Transcript Highlights:

• to Work a deal where we could have slot machines and veterans organizations, VFW, American Legion, Elks
• Ongoing elk surveys and aerial surveys for elk Some of the highlights for next fiscal year include completing
• waterfowl hunting state, certainly a top five Bob White quail hunting state with a 4 almost 11-inch bull elk
• We could start making waves as a top 10 or fifth elk state.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, my next favorite issue: elk damage to crops and fences in Representative Burkel's district.
• damage and you can see the a bit of elk damage and you can see the claims<00:21:04.320> uh<00
• know, the committee has given us the ability in the legislature to transfer money on years from the elk
• fund to the wolf fund because some years the elk fund is more, the wolf fund is more, and we've always
• fund to the wolf fund because some years the elk fund is more, the wolf fund is more, and we've always

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture presented an overview of its budget, staffing, and major program areas, including protection services, marketing, and administration. Commissioners also highlighted concerns about federal funding uncertainty after a January letter suspending active and future USDA awards to the department. They said the issue affected about 13% of the agency’s budget, created confusion for farmers, and briefly disrupted poultry lab testing and HPAI-related work, though they later received assurances from USDA leadership that existing programs would continue processing. The department also described its anti-fraud efforts, including internal controls, a compliance coordinator, a grants administrator, review committees, site visits, and participation in the state’s Inspector General Coordinating Council. The committee then discussed several agriculture support programs. For dairy margin coverage, the department said Minnesota’s sign-up is open and supported a bill to extend assistance to farmers who began operations in 2023-2025 and were not covered under the earlier production-based formula. The renamed Farm to Food Security program, formerly LFPA, was described as a state-created local food purchasing effort funded at $700,000 per year. The down payment assistance grant for first-time farm buyers was also reviewed; the department said it has supported 112 farmers so far, with additional awards pending, but noted timing problems when purchase agreements fall through. Members asked whether priority should be given to applicants with signed purchase agreements, and the department said that was under consideration. The grain indemnity account update focused on the Hansen-Mueller facility failure and related claims. The department said the account holds about $10.7 million, has received 19 claims totaling $1.1 million, and that $842,000 of those claims were tied specifically to Minnesota transactions. It explained the difference by noting that some claims involved Minnesota farmers selling in North Dakota and Wisconsin, and that the indemnity account covers grains sold in Minnesota. The committee also heard updates on elk and wolf depredation payments, with the department projecting shortfalls in both funds and noting that payments are being delayed into later months. The agriculture response fund balance was said to be about $2.5 million. Finally, the Rural Finance Authority and the East Grand Forks potato facility were discussed. The RFA reported strong demand for low-interest loans, about $26 million remaining from the prior $50 million authorization, and a new $50 million bonding request in the governor’s proposal to avoid a funding gap. The department said the program has issued 3,951 loans totaling about $390.3 million with very low defaults. It also requested $1.38 million in bonding for building improvements at the East Grand Forks potato facility, which it said is the department’s only owned building and supports a significant potato industry. In response to a question from Rep. Bang, the commissioner said recent ICE activity had affected farms, processing plants, immigrant workers, and some rural food businesses, and that the department had relayed those concerns to the governor’s office and congressional delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hirsch Mental Health Services, and Jenae Schallert of the Elk Grove Police Department.
• I'm an LCSW at, or formerly at, Elk Grove Police Department. So, a licensed clinical social worker.
• And then I was at Elk Grove Police Department for a little over two years, as I was hired internally,
• In the city of Elk Grove, they do respond to everything.
• So in the city of Elk Grove, we are still responding, but even seeing that of just like providing that

Summary: The hearing focused on California’s 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and the broader crisis response system, with members and witnesses emphasizing both the system’s life-saving role and the risks posed by funding gaps, rising demand, and uneven local implementation. Opening remarks highlighted the personal impact of suicide and the need to strengthen crisis response so calls are answered quickly and linked to appropriate care rather than defaulting to 911, emergency rooms, or law enforcement. State officials described the AB 988 five-year implementation plan, which sets goals around public awareness, equitable access, high-quality call/chat/text response, and better integration with ongoing behavioral health services. State agencies reported progress on infrastructure, coordination, and related behavioral health investments. CalHHS said California has expanded mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization units, and youth behavioral health supports, and is preparing additional public awareness and grant programs tied to Proposition 1. DHCS explained that 988 is funded through a federal SAMHSA grant and the AB 988 surcharge, while Medi-Cal separately funds mobile crisis services; officials said the mobile crisis benefit is active in 53 counties and that statewide expansion remains a work in progress. Cal OES described the statewide technical buildout, including network infrastructure in all 11 crisis centers, interoperability with 911, and a pilot of next-generation routing and call-handling tools. The 988 California Consortium said call volume continues to rise sharply, missed calls remain a major concern, text/chat capacity is limited, and centers need more stable funding, better reimbursement, and stronger feedback loops with the state. County and community witnesses stressed that local systems need more flexible, sustained support to match the demand. Lake County described a peer-led rural mobile crisis model that has reduced law enforcement holds and increased housing placements, but said county-run mobile crisis teams still cannot reliably access 988 surcharge dollars and face reimbursement problems from Medi-Cal and commercial plans. Santa Clara County reported strong performance metrics, rapid call answer times, and a broad continuum of mobile crisis services, but said staffing and funding are strained and commercial reimbursement remains slow. The Mental Health Association of San Francisco said the peer-run warm line complements 988 by offering non-emergency support and warm handoffs, but recent budget changes forced cuts to Spanish-language service, federation support, and hours. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; members mainly asked questions about surcharge levels, budget timing, coordination among agencies, data collection, and how to improve collaboration with frontline crisis centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think some of the things that I'm proud to work on was the wolf and elk depredation accounts.
• 31.919> uh proud to work on was the the wolf and uh proud to work on was the the wolf and uh elk
• Um making sure elk depradation accounts.
• Our livestock producer costs, you know, the costs related to wolf and elk depredation really increased
• depredation. know, the costs related to wolf and elk know, the costs related to wolf and elk depradation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I also wanted to note that on page three, line 20, this only seems to address the bison, elk, and red
• I also wanted to note that on page three, line 20, this only seems to address the bison, elk, and red
• <00:23:02.720> So, elk they actually have herds. So, elk they actually have herds.
• There are very few that are raising the deer, elk, and bison. >> May I follow up, Madam Chair?
• deer, elk, and bison. deer, elk, and bison.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a work session and then executive session on HB 396, which would allow processing of beef cows, swine, sheep, and goats at facilities not certified by USDA. Representative Comtois presented a revised amendment after prior drafting issues were corrected. The changes narrowed the bill to cuts of meat rather than meat food products, clarified labeling for amenable and non-amenable species, removed an exemption from federal law, struck a seasonal date range at Representative Bixby’s request, and reinstated a previously removed section. Supporters said the amendment now had clearer language and better safeguards, while some members still expressed reservations about the underlying policy. Testimony from DHHS food safety officials emphasized that the department does not inspect custom-exempt facilities and would have little oversight unless there were a complaint or foodborne outbreak. They noted concerns about removing the September 1 to April 30 date range, explaining it had been included in the original bill because of temperature and storage concerns for large animals, and they also said the amendment appeared to focus documentation requirements on bison, elk, and red deer. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the proposal would create food safety risks, whether farmers should instead be educated and helped to aggregate processing capacity, and whether the bill would expose farmers, retailers, and restaurants to federal enforcement risk. Rob Johnson of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau said the organization had recently voted down a policy opposing state regulations that would allow uninspected meat sales at retail, and he said he needed to consult further with Farm Bureau leadership before taking a position on HB 396. He suggested the bill should use the broader term “dairy and beef cattle” rather than “beef cows” for consistency. Supporters argued the bill would help small farmers, expand local food access, and reflect an intrastate policy choice despite conflict with federal law. The committee then moved into executive session and voted to approve amendment 2025-3090H, with members stating they would likely have different views on the bill itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 33 is the elk crop damage compensation. It is $125,000 in FY 26-27.
• Then Clause D are the elk depredation payments that were from the same bill that we heard on February
• it, there are big issues right now for the department, like our operating adjustment, the wolf and elk
• Thank you as well for the increased funding for wolf and elk depredation payments.
• But I think, given what I have going on in my district with the wolf and elk depredation numbers we're

Bills: HF1704

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• We also value our natural resources, 300 acres of parkland, the Mississippi and Elk Rivers.
• 00:08:37.800> the<00:08:37.880> Mississippi<00:08:38.599> and<00:08:38.880> Elk
• parkland, the Mississippi and Elk parkland, the Mississippi and Elk Rivers.<00:08:40.080> We're

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• After that we'll have Elk River Public Works, Justin Femite, and then we'll have a representative from
• and then after that we'll have um Elk and then after that we'll have um Elk River<00:46:33.000><
• We still have the Elk River Public Works Mr. Femite. Welcome.
• I'm the Public Works director and chief engineer for the city of Elk River, and recently retired from
• I'm the Public Works director and chief engineer for the city of Elk River, and recently retired from

Bills: HF192, HF268, HF1214, HF494

Keywords: Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation

Transcript Highlights:

• Saskatchewan, for example, which is where a lot of our positive deer are coming from, has exploding elk
• and moose populations, which limits the habitat and causes those different... ...has exploding elk and
• So much so that a couple sessions ago, we actually had to split one of our elk units in half and put
• And this was because we were getting reports from ranchers up in that area that elk were coming down
• and unrolling their round bales. ...ranchers up in that area that elk were coming down and unrolling

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then received a gubernatorial message listing numerous bills signed by the governor. The chamber also handled conference committee business, including appointing conferees for House Bills 1003 and 1169 after refusing to concur with Senate amendments, and adopting a conference committee report on House Bill 1053, which repealed a Century Code section related to the length of the state highway system. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2137, which would allow supplemental feed for hunting and include an expiration date. The House divided the proposed amendments into two parts. Division A, dealing with baiting limits and setbacks near livestock facilities, drew extensive debate over private property rights, enforceability, livestock protection, and hunting access, and failed 14-76. Division B, requiring chronic wasting disease surveillance and a report to Legislative Management, also drew debate over whether the reporting requirement was necessary or too late to be useful; it failed 44-46. With both divisions defeated, the House then passed the underlying bill 56-34. The House also laid over Senate Bills 2340, 2326, and 2289. Later, it defeated Senate Bill 2325, which would have created a process for non-federal easements on wetland areas, by a vote of 4-84. It passed Senate Bill 2210, directing a legislative management study on watershed-based water management, 85-3; Senate Bill 2387, establishing rights for sexual violence survivors, 89-0; and Senate Bill 269, allowing state agencies to satisfy legal notice requirements by posting on their websites if newspaper publication is missed, 72-17. The House then excused absent members and adjourned until Monday, April 14, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Interestingly, if you're working with bison or red-tailed deer or elk, that doesn't apply.
• , with bison or redtailed deer or elk, with bison or redtailed deer or elk, that<02:02:13.280>
• bison, red tailed deer and elk, right? bison, red tailed deer and elk, right?
• Well, I can tell you... the the current law for bison, elk, and the the current law for bison, elk, and
• the um the red deer, elk, and bison. the um the red deer, elk, and bison.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Andrew Donnery, and I'm here on behalf of Elk Grove Soccer.
• Elk Grove Soccer is a non-profit organization with over 6,000 children playing each year.
• Elk Grove Soccer estimates the cost to us will be over $250,000.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hoop Shoot National named the Elks Hoop Shoot National named the Elks Hoop Shoot National Champion.
• Coleman, Alabama for winning the Elks Coleman, Alabama for winning the Elks National Hoop Shoot competition
• And whereas the Elks National Hoop Shoot in whereas the Elks National Hoop Shoot in whereas the Elks
• Lodge will host a reception Coleman Elks Lodge will host a reception Coleman Elks Lodge will host a
• National Hoop winning the Elks National Hoop winning the Elks National Hoop Competition in the 8 and9

Bills: SB 66, SB 317, SB 393, SB 397, SB 456, SB 614, SB 628, SB 629, SB 636, SB 715, SB 731, SB 801, SB 872, SB 905, SB 986, SB 1012, SB 1013, SB 1015, SB 1032, SB 1113, SB 1181, SB 1212, SB 1241, SB 1250, SB 1278, SB 1285, SB 1376, SB 1444, SB 1449, SB 1524, SB 1525, SB 1528, SB 1556, SB 1588, SB 1660, SB 1704, SB 1708, SB 1802, SB 1833, SB 1844, SB 1854, SB 1863, SB 1957, SB 1959, SB 1965, SB 1999, SB 2035, SB 2056, SB 2082, SB 2119, SB 2138, SB 2165, SB 2199, SB 2201, SB 2203, SB 2245, SB 2284, SB 2419, SB 2422, SB 2452, SB 2487, SB 2523, SB 2529, SB 2533, SB 2541, SB 2586, SB 2595, SB 2605, SB 2615, SB 2675, SB 2690, SB 2717, SB 2753, SB 2778, SB 2835, SB 2841, SB 2891, SB 2929, SB 2933, SB 3016, SB 3039, SB 3044, HB 912, HB 2525, SJR 3, SB 5, SB 29, SB 326, SB 494, SB 530, SB 769, SB 783, SB 963, SB 1238, SB 1271, SB 1786, SB 1967, SB 2312, SB 72, SB 616, SB 1143, SB 1172, SB 1267, SB 1273, SB 1506, SB 1759, SB 2361, SB 1, SB 260, SB 1637, SJR 36, SJR 50, SJR 63, SJR 59, SCR 12, SCR 39, SCR 48, SCR 19, SB 2023, SB 1524, SB 2422, SB 2119, SB 2753, SB 1863, SB 62, SB 666, SB 847, SB 284, SB 854, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 1505, SB 583, SB 507, SB 1434, SB 1376, SB 1772, SB 2016, SB 1163, SB 1122, SB 731, SB 397, SB 508, SB 1436, SB 287, SB 261, SB 1882, SB 393, SB 1791, SB 209, SB 2429, SB 1999, SB 511, SB 2309, SB 510, SB 1085, SB 1975, SB 2717, SB 1262, SB 636, SB 2056, SB 884, SB 517, SB 1200, SB 1845, SB 2681, SB 2199, SB 2458, SB 801, SB 2533, SB 3014, SB 3013, SB 758, SB 1013, SB 2797, SB 2076, SB 2876, SB 2284, SB 2929, SB 2595, SB 715, SB 1640, SB 1241, SB 2538, SB 1449, SB 2529, SB 986, SB 1181, SB 1359, SB 2245, SB 410, SB 1234, SB 456, SB 1012, SB 2926, SB 2138, SB 2615, SB 2972, SB 2841, SB 3016, SB 1856, SB 2035, SB 1528, SB 1373, SB 672, SB 2891, SB 1854, SB 317, SB 2539, SB 2532, SB 1250, SB 2082, SB 2203, SB 1285, SB 1959, SB 1454, SB 2520, SB 2541, SB 1708, SB 1237, SB 1844, SB 1586, SB 3039, SB 2819, SB 66, SB 629, SB 1015, SB 2342, SB 2903, SB 2933, SB 1965, SB 2477, SB 3029, SB 2605, SB 2419, SB 1957, SB 375, SB 250, SB 777, SB 628, SB 2523, SB 2367, SB 2703, SB 2608, SB 2778, SB 3044, SB 2965, SB 2521, SB 865, SB 1032, SB 2165, SB 2501, SB 2675, SB 2452, SB 2835, SB 872, SB 1212, SB 1278, SB 1588, SB 1602, SB 1704, SB 1723, SB 1833, SB 1858, SB 1946, SB 2009, SB 2177, SB 2460, SB 2785, SB 2373, SB 1660, SB 614, SB 867, SB 1608, SB 1525, SB 905, SB 640, SB 2487, SB 1698, SB 383, SB 705, SB 748, SB 1113, SB 1117, SB 1802, SB 2340, SB 2586, SB 2680, SB 2690, SB 2994, SB 2747, SB 1950, SB 913, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1087, SB 1483, SB 1444, SB 1553, SB 1556, SB 1703, SB 2133, SB 2297, SB 2298, SB 2622, SB 2955, SB 3059, SB 2782, SB 2781, SB 2637, SB 2633, SB 2337, SB 2334, SB 1861, SB 2043, SB 1367, SB 946, SB 945, SB 2857, SB 128, SB 571, SB 1263, SB 3058, SB 612, SB 2221, SB 2587, SB 2044, SB 2363, SB 2713, HB 1109, HB 1392, HB 22, HB 2525, HB 3093, HB 517, HB 912, HB 1130, HB 142, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 2311, SB 1986, SB 2565, SB 2943, SB 1888, SB 2417, SB 3048, SB 3052, SB 3053, SB 3036, SB 3057, SB 3056, SB 3043, SB 3037, SB 3050, SB 3063, SB 3047, SB 3035, HJR 98, HJR 99, HB 136, HB 2884, HB 1393, HB 2730, HB 1399, HB 1244, HB 467, HB 331, HB 2559, SB 66, SB 456, SB 628, SB 1012, SB 1015, SB 1032, SB 1241, SB 1376, SB 1708, SB 1959, SB 1965, SB 2035, SB 2199, SB 2245, SB 2284, SB 2419, SB 2523, SB 2529, SB 2541, SB 2595, SB 2605, SB 2778, SB 2933, SB 3039, SB 3044, SB 1524, SB 1863, SB 2119, SB 2422, SB 2753, SB 1844, SB 2533, SR 417, SR 500, SR 501, SR 502, HCR 128, HB 23, HB 45, HB 104, HB 519, HB 748, HB 791, HB 1056, HB 1481, HB 3181, HB 3211, HB 4044, HB 4290, HB 23, HB 45, HB 104, HB 519, HB 748, HB 791, HB 1056, HB 1481, HB 3181, HB 3211, HB 4044, HB 4290

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, SB 393, Sparks, Middleton, local government, political subdivision, public securities

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on down to line nine for elk crop damage compensation, also from Senate File 469 from Senator
• to<00:17:38.000> line<00:17:38.240> nine<00:17:38.640> for<00:17:39.039> elk
• <00:17:39.360> cro<00:17:40.080> elk<00:17:40.559> crop down to line nine for
• elk cro elk crop down to line nine for elk cro elk crop damage<00:17:41.440> compensation,<00
• <00:43:44.800> depradation inspection, uh wolf elk depradation inspection, uh wolf elk depradation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kelvin Portner, City Administrator from the City of Elk River.
• The City of Elk River, if you are not aware, is in the far northwest margins of the metro area.
• When it was constructed and opened in 1971, the City of Elk River was about 4,000 residents.
• <01:42:34.480> River opened in 1971, the city of Elk River opened in 1971, the city of Elk
• <01:43:17.840> River will fit the needs of Elk River will fit the needs of Elk River residents

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minneapolis and Big Lake, serving seven stations: Target Field, Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Ramsey, Elk
• Minneapolis and Big Lake, serving seven stations: Target Field, Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Ramsey, Elk
• Minneapolis and Big Lake, serving seven stations: Target Field, Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Ramsey, Elk
• Minneapolis and Big Lake, serving seven stations: Target Field, Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Ramsey, Elk
• Elk River would no longer have service, so then looking at some of these numbers that were provided in

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It was from Elk Grove in January of 2024, and it was an AI-generated CSAM case.
• investigation unit, identified a high-volume child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, distributor operating out of Elk
• Our current investigator is the one that assisted them with locating that target in Elk Grove.
• It's going to go to Elk Grove Police Department to investigate.
• And that case in Elk Grove was from 3 to 15.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety heard several items focused on youth safety and law enforcement resources. The committee first took up tribal youth diversion programs, with the Legislative Analyst’s Office describing the Tribal Youth Diversion Grant Program and its two cohorts of grantees funded through the Board of State and Community Corrections. Tribal representatives from the Yurok Tribe and San Pasqual Band of Indians testified that diversion, tribal courts, school partnerships, mentoring, and culturally grounded services helped reduce truancy and justice-system involvement, but that short-term funding interruptions and limited capacity prevented them from serving all youth in need. Committee members discussed the importance of early intervention, tribal-state court collaboration, and possible misidentification of Native youth in the justice system. The committee then heard the California Highway Patrol’s overview of surge operations supporting local crime suppression, including organized retail theft. CHP reported that its surge teams have been used in response to mutual aid requests and cited arrests, stolen vehicle recoveries, and firearm seizures in Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino. Members asked about demand for these operations and whether CHP could meet requests without affecting other duties; CHP said requests have increased and are accepted when resources allow. The committee also heard CHP’s request for a $5 million General Fund augmentation and 12 positions for its Computer Crimes Investigation Unit to make child sexual abuse material and human trafficking investigations a higher priority. CHP cited rising cybertip volumes, a case involving AI-generated CSAM, and the need for more investigators and forensic capacity. A larger portion of the hearing focused on the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces and a separate $5 million ongoing General Fund proposal for Cal OES to continue the program. Task force commanders from Sacramento, San Diego, Silicon Valley, and Fresno described rapidly growing cybertip volumes, heavy caseloads, forensic backlogs, and the need for training and equipment for affiliate agencies statewide. They emphasized that the ICAC model relies on local partnerships, deconfliction, and subject-matter expertise to identify victims, execute warrants, and rescue children, and they gave examples of cases that led to arrests and child rescues. Members generally supported the work but raised questions about overlap between CHP and ICAC efforts, the need for broader statewide collaboration, and whether more resources should be directed to task forces and victim services. A public commenter also urged expansion of homeless youth exploitation services and the California Youth Crisis Line.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think some of the things that I was proud to work on were the wolf and elk depredation accounts, making
• Our livestock producer costs—the costs related to wolf and elk depredation—have really increased, and
• really have an extremely limited ability to manage the damages caused by increased wolf depredation and elk

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:10:42.120> to<00:10:42.639> uh<00:10:42.800> Christmas uh uh wolves and Elk
• to uh Christmas uh uh wolves and Elk to uh Christmas trees<00:10:43.760> and<00:10:44.200>
• One is wolf and elk depredation.
• didn't put in that one is Wolf and Elk didn't put in that one is Wolf and Elk depredation<00:37:
• depredation funds, when they ran out, and whether demand was greater on the wolf side or the elk side

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have an Elk River, Hennepin, I have Rogers, Elk River, I've got Buffalo, and I've got Maple Grove-Osseo
• I have an Elk River, Hennepin, I have Rogers, Elk River, I've got Buffalo, and I've got Maple Grove-Osseo
• I have an Elk River, Hennepin, I have Rogers, Elk River, I've got Buffalo, and I've got Maple Grove-Osseo
• I<00:26:48.000> have<00:26:48.160> an<00:26:48.280> Elk<00:26:48.440> River,<
• , Hennepin, I have I have an Elk River, Hennepin, I have Rogers,<00:26:50.880> Elk<00:26:51.120

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The commission first approved the minutes and then took up several pension omnibus items. Representative Rapinski’s item, related to an I-RAP issue, was moved ahead of the agenda and passed without further information after members noted the State Board of Investment and Minnesota State had not identified additional facts; the bill, as previously amended, was recommended for inclusion in the 2026 Pension Omnibus Bill. The committee also corrected a procedural issue on Senator Gustafson’s bill, SF 3897/HF 3703, after realizing an amendment referenced earlier belonged to a different bill; the motion was restated without the amendment reference and the bill was then recommended to pass and be incorporated into the omnibus bill. The main policy discussion centered on SF 3897/HF 3703, which would change how terminating firefighter relief association plans value benefits for firefighters under age 50. Senator Gustafson said the current statute can unfairly reduce benefits by requiring present-value discounting and that the bill would instead allow benefits to be based on accrued benefit under the plan formula, while still leaving relief associations flexibility to use present value if they choose. Staff confirmed the bill applies only to relief associations under chapter 424B, not PERA or the statewide plan. Senator Rasmussen raised concerns about consistency between SVF and non-SVF reliefs and about differing treatment on termination; the bill author acknowledged the difference. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the bill for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill. The final major item was House File 4162, as amended by an A1 amendment, which requires employers of reemployed annuitants in TRA to make employer contributions during reemployment, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees covered under section 354.445. Representative O’Driscoll argued the bill would direct existing education-formula pension dollars to TRA, prevent districts from using those funds elsewhere when retirees are rehired, and keep the employee neutral because the annuitant’s benefit would not change. Supporters said the measure would help pension funding and address situations where districts rehire retired teachers, often in hard-to-fill specialties. Opponents, including Senator Rasmusson, questioned the added cost to school districts, citing an estimated $5.385 million in annual TRA revenue from the change and warning it could reduce districts’ ability to hire or retain staff. After discussion, the committee had not yet taken final action on this item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's where we go to kind Of finding ourselves, I was elk hunting all day and almost was late because
• we saw elk right before this.
• The overabundance of elk is just destroying our small farms and ranches in the north.
• We have elk that are; we've got a herd of 20 down past Embudo. that are calving in the river, and once
• , and we will be going into the elk rule in the next calendar year for the next four. year cycle, so