Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this prioritization in the Minnesota this prioritization in the Minnesota promise<00:08:35.200><
• </c> on behalf of the people of Minnesota. on behalf of the people of Minnesota.
• Uh this is this combination Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota. Thank you. Minnesota. Thank you. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:04:30.079><c> you.
• </c> relations work on behalf of Minnesota relations work on behalf of Minnesota State<01:04:56.000><

Bills: HF3714 , HF4399 , HF4176 , HF2544 , HF60 , HF4231 , HF4232

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I asked DHS leadership why Minnesota had a fraud problem, we heard from the table that Minnesota
• doesn't</c> from the table that Minnesota doesn't from the table that Minnesota doesn't have<00:23:15.520
• </c><00:29:08.559><c> be</c> Medicaid program, Minnesota would be Medicaid program, Minnesota would be
• </c> what we just saw, it's like Minnesota what we just saw, it's like Minnesota was<01:09:55.440><c>
• </c> Minnesota doesn't have a fraud problem. Minnesota doesn't have a fraud problem.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• bill for hourly school workers so we are treated the same as other specialized seasonal workers in Minnesota
• Valerie Dolan, from the Minnesota Department of Education, thank you, Madam Chair and members of the
• I'm here today on behalf of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators and the Association of
• Minnesota showed us that you value us and the work we do.
• service Minnesota showed us that<00:19:46.039><c> you</c><00:19:46.559><c> value</c><00:19:47.559><c

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the key for us Minnesota.
• The current Minnesota law this bill.
• Minnesota still faces major workforce shortages.
• Minnesota still faces major purpose.
• We have a 750 to 1 ratio in Minnesota for counselors.

Summary: The committee heard House File 3493, the Safe Schools Revenue Increase bill, and first adopted the DE amendment before moving the bill on for re-referral to Ways and Means. Representative Lawrence described the bill as a multi-layered school safety package for all students and schools, including public, nonpublic, charter, and tribal schools, with increased safety funding, mental health support, anonymous threat reporting, school safety plans, and student discipline changes. Several supporters emphasized the need for flexible safety funding and cited real-world safety concerns, including anonymous tip systems that had generated many reports, classroom evacuations, staff injuries, and the need for more resources for mental health and safety infrastructure. Some supporters, including charter school leaders and Catholic Conference testimony, argued the bill’s flexibility and broader safety approach were important, while others supported the K-3 suspension language as a needed tool in severe cases. Opponents focused heavily on the bill’s repeal of Minnesota’s K-3 suspension ban and non-exclusionary discipline requirements. Legal aid, disability advocates, and education groups argued that suspensions harm young children, worsen disparities, and disproportionately affect students of color and students with disabilities, and they urged the committee to keep restorative and non-exclusionary practices in place. Disability advocates also asked that any safety planning explicitly account for students with disabilities and that the bill remain aligned with IDEA protections and individualized education decisions. Several testifiers opposed using public funds for private schools, saying public money should stay in public programs. Other testimony came from school administrators and staff who supported restoring limited suspension discretion, describing serious elementary incidents, classroom evacuations, and injuries that they said required a short-term removal option to stabilize classrooms and plan for students’ return. Mental health and school support personnel witnesses stressed that safety and mental health funding should remain distinct and that more counselors, social workers, and related staff are needed to address student crises. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided beyond adoption of the DE amendment and the motion to re-refer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• For what purpose does the gentleman from Minnesota seek recognition?
• ><c> seek</c> gentleman from Minnesota seek gentleman from Minnesota seek recognition?
• I yield Minnesota never be forgotten.
• Because he wants to lower grocery bills, transportation costs, and housing costs.
• Because he wants to lower grocery bills, transportation costs, and housing costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:42.439><c> in</c> locations excuse me across Minnesota in locations excuse me across Minnesota
• </c><00:36:29.000><c> so</c> agreement from the state of Minnesota so agreement from the state of Minnesota
• And again, Minnesota, if you reference back to Minnesota or look for it in here, we are way out of line
• And again, Minnesota, if you reference back to Minnesota or look for it in here, we are way out of line
• And again, Minnesota, if you reference back to Minnesota or look for it in here, we are way out of line

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:11.360><c> District</c> Now, MDJA, that's the Minnesota District Now, MDJA, that's the Minnesota
• Minnesota District Judges Association Minnesota District Judges Association appreciates<00:40:47.720>
• </c> Minnesota? 270. Minnesota? 270. Thank<00:42:03.920><c> you.
• ,</c><00:42:31.160><c> but,</c> courthouses in greater Minnesota, but, courthouses in greater Minnesota
• </c> in in Minnesota and nationwide. in in Minnesota and nationwide.

Summary: The Safety and Security Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, with a quorum present and no immediate vote taken. Chairs explained the committee was working ahead of a possible target so it could act quickly later if needed, then proceeded with member introductions and a reminder about committee decorum. Staff noted a microphone delay and said the meeting would include a side-by-side walk-through of the House and Senate policy language and a review of the fiscal spreadsheet. Fiscal staff summarized major differences in court, public safety, and legislative security funding. The House and Senate proposals differed on safety and security funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, as well as on courthouse grants, capital security enhancements, and a new legislative/protective services unit. Staff also reviewed Senate-only and House-only items, including a Senate proposal to require removal of insignia from public safety vehicles sold to the public, and House provisions for a security services task force and member security costs. Total general fund impacts were reviewed, with the House total corrected to include an open appropriation that had been omitted from the spreadsheet totals. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the policy differences. The Senate language focused on a Protective Services Unit and security for principal state officials, while the House language focused on a Legislative Services Unit and security for legislators. Both bills included provisions on Capitol Complex Security, reporting requirements, and reimbursement arrangements with local law enforcement, but differed on details such as whether elected officials must provide contact information to DPS and how requests for personal protective services are handled. The House-only amendment A8 was presented for discussion; it would revise emergency contact provisions, replace the House’s personal protective services request language with a more detailed threat assessment and mitigation framework, direct implementation of the new unit, and make related reimbursement and technical changes. Judge Richard Kyle, president of the Minnesota District Judges Association, testified in support of stronger judicial and court safety measures. He described rising threats against judges, citing survey results showing high rates of judges limiting personal information, receiving inappropriate communications, changing personal behavior, and experiencing threats to themselves and family members. He said the association supports legislative authorization and funding for home security and personal data protections for judicial officers, and emphasized that safety concerns for judges and court staff have become more serious in recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• of 331 school districts across Minnesota.
• </c> the number of districts across Minnesota the number of districts across Minnesota that<00:13:02.120
• John de Gro could come up as well from the great town of Prinsburg, Minnesota, Central Minnesota School
• That's very consistent around the state of Minnesota.
• You know, John Deg Grot again, uh, Christian, Minnesota Central Minnesota Christian School.

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

Summary: The committee opened by approving the January 16 and January 21 minutes. Members then heard testimony focused on the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the proposed paid family and medical leave program on Minnesota school districts, with the chair framing the hearing as an opportunity to hear from major employers and school leaders about costs and operational effects. Kimberly Lewis, speaking for the Minnesota School Boards Association and related school administrator groups, said districts generally already provide generous, locally negotiated sick leave and had initially adapted to ESST by separating vacation, sick time, and ESST into different buckets. She argued that a 2024 law effectively converted previously bargained sick leave into ESST, which she said undermines contracts, creates large unfunded costs, and may raise constitutional contract-clause concerns. Lewis cited large accumulated leave banks in some districts, increased sick leave use, and estimated significant costs from paid leave, including a reported $2.5 million impact for one large district. She urged flexibility such as prorating ESST for midyear hires and part-time staff and exempting coaches, short-term substitutes, and similar employees from ESST. Superintendent Anarie Fuco of St. Michael-Albertville said her district expects about $400,000 in added fiscal 2026 costs from ESST and paid leave, plus indirect costs from substitute coverage and increased absenteeism. She said schools already have generous bargaining agreements, but the new laws reduce verification and require districts to track leave for temporary staff, creating what she described as a need for “substitutes for our substitutes.” Fuco said the district would face more than $211,000 in direct payroll costs from paid leave alone and asked for flexibility or exceptions for districts already offering comparable benefits. Members asked follow-up questions about how substitute teachers accrue leave and how many districts may be cutting budgets; Lewis and Fuco said many districts are making cuts and that substitute and staffing burdens are growing. A third testifier began by Zoom, but the transcript cuts off before her full testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:29.760><c> I</c> Minnesota and what we should do. I Minnesota and what we should do.
• or non-Minnesota-based.
• </c> Minnesota. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minnesota. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Uh, Minnesota CCAP, in Minnesota alone, Minnesota taxpayers have spent over $154 million out of their
• Minnesota</c><01:26:23.040><c> alone,</c> Uh Minnesota CCAP in Minnesota alone, Uh Minnesota CCAP in

Transcript Highlights:

• I think transportation we were still waiting on. So that's the hope.
• Um I think transportation<00:03:04.080><c> we</c><00:03:04.239><c> were</c><00:03:04.400><c> still</c
• </c> transportation we were still waiting on. transportation we were still waiting on.
• about transportation funding to the<00:05:00.160><c> counties.
• Transportation construction projects often need to start blocking weeks in advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem in Minnesota: across Minnesota, thousands of small businesses, particularly in rural communities
• </c> CEO of Foris Capital, a Minnesota CEO of Foris Capital, a Minnesota nonprofit<00:03:43.120><c> engaged
• </c><00:04:22.479><c> Across</c> The problem in Minnesota. Across The problem in Minnesota.
• </c> recruit a lot of workers for Minnesota recruit a lot of workers for Minnesota based<00:53:24.160
• </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.

Bills: HF3707 , HF3732 , HF2581 , HF3731

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

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota statutes 462358 Minnesota statutes 462358 um<00:09:48.800><c> there</c><00:09:49.040><c> is
• But they do all that in rural Minnesota a fair amount.
• Lightoot. that in rural Minnesota a fair amount. that in rural Minnesota a fair amount.
• It's a business even in Minnesota.
• </c><00:54:16.400><c> Housing</c> tenants. um on the uh Minnesota Housing tenants. um on the uh Minnesota

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> happening in Minnesota? happening in Minnesota?
• </c><00:32:30.960><c> is</c> I like to solve problems in Minnesota is I like to solve problems in Minnesota
• </c> we have done a lot of work in Minnesota we have done a lot of work in Minnesota to<00:34:00.880>
• </c> bill to change the Minnesota bill to change the Minnesota Constitution<00:34:07.360><c> to</c><00
• In Minnesota, how they leverage that.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> to all the people of Minnesota, to all the people of Minnesota, may<00:06:32.000><c> they</c><00
• </c> position be held by a Minnesota veteran. position be held by a Minnesota veteran.
• , Minnesota Credit Union Network, Independent Bankers, the Minnesota Land Title Association, and Minnesota
• Minnesota Minnesota Bankers Association, Minnesota Credit<00:29:32.200><c> Union</c><00:29:32.440><c>
• </c> in the state of Minnesota and we will. in the state of Minnesota and we will.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> state of Minnesota, but I have. state of Minnesota, but I have.
• </c> Passage uh report about um Minnesota Passage uh report about um Minnesota child<01:02:42.600><c>
• </c> when we had the Association of Minnesota when we had the Association of Minnesota Counties,<01:03
• c> than</c><01:25:49.920><c> 6,500</c> Minnesota has lost more than 6,500 Minnesota has lost more than

Bills: HF4407 , HF4382

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> is</c> The gentleoman from Minnesota is The gentleoman from Minnesota is recognized<02:23:57.760
• Gentleman from Minnesota reserves.
• </c> from Minnesota is recognized. from Minnesota is recognized.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> the gentle lady from Minnesota reserves. the gentle lady from Minnesota reserves.

Transcript Highlights:

• These factors described in this section were born out of necessity in the development of the Minnesota
• Congress specifically did not include these factors because they were just Minnesota-specific situations
• These factors described in this section were born out of necessity in the development of the Minnesota
• Congress specifically did not include these factors because they were just Minnesota-specific situations
• We have concurrent bills in other committees and transportation, but this committee here is to address

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil actions, labor, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Chair Lydia Edwards and Representative Michael Day opened with strict testimony rules and time limits, then heard from legislators and advocates on measures including animal-abuser pet ownership bans (S. 1207/H. 1914), a name-change privacy bill (S. 1045/H. 1973), tort claims reform (H. 1724), law enforcement council coverage under the Tort Claims Act (S. 1199), civil rights and qualified immunity-related proposals (H. 1641), employee free speech/captive audience restrictions (S. 1078/H. 1653), consumer protection and civil rights jurisdiction expansion (S. 1041), private right of action for wage theft (H. 1916), gun-owner liability insurance (H. 1836), pseudoephedrine sales tracking (S. 1243/H. 1581), prepaid legal services plans (H. 1612), structured settlement protections (H. 1863), third-party litigation financing disclosure (H. 1861), antitrust reform for small businesses and workers (S. 1038/H. 1982), legal notices in online-only newspapers (S. 1279/H. 1632), and several animal cruelty and protection bills including H. 1938, H. 1949, S. 1277/H. 1934, and H. 1764. Testimony was largely supportive from bill sponsors and advocacy groups, with repeated themes of protecting vulnerable people and animals, improving access to justice, and updating outdated laws. Supporters of the animal bills argued for stronger possession bans, broader cruelty citations, and civil removal tools to prevent repeat abuse; opponents or conditional supporters raised due process and enforcement concerns, especially around warrantless seizures and requiring retail or shelter staff to check registries. On the labor and consumer side, supporters said the antitrust bill would curb monopoly power and help small businesses and workers, while opponents warned it could destabilize competition and burden successful firms. The employee free speech bill was backed as a response to captive audience meetings, and the wage-theft bill was presented as a way to let workers or organizations pursue claims when individual employees are afraid to come forward. Several public officials and association representatives testified on the law enforcement and civil rights bills. Chiefs of police supported adding law enforcement councils to the Tort Claims Act, saying it would close a liability gap for regional mutual-aid collaborations. But police representatives opposed changes to the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and qualified immunity-related provisions, arguing the federal system already provides a workable forum and that expanding liability could increase costs, reduce morale, and worsen recruitment and retention. On the consumer/civil rights bill, Senator Collins and a veteran described an out-of-state assault case that they said showed the need for Massachusetts to let residents seek redress at home when rights are violated elsewhere. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself; the committee mainly received testimony and questions. Several witnesses indicated they had submitted written testimony or proposed amendments, and some bills drew requests for favorable reports while others were explicitly opposed unless amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• come before you today and we ask for your provision and for your wisdom to fill this session of the Minnesota
• today is Melissa Shasha, pastor groups and community life from Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minnesota
• Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, May 14th, 2026.
• The bill is being referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Statutes 13.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• It wasn't really a Minnesota-driven or a Minnesota award, but the Department of Revenue and their Minnesota
• It wasn't really a Minnesota-driven or a Minnesota award, but the Department of Revenue and their Minnesota
• It wasn't really a Minnesota-driven or a Minnesota award, but the Department of Revenue and their Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• And every day that we all Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> the state of Minnesota. the state of Minnesota.
• ,</c> 'You know, I but I think in Minnesota, 'You know, I but I think in Minnesota, we<00:26:51.279><
• </c> the state of Minnesota. the state of Minnesota.