Transcript Highlights:

• Virtual from Hibbing. Alex, please state your name and who you represent for the record.
• I'm Jason Wobble, the owner of Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions in Hibbing, Minnesota.
• We're based in Hibbing and use all U.S.-made steel, creating great jobs here.
• We also buy from our local mines in Hibbing.
• Chair: How are the Hibbing Blue Jackets doing in hockey?

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• this up to matter because if they need the help up in the reservations, that they need the help in Hibbing
• this up to matter because if they need the help up in the reservations, that they need the help in Hibbing
• this up to matter because if they need the help up in the reservations, that they need the help in Hibbing
• this up to matter because if they need the help up in the reservations, that they need the help in Hibbing
• this up to matter because if they need the help up in the reservations, that they need the help in Hibbing

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Another example is Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions, typically called AMGS, in Hibbing.
• To date, the agency has supported AMGS and the City of Hibbing with a variety of loans and grants, and
• Another example is Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions, typically called AMGS, in Hibbing.
• Another example is Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions, typically called AMGS, in Hibbing.
• Another example is Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions, typically called AMGS, in Hibbing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Explore Minnesota Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty gave the committee an agency overview focused on the state’s tourism, livability, business attraction, film, and outdoor recreation promotion work. She highlighted record 2023 tourism results, including 80.2 million visitors, $4.1 billion in economic impact, more than 180,000 hospitality jobs, and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes, and said tourism sales, hotel occupancy, and other metrics continued to improve. She also described the agency’s marketing strategy, including a new campaign centered on authentic Minnesota stories, expanded domestic and international advertising, and a strong emphasis on winter, diverse markets, and accessibility. McGinty reviewed several one-time-funded programs launched or expanded in the last year, including Explore Minnesota for Business, the tourism recovery grant program, the first Tribal Nations Grant program, and the outdoor recreation industry partnership with IRRR, DEED, and DNR. She said the recovery grants had distributed $1.15 million to 110 grantees, the tribal grant program had spent $1.4 million with eight tribal nations, and outdoor recreation was estimated at $13.5 billion annually with 10.5% growth. She also noted strong media and social media results, including a viral Timberwolves-related campaign, high video completion rates, and increased website traffic. In response to committee questions, McGinty said the workforce and business attraction campaign is aimed at showing why people choose to live and work in Minnesota, using stories from newer residents and businesses, and that it is performing well in markets such as Silicon Valley, Boston, and Seattle. She said the agency is investing more in winter advertising to promote Minnesota as a winter destination and is working with partners to highlight activities beyond outdoor cold-weather recreation. Members also discussed the agency’s new film program, resident retention efforts, and a planned music-themed tourism ad tied to Prince and Bob Dylan. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• where hi where Dylan grew up and Hibbing where hi where Dylan grew up and 70<00:40:58.359> 17
• Thomason whose District included Hibbing Thomason whose District included Hibbing and<00:41:21.440
• My name is Mary Puchkeys, and I'm testifying from Hibbing, Bob Dylan's hometown, where my husband and
• I can hardly sing it after a football game without... in Hibbing and born in Deluth and that in Hibbing
• <00:54:09.319> that very special tour around Hibbing that very special tour around Hibbing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Igo, your final bill is House File 296 for Hibbing.
• Uh, today we have a really exciting project for the city of Hibbing, the largest city on Minnesota's
• The Kerry Lake Recreational Area is the jewel of the Hibbing Park system.
• <01:07:09.280> Kerry jewel of the Hibbing Park system.
• Kerry jewel of the Hibbing Park system.

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have any HIBs here marked for housing infrastructure bonds.
• We don't have any HIBs here marked for housing infrastructure bonds.
• We don't have any HIBs here marked for housing infrastructure bonds.
• We don't have any HIBs here marked for housing infrastructure bonds.
• We don't have any HIBs here marked for housing infrastructure bonds.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m the treasurer of the Hibbing School Board.
• Louis County School District or the Hibbing School District loses money.
• So, before anybody wonders Hibbing.
• loses or the Hibbing School District loses money. money. money.
• <00:32:24.800> another<00:32:25.080> $2 So, Hibbing has to cut another $2 So, Hibbing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:28:54.000> my a kid with severe disease from Hib my a kid with severe disease from Hib
• Hib is a very dangerous disease. It’s a bacterial illness. Hib is not the flu.
• Hib is Haemophilus influenzae bacteria.
• Hib is a very dangerous disease. It’s a bacterial illness. Hib is not the flu.
• Hib is Haemophilus influenzae bacteria.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were having lunch in the park across the street in Hibbing.
• We were having lunch in the park across the street in Hibbing.
• We were having lunch in the park across the street in Hibbing.
• We were having lunch in the park across the street in Hibbing. Who represents Hibbing? Okay.
• Who represents Hibbing? Okay.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3900 proposed a Minnesota constitutional amendment to increase the share of permanent school trust fund earnings distributed to school districts, with the stated goal of providing more per-pupil funding without raising income or property taxes. Representative Igo, the bill’s author, described the history of the school trust lands and said the change would raise the payout from about 2.5% to 4.5%, producing additional unrestricted money for schools at no cost to taxpayers. He also read the proposed ballot question into the record, which would ask voters whether to amend the constitution to increase funding from the permanent school fund effective July 1, 2027. The House adopted amendment A7, offered by Representative Long, which he said was a technical change to align the bill with Senate language and provide administrative funding for the State Board of Investment. Representative Igo agreed it was a good technical fix. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was given third reading and debated on the floor. Several members spoke in support, including Representatives O’Driscoll, Scraba, Mueller, Bennett, Jordan, and Bakeberg. Supporters emphasized that the proposal would send more money to schools on a per-pupil basis, provide flexible local funding, and help districts facing budget pressures, staffing cuts, and other mandates. Some speakers also highlighted the historical purpose of school trust lands, the role of the State Board of Investment, and the need for better stewardship and government-to-government relationships with tribal nations where trust lands are located. The transcript ends during floor debate and does not include a final vote on passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or, I looked up like a police program that's about a 2-year program at the Hibbing College.
• 2-year program at the Hibbing 2-year program at the Hibbing um<00:26:19.720> College.
• If the Hibbing High School Foundation could take $1,700 donations from even a thousand alumni of the
• <01:14:56.920> School thousand alum of the Hibbing School thousand alum of the Hibbing School
• Hibbing School District that I work for. Hibbing School District that I work for.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul to up on the range in Hibbing.
• Paul to up on the range in Hibbing.
• Paul to up on the range in Hibbing.
• Paul to up on the range in Hibbing.
• Paul to up on the range in Hibbing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When was the last time you treated Hib? Oh, your microphone’s off.
• Um, and I treated many cases of Hib.
• Um, and I treated many cases of Hib.
• I have not seen a case of hib since 90s.
• in Great Britain has resulted in the near elimination of Hib disease.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HIBs are incredibly well balanced between the metro and greater Minnesota.
• On average, MHFA is only able to fund one in three applications that they receive for HIBs.
• I cannot overstate that this project would not have been possible without HIBs. again.
• Yes, Senator Grunhagen, there is a whole section of law that governs the use of HIBs.
• <00:53:52.160> can affordable housing that these hibs can affordable housing that these hibs

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 1 of Article 2 amends statute to add remediation of the Hibbing gas manufacturing plant site
• So this is a standard language that we see with HIBs in past bills, and this reflects the governor's
• this is a standard language that we see this is a standard language that we see with<00:37:10.080> HIBs
• <00:37:10.520> in with HIBs in with HIBs in in<00:37:11.760> past<00:37:12.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on down to line 67 for the debt service for an authorization of $50 million of HIBS, that would
• For an authorization of $50 million of HIBS, that would be a $1 million cost of debt service in FY 29
• To date, HIBs have been available homes.
• We spoke to your constituents in seven manufactured home parks between Hibbing and Grand Rapids.
• HIBs reach projects that simply cannot be financed with tax credits alone.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got Alexandria, Brainerd, uh, Grand Rapids, uh, skipping down Hibbing, Virginia up on the Iron
• So we've got Alexandria, Brainerd, uh, Grand Rapids, uh, skipping down Hibbing, Virginia up on the Iron
• So we've got Alexandria, Brainerd, uh, Grand Rapids, uh, skipping down Hibbing, Virginia up on the Iron
• So we've got Alexandria, Brainerd, uh, Grand Rapids, uh, skipping down Hibbing, Virginia up on the Iron
• , Virginia up on uh skipping down Hibbing, Virginia up on the<01:20:52.760> Iron<01:20:52.960>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the general manager of Hibbing Public Utilities in Hibbing, Minnesota.
• I'm the general manager of Hibbing Public Utilities in Hibbing, Minnesota.
• At Hibbing Public Utilities, we operate a 35-megawatt co-generation heat and power plant.
• At Hibbing Public Utilities, we operate a 35-megawatt co-generation heat and power plant.
• We do so in supporting 20 high-paying jobs at the Hibbing Renewable Energy Center.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 36:05.080> um about it is um about it is um I'll<01:36:06.200> use<01:36:06.400> Hibbing
• as<01:36:06.800> an<01:36:06.880> example<01:36:07.280> because I'll use Hibbing
• as an example because I'll use Hibbing as an example because that's<01:36:07.720> always<01:36
• instance, let's say that uh the Hibbing instance, let's say that uh the Hibbing school<01:36:11.360
• school district that or that the Hibbing school district that or that the Hibbing school<01:36:14.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In my district, it would apply to the city of Hibbing. And this was a request from the city.
• Hibbing. Yes. Okay. And we have one testifier, the mayor.
• I'm Pete Haiduk, mayor of Hibbing.
• Chair<00:24:01.679> Rest,<00:24:02.159> members Hibbing.
• Thank you, Chair Rest, members Hibbing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill is extended UI benefits for the affected workers at Cleveland Cliffs facilities at Minorca and Hibbing
• At Minorca and Hibbing, there was a little over 600 workers that were announced they were going to be
• I am a retired steel worker, proud 2705 retiree, Hibbing Taconite. So this hits close to home.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3030, the Minnesota Miners Relief Act, was presented as a response to layoffs at Cleveland-Cliffs facilities in Minorca and Hibbing, where more than 600 workers were expected to be affected. Supporters said the bill combines an extension of unemployment benefits for laid-off miners with two policy provisions: a site-specific standard intended to address long-running MPCA permitting and rulemaking issues, and standards for the safe storage of reactive mine waste. Speakers argued the package would provide immediate relief while also creating more certainty for future mining jobs and critical minerals development on the Iron Range. The event featured remarks from Representatives Spencer Igo and Cal Warwas, St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Jugovich, Senator Rob Farnsworth, and union and mine representatives, all of whom emphasized the personal and community impact of the layoffs. They described the potential ripple effects on suppliers, local businesses, young workers, and public revenues, and said the bill was about livelihoods rather than politics. Several speakers stressed that the policy provisions were meant to provide clearer, safer standards rather than weaken environmental protections, and they urged bipartisan cooperation to preserve mining jobs and support the region’s long-term future. In response to questions, Igo said the bill had strong bipartisan support for the UI extension and that the policy provisions should not threaten its chances. He said the UI portion was about three pages of the six-page bill and estimated the cost to the UI trust fund at between $1 million and $12 million. He also said the other provisions would require only modest statutory changes. The bill had been heard in the labor committee and was laid over for possible inclusion or further action.