Transcript Highlights:

• fighting of 16 on the Lower East Side fighting for<00:37:43.839> housing,<00:37:44.960> healthc
• <00:37:45.280> care,<00:37:46.160> and<00:37:46.400> ensuring for housing, healthc
• care, and ensuring for housing, healthc care, and ensuring that<00:37:47.040> we<00:37:47.280
• House, never<03:37:43.760> of<03:37:44.000> the<03:37:44.160> Senate, never of
• :27.279> the<04:37:27.439> house,<04:37:28.561> that<04:37:28.879> speaker

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and welcomed an honored guest, Kenyan Parliament member Joshua Aduma Aore, introduced by Representative Momanyi-Hiltsley. The main business of the day was a series of retirement speeches from departing members, with the chamber proceeding in seniority order. Representative Perryman said she was leaving the House to run for the Senate and reflected on four years of service, thanking constituents, family, colleagues, and staff. She emphasized integrity, compassion, and the belief that people in public office share more in common than what divides them. Representative Perez Vega gave a lengthy farewell centered on her identity, district, and legislative priorities, thanking staff and colleagues and highlighting work on drivers’ licenses for all, housing justice, the Read Act, ethnic studies, workforce development, and funding for a Minnesota Latino Museum. She also spoke about the importance of representation, community, and continuing to fight for children, families, and immigrant communities. Representative Weiner said his time in the House had been educational and urged less division, more civility, and a return to public service over party conflict. He cited George Washington’s warnings about factions, said he would carry a calmer voice to the Senate, and argued for more single-subject bills and against careerism in office. Representative Bakeberg thanked members, staff, and his family, spoke about faith and service, and said his work was motivated by constituents and by the example of children visiting the Capitol. Representative Ryer also thanked staff and colleagues, reflected on serving during COVID and after George Floyd’s murder, and listed policy successes and disappointments, including medical debt reform, rare disease treatment, Medicaid dental support, housing and bonding, solar on public buildings, and soil and water funding; she also criticized failures on immigrant protections, disability services, and gun violence measures, and called for protecting human rights, voting rights, and democratic norms. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken beyond the journal approval and recognition of guests and speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [laughter] Madam Speaker, I rise to give my final speech on the House floor.
• the<00:02:09.240> good<00:02:09.479> restaurants<00:02:09.960> that And the House
• always set themselves aside They always set themselves aside and<00:06:34.800> never In the House
• no offense to a couple members in here, but we were the original two couple from the Senate and the House

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Kresha delivered his final House floor speech as he finished his seventh term and retired from the legislature. The remarks were largely reflective and humorous, with thanks to House leadership, nonpartisan staff, education committee colleagues, constituents, and his family. He spoke about how he entered office during redistricting, described the legislature as challenging but rewarding, and emphasized humility, public service, and the importance of listening to others’ stories. He also offered personal anecdotes about colleagues and staff, including Representatives Swedzinski, Schumacher, Joe Hoppe, Sarah Anderson, Davids, Jen Loon, Roger Erickson, and others, and praised the professionalism of nonpartisan staff and education committee personnel. He thanked Speaker Damuth, Chair Youakim, and his education members for both disagreements and collaboration, saying there was still important work to do. No legislation was debated or voted on in this segment. The only action was the conclusion of his farewell speech, followed by applause.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those girls grew up on this House floor.
• the house floor. the house floor.
• on the house floor. on the house floor.
• child onto this house floor. child onto this house floor.
• onto this house floor. onto this house floor.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Swedzinski delivered a farewell-style floor speech as he finished his eighth term, thanking his family, parents, children, spouse, colleagues, staff, and lobbyists for their support and service. He shared personal stories about his mother’s work with Birthright, his late father, farm life, and raising five children while serving in the House, using those memories to reflect on the importance of family, faith, and public service. A major theme of the speech was bipartisanship and relationship-building. Swedzinski urged members not to focus on winning arguments over the other side, but on working together to build a better Minnesota, protect constitutional rights, life, liberty, and individual freedom, and strengthen families and communities. He emphasized that friendships across the aisle and shared commonalities can help overcome division. He also reflected on the passage of time and the significance of “firsts and lasts” in legislative life, noting the first speech on the House floor and the last time members bring children into the chamber. The remarks were not tied to a specific bill or vote; they were a closing tribute to service, institutional memory, and the opportunity to serve Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• I said, "I want to come to your house and I want to learn more about your issues."
• No, it's a call of the House. You better get here as quick as you can.
• of the house. of the house.
• You better get it's a call of the house.
• And then finally, last night, we saw, I think, some great work in this House.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Torkelson gave a long farewell-style floor speech reflecting on his legislative career, thanking colleagues, staff, family, and voters, and sharing anecdotes from his early campaigns and years in office. He emphasized the importance of listening to constituents, working across party lines, and not holding grudges after disagreements. He also praised the Minnesota Capitol, Cass Gilbert’s design, and the renovation work, and noted his service on committees including Transportation, Capital Investment, Ways and Means, and redistricting. A major theme of the speech was bipartisanship and institutional respect. Torkelson described working with members from both parties, including House leaders and committee counterparts, and said the House’s tied balance had forced more work to the committee level and produced bipartisan outcomes. He warned against using redistricting as a political weapon and urged Minnesota not to follow that path. He also thanked specific staff members and mentioned his family, including his daughter, who works as a lobbyist. The speech did not involve a bill debate or recorded vote. It concluded with a call for legislators to keep learning from one another and to find practical paths forward while staying true to their values, ending with a quotation from Ecclesiastes and applause.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the member from Stearns, the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Speaker Lisa
• But my hope for the future of the House of Representatives is we would learn to do this a little bit
• And it has been my honor to serve as Speaker of the Minnesota House. Thank you.
• <00:10:37.800> Thank Speaker of the Minnesota House.
• Thank Speaker of the Minnesota House. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] [Applause]

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Speaker Lisa Demuth delivered a closing floor speech reflecting on the Minnesota House’s 94th session under a tied chamber, emphasizing that the tie forced bipartisan negotiation from the start and that everything passed had to be bipartisan. She said she hoped future members would learn from that experience and continue working together, even when political agreement is difficult. She also noted her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Speaker and for the chance to help guide the chamber through a historic session. Much of the speech was personal and appreciative. Demuth thanked her family, including her husband, children, grandchildren, and especially her mother, who closely followed her work and often texted her questions about procedure and bills. She also mentioned the sacrifices of legislative service, her own growth in politics, and the importance of maintaining awe and respect for the institution. She recalled her relationship with former Speaker Melissa Hortman and said Hortman’s practice of meeting weekly despite political differences showed the value of getting to know one another personally before doing legislative work. Demuth also thanked House staff, including partisan and nonpartisan staff such as research, revisers, HR, budget, and accounting, and acknowledged colleagues who worked through the tie and difficult negotiations. She closed by quoting Nehemiah, saying “the joy of the Lord is my strength,” and encouraged members to leave places better than they found them. The speech ended with applause; no votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I launched my campaign for the House.
• <00:04:51.440> Minority I got a call from DFL House Minority I got a call from DFL House Minority
• to run for the house. to run for the house.
• And that's one thing that in the House.
• <00:18:40.800> were in these 8 years of the house were in these 8 years of the house were

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Wolgamott delivered a farewell address reflecting on his eight years in the Minnesota House and the meaning of public service. He described his path to the Legislature, thanked colleagues and staff, and emphasized the House as a place where members are trusted to make a difference for their communities. He also spoke about the importance of maintaining a humane, family-friendly, and respectful workplace, especially for staff and members’ families. He highlighted several policy areas he was proud of, including bipartisan COVID-19 workers’ compensation protections for frontline workers, efforts to reduce the special education cross subsidy, and changes to teacher pensions. He also noted bonding and local projects in St. Cloud, such as road improvements, the Herb Brooks Hockey Center, and the Children’s Museum of the MAC. Throughout, he framed these accomplishments as examples of persistence and collaboration across party lines. The address also included extensive thanks to his wife, daughters, legislative assistants, higher education staff, sergeant-at-arms, maintenance crew, chief clerk’s office, and former and current colleagues, including a tribute to former Speaker Melissa Hortman and the Horton family. He closed by reading the Prayer of St. Francis and thanking the people of St. Cloud and the House. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the speech.

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember standing right there at that door, and I took a picture of the very first step on this House

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Keeler delivered an emotional farewell speech reflecting on her six years in the House, describing her experience as part of the “Corona Class,” her first day in the chamber, and the challenges of campaigning and governing during the pandemic and after George Floyd’s murder. She emphasized that she came to the Legislature as a mom and community member committed to doing good, and said her work focused on representation, Indigenous visibility, mental health, homelessness, and helping families and children who lacked stable housing or support. She thanked colleagues, staff, and allies for their support, especially Chair Gomez, Melissa, her legislative staff, and others who helped advance work such as the Pathway Home Act and efforts to prevent homelessness. She also spoke about the importance of allyship, tribal-state relations, and the need for more Indigenous and queer voices in public office, saying Minnesota is better because of their presence and urging others to make room for more diverse leadership. Keeler closed with advice to colleagues and future legislators to care for themselves, find common ground across party lines, keep greater Minnesota and remote testimony in mind, and continue working together. The speech ended with thanks to her family, including her children, and a statement that it was time to rest, followed by applause.

Transcript Highlights:

• Serving in this house has been an honor, uh, one of the greatest honors of my life.
• To the house staff, especially the clerk staff, for the ones that we see, um like everyone else, I have

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Novotny delivered a farewell speech on the House floor reflecting on his years of service and announcing his departure from the legislature. He described the job as similar to his 33 years in law enforcement, emphasizing long hours, stress, criticism, and the need for perspective, and he joked about the demands of session life, including caffeine, junk food, and long meetings. He also thanked House staff, especially the clerk staff and Chief Clerk Patrick Murphy, for keeping the chamber running smoothly despite the disruptions caused by legislators working in their space. Novotny offered personal thanks to colleagues and allies, including members of the COP Caucus, Representative Moller, his legislative assistant Mary McNamara, and John Hallquist, whom he credited with helping him remember past ideas and discussions. He singled out Representative Nathan Nelson as a close colleague and hunting partner, and he also thanked former Representative Nick Zerwas for encouraging him to serve. He spoke warmly about his family, including his daughters, his wife Nicole, and a future grandchild expected around July 4. The speech was largely humorous and sentimental, with repeated expressions of gratitude to constituents, colleagues, and staff. Novotny said serving in the House had been an honor and that he was ready to hand the role off to someone else. Speaker Demuth thanked him for his service and for presiding with the gavel, and the chamber responded with applause.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Mike Wiener delivered a farewell-style floor speech as he prepared to move from the House to the Senate. He thanked colleagues for the experience, said he had learned from listening to speeches and committee work, and urged members to remember they represent the whole state, not just their districts. Much of his remarks focused on civility, warning against division, political factionalism, and an “eye for an eye” approach, and calling on lawmakers to set a better example for future generations. He also reflected on patriotism and the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, saying he hoped to see more love of country and less animosity. In a lighter moment, he joked about his name being misspelled and received laughter from the chamber. He closed by saying he would carry the lessons from the chamber into the Senate and would try to bring a calmer voice. Wiener also offered a policy-related critique, saying he would like to see fewer massive omnibus bills and more single-subject bills, which he said were a positive development this year. He argued that public service should not be a career, endorsed term limits in principle, and said elected officials should work for the people and make decisions in the public interest. The chamber responded with applause at the end of his remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Serving the House Legislature for the past 4 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
• While today marks the closure of my service here in the Minnesota House, with great thought I have chosen
• As I retire from the House, I do so with pride in what we accomplished together and optimism for what

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Perryman of Stearns delivered a farewell speech to the House, explaining that she is leaving the chamber to run for the Minnesota Senate rather than retiring from public service. She thanked her district, family, friends, colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and legislative staff for their support over her four years in the House, and reflected on the challenges, debates, and important decisions of her tenure. Her remarks emphasized gratitude, the value of public service, and the belief that people in office generally want to make a difference despite disagreements. She said she tried to lead with integrity, compassion, and empathy, and noted that one of the greatest gifts of the experience was meeting people from many walks of life and hearing their concerns. Perryman closed by expressing pride in what was accomplished, optimism for the future, and confidence that the next generation of leaders will continue the work. She ended with a personal saying, "don't take the bait, and watch your own bobber," and received applause from the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the House please come to order?
• Seeing no quorum, pursuant to House Rule 9, the House will stand in adjournment until tomorrow, Tuesday

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House was called to order, but no quorum was present. As a result, no legislative business was conducted. Pursuant to House Rule 9, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19th, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually similar language to what the House amendment was on SB 101.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 751 reviewed amendment 2026-1904H page by page, focusing on open enrollment rules, capacity definitions, statewide enrollment limits, denial criteria, transportation, and funding. Members discussed clarifying that districts may set capacity at zero if they truly have no room, creating a statewide enrollment cap of 500 that can increase by 25% if it reaches 90% utilization, and exempting seats already used by open enrollment students before October 1, 2026. They also discussed how the Department of Education would allocate seats through rulemaking, while local districts would still set capacity, with grandfathered seats preserved where districts already allow open enrollment. A substantial portion of the meeting centered on when districts may deny open enrollment applications. The amendment would allow denials for reasons such as chronic absenteeism or disciplinary history, while requiring districts to consider whether those issues are tied to disability, McKinney-Vento status, foster care, or bullying. Members emphasized that such factors are to be considered, not used as the sole basis for rejection, and noted that the bill separately prohibits receiving schools from accepting or rejecting applicants based on pupil needs, special education needs, disability, aptitude, or athletic achievement. There was also discussion of whether interdistrict transfers should count toward open enrollment capacity, with a suggestion that a carve-out may be needed. The committee also reviewed provisions on program-specific capacity, continuous enrollment, and transportation. It was explained that capacity can apply to a school, grade, program, or class, including CTE programs, and that students may be denied if a specific program is full or if they do not meet prerequisites. The group clarified that open enrollment pupils would maintain continuous enrollment without reapplying, though there was concern about how that would work if district capacity changes over time. Transportation would generally be the parent’s responsibility unless required by an IEP or 504 plan, though students may use an existing bus route if seats are available and the receiving district allows it. On funding, the committee noted that the amendment changes the earlier HB 751 approach and instead ties open enrollment funding to base adequacy, differentiated aid, and an additional grant modeled on charter school funding, with dates removed at the department’s request. Members also raised concerns about how open enrollment would interact with existing tuition agreements and whether districts could use the new pathway to alter or pressure those arrangements. Department staff said districts would still be required to maintain a school of record and provide an adequate education free of charge outside the open enrollment program, and that if open enrollment enrollment became unusually large relative to district adequacy enrollment, the issue could be brought to the state board. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :37:05.200> kids<00:37:05.480> to<00:37:05.600> those<00:37:05.840> schools,<
• was actually case<00:37:09.440> law<00:37:09.640> that<00:37:09.880> said<00:37
• ><00:37:15.520> which<00:37:15.680> is<00:37:15.800> now<00:37:16.040> got
• 37:24.200> they<00:37:24.360> do<00:37:24.680> have<00:37:25.160> the<00:
• to<00:37:25.960> attend<00:37:26.840> that<00:37:27.120> local<00:37:27.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission on the costing of special education met to review several documents and updates, including draft materials on residential placements, an LBA dispute resolution report, prior minutes, rate-setting rules, and a letter involving Senator Hassan. The minutes from March 16 were approved by motion, second, and one abstention. Members also received an update that the LBA special education performance audit is still pending; the report is expected to be very large, NHED and the Board of Education must review and comment before release, and it likely will not be available until late summer or early fall. The separate EFA audit was also noted as still unreleased, and members said they may return later to issues involving EFA costing and differentiated aid. A major focus was HB 1099, which would create a committee to study the cost and liability of providing educational services to students placed in residential facilities. The chair explained that the House version had passed unanimously and the bill was headed to a committee of conference. Members discussed a proposed amendment to add the phrase “including but not limited to” so the study would cover not only court-ordered or treatment-related placements but also other residential placements, including those tied to school district decisions. Some members said this was a substantial expansion, while others said it would simply give the committee broader latitude. Jason Stock of the Winnisquam Regional School Board described how the issue arose during budget work at Winnisquam, where the district was trying to determine who should pay for educational services for students living at Spaulding Youth Center in Northfield. He said the district had 10 students attending Winnisquam, including three foster students and seven students connected to Spaulding, and that Spaulding-specific invoicing for 2024-2025 totaled $141,417.05 for eight students. Members also discussed rising private placement tuition costs and the difficulty of determining residency and fiscal responsibility for students placed in residential settings. Department counsel explained that under RSA 193:27 and 193:28, children placed in a home for children may attend the local district school, and that special education cost responsibility depends on whether the student is identified as disabled and on the nature of the placement. Spaulding representatives had not yet presented by the end of the excerpt, and the committee was still working through the residency and funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• is just as important, if not more important, than our health care funding, transportation funding, housing
• do everything we may want to do when it comes to H.R. 1, but we have to make sure that our fiscal house
• To 37. You're welcome. We'll be waiving items 41 through 43. We'll be waiving items.
• through APS, including housing support and navigation in addition to the HomeSafe program.
• We will now waive items 18 to 37 and we will go to item number 38. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as a single-celled honor housing unit for level three participants.
• The department's previous experience with honor housing at a handful of institutions.
• and is in safe housing, like safe houses that are run by these programs.
• and is in safe housing, like safe houses that are run by these programs.
• Residents already strapped by extreme gas, food, medical, and housing costs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The resolution is adopted.
• There are 64 co-authors on the resolution. There are 64 co-authors on the resolution.
• House Resolution 11 by Assembly Members Burr and others, relative to International Day Against Homophobia
• This resolution, this resolution, is less worthy because of who they are.
• This resolution, this resolution, is less worthy because of who they are.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• File herewith returned to the House by the Senate, which amounts to the concurrence of the House.
• Bliss moves that the House concur in the Senate amendments to House File 4492 and that the bill be repassed
• Third reading House House File 4492, as amended by the Senate. Third reading.
• The House stands in recess. We're still waiting for some paper to get ready.
• A house stands in recess

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first considered a motion to take House File 2133 from the table, described as the tax vehicle bill. Representative Law opposed the motion, saying it was last year’s tax vehicle and not the agreed-upon bill for this year. The motion was nondebatable, a roll call was taken, and it failed on a 67-67 tie. The chamber then received a Senate message returning House File 4492, a veterans-related bill, with Senate amendments. Representative Bliss moved concurrence, and Representative Mueller explained that the amended bill included REACH Act and literacy-related provisions, including technical changes, expanded disability access language for the deaf and hard of hearing community, revisions involving the dyslexia community, and transparency around literacy material review. Representative Clardy described the bill’s teacher-preparation and early literacy components, and Representative Jordan noted it also provides high school diplomas to veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars who were unable to complete them because of service. The House concurred in the Senate amendments, then took up third reading and final passage of House File 4492 as amended. The bill passed unanimously, 134-0, and its title was agreed to. Afterward, Representative Niska moved a recess to the call of the Speaker, and the House recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, members,<01:37:03.840> I<01:37:04.080> have<01:37:04.159> the<01:37:04.400
• /c><01:37:06.000> would<01:37:06.239> occur<01:37:07.199> in<01:37:07.440> my
• And<01:37:28.239> members,<01:37:28.560> I<01:37:28.800> looked<01:37:29.040>
• 01:37:31.760> based<01:37:32.080> off<01:37:32.159> of<01:37:32.320> our
• c> If<01:37:33.119> we<01:37:33.280> were<01:37:33.440> to<01:37:33.600>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 719, the capital investment/bonding bill, and members spent much of the debate praising committee staff and describing the bill as a bipartisan product shaped by statewide bonding tours and negotiations. Supporters highlighted major infrastructure and public facility projects, including water and sewer work, transportation projects, housing, natural resources, and specific local needs such as Grand Marais, the Manomomen County hospital/nursing home, and airport tower funding. Several members emphasized that the bill was a “Team House” effort and argued that infrastructure funding should not be treated as partisan. During debate, members also focused on the bill’s water infrastructure investments and the need for broader, dedicated funding to address lead pipes, PFAS contamination, and rising wastewater costs. Representative Lee noted that more than $400 million in the package went to water infrastructure, while other speakers pointed to transportation funding and a one-time reduction in tab fees as important elements of the bill. Representative Franson and others urged support, saying the package reflected statewide needs and was a down payment on larger asset-preservation needs. The House adopted three technical amendments to House File 719, then gave the bill its third reading. After floor discussion, Representative Niska moved to lay House File 719 on the table, and the motion prevailed, tabling the bill. The chamber then moved on to House File 2484, the cash portion of the infrastructure package, where members again described the measure as a small but important funding bill and discussed a Lower Sioux Indian Community Dakota language item and the limited size of each caucus’s cash allocation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the bill on the calendar for the day is House File 2354.
• House File 2354, an act relating to consumer protection, adding and modifying provisions governing medical
• Norris moves to amend House File 2354, the fourth engrossment. The amendment is coded A11.
• <00:01:37.560> File<00:01:37.720> number >> Norris moves to amend House File
• Third reading, House File 2354 as amended. Third reading. Discussion.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 2354, a consumer protection bill dealing with medical assistance fraud. Representative Norris described the measure as a crackdown on Medicaid fraud that would add investigators and prosecutors, increase penalties, and broaden the fraud definition to cover more sophisticated schemes. He also emphasized the federal three-to-one match for state spending on the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The chamber adopted amendment A11 by a roll call vote of 134 yeas and 0 nays. Norris said the amendment narrowed subpoena powers to align with language from the other body, moved the appropriation to the general fund to satisfy a leader agreement and secure the federal match, and made technical cross-reference corrections. On third reading, Representative Schumacher said the bill had been worked through several Human Services Committee hearings and discussions with the Attorney General’s office and was now in workable form. Norris thanked bipartisan authors and staff and urged a green vote. The final roll call passed the bill 118 yeas to 16 nays, and House File 2354 was finally agreed to.