Bills: HF3373, HF4449, HF3486, HF4180, HF4227, HF2505

Keywords: transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use

Summary: The committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 3373, which was laid over. The bill sought trunk highway bond funding for preliminary and final design work at the 70th Street interchange in St. Paul Park. Representative Hansen, Mayor Keith Frankie, and Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham described the interchange as undersized and increasingly unsafe because of refinery truck traffic, aggregate hauling, nearby growth, and changing traffic patterns. Members asked about prior study, cost, and greenhouse gas requirements, and the bill author said the request was about $500,000. Chair Cosgrove noted the bill would be laid over and suggested the issue could involve future statutory exemptions. The committee then took up House File 4449, also laid over, after adopting the A4 author’s amendment. Representative Jones presented the bill as a transit planning and accountability measure for the Twin Cities metro. It would set numeric transit goals, require better coordination between road projects and future transit projects, and give the Met Council more tools to support transit-oriented development, including property acquisition and development around transit corridors. Jones argued the bill would help avoid rebuilding roads twice and improve transit ridership, frequency, speed, and reliability. Representative Olson offered an amendment to exempt highway projects primarily addressing documented safety issues, arguing that safety projects should not be burdened by added transit requirements or costs. Jones said she supported the safety concern but opposed the amendment as written because the bill was aimed at major construction projects. After a roll call, the amendment failed on an 8-8 tie. The bill itself remained laid over for further work, with the chair noting there was still time to refine the proposal.

Bills: HF4348, HF4186, HF4202, HF4455, HF3884, HF3883, HF3882, HF3881, HF2688, HF3295, HF3862, HF3362, HF4242, HF3798

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• HRA staff work directly with the public in high-stress situations, including inspections, enforcement
• Agents of the HRA are defined as individuals under contract with an HRA, paid or unpaid, or otherwise
• acting on behalf of the HRA.
• under contract with an HRA, individual under contract with an HRA, paid<00:03:58.400> or<00:03
• So many HASS rely on behalf of the HRA.

Bills: HF4141, HF3951

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 1548 seeks to give the same power to HRAs.
• HRAs are also political subdivisions of the state of Minnesota.
• So are you trying to eliminate the HRAs? or Ms. Taphorn.
• If you're trying to include the city as an HRA, is that what you're trying to do?
• In addition to the city or the county, if the city created that HRA and wanted this HRA to create the

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• Agents of the HRA are defined as an individual under contract with an HRA, paid or unpaid, or otherwise
• acting on behalf of the HRA.
• The bill would make assaulting an HRA employee or agent while they're performing their official duties
• Metro<00:08:56.480> HRA<00:08:56.880> and<00:08:57.040> housing<00:08:57.360>
• authorities Metro HRA and housing authorities Metro HRA and housing authorities statewide<00:08:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 4141, which would amend Minnesota Statutes 609.2231 to add housing and redevelopment authority (HRA) employees and agents to the list of public employees receiving enhanced criminal penalties for assault while performing official duties. Representative Johnson said the bill does not create a new crime, but simply extends existing protections to HRA staff who work in high-contact, high-stress settings such as inspections, enforcement, benefit decisions, and evictions. Testifiers Melissa Taporn and Terry Smith, both representing Minnesota housing authorities/NARO, supported the bill and described numerous incidents of threats, assaults, and weapon-related confrontations involving HRA staff across the state, arguing the change is needed for worker safety, retention, and continued delivery of housing services. Committee members expressed support for the proposal, with Vice Chair Dos saying it would create reasonable guardrails to help keep workers and residents safe. Discussion also noted that repeated or unsafe inspections can add costs back onto housing operations. The chair said the bill would likely be incorporated into the committee’s broader housing policy work with possible tweaks. No vote was taken; House File 4141 was laid over for possible inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• HRAs are also political subdivisions of the state of Minnesota.
• HRAs are also political subdivisions of the state of Minnesota, but in...
• HRAs are also political subdivisions of the state of Minnesota.
• So if the city created that HRA and wanted this HRA to create the local Housing Trust Fund instead of
• created that HRA and wanted this<00:16:18.120> the<00:16:18.360> HRA<00:16:19.000>

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• communities um these can be created hras communities um these can be created hras can<00:02:46.879
• by our HRA Board of Commissioners, paid for with HRA tax levy funds.
• <00:28:47.480> funds repair program with HRA funds repair program with HRA funds appropriated
• <00:28:49.320> of appropriated by our HRA Board of appropriated by our HRA Board of Commissioners
• The Duluth HRA thanks you, and Minnesota NAHRO thanks you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard presentations focused on public housing and related funding needs, with testimony from Minnesota NAHRO and several local housing authorities. Melissa Taphorn described the role of housing authorities statewide, including public housing, vouchers, CDBG/HOME funds, Bridges, and HEAT, and emphasized that public housing serves over 36,000 low-income Minnesotans, many of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, or children. She said federal operating and capital funds are insufficient, creating deferred maintenance backlogs, and noted that Minnesota’s public housing capital needs over a five-year period were about $500 million, with nearly $200 million unmet. She also discussed federal uncertainty, including a recent HUD funding freeze notice, possible changes to fair housing requirements, RAD repositioning options, and Build America, Buy America costs. Committee members asked about tenant rent calculations and the populations served. Testimony clarified that public housing residents generally pay 30% of monthly income, with utility allowances factored in, and that the average tenant rent in Minnesota is about $399. Members also heard that about 65% of public housing households are seniors or people with disabilities, while about 35% are families. The committee then heard examples of how state POP grants have been used to preserve public housing stock. Kurt Kina of the Red Wing HRA described multiple POP-funded projects that replaced windows, upgraded heating and cooling, and modernized electrical systems in a 100-resident high-rise, saying the work was essential to keep the building viable. Louise Siba of the St. Paul PHA testified that St. Paul’s authority serves nearly 22,000 people through more than 4,200 public housing units and over 5,200 vouchers, with most townhomes and high-rises serving elderly or disabled residents. She said St. Paul PHA has received nearly $16 million in POP funding since 2012, including about $8.5 million last year, and that those funds enabled major life-safety and modernization projects such as the Denan Terrace renovation and boiler, plumbing, and interior upgrades in high-rises. Jill Keers of the Duluth HRA described a broader set of housing programs, including vouchers, rehab loans, emergency repair funds, construction training, and development. She said Duluth HRA is adding 128 housing units between 2023 and 2025, including mixed-income rentals, senior housing, and family townhomes, and stressed that state investment through POP and other programs is necessary to keep housing affordable and safe.

Transcript Highlights:

• As it relates to an ICHRA, individual coverage HRA, or a QSEHRA, which is a qualified small employer
• HRA, as I testified in the previous hearing, you can use funds that are contributed to those types of
• As it relates to an ICHRA, individual coverage HRA, or a QSEHRA, which is a qualified small employer
• HRA, as I testified in the previous hearing, you can use funds that are contributed to those types of
• As it relates to an ICHRA, individual coverage HRA, or a QSEHRA, which is a qualified small employer

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as a qualified small employer HRA.
• , individual coverage HRA and qualified small employer HRA.
• if you change jobs and an HRA you don't?
• offer them this type of HRA. offer them this type of HRA. uh<01:52:53.599> if<01:52:54.080
• you change jobs and an HRA you don't. you change jobs and an HRA you don't.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dakota County has a separate HRA with a separate board.
• So, the HRA measure of this thing is very limited.
• Senator Drazkowski. a separate HRA with a separate board. a separate HRA with a separate board.
• Paul HRA is They would be eligible. St.
• So, the HRA all wrapped into the city.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , I have been going to our city councils and to their workshops to describe our current work at the HRA
• The first of our ECI plan recommended actions to be implemented was the activation of the county's HRA
• was the activation of the county's HRA was the activation of the county's HRA levy.<00:54:29.200
• Through this legislation, Ramsey County seeks to expand its eligibility for programming for its HRA to
• This impact will not have any impact on the formula associated with HRA levy collection.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We awarded the Virginia HRA $5.75 million to rehabilitate the Columbia Roso, and forgive me, Rangers,
• you know without these repairs the HRA you know without these repairs the HRA director<00:48:34.040
• And what it means for the Metro Council's HRA to implement what will be probably the largest share of
• the money versus what does it mean for a small HRA with one staff person who's implementing this in
• to implement what will be council's HRA to implement what will be probably<01:39:22.440> the<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, HUD limitations on how HRA can save and spend money make it impossible for us to save the
• It allows the HRA to use money that is saved and to be able to sprinkler this building.
• The Hopkins Fire Department has worked alongside our HRA team over the past year on seeking funding for
• Changes to this legislation, which would allow our HRA to receive funding, is integral to keeping our
• Changes to this legislation, which would allow our HRA to receive funding, are integral to keeping our

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Here to present Assembly Bill 188 that's got to do with the HRAs, primarily with HRAs for public employees
• There, the increase to the HRA cap does have a cannot-be-determined fiscal note.
• HRA. So they keep 80% in the reserves of what the accounts would be.
• It's 91% of people are using their HRA accounts.
• Many people wait until the last time... ...are using their HRA accounts.

Bills: AB49, AB169, AB188, AB284, AB296, AB306, AB356, AB366, AB467, AB499, AB515, AB540, AB542, AB595

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, health insurance, speech-language pathology, stuttering, rehabilitative services, habilitative services, coverage requirements, health plans, retired public employees, subsidy, Medicare, health reimbursement arrangement, Public Employees' Benefits Program

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Igo, um, Miss Davis, is HRA an owner of this? Can an HRA be an owner?
• But is an HRA available? Can an HRA be an owner?
• But is an HRA available?
• Different recipients can be awarded the funds, so in some programs HRAs, cities, counties, and even tribes
• Different recipients can be awarded the funds, so in some programs HRAs, cities, counties, and even tribes

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee met for an informational session with no bills taken up and no votes or formal actions. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Speno said the committee would focus on understanding housing policy and barriers to building more homes, noting Minnesota’s housing shortage and the need to support both single-family and multifamily construction. House Research analyst Mary Davis and House Fiscal analyst Katrina Heimark gave an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s programs and funding streams. Davis outlined areas the committee may hear about, including real estate law, landlord-tenant law, manufactured home parks, housing cooperatives, zoning, property taxes, and MHFA programs. Heimark described MHFA’s five main budget areas—development and redevelopment, housing stability, homeownership assistance, preservation, and resident/organization support—and reviewed recent appropriations, emphasizing that much of the large 2024–25 funding was one-time money and that ongoing base funding is lower in 2026–27. Members asked several questions about how prior appropriations were spent, whether unused funds return to the general fund, and whether funds can be repurposed. Heimark said transferred funds generally are not returned to the general fund if unspent, but are expected to be used for the purposes outlined in the appropriation; she also said she had requested more detailed expenditure information from the agency and would follow up. Questions also focused on who benefits from programs such as rental housing rehabilitation and the affordable rental investment fund, with the testifiers explaining that most MHFA programs are targeted to low- and moderate-income households and that income eligibility varies by program. The committee also discussed the new metro-area sales tax revenue dedicated to housing, with members requesting more detail on reporting, oversight, and allowable uses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Union Gospel Mission, who will be testifying, and Jill Keppers, Executive Director... of the Duluth HRA
• Joining me today is Jill Keppers, the Executive Director of Duluth HRA.
• bonding to fund the construction of a new homeless engagement center in partnership with the Duluth HRA
• a community-wide project, with land provided by the City of Duluth, development support from Duluth HRA

Bills: HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hra, thank you. Um, [clears throat] my question is about the resurfacing.
• <00:12:59.839> Representative<00:13:00.399> Hra, all make sense.
• Representative Hra, all make sense. Representative Hra, >> thank<00:13:02.959> you.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow our HRAs to establish local housing trust funds.
• They are largely financed by HRA levies.
• They are largely financed by HRA levies.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why programs like the high-rise sprinkler grant program are so important: it allows the HRA to
• <00:37:48.480> constraints sprinkler systems due to HRA constraints sprinkler systems due
• to HRA constraints we<00:37:49.520> have<00:37:49.640> taken<00:37:49.920> years
• to use the money it has saved the HRA to use the money it has saved and<00:38:19.000> leverage
• The Hopkins Fire Department has worked alongside our HRA team over the past year on seeking funding for

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I appreciate that I was educated by my local HRA folks on this one, on how important this is, so
• So this is going to give our HRAs another tool to preserve those units so we can keep moving this state
• And I appreciate that I was educated by my local HRA folks on this one, on how important this is, so
• So this is going to give our HRAs another tool to preserve those units so we can keep moving this state
• I appreciate that I was educated by my local HRA folks on this one, on how important this is, so happy

Keywords: 1183, house