been stable for years. On DWP, staff said the program was sunsetted effective March 1, 2026, and that the associated funding and administrative costs were being reworked rather than simply removed. A member also asked about federal funding fluctuations; staff said no changes were currently factored in, though SNAP or other federal policy changes could alter future numbers.
Danielle Penelli then presented on economic assistance and employment supports transferred to DCYF, focusing first on MFIP, Minnesota’s state-supervised, county-administered welfare program jointly funded by state and federal dollars. She explained that MFIP provides cash and food assistance, employment and training services, and related supports, with a 60-month time limit and certain exemptions for illness, incapacity, or other barriers to employment. She also described the program’s income and asset standards, including a $10,000 asset limit with exclusions for homesteads and one vehicle per assistance unit member age 16 or older. Members asked clarifying questions about how the time limit applies and what assets count, and staff responded that the limit applies to the caregiver and does not restart with additional children.
Penelli also introduced support services grants, which fund employment services for MFIP, DWP, and SNAP participants through workforce centers, counties, tribes, and community agencies, and help cover some county and tribal administrative costs. She began outlining nutrition programs under DCYF, including SNAP, the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, the Minnesota Food Shelf Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the American Indian Food Sovereignty Program. No formal votes or bill actions were taken during this meeting; it was primarily an informational staff briefing and question-and-answer session.