Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Corrections in the state of Minnesota Corrections in the state of Minnesota but<00:09:45.560><c>
• Paul Schnell, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
• I'm from the Minnesota Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee.
• <00:36:50.640><c> incarcerated</c><00:36:51.119><c> workers</c> Minnesota incarcerated workers Minnesota
• </c> that at some point produces transports that at some point produces transports and<00:59:21.880><

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm your chair, but also I represent House District 15A down in southwest Minnesota, Marshall, Minnesota
• I'm your chair, but also I represent House District 15A down in southwest Minnesota, Marshall, Minnesota
• I'm your chair, but also I represent House District 15A down in southwest Minnesota, Marshall, Minnesota
• This is something that affects all of us in Minnesota.
• </c><00:20:02.760><c> Mr</c> currently in Minnesota Mr currently in Minnesota Mr elaf<00:20:04.799><c

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• That makes Minnesota state statute clear.
• So it's a lot of extra work on the 850 cities in Minnesota, not just here in greater Minnesota—of course
• Minnesota?
• Paul magazine and the Minnesota Reformer, child care costs more in Minnesota than almost any other state
• To support Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota has passed one: 100% carbon-free by 2040. Minnesota is part of the MISO grid.
• Minnesota has passed one: 100% carbon-free by 2040. Minnesota is part of the MISO grid.
• Minnesota has passed one: 100% carbon-free by 2040. Minnesota is part of the MISO grid.
• Minnesota has passed one: 100% carbon-free by 2040. Minnesota is part of the MISO grid.
• Minnesota has passed one: 100% carbon-free by 2040. Minnesota is part of the MISO grid.

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine’s production history, customer mix, safety record, reclamation practices, workforce, community involvement, and economic impact. Members asked about how long land stays in production before reclamation, how quickly it returns to agriculture, labor shortages, groundwater impacts, and which skilled trades are hardest to fill. Hawbaker said the mine typically disturbs land for three to five years, reclamation returns much of the land to agricultural use, and the biggest hiring challenges are electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, engineers, and accountants. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation. He reviewed the history of North Dakota and federal reclamation laws, the PSC’s permitting and inspection authority, bonding requirements, contemporaneous reclamation standards, and how the state handles topsoil, subsoil, drainage, and revegetation. He emphasized that North Dakota’s program is well regarded, with frequent inspections and no corrective-action issues in recent federal reviews. Christman also discussed problems caused by federal coal ownership that can delay mine plans, and he answered questions about reclamation timing, wildlife easements, wind and pipeline reclamation, and whether similar bonding concepts could apply to data centers. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council President and CEO Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He highlighted the industry’s long-term role in providing reliable electricity, jobs, and tax revenue, along with North Dakota’s low electricity rates and strong grid reliability. Fortner discussed severance and conversion tax revenues, federal regulatory changes, litigation over EPA rules, carbon capture, critical minerals, and the potential for large-load customers such as data centers to support new coal generation. He said the industry sees a window of opportunity for growth and expressed support for new large-load development, while noting that diversified energy companies are also pursuing natural gas and other resources. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning for the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a Minnesota phenomenon.
• </c> question why aren't Minnesota question why aren't Minnesota institutions<00:24:12.200><c> keeping
• </c><00:31:42.360><c> state</c> North uh Northwestern Minnesota state North uh Northwestern Minnesota
• Explore Minnesota for business uh Explore Minnesota for business uh dollars<00:57:12.880><c> that</c>
• </c> development administration of Minnesota development administration of Minnesota uh<01:03:53.160>

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• of stroke patients is essential. transport of stroke patients is essential.
• They have to provide transportation reimbursement.
• Minnesota for several years, and we even had the public health people from Minnesota, the Department
• DTs in Minnesota for several years, and we even had the public health people from Minnesota, the Department
• hospital in Minnesota.

Committee: Joint Health Care Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a detailed annual presentation from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and review findings. He explained the committee’s structure, the de-identified review process, and the distinction between pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. He said national maternal mortality has declined from its 2021 peak, but mental health conditions, substance use, overdose, suicide, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, infection, and embolism remain major causes. He emphasized that many deaths are preventable, with especially high rates among non-Hispanic Black women and in the American Indian/Alaska Native population, and noted that a large share of deaths occur after 42 days postpartum. Committee members asked about suicide, domestic abuse, pregnancy testing in unexplained deaths, and the role of home births and midwife training. Dr. Arnold said the committee is adding a caseworker, exploring post-mortem pregnancy testing in suspicious cases, and working with coroners and forensic officials; he also said home births and untrained midwifery pose safety concerns and that better public education and facility-based care are important. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matt Clark on cigarette ignition propensity standards and fire prevention. He recommended updating North Dakota’s cigarette ignition legislation to the current national standard and also considering legislation requiring fast-breakaway oxygen tubing, citing fatal fires involving smoking around home oxygen. He explained that his office verifies manufacturer testing and maintains certification for cigarettes sold in the state, but does not itself conduct the testing. Members asked about implementation, cost, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Clark said he would follow up with cost information and additional details, and that he had not seen evidence of a major issue on tribal lands but would look further. Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services presented the North Dakota Stroke System of Care report. She described the statewide network of two comprehensive stroke centers, four primary stroke centers, and 30 acute stroke-ready hospitals, along with the stroke registry and quality-improvement efforts. She reported that most strokes are ischemic, that the median stroke patient age is 71.5, and that common risk factors include hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. She highlighted improvements in door-to-CT, thrombolytic treatment times, dysphagia screening, EMS pre-notification, and interfacility transfer performance, and said new priorities include hemorrhagic stroke quality measures and standardized EMS stroke screening tools. Members asked about the VA hospital’s participation, and Greff said she would pursue outreach. After a break, the committee heard testimony from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals as part of the prior authorization study, focused on non-opioid pain treatment. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to acute pain treatment and may push patients toward opioids, especially in the critical 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window. He cited data showing that even short opioid exposure can increase the risk of long-term use and said prior authorization is often a barrier for physicians and patients. Khan recommended open access with a quantity limit rather than prior authorization, suggesting a 14-day limit supported by the product’s data and an episode-of-care approach. Members asked about dental use, payer discussions, and cost; he said the product’s wholesale acquisition cost is about $16.10 per tablet, with patient assistance available, and that he would follow up on payer and comparison-cost questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> cities, suburbs, and rural Minnesota. cities, suburbs, and rural Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota housed. Minnesota housed.
• </c> got both in Minnesota. got both in Minnesota.
• </c> families that live here in Minnesota. families that live here in Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Since 1992, we've advised Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• It may also encourage part-time Minnesota residents to move their deposits out of Minnesota, impacting
• </c><00:37:51.200><c> Business</c> advancement at the Minnesota Business advancement at the Minnesota
• I'm from Long Lake, Minnesota.
• </c> testimony on behalf of the Minnesota testimony on behalf of the Minnesota Insurance<00:50:27.400
• </c> Competitive Edge so that Minnesota Competitive Edge so that Minnesota employers<01:12:02.639><c>

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:44.440><c> sentencing</c><00:20:45.120><c> guidelines</c> Minnesota sentencing guidelines Minnesota
• Sexual assault investigations within a Minnesota-owned military facility: Chapter 299C, the Minnesota
• </c> formerly known as the Minnesota formerly known as the Minnesota Coalition<01:16:04.239><c> on</c
• </c><01:25:02.760><c> would</c> officer of the state of Minnesota would officer of the state of Minnesota
• </c> about the nuances of the Minnesota about the nuances of the Minnesota Government<02:00:37.280><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:57.840><c> through</c> in the state of Minnesota through in the state of Minnesota through
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> developed in Minnesota. developed in Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota areas. Minnesota areas.
• You need transportation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> here is how does Minnesota look at this? here is how does Minnesota look at this?
• </c><00:25:48.880><c> What</c><00:25:49.279><c> Minnesota</c> Minnesota statute 214.
• What Minnesota Minnesota statute 214.
• </c> Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
• Minnesota? Minnesota?

Bills: HF362 , HF2590 , HF2760 , HF3444

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And I impact in the state of Minnesota.
• </c> We're taking money from the Minnesota We're taking money from the Minnesota forward<00:09:26.960
• So, every Minnesota uh survive.
• </c> loopholes in Minnesota Promise Act. loopholes in Minnesota Promise Act.
• </c><00:30:18.400><c> Um</c> Minnesota on their minds. Um Minnesota on their minds.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a retired physics professor from Minnesota State Mankato and a volunteer with Faith in Minnesota.
• </c> that person be uh sent or transported? that person be uh sent or transported?
• </c> the state of Minnesota. the state of Minnesota.
• </c> of that here in Minnesota. Uh, as Mr. of that here in Minnesota. Uh, as Mr.
• </c> saw unfortunately here in Minnesota. saw unfortunately here in Minnesota.

Bills: HF4077 , HF3798 , HF3886

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• Guyon appealed that decision to Minnesota District Court, which found that Minnesota Statute section
• :05:09.480><c> which</c><00:05:09.800><c> found</c> Minnesota District Court which found Minnesota District
• section</c><00:05:12.120><c> 501C.1206</c> that Minnesota statute section 501C.1206 that Minnesota statute
• Claimant was transported to the ankle.
• </c><00:52:40.080><c> Um</c> common in basements in Minnesota. Um common in basements in Minnesota.

Summary: The Joint House and Senate Subcommittee on Claims convened on April 30, first without quorum and then with quorum, at which point the committee corrected and approved the prior minutes. Members then reviewed several claims held over for informational purposes, including injury claims for Fraser, Larson, Schmidt, Stuart, and Washington, and property claims for Lidberg, Robecky, and Young, with no action taken on those items. The committee dismissed a claim by Ms. Prevally seeking reimbursement for funds liquidated from irrevocable trusts after hearing that the matter had already been litigated in court and that subcommittee rules bar claims for public assistance compensation. The panel then approved two exoneration claims: James Jovan Davis, whose murder conviction was vacated after postconviction proceedings and who settled for $250,000, and Clayton Douglas Groves, whose sexual-conduct convictions were vacated after evidence of prior false accusations was admitted and who settled for $350,000. Testimony from counsel for both claimants emphasized wrongful conviction, the length of incarceration, and negotiated settlement amounts, with members asking about the basis for the compensation and attorney-fee allocations. The final exoneration claim, Marvin Haynes, was also approved. The committee heard that Haynes was convicted as a teenager, later exonerated after new evidence showed false evidence and suggestive eyewitness identification, and that the state and claimant had reached a $4.5 million settlement. The committee then turned to Department of Corrections injury claims, denying Arnold Baker’s claim for lack of evidence of a compensable permanent injury, and approving Mark Carroll’s claim for a $4,570.40 award after he suffered a compensable ankle fracture while working. In property claims, the committee discussed Anthony Edwards’s claim for food, a JPay tablet, and shoes. After testimony from Department of Corrections counsel about property inventory procedures and the lack of a current replacement tablet program, members agreed to compensate Edwards $70 for the missing shoes, deny the food claim, and deny the tablet claim because the tablet had been returned and any malfunction was reported outside the department’s reporting window.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> circulate across the state of Minnesota circulate across the state of Minnesota from<00:10:40.640
• </c> students and for the Minnesota students and for the Minnesota community.<00:10:51.040><c> But</c
• ><c> a</c><00:35:13.920><c> need-based</c> 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><c> and</c><00:36:22.079><c> then

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, virtually, we have State Senator from Minnesota Judy Seaburger. Senator Seaburger?
• I'm a state senator from District 41 here in Minnesota.
• And I authored Amara's Law here in Minnesota, which provides the most comprehensive restrictions and
• But I will tell you this: Amara's Law has been the law of the land here in the state of Minnesota for
• And you can see how many communities, in comparison, are burdened due to transportation.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> our</c><00:04:17.919><c> county</c> Minnesota relies heavily on our county Minnesota relies heavily
• </c> compared to many other states, Minnesota compared to many other states, Minnesota as<00:04:31.440
• We also know that Minnesota tribes.
• </c> Maxa um and the association of Minnesota Maxa um and the association of Minnesota counties<00:13
• </c> counties in the packet that Minnesota counties in the packet that Minnesota counties<00:13:10.480

Bills: HF2135 , HF776 , HF1581 , HF1158 , HF2226

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, March 13, 2025.
• </c><00:11:20.160><c> DNR</c> or restricted access the Minnesota DNR or restricted access the Minnesota
• </c><00:14:27.600><c> folks</c> opportunity to show Min Minnesota folks opportunity to show Min Minnesota
• </c><00:46:15.440><c> tax</c> into a newly established Minnesota tax into a newly established Minnesota
• </c> like this into our Minnesota like this into our Minnesota Constitution<01:43:19.080><c> know</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• today you'll hear a series of bills brought forward by the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota
• </c><00:10:01.800><c> statutes</c> not codified in Minnesota statutes not codified in Minnesota statutes
• </c><00:11:59.040><c> law</c> timelines listed in Minnesota law timelines listed in Minnesota law this
• as you may recall in 2021 the Minnesota as you may recall in 2021 the Minnesota<00:42:40.559><c> Legislature
• </c><00:51:48.599><c> as</c> providers Association of Minnesota as providers Association of Minnesota

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> Minnesota adopted statewide preeemption, Minnesota adopted statewide preeemption, it<00:25:02.640
• </c> We do not govern this way in Minnesota. We do not govern this way in Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• . um when Minnesota patchwork of laws. um when Minnesota passed<00:47:39.359><c> our</c><00:47:39.839
• </c> article one bill of rights in Minnesota article one bill of rights in Minnesota is<00:54:10.960>

Bills: HF3351

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations