Video & Transcript Research : 'House Resolution'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agency resources to help veterans' initiatives 3/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 3467. >> Okay. Thank you, Chair.
- Um, so, House File 3467, its goal is to provide a clear statutory authority for the Minnesota Department
- As mentioned by Representative Rrower, House File 3467 is a policy bill that provides clear statutory
- committees in the Senate and the House committees in the Senate and the House here<00:02:39.599>
- File 3467 is a policy bill uh, House File 3467 is a policy bill that<00:03:41.840>
provides <00
Summary:
The committee heard House File 3467, a policy bill by Representative Ray Brower that would give the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs clearer statutory authority to collaborate with veterans organizations using staff time, expertise, and other nonmonetary resources. Brower and MDVA testified that the bill is permissive, does not move money, and is intended to help the agency support initiatives related to food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, and similar needs. They cited a DAV-led effort to expand veterans food pantry services statewide as the main example, including possible use of MDVA space and staff support, and noted a reporting requirement to legislative veterans committee leaders.
John Kelly of MDVA said the bill arose from discussions with agency counsel and is meant to avoid uncertainty about whether the department can partner quickly on emerging initiatives. Stefan Whitehead of the Disabled American Veterans described the food pantry work already underway in Minneapolis, where DAV says it serves about 300 boxes of food a month, and said the organization wants to expand statewide with MDVA’s help in identifying need, coordinating partners, and connecting veterans to benefits and other resources. He emphasized that DAV is not seeking state funding, but rather MDVA expertise and coordination.
Members generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the bill’s wording and whether it could be read to allow use of agency resources beyond nonmonetary support or lead to added costs or staff positions. Chair Bliss and Representative Wilson asked for clarifying language to ensure the bill does not authorize spending or full-time employees, and Kelly said MDVA was willing to work on amendments to make that clear. The committee did not take final action and instead laid the bill over for possible amendment and further work.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pre-K, kindergarten screen time prohibition 3/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And while you're getting settled, I will move House File 3776 before us.
- So it is with our mission in mind that I come before you to support House File 3776 and to encourage
- So it is with our mission in mind that come before you to support house file. 37 76.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , Chair Nani, would you like to move your bill before the committee with a recommendation that the House
- That is my motion. >> Um, Chair Noatne, please begin your testimony. >> House File 962 is in regards
- I authored House File 962 last year to put some standards, some uniformity, and protections in place
- House File 962 represents meaningful progress towards creating a consistent and transparent framework
- Motion carries, and House File 962, as amended, is re-referred to Judiciary.
Summary:
The committee heard House File 962, the Brady-Giglio bill, which seeks to create a more uniform statewide process for how prosecutors identify and manage law enforcement officers whose credibility may be questioned. The author explained that the bill grew out of stakeholder work over the past year, and the committee adopted the DE3 amendment, which reflected much of that negotiated language. Testifiers from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, Law Enforcement Labor Services, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, and the Minnesota County Attorneys Association all said the bill was moving in the right direction and emphasized the need for consistency, predictability, security, and due process in Brady-Giglio decisions.
Several witnesses said the bill should prevent Brady designations from being used as the sole basis for discipline and should prohibit prosecutor-maintained do-not-call lists. County attorney and law enforcement representatives said the current draft is a major step forward but that work remains, especially on data access, data retention, sharing, and security provisions. They also noted that the language had not yet been fully approved by all stakeholder boards, though they supported continuing the process and asked the committee to advance the bill so negotiations could continue.
Members raised questions about whether public defenders, defendants’ rights groups, and other public employees had been included in the discussions. The author and other supporters said the main alignment so far has been among prosecutors and law enforcement, with additional input from other groups to come later. In closing, the author described personal experiences that illustrated how an error or misunderstanding could unfairly affect an officer’s career and argued for a statewide standard. The committee then voted to re-refer House File 962, as amended, to the Judiciary Committee.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Grant for lender serving underserved entrepreneurs 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the time to present House File 2581.
- With that, the chair lays over House File 2581 for possible inclusion in a budget bill.
Summary:
House File 2581 was presented as a request for a $1 million state investment in Fortis Capital, a Minnesota nonprofit economic development lender. The bill was described as supporting entrepreneurship and wealth-building by expanding access to capital for businesses that are underserved by traditional lending, especially in rural areas, communities of color, immigrant communities, and low-wealth areas. Testifiers argued that conventional underwriting standards leave viable businesses without financing and that Fortis provides flexible gap financing to help deals close, complementing rather than replacing banks and CDFIs.
Brian Smith, co-founder and CEO of Fortis Capital, said the organization was established in 2019 and has deployed 37 loans totaling over $4 million since 2021, leveraging an additional $29.5 million through partnerships. He said Fortis seeks to increase lending capacity, reduce risk in innovative capital structures, expand statewide partnerships, and accelerate small business growth and job creation. In response to questions, he said Fortis typically charges about 6.12% on average, has had two defaults, and operates as a revolving loan fund. He also explained that Fortis already participates in some Department of Employment and Economic Development programs, but is not eligible for certain grant programs because those grants go directly to borrowers.
Committee members asked how the proposal fits with existing state economic development efforts and whether competitive grant programs exist for this kind of work. A DED representative said he would need more detail to compare the proposal to agency programs, though he mentioned the emerging entrepreneur loan program as a possible fit. Members also discussed broader concerns about direct appropriations versus competitive grants. No public testimony was offered. Chair Frasier closed by saying the bill addresses a real need and laid House File 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Interstate teacher mobility compact established 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, next on the agenda will be House File 3635 and House File 3638.
- I would like to move House File 3635 before the committee to be laid over.
- Now, you've already moved your bill, House File 3635.
- <00:13:36.399>
3638, In regards to House File 3638, In regards to House File 3638, I<00:13 - <00:25:23.760>
File that, the chair lays over House File that, the chair lays over House File
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3635, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, and House File 3638, which would make several changes to teacher licensing and related agency operations. Dr. Yolena Bailey walked through the compact, explaining that it would let teachers move more easily among member states while preserving Minnesota’s authority over licensing, data, discipline, and rulemaking. She emphasized that the compact must be adopted without changes to be effective and that it would still require eligible teachers to hold a qualifying license, pass a state background check, and meet any compensation-related documentation requirements.
Testifiers from school administrator groups and Western Governors University supported both bills. They said Minnesota’s teacher shortages, especially in special education, make it difficult to fill classrooms and often force districts to rely on substitutes or leave positions vacant. Supporters said the compact would speed licensing for qualified out-of-state teachers without lowering standards, and that the Tier 2 change in HF 3638 would help candidates enrolled in out-of-state teacher prep programs, including working adults and rural students, access Minnesota licensure pathways. WGU said the Tier 2 barrier affects its students and partnerships, including special education pipeline efforts and Teach For America collaborations.
For HF 3638, Bailey described operational changes that would move the voluntary pair professional credential to MDE, allow a data-sharing agreement with the Board of School Administrators, let the agency use forfeiture fees for IT needs, update mental health training language and rulemaking, expand Tier 2 eligibility to some out-of-state teacher prep students, and extend the timeline for an online licensing system project by two years. Members asked whether the compact would add requirements for Minnesota educators or reduce licensure quality; Bailey and Representative Hill said it would not add classroom requirements and would mainly reduce paperwork while maintaining standards. The bills were laid over for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Requiring MMB to include fraud impacts in budget forecasts 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, uh, Chair Nash, you have another bill, House File 3683.
- Chair, I would move House File 3683 and refer it to the general register.
- With<00:04:27.160>
respect <00:04:27.919>to <00:04:28.120>House <00:04:28.400> - File<00:04:28.640>
3683, With respect to House File 3683, With respect to House File 3683 - House File 3683 is laid over.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3683, which would require the state budget forecast to estimate the budgetary impacts of fraud committed against state programs. Chair Nash argued that fraud has real fiscal effects on the state, that those costs should be quantified in the forecast much like inflation was previously incorporated, and that doing so would help lawmakers understand the true cost of money lost to fraud. He also said the bill was intended to give MMB direction to develop a way to forecast fraud’s impact and that the issue should be treated as part of the state’s fiscal outlook.
Deputy Commissioner Anna Mingy of Minnesota Management and Budget testified in opposition to the bill’s approach, saying fraud is unacceptable and MMB is committed to combating it, but that the twice-a-year forecast is not the right tool for this analysis. She said forecasts are forward-looking budget tools based on projected revenues and spending, while fraud analysis is retrospective and involves legal definitions and processes. She also warned that requiring MMB to consult with legislative chairs on fraud estimates before public release could politicize the forecast and would be a departure from current practice.
Members raised concerns about how fraud would be defined and quantified, whether the bill would cover known or potential fraud, and whether it would duplicate existing budget adjustments. Chair Nash responded that the bill was modeled on prior inflation-forecast language and said fraud’s fiscal impact should be estimated even if the exact number is debated. Other members questioned whether the proposal would add value or create subjective numbers, while supporters said audits and program integrity data provide a basis for estimating a range. Deputy Commissioner Mingy also answered questions about bond ratings, saying Minnesota maintained its AAA rating and that rating agencies focus on governance and long-term obligations, not specific fraud estimates. She later said the administration’s anti-fraud package includes permanent bans on state contracts and grants for individuals convicted of fraud. The discussion ended without a recorded vote or final action in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Custodial accounts for virtual currency 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 3709 also helps level the playing field.
- House file 3709 rather than outside it.
- House file 3709 levels the appropriate.
- House File 3709. >> I did not I don't mind saying.
- House file 3709. before the committee? House file 3709.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 3709, which would allow Minnesota banks and credit unions to offer custodial accounts for digital assets such as cryptocurrency. The bill authors said the measure is intended to let local financial institutions provide a regulated “digital safety deposit box” service, keeping innovation and consumer choice under Minnesota oversight rather than pushing customers to out-of-state or offshore providers. The Department of Commerce testified in support, saying it appreciates efforts to incorporate virtual currency into the regulatory framework and that the bill levels the playing field for trusted community institutions.
Members and testifiers discussed whether the bill was really about consumer protection, institutional competitiveness, or both. Supporters from the Minnesota Credit Union Network and St. Cloud Financial Credit Union said the bill helps local institutions remain relevant as customers increasingly ask for crypto services, and one testifier said the credit union had seen significant liquidity leave local communities for exchanges. They also emphasized that the accounts are custodial, not exchange services, and are not NCUA-insured; one witness noted some institutions may obtain private insurance for risks like loss of keys or hacking. A Department of Commerce witness also said the agency is working on separate legislation to address unclaimed virtual currency property.
Several members raised concerns about volatility, scams, and whether the bill simply helps banks stay relevant. In response, supporters argued that local institutions can provide a trusted point of contact and help customers avoid fraud, unlike stand-alone crypto exchanges or kiosks. The committee also discussed fees, with one witness saying the credit union’s expected charge would be percentage-based with a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $25. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child care program integrity discussed 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 3819. I will move House File 3819 to be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Okay.
- House File 3819 is will be re-referred to the Judiciary Committee.
- So, House File 3819 is a bill to address what we've been hearing a lot about in recent days related to
- So, House File 3819 is a bill to address what we've been hearing a lot about in recent days related to
- File 3819 is >> uh with that, uh, House File 3819 is laid<00:38:06.400>
over.
Summary:
House File 3819 was heard and ultimately re-referred to the Judiciary Committee after the committee adopted the author’s A1 amendment and then defeated a DE1 amendment. The bill, as described by Chair West, is aimed at strengthening integrity in state child care assistance and other public programs by requiring annual disaggregated fraud reporting, making certain inspections unannounced and in person, tying inspectors to electronic attendance records, extending data retention for video footage from 28 to 90 days, requiring cameras at entrances and exits for centers receiving more than $500,000 in CCAP and/or early learning scholarship funds, adding an extra licensing visit for those higher-funded centers, and restoring perjury penalties for false attendance records. West said the changes were intended to address fraud, improve accountability, and protect assistance for families who need it.
Public testimony was largely opposed. Child care providers and advocates argued the bill would impose expensive, unfunded surveillance and compliance burdens on small businesses, blur the line between fraud enforcement and licensing/safety regulation, and disproportionately target providers serving low-income families and families of color. Several testifiers said cameras and retention requirements would be costly, technically burdensome, and invasive, and warned the bill could deter providers from participating in CCAP and discourage families from using assistance. One testifier supported stronger child protection measures in principle but said the bill should focus on funding, training, and wages rather than surveillance. Another parent testifier opposed the bill on privacy and discrimination grounds and urged investment in child care instead.
Representative Hansen offered the DE1 amendment, which would have created a task force to study child care surveillance and develop recommendations on safeguards such as encryption and breach notification. Hansen argued the committee was not equipped to design cybersecurity policy on its own and that the issue of child sexual abuse material required urgent, bipartisan attention. Chair West opposed the amendment, saying task forces often do not produce meaningful change and that the bill already addressed the issue. The committee voted on the DE1, and it failed on a tied vote. After that, the committee voted to re-refer House File 3819, as amended, to the Judiciary Committee.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Rep. Nolan West Press Conference 3/3/26
Transcript Highlights:
- This is expanding on a bill, House File 1915, that had portions of it passed last year that required
- This is expanding on a bill, House File This is expanding on a bill, House File 1915,<00:09:15.800>
- House File 1915 had bipartisan support, bipartisan authorship in both bodies, and was a more expansive
- > I<00:19:25.880>
have <00:19:26.080>at <00:19:26.160>my <00:19:26.280>house - to see what my that I have at my house to see what my dog's<00:19:27.440>
doing.
Summary:
State Representative Nolan West announced “Harvey’s Law,” a proposal to require child care centers that receive state funding through CCAP, early learning scholarships, or Great Start compensation to install cameras in infant and toddler rooms and retain footage for 28 days. West said the bill is an expansion of portions of House File 1915 passed last year, arguing that cameras are needed for transparency, accountability, and child safety, and that waiting for a maltreatment violation before requiring cameras is too late. He also said the measure is aimed at centers rather than family child care, and that he would like to see cameras more broadly but is focusing this bill on state-funded centers.
West and Harvey’s parents, Catherine and Hunter Mucklebust, described Harvey’s death at daycare and said cameras could have revealed earlier abuse, prevented later harm, and led to stronger accountability. They said they believe Harvey would still be alive if cameras had been installed, and that even if the bill does not pass in full, any step toward cameras would be meaningful. A statement from Blaine Police Captain Mark Borboom was read, saying a 2024 child care abuse investigation showed how a 7-day retention period can cause critical evidence to be lost and that cameras are about transparency and protection, not surveillance.
During questions, West addressed privacy and cybersecurity concerns, saying the bill uses closed-circuit systems, access controls, and audit logs, and that cybersecurity experts would testify at the committee hearing. He said the main opposition is the risk of hacking, but he believes child safety outweighs that concern. West also clarified that the bill discussed at a separate 3:00 hearing was a different measure related to CCAP fraud and attendance verification, not Harvey’s Law. The Mucklebusts said they expect a long legislative process but remain committed to pushing the bill forward.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
BCA Use of Force investigations of federal agents 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The next bill on today's agenda is House File 3405, Chair Mhler's bill.
- And Chair Mhler, would you like to recommend that House File 3405 be placed on the general register?
- I'm speaking today in light of the amendments adopted to House File 3405.
- House File 3405 proposes to require the Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions use of force investigations
- amendments adopted to House File 3405. amendments adopted to House File 3405.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to move that House File 3526 be laid over for possible inclusion. >> Chair Schumacher, to your
- "Just to say, Madam Chair, thank you for the time today, and I'd like to renew my motion that House
- "Seeing no further discussion, House File 3526 is laid over as amended."
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Limiting zoning authority of local governments over housing types 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- housing in stupid places item, right? housing in stupid places item, right?
- ,<00:14:15.199>
housing Kravitz, manager of housing, housing Kravitz, manager of housing, - Cities do not resist housing. Cities build housing.
- House File 3895. House File 3895.
- task force on housing in 2017. task force on housing in 2017.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
No entering into certain civil immigration enforcement agreements with the feds 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- prohibit<00:20:38.680>
counties, House File 3413 would prohibit counties, House File 3413 - <00:26:27.280>
on get a little bit better resolution on get a little bit better resolution - the Candio Sheriff is is housing. the Candio Sheriff is is housing. Is<00:30:57.000>
what? - If he's housing anyone in Oh. Is what? If he's housing anyone in Oh.
- have a long-standing housing agreement. have a long-standing housing agreement.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Soul by Beckl House fiscal. Uh, there's a number of documents in your folders.
- The other spreadsheet that I will briefly discuss today is labeled in the upper left-hand corner House
- Chair and members, Soul by Beckl<00:02:29.840>
House <00:02:30.080>fiscal. - Uh there's a number Beckl House fiscal.
- <00:03:05.280>
K <00:03:05.440>through2 upper leftand corner house K through2 upper
Summary:
The Education Finance Committee met on March 3, 2026, approved the minutes from February 26, and then held a lengthy informational hearing on the Minnesota Department of Education’s funding and internal allocation of resources. House fiscal staff walked members through several spreadsheets showing federal, non-general fund, and general fund administrative spending, noting the data was filtered from SWIFT and was not exact. The chair said the discussion was intended to help members understand how MDE is funded and how those funds are used internally, in advance of later budget decisions and a separate upcoming hearing on the Perpich Center.
Commissioner Willie Jett opened by describing MDE’s mission, statewide reach, and FY 2026 budget of about $14.1 billion, most of which flows directly to districts and charter schools for instruction, special education, transportation, nutrition, and operations. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and the department’s role in implementing laws, distributing aid, and supporting schools and students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. He also noted the department serves more than 873,000 pre-K through 12 students in 2,264 schools.
Deputy Commissioner Maren Holden outlined the Office of American Indian Education, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Inspector General, highlighting support for American Indian students, legal and rulemaking work, special education dispute resolution, fraud prevention, and student maltreatment investigations. Assistant Commissioner Dr. McCari Traum described the Office of Equity and Engagement, including equity and inclusion training, safe and supportive schools work, public engagement, family outreach, and fraud-prevention coordination. Assistant Commissioner Darren Cordy reviewed nutrition programs, special education services, and the charter center, including free school meals, commodity food distribution, IDEA compliance, and charter school support.
Assistant Commissioner Bobby Bernham then described the Office of Teaching and Learning, including early education, academic standards, instruction and assessment, state library services, expanded learning, and literacy work. He highlighted early childhood alignment efforts, standards development across core subjects, professional learning, and library grants. No votes were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes, and the meeting remained informational, with members expected to ask questions after the presentations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I call this meeting of the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee to order.
- Welcome to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
- Troopers and House security personnel are present to ensure everyone's safety.
- some of this buildings into housing some of this buildings into housing >> that<01:09:32.880
- those into housing. those into housing. >> Mr.<01:09:48.960>
Swanson.
Summary:
The committee opened with quorum and decorum reminders, then approved the minutes from February 26, 2026. Members briefly set aside a planned follow-up on GO students from Minnesota State after being told the questions had been fully answered, and moved on to Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College’s storm damage presentation.
Bemidji State President John Hoffman and facilities staff described the June 21 derecho that hit Bemidji, causing widespread roof, window, tree, and infrastructure damage across both campuses and the surrounding community. Hoffman said the institutions were already recovering from pandemic-era enrollment and budget losses, but had improved new student enrollment, retention, fundraising, and deficits before the storm. He emphasized that the campuses were well insured, but that restoring the tree canopy and campus character would take far longer than repairing buildings. Facilities worker Brent Steinmets gave a personal account of the storm response and cleanup, describing days of chainsaw work, debris removal, window repairs, and stump grinding, and noting that many employees were also dealing with damage at their own homes.
Members asked what kind of funding request was being made, and Hoffman said Chair Duran was preparing a bill tied to the storm damage and reforestation needs, while alumni had already raised more than $80,000 through a “Replanting Our Roots” campaign. He said the institutions had spent about $50,000 in deductible costs and another $25,000 in unreimbursable overtime, and had hired a landscape architect to plan reforestation. Members also asked about enrollment growth and staffing reductions; Hoffman said overall enrollment was up a little more than 2% since fall 2022, new student enrollment had risen 17%, NTC headcount was up 75%, and the campuses had reduced about 30% of instructional faculty and close to 30% of overall employees while reorganizing programs and administration. Discussion also focused on preserving liberal arts and applied liberal arts offerings, with Hoffman saying the institutions were emphasizing critical thinking, communication, citizenship, interdisciplinarity, and human intelligence alongside workforce training. No vote was taken on the storm-related funding proposal during the meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And, you know, really excited that we have a bipartisan bill from Chair Franson and Chair Hansen, House
- And you know, really excited that we have a bipartisan bill from Chair Franson and Chair Hansen, House
- Franson and bipartisan bill from Chair Franson and Chair<00:52:30.000>
Hansen, <00:52:30.400>House - File<00:52:30.960>
33:22 <00:52:31.839>to <00:52:32.079>look Chair Hansen, House - File 33:22 to look Chair Hansen, House File 33:22 to look at<00:52:32.880>
how <00:52:33.119><
Summary:
The meeting was a PFAS-focused hearing of the Capital Investment Committee, with members informally discussing the scale of PFAS cleanup costs, possible Minnesota-made removal technology, and even committee birthday treats before the testimony began. No formal votes or motions were taken in the portion provided. The chair also noted the committee was waiting on a computer/cable issue before starting the presentation.
The main testimony came from Sandy Wyn, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, who described how PFAS contamination affected her Michigan community. She recounted that her private well tested at extremely high PFAS levels after a state visit, linked the contamination to Wolverine Worldwide’s historic dumping practices, and said the pollution spread through groundwater and municipal systems. She emphasized that PFAS are widespread in consumer products, firefighting foam, wastewater biosolids, and agriculture, and argued that the chemicals’ persistence makes them difficult to manage once released.
Wyn said PFAS exposure is associated with health problems including cholesterol issues, liver and thyroid damage, kidney cancer, low birth weight, and reduced vaccine response in children. She told members she had her own blood tested, later developed thyroid cancer, and said a local child had very high PFAS levels and vaccine complications. Members asked for supporting studies, and she referenced the C8 study and other research. She urged stronger product restrictions, labeling, blood and water testing support, caution around biosolids, and continued efforts to reduce PFAS use, while acknowledging some limited uses may still be necessary in critical applications like military firefighting foam or medical devices.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I support House File 3524 and House File 3525 and the previous one as well.
- House File 25, pardon me, 3524 and House House File 25, pardon me, 3524 and House File<00:04:51.040><
- The back of the house sees the front of the house count their cash, and you know they need it.
- sees the front of the house the house sees the front of the house count<00:08:26.000>
their <00 - >> mean house file 3525. >> mean house file 3525.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3524 and House File 3525 and laid both over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill, with no amendments adopted and no vote taken at this stage. HF 3524 would conform Minnesota law to the federal overtime tax deduction, and HF 3525 would conform to the federal tip-income deduction. The author argued both bills would help workers keep more of their earnings, simplify tax filing, support labor-force participation, and provide relief to workers in hospitality, trades, health care, and other industries.
The committee heard testimony in support from a restaurant owner, Sandra Weiss of the Finnish Beastro in St. Paul, who said the bills would help tipped workers keep more of their income and would support hospitality businesses. She described her staff as roughly half men and half women, including students and long-term employees, and said front-of-house tipped workers and back-of-house workers face different pay levels. She also said Minnesota’s tip rules and lack of a tip credit create challenges for the industry. During questioning, members discussed wage disparities, the makeup of her workforce, and the practical effects of the proposals.
Opposition testimony came from Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota, both of whom argued the bills are regressive, poorly targeted, and costly. They said the deductions would mainly benefit higher earners, violate horizontal equity by treating similar incomes differently, and could encourage compensation restructuring. They also warned the combined cost would exceed $500 million over the 2028-29 biennium and could pressure funding for health care, education, and other public services. Mark Havenman of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence similarly criticized the bills on tax fairness and administrative grounds, noting the federal tip deduction framework is still under development and could create enforcement issues. Nonpartisan staff provided revenue estimates showing HF 3524 would reduce general fund revenue by about $365.9 million in fiscal 2027 and HF 3525 by about $126 million in fiscal 2027, with smaller ongoing impacts in later years. Members also raised questions about how the bills would be paid for and what income would qualify under the overtime deduction.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Community solar garden named for Melissa Hortman 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that Steve Simon was presiding over the House that day, and um Aaron Murphy was on the House
- >> Yeah, I would like to move House File 3556 to the general register. >> Okay, Chair, you can move House
- Yeah, I would like to move House it?
- support, my support for House File 3556. support, my support for House File 3556.
- <00:24:26.640>
Energy that came before the House Energy that came before the House Energy
Summary:
House File 3556 was presented as a bill to rename Minnesota’s community solar garden program the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. The author described the measure as a tribute to Hortman’s leadership and her role in creating the program, which was said to have helped launch Minnesota’s solar industry and expand access to clean energy. The bill was moved to the general register before testimony began.
Testifiers from the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, solar industry groups, clean energy organizations, and community solar developers all supported the bill. They described Hortman as the original legislative champion of the 2013 community solar law and a driving force behind the 2023 revisions that increased access for low- and moderate-income households. Several witnesses said the program has become a national model, has generated jobs and investment, and has enabled renters, small businesses, schools, nonprofits, and households without suitable rooftops to participate in solar.
Witnesses also shared personal reflections about Hortman’s accessibility, preparation, and willingness to listen, saying she treated people with respect and helped shape a durable clean energy policy framework. No opposition testimony or votes on final passage were recorded in the excerpt, but the committee did act to advance the bill to the general register.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Limiting local governments from mandating HOAs 3/2/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, House File 2614, Mr.
- So, House File 2614, Mr. Very good. So, House File 2614, Mr.
- Housing First Minnesota is a trade group representing nearly a thousand members of the housing industry
- <00:05:32.960>
Housing <00:05:33.240>First Housing First Minnesota. - Housing First Housing First Minnesota.
Summary:
House File 2614 was heard with a delete-everything amendment adopted at the outset. The bill, as explained by the authors, would prevent local governments from requiring amenities or common property that effectively force the creation of a homeowners association, while still allowing developers to create HOAs voluntarily when needed. The authors said the language was negotiated with stakeholders, including the League of Minnesota Cities, and was intended to be moved on to the Housing Committee for further discussion.
Supportive testimony came from Housing First Minnesota and the Minnesota Homeownership Center. They argued that unnecessary HOA mandates can raise housing costs, reduce homebuyer choice, and shift public infrastructure costs onto homeowners through dues in addition to property taxes. Testifiers cited examples involving single-family developments, a Burnsville case involving a large roof assessment and disputed ACH withdrawal, and the Heritage Park development in Minneapolis, where an HOA was required but later became difficult to dissolve. They said the bill would preserve HOAs where they are genuinely needed, such as townhomes or shared-amenity developments.
Members raised questions about the removal of county-specific language in the amendment, the meaning of the bill’s references to services and common property, and whether the bill would still allow neighborhood signs or other developer-requested features. A major point of concern was stormwater ponds and drainage infrastructure: one member argued that prohibiting cities from requiring HOA maintenance of such facilities could shift costs to taxpayers, while the authors responded that the bill was meant to stop cities from mandating discretionary amenities and that maintenance issues had been partly addressed in the amendment. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was discussed for referral onward.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Private Equity Presentation 3/2/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, thank you, co-chairs Becker and Berman, and members of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee
Summary:
The committee took up two bills concerning health entity ownership and heard invited testimony before acting on them. Dr. Yasha Singh of Brown University testified about private equity in healthcare, describing how PE firms use debt-financed acquisitions, short investment horizons, and roll-up strategies that can avoid disclosure requirements. He said the lack of transparency makes it difficult to track ownership and outcomes, and cited research linking PE ownership to higher costs in outpatient care, more ancillary service use, workforce turnover, and worse outcomes in hospitals and nursing homes. He also noted Minnesota-specific concerns, including PE involvement in opioid treatment programs, and said the policy challenge is balancing needed capital investment with protections for patients and workers.
Sam Brooks of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care testified in strong support of the legislation, focusing on nursing homes. He argued that private equity ownership is associated with worse resident outcomes, including higher mortality, more pressure ulcers, more hospitalizations, and more deficiencies, and said leverage buyouts divert money from staffing and care into debt service, management fees, and lease-back arrangements. Brooks said staffing levels and quality ratings decline under PE ownership and pointed to recent bankruptcies as examples of instability. He said the bills would add safeguards such as transparency, attorney general approval of acquisitions, and requirements that a large share of public funds go to direct resident care.
The testimony framed the bills as responses to concerns about private equity ownership in healthcare and long-term care, especially the effects on quality, staffing, and financial stability. No vote or final committee action was described in the excerpt.