Transcript Highlights:

• So you have North Star Promise.
• Hopkins has this more of an explanation of North Star Promise and North Star Promise Plus, but can you
• North Star Promise is part of that.
• > plus<00:28:42.799> but promise and Northstar promise plus but promise and Northstar promise
• promise Mr different than Northstar promise Mr Hopkins<00:28:52.000> um<00:28:52.200> Madam

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Higher Ed Finance and Policy Committee met to begin a budget overview for higher education. The chair noted quorum, committee member introductions, and that Democratic members were absent. The chair also said the Office of Higher Education would not be appearing for the planned budget deep dive, so nonpartisan fiscal staff would present instead. Ken Savory, the committee’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst, introduced a presentation on the higher education finance structure and timeline. Savory explained the state budget cycle, the difference between direct appropriations, statutory appropriations, open appropriations, base funding, tails, and one-time appropriations, and how those concepts apply to higher education. He described the committee’s usual budget areas: the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Foundation. He also reviewed historical spending charts showing higher education’s share of the general fund over time, the 2/3-1/3 funding policy in statute, and how tuition and general fund support have shifted. He noted that the FY 26-27 base for the Office of Higher Education area is about $725 million, including roughly $450 million for the State Grant program and about $99 million for North Star Promise. Members asked about comparing the current budget to earlier biennia, and staff responded that they would need to calculate the percentage difference. The chair then summarized prior budget growth, saying the previous budget was about $650 million over base and the current budget/tail was about $450 million over base. Staff also reviewed the 2024 omnibus higher education bill, including a roughly $5 million reduction to North Star Promise that was redirected to the Fostering Independence Grant program and a $500,000 appropriation for Minnesota State’s Kids on Campus program. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have tremendous advantages in Minnesota from having a port in Duluth, from the renewable energy we
• We have tremendous advantages in Minnesota from having a port in Duluth, from the renewable energy we
• We have tremendous advantages in Minnesota from having a port in Duluth, from the renewable energy we
• We have tremendous advantages in Minnesota from having a port in Duluth, from the renewable energy we
• We have tremendous advantages in Minnesota from having a port in Duluth, from the renewable energy we

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But uh I think the city of Duluth is trying to work through a homeless shelter now to um—I can't remember
• The city of Duluth is trying to work through a homeless shelter now, but I can't remember the name of
• The city of Duluth is trying to work through a homeless shelter now, but I can't remember the name of
• He said Duluth is another big user, but for the most part St.
• I thought maybe I would work on public safety or transportation or energy, but I promise you I never

Bills: HF4736, HF4737, HF3806, HF3352, HF4840, HF3748

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• She taught history and social studies at Duluth Central High School for more than 30 years from 1964
• I first met former Representative Mary Murphy in the 90s when I moved to Duluth to take my first job
• Liz Olson and me, you know, just two kids from the West End in Duluth, and she said, "Never mind any
• Liz Olson and me, you know, just two kids from the West End in Duluth, and she said, "Never mind any
• Liz Olson and me, you know, just two kids from the West End in Duluth, and she said, "Never mind any

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This request is for hanger design money for our 148 Fighter Wing in Duluth, Minnesota.
• They were built when Duluth used to be an Air Force base.
• Duluth, the 148th, is a major employer in the Duluth area, and additionally there's a bunch of money
• that comes into Duluth economically as well.
• services that are used at the Duluth airport, as well as other smaller ancillary items that the wing

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal facts. Chair Franson then announced that the committee would hear the governor’s bonding request for state agencies, starting with the Department of Public Safety. Commissioner Bob Jacobson, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, and State Patrol Colonel Christina Boich were introduced as the presenters. The Department of Public Safety focused on three capital projects: a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory, an expansion of the BCA regional office and laboratory in northern Minnesota, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters funded with trunk highway cash. Evans said the BCA’s St. Paul headquarters is severely overcrowded and that demand has grown because of sexual assault kit testing, digital evidence work, drug evidence, and a sharp rise in cybercrime and child exploitation cases. He said the regional facilities would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for testimony and evidence drop-off, expand training access for local law enforcement, and allow the BCA to serve southern and northern Minnesota more efficiently. Members questioned the high cost of the projects, including Representative Skraba’s concern about the per-square-foot cost. Evans responded that the facilities are expensive because they are specialized laboratories, not office buildings, and must include costly equipment, HVAC systems, redundant power, and other lab-specific features; he said retrofitting existing buildings would cost about the same as new construction. He also said the Southern Minnesota project had increased from about $48 million to $68.1 million due to final design changes, larger space needs, and rising construction costs. Representative Sexton asked about training availability, and Evans said the new facility would include a classroom for 40 to 60 students and could be used by other agencies at low or no cost. Representative Hansen asked about regional training centers, and Evans said the BCA uses them for specialized training but still needs this classroom-based regional space. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was no safe pedestrian crossing to connect east side of Duluth to the lake.
• In Duluth, an entire neighborhood with.
• connect east side of Duluth to the lake. connect east side of Duluth to the lake.
• Not metros, not Duluth, not Rochester, not Minneapolis, not St. Paul. We're rural districts.
• Not metros, not Duluth, not Rochester, not Minneapolis, not St. Paul. We're rural districts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We see partnerships with data centers as a means to continue fulfilling that promise of service.
• We need the legislature to protect us from the suggestion of finance and the absolute false promises
• I'm here on behalf of Minnesota Power, a Duluth-based investor-owned utility.

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• , metro area and Rochester, Duluth, metro area and Rochester, Duluth, more<00:13:21.800> of
• I’m Amber Sadowski, and I’m the executive director up at Lake House in Duluth.
• Uh in Duluth specifically, we state.
• Um, and I am currently a leader in my homelessness advocacy group called Streetwise in Duluth.
• We heard from the testifier in Duluth who was totally amazing.

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reed LeBeau: The Fond du Lac Band operates a healthcare facility in the City of Duluth, and previous
• and,<00:04:05.440> uh,<00:04:05.680> previous<00:04:06.120> in in City of Duluth
• , and, uh, previous in in City of Duluth, and, uh, previous in previous<00:04:06.720> legislatures
• However, in subsequent decades, the state abandoned that promise, leaving local governments to make up
• , leaving local governments that promise, leaving local governments to<00:36:57.920> make<00:36

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:24:11.280> charter<00:24:11.600> school<00:24:12.040> in<00:24:12.200> Duluth
• , which is a charter school in Duluth, which is a charter school in Duluth, Minnesota.
• And I would say that the promise and the hope of that is that therefore we can also measure and solve
• And I would say that the promise<00:48:35.240> and<00:48:35.320> the<00:48:35.400> hope
• and the hope of that is that promise and the hope of that is that therefore<00:48:37.200> we<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof Housing in Duluth
• Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof Housing in Duluth
• Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof Housing in Duluth
• Development Authority, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and One Roof Housing in Duluth
• One Roof Housing in Duluth to develop two former school sites into single-family housing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 19:25.600> a outcomes for participants makes Pace a outcomes for participants makes Pace a promising
• <00:19:26.200> model<00:19:26.480> for<00:19:26.720> providing promising model for
• providing promising model for providing comprehensive<00:19:27.760> care<00:19:27.960> for
• currently in place for licensed congregate care facilities and cities of the first class, such as Duluth
• currently in place for licensed congregate care facilities and cities of the first class, such as Duluth

Bills: HF1937, HF2407, HF1678, HF1477, HF2040, HF1840, HF257

Keywords: PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services, long-term care, community-based services, support person, healthcare, patient rights, assisted living, community support, caregiver respite, financial eligibility, Minnesota Statutes, HF1477, residential program licensing, community residential setting, small group home, licensed capacity six or fewer, rental licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Rochester, and Duluth, that have already installed these secure key boxes.
• Paul, Rochester, and Duluth, that have already installed these secure key boxes.
• Paul, Rochester, and Duluth, that have already installed these secure key boxes.
• There are some promising PAS.
• There are some promising technologies<00:58:01.440> that<00:58:01.680> are<00:58:01.839

Bills: HF3220

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• Similarly, the City of Duluth operates a mobile mountain bike fleet, providing lessons and experiences
• This is despite a promise by the state to fund 40% of that.

Bills: HF2563

Keywords: HF2563, legacy finance bill, Legacy Amendment, outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, arts and cultural heritage fund, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, Minnesota legacy funds, habitat conservation, prairie restoration, wetland restoration, forest conservation, riparian buffers, water quality, groundwater protection, drinking water, septic systems, watershed planning

Transcript Highlights:

• They serve a 530 square mile area including Duluth, Hermantown, Cloquet, and the surrounding region.
• , including Duluth, Hermantown, Cloquet, and<00:42:46.760> the<00:42:46.840> surrounding
• <00:48:24.880> to 40-year-old asphalt trail from Duluth to 40-year-old asphalt trail from
• Duluth to Hinckley,<00:48:25.840> runs<00:48:26.160> through<00:48:26.359> our<00
• , representative from Duluth, representative from Duluth, affectionately<00:48:39.240> known

Transcript Highlights:

• The CEO of PBS North in Duluth, and she is also President of the Minnesota Public Television Association
• From a history that my station did about the Cold War in Duluth, to the story of a 102-year-old woman—excuse
• So, for example, elements of the Duluth Cold War story...
• PBS North shares the best of Duluth and surrounding areas on "Almanac North," fostering a deeper understanding
• Besides the Twin Cities headquarters, we have staff and reporters living and working in Bemidji, Duluth

Bills: HF1679, HF1019, HF2321, HF1740, HF2278

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• The promise of prediction markets was that it would harness the wisdom of the crowd.
• The promise of prediction markets was that it would harness the wisdom of the crowd.
• The The promise of information.
• How about the Duluth paper mill retrofit?
• paper<03:52:36.640> mill How about the Duluth paper mill How about the Duluth paper mill retrofit

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate was called to order, a quorum was established, and remote voting was authorized for several members. The body adopted committee reports except those related to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, gave Senate File 4067 a second reading, and referred newly introduced bills as listed on the agenda. It also adopted a motion to strike and re-refer House File 3379 to the Committee on Finance, and then moved into special orders and floor debate. The main floor action was on House File 2358, a public safety bill providing enhanced criminal penalties for certain coercion offenses. Senator Lang described it as creating a Minnesota crime targeting sexual extortion of children, including online extortion. Senator Maye Quade supported the bill and spoke about the tragic constituent story behind it. The Senate took a roll call and passed the bill 67-0, with its title agreed to. The Senate then began debate on Senate File 4511, which would clarify Minnesota gambling law to prohibit prediction-market style betting disguised as futures contracts. Senator Marty argued the bill was needed to stop companies such as Kalshi and Polymarket from using futures-contract language to evade state gambling restrictions and to protect existing regulated gambling businesses. Senator Johnson initially offered the A10 amendment to delay action until federal jurisdiction issues are resolved, but withdrew it after debate. He then offered the A8 amendment to preserve longer-term weather-related hedging contracts, which Senator Marty supported as a distinction from short-term, manipulable bets; the A8 amendment was adopted. Debate continued with questions about the bill’s scope, including whether it would reach election-related or financial contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I did want to touch base, as I promised on Monday, to talk a little bit about one of the initiatives
• I did want to touch base as I promised<00:51:01.760> on<00:51:01.920> Monday<00:51:02.720
• :02.960> talk<00:51:03.200> a<00:51:03.359> little<00:51:03.520> bit promised
• on Monday to talk a little bit promised on Monday to talk a little bit about<00:51:04.680> um
• There’s been decades now of work and preparation done in my city of Duluth and by allies statewide along

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This index continues to be widely used today by Duluth and regional businesses, the media, and others
• My memory is old, probably several years old, so we can promise to get you that next week when we're
• My memory is old, probably several years old, so we can promise to get you that next week when we're
• <01:07:30.039> act 23 but also is the Nota promise act 23 but also is the Nota promise act
• I promise this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Rochester, and Duluth, that have already installed these secure key boxes, which is equal to about
• There are some promising technologies that are being looked at, but none of them have been proven at

Bills: HF3220

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security