Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for your time, and I'm going to turn it over to my colleague, Jill Keers from Duluth HRA
• And you need emergency repairs in Duluth when your furnace goes out in the middle of the winter or you
• Between 2023 and 2025, the Duluth HRA will have added 128 units of housing to Duluth: 18 units at Fairmont
• The Duluth HRA thanks you, and Minnesota NAHRO thanks you.
• And maybe in Duluth they're older.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard presentations focused on public housing and related funding needs, with testimony from Minnesota NAHRO and several local housing authorities. Melissa Taphorn described the role of housing authorities statewide, including public housing, vouchers, CDBG/HOME funds, Bridges, and HEAT, and emphasized that public housing serves over 36,000 low-income Minnesotans, many of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, or children. She said federal operating and capital funds are insufficient, creating deferred maintenance backlogs, and noted that Minnesota’s public housing capital needs over a five-year period were about $500 million, with nearly $200 million unmet. She also discussed federal uncertainty, including a recent HUD funding freeze notice, possible changes to fair housing requirements, RAD repositioning options, and Build America, Buy America costs. Committee members asked about tenant rent calculations and the populations served. Testimony clarified that public housing residents generally pay 30% of monthly income, with utility allowances factored in, and that the average tenant rent in Minnesota is about $399. Members also heard that about 65% of public housing households are seniors or people with disabilities, while about 35% are families. The committee then heard examples of how state POP grants have been used to preserve public housing stock. Kurt Kina of the Red Wing HRA described multiple POP-funded projects that replaced windows, upgraded heating and cooling, and modernized electrical systems in a 100-resident high-rise, saying the work was essential to keep the building viable. Louise Siba of the St. Paul PHA testified that St. Paul’s authority serves nearly 22,000 people through more than 4,200 public housing units and over 5,200 vouchers, with most townhomes and high-rises serving elderly or disabled residents. She said St. Paul PHA has received nearly $16 million in POP funding since 2012, including about $8.5 million last year, and that those funds enabled major life-safety and modernization projects such as the Denan Terrace renovation and boiler, plumbing, and interior upgrades in high-rises. Jill Keers of the Duluth HRA described a broader set of housing programs, including vouchers, rehab loans, emergency repair funds, construction training, and development. She said Duluth HRA is adding 128 housing units between 2023 and 2025, including mixed-income rentals, senior housing, and family townhomes, and stressed that state investment through POP and other programs is necessary to keep housing affordable and safe.

Transcript Highlights:

• , metro area and Rochester, Duluth, metro area and Rochester, Duluth, more<00:13:21.800> of
• I’m Amber Sadowski, and I’m the executive director up at Lake House in Duluth.
• Uh in Duluth specifically, we state.
• Um, and I am currently a leader in my homelessness advocacy group called Streetwise in Duluth.
• We heard from the testifier in Duluth who was totally amazing.

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• To start off, just to go through some of the appropriations in the Duluth area, we are funding an air
• With the recent string of airport issues, we wanted to ensure that we got some funding for the Duluth
• Cloud to Duluth, from Duluth to Fergus Falls, to Alexandria.
• And I want to say thank you for the Duluth Airport Tower.
• That international Duluth Airport Tower is 70 years old.

Transcript Highlights:

• Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof Housing in Duluth
• Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof Housing in Duluth
• Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof Housing in Duluth
• Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof Housing in Duluth
• One Roof Housing in Duluth to develop two former school sites into single-family housing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They serve a 530 square mile area including Duluth, Hermantown, Cloquet, and the surrounding region.
• , including Duluth, Hermantown, Cloquet, and<00:42:46.760> the<00:42:46.840> surrounding
• <00:48:24.880> to 40-year-old asphalt trail from Duluth to 40-year-old asphalt trail from
• Duluth to Hinckley,<00:48:25.840> runs<00:48:26.160> through<00:48:26.359> our<00
• , representative from Duluth, representative from Duluth, affectionately<00:48:39.240> known

Transcript Highlights:

• The CEO of PBS North in Duluth, and she is also President of the Minnesota Public Television Association
• From a history that my station did about the Cold War in Duluth, to the story of a 102-year-old woman—excuse
• So, for example, elements of the Duluth Cold War story...
• PBS North shares the best of Duluth and surrounding areas on "Almanac North," fostering a deeper understanding
• Besides the Twin Cities headquarters, we have staff and reporters living and working in Bemidji, Duluth

Bills: HF1679, HF1019, HF2321, HF1740, HF2278

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill seeks to rectify a longstanding funding shortfall for special education services in Duluth
• Here to tell us more is John Magus, superintendent of Duluth Public Schools, and school board member
• My name is John Magus, and I'm superintendent of Duluth Public Schools.
• Between fiscal year 2016 and 2019, causing Duluth Public Schools to have a $5.8 million funding gap,
• My name is Jill Loval, and I am a retired Duluth teacher that then had the benefit and the passion of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• minutes ago, I emailed you all a summary of who is responsible for investing revenue for transit in Duluth
• If I were to say that we met Metro voters should have an equal say over how Rochester, Duluth, or any
• If I were to say that we met Metro voters should have an equal say over how Rochester, Duluth, or any
• If I were to say that we met Metro voters should have an equal say over how Rochester, Duluth, or any
• If I were to say that we met Metro voters should have an equal say over how Rochester, Duluth, or any

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• Or Duluth? No, it says Carlton. So, go Miss Bronson.
• >> [laughter] >> Or<00:26:18.640> Duluth? >> Or Duluth?
• >> Or Duluth? No,<00:26:19.800> it<00:26:19.880> says<00:26:20.120> Carlton.
• Duluth. Duluth.
• The Kozlowski bill for Duluth. The aviation. Oh, the aviation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said they have about 2,600 employees nationwide and about 1,700 in Duluth alone, as they continue
• Matt Bomgardner, president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bomgardner, are you there?
• Matt Bomgardner, president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, responded: “Yes, thank you, Chair
• My name is Matt Bomgardner, and I serve as the president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.”
• He said Duluth is in a special moment, and he thinks their population will grow.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Duluth, Red Wing, Wabasha, and Winona.
• Paul, Duluth, Red Wing, Wabasha, and Winona.
• So, we have our own concerns with the Blatnik Bridge in Duluth, which we received a billion-dollar grant
• We have our own concerns with the Blatnik Bridge in Duluth, which we received a billion-dollar grant
• Rudine whether the train to Duluth is at risk of losing federal funding. Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, um, everyone might not know this, but I actually lived in Duluth as a baby for a year,
• that when I first became chair, I turned to Mary one day and I said, "Mary, I'm not sure about the Duluth
• Hermantown city counselor, uh, I was adamant that Hermantown had to stay its own district separate from Duluth
• Hermantown city counselor, uh, I was adamant that Hermantown had to stay its own district separate from Duluth
• Hermantown city counselor, uh, I was adamant that Hermantown had to stay its own district separate from Duluth

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm up here in Duluth.
• I'm<00:02:47.720> up<00:02:47.880> here<00:02:48.040> in<00:02:48.160> Duluth
• I'm up here in Duluth. interventionist. I'm up here in Duluth.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• southwestern Minnesota, based in Granite Falls; Lakeland up in northern Minnesota; and PBS North in Duluth
• southwestern Minnesota, based in Granite Falls; Lakeland up in northern Minnesota; and PBS North in Duluth
• She's the CEO of PBS North in Duluth, and Ms.
• , At our station at PBS North in Duluth, At our station at PBS North in Duluth, and<00:04:28.720>
• Our station in Duluth, Minnesota, is over 60 years old.

Bills: HF1458, HF2063, HF2164, HF1377, HF927, HF1059, HF1910, HF2232

Keywords: CPA, certified public accountant, public accounting, accountancy, licensure, license mobility, substantial equivalency, interstate practice, out-of-state accountant, NASBA, Uniform CPA Examination, board of accountancy, attest services, audit, tax preparation, financial advisory, consulting, accounting education, master's degree, bachelor's degree

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a firefighter up in Duluth, and did a lot of lobbying to get this bill passed over the years.
• I'm a firefighter up in Duluth, and did a lot of lobbying to get this bill passed over the years.
• I'm a firefighter up in Duluth, and did a lot of lobbying to get this bill passed over the years.
• I'm a firefighter up in Duluth, and did a lot of lobbying to get this bill passed over the years.
• I'm a firefighter up in Duluth, and did a lot of lobbying to get this bill passed over the years.

Bills: HF1082, HF1042, HF1295, HF1686, HF1998, HF1775, HF1163

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers, law enforcement oversight, Minnesota National Guard, U.S. armed forces, military installation, armory, air base

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Jennifer McEwen, state senator representing Duluth.
• I am Jennifer McEwen, state senator representing Duluth.
• I am Jennifer McEwen, state senator representing Duluth.
• I am Jennifer McEwen, state senator representing Duluth.
• I am Jennifer McEwen, state senator representing Duluth.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met under a new Senate power-sharing arrangement with co-chairs, began with member and staff introductions, and then received a jurisdiction overview from Senate counsel. The overview explained that the Labor Committee’s jurisdiction has not changed from the previous biennium and covers fair labor standards, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and related agencies and boards such as the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Mediation Services, PERB, and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also noted that some topics, including paid leave, fall under other committees, while earned sick and safe time remains within Labor and Industry jurisdiction. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach and Josiah Moore then gave a detailed Department of Labor and Industry presentation. They reviewed the department’s funding sources, emphasizing that workers’ compensation funds and construction codes/licensing revenues make up most of the budget, while the general fund is a small share. They described the department’s major divisions, including workers’ compensation, construction codes and licensing, labor standards, nursing home workforce standards, and OSHA consultation and compliance, and highlighted practical examples of their work. Examples included return-to-work assistance for an injured worker, compliance training that reduced penalties for self-insurers and claim administrators, and use of the Special Compensation Fund when an employer lacked workers’ compensation insurance. The labor standards section highlighted enforcement actions involving unpaid overtime, pregnancy and parental leave retaliation, wage deductions, and child labor violations, along with totals for 2024 collections and inquiries. The presentation also noted the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s adopted rules, the expansion of construction licensing exams statewide, and OSHA consultation programs such as Min-SHARP and MINSTAR, including a Minnesota employer that recently achieved MINSTAR status. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• University of Minnesota, we'll get information on the Twin Cities campus as well as Crookston and Duluth
• University of Minnesota, we'll get information on the Twin Cities campus as well as Crookston and Duluth
• Scholastica, located in Duluth, Minnesota.
• Scholastica, located in Duluth, Minnesota.
• Scholastica, located in Duluth, Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education on the State Grant program and governor-recommended changes, with some discussion of North Star Promise. Staff explained that State Grant is the state’s largest financial aid program, intended to promote college access and choice for students with the highest financial need, and that it works alongside Pell Grants. They reviewed program eligibility, award calculation, and participation rules, and noted that the program serves a large share of low- and middle-income students, including many dependent students, student parents, BIPOC students, and adult learners. They also described how awards and spending are distributed across public and private institutions and how the agency projects spending using enrollment, tuition, and FAFSA data. A major focus was the current fiscal-year deficit in State Grant. Staff said the program is experiencing a shortfall driven by higher-than-expected enrollment, more students with greater financial need, and major FAFSA formula changes that increased the number of applicants with zero or negative student aid index values. They said the office has already rationed awards where allowed and imposed a FAFSA deadline for spring awards, and does not expect to fund some awards. Officials explained that if the program projects a surplus, they typically adjust the living and miscellaneous expense allowance to spend down funds; if it projects a deficit, they can increase student and family responsibility to reduce award sizes, but the program must stay within its appropriation. Senator Duckworth asked several questions about whether unused funds could be transferred between State Grant and North Star Promise, and how the two programs are treated. Staff said State Grant funds revert to the general fund at the end of the biennium, while North Star Promise uses a special revenue account, and that transfers may be possible but would need clarification under current authority. They referenced a prior legislative transfer from North Star Promise funds to cover a shortfall in the Fostering Independence Grant and said they would follow up on the exact transfer authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties throughout Northeast Minnesota work directly with True North Goodwill in Duluth for mattress
• So in Becker County, in Duluth, and in Lyon County in Marshall, Minnesota, as well as in the Twin Cities
• 00:18:44.960> Becker<00:18:45.200> County,<00:18:46.040> in<00:18:46.280> Duluth
• County, in Duluth, and in Lyon<00:18:47.800> County<00:18:48.080> in<00:18:48.160>
• <00:20:13.440> of I actually took uh a tour in Duluth of I actually took uh a tour in Duluth

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, I know anecdotally my family up in Duluth has enjoyed many things.
• And sometimes every now and then I listen to Art Hounds, and I will hear somebody I know in Duluth who
• I know anecdotally my family up in Duluth has enjoyed many things.
• And sometimes every now and then I listen to Art Hounds, and I will hear somebody I know in Duluth who
• My name is Drew Jensen, and I'm the executive director for the Duluth Children's Museum.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud to Duluth, from Duluth to Fergus Falls to Alexandria.
• That international Duluth airport tower is 70 years old.
• That international Duluth airport tower is 70 years old.
• That international Duluth airport tower is 70 years old.
• That international Duluth airport tower is 70 years old.

Keywords: 1183, house