Transcript Highlights:

• circulate across the state of Minnesota circulate across the state of Minnesota from<00:10:40.640
• students and for the Minnesota students and for the Minnesota community.<00:10:51.040> But
• > a<00:35:13.920> need-based Minnesota State Grant is a need-based Minnesota State Grant
• So, our grant is not in Minnesota.
• of Minnesota Minnesota University of Minnesota campuses<00:36:21.920> and<00:36:22.079> then

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• delete after fly the Minnesota delete after fly the Minnesota historical historical historical society
• Paul and served in the First Minnesota and the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry saved the Union at
• Minnesota on the history and the legacy Minnesota on the history and the legacy of<00:02:25.280> the
• the first Minnesota and the first<00:02:46.000> Minnesota<00:02:46.840> volunteer<00:02
• destroyed but what the first Minnesota destroyed but what the first Minnesota did<00:04:55.680><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota.
• Bruce Newstead with Minnesota retailers. Bruce Newstead with Minnesota retailers.
• communities across northern Minnesota. communities across northern Minnesota.
• <01:16:47.280> Minnesota competitiveness problem. Minnesota competitiveness problem.
• Childare Minnesota is average Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota will not stand up to him. Minnesota will not stand up to him.
• > is<00:03:35.760> an What Minnesota has experienced is an What Minnesota has experienced
• > we<00:04:03.680> start So Minnesota Republicans, as we start So Minnesota Republicans
• Minnesota. They do not want to stop it. Minnesota. They do not want to stop it.
• That is the state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Witnesses and lawmakers discussed the impact of “Operation Metro Surge” and related federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, describing it as a severe constitutional and humanitarian crisis. John Beler of the ACLU of Minnesota said the organization had received more than 700 reports of constitutional violations and argued the state should protect sensitive spaces, create legal remedies, and limit state involvement in federal surveillance and enforcement. Sen. Erin Maye Quade and other speakers said the operation was still ongoing, caused family separations, economic harm, and trauma in communities, and called on Minnesota Republicans to break with the Trump administration and support accountability. Several business owners testified about direct effects on restaurants and construction workforces. Hano JD Delgado, a restaurant owner, said ICE activity had frightened workers, led to closures and lost business, and recounted alleged mistreatment of employees and himself, including detentions and an incident involving a 15-year-old U.S. citizen. Sarah Lawitch, a Cottage Grove contractor, said her crews and projects were disrupted because workers feared leaving home and that lawmakers should protect constitutional rights and local businesses. Speakers repeatedly framed the issue as racial profiling and an attack on legal residents and citizens, not just undocumented immigrants. Rep. Lee Fininky said she is carrying two bills aimed at federal and local law enforcement practices: one would prohibit officers from wearing masks on duty except for limited safety or health exceptions, and another would require vehicles used to detain people to be clearly marked and equipped with safety features. She and other DFL speakers also discussed a broader package of bills, including a proposal to let Minnesotans hold the federal government accountable and a bill requiring the BCA to investigate shootings. In response to questions, they said they were seeking Republican support but expected the measures to face legal challenges; no votes or formal committee action were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Minnesota ALS programs I'm University of Minnesota ALS programs I'm very<00:05:21.479> honored
• Minnesota has a homegrown Talent Minnesota has a homegrown Talent pipeline<00:13:23.160> ready
• Minnesota farms, Minnesota colleges and universities, Minnesota companies, and Minnesota consumers all
• /c> Farms Minnesota college and universities Farms Minnesota college and universities Minnesota<01:06
• and Minnesota Minnesota companies and Minnesota consumers<01:06:40.359> all<01:06:40.599>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota, but also practice in Wadena, Minnesota.
• Minnesota, but also practice in Wadena, Minnesota.
• Minnesota.
• Greater Minnesota?
• women's healthcare in Minnesota. women's healthcare in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and meet the demand in greata Minnesota and meet the demand in greata Minnesota we<00:05:02.039>
• cultural stories of Minnesota.
• cultural stories of Minnesota.
• cultural stories of Minnesota.
• And now their families have chosen to move to Minnesota and make Minnesota home.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State—but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of go students through Minnesota State College
• State—but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of go students through Minnesota State College
• State—but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of go students through Minnesota State College
• State, but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of ghost students through Minnesota State College
• State, but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of ghost students through Minnesota State College

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the VFW members here in Minnesota. of the VFW members here in Minnesota.
• Minnesota that take these cases.
• I'm a Minnesota-based attorney.
• little itty bitty Redwing, Minnesota. little itty bitty Redwing, Minnesota.
• Minnesota to protect our veterans. Minnesota to protect our veterans.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• University of Minnesota um but the University of Minnesota um but the majority<00:04:40.080> of
• Minnesota.
• Minnesota.
• The University of Minnesota is older than the state of Minnesota.
• The University of Minnesota is older than the state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Higher Ed Finance and Policy Committee met to begin a budget overview for higher education. The chair noted quorum, committee member introductions, and that Democratic members were absent. The chair also said the Office of Higher Education would not be appearing for the planned budget deep dive, so nonpartisan fiscal staff would present instead. Ken Savory, the committee’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst, introduced a presentation on the higher education finance structure and timeline. Savory explained the state budget cycle, the difference between direct appropriations, statutory appropriations, open appropriations, base funding, tails, and one-time appropriations, and how those concepts apply to higher education. He described the committee’s usual budget areas: the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Foundation. He also reviewed historical spending charts showing higher education’s share of the general fund over time, the 2/3-1/3 funding policy in statute, and how tuition and general fund support have shifted. He noted that the FY 26-27 base for the Office of Higher Education area is about $725 million, including roughly $450 million for the State Grant program and about $99 million for North Star Promise. Members asked about comparing the current budget to earlier biennia, and staff responded that they would need to calculate the percentage difference. The chair then summarized prior budget growth, saying the previous budget was about $650 million over base and the current budget/tail was about $450 million over base. Staff also reviewed the 2024 omnibus higher education bill, including a roughly $5 million reduction to North Star Promise that was redirected to the Fostering Independence Grant program and a $500,000 appropriation for Minnesota State’s Kids on Campus program. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• should ever be in Minnesota. should ever be in Minnesota.
• The Minnesota Business Partnership strongly supports Minnesota joining the nurse licensure compact.
• The Minnesota Business Partnership strongly supports Minnesota joining the nurse licensure compact.
• Minnesota with this paragraph?
• And in Minnesota, we do have a problem. And in Minnesota, we do have a problem.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1925, which would have Minnesota join the nurse licensure compact. Rep. Schumacher described the bill as a way to improve workforce flexibility, telehealth, care coordination, and border-community access, while maintaining safeguards such as the same licensure exam and federal background checks. He also said the compact could help retain Minnesota-trained nurses who currently leave for neighboring compact states. Several members questioned whether the compact would weaken Minnesota’s standards or actually solve staffing problems, and some raised concerns about outside states’ differing practice rules and continuing education requirements. Supporters, including a nurse leader, a travel nurse, a business group representative, and a hospital nursing leader, testified that the compact would ease staffing shortages, speed hiring, support telehealth, and reduce administrative burdens. Opponents, including nurses and union representatives, argued it could lower standards, not address root causes like unsafe staffing and turnover, and could create risks for patients seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care. The committee also considered two related amendments tied to rural health transformation recommendations. The A1 amendment would have required two hours of continuing education on nutrition for physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses; members criticized it as government overreach, unrelated to many specialties, and an attempt to chase uncertain federal funding. The amendment failed on a voice vote. The A2 amendment would have reinstated the presidential fitness test in schools and allowed parents to opt out; it also failed. A3, which updated the compact bill’s effective date language from 2025 to 2026, was adopted. Members noted the bill also contained an appropriation and might need referral to other committees if it advanced. The committee then began hearing public testimony on HF 1925, with witnesses split between support and opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of tax fiscal policy and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm the director of tax fiscal policy and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm the director of tax fiscal policy and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• Implemented their own versions, and unfortunately Minnesota has fallen behind its peers.
• So if we want to drive growth in Minnesota, we need to drive research and development here.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and I direct the University of Minnesota ALS programs.
• Minnesota, but in this incremental way.
• But I think we have the talent here in Minnesota, and we've seen folks flocking to Minnesota from the
• Minnesota farms, Minnesota colleges and universities, Minnesota companies, and Minnesota consumers all
• Children's Minnesota employs more than 6,000 people.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, our outdated... call the Minnesota Zoo home you can see call the Minnesota Zoo home you
• exotic hospitals like this in Minnesota exotic hospitals like this in Minnesota we<00:17:36.000>
• it so yes it's at serve all of Minnesota it so yes it's at the<00:17:54.280> Minnesota<00:17:
• the um Minnesota relationship with the um Minnesota Raptor<00:24:33.720> Center<00:24:34.159>
• um relied more heavily on the Minnesota um relied more heavily on the Minnesota uh<00:25:53.159>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Minnesota Farmers<00:03:42.280> a<00:03:42.439> Minnesota<00:03:42.879> based
• Minnesota I'm a lifelong Minnesota Minnesota I'm a lifelong Minnesota family<00:31:50.120> farmer
• That's a big difference to the regular people of Minnesota and the Minnesota economy.
• That's a big difference to the regular people of Minnesota and the Minnesota economy.
• That's a big difference to the regular people of Minnesota and the Minnesota economy.

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:49.440> I've District 10, Central Minnesota. I've District 10, Central Minnesota.
• Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum. Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum.
• This includes across Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• Minnesota veterans. Minnesota veterans.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• On deck is Darren Broen from Minnesota AgriGrowth.
• Water is not distributed equally across Minnesota.
• Water is not distributed equally across Minnesota.
• I'm with the League of Minnesota Cities.
• I'm with the League of Minnesota Cities.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:55.840> Public the chair of the Minnesota Public the chair of the Minnesota Public
• brighter, cleaner future for Minnesota. brighter, cleaner future for Minnesota.
• energy industry in Minnesota. energy industry in Minnesota.
• results for Minnesota. results for Minnesota.
• Thank you. future of Minnesota. Minnesota leads future of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3556 was presented as a bill to rename Minnesota’s community solar garden program the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. The author described the measure as a tribute to Hortman’s leadership and her role in creating the program, which was said to have helped launch Minnesota’s solar industry and expand access to clean energy. The bill was moved to the general register before testimony began. Testifiers from the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, solar industry groups, clean energy organizations, and community solar developers all supported the bill. They described Hortman as the original legislative champion of the 2013 community solar law and a driving force behind the 2023 revisions that increased access for low- and moderate-income households. Several witnesses said the program has become a national model, has generated jobs and investment, and has enabled renters, small businesses, schools, nonprofits, and households without suitable rooftops to participate in solar. Witnesses also shared personal reflections about Hortman’s accessibility, preparation, and willingness to listen, saying she treated people with respect and helped shape a durable clean energy policy framework. No opposition testimony or votes on final passage were recorded in the excerpt, but the committee did act to advance the bill to the general register.

Transcript Highlights:

• Issued in Minnesota.
• My name is Ralph Kaler from Ayotta, Minnesota. I'm a lifelong Minnesota family farmer.
• That's a big difference to the regular people of Minnesota and the Minnesota economy.
• They live all over Minnesota.
• Minnesota.

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset

Transcript Highlights:

• the state of Minnesota. the state of Minnesota.
• Minnesota crew. Minnesota crew.
• back to Minnesota. back to Minnesota.
• back to Minnesota. back to Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all