Higher education policy bill advances, Budget negotiations continue

Yesterday at the Capitol

The House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division met again yesterday to finish work on the committee's omnibus policy bill and pass the bill. Prior to passage, committee members amended the bill to include the policy language from the House omnibus finance bill. Those provisions include the credit transfer language that directs the Board of Trustees to develop and maintain a systemwide effective and efficient mechanism for seamless student transfer between system institutions that has a goal of minimal loss of credits for transferring students. Language was also included that requires a report to the Legislature on transfer activities. The provision regarding the pilot project for local deposit of reserves for system institutions was also amended into the policy bill.

The supplemental budget conference committee met last night, but did not adopt the bill. Finance division chairs explained the progress made on resolving the differences between the House and Senate.

As of last night, higher education was still negotiating differences. The conference committee is scheduled to meet today at 11:00.

Today at the Capitol

8:30 AM
House Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda:
HF2848 (Hortman) Traffic fines and forfeited bail money allocations modified.
HF3029 (Hortman) Large vehicle movement on public streets and highways governing provisions modified.
HF3191 (Morrow) Sexual contact in secure treatment facilities included as criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree.
HF2840 (Swails) Collaborative governance council established.
HF2839 (Bunn) Minnesota entrepreneur virtual assistance network authorized, and money appropriated.
HF3237 (Huntley) Health care provisions changed relating to education plan requirements, health access program, private nursing coverage, children's health insurance reauthorization act, long-term care, asset transfers, clinics, dental benefits, prior authorization, drug formulary and administrative committees, preferred drugs, multisource drugs, health plans, claims against the state, and eligibility standards.
HF3329 (Greiling) Retired employee health benefits levy calculation clarified.
HF3330 (Greiling) Revenue definitions clarified for school districts and charter schools.
HFXXXX (Solberg) General fund cash flow improvement measures

9:30 AM
Senate in Session
Short session to process House bills

10:00 AM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 1761-Scheid: Health plans chemotherapy treatment coverage payment regulations.
We will be creating an omnibus State Government Budget bill from the following bills:
S.F. 2187-Betzold: Help American Vote Act account general fund matching appropriations transfer authorization.
S.F. 2858-Robling: State agency deposit receipts amount requirement change; state employee combined charities campaign use of fees clarification.
S.F. 2471-Olseen: Declaration of trust and real property secretary of state filings modification.
S.F. 2188-Betzold: State webmaster position establishment and appointment; state chief information officer policy and report development requirements.
S.F. 2915-Dahle: Fiscal note requirements modification.
S.F. 3096-Robling: State owned buildings disposal process.
S.F. 2629-Sieben: County assistive voting, vote-counting and optical scan equipment grants appropriation.
S.F. 3134-Betzold: Article 2.

11:00 AM
Supplemental Budget Conference Committee
Room: 123 Capital
Chairs: Rep. Lyndon Carlson, Sen. Richard Cohen
Agenda:
HF1671 (Carlson) Supplemental budget bill; state government funding provided for state agencies, departments, and commissions, and various other state government provisions modified, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Looking Ahead

Monday, March 29

8:30 AM
House in Session

8:30 AM
Senate in Session
Supplemental budget bill

Tuesday, April 6

10:00 AM *Note time change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: TBD
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Budget planning for higher education

Wednesday, April 7

8:00 AM
Trustee Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 300N State Office Building
Chair: Kent Eklund
Agenda: Candidates interviewed for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees

Thursday, April 8

8:00 AM
Trustee Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 300N State Office Building
Chair: Kent Eklund
Agenda: Candidates interviewed for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees