Transcript Highlights:

• , the importance of the work of this committee and other committees that's taking place now in the House
• is, where the bank accounts are, house is, where the bank accounts are, and<01:03:54.799> then
• in the executive branch, also housed in legislative actions, and that similarly the solutions have to
• What you're directing to us, the concerns you're expressing, are housed in the executive branch, also
• housed in legislative actions, and that similarly the solutions have to come from both places.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Judge Tim O’Malley, Minnesota’s director of program integrity, presented a roadmap to program integrity and fraud prevention built around nine areas for improvement, including leadership and culture, stronger program controls, better coordination among agencies and prosecutors, training, technology modernization, independent oversight, stakeholder engagement, and expanded resources. He said long-standing vulnerabilities in state programs have been exploited by organized criminals, and argued the state must shift from reactive enforcement to front-end prevention, faster detection, and recovery of improper payments. He emphasized that modern data sharing and analytics are especially urgent, and said oversight and accountability are essential for lasting change. Fay Bernstein, a long-time DHS employee, testified that she experienced retaliation after raising contract compliance concerns years ago. She said she was removed from the building, barred from DHS property, investigated for months, and accused of racism and threatening leadership, which she denied. Bernstein argued DHS leadership lacks a fraud-prevention mindset and said the department’s culture punishes employees who speak up, while serious program failures have harmed vulnerable Minnesotans. She called for major leadership changes and firings at DHS. Members questioned O’Malley about whether fraud was driven more by sophisticated criminals or by weaknesses in state systems. He said the vulnerabilities have existed for a long time and organized criminal groups are taking advantage of them, especially where data sharing is weak. Members also pressed him on whistleblower protections and retaliation; O’Malley said he should have included the legislature among places employees can report concerns, and said complaints should be thoroughly investigated with accurate information and appropriate consequences for supervisors who fail to act, ranging from coaching to termination depending on the case. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Next bill on the agenda is House File 29? 0, 6, Representative Smith.
• I will move that House File 29, 00:06 PM, referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
• House File 296, this bill creates exactly the kind of framework we need to do this very safely.
• My name's West Cleaver, and I'm very heavily in support of House File 296.
• My name is Calvin Benson, and I'm here in support of House File 296.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the next bill is House File 1335. Chair Tapkey, would you like to move your bill?
• Um, I move House File 1335. Um, I'm not sure the proper protocol on this as amended.
• House File 1335 uh enacts a Thank you.
• <00:37:04.480> File<00:37:04.960> 1335 House File 1335 House File 1335 as<00:37:06.760>
• Do you think House Research can Chair.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 1335, a bill to authorize Minnesota digital/mobile driver’s licenses and related electronic credentialing. Chair Tapkey moved the bill as amended to Ways and Means, and the committee adopted the A2 author’s amendment changing the effective date. Tapkey described the bill as a modernization measure modeled on other states, intended to add convenience and security for ID checks at bars, restaurants, airports, hotels, and car rentals, while keeping physical IDs in place. Chair Kosnick objected that the bill’s subject matter should be heard in other committees, especially Commerce, Public Safety, and Judiciary, citing privacy and law-enforcement concerns, but the hearing continued. Several testifiers supported the broader move toward digital credentials and e-titling. Brian McDaniel of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association said the hospitality industry supports tools that make it harder for minors to access alcohol, while noting privacy concerns and wanting a role in developing the system. Amanda Doerr of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association supported the A3 amendment as an incremental step toward electronic titles and electronic signatures, saying Minnesota is behind other states and that the transition should be gradual. Jim Hurst of the Minnesota Deputy Registrars Association said deputies support moving toward e-titling but raised concerns about liability for fraudulent electronic documents and strongly opposed the A4 revenue-sharing amendment, warning it could put deputy registrars out of business. Sam Krieger, representing private deputy registrars, said the A4 amendment could exclude private deputies and close about half the offices in the state. Chair Tapkey said the A3 and A4 amendments were intended to improve customer service, digital access, and future title transfers, but after hearing objections, both amendments were withdrawn. The committee then considered the A5 amendment offered by Rep. Anderson, which would bar electronic driver’s licenses for people not lawfully present in the United States. Anderson argued it would prevent issuing credentials to people in the country illegally, including suspected terrorists. Opponents, including Rep. Kegel and Rep. Lucero Nicolai, argued it would create unequal treatment and could wrongly affect refugees or asylum seekers. DVS Director Pong Xiong testified that current applications do not include NCIC checks and that standard credentials are validated through document review rather than broader database screening. The transcript ends amid continued debate over the A5 amendment and related privacy and eligibility questions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the House Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee to order. A quorum is established.
• A lot of this work I think could be done from a computer figure out where the boat is, where the houses
• in the executive branch, also housed in legislative actions, and that similarly, the solutions have
• I served in the Legislature for 13 years, and some of that time served as Speaker of the House, and I
• I served in the legislature for 13 years and and some of that time served as speaker of the House and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't believe we can add amendments on the House floor to Representative Roach's points.
• So there is a House rule that prohibits a constitutional amendment from itself being offered as an amendment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will come to order. Prayer by the chaplain. Good afternoon. Let us pray.
• The following House Files have been offered for introduction today.
• The chief clerk will report the House Files and give them their first reading.
• Motions and resolutions. Motions and resolutions.
• There are copies of the non-controversial motions at the House desk and online.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would move House File 3845 to be recommended to pass and be referred to the General Register. >> Thank
• Uh, thank you, um, Vice Chair Altonorf and Chairwam, um, for bringing House File 3845.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• opposition to House File 3357. opposition to House File 3357.
• right for me to have it on the house right for me to have it on the house floor. floor. floor.
• the people's house. the people's house.
• Um, the House is tied.
• House floor, and it is quite frustrating House floor, and it is quite frustrating to<00:20:25.400>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3357, a bill to prohibit weapons on Minnesota State Capitol grounds, with exceptions for official protective personnel. The bill’s author and co-author argued it was needed to create a safer environment for legislators, staff, and the public in light of recent threats and violence, including the killing of Speaker Emerita Hortman and other threats directed at members. Supporters said the Capitol should be a place for discussion, not guns, and emphasized the emotional and safety concerns faced by lawmakers, especially women. Opposition testimony came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which argued the bill would burden peaceable permit holders rather than violent criminals. Opponents said permit holders are highly vetted, commit crimes at very low rates, and should not be forced to choose between First and Second Amendment rights at the Capitol. Several Republican members echoed those concerns, saying the bill would create a confusing patchwork, fail to address threats outside the building, and infringe on lawful self-defense rights. One member also raised concerns about threats against legislators and questioned whether the bill’s assumptions about permit holders were supported by verifiable data. The discussion became contentious at points over procedure and interruptions, with the chair reminding members about decorum and allowing a roll call vote after repeated requests. The committee then voted 6-7, with one excused, against the motion to re-refer the bill to Public Safety. As a result, the motion did not prevail and House File 3357 was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• The good news is the new wing will<00:17:48.480> be<00:17:49.039> house<00:17:49.440>
• She thanked them for providing those housing initiatives for these students. very very safe option not
• thank you for providing those housing thank you for providing those housing initiatives<00:29:38.240
• an F-35 or a next enough space to house an F-35 or a next generation<00:32:17.919> fighter.
• <01:04:15.200> and a new seed extratory, packing house and a new seed extratory, packing house

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities. Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs. The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Representative O'Driscoll moves House File 3388. I see there is an amendment.
• And I will move the A1 amendment to House File 3388 to get it in the shape that I would like to discuss
• And for those reasons, the Minnesota Business Partnership strongly supports House File 3388.
• And for those reasons, the Minnesota Business Partnership strongly supports House File 3388.
• support of House File 3388 today. support of House File 3388 today.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3388, and an A1 amendment was adopted by voice vote. The bill, as amended, would direct the Department of Commerce to seek another federal waiver to continue Minnesota’s reinsurance program and preserve the assessment-and-tax-credit funding model adopted last session. Chair O’Driscoll said the measure is intended to give future legislators options before the current reinsurance structure ends, warning that without it individual-market premiums could rise substantially and more people could lose coverage. Testimony was largely supportive. Dan Andre of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans said reinsurance has been a success since 2018, has lowered premiums by covering a portion of high-cost claims, and helped subsidize care for more than 5,000 Minnesotans in 2024. Ann New Brindley of the Minnesota Business Partnership and Steven Rubis of the Health Plan Partnership of Minnesota also backed the bill, saying market stability is important amid the loss of federal premium tax credits and that continued reinsurance would help prevent further premium increases and cost shifting. Jonathan Carter of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce likewise supported the bill, citing the program’s role in keeping Minnesota’s individual-market premiums among the lowest in the country. Members also discussed how the assessment and tax-credit mechanism works, with Chair O’Driscoll describing it as an assessment on plans followed by a tax credit against state liability. Representative Elkins questioned how insurers self-assess, and Representative Smith said the assessment model is preferable to a general-fund approach if the program continues. Representative Kaggel raised concerns about taxpayer costs and the broader health care system, while also saying the current system is unsustainable and in need of more fundamental change. The committee then renewed the motion to lay House File 3388, as amended, over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill on the agenda is House File 3296.
• Representative Mecklin moves House File 3296. Uh, sorry, I got my...
• House File 3296 simply data centers.
• demonstrate the need to approve House demonstrate the need to approve House File<00:04:09.920>
• File 3296 as to make a comment on House File 3296 as amended?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3296, as amended, was heard in committee and laid over. The bill would extend an existing exemption in Minnesota’s energy conservation/efficiency program calculations so that certain data centers, like crypto-based data mining operations, would not be counted in a utility’s gross annual retail sales if the new load increases the utility’s base load by 40% or more. Representative Gilman and testifier David Meyer of Glenco Light and Power argued the change is needed because large data loads can make the 1.5% annual savings target effectively unattainable for smaller municipal utilities, and they said the added revenue from the facility has helped lower rates for other customers. Ken Sulum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association supported the bill, describing it as narrowly drafted to address mid-sized data centers that do not fit other relief provisions but still create local utility problems. Sarah Wolf of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light opposed the exemption, arguing that energy efficiency remains important amid rising demand and grid stress from data centers, and that large users should continue contributing to efficiency efforts rather than being exempted. Members raised questions about whether the facility had a long-term contract, whether the customer was helping lower rates, and how much savings were being passed on to ratepayers. Meyer said the customer had a three-year agreement extended another three years, the infrastructure costs were borne by the customer, and the facility’s revenue has allowed Glenco to reduce rates by about half a cent per kilowatt hour through a $40,000 monthly buy-down of its power cost adjustment. Some members expressed concern that data centers should continue to improve efficiency over time, while others noted the bill’s focus on smaller utilities facing disproportionate impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Union was not a good word in my house. That's how I grew up.
• It's House File 3093, and I'm working on a DE to make sure that any way that misclassification shows
• <01:30:11.160> File<01:30:11.440> 3093 have a bill it's House File 3093 have a bill
• it's House File 3093 and<01:30:13.680> working<01:30:14.000> on<01:30:14.080> a
• I just know that when we're here in a balanced House now, it wasn't that way in '23, '24.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target. Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then. Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I did share it with our chairs both in the House and Senate, and at that point in time received no comments
• I did share it with our chairs both in the House and Senate, and I at that point in time received no
• The response said that the report being referred to is the one heard yesterday in House Legacy on the

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on state grant-management requirements. Deputy Legislative Auditor Katherine Tyson outlined the main controls agencies must follow, including pre-award risk assessments for grants of $50,000 or more, reimbursement as the preferred payment method, limits and documentation requirements for advance payments, and monitoring obligations for active grants. She emphasized that these controls are intended to reduce improper payments and fraud, but also require staff time and strong internal systems. In response to questions, she said advance payments are used in some grants but reimbursement is more common, and noted that agencies can add controls such as retaining a portion of funds, surprise visits, or audits. She also said surety bonds are required in some state programs, but not generally for grants, and that this could be a policy discussion for the executive branch. The committee then received a Department of Natural Resources presentation on the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund community grant program created in 2023 law. DNR officials said the program is intended to expand access to ENRTF funding, especially for communities affected by pollution and environmental degradation, and to support projects such as environmental education, resource restoration, trail work, and aquatic invasive species management. They said the department will use the same grants team that handles Outdoor Heritage Fund and LCCMR grants, which already manages a large volume of grants, and that the advisory council application is open through April 10. DNR described its implementation plan as similar to the Conservation Partners Legacy program, with both standard and expedited grant rounds, technical assistance, and use of technical experts. Differences include no match requirement, allowance for fiscal agents to help smaller organizations, and more flexibility for administrative expenses to reduce barriers to participation. Officials said the program will follow state grant rules, including pre-award financial reviews and monitoring, and will use the 5 percent administrative allowance to support both oversight and grantee assistance. They also said the report’s suggestion of advance payments for grants under $50,000 was raised for discussion, but they did not dispute the auditor’s emphasis that reimbursement is the preferred approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Time being 8:15, the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee will come to order.
• I talk about it, you know, it's the basic maintenance you do on your house, right?
• I talk about it, you know, it's the basic maintenance you do on your house, right?
• I talk about it, you know, it's the basic maintenance you do on your house, right?
• maintenance to the house. maintenance to the house.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Howard, I will move House File 3480 before the committee and be re-referred to Ways and
• Uh, House File 3480 is frankly a very straightforward and simple bill which calls for an independent
• Uh, we've had entire sectors turned on its head from the agriculture economy to housing and construction
• 00:02:22.640> to head from the agriculture economy to head from the agriculture economy to housing
• <00:02:23.440> and<00:02:23.640> construction housing and construction housing and construction

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I will move House File 3396. I will now move the A1 amendment. Any questions on the amendment?
• We now have House File 3396 as amended.
• I will move House File 3396 as amended later for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.
• I will<00:02:37.680> move<00:02:38.160> House<00:02:38.440> File<00:02:38.680>
• > 3396<00:02:39.880> as<00:02:40.120> amended will move House File 3396 as amended

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll call this meeting of the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee to order.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will come to order. Prayer by the chaplain.
• reading of House File number 2169. >> Second reading of House File number 2358. >> Second reading of
• House File number 3425. >> Second reading of House File number 3428. >> Second reading of House File
• number 3440. >> Second reading of House File number 3615. >> Second reading of House File number 3709
• Introduction and first reading of House Files 3923 through 4046. Motions and resolutions.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The good news is the new wing will house all the medical suites, all the modern equipment, all the, you

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota Zoo presented its infrastructure and animal health needs to the committee, beginning with an educational demonstration featuring Aspen, a North American porcupine. Staff used the animal to explain porcupine biology and correct common myths, including that porcupines cannot shoot their quills and that the quills are not poisonous. Members asked about the animal’s natural predators and care, and staff explained that porcupines are protected by their quills but can still be preyed on by animals such as bobcats, cougars, great horned owls, and fishers. Zoo leadership then shifted to the facility request, describing the zoo as a major state attraction and education center with about 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, nearly 100,000 students served, and significant economic impact. They said the 50-year-old campus is in poor condition, with a third of its 125 structures in poor or crisis condition and more than $78 million in deferred maintenance, creating safety risks for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said it is seeking to use the governor’s recommended $4 million for critical life-support and infrastructure needs. The main funding request discussed was an additional $6 million for the zoo’s animal hospital project. Zoo officials explained that the original plan for a standalone new hospital was no longer affordable, so they are now proposing a new wing attached to the existing A Building hospital. The extra funds would renovate A Building for staff, storage, and support spaces, remove asbestos, meet code, and improve safety so the new hospital can function as intended. Members asked about incidents at the zoo, and staff described examples such as close calls with animal enclosures and injuries tied to aging facilities and outdated equipment. No vote or formal action was taken in the transcript.