MICA Weekly Legislative Update - Issue #5

Governor Walz announces plan to overhaul human service delivery system in Minnesota, gets mixed reaction at the Capitol

On Tuesday, March 10 Governor Walz held a press conference  in advance of the release of his supplemental budget to announce his plan to overhaul and centralize Minnesota’s human service delivery system. While there are little details without budget numbers or bill language released, the Governor revealed the plan would eliminate the use of managed care organizations in the Medicaid program, shift Medicaid eligibility determinations to DHS for health care and long-term services and support, as well as phase out the use of contracted case management and fund a study to make future recommendations.

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) Director Ahna Minge said the cost of the plan would cost $17 million in FY 26-27 and $55 million in FY 28-29. It was unclear how much the cost of the plan would grow in the years after 2029, though the Governor said, “we’ll hold the counties harmless on the cost.” MMB is assuming that it will be “a couple hundred jobs when fully phased up,” while noting that the proposal doesn’t assume that the state would take on all the human services work that counties perform. The study proposed as part of the plan could make recommendations that centralize the human services system at the state level even more, but any assumptions about that are not included in the numbers that MMB provided at this stage. Additional detail on the Governor’s proposal can be found here.

Though it wasn’t part of the proposal released on Tuesday, the Governor also mentioned his support for upgrading the “grossly outdated” MAXIS system, as a possible item that could move with bipartisan agreement this legislative session. How the administration is proposing to do that and the level of investment isn’t yet known and is expected to be released in the supplemental budget, likely this week. The Governor did say there was a need to provide structural changes on the front end before significant investments, noting the final costs when the state is ready to make them would be in hundreds of millions of dollars.

What They’re Saying

On the role of counties

• Governor Walz emphasized his view that centralization would address fraud and administrative issues without assigning blame, saying “Counties and tribal nations are essential partners for doing the work, but the system has grown too complex for necessary oversight. I want to be clear, this is not putting blame on counties or managed care organizations, it’s just stating a reality as the system over the decades has become more complex and grown out, it has become difficult for the counties to administer those directly.”

 

On prospects at the capitol

• Governor Walz said that the focus of the legislature should be prospective rather than just looking back at what hasn’t worked, “We’ll need their buy in, we’ll need their help, and we’ll take their ideas.”
• House Ways and Means Co-Chair Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) suggested the proposal may be “dead on arrival” at the capitol this year, asking why the Governor was only proposing this in his final year in office if he’s viewed it as a problem that predates him.
• Senate Human Services Chair Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) vocalized concerns that he was not consulted, saying “Major structural changes to a system that serves hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans require thoughtful collaboration between the executive branch and the Legislature.”
• Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls), the ranking minority member on the Human Services committee, expressed skepticism about centralizing even more work at the Department of Human Services, saying it was “yet another attempt to paper over the state’s fraud problem.”
• Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Minneapolis), the co-chair of the Human Services Committee was less pessimistic, noting that the Governor’s proposal had some overlap with what the House DFL had proposed to do by phasing out contracted case management.

On technology modernization

• Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) highlighted that outdated technology has made it difficult for counties to attract and retain young workers, saying “We need to modernize. There, the governor and I agree 100%."
• House Republican Floor Leader Rep. Harry Niska (R-Ramsey) “People understand that as a state we have not invested in the systems that are needed to prevent fraud…. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to find some agreement on that.”

 

MICA Executive Director Nathan Jesson joined his counterparts from the Association of Minnesota Counties and Minnesota Rural Counties to discuss technology modernization with the Ways and Means committee. The presentation covered how technology challenges create pressures across the enterprise, from workforce challenges, program integrity, property tax pressures, and worse outcomes for users. The presentation also included a live demonstration of the MAXIS system as well as an overview of the METS system from Dakota County staff.

Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown presented on recent appropriations and how far along that agency is in implementing them. The $36.9 million 2023 appropriation for Integrated Services for Children and Families has seen $5.9 million spent with plans approved for all but $13.7 million of that appropriation with a time entry modernization focus. She spoke about the challenges that the MAXIS system creates, especially given no appropriations for modernization, but that the state is still working on an integration layer that can connect MAXIS to modern applications. 

Department of Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi spoke about recent appropriations, focusing on how the scope of recent legislative changes has made it difficult to make progress on modernization priorities without ongoing funding. She said that of the $110 million in one-time funds appropriated to DHS in 2023, $37 million remains unallocated.

Commissioner Tarek Tomes also spoke about the need to focus on outcomes rather than technology. He mentioned some recent successes around the paid leave rollout as well as MNLARS. When asked about the cost of total system replacement across systems, he estimated the cost to be about $500 million. He said that work is underway to improve METS to simplify some of the challenges with that system, noting that a number of the issues facing METS are not a technology or platform issue, but rather process changes to make things like adding a second child simpler. On MAXIS he acknowledged that it’s clear that technological opportunities to improve exist there to integrate programs better.

Co-Chair Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) said the DFL was also supportive of the efforts and that both sides would work together on the issue.  Co-Chair Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) said that finally addressing technology modernization at the county level was a necessary step to address the fraud issues the state is facing. He closed the meeting by pointing out that making changes and making systems more complicated, as many of the laws that the legislature passes do, makes the work of the agencies more difficult which ultimately impacts the people the state is trying to serve the most.

Legislative timeline:

• March 19: Eid Break
• March 27: First and Second Committee Deadlines
• March 28-April 6: Easter/Passover Break
• April 17: Third Committee Deadline
• May 18: Constitutional deadline for adjournment

House cancels committee hearings for Monday, March 16: All House committee hearings scheduled for Monday, March 16 have been canceled due to weather and will be rescheduled. The floor session will take place at 3:30 as scheduled, but it’s expected that most members will participate remotely.

The Senate has cancelled a couple of committee meetings, but for the most part hearings have switched to hybrid.

House Republican caucus rolls out their affordability package: On March 11 House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Republican Floor Leader Rep. Harry Niska went through their affordability package, which included allowing local governments to opt out of unfunded mandates and a property tax task force to make recommendations on how to address rising property taxes. When asked about whether the House Republican caucus would be supportive of levy limits as the Senate Republicans have proposed, Rep. Niska said his caucus was “open” to it, while also mentioning their support of technology modernization.

House Tax Committee hears proposals around property tax refunds: On Tuesday and Thursday the House Committee on Taxes heard numerous proposals to increase the Homestead Credit Refund, Renters Income Tax Credit, and the Targeted Property Tax Refund. MICA Executive Director Nathan Jesson spoke in favor of HF2715 (Tabke), which would increase the homestead credit refund for all those that are currently eligible. MICA also submitted a combined letter of support with the League of Minnesota Cities and Association of Minnesota Counties in favor of HF3657 (Norris) which would create a property tax task force that would make recommendations to the legislature, as well as HF4119 (Rehrauer) and HF3959 (Huot) which propose increases to different property tax refund programs. On the property tax task force bill Rep. Matt Norris (DFL-Blaine) noted that there were similarities between his language and a bill from Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston) and that the two would work on combining the two approaches. Members from both sides of the aisle expressed support for the property tax refund proposals, especially the homestead credit refund and targeted property tax refund.

Changes to property tax programs heard outside tax committee: On March 10 the House Housing Finance committee heard HF3608 (Myers) which would exclude the value of an accessory dwelling unit from the value of the home for the purposes of calculating its value for the Homestead Market Value Exclusion. Rep. Mike Howard (DFL-Richfield) asked whether the effect would be to shift property taxes onto other properties, which Rep. Andrew Myers (R-Tonka Bay) acknowledged. The bill was laid over for future discussion in the committee. The House Veterans committee, heard HF3727 (Olson) which would increase the exclusion limits for the homestead market value exclusion for veterans with a disability. Under the bill, the exclusion for veterans with a disability rating of at least 70 percent is increased from $150,000 to $225,000. The exclusion for veterans with a total (100 percent) and permanent disability would be increased from $300,000 to $450,000. The language was presented as being especially helpful to rural veterans. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Taxes.

Emergency Rental Assistance passes off Senate floor: On Wednesday, March 11 SF3596 (Port) passed off the senate floor by a 35-32 vote. The bill establishes a one-time Emergency Rental Assistance Aid $40 million program for counties and Tribal governments to provide emergency rental assistance to eligible households. It pays for the program by using any unused tax forfeited settlement account funds, canceling those funds on June 29, the day before they would return to the general fund.  The bill has not advanced out of committee in the House.

No meetings in the House or Senate on Thursday, in observation of Eid. The House has canceled committee hearings on Monday, due to the extreme weather.

 

Tuesday, March 17

House Committee on Taxes

• HF238 (Johnson, W.) Unpaid special assessment interest accrual rate modified, refunds on interest payments required, and technical changes made.
• HF1049 (Reyer) School district eligibility for school library aid clarified.

 

Wednesday, March 18

House Committee on Taxes

• Presentations on Selected State Safety Net Hospitals
• Hennepin County Medical Center/Hennepin County
• Minnesota Department of Health
• Minnesota Hospital Association
• North Memorial
• HFXXXX (K. Lee) Digital Sales Tax (Revisor #: 26-07500 (Attached)/Pending Introduction)

 

Senate Taxes

• SF3789 (Johnson) City of Roseau local sales tax authorization provision
• SF4269 (Hoffman) City of Coon Rapids impose a local sales tax authorization
• SF4352 (Housley) Forest Lake authorization to impose a local sales tax
• SF4049 (Jasinski) Waseca County authorization to impose a local sales tax
• SF3788 (Koran) Isanti County local sales tax authorization provision
• SF4188 (Rarick) Cloquet Area Fire District authorization to impose a local sales tax
• SF3918 (Coleman) City of Chaska special tax increment financing authority provision
• SF4355 (Dornink) Albert Lea authorization to extend its local sales tax for additional projects
• SF4028 (Farnsworth) City if Eveleth funds expiration extension provision
• SF4232 (Kupec) Audubon authorization to impose a local sales tax
• SF4246 (Wesenberg) City of Little Falls extend expiration of the food and beverage tax

 

 

Bill introductions of interest:

• HF4119 (Rehrauer) Increasing property tax refunds and renters credits by reducing co-pay percentages
• HF4173 (Smith) Modifying the exemption for data centers
• SF4392 (Putnam) Statewide local housing aid; expanding eligible uses of aid; modifying the deadline to spend aid on certain eligible uses

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Proposals to Modernize Driver & Vehicle Services Rankle Deputy Registrars

On Monday, the House Transportation Committee heard a suite of proposals to bring Driver & Vehicle Services into the 21^st century by authorizing electronic drivers licenses and acceptance of electronic signatures to set the stage for electronic titling of motor vehicles. Co-Chair and author Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee) stated the goals of the proposals were to make the system more efficient and responsive to customers, who want the ability to conduct more transactions online.

Deputy Registrar organizations vehemently opposed the bill, which also included discussion of an amendment that would have eliminated most filing fees and surcharges they collect to process driver’s license and motor vehicle transactions. To replace the lost revenue, Tabke proposed a revenue sharing mechanism that would have been distributed via counties – and only to public Deputy Registrars.

Neither the bill nor amendments had support, with a motion to pass the bill to House Ways and Means failing on a voice vote.

A second bill, HF3864 (Luger-Nikolai) which would eliminate distribution of tabs that demonstrate payment of annual registration fees, also failed. Beyond concerns about impacts on the Deputy Registrars, Republican members of the committee worried that members of the public would stop paying their tab fees altogether, causing the HUTDF to lose significant revenue.

 

Transit Advocates Push for New Limits on Highway Expansion

The House Transportation Committee also heard HF3728, which prohibits capacity expansion projects on the trunk highway system unless a comprehensive maintenance plan spanning the next 60 years is conducted and there are no gaps in fulfilling it.  Supporting the bill were Our Streets and Move Minnesota, who argued that the state should take care of its existing roads before expanding them. Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL-Spring Lake Park), the bill’s chief author also believes the state should build new roads to last longer.

Brad Utecht, MnDOT’s statewide planning manager raised numerous concerns, including the fact that MnDOT’s existing funding gap for maintenance needs would make it impossible to comply with the bill. He also highlighted that projecting maintenance for the next 60 years for roads is nearly impossible and that some of the other requirements of the maintenance plan don’t make sense. The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities also testified that if these requirements had been in place, important safety projects on Highways 14 and 23 would never have happened. MICA signed onto a letter with other transportation advocates voicing concerns about the ramifications for needed highway improvements.

After discussion, the bill was laid over since a fiscal note has not been completed.

Bill Introductions of Interest      

• HF4208 (Jones) Requirements established related to motor vehicle impacts, including imposing a motor vehicle weight surcharge and requiring weight disclosures; report required; and money appropriated.

To see a list of all the transportation bills being tracked on behalf of MICA, click here.      

House Transportation - CANCELED

Monday, March 16

Co-Chair Tabke holds the gavel

This hearing has been canceled due to the winter storm. If it had been held, the committee would have taken up several bills, including:

• HF3430(Kraft) Surcharges for all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles modified, and vehicle weight surcharge established.

House Transportation

Wednesday, March 18

Co-Chair Koznick holds the gavel.

Discussion on HF3513(Koznick), which creates regulations for autonomous vehicles continues. Last week, a delete-all amendment incorporating feedback from the March 4 hearing was adopted before the bill was laid over. Most noticeably, the new language narrows the scope of the bill to “fully automated vehicles” which weigh less than 10,000 pounds, the threshold for commercial motor vehicles carrying freight.

 

Senate Transportation

Monday, March 16

The Senate changed most of their Monday hearings to hybrid because of the inclement weather. The committee is taking up SF2971regarding installation of suicide prevention barriers on certain bridges and hearing a report from the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety.

Senate Transportation

Wednesday, March 18

The Committee will focus exclusively on autonomous vehicles, with bills both regulating their use and limiting their application on the docket.

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Senators Disappointed with Governor’s Transportation Bonding Recommendations

On Wednesday, MnDOT presented both the House and Senate Capital Investment Committees with the governor’s bonding recommendations. The House discussion was subdued, but in the Senate, the agency faced numerous criticisms from legislators.

Multiple committee members, including Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) and Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault), who are leaders on the Senate Transportation Committee, lamented the lack of funding for both the Local Road Improvement Program and Local Bridge Rehabilitation Program.  Neither are familiar with the High Priority Pavement Program, which received the lion’s share of the governor’s transportation proposal. Questions were also raised about why MnDOT would for pay for renovations to its headquarters from trunk highway fund proceeds when other agencies are slated to rent the space.

House Capital Investment

Tuesday, March 17

The Committee will hear from the Board of Water & Soil Resources about its bonding recommendations, which include $5 million for the Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program.

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Governor Walz announced a proposal to transform Minnesota’s human services system, outlining a major structural overhaul of the state’s administration of human services. It would streamline Minnesota’s service delivery model, moving away from the complex administration currently managed by counties, managed care organizations, and state agencies to a single, centralized entity. It would modernize Medicaid and initiate independent reviews to strengthen program integrity and improve how services are delivered to Minnesotans. In his presentation, the Governor did reference the need for systems modernization.

The response from legislators has been mixed. Many legislators on both sides of the aisle stated that the proposal was not going anywhere; whereas some House DFLers signaled their support for parts of the proposal. Governor’s Press Release

Monday Ways and Means: Noting that this issue is the Number 1 priority for all county associations, Nathan Jesson (MICA), Matt Hilgart (AMC), and Britta Torkelson (Minnesota Rural Counties) provided an overview of the challenges county workers face every day with regard to decades-old technology. Hearing link

MAXIS/DOS-based system: Kathleen Walls, Dakota County, noted that she trains employees in a system that came on line in 1989. She demonstrated the codes needed to operate the program and the duplication of data entry. She indicated that for a 9-page application, it takes a county worker as long as 30 minutes to enter the information; even if the application is presented on-line, the information has to be entered manually.

METS: Dana DeMaster, Dakota County, described the necessary workarounds, the 1,000 pages of manuals that workers rely on, and the fact that the systems do not talk to one another. She described the process for adding a baby in which one file has to be closed and another reopened to add the family addition. Address changes have to be reentered for every person in the household, which can take 15 minutes to change the address for a 2-person family.

SSIS: Dan Jensen, Olmsted County, thanked the Legislature for investing in the system. Counties have been meeting regularly with the State; progress is being made with the RFP process. He described the two-prong approach of bridging relief, as well as long-term systems replacement. He also went through the interfaces that various counties have developed and paid for through property taxes.

• Association of Minnesota Counties; Minnesota Inter-County Association; Minnesota Rural Counties: Counties Modernization Presentation
• Association of Minnesota Counties; Minnesota Inter-County Association; Minnesota Rural Counties: Human Services System Modernization

The committee then heard presentations from the commissioners DCYF, DHS, and MN.IT:

• DCYF Presentation: Department of Children, Youth, and Families: DCYF Modernization
• DHS Presentation: Department of Human Services: DHS Modernization Update
• MN.IT Presentation: When queried, Commissioner Tarek Tomes estimated that replacing systems would likely be “north of $500 million.”

 

Monday House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight: Former House Speaker Kurt Daudt, Stateside Associates, led a discussion on periodic data matching used to evaluate continued eligibility for recipients of MA and MinnesotaCare. The legislation, enacted in 2017, requires DHS to provide annual reports. Reporting did begin in 2019 and part of 2020, when the reporting was put on pause due to the COVID emergency. However, the emergency ended in 2023, and nothing has been filed since that 2020 partial report. Rep. Isaac Schultz (R-Elmdale Township) introduced HF4101 (Schultz), which would eliminate the 2027 sunset of the reporting requirement.

Tuesday House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law:

• HF2354 (Norris) makes changes related to MA fraud; authorizes the Attorney General to issue subpoenas for certain wage, insurance, and financial information when there is an ongoing law enforcement investigation. Appropriates $1.23 million each year to the Attorney General to combat MA fraud. The bill passed and was referred to Public Safety.
• HF3621 (Klevorn) modifies a 2025 law that granted all state agencies the authority to withhold payment to a legal entity participating in a program administered by the agency when the agency determines that a preponderance of the evidence shows that the entity committed fraud to obtain payment. The bill passed and was sent to the House floor. House Research Summary

SF3596 (Port) was debated on the senate floor for four hours before passing as amended 35-32.

On Wednesday, the companion bill (HF3403 (Kozlowski)) was addressed again in the Housing Committee. It was previously heard on February 18, but failed to pass on a tie vote. Co-Chair Howard reported that a different version of this bill was being presented.

A H3403DE2was adopted, which would appropriate $40 million from the General Fund to the Department of Revenue for aid to counties and Tribal governments for emergency rental assistance through cancellation of the “Tyler account.” Counties would receive $35.2 million; and the Tribes would receive $4.8 million. Funds would be distributed according to the distribution formula used for local homeless prevention aid. The bill again failed to pass out of the committee on a tie vote.

H3403DE2 - adopted
HF3403DE2 HRD Summary

Monday House Health:

Use of Social Work Title:HF3454 (Hanson) prohibits an individual hired by a county agency on or after July 1, 2027, and provides social work services from using titles that include social work or social worker, unless the person holds a baccalaureate degree or graduate degree in social work; or is licensed under chapter 148E as a social worker. HF3454 Research Summary

Member comments:

• Rep. Scott Van Binsburgen (R-Montevideo) has heard from his county commissioners who have concerns.
• Rep. Jess Hanson (DFL-Burnsville) response: Four rural counties have figured this out, including Nicollet, Lake, Cook, and Kandiyohi.
• Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) stated, while she understood compromise, she would like to see licensing required as well.

• Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) argued that this is about accountability and public trust. She inquired as to why a person could have an advanced degree - but not have the social work license.
• Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar (R- Fredenberg Township) asked why we are doing this now - at a time when counties are dealing with so much?
• Rep. Hanson response: it is time; this was supposed to sunset in the 90s.

Rep. Hanson closed her comments by indicating that “negotiations got us to this point to at least protect our titles as best we can.” The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 15-7 and was sent to the House floor.

HF2906 (Smith), jointly presented by Rep. Andy Smith (DFL-Rochester) and Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine), would establish a psilocybin therapeutic use program, to be administered by MDH and the Office of Cannabis Management. It would also reclassify psilocybin and psilocin from Schedule I to Schedule IV in the controlled substances schedules. HF2906 Research Summary

Testimony in support of the measure came from several advocates, including physicians and veterans. HF2906 Combined Testimony

Member comments:

• Rep. Heather Keeler (DFL-Moorhead) highlighted the challenges of veterans, cancer patients, and people experiencing trauma, including suicidal thoughts. She was critical of the prior authorization process used by insurance companies, which delays treatment for substance use disorder. She inquired as to the return on investment.
• Rep. Smith pointed to the program evaluation language, which states that the commissioner, in consultation with the advisory​ committee and the program research institution, must evaluate the program at the end of​ three years.
• Rep. Dawn Gillman (R-Dassel) indicated that the proposal needs additional work relating to its regulation, as well as the administering of the product.

In their closing, Reps. Smith and West stated that the costs related to behavioral health continue to rise, including more people experiencing homelessness as they struggle with mental health and SUD challenges. The bill passed to Commerce on a voice vote. It will be returned to the Health Committee for review of the fiscal note.

Monday Senate Human Services: The following bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill:

• SF3657 (Utke) modifies the monthly and daily distribution of permitted billable units of individualized home supports with training and individualized home supports with family training. Also creates a new exception to the billing limit. SF-3657-Bill-Summary
• SF3898 (Utke) modifies certain home and community-based service standards under Chapter 245D, requires DHS to issue certain interpretive guidelines, and limits a lead agency’s authority to request documentation not required under statute when considering a renewal of a disability rate exception. SF-3898-Bill-Summary

Tuesday House Human Services: The following bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill.

• HF3780 (Hicks) clarifies PCA and CFSS requirements for shared services, requires wage increases for PCAs, and supports workers providing shared services. House Research Summary
• HF4068 (Noor) Recodifies Medical Assistance sanctions. House Research Summary

Tuesday Senate Health and Human Services: SF3612 (Marty) establishes a Patient-Centered Care program under which the state directly pays health care providers for services provided to MA and MinnesotaCare enrollees. The bill replaces the current managed care delivery model with a state-administered fee-for-service system supported by administrative services organizations (ASOs) that perform administrative functions without bearing financial risk. The bill also authorizes care coordination payments, community outreach grants, and data transparency requirements. The bill was laid over. SF3612 Bill Summary

Testimony came from disability rights organizations and medical professionals who detailed the barriers to delivering care, including excessive use of prior authorizations, excessive documentation, low provider rates, improper coding, and burnout of county case managers.

Committee materials:

• Hearing link
• 3612A1 amendment; adopted
• PCC-Direct-Payment-Support-Letter-Updated-3826.pdf
• SF3612-ACS-CAN-letter-of-support.pdf
• MCHP-ManagedCare-2026.pdf
• Managed-Care-v-Fee-For-Service-Fact-Sheet-2026.pdf
• ProgramIntegrity_SenateHealth.pdf

 

Tuesday Senate Commerce: SF3859 (Klein) amends Minnesota’s preventive services coverage statute to require coverage, without cost-sharing, of immunizations for routine use. Establishes the Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council to develop and publish recommended vaccine schedules and to make recommendations regarding school and postsecondary immunization requirements. Includes appropriations for the advisory council and to the Commissioner of Commerce for defrayal payments. The bill passed as amended and was referred to State and Local Government. Senate Counsel & Research Summary

It was then heard on Thursday in the State and Local Government Committee. It passed and was referred to Health and Human Services – where it will be heard on Tuesday.

Tuesday House Children and Families: HF4277 (West) requires cameras in licensed child care centers that receive state funding, titled "Harvey's Law." Harvey’s parents testified, stating that their son could still be alive if cameras would have been available to catch the woman charged with Harvey’s murder, for committing a prior alleged act of abuse at a daycare  No action was taken on the bill.

Committee materials:

• Video link
• Session Daily
• Written Testimony
• Additional Written Testimony
  
  

Tuesday House Public Safety: HF3465 (Liebling) would establish enhanced penalties for theft from a vulnerable adult. If the offender knows or should have known that the victim was a vulnerable adult, the penalty for the underlying crime increases as follows:

• if the underlying crime was a misdemeanor, the penalty becomes a gross misdemeanor;
• if the underlying crime was a gross misdemeanor, the penalty becomes a felony with a maximum sentence of imprisonment of two years; and
• if the underlying crime was a felony, the maximum sentence increases by 25 percent.

The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill.

 

Wednesday House Children and Families: The following bills were all heard and laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill. Hearing link

• HF3877 (Liebling) changes the requirements for notice in dissolution cases and extends the funding and requirements for the Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention. House Research Summary

• HF3714 (Clardy) modifies enrollment and eligibility priority for children in foster care for various children, youth, and families education and financial assistance programs; modifies Northstar foster care child care allowance; and requires licensing agencies to provide license holders with information about child care costs and early childhood education programs. House Research Summary
• HF3024 (Hanson) establishes a bill of rights in chapter 260C for children and youth in foster care and extended foster care. House Research Summary

 

Wednesday Senate Human Services: SF3861 (Mohamed)would expand electronic visit verifications.

The bill passed and was referred to Health and Human Services. Senate Counsel & Research Summary

 

Thursday Senate Floor: SF3402 (Utke) would modify the definition of “medical consultant” in Chapter 145A (Community Health Boards) by expanding those professionals who may act as medical consultants for community health boards. In current law, “medical consultant” is limited to physicians licensed to practice medicine in Minnesota. Would expand the licensed professionals eligible to act as medical consultants to the following professions:

• doctor of osteopathic medicine;
• physician assistant; and
• advanced practice registered nurse certified to practice as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner.

The Senate passed the bill on a vote of 64-2.

Thursday House Human Services:

• HF3800 (Hicks) establishes Individual authorized budget reduction limits on reductions resulting from implementation of waiver reimagine phase II; requires cost-of-living adjustments in the waiver reimagine phase II methodology. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill.Bill summaryHF3800 Combined Testimony.pdf
• Next Co-Chair Noor provided an overview of proposed legislation relating to continuity of care. HFXXXX (Noor) Continuity of Care draft
  
  

As drafted, the bill provides for recipient protections and continuity of​ care when a provider is subject to a triggering event; provides for complex​ transitions; and provides for a continuity period and transition payments for complex​ transitions. County duties: When a provider is subject to a triggering event, a lead​ agency must contact affected service recipients to ensure that each recipient:​ (1) is continuing to receive needed services; and​ (2) has been given free choice of provider if the recipient transfers to another service​ provider.

Chair Noor talked about the need to protect people from recent action regarding assisted living settings shutting down and payments being withheld from providers, thereby resulting in residents in these settings being displaced. He noted that there is a receivership process for nursing home residents who find themselves in this situation, and that we need similar protections for assisted living settings.

Several recipients of ICS services testified regarding the uncertainty as to what will happen to them, including the risk of homelessness.

No action was taken on the proposal.

 

Friday Senate Judiciary: SF513 (Mann) requires the Commissioner of Health to establish and maintain an office dedicated to preventing gun violence. Specifies the duties of the office, requires the office to coordinate efforts with the Department of Public Safety and authorizes coordination with other entities, authorizes the office to seek funding from private and public entities, and requires it to annually report to the Legislature. The bill passed and was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.

 

Bill Introductions of Interest:

• SF4198 (Maye Quade)/HF4126 (Johnson, P) Requirements for mandatory reports of child maltreatment modification
• SF4202 (Maye Quade) Prohibit screen time for children in preschool and kindergarten
• SF4204 (Oumou Verbeten) Psilocybin regulation provisions
• SF4208 (Kupec) Banish intentional use of ortho-phthalates in packaged food
• SF4260 (Utke) Disability waiver rate system inflationary adjustments modifications and conforming changes provisions
• SF4267 (Hoffman)/HF4068 (Noor) Commissioner authority clarification to impose sanctions against individuals or entities that receive payments from medical assistance or provide goods or services for which payment is made from medical assistance
• SF4283 (Rest) Payment denial to program participants under certain circumstances
• SF4293 (Westlin) Commissioner of corrections substance abuse care clarification; mandatory tuberculosis screening clarification
• SF4311 (Holmstrom)/HF4258 (Davis) Site visits requirement for all enrolled medical assistance providers
• SF4320 (Mohamed) Medical assistance provider enrollment requirements for high-risk providers and certain home and community-based providers modification
• SF4324 (Wiklund) Licensed child care centers and licensed family care governing policies and rules encodement and modernization provisions
• SF4327 (Latz) Onetime emergency rental assistance aid for counties and Tribal governments establishments
• SF4331 (Kupec) MAXIS and the Medicaid Management Information System improvements appropriation
• SF4335 (Champion) Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act modification
• SF4337 (Hemmingsen-Jaeger)/HF4079 (Feist) Certain children in foster care grant establishment and appropriation
• SF4342 (Rasmusson) Mobile crisis grants appropriation
• SF4354 (Abeler) Program integrity requirements modification for the medical assistance program
• SF4359 (Boldon) County share for administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program modification
• SF4360 (Champion)/HF4206 (Frazier) Extended foster care services grant program establishment
• SF4378 (Dibble) Commissioner of health appropriation for Youth and AIDS projects
• SF4388 (Wiklund) Early childhood mental health consultation grants establishment, home and community-based services protection-related rights modifications, and day treatment program requirements modifications
• SF4395 (Mohamed) Home and community-based services case management modification
• SF4404 (Kreun)/HF4282 (Witte) Medications for persons detained in jails provision
• SF4416 (Wiklund) Immunization provisions modifications
• SF4421 (Wesenberg) Child care assistance program repeal
• SF4434 (Limmer) THC potency limits establishment for various cannabis products
  
  
• HF4101 (Schultz) Continued submission of a report to the legislature on the use of periodic data matching in medical assistance required.
• HF4125 (Agbaje)/SF4335 (Champion) Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act modification
• HF4130 (Norris) Office of Inspector General created, advisory committee created, conforming and technical changes made, interagency agreements provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
• HF4136 (Kotyza-Witthuhn)/SF4359 (Boldon) County share for administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program modification.
• HF4217 (Hicks) Medical assistance allowed to be paid for any person receiving foster care benefits past 18 years of age, terminology and definitions modified, and eligibility criteria and requirements related to extended foster care modified.
• HF4258 (Davis) Site visits for all enrolled medical assistance providers required, and medical assistance provider enrollment fees for provider types not previously subject to mandatory site visits established.
• HF4260 (Johnson, W) Commissioner's duties related to allocating federal SNAP fiscal disallowances or sanctions modified.
• HF4277 (West) Requirements for child care centers to use video security cameras modified.
• HF4284 (Backer) Establishment of vaccine requirements prohibited, and exceptions provided.

 

Due to inclement weather conditions, the House has announced that Monday committee hearings are cancelled. The House will convene in session at 3:30 pm – allowing for remote voting.

On Wednesday, the House Children and Families Committee will address HF4125 (Agbaje/Gillman), which represents counties’ proposed changes to MAAFPCWDA. The bill calls for case reviews to be moved from counties to the State; it further seeks an appropriation to counties for services and staffing needed for statewide implementation.

Combined legislative schedule

Monday, March 16

House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy – Canceled due to snow.

• Presentation – Office of the Legislative Auditor on the Department of Human Services: Behavioral Health Administration Grant Performance Audit
• Presentation – Department of Human Services Presentation on Behavioral Health Administration Grant Program

OLA Report on Behavioral Health Administration Grants

OLA Presentation

House Health Finance and Policy – Canceled due to snow.  It will be rescheduled later this week. 

Co-Chair Bierman holds the gavel.

• HF3769 (Curran) Multiple levels of substance abuse care provided by the commissioner of corrections clarified in law, access to mental health unit beds for incarcerated persons expanded, and mandatory tuberculosis screening in correctional facilities clarified.
• HF3978 (Reyer) Protections provided to participants in and employees and operators of a health care provider wellness program.
• HF3476 (Liebling) Patient-Centered Care program established, direct state payments to health care providers authorized, contracting with administrative services organizations authorized, conforming changes made, and money appropriated.

 

Senate Human Services; HYBRID HEARING DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

• Testimony from DHS leadership
• SF4399 (Oumou Verbeten) Direct Care and Treatment data requirements modification
• sc4098.pdf (Hoffman) Continuity of care legislation
• Draft language will be heard; no formal action will be taken by the committee.
• SF4121 (Abeler) Assisted living facilities policies and procedure requirements modifications and unlicensed personnel at assisted living facilities training requirements modifications
• SF3967 (Maye Quade) Due date of the pediatric hospital-to-home transition pilot program report modification

 

MONDAY: House Floor Session*
Monday, Mar. 16, 2026 3:30 PM
Watch HTV 1
CALENDAR FOR THE DAY

• HF2169 (Schwartz) Unintentional murder in the second degree offense modified to include cases involving violation of protective orders issued in additional jurisdictions.
• HF3379 (Schomacker) Housing stabilization services repealed.
• HF3615 (Hanson) Cannabis laboratory testing requirements extended.

 

Tuesday, March 17

House Human Services

Co-Chair Schomacker holds the gavel.

• HF4110 (Zeleznikar) Rest break and meal break requirements adjusted under certain circumstances.
• HF4101 (Schultz) Continued submission of a report to the legislature on the use of periodic data matching in medical assistance required
• HF4144 (Nadeau) Location requirements for assisted living facilities with a licensed resident capacity of six or fewer persons and licensed residential programs modified, commissioners allowed to delegate authority, and various notification requirements modified
• HF3546 (Schomacker) Program integrity requirements for high-risk provider types under medical assistance established, and report required (HF3546 DE1)

 

House State Government

Co-Chair Nash holds the gavel.

• HF3682 (Nash) Grantee fraud risk rating system and corresponding grants management criteria required.
• HF3826 (Witte) Definition of identity modified for purposes of identity theft crime, authority of financial crimes and fraud section of Bureau of Criminal Apprehension expanded, changes to administrative subpoenas made, and statutes of limitation altered. (Pending Referral)
• HF3990 (Novotny) Provisions for employment or occupation due to conviction of a crime changed. (Pending Referral)
• HF3563 (Anderson) Licensing boards required to take action against a license or application when a licensee or applicant is convicted of certain theft or fraud offenses. (Pending Referral)
• HF3674 (Kresha) Attorney general's duty to represent certain utility customers in matters before the Public Utilities Commission and in federal proceedings repealed, and conforming statutory change made.
• HF4259 (Torkelson) Number of members of the house of representative and the senate modified.

 

Senate Health and Human Services

• SF3902 (Seeberger) Certain prehospital care data reporting by ambulance services requirement provision
• SF2868 (Clark) Offenses that affect eligibility for public assistance benefits modifications
• SF3566 (Clark) Treatments that may harm fertility informed consent requirement provision
• SF3859 (Klein) Coverage without cost-sharing requirement of immunization for routine use without a prescription, Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council establishment, and appropriation *(Pending Committee Referral)*
• SF4416 (Wiklund) Immunization provisions modifications
• SF3439 (Boldon) Use of an exemption to immunization due to conscientiously held beliefs prohibition for immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella
• SF2975 (Port) Licensure for music therapists creation
• SF3970 (Port) Eligibility requirements for foster care benefits after age 18 to include children for whom permanent legal and physical custody is transferred to a relative after age ten modification
• SF4388 (Wiklund) Early childhood mental health consultation grants establishment, home and community-based services protection-related rights modifications, and day treatment program requirements modifications
• SF3734 (Boldon) Intensive residential treatment services and intensive nonresidential rehabilitative mental health services requirements modification
• SF1509 (Boldon) Medical assistance coverage requirement of drugs covered by a primary third-party payer
  This bill will be amended with a "delete-everything" amendment to include language of the MN Housing Finance Agency Policy Bill SF4394
• SF4419 (Wiklund) Various prescription drug transaction, coverage, and data provisions modifications
• 26-07854 (Abeler) MN Board of Chiropractic Examiners policy bill *(Informational Only)* 26-07854.pdf

• 26-06082 (Wiklund) MN Department of Human Services HCA policy bill *(Informational Only)*

HCA_26-06082-4088963961420446005.pdf

• 26-06084 (Wiklund) MN Department of Human Services OIG policy bill *(Informational Only)*

OIG_26-06084-17710450266718312335.pdf

• 26-06081 (Wiklund) MN Department of Human Services BHA policy bill *(Informational Only)*

BHA_26-06081-1751847572629278796.pdf

• 26-06083 (Mohamed) MN Department of Human Services Housing policy bill *(Informational Only)*

Housing_26-06083-7709525425253470546-003.pdf

• SF4091 Wiklund Suicide prevention plan and 9888 Lifeline reporting provisions modification

MN Department of Health policy bill

• SF4520 (Boldon) Nonprofit limited liability companies application to be a child-placing agency authorization provision, childcare background study timing modification, and foster care, child placement, and child maltreatment provisions modifications *(Pending Committee Referral)*

MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families policy bill

• SF4523 (Boldon) Pharmacy-related license and registration renewal and application procedures modifications, inspection requirements for pharmacy licensure modifications, and fees establishment *(Pending Committee Referral)*

MN Board of Pharmacy bill

 

Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

• SF4429 (Port) Cannabis business and hemp business license provisions modification

• SF4401 (Dibble) Office of Cannabis Management studies and annual market analysis conducted modification
• SF4402 (Dibble) Data reported to the Office of Cannabis Management through statewide monitoring system is not public data provision
• SF4403 (Dibble) Cannabis business licensing provisions technical changes
• SF4519 (Dibble) Local unit of government's cannabis business regulations provisions modifications
• SF2691 (Boldon) Standards for rent and utility payments, fees, and charges provision in manufactured home parks
• SF4018 (Wiklund) Reimbursement rate parity requirement for clinical trainees providing alcoholism
• SF4020 (Wiklund) Guaranteed issuance of Medicare supplement policies expansion for enrollees of a Medicare supplement policy that is involuntarily terminated or issues by an insolvent user

 

Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

• SF4394 (Port) Housing provisions modification

 

House Children and Families

Co-Chair West holds the gavel.

• HF4277 (West) Requirements for child care centers to use video security cameras modified. [Testimony on this bill was received on March 10th; the committee will not be hearing testimony on this day]
• HF3489 (Bennett) Field trip policy established, reporting to licensing boards required, and criminal offense of grooming established.
• Presentation by Safe Passage on Child Fatalities in Minnesota
• HFXXXX (Nelson) Requiring Transparency in Child Fatality reports.
• HF3901 (Johnson, W) Investigative powers added to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson.
• HFZZZZ (Olson) Requiring notification of maltreatment in child care centers.

 

Wednesday, March 18

House Human Services

Co-Chair Noor holds the gavel

• HF3935 (Klevorn)Policies and procedures required at assisted living facilities modified, and training requirements for unlicensed personnel at assisted living facilities modified.
• HF2216 (Moller) Conditions for admission to or continued residence in certain facilities prohibited, review and approval of increases in amounts charged by assisted living facilities required, termination or nonrenewal of assisted living contracts on certain grounds prohibited, and arbitration in assisted living contracts governing provisions modified.
• HFXXXX (Frederick) DCT Policy Bill - Pending re-referral.
• HF4210 (Fischer) Senior nutrition programs modified.

Committee Documents:

DCT Policy Bill
DHS Behavioral Health Policy Bill
DHS Health Care Policy Bill
DHS Housing Policy Bill
DHS OIG Policy Bill

 

Senate Health and Human Services

• SF3587 (Pappas) Hospital construction moratorium exception provision
• SF4531 (Wiklund) Mental health grants appropriation *(Pending Committee Referral)*
• SF3755 (Hoffman) Housing stabilization services repealer provision, commissioner’s authority to terminate or modify the medical assistance program clarifying provision, and medical assistance prepayment implementation authority for the commissioner clarification provision
• SF4267 (Hoffman: Commissioner authority clarification to impose sanctions against individuals or entities that receive payments from medical assistance or provide goods or services for which payment is made from medical assistance
• SF3861 (Mohamed) List of services subject to electronic visit verification expansion
• SF4222 (Abeler) Medical assistance provider enrollment requirements modifications

 

Senate Finance

• SF3595 (Port) Supportive housing providers grants appropriation

 

House Children and Families

Co-Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn holds the gavel.

• HF3665 (Pinto) Out-of-home placement plan requirements modified to include early childhood education and child care programs, and agencies and guardians ad litem required to provide information on early childhood education and child care programs for children in foster care.
• HF4217 (Hicks) Medical assistance allowed to be paid for any person receiving foster care benefits past 18 years of age, terminology and definitions modified, and eligibility criteria and requirements related to extended foster care modified.
• HF4174 (Hanson) Parent support outreach program funding provided, and money appropriated.
• HF4125 (Agbaje/Gillman) Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act modified, and money appropriated.

 

House Education Policy

Co-Chair Jordan holds the gavel.

• HF3714 (Clardy) Enrollment and eligibility priority modified for children in foster care for various children, youth, and families education and financial assistance programs; Northstar foster care child care allowance modified; and licensing agencies required to provide license holders with information about child care costs and early childhood education programs.
  
  

 

Senate Human Services

• SF4279 (Hoffman) Location requirements modification for assisted living facilities with a licensed resident capacity of six or fewer persons and licensed residential programs  (scs4279a-1.pdf )
• SF4395 (Mohamed) Home and community-based services case management modification
• SF3928 (Mohamed) Community first services and supports requirements for shared services clarification
• SF0813 (Fateh) Integrated community supports codification proposal development by the commissioner of human services requirement provision
• SF4256 (Hoffman) Nursing homes and assisted living facilities consuming and displaying of alcoholic beverages authorization
• SF4418 (Wiklund) Certain information access authorization provision, Chapter 144D references removal provision, patient restraints usage documentation requirement provision, and change of ownership provisions modifications *(Pending Committee Referral)*
• SF4354 (Abeler) Program integrity requirements modification for the medical assistance program

 

Thursday, March 19

In recognition of Eid, there will be no legislative activities.

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HF4197 (Lee, F.), a bill that would increase emissions standards and monitoring requirements and create new capacity limits for waste to energy facilities, was introduced last week. We were expecting this bill in response to the Public Utilities Commission ruling that would allow WTE to count toward the state’s carbon-free standard. However, the final version is slightly different in that it only applies to the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), not all WTE facilities in the state. Given that this would effectively end the HERC’s ability to process waste well before the current 2040 mandated closure date, MICA will plan to engage with lawmakers and publicly oppose this bill if it is scheduled for a hearing. As of now, no Senate companion has been introduced.

This Thursday, the House and Senate Environment committees both heard a bill, HF4017 (Johnson, W.)/SF4187 (Pappas), that would establish regulations and penalties regarding the unlawful shipment of infectious or pathological waste to unapproved solid waste management facilities. A bill summary is linked here. The House bill passed out of committee and was re-referred to the House Ways and Means committee, while the Senate companion was re-referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee.

Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham testified in support of the bill in both hearings, along with R+E staff who explained this as a worker safety issue. Letters of support were submitted by the Minnesota Resource Recovery Association (MRRA), IBEW State Council and LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, and Partnership on Waste and Energy. The Minnesota Hospitals Association (MHA) submitted testimony and spoke in committee with concerns. The Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (MNASCA) also opposed the bill. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) said more work was needed on this bill, expressing interest in a more comprehensive approach across the state and noting the increased staff costs that would be needed to implement the bill as written.

On Tuesday, the House Environment and Natural Resources committee heard a few bills related to water protection, although both bills face significant industry opposition and are unlikely to pass this session. HF3793, authored by Rep. Kristi Pursell (DFL-Northfield), would require industrial and commercial water users exceeding certain water use thresholds to obtain their own water use permit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) instead of using water under a municipal water use permit. It would also establish requirements of the DNR for issuing such permits and reporting requirements for the permit holders. A bill summary is linked here. Nonpartisan staff clarified that as currently written, the bill applies to both groundwater and surface water. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

The bill was brought forward by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA). There was significant public testimony for and against the bill, with those supporting the bill expressing concerns around the negative impact of data centers on Minnesota's water supply. The DNR testified to share their concerns with the complexities of the new processes outlined in this bill. 

The committee also heard HF3322, authored by Rep. Mary Franson (R-Alexandria). Rep. Franson co-presented the bill with Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul). The committee adopted the DE2 amendment. The bill would impose an excise tax on distributors of plastic beverage bottles, the proceeds of which are to be used for grants to communities for water infrastructure projects. Revenues from the tax are placed in an account and appropriated to the Public Facilities Authority, which may use them only for water infrastructure projects. A bill summary is linked here. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Rep. Franson noted this bill stemmed from concerns that the lack of a consistent bonding bill is hindering Minnesota's ability to address water contamination mitigation projects, and this bill was meant to supplement funding that may be provided through a bonding bill. 

 

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy committee heard SF1980, authored by Sen. Doron Clark (DFL-Minneapolis). The bill establishes new mattress recycling grants to local governments, funded by a $10 recycling fee paid at the point of sale, and member discussion touched on the complexity and cost to local governments to manage solid waste. The committee adopted the A1 DE amendment. A motion from Sen. Steve Drazkowski (R- Mazeppa) to re-refer the bill to the Senate Taxes committee failed on a party line vote, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Testimony in support of the bill was submitted by the City of Minneapolis. The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and International Sleep Products Association submitted testimony against the bill.

Emerge Community Development and Second Chance Recycling testified in support of the bill, with Second Chance Recycling explaining how mattress recycling works and noting that they receive truckloads of mattresses from Olmsted and Blue Earth counties. The Minnesota Retailers Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce testified against the bill, with the Chamber specifically citing the state's ongoing implementation of the Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act as another reason why they should hold off on making another major change to solid waste policy. The International Sleep Products Association/Mattress Recycling Council also testified to their concerns and said that negotiations were ongoing to work on new legislation to establish a state-run program.

Sen. Steve Green (R-Fosston) asked if Sen. Clark had considered the broader economic impacts of adding an additional fee to mattress sales, worrying this could negatively impact consumers. Sen. Clark responded that existing mattress recycling facilities are already being financially supported by cities and governments, which results in increased property taxes and has a similar negative impact on Minnesotans while also limiting the effectiveness of existing mattress recycling infrastructure.

Sen. Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) asked how the state was supposed to enforce this new program when there's nothing in statute requiring mattress recycling, and Sen. Clark noted that these rules were largely set at the local level (city or county).

Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart (DFL-Minnetonka) expressed her strong support for the bill, saying that it costs significant money for local governments to manage solid waste and the Legislature should support any measure that reduces the amount of waste going to landfills.

 

Finally, the House and Senate Capital Investment committees both heard from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on Governor Tim Walz’s bonding requests, with Assistant Commissioner Kirk Koudelka sharing some more detail on how funds would be spent.

The Governor’s recommendations include $7.15 million for initiatives to improve waste management infrastructure and address pollution in communities across Minnesota. First, $1.5 million in general obligation (GO) bonds and $650,000 in cash would be used for a project near a closed landfill in Blaine, with funds going to build a new water main to deliver clean water to 20 homes affected by contaminated groundwater. $5 million would help launch a new program to support costs associated with new rules governing construction and demolition of landfills, including the need for new transfer stations and cover systems. Finally, the Governor recommends amending a previous appropriation from 2020 to add remediation of the Hibbing gas manufacturing plant site as an eligible Superfund project. 

During the Senate presentation, Koudelka also provided an update on 2025 appropriations. $6 million was provided for a new emerging contaminants mitigation program, which is being spent to install a new water main for a community in Andover dealing with PFAS contamination of their water supply. Another $6 million in Capital Assistance Program (CAP) funding will help construct a new household hazardous waste facility near Scott and Dakota counties. 

House Capital Investment
Tuesday, March 17

• HF573 (Warwas) St. Louis County; Canyon Integrated Solid Waste Management Campus funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

 

House Environment and Natural Resources
Tuesday, March 17

• HF3643 (Fischer) Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park established, report required, and money appropriated.
• HF3426 (Jordan) Funding provided from environment and natural resources trust fund, and prior appropriations extended.
• HF4222 (Gottfried) State parks added to and deleted from, and sales and conveyances of surplus state lands authorized.
• HF4224 (Fischer) Notice requirements for water discharges modified.

 

Senate Capital Investment
Tuesday, March 17

• SF3762 (Farnsworth) Application of increased funding for water infrastructure grants clarification.

 

Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy
Tuesday, March 17

• SF4340 (Hauschild) Minnesota wild elk population and range expansion grant availability extension provision.
• SF4304 (Hawj) Outdoor heritage fund appropriation and prior appropriations extension and modification.
• SF4361 (Johnson Stewart) Permitting efficiency provisions modification.
• SF4525 (Kunesh) Water discharges notice requirements modifications.
• SF3677 (Green) Certain agricultural land exemption from certain wetland replacement plan requirements.

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House elections and government operations hears bill disallowing certain non-disclosure agreements: on Wednesday the house elections & government operations committee heard HF4077 (Greenman), which would prevent local units of government from entering into certain non-disclosure agreements. As introduced the bill language was very broad, applying retroactively and prospectively to any non-disclosure agreements for local governments. An amendment was added that narrowed the focus the legislation to NDAs used for economic development purposes. When asked about whether the bill was intended to apply retroactively to NDAs, Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL-Minneapolis) responded that it was intentional. Most of the conversation in relation to the bill was around data centers, with Rep. Drew Roach (R-Farmington) saying that he supported the language for that reason. Rep. Duane Quam (R-Byron) asked whether it was fair for this prohibition to apply to local governments and not the state. Rep. Greenman said that she’d be supportive of prohibiting NDAs at the state level but that if that moves forward it should be a separate bill and conversation. The bill was passed to the House floor on a voice vote without any audible opposition.

Minnesota management and budget presents to senate finance committee: MMB commissioner Erin Campbell, state budget director Ahna Minge, and State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker presented to the senate finance committee about the economic budget forecast that was released the final week of February. Dr. Becker noted that the revenue volatility of state revenues is significantly higher than it was 10-15 years ago, due to corporate taxes and personal income taxes, especially non-wage income, becoming a larger share of state revenues. He noted that the reason why the state budget reserve ($3.77 billion) keeps increasing is that it’s tied to the volatility of state revenues. Other questions were centered around how larger national trends or changes in the energy market would have a significant impact on the state budget, with Dr. Becker noting they would certainly change the outlook for the state though it’s difficult to project how much or to what extent so far.

Bill Introductions of Interest

• HF4077 (Greenman)/SF4379 (Maye Quade) Municipalities prohibited from entering into nondisclosure agreements.
• HF4105 (W. Johnson) Authorizing online publication as an alternative to publication in a qualified newspaper
• HF4158 (Quam) Requiring the statement of economic interest to include disclosures relating to stock and virtual currency
• HF4186 (Luger-Nikolai) Authorizing housing and redevelopment agencies to utilize certain long-term equity investment authority; modifying investment types in which a qualifying government may invest
• HF4202 (Hanson) Modifying provisions relating to local unit of government's regulation of cannabis businesses
• HF4240 (Freiberg) Making various changes related to election administration; modifying provisions related to absentee voting; modifying timelines
• SF4373 (Frentz) A bill relating to retirement, modifying the definition of "salary" to exclude pay from the family and medical benefit insurance account for Minnesota paid leave
• SF4412 (Lieske) Data practices; Elected officials and candidates residential addresses written request requirement provision
• SF4464 (Howe) A bill for an act relating to retirement; continued health insurance coverage for peace officers and
  firefighters disabled in the line of duty; modifying eligibility to receive continued health insurance coverage for which the employer must pay the employer contribution
• SF4499 (Seeberger) A bill for an act relating to retirement; public employees police and fire retirement plan; authorizing
  payment of a retirement annuity without reduction or suspension upon reemployment
• SF4479 (Kupec) Allowing counties to designate certain agricultural lands as unsuitable for electric power facilities
• SF4507 (Maye Quade) Proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 5; authorizing state debt for digital infrastructure at the state level only

Tuesday, March 17

Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirements

• SF3897 (Gustafson) HF3703 (Nadeau) Modifying the process for terminating a firefighter relief association retirement plan.
• SF3897-HF3703 Summary
• HF4162 (O'Driscoll) Teachers Retirement Association (TRA); requiring the employer of a reemployed annuitant to make employer contributions to TRA.
• Amendment H4162-1A
• SFxxxx-HF4162 Summary
• SF4330 (Rasmusson) HF 4167 (Nadeau) TRA Administrative bill; adding "physician assistant" to list of medical providers for disability applications.
• SF4330-HF4167 Summary
• Report from MN State on missing IRAP account for SF1213 (Miller) HF2117 (Repinski) Special legislation requiring MN State to find an IRAP account.

• Amendment S1213-1A - adopted by the Commission on March 3
• SF1213-HF2117 Summary
• SBI reported to the Commission at the March 10 meeting 
• SF4276 (Frentz) HF4074 (Lillie) Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) Administrative bill.
• SF4373 (Frentz) MSRS, PERA, TRA, St. Paul Teachers; amending salary definitions to exclude payments from the State for Minnesota paid leave.

• SF4373-HFxxxx Summary
• HF4272 (Olson) TRA; Extending 60-30 early retirement benefit to deferred vested former teachers with at least 30 years of service.

Senate State and Local Government

• SF3899 (Hoffman) State Office Building renaming after Melissa Hortman
• SF4338 (Hoffman) Minnesota Senate Building renaming after Kari Dziedzic provision and appropriation
• SF3900 (Rest) Legislative auditor recommendations regarding agency grant, inventory, and debt collection practices implementation provision
• SF4176 (Fateh) Various immigration policy provisions and appropriation
• SF4296 (Maye Quad) Public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development requirement
• SF4379 (Maye Quad) Municipalities prohibition from entering into nondisclosure agreements
• SF3733 (Wiklund) Method of deposit modification of fines collected related to home care licensing surveys and investigations

 

Wednesday, March 18

House Elections Finance and Government Operations

• HF3698 (Gottfried) Certain terms in libraries' electronic book and digital audiobook license agreements or contracts prohibited.
• HF4243 (Freiberg) Reporting thresholds increased, deadlines and filing periods clarified, conforming changes for local candidates made, and technical changes made.
• HF4239 (Freiberg) Lobbying material; certain requirements for reports and disclaimers modified.
• HF4241 (Freiberg) Procedure to select the Hennepin County medical examiner modified.
• HF4242 (Freiberg) Provisions governing disposition of decedents' personal property by coroners and medical examiners modified.
• HF4240 (Freiberg) Various changes related to election administration made, provisions related to absentee voting modified, timelines modified, technical and clarifying changes made, and money appropriated.

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In the House, the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee met twice during the week to consider proposals related to theft penalties, domestic violence response, sentencing policy, and law enforcement procedures. Measures heard included legislation enhancing penalties for theft from vulnerable adults and proposals strengthening enforcement of judicially ordered firearm restrictions in domestic violence cases. The committee also reviewed a broader domestic abuse policy bill modifying the definition of domestic abuse for order-for-protection purposes, expanding reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies, and authorizing certain warrantless arrests in non-felony domestic abuse situations. Additional hearings covered sentencing policy changes, including legislation allowing mitigated departures for offenders who have experienced victimization and directing the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission to consider additional mitigating factors.

Later in the week, the committee considered proposals related to criminal offenses, identity theft enforcement, employment barriers following criminal convictions, and crime victim protections. A bill establishing the crime of grooming advanced after receiving committee approval, while other proposals addressed expansion of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s financial crimes investigative authority and modifications to victim notification procedures. The committee also debated legislation increasing penalties for misconduct by public officials, though that proposal ultimately did not advance.

In the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, the committee also reviewed several proposals regulating artificial intelligence and digital data practices. Bills discussed included restrictions on government use of reverse-location data associated with geofence warrants, limitations on minors’ access to recreational chatbot services, and requirements for disclosure when individuals are interacting with artificial intelligence systems. Committee discussion reflected a growing legislative focus on balancing emerging technology, privacy protections, and law enforcement investigative tools as digital evidence plays an increasingly significant role in modern criminal investigations.

 

Bill Introductions of Interest

In addition to hearings, several bills introduced last week and referred to Public Safety committees carry implications for county operations, particularly in the areas of jail operations, prosecution, supervision, and law enforcement coordination.

House of Representatives

• HF4079 (Feist) A bill for an act relating to public safety; establishing a grant for certain children in foster care
• HF4190 (Huot) A bill for an act relating to public safety; appropriating money for Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) grants
• HF4282 (Witte) A bill for an act relating to jails; providing medications for persons detained in jails

Senate

• SF4205 (Putnam) A bill for an act relating to public safety; appropriating money for support services for young adults released from juvenile detention or prison
• SF4235 (Hoffman) A bill for an act relating to public safety; requiring removal of identifying equipment and insignia from emergency vehicles sold to the public
• SF4255 (Kupec) A bill for an act relating to public safety; establishing that emergency managers are essential employees
• SF4258 (Latz) A bill for an act relating to public safety; establishing the public safety radio account; increasing the criminal justice data communications network fee; requiring a report
• SF4259 (Latz) A bill for an act relating to public safety; establishing the public safety radio account; directing deposits of proceeds from sales of abandoned or stolen property; requiring a report
• SF4265 (Holmstrom) A bill for an act relating to corrections; clarifying benefits for community corrections employees
• SF4270 (Pratt) A bill for an act relating to public safety; expanding the list of persons ineligible under the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act
• SF4285 (Seeberger) A bill for an act relating to public safety; authorizing peace officers to use oral fluid screening of drivers to determine presence of drugs
• SF4370 (Clark) A bill for an act relating to corrections; clarifying responsibilities of Department of Corrections licensed juvenile and adult community-based residential correctional facilities
• SF4404 (Kreun) A bill for an act relating to jails; providing medications for persons detained in jails

 

This Week

Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee – Monday

• SF3622 (Kreun) Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act technical and conforming changes
• SF4115 (Limmer) A resolution condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu and reaffirming Minnesota's commitment to religious freedom, inclusion, and mutual respect
• SF3827 (Limmer) Eligibility modification of certain applicants for licenses to serve as private detectives or protective agents
• SF1856 (Maye Quade) Usage of artificial intelligence in the utilization review process prohibition provision
• SF1857 (Maye Quade) Minor access to chatbots for recreational purposes by persons prohibition provision
• SF1886 (Maye Quade) Individual communication with artificial intelligence disclosure requirement provision
• SF3098 (Maye Quade) Prohibition from using artificial intelligence to dynamically set product prices
• SF3661 (Latz) Prohibit the sale and possession of ghost guns

 

Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee – Wednesday

• SF3338 (Duckworth) Gift card fraud inclusion in organized retail theft
• SF3872 (Oumou Verbeten) Research data protection provision for data on individuals
• SF4337 (Hemmingsen-Jaeger) Certain children in foster care grant establishment and appropriation
• SF4145 (Clark) Landlords prohibition from listing the name of a minor child of a tenant in a lease or eviction complaint
• SF3958 (Clark) Disaster assistance contingency account reporting date modification
• SF3907 (Gustafson) Remedy establishment to extinguish a joint interest contract for deed of a perpetrator of domestic abuse or sexual assault

 

Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee – Friday
We are anticipating another marathon hearing this Friday with 20+ bills being heard. If you would like to see the full agenda you can find it here.

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee – Tuesday

• HF3771 (Johnson, P) Reporting date on the disaster assistance contingency account.
• HF3658 (Frazier) Processes for applying for, securing, and enforcing extreme risk protection orders modified.
• HF3453 (Hanson, J) Legal age to possess kratom established as 21 years of age or older.
• HF3358 (Finke) Detention and transport of suspects in vehicles that are not designed for detaining humans and designated as law enforcement vehicles prohibited.
• HF1775 (Pinto) Criminal case information reporting required, and money appropriated.

 

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee – Wednesday

• HF3547 (Swedzinski) Manufacture, sale, and use of fireworks regulated; and portion of revenues from the sale of fireworks dedicated to public safety purposes.
• HF4095 (Davis) Crime of disruption of worship services established.
• HF3651 (Harder) State Fire Code alcohol-blended fuel equipment compatibility standards established.
• HF4043 (Witte) Powers exclusive to law enforcement officers clarified, and authority to investigate the unauthorized practice of law enforcement duties clarified.
• HF4282 (Witte) Persons detained in jails provided medications.

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