Transcript Highlights:

• Chairs and members, I have with me Eric Martins, the executive director of the Minnesota State High School
• directly to Minnesota schools. directly to Minnesota schools.
• ,<00:02:26.800> to Minnesota State High School League, to Minnesota State High School League
• I serve as the executive director of the Minnesota State High School League.
• Chair Davids and members of the committee, I'm here today to talk about the Minnesota State High School

Bills: HF4906, HF3971, HF4777, HF2109, HF2988

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Summary: The committee first approved the April 9 minutes, then took up House File 2988, which would extend for eight more years a sales tax exemption tied to Minnesota State High School League tournament ticket revenue that is funneled into the league’s foundation and returned to schools as grants. Chair Youakim and Executive Director Eric Martins said the program sends more than $1.1 million annually back to schools for activity fee reductions, scholarships, coaching and training, AEDs, late buses, and other school needs, with over 98% of funds going directly to schools. Representative Huot and others spoke in support, while Representative Robinson questioned the structure and suggested the state could instead simply reduce ticket prices and not tax the tickets. The committee laid HF 2988 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The committee then heard House File 4906, as amended, which would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for owners of residential homesteads and the homestead portion of agricultural property, funded by a $4 billion appropriation in fiscal year 2027. The bill includes a clawback for delinquent taxpayers and offsets to ensure no one receives more in property tax refunds than they paid. A House Research staffer said the Department of Revenue viewed the refund as potentially taxable, while House Research said it likely should be treated as a recovery of prior taxes, and the two would follow up. The bill was introduced with testimony from Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota and Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, both of whom opposed it, arguing it would create a large budget hole, force future cuts, and disproportionately benefit homeowners while excluding renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Several members also raised concerns. Representative Hewitt said the state should prioritize public safety, rural EMS, and safety-net hospitals rather than a large rebate, and Representative Youakim argued the money would be better spent on longer-term property tax relief and education funding. Representative Hollins said the proposal would worsen racial and wealth inequities because homeownership is lower among communities of color and renters would get nothing. In response, the author and supporters said the bill is meant to put money back into people’s budgets and that individuals should be able to decide how to use their own money. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s size and fiscal impact, but no final action on HF 4906 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And about 90% of students in Minnesota go to public schools.
• This is in Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul.
• It was a better GPA than I actually had while I was in high school taking my standard courses, and it
• This is in Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul.
• This is in Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul.

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

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Community High School. Community High School.
• It was due to gaps in Minnesota law in 2016 regarding positions of authority in high school students.
• > schools,<00:46:13.200> there<00:46:13.280> are some Minnesota high schools, there
• Francis High School.
• work right out of high school. work right out of high school.

Bills: HF3650, HF1791, HF3489, HF4231, HF4232, HF4269, HF4270, HF3490

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, career and technical education, CTE, postsecondary scholarship, postsecondary grant, school district funding, cooperative unit, Minnesota high school, apprenticeship, certificate program, tuition assistance, workforce training, military transition, education finance, student aid, career pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• Of Minnesota students, educators, families, schools, and communities.
• I'm Dan Ahlstrom, head of school at Highletcher Minneapolis Jewish Day School and part of the Minnesota
• My son, a proud South High School graduate, thrived in an environment that nurtured his potential and
• Nearly nine out of ten schools in Minnesota are severely impacted by the shortage.
• School Boards Association, where we represent all 331 public school districts across the state of Minnesota

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Dan Olstrom, head of school at Higher Minneapolis Jewish Day School and part of the Minnesota Association
• Nearly 73,000 students attend non-public schools in Minnesota, and the average size of a non-public school
• <00:54:19.200> average schools in Minnesota and the average schools in Minnesota and the average
• Nearly 73,000 students attend non-public schools in Minnesota, and the average size of a non-public school
• <01:12:39.760> School today on behalf of the Minnesota School today on behalf of the Minnesota

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• and across the country um but Minnesota and across the country um but while<00:02:27.599> high
• <00:02:33.840> in metan Numa virus arrived in Minnesota in metan Numa virus arrived in Minnesota
• of animal health and the Minnesota of animal health and the Minnesota Department<00:08:39.120>
• outlying areas of Minnesota outlying areas of Minnesota representative<00:18:30.679> Hansen
• , Minnesota.

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• shared<00:15:25.320> when high school students have shared when high school students have
• The Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy would be a high school diploma endorsement designed to demonstrate
• This seal will help prepare Minnesota high school students for the future and introduce them to a wide
• high school. high school.
• <00:58:46.120> school is it it incorporates high school is it it incorporates high school

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a high school math teacher in southern Minnesota.
• I am a high school math teacher in southern Minnesota.
• property to include Minnesota State High School League event venues.
• property to include Minnesota State High School League event venues.
• property to include Minnesota State High School League event venues.

Bills: HF3409, HF3487, HF3401

Keywords: immigration status, undocumented students, immigrant rights, K-12 education, public school enrollment, Plyler v. Doe, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, law enforcement access, ICE, immigration enforcement, civil lawsuit, private right of action, injunctive relief, mandamus, student records, directory information, parental engagement, equal access to education

Transcript Highlights:

• of School Administrators, and the Minnesota School Boards Association.
• in Minnesota public schools.
• children in Minnesota public schools. children in Minnesota public schools.
• As a current high schooler, I went to three different schools throughout middle school.
• School Districts, and the Minnesota Rural Education Association.

Bills: HF751, HF3550, HF3764, HF1490

Keywords: parental notification, school safety, bullying, harassment, violence, prohibited conduct, student discipline, charter school, school district, data practices, student privacy, parent rights, guardian notification, school incident reporting, cyberbullying, restraint, reasonable force, anti-bullying policy, school administration, student conduct

Transcript Highlights:

• programs recognized under the Minnesota programs recognized under the Minnesota Read<00:03:52.560
• Thank you for your time today. school about dyslexia, but her struggles school about dyslexia, but her
• The Minnesota Read Act is a training.
• Schools are now improving literacy.
• <00:16:24.560> I graduate school for special ed. I graduate school for special ed.

Bills: HF60, HF3067, HF3730, HF3638, HF3401

Keywords: interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the state of Minnesota, House File 1607 would give Minnesota high schools the flexibility
• According to the state of Minnesota, House File 1607 would give Minnesota high schools the flexibility
• According to the state of Minnesota, House File 1607 would give Minnesota high schools the flexibility
• According to the state of Minnesota, House File 1607 would give Minnesota high schools the flexibility
• > high have for high school education and high have for high school education and high school<

Bills: HF630, HF1435, HF1607

Keywords: short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• school... ...even a non-traditional high school diploma option that a student can obtain, and it carries
• the same weight as a traditional high school diploma.
• The bill also codifies the Alabama high school diploma option program as a... ...school diploma option
• Absolutely, it carries the same weight as a traditional high school diploma. Okay, great!
• Let me address the basis of the non-traditional high school diploma.

Bills: SB140, HB102, SB133, SB34

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, violence prevention, conflict resolution, mediation, public education, high school graduation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's all of our operating school districts in Minnesota.
• That's all of our operating school districts in Minnesota.
• That's all of our operating school districts in Minnesota.
• That's all of our operating school districts in Minnesota.
• c> a place because high poverty schools in a place because high poverty schools in a district<00:

Bills: HF1048, HF1049, HF745, HF2210

Keywords: charter schools, education funding, revenue calculation, general education revenue, special education, school library aid, education finance, school districts, funding eligibility, compensatory revenue, task force, free meals, school funding, education equity, HF2210, school unemployment aid, Minnesota Department of Education, general fund appropriation, unemployment insurance, unemployment claims

Transcript Highlights:

• up. but kind of high up.
• Furthermore, Minnesota already offers tax relief for school supplies with the income-tested K-12 education
• .<01:09:13.199> Furthermore,<01:09:13.759> Minnesota Minnesota.
• Furthermore, Minnesota Minnesota.
• An uncommon thing for Minnesota families to go shopping for school supplies and clothing, you know, before

Bills: HF331, HF916

Keywords: school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today... high school graduation is the formal high school graduation is the formal conclusion
• /c><00:04:10.959> dreams<00:04:11.280> to high school, she had big dreams to high school
• ><01:29:28.560> with Minnesota school districts operate with Minnesota school districts operate
• <01:31:28.400> school part of my day taking high school part of my day taking high school
• > to High school courses connected to High school courses connected to work-based<01:31:55.280

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:05:05.000> additional high school and there is additional high school and there is additional
• taxpayers Minnesota needs our rle school taxpayers Minnesota needs our rle school districts<00:10
• School District C Minnesota small rural School District C Minnesota is<00:10:29.160> just<00:10
• and charter schools in Minnesota.
• and charter schools in Minnesota.

Bills: HF827, HF1258, HF2387, HF2388, HF2534, HF2016

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• schools to teach some... ...local high schools to teach some of those classes, or they are identifying
• faculty within the high school who have the credentials to teach that class.
• Every time I go into my high school, I'm asking, "Are you in dual enrollment?"
• . ...what high school they go to.
• schools. ... ...enrollment to share with high schools all across their region.

Bills: HB9, HB102, HB9

Keywords: three-cueing system, reading instruction, K-12 education, structured literacy, scientific strategies, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:33.520> school<00:20:34.120> my what are your plans after high school my what
• are your plans after high school my plans<00:20:34.520> after<00:20:34.720> high<00:20
• 20:35.440> go plans after high school I'd like to go plans after high school I'd like to go to
• six-year-old gets to see these high six-year-old gets to see these high school<00:21:18.640>
• <01:03:43.960> school to co- te a class at the high school to co- te a class at the high school

Bills: HF110, HF111, HF263, HF105

Keywords: HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• That population is eight times larger than the high school population.
• This bill does is allow each student at any high school in the state of Alabama to be able to take a
• This bill would provide that conflict resolution training will be provided for our kids in high school
• The State Board of Education is requesting that it applies to middle school instead of high school.
• kind of serious impacts that can happen when our young people get to high school.

Bills: SB140, HB102, SB133, SB34

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, juvenile court, juvenile delinquency, school notification, student safety, K-12, public schools, private schools, superintendent, principal

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• > is, Permanent School Fund in Minnesota is, Permanent School Fund in Minnesota is, they<00:15:51.720
• We looked at historical revenues coming from Minnesota school trust lands, and we use the SBI's forward-looking
• We looked at historical revenues coming from Minnesota school trust lands, and we use the SBI's forward-looking
• in the state of Minnesota. in the state of Minnesota.

Bills: HF3900, HF1849

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund