Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:49.440><c> I've</c> District 10, Central Minnesota. I've District 10, Central Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum. Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum.
• This includes across Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota veterans. Minnesota veterans.

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota was uh I think had 34 past um Minnesota was uh I think had 34 past um but<00:02:25.519><c>
• </c> chiropractors as well as the Minnesota chiropractors as well as the Minnesota Chiropractic<00:25
• </c> we do um analysis using the Minnesota we do um analysis using the Minnesota all<00:39:56.319><c>
• </c> analysis as well as for Minnesota analysis as well as for Minnesota Healthcare<00:45:44.920><c>
• </c> and utilization patterns in Minnesota and utilization patterns in Minnesota and<00:46:50.200><c>

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Department of Health has grown Minnesota Department of Health has grown not<00:09:35.880><c
• We went by the pregnancy book that Minnesota gave us from the Minnesota Department of Health.
• </c> Minnesota gave us from the Minnesota Minnesota gave us from the Minnesota Department<00:38:06.200
• </c><01:16:30.520><c> in</c> in St Paul Minnesota in in St Paul Minnesota in 1979<01:16:32.520><c> I<
• Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• c> the</c><00:26:17.240><c> Minnesota</c><00:26:17.880><c> Chamber</c> recent report by the Minnesota
• Minnesota cannot afford another murder like George Floyd's. Minnesota cannot afford...
• </c> and has the potential to pit Minnesota and has the potential to pit Minnesota communities<00:29:
• Paul, Minnesota.
• Paul, Minnesota.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders. Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities. Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Bobby Burnham, Minnesota Department of Education.
• Ailan from Education Minnesota, to hear from our teachers.
• Ailan from Education Minnesota, to hear from our teachers.
• Ailan from Education Minnesota, to hear from our teachers.
• Ailan from Education Minnesota, to hear from our teachers.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> some time now through the Minnesota some time now through the Minnesota Attorney<00:02:29.680><c
• </c> Misclassification Enforcement Education Misclassification Enforcement Education Partnership,<00:
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> Bloomington, Minnesota. Bloomington, Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

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:

• of Minnesota.
• . is definitely Minnesota.
• </c> great thing for the state of Minnesota. great thing for the state of Minnesota.
• </c> attention to and keep in Minnesota. attention to and keep in Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota. Uh<01:20:54.640><c> Senator</c><01:20:54.960><c> Dreheim.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Their heroes remain in Minnesota. Stories are fading.
• We expanded our services to rural Minnesota.
• Power, Minnesota National Guard, CBSO's, U.S.
• We seek continued support of the Minnesota legislature.
• within Minnesota.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• In Minnesota, we have the Emerging Farmers Office, so that's one group that we very happy to have a,
• </c><00:02:30.680><c> we</c> underserved producers in Minnesota we underserved producers in Minnesota
• Hunter Peterson, with Minnesota Farm Bureau, testified in support of House File 653.
• Once again, Hunter Peterson with Minnesota Farm Bureau, here in support of House File 653.
• </c> what the subject matter is in education what the subject matter is in education on<00:16:09.120>

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota.
• Minnesota, assisting children from birth to age 22.
• I am the Assistant Director of Special Education for the Area Special Education Cooperative in northwest
• Minnesota.
• It's in Dayton, Minnesota, which is in my district.

Bills: HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Jody Withers, I'm the committee administrator for Education Policy as well as Education Finance.
• uh mde the professional Education uh mde the professional educator<00:13:39.959><c> licensing</c><00
• </c> charged with special education charged with special education compliance<00:15:19.040><c> uh</c>
• Districts, and what's called KMCH, which is the Collaborative Urban, Greater Minnesota Educators of Color
• education directors.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Minnesota State Susan Brower.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> to the state of Minnesota. to the state of Minnesota.
• </c> spending to the state of Minnesota. spending to the state of Minnesota.
• When somebody visits Minnesota, we know that they are 55% more likely to want to live in Minnesota.

Bills: HF3004 , HF3663

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• be</c><00:04:37.200><c> given</c> education in Minnesota should be given education in Minnesota should
• On line 21 is a grant to Enterprise Minnesota for the Made in Minnesota program.
• </c> Minnesota for the Made in Minnesota Minnesota for the Made in Minnesota program.<00:37:28.760><c
• </c> the education excellence article. the education excellence article.
• </c> uh special education account. uh special education account.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Minnesota Department of Education to publish a list of approved third-party anonymous
• It requires the Minnesota Department of Education to publish a list of approved third-party anonymous
• It requires the Minnesota Department of Education to publish a list of approved third-party anonymous
• I'm the director of government relations for the Minnesota Department of Education.
• School Districts, and the Minnesota Rural Education Association.

Bills: HF751 , HF3550 , HF3764 , HF1490

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, first of all, thank you to Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Campbell, Minnesota State
• </c><00:02:51.440><c> we</c> cuts it's Insanity here in Minnesota we cuts it's Insanity here in Minnesota
• Minnesota, um, making sure that we're continuing to invest in our education, um, make sure we're investing
• education, disability waivers.
• </c><00:10:33.519><c> special</c><00:10:33.839><c> education</c> and education special education and

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so we worked on this language with the Minnesota Department of Education.
• Um, so we worked on this language with the Minnesota Department of Education.
• Um, so we worked on this language with the Minnesota Department of Education.
• Um, so we worked on this language with the Minnesota Department of Education.
• Um, so we worked on this language with the Minnesota Department of Education.

Bills: HF4588 , HF3685 , HF4577 , HF4932

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we look even at education, Minnesota had long prided ourselves as being an education state,
• And when we look even at education, Minnesota had long prided ourselves as being an education state,
• And when we look even at education, Minnesota had long prided ourselves as being an education state,
• </c> Minnesota residents and your Minnesota Minnesota residents and your Minnesota small<01:10:11.840
• And Minnesota is one Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> unsubstantiated nrcs here in Minnesota unsubstantiated nrcs here in Minnesota says<00:24:21.000>
• </c><00:24:40.120><c> producer</c> projections producer education producer projections producer education
• </c><00:26:52.679><c> uh</c> water quality in southeast Minnesota uh water quality in southeast Minnesota
• </c> programs that aligns with Minnesota programs that aligns with Minnesota environmental<00:42:18.280
• </c><00:42:22.079><c> so</c> will be great for Greater Minnesota so will be great for Greater Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• It modified to fit with Minnesota law.
• </c><00:04:14.959><c> in</c> and was enacted here in Minnesota in and was enacted here in Minnesota in
• I'm a member of the MSBA Minnesota.
• Minnesota Minnesota family<00:24:13.200><c> law.
• So I want to add it to the Minnesota Veteran Right, uh, Minnesota Human Rights Act. >> Okay.

Bills: HF3560 , HF3295 , HF2937 , HF3540

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Equity Partnership.
• </c><00:04:33.199><c> Education</c> get ready, and the Minnesota Education get ready, and the Minnesota
• :22.240><c> lines</c> Minnesota.
• Um on lines Minnesota.
• For the record, Dennis Olsen, to serve as the commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education