Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:56.919> critical in non-certified but equally critical in non-certified but equally
• Could special ed districts be allowed to transfer their aid to their member districts?
• Personnel aid for any position Personnel aid for any position supporting<00:28:13.320> students
• <00:28:17.440> to<00:28:17.640> their<00:28:17.799> member aid to their member aid
• they can only use literacy incentive Aid they can only use literacy incentive Aid to<01:52:16.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Policy Committee met under a co-chair arrangement and heard opening remarks emphasizing civility, direct testimony from school leaders, and a focus on whether state policy is meeting student needs in the least intrusive and most cost-effective way. Chair Coleman asked testifiers to keep remarks brief and policy-focused, and the committee began with a series of superintendents describing local budget pressures and the cumulative impact of state mandates. Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Corey McIntyre said the district, the state’s largest, is serving about 37,000 students and faces a roughly $26 million deficit even after major reductions, including cutting about $44 million and roughly 250 central office jobs. He cited rising costs tied to compensation, special education and multilingual cross-subsidies, unemployment, paid leave, READ Act implementation, student/staff safety and K-3 discipline requirements, and transportation, saying the district still faces about $50 million in mandate-related shortfalls and may need to reduce class size and student supports. Senator Kunesh responded that summer unemployment claims are paid from a separate state budget line, not the district general fund, and asked about paid leave costs; McIntyre and the chair clarified the district’s concern was the possibility of future costs if state funding ends. Prior Lake-Savage Superintendent Michael Thomas said district revenues are rising only about 2.5% to 3% while expenses are growing 5% or more, driven by inflation and vendor costs. He argued that the state’s inflationary funding tie should be maintained, and asked for an increase in local optional aid of $250 per pupil and more flexibility for districts that struggle to pass local levies. Minnetonka Superintendent David Law argued that schools are being asked to absorb broader community burdens, including food and mental health needs, while still being judged on academics and graduation; he said REACT funding fell short, forcing the district to shift reading funds to staff development, and urged the committee not to roll mandates forward without funding. Fergus Falls Superintendent Jeff Drake said expanded unemployment, earned sick and safe time, and paid family leave are creating staffing and budget challenges for rural districts, estimating unemployment costs could reach $240,000 annually and sick and safe time about $25,000, with added difficulty recruiting support staff and substitutes. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh equally uh equally quickly. quickly. quickly.
• Madam Chair and members, there are also a few aid-related provisions included in Article 4.
• A new seasonal tax base replacement aid program is established to provide aid to school districts based
• And the ongoing component must be used to reduce voter-approved operating referendum levies.
• A new seasonal tax base replacement aid A new seasonal tax base replacement aid program<00:07:13.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ron Elwood with Legal Aid.
• and uh this amendment does legal aid and uh this amendment does three<00:02:09.959> things<00
• <00:03:37.280> to we worked on engaged with legal aid to we worked on engaged with legal aid
• That's a great addition to the bill that we've worked on with Legal Aid.
• I'm an attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and have worked a lot in the foreclosure arena.

Bills: HF1027, HF101, HF1021

Keywords: mortgage foreclosure, redemption, foreclosure surplus, sheriff's sale, junior lienholder, mortgagor, homeowner protections, loss mitigation, dual tracking, foreclosure redemption period, certificate of redemption, certificate of sale, sheriff, county recorder, registrar of titles, homeownership center, lien priority, real property, foreclosure by advertisement, surplus funds

Transcript Highlights:

• how campaigns and messaging work today, it makes her question whether regular people truly have an equal
• whether whether regular people truly<00:50:39.200> have<00:50:39.359> an<00:50:39.520> equal
• <00:50:40.880> Whether<00:50:41.280> someone truly have an equal say.
• Whether someone truly have an equal say.

Bills: HF4348, HF4186, HF4202, HF4455, HF3884, HF3883, HF3882, HF3881, HF2688, HF3295, HF3862, HF3362, HF4242, HF3798

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• , >> I love I love all my children equally, >> I love I love all my children equally,
• um referendum and I'd put<00:04:33.280> the<00:04:33.520> referendum<00:04:34.160>
• <00:36:29.760> to the waters ahead of a a referendum to the waters ahead of a a referendum
• referendum.
• Referendum.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Special districts are allowed to increase the exemption as well, but through a referendum approved by
• The Legislature would allow for them, if they needed to, by referendum, and um...
• of referendum, or by referendum, I should say.
• Some of us hitch a ride with an aide in a rent-a-car, a compact.
• All things being equal.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2014, I believe they actually had a referendum.
• So in 2014, I believe they actually had a referendum.
• Was that one referendum enough to do all of this work? Jason Pinsky: Yes, it was.
• Let me know, or let anyone else know. that um was that one referendum enough that um was that one referendum
• their children and they have equal their children and they have equal rights<01:26:09.520> so

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You made sure there was marriage equality along with your colleagues in 2013.
• We also shared an aide in Bridget Wallace our first year.
• We also shared an aid in Bridget Wallace our first year.
• Districts are being asked to do more with budgets that were approved years ago through referendum.
• And finally, any increase beyond 2% would require voter approval through the referendum process.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for a non-public school safety aid for a non-public school<00:49:00.319> equals<00:49:01.280>
• Then it would read for fiscal year 2027 only, school safety aid for a non-public school equals blank
• Then it would read for fiscal year 2027 only, school safety aid for a non-public school equals blank
• Then it would read for fiscal year 2027 only, school safety aid for a non-public school equals blank
• Then it would read for fiscal year 2027 only, school safety aid for a non-public school equals blank

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Question, Representative Duggan: I see that you made a change, the requirement for the county referendum
• Question rep, Duggan, so I see that you made a change, the requirement for the county referendum asking
• It provides authority to spend $75 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program into fiscal year 26-27
• Miner says that primitive funding has to be split equally.
• It provides equal opportunity.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and general education aid.
• education aid over the years.
• Aid, Health and Developmental Screening Aid, and School Readiness Aid, which will continue to be paid
• Readiness Aid screening Aid and School Readiness Aid um<01:02:28.359> which<01:02:28.480>
• <01:09:31.359> categories AIDS and rates of the aid categories AIDS and rates of the aid categories

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 21 with a quorum present for the first meeting of the 2025 biennium. The co-chairs described the temporary power-sharing arrangement in the tied Senate, introduced committee staff and pages, and had members briefly introduce themselves and share what subject they would teach. After the introductions, the committee moved to a presentation from State Demographer Susan Brower. Brower reviewed Minnesota’s school-age population trends and projections, noting that the state had just under 1 million children ages 5 to 17 in 2023 and that, for the first time, the older adult population exceeded the school-age population. She said the school-age population is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro and other regional centers, and projected an overall decline of about 5% over the next 15 to 20 years, driven mainly by declining birth rates and long-running net outmigration of young adults. She also explained that growth is expected in some areas, especially along the I-94 corridor north of the metro, while northern regions are projected to see the largest declines. She clarified for members that her figures measure resident children, not school enrollment, and that boundary changes are not reflected in the district-level data. The presentation also covered demographic change among students. Brower said about 35% of Minnesota children ages 5 to 17 are children of color, with growing multiracial populations and increasing linguistic diversity. She reported that about 20% of school-age children have at least one foreign-born parent, and about 18% of enrolled students speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish, Somali, and Hmong the largest home languages. She also discussed child poverty, saying Minnesota’s rate is just under 10%, below the national rate of about 15%, and that poverty is concentrated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, some first-ring suburbs, and parts of northern Minnesota, including districts with larger Native populations. Members asked questions about whether the projections accounted for migration and whether open enrollment affected the figures; Brower said the data reflect where children live, not where they attend school, and that the projections are based on recent migration and birth patterns, with future changes more likely to come from international immigration than from domestic migration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first thing it does is it changes the name from literacy incentive aid to literacy aid.
• it does is it changes the name from literacy incentive aid to literacy aid.
• 42.559> package Senator Mayquate's literacy aid package Senator Mayquate's literacy aid package
• formula for the literacy incentive aid. formula for the literacy incentive aid.
• incentive aid is first off unnecessary. incentive aid is first off unnecessary.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard many testimonies supporting medical aid in dying.
• She would have been a perfect candidate for medical aid in dying.
• But She would have been a perfect candidate for medical aid in dying.
• I have given testimony in support of medical aid in dying.
• I have given testimony and support of medical aid and dying.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on bills in three areas: emergency medical services/AED access, athletic training and student safety, and end-of-life options. Committee chairs outlined testimony rules and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Some bills had no live witnesses, while others drew extensive testimony from advocates, professionals, and legislators. On AED-related bills, the American Heart Association supported requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events and athletic fields, citing sudden cardiac arrest survival rates and urging cardiac emergency response plans as an added safeguard. A parks and recreation professional supported AED access but raised concerns about the cost, staffing, maintenance, and feasibility for municipalities with limited resources. Athletic trainers supported expanding their scope of practice and removing workplace restrictions, arguing it would improve injury prevention, reduce costs, and help retain professionals in Massachusetts. The committee also took extensive testimony on end-of-life options legislation. Supporters included legislators, physicians, hospice volunteers, clergy, patients’ family members, and advocacy groups, who described the bills as allowing terminally ill, mentally capable adults to choose a peaceful death with strict safeguards and self-administration requirements. They emphasized personal stories of suffering, public support, and the claim that other states have not seen abuse. Opponents, including faith-based, disability-rights, and family policy representatives, argued the bills amount to physician-assisted suicide, could pressure vulnerable people, and may be influenced by prognosis errors, coercion, or financial incentives. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The city also appreciates this committee's past support of transition aid, and in 2025 it will be the
• first year we receive this aid due to the retirement of Unit 2 at the Sherco generating facility.
• :12:44.920> receive<00:12:45.600> this<00:12:45.839> Aid<00:12:46.440> due
• <01:04:03.440> within County boards and by referendums within County boards and by referendums
• July 2025 the aid will drop to 12 million per year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and county program aid, beginning with aids payable in 2026.
• aids payable in 2026. aids payable in 2026.
• Also, $15 program aid aid reduction.
• aid and to statewide local housing aid. aid and to statewide local housing aid.
• <00:38:36.800> goes<00:38:37.040> to aid, 66% of local government aid goes to aid,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He gets equally animated, and he starts pointing, and he starts raising his voice.
• You made sure there was marriage equality along with your colleagues in 2013.
• Wallace for all her help with the Kids Caucus and my aide Lauren Lee. It's been really fun.
• Districts are being asked to do more with budgets that were approved years ago through referendum.
• And finally, any increase beyond 2% would require voter approval through the referendum process.

Summary: The House convened with Girl State participants presiding for part of the session, including introductions of the student leadership and a unanimous voice vote passing House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the young women participating in Delaware Girl State. The chamber also welcomed congressional interns and other guests, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and observed a moment of silence for Nathan Cynix and Kara Feeley before prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes for Representative Ron Gray, who was recognized for his 14 years of service and his work on issues such as bond bills, dredging, bike paths, small business, constituent service, and agriculture-related funding. Multiple members from both parties praised his humor, honesty, mentorship, and dedication to the House and his district. Gray responded with extended remarks reflecting on his family legacy, legislative service, and appreciation for colleagues and staff, and the chamber later sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at his request. The House then received communications, including Senate messages returning several bills and informing the chamber of Senate passage of additional measures. Members were also told that the FY27 bond bill, House Bill 500, had been placed on desks as a gift for review. The House read in Consent Agenda S, which included House Bill 476, House Joint Resolution 13, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 168, Senate Bill 297, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, and Senate Joint Resolution 21, and began a roll call vote on the consent agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some local county commissioners are treating the requests by the school board for this referendum as
• Some local county commissioners are treating the requests by the school board for this referendum as
• Some local county commissioners are treating the requests by the school board for this referendum as
• Miner says that preeminence funding has to be split equally.
• It provides equal opportunity.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some local county commissioners are treating the requests by the school board for this referendum as
• Question rep, Duggan, so I see that you made a change, the requirement for the county referendum asking
• It provides authority to spend $75 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program into fiscal year 2026
• Miner says that primitive funding has to be split equally.
• It provides equal opportunity.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides for a high level of safeguards against fraud and, equally important, for a high level of

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review