Transcript Highlights:

• [Laughter] Good morning and welcome to the March 3rd, 2026 committee hearing of the Minnesota House Commerce
• Currently, the Minnesota Department of Commerce processes complaints against real estate appraisers.
• Currently, the Minnesota<00:48:23.119> Department<00:48:23.440> of<00:48:23.680> Commerce
• Minnesota Department of Commerce Minnesota Department of Commerce processes<00:48:25.280> complaints
• by the Department of Commerce. by the Department of Commerce.

Bills: HF3604, HF2236, HF3709, HF3766, HF2400

Keywords: bulk fuel, nonoxygenated gasoline, environment, exemption criteria, transportation, HF2236, Minnesota commerce, obsolete language, statutory cleanup, retail installment contract, consumer credit, vehicle financing, auto loans, retail buyer, retail seller, delinquency charge, collection fee, attorney fees, assignment notice, payment receipt

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 26, after correcting the header date to Thursday, February 26. It then took up House File 36004, as amended by the author’s technical A1 amendment. Representative Van Binsbergen described the bill as a change to statute governing bulk delivery of nonoxygenated fuel, especially for boats and other watercraft, to allow direct delivery to vehicles rather than requiring transport of fuel in containers or removal of boats from the water. Members generally supported the concept, citing convenience for lake users, reduced travel and potential invasive species spread, and fewer spill risks, but the chair said the bill would be laid over pending additional clarification from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and other agencies. House File 2236 was then introduced as a vehicle bill for possible future omnibus use and laid over without testimony or opposition. The committee also heard House File 3709, which would allow Minnesota banks and credit unions to offer custodial accounts for digital assets such as cryptocurrency. The authors framed the bill as a consumer-protection and competitiveness measure that would let local institutions keep pace with customer demand and prevent Minnesotans from relying on out-of-state or offshore providers. Testimony from the Department of Commerce and credit union representatives supported the bill, saying it would level the playing field, keep digital assets under Minnesota oversight, and help local institutions remain relevant; one witness said significant liquidity had been leaving local communities for outside exchanges. Questions from members focused on whether the accounts would be NCUA-insured, how the bill related to unclaimed property, and whether the policy goal was consumer protection or simply preserving bank relevance. Several members expressed support but also cautioned about crypto volatility, scams, and the need to avoid turning credit unions into exchanges. The discussion ended without a final vote in the excerpt, with the bill still under committee consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Energy Alley is about developing a kind of Silicon Valley of clean energy in Minnesota.
• with clean energy economy Minnesota with clean energy economy Minnesota executive<00:03:25.560><
• Department of Commerce.
• through Minnesota Energy Alley, alongside six companies that we have attracted to Minnesota through
• Minnesota deed the Northwest Minnesota Minnesota deed the Northwest Minnesota Regional<00:56:27.760

Bills: HF1013, HF1598, HF1656, HF2162

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning and welcome to the Thursday, March 5th, 2026 meeting of the Minnesota House Commerce Finance
• Our first testifier today is Jonathan Carter from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Mr.
• the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Mr. the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Mr.
• 04:24.320> of policy with the Minnesota Chamber of policy with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• For the record, Jonathan Carter with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Bills: HF3388, HF400

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage. Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bentley Graves from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Graves, welcome to the committee.
• I’m with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• <00:42:34.800> Chamber<00:42:35.119> of<00:42:35.280> Commerce with the Minnesota
• Chamber of Commerce with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce the<00:42:35.839> the<00:42:35.920
• Again, Bentley G. from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Bills: HF747, HF1014, HF320, HF400

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association, MIGA, insurance guaranty fund, insurer insolvency, covered claim, net worth threshold, high-net-worth insured, financial information request, insurance claims, self-insured retention, deductible, commercial insurance, insurance regulation, Minnesota Statutes 60C.09, guaranty association

Bills: HF2442

Keywords: climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy, solar incentive, Made in Minnesota, community solar gardens, transportation electrification, electric vehicles, grid-enhancing technologies, microgrid, University of St. Thomas, Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, petroleum tank fund

Bills: HF2442

Keywords: climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy, solar incentive, Made in Minnesota, community solar gardens, transportation electrification, electric vehicles, grid-enhancing technologies, microgrid, University of St. Thomas, Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, petroleum tank fund

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:02.199> rules drive currently the Minnesota rules drive currently the Minnesota rules
• of government Affairs for the Minnesota of government Affairs for the Minnesota Automobile<00:42
• Minnesota Minnesota vehicles<00:53:48.240> uh<00:53:48.400> thank<00:53:48.559> you
• government Affairs at the Minnesota government Affairs at the Minnesota Automobile<00:54:09.559>
• I<00:59:10.200> want<00:59:10.280> to Minnesota Chamber of Commerce I want to Minnesota

Bills: HF2382, HF639, SF1075, HF1243, HF1087, SF1360, HF739, HF2337, HF1220, HF712, HF1219

Keywords: accident reporting, law enforcement, data privacy, contracted service providers, public safety, HF639, Minnesota driver license, Department of Public Safety, driver medical review, loss of consciousness, voluntary control, seizure, nonepileptic seizure, epilepsy, antiseizure medication, physician statement, medical certification, commercial driver, CDL, medical examiner's certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• Within the state of Minnesota, the state regulator is the Department of Commerce, and the Appraisal Foundation
• Within the state of Minnesota, the state regulator is the Department of Commerce, and the Appraisal Foundation
• Within the state of Minnesota, the state regulator is the Department of Commerce, and the Appraisal Foundation
• It wasn’t just the Commerce Fraud Bureau doing fraud work in Minnesota.
• It wasn’t just the Commerce Fraud Bureau doing fraud work in Minnesota.

Bills: HF2335, HF2400, HF2401, HF2522

Keywords: Medicare, health insurance, supplement policies, preexisting conditions, medical assistance, premium classification, real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, continuing education, out-of-state, licensing, commerce, fraud prevention, automobile theft, law enforcement, insurance crimes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• Health Care and Commerce Policy, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• > Policy, Health Care and Commerce Policy, Health Care and Commerce Policy, Minnesota<00:16:15.040
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• My name is Jonathan Cotter, Director of Health Care and Commerce Policy with the Minnesota Chamber of
• state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.

Bills: HF4502, HF3388, HF4106, HF400, HF4138, HF4118, HF4203

Keywords: trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance

Bills: SF1832, HF2440, HF2442

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis, climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Patrick's Day version of the Minnesota House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee. Happy St.
• There's no commerce happening here.
• There's no commerce They give it away. There's no commerce happening<00:10:35.200> here.
• for a Minnesota State campus. for a Minnesota State campus.
• I represent Allied Charities of Minnesota and also the Claremont Area Chamber of Commerce.

Bills: HF4145, HF4009, HF4304, SF2511, HF4090, HF357, HF901

Keywords: alcohol consumption, nursing homes, assisted living, resident activities, Minnesota Statutes, seasonal liquor licenses, resorts, intoxicating liquor, county board, Brainerd, Northern Pacific Center, event center, liquor license, on-sale license, alcohol sales, special law, local option, Minnesota liquor law, chapter 340A, Sunday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] Meeting of the Minnesota Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
• This is Minnesota.
• <00:44:41.040> with impact on the state of Minnesota with impact on the state of Minnesota
• <00:53:24.079> will keys in the state of Minnesota will keys in the state of Minnesota will
• is Kirk adelka with the Minnesota is Kirk adelka with the Minnesota Pollution<01:04:25.119> Control

Bills: HF737, HF247, HF325, HF1330

Keywords: lead, cadmium, consumer products, safety regulation, retail restrictions, motor sports, nonoxygenated gasoline, fuel regulations, storage requirements, racing events, HF325, flavored nitrous oxide, nitrous oxide, whippets, laughing gas, retail sales, consumer protection, misdemeanor, commerce, Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the March 12th meeting of the Minnesota House Commerce
• Thank you. than is commonly used in Minnesota a than is commonly used in Minnesota a conventional<00:
• standards it will also ensure Minnesota standards it will also ensure Minnesota consumers<00:07:
• <00:07:49.039> consumers challenges impact Minnesota consumers challenges impact Minnesota
• <00:08:05.360> mortgage amendment from the Minnesota mortgage amendment from the Minnesota

Bills: HF1865, HF2014, HF2028

Keywords: mortgage, qualified mortgage, QM, points and fees, conventional loan, consumer lending, home loan, residential real estate, lender fees, service charge, finance charge, closing costs, Minnesota Statutes 47.20, housing finance, borrower protections, cooperative apartment loan, contract for deed, real estate lending, foreclosure, notice requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• the people of Minnesota? the people of Minnesota?
• The Minnesota Department of Commerce oversees more than 40 industries to protect consumer interest and
• > Commerce The Minnesota Department of Commerce The Minnesota Department of Commerce oversees<
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• Minnesota does business with honesty and integrity. Minnesota. Minnesota.

Bills: HF4560, HF4559, HF2317, HF3179, HF4880, HF2862, HF4374

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the first of three bills that we'll hear that have come from the Minnesota Department of Commerce
• Department of Commerce.
• Department of Commerce.
• Department of Commerce.
• Department of Commerce.

Bills: HF1546, HF2403, HF2389, HF2398

Keywords: fire safety, public safety, statewide fire code, code cleanup, repeal, obsolete statutes, matches, strike-anywhere matches, safety matches, match packaging, match storage, tent safety, flame resistant tents, public assembly tents, flammable materials, fire code modernization, Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation

Bills: HF3806, HF2687, HF497

Keywords: housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota Statutes, HF2687, single-family homes, corporate landlords, corporate ownership, real estate investment trust, REIT, landlord registry, landlord database, tenant transparency, housing affordability, homeownership, deed tax, transfer tax, property tax, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota has a robust foreclosure prevention program, and housing counselors have asked Legal Aid whether
• We've worked with and I would like to thank the Minnesota State Bar Association's Real Property Section
• , the Minnesota Bankers Association, the Minnesota Credit Union Association, BankIn, and the Minnesota
• We also want to thank the Minnesota Mortgage Association for its assistance.
• We have to stop making these decisions to make it harder to get care for people in Minnesota.

Bills: HF1224, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage postponement, homeowners, redemption period, Minnesota Statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We've worked with and would like to thank the Minnesota State Bar Association's Real Property Section
• , the Minnesota Bankers Association, the Minnesota Credit Union Association, and the Minnesota Land Title
• We also want to thank the Minnesota Mortgage Association for its assistance.
• global agreement to get a Commerce global agreement to get a Commerce policy<00:10:16.200> bill
• We have to stop making these decisions to make it harder to get care for people in Minnesota.

Bills: HF1224, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage postponement, homeowners, redemption period, Minnesota Statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 7 is just miscellaneous commerce provisions, and this includes allowing the Commissioner of Commerce
• We have one testifier signed up, Sam Smith, Government Affairs Director, Minnesota Department of Commerce
• My answer is always Minnesota.
• I am the Vice Policy Chair for the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm the Policy Vice Chair and Cannabis Policy Lead for the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, and I

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• of Commerce.
• of Commerce.
• of Commerce.
• <00:27:16.960> Johnson Minnesota. Finally, uh as uh Mr. Johnson Minnesota.
• I'm the policy vice chair and cannabis policy lead for the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, and I

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance