Transcript Highlights:

• I have got House File 3322, Representative Franson. I just saw her here. We will give her a second.
• I will move House File 3322 before the committee.
• We need new dedicated revenue sources to fix water infrastructure, and House File 3322 is one way to
• File 3322 before the I will move House File 3322 before the committee.<00:01:09.680> I<00:01:
• Uh, with that, I renew my motion that House File 3322 as amended be laid over.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, next bill on our agenda is House File 3483, Representative Feist.
• So, House File 3483 does two things. So, House File 3483 does two things.
• This is called the fox guarding the hen house.
• This is called the fox guarding the hen house.
• The Constitution requires an house.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are proposing House File 3556, Representative Aim, House File 3425, Representative Howard, House File
• We are proposing House File 3556, Representative Aim, House File 3425, Representative Howard, House File
• House File 3425, Representative Howard, House File 3425, Representative Howard, House<00:01:58.799>
• > File<00:01:59.119> 3378,<00:02:00.159> Representative House File 3378, Representative
• House File 3378, Representative Schearker.<00:02:01.439> I<00:02:01.680> move<00:02:01.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up on the agenda for today is House File 2627. >> That's your mom or your husband?
• I am here today with concerns about House File 2627.
• I believe the bill House File 2627.
• We respectfully urge you to vote no on House File 2627.
• Thank you for your House File 2627. Thank you for your time. time. time.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The author, the House author's amendment, was not given a vote.
• Even though the House author's amendment was brought forward, we heard the bill again on a second day
• So, uh, members, the chair is going to request a roll call, uh, to move House File or Senate File 856
• de amendment the author the house de amendment the author the house author's<00:02:40.800> amendment
• Even though the House author's vote.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Representative Hicks moves House File 3782 be laid over for possible inclusion. >> Uh, please proceed
• much rather find that some resolution?
• the best of all that we could resolution the best of all that we could do?
• With that, um, Representative Hicks renews, uh, the motion that House File 3780 be laid over for possible
• Thank you so much. renews, uh, the motion that House File renews, uh, the motion that House File 3780

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the next bill on the agenda is House File 3350.
• Chair Pinto, I believe your motion is to recommend that House File 3350 be placed on the general register
• Yes, I'll echo that to our House research team.
• particular thanks to our amazing House particular thanks to our amazing House research<00:12:59.680
• >> Yes, I'll echo that to our uh House >> Yes, I'll echo that to our uh House research

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I move that House File 3912 be laid over for consideration in the future omnibus bill. >> And I see
• Committee members, um, House File 3912 is a bill about energy affordability.
• House File 3912 is a bill about energy affordability.
• are struggling to make ends meet between medical expenses, rising grocery prices, and the cost of housing
• Um, House File 3912 seeks to protect low-income individuals by putting some parameters on the imposition

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3912, as amended, and the author moved that the bill be laid over for consideration in a future omnibus bill. The amendment was adopted without objection. Representative Holland described the bill as an energy affordability measure that would bar utilities from charging certain fees during the cold weather rule for customers above 50% of state median income, prohibit reconnection fees after shutoff for nonpayment, and create a framework for regulating late fees. He argued that late fees are often high, compound monthly, and disproportionately burden low-income households, citing utility debt and disconnection figures and noting that the need for relief is concentrated in greater Minnesota. Annie Levenson Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board supported the bill, saying reconnection fees and late fees fall on households already struggling to pay for essential service. She said reconnection fees should be treated as part of the cost of doing business and that late fees should be limited to a reasonable approximation of actual carrying costs, with protections for low-income customers. She also said the issue is already being considered in utility rate cases before the Public Utilities Commission, but that legislative action is still appropriate. Nick Martin of Xcel Energy and Katherine O'Donnell of CenterPoint Energy opposed the bill in its current form while emphasizing their companies’ commitment to affordability and customer assistance. Xcel said the bill would shift reconnection costs to other customers and could undermine a proposed arrears management program funded by late payment charges; Xcel also noted that the PUC is already reviewing these issues in its rate case. CenterPoint said it already offers extensive outreach, payment plans, and assistance programs, does not charge late fees once a customer is on a payment plan, and that its reconnection fee does not fully cover costs. After testimony and brief discussion, the chair noted the helpful information from utilities, the author said he was open to further work on the bill, and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• energy codes on housing starts.
• are driving the rise in housing costs. are driving the rise in housing costs.
• Recent research on housing starts.
• I oppose House File 3545.
• contributor to housing unaffordability. contributor to housing unaffordability.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Representative Mecklin moved House File 3545 to the general register and offered a DE amendment that removed the commissioner’s authority to choose a more efficient standard and removed the requirement that the 2038 residential energy code achieve a 70% reduction in annual net energy consumption compared with the 2006 energy use index. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was then discussed as amended. Mecklin said the bill was intended to address home affordability, arguing that energy code requirements add to housing costs and make it harder for younger Minnesotans to buy homes. Several testifiers opposed the bill, including representatives from the Center for Energy and the Environment, AIA Minnesota, Sierra Club, Fresh Energy, Housing First Minnesota, and ARXUS. They argued that energy codes are not a primary driver of housing costs, that stronger codes do not slow housing production, and that more efficient homes lower utility bills and improve comfort, safety, resilience, and climate outcomes. Testifiers cited studies and examples showing payback over time, including estimates that efficiency upgrades could pay for themselves in five to nine years and save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years. The Department of Labor and Industry said it had concerns about the bill because it would move away from a more energy-efficient standard and could create unintended consequences in the code adoption process, though it said the current technical advisory group process already considers cost concerns. Members questioned the cost and savings estimates, especially the comparison between higher upfront mortgage costs and lower utility bills. Fresh Energy explained that its figures were based on Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Slipstream analyses using a typical Minnesota home and that the savings were modeled over time. Representative Johnson expressed skepticism about the assumptions behind the savings numbers and argued that utility costs are not the main barrier to homeownership. The chair said the committee intended to take a vote on the bill that day, but the transcript ends before any final vote or disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Freiberg, you're up with House File 1944.
• Sure, I move that House File 1944 be laid over for possible inclusion.
• Uh, and I want to urge a yes on House File 1944.
• Uh, and I want to urge a yes on House File 1944.
• House File 1944 is laid over. with that. House File 1944 is laid over.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 1944, authored by Representative Freiberg, was heard and then laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would move Minnesota to permanent standard time until Congress authorizes states to adopt permanent daylight saving time, at which point the state would make a one-time switch. An A1 amendment updating the years was adopted without opposition. Freiberg said his broader goal is to eliminate the clock change, and he noted the proposal has bipartisan support. Testimony was strongly in favor of the bill. Dr. Roxanne Pritchard, a University of St. Thomas psychology professor and neuroscientist, said permanent standard time better aligns with human biology, supports sleep and mental health, and could reduce insomnia, heart attacks, and car accidents associated with the spring time change. J.P., president of Save Standard Time and a co-chair of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, argued that daylight saving time causes chronic sleep deprivation, increases accidents and illness, and does not actually save energy or improve productivity. He said standard time provides a more balanced and honest clock, especially for children, commuters, outdoor workers, and service personnel. Members asked a few brief questions, including whether the bill would be laid over for inclusion in another bill and whether it would align Minnesota with other places to avoid travel oddities. The chair confirmed it would be laid over, and no votes were taken beyond approval of the A1 amendment. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and I would move House File 3672. And we are laying it over.
• Commissioner with the Department of Administration, and I'm here to make some brief remarks on this bill, House
• I would move House File 3672, and we are laying it over. Your bill is before the committee.
• And with that, House File 3672 is laid over. on the language because um I want on the language because
• And with that, uh House<00:09:01.040> File<00:09:01.400> 3672<00:09:02.640> is<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3672, authored by Representative Quam, and the bill was laid over. Quam said the measure is based on findings from past Legislative Audit Commission audits and is intended to clarify state requirements, strengthen agency compliance, and address gaps such as conflicts of interest in grant administration. He said he wants the auditor to work directly with the revisor and agencies so the rules are clearer and less likely to be misunderstood. Betsy Hayes, Assistant Commissioner with the Department of Administration, testified that sections 5 through 11 of the bill would strengthen grants management authorities, reporting, monitoring, training, and conflict-of-interest limits, and said those changes are generally supported and in some cases already reflected in policy. She raised concern about section 3, saying it could sweep too broadly by applying chapter 16B grants-management requirements to all state payments to non-state entities, including procurement payments, which could create fiscal impact and regulatory overlap. She said the department is working with the author, the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and Auditor Randall to refine the language. Chair Clayburn asked for clarification on the difference between grants and procurement contracts and on the relationship between chapters 16B and 16C. Hayes explained that grants are typically reimbursement-based payments to third parties under chapter 16B, while procurement contracts are inward-facing state purchases under chapter 16C. She said section 3 could unintentionally capture procurement and apply grants rules to it. Clayburn said the bill’s intent is good and welcomed continued work on the language before the bill moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Simply put, these collections facilities house items from every legislative district in this state.
• equipment and climate controls to house equipment and climate controls to house collections. collections
• items from every legislative house items from every legislative district<01:10:07.840> in<01:
• Hill House, roof replacement at Forest History Center.
• Hill House, roof replacement at Forest History Center.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 5 minutes, then heard a presentation from Balig Engineering on cost drivers for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in small Minnesota communities. The testifier said most Minnesota communities are small, and that limited local staff, complex funding requirements, and the need to combine multiple funding sources make projects expensive and labor-intensive. He cited examples of aging infrastructure, including a Tracy street collapse and failing water mains, and said federal funding can help but often requires extensive reports that can cost tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of staff hours. He also pointed to inflation, supply-chain disruptions, colder climate requirements, higher material and labor costs, limited competition among contractors and suppliers, and newer treatment requirements such as PFAS removal and cybersecurity controls as major cost drivers. Members asked whether reduced bonding or less frequent state funding would lower prices, whether annual bonding bills provide market certainty, how regionalization could be encouraged, and whether tightening specifications adds costs. The testifier said stopping work would likely drive contractors out of the market and reduce competition, which could raise prices later, and that consistent funding helps keep contractors in Minnesota. He said regional water systems such as Red Rock Rural Water and Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water are already helping lower costs and that legislators could encourage more regionalization through incentives. He also said some specifications and federal requirements, especially around treatment plant controls and cybersecurity, increase costs, though some standards like deeper water-main burial are necessary. The committee then moved on to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, where John Kelly began presenting the governor’s 2026 capital budget recommendations and described the department’s mission, statewide network of veterans homes and cemeteries, and service to nearly 300,000 veterans and dependents.

Transcript Highlights:

• > will While the housing committees will While the housing committees will address<00:07:52.880
• address the broader housing shortage address the broader housing shortage issues,<00:07:55.199> um
• housing and other basics necessities. housing and other basics necessities.
• And it does so for housing costs.
• harder to buy houses. So thank you. harder to buy houses. So thank you.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 2499, as amended by the DE1, which would expand Minnesota’s renters’ credit by nearly doubling the income cutoff and increasing the maximum credit, with the bill laid over for possible inclusion in the tax bill. Representative Lee explained that the DE1 updated tax years and amounts after a new forecast, and argued the bill would bring the renters’ credit closer to parity with the homestead credit. She cited Department of Revenue data showing that recent changes to the renters’ credit increased participation and average refunds, and said the proposal would help more renters, including middle-income households and more seniors and people with disabilities. Testifiers Michael Dah of Homeline and Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the bill. Dah said renters face rising housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes, and described how renters use the credit for basic needs like school supplies, clothing, eyeglasses, dental care, groceries, and car repairs. Madden said the credit refunds property taxes paid through rent, helps workers, families, seniors, and people with disabilities, and noted that more than 310,000 households received the credit in 2023 across every part of the state. She also said recent filing changes made the credit easier to claim and increased participation. Members broadly discussed the fairness of treating renters and homeowners similarly, the role of property taxes in housing costs, and whether the bill should be viewed as helping low-income or more middle-income households. Representative Abeler, Smith, Howard, and Huitt expressed support, while Representative Roach argued the broader problem is rising property taxes driven by mandates on counties and said the bill is only a temporary fix. Representative Anderson questioned extending the credit to higher-income renters and said policy should prioritize homeownership, while Representative Lee responded that many renters are middle-class, that renters often cannot save for a down payment, and that the bill would help them stabilize financially. The bill was then laid over as amended.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Faye Bernstein, a 20-year employee of the Department of Human Services, testified that she had experienced retaliation after raising concerns about contract irregularities and compliance problems years earlier. She said she was walked out of the building, banned from DHS property, and subjected to a lengthy investigation, which she described as professionally and personally harmful. Bernstein stated that the investigation ultimately found she had questioned leadership’s decision-making and held up contracts with compliance issues, and she said she stood by those actions. Her broader testimony focused on what she described as a culture of retaliation and a lack of fraud-prevention mindset at DHS. She criticized department leadership, including Commissioner Gandhi, and said internal auditors and others failed to adequately address the problems she raised. Bernstein argued that the department’s failures had serious consequences for vulnerable people, including homeless individuals affected by a program shutdown during winter, and said the agency needed major leadership changes and firings. The chair thanked Bernstein for her testimony at the end of her remarks. No committee vote or formal action was taken during this exchange.

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