Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Budget bills passed, legislators on break

Yesterday at the Capitol
The full House and Senate passed the supplemental budget bill, the first of three budget balancing bills, yesterday. The House passed the bill by a vote of 76-55 and then the Senate passed it shortly thereafter 44-23. You may review the final bill, including the $10.5 million reduction to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system here.

Gov. Pawlenty is expected to sign the bill. The governor's spokesman Brian McClung said, "Our office reached an agreement with legislators over the weekend regarding the first budget bill. While the Governor would prefer the DFL present a complete solution, we can't force them to do it, so we're doing our best to work with what they're offering. As always, we will do a final review of the bill language, but as long as there are no unforeseen problems the Governor plans to sign the bill."

Higher Education Chair Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, voted against the bill and spoke on the House floor about the $42 million shortfall in the state grant program, informing members about the large reductions students will see in their state grant awards due to the shortfall. Rukavina also said that the hurt is just starting, but when the other bills come through, the hurt is going to be worse. Legislative leaders said the next two budget bills, health and human services and K-12 education, are on hold while lawmakers await the results of a pending court case over the governor's unallotments, as well as possible federal health care funding coming into the state.

Today at the Capitol

Lawmakers have headed home to their districts for an Easter/Passover break today through Tuesday, April 6 at noon. Therefore, you will not be receiving an update the rest of this week. The next update will be sent Tuesday, April 6.

Tuesday, March 30 - Monday, April 5
Legislative Break

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, April 6

10:00 AM *Note time change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher education system and campus budget planning

12:00 PM
House in Session

12:00 PM
Senate in Session

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

10:00 AM *Note time change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: HF3739 (Carlson) Bond allocation limits modified, and transfer authorized.
Other bills will be added

Monday, March 29, 2010

Supplemental budget goes to House, Senate floor

The supplemental budget conference committee met late into the evening Friday, however did not finish its work, so conferees met most of Saturday to reach agreement on the bill. HF 1671 solves about one-third of the state's almost $1 billion budget deficit. Included in the bill is a reduction of $10.467 to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Here is a link to the conference committee report that will be taken up on the floor today.

Today at the Capitol

8:30 AM
House in Session
• Omnibus supplemental budget bill
• HF2695 (Lenczewski) Job creation bill

8:30 AM
Senate in Session
• Omnibus supplemental budget bill
• S.F. 2568 (Bakk) Job creation bill

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, March 30 - Monday, April 5
Legislative Break

Tuesday, April 6

10:00 AM *Note time change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher education system and campus budget planning

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

Friday, March 26, 2010

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

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Contract ratification approved, Higher Education committee works on policy bill; Budget discussions continue

Yesterday at the Capitol

The Senate Finance committee approved the contract ratification bill yesterday morning. The next stop for the bill will be the Senate floor. As a reminder, the bill includes the contracts and plans for the Minnesota State College Faculty or MSCF; the Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty or MSUAASF; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees or ASCFME, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees MAPE; the Middle Management Association; the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Administrators; the Commissioner’s Plan; and the Managerial Plan.

Also yesterday, the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division took up the committee's omnibus policy bill. Included in the bill is language that increases the age of a senior citizen from 62 to 66 for purposes of receiving reduced tuition. The bill also includes language that establishes the system office in statute and provides for general duties of the office (this language is also in the omnibus finance bill currently being conferred).

Also included in the bill is amended language that streamlines the system office by better targeting the use of state resources and provide services at the most appropriate and efficient level so as not to duplicate any services provided at the colleges and universities. An amendment also passed that includes language on appropriation reductions to the system office that states any reduction to the system office must not be passed through to any institution or campus. This language is also in the omnibus finance bill.

The committee will meet again this morning to continue working on the bill and vote on it.

As noted above, conferees are working through the differences between the House and Senate supplemental budget bill and are scheduled to meet this evening at 6:00. We will continue to keep you updated.

Today at the Capitol

8:00 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Stumpf
Agenda:
SF 2542 (Murphy) St. Charles disaster aid authorization
SF 3079 (Sheran) Postsecondary enrollment options program modified
SF 2550 (Kubly) School district contract deadline penalty for failure to reach a collective bargaining agreement one-time exemption
SF 3008 (Latz) School districts general education operating capital revenue use expansion for school closing costs
SF 2384 (Saltzman) School districts referendum equalizing factor increase; second tier referendum equalization elimination
SF 433 (Bonoff) School finance alternative facilities bonding and levy program modification

8:30 AM
House K-12 Finance Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: Governor's charter school property tax exemption proposal (see HF3306, article 6, section 2)
HF3421 (Mariani) High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.

10:30 AM *Note time, room and agenda change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Continuation of Higher Ed and Workforce Finance/Policy omnibus bill 2

10:30 AM
House State Government Finance Division
Room: 300N State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Phyllis Kahn
Agenda: *Bills added and removed*
HF3589 (Kath) Contracts for professional or technical services reporting threshold reduced.
HF2405 (Reinert) Temporary successors provided to members of the legislature called into active military service, implementation of statutory language provided, and constitutional amendment proposed.
HF3310 (Hilstrom) State Patrol tax compliance and vehicle crimes investigations funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF3682 (Kalin) Energy environment financing program provisions changed.
HF2809 (Severson) Bid preference program eligibility broadened for veteran-owned small businesses.
HF2849 (Norton) Minnesota and Wisconsin small business start-ups comparative study of state laws provided.
HF3515 (Winkler) Name of state accounting and procurement system specified.

*Meeting Canceled*
12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandy Pappas
Agenda: TBA

12:30 PM
House in Session

12:30 PM
Senate in Session

6:00 PM
Supplemental Budget Conference Committee on H.F. 1671
Room: 123 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Richard J. Cohen and Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda:
H.F. 1671-Cohen: Supplemental appropriations and reductions for higher education, environment, natural resources, energy, agriculture, veterans affairs, economic development, transportation, public safety, judiciary and state government.

Looking Ahead

Friday, March 26

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

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Budget committee mets into the night to craft supplemental bill

Yesterday at the Capitol

The budget conference committee assigned to work out an agreement on the supplemental budget bill met last evening. Fiscal analysts for the finance divisions, including higher education, reviewed their respective sections, pointing out similarities and differences between the Senate and House bills. The next meeting is expected to be Thursday, which will give the chairs of the different finance divisions the time today to meet and work through the bill differences. Thursday's conference committee is expected to be a long night. Co-chair Sen. Richard Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, expressed interest in having a final bill agreed upon by Friday this week, but acknowledged that weekend work might be necessary. We will continue to keep you updated on the status of the conference committee. The side-by-side comparison of the higher education section of the bill can be found here.

Today at the Capitol

8:00 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
S.F. 2901-Bonoff: School districts and charter schools shared services grant program establishment and appropriation.
S.F. 2943-Rummel: Community-centered schools pilot project establishment.
S.F. 2670-Torres Ray: K-12 special education third-party billing process provision modification.
S.F. 3000-Saltzman: Charter school state aid payment schedule and cash flow adjustment.
8:30 AM *Note time and room change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 500S State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher Ed and Workforce Finance/Policy omnibus bill 2
HF3389 (Mahoney) Minnesota Science and Technology authority created, and money appropriate

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Richard Cohen
Agenda:
S.F. 364-Sparks: Drainage systems provisions modifications.
S.F. 2564-Anderson: Outdoor heritage appropriations.
S.F. 2386-Metzen: Labor agreements and compensation plans ratification.

9:00 AM
Senate Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. David J. Tomassoni
Agenda:
S.F. 2510-Sparks: Labor and industry licensing and fee modifications.
S.F. 2170-Scheid: Homestead-lender mediation requirement prior to mortgage foreclosure.
S.F. 1590-Sieben: Inflatable amusement equipment safety standards establishment.
S.F. 2895-Bonoff: Unemployment insurance administrative, benefit and tax provisions modifications; special state extended unemployment insurance program establishment.
S.F. 2310-Saltzman: Comparative study of state regulation affecting small business start-ups.
S.F. 3014-Saltzman: Minnesota Science and Technology Authority Act.
S.F. 2832-Saltzman: Construction codes residential written contact performance guidelines requirements; housing statutory warranties modifications and dispute resolution procedures provisions.
S.F. 2962-Sparks: Portable electronics insurance sale and termination regulation.

10:00 AM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 2809-Higgins: State bond proceeds recipients requirements and electronic reporting requirement.
S.F. 2199-Olson, G.: Legislature size reduction and senate district division prevention.
S.F. 2471-Olseen: Declaration of trust and real property secretary of state filings modification.
S.F. 2644-Betzold: Minneapolis employees retirement fund (MERF) administrative functions transfer to the public employees retirement association (PERA); MERF consolidation account in PERA establishment and operation provisions.
S.F. 2573-Betzold: State, local, legislator, and hospital public employees retirement provisions modifications.
S.F. 3084-Carlson: Professional or technical services contract reporting threshold reduction.
S.F. 2354-Betzold: Data practices violations administrative remedies and civil penalties.
S.F. 2918-Betzold: Omnibus retirement bill.
12:30 PM
House in Session
12:30 PM
Senate in Session

Looking Ahead
Thursday, March 25


8:00 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Stumpf
Agenda:
SF 2542 (Murphy) St. Charles disaster aid authorization
SF 3079 (Sheran) Postsecondary enrollment options program modified
SF 2550 (Kubly) School district contract deadline penalty for failure to reach a collective bargaining agreement one-time exemption
SF 3008 (Latz) School districts general education operating capital revenue use expansion for school closing costs
SF 2384 (Saltzman) School districts referendum equalizing factor increase; second tier referendum equalization elimination
SF 433 (Bonoff) School finance alternative facilities bonding and levy program modification

8:30 AM
House K-12 Finance Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: Governor's charter school property tax exemption proposal (see HF3306, article 6, section 2)
HF3421 (Mariani) High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.
*Meeting canceled, rescheduled for April 6*

10:30 AM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher Education Plans for FY2012-13 Budgets

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandy Pappas
Agenda: TBA
12:30 PM
House in Session
At the call of the chair
Supplemental Budget Conference Committee on H.F. 1671
Room: 123 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Richard J. Cohen and Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda:
H.F. 1671-Cohen: Supplemental appropriations and reductions for higher education, environment, natural resources, energy, agriculture, veterans affairs, economic development, transportation, public safety, judiciary and state government.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Supplemental budget heard

Yesterday at the Capitol

The House and Senate debated the supplemental budget bill on the floor yesterday. After countless amendments, the House passed the bill by a vote of 80-51 and the Senate passed the bill 43-23. The bill, HF1671/SF3223, would reduce the almost $1 billion budget deficit by $312 million through cuts to state agencies and cuts to county and city aid. The bill is the first of three budget-balancing measures the Legislature will address. The next two bills will cover K-12 education and health and human services. By addressing the reductions in phases, lawmakers are able to work toward addressing the deficit, while awaiting federal jobs and health care legislation that could eliminate much of that deficit.

The House included an amendment introduced by Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, that says the governor shall require the proposed budgets of each state agency to prepare a budget using zero-based budgeting. Each agency shall provide, among other things, a description of activities that comprise the agency, and a justification for the existence of each activity by reference to statute or other legal authority.

Conferees have been appointed to work through the differences in the bill and are scheduled to meet this evening at 6:30 in room 123 of the Capitol to walk through the spreadsheet and side-by-side comparison of the bills.

Conferees:
Senate:
Sen. Richard Cohen, DFL-St. Paul
Sen. Linda Higgins, DFL-Minneapolis
Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing
Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-Tracy
Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook
House:
Rep. Lyndon Carlson, DFL-Crystal
Rep. Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington
Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul
Rep. Loren Solberg, DFL-Grand Rapids
Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington
Today at the Capitol

8:30 AM *Note time and room change*
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 500S State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
HF3076 (Juhnke) Elevator provisions modified.
HF3293 (Clark) State building Code amended, and licensing requirements modified.
HF3533 (Rukavina) Joint powers agreements may not circumvent or impinge upon the rights of employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements.
HF3024 (Murdock) Manufactured Home Building Code requirements modified
HF3386 (Swails) requiring performance guidelines for certain residential contracts

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: HF2887 (Drazkowski) Independent School District No. 858, St. Charles, disaster aid funding and declining pupil unit aid appropriation used to help the city cover revenue losses.
HF3404 (Mariani) Aid payment schedule modified for certain charter schools.
HF3539 (Benson) Charter schools revised evaluation requirements and changes in sponsorship fees postponed.
HF2867 (Newton) Child with a disability definition clarified and obligations to children with disabilities specified.
HF3487 (Newton) Conciliation conference requirements clarified, and Minnesota Department of Education directed to amend two special education rules.
HF2885 (Davnie) Capital project referendum ballot language modified in cases where the same level of taxing authority is renewed.
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. - article 1 only

10:00 AM *Note time and room change*
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandy Pappas
Agenda: S.F. 3180-Sparks: Malt liquor and spirits tasting authorization at exclusive liquor stores; University of Minnesota stadium liquor licensing conditions modification.

10:30 AM
House State Government Finance Division
Room: 300N State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Phyllis Kahn
Agenda:
HF2758 (Lillie) Labor agreements and compensation plans ratified.
HF2815 (Bly) Fiscal note requirements modified.
HF3589 (Kath) Contracts for professional or technical services reporting threshold reduced.
HF1818 (Mariani) State commissioners required to provide a poverty impact statement on bills when requested by a legislator.
HF2613 (Hilstrom) Mediation provided prior to commencement of mortgage foreclosure proceedings on homestead property, and homestead-lender mediation account created.

12:30 PM
House in Session

12:30 PM
Senate in Session

6:30 PM
Supplemental Budget Bill Conference Committee
Room: 123 Capitol
Chairs: Rep. Lyndon Carlson, Sen. Richard Cohen
Agenda: Walk through spreadsheet and side-by-side
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
Wednesday, March 24


8:00 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
S.F. 2901-Bonoff: School districts and charter schools shared services grant program establishment and appropriation.
S.F. 2943-Rummel: Community-centered schools pilot project establishment.
S.F. 2670-Torres Ray: K-12 special education third-party billing process provision modification.
S.F. 3000-Saltzman: Charter school state aid payment schedule and cash flow adjustment.
8:30 AM *Note time and room change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 500S State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher Ed and Workforce Finance/Policy omnibus bill 2

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Richard Cohen
Agenda:
S.F. 364-Sparks: Drainage systems provisions modifications.
S.F. 2564-Anderson: Outdoor heritage appropriations.
S.F. 2386-Metzen: Labor agreements and compensation plans ratification.

9:00 AM
Senate Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. David J. Tomassoni
Agenda:
S.F. 2510-Sparks: Labor and industry licensing and fee modifications.
S.F. 2170-Scheid: Homestead-lender mediation requirement prior to mortgage foreclosure.
S.F. 1590-Sieben: Inflatable amusement equipment safety standards establishment.
S.F. 2895-Bonoff: Unemployment insurance administrative, benefit and tax provisions modifications; special state extended unemployment insurance program establishment.
S.F. 2310-Saltzman: Comparative study of state regulation affecting small business start-ups.
S.F. 3014-Saltzman: Minnesota Science and Technology Authority Act.
S.F. 2832-Saltzman: Construction codes residential written contact performance guidelines requirements; housing statutory warranties modifications and dispute resolution procedures provisions.
S.F. 2962-Sparks: Portable electronics insurance sale and termination regulation.

10:00 AM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 2809-Higgins: State bond proceeds recipients requirements and electronic reporting requirement.
S.F. 2199-Olson, G.: Legislature size reduction and senate district division prevention.
S.F. 2471-Olseen: Declaration of trust and real property secretary of state filings modification.
S.F. 2644-Betzold: Minneapolis employees retirement fund (MERF) administrative functions transfer to the public employees retirement association (PERA); MERF consolidation account in PERA establishment and operation provisions.
S.F. 2573-Betzold: State, local, legislator, and hospital public employees retirement provisions modifications.
S.F. 3084-Carlson: Professional or technical services contract reporting threshold reduction.

12:30 PM
House in Session

Thursday, March 25

8:30 AM
House K-12 Finance Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: Governor's charter school property tax exemption proposal (see HF3306, article 6, section 2)
HF3421 (Mariani) High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.

10:30 AM *Note time and room change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher Education Plans for FY2012-13 Budgets

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandy Pappas
Agenda: TBA

12:30 PM
House in Session

Monday, March 22, 2010

Omnibus supplemental bills head to floor

Both the House and Senate are expected to take up the omnibus supplemental budget bill on the floor today. The House and Senate bills include the proposed $10.5 million reduction to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Also this week, the contract ratification bill is making its way through the committee process; it will be heard in Senate Finance this morning and the House State Government Finance Division Tuesday. Different this week is the meeting time for the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division. The committee will be meeting in the morning Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week (see schedule below).

Today at the Capitol

8:00 AM
House Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda:
HF2899 (Pelowski) Administrative remedy provided for certain data practice law violations, civil penalty provided, and money appropriated.
HF2499 (Mullery) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees required to study technical education credentials.
HF3274 (Obermueller) Benefit account requirements modified for unemployment benefits.
HF3048 (Norton) Construction codes and licensing provisions modified, and certain notice provisions modified.
HF2925 (Kath) Public facilities programs amended and technical changes made.

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Richard J. Cohen
Agenda:
S.F. 2598-Saxhaug: Collaborative urban educator grant program appropriation clarification.
S.F. 2533-Bakk: Lake Vermilion state park land acquisition authority and incorporation of existing park land.
S.F. 2564-Anderson: Outdoor heritage appropriations.
H.F. 2624/S.F. 2462-Anderson: Legislative-citizen commission on Minnesota resources (LCCMR) environment and natural resources appropriations.
S.F. 2364-Pappas: Higher education facilities authority revenue bond limit increase.
S.F. 2386-Metzen: Labor agreements and compensation plans ratification.
S.F. 364-Sparks: Drainage systems provisions modifications.

10:00 AM
House in Session
It is anticipated the House will come in to session, then recess to caucus.
HF1671 (Carlson) Omnibus supplemental budget

11:00 AM
Senate in Session
SF 3223 (Cohen) Omnibus supplemental budget

3:00 PM
Senate Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. David J. Tomassoni
Agenda:
S.F. 1590-Sieben: Inflatable amusement equipment safety standards establishment.
S.F. 2895-Bonoff: Unemployment insurance administrative, benefit and tax provisions modifications; special state extended unemployment insurance program establishment.
S.F. 2310-Saltzman: Comparative study of state regulation affecting small business start-ups.
S.F. 3014-Saltzman: Minnesota Science and Technology Authority Act.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, March 23
8:30 AM *Note time and room change*
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 500S State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
HF3076 (Juhnke) Elevator provisions modified.
HF3293 (Clark) State building Code amended, and licensing requirements modified.
HF3533 (Rukavina) Joint powers agreements may not circumvent or impinge upon the rights of employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements.
HF3024 (Murdock) Manufactured Home Building Code requirements modified
Other bills may be added

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: HF2887 (Drazkowski) Independent School District No. 858, St. Charles, disaster aid funding and declining pupil unit aid appropriation used to help the city cover revenue losses.
HF3404 (Mariani) Aid payment schedule modified for certain charter schools.
HF3539 (Benson) Charter schools revised evaluation requirements and changes in sponsorship fees postponed.
HF2867 (Newton) Child with a disability definition clarified and obligations to children with disabilities specified.
HF3487 (Newton) Conciliation conference requirements clarified, and Minnesota Department of Education directed to amend two special education rules.
HF2885 (Davnie) Capital project referendum ballot language modified in cases where the same level of taxing authority is renewed.
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. - article 1 only

10:30 AM
House State Government Finance Division
Room: 300N State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Phyllis Kahn
Agenda:
HF2758 (Lillie) Labor agreements and compensation plans ratified.
HF2815 (Bly) Fiscal note requirements modified.
HF3205 (Mahoney) Preference created for community banks and credit unions for the state's general revenue account, state depository accounts required to be held in community banks or credit unions, and a study required of possible further use of community banks and credit unions by the state and municipalities.
HF3589 (Kath) Contracts for professional or technical services reporting threshold reduced.
HF1818 (Mariani) State commissioners required to provide a poverty impact statement on bills when requested by a legislator.
HF2613 (Hilstrom) Mediation provided prior to commencement of mortgage foreclosure proceedings on homestead property, and homestead-lender mediation account created.

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandy Pappas
Agenda: S.F. 3180-Sparks: Malt liquor and spirits tasting authorization at exclusive liquor stores; University of Minnesota stadium liquor licensing conditions modification.

Wednesday, March 24

8:30 AM *Note time and room change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 500S State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher Ed and Workforce Finance/Policy omnibus bill 2

10:00 AM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 2809-Higgins: State bond proceeds recipients requirements and electronic reporting requirement.
S.F. 2199-Olson, G.: Legislature size reduction and senate district division prevention.
S.F. 2471-Olseen: Declaration of trust and real property secretary of state filings modification.
S.F. 2644-Betzold: Minneapolis employees retirement fund (MERF) administrative functions transfer to the public employees retirement association (PERA); MERF consolidation account in PERA establishment and operation provisions.
S.F. 2573-Betzold: State, local, legislator, and hospital public employees retirement provisions modifications.
S.F. 3084-Carlson: Professional or technical services contract reporting threshold reduction.

Thursday, March 25

8:30 AM
House K-12 Finance Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: Governor's charter school property tax exemption proposal (see HF3306 ( http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/billnum.asp?Billnumber=HF3306&ls_year=86&session_year=2009&session_number=0 ), article 6, section 2)
HF3421 (Mariani) http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/billnum.asp?Billnumber=HF3421&ls_year=86&session_year=2009&session_number=0 High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.
10:30 AM *Note time and room change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher Education Plans for FY2012-13 Budgets

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandy Pappas
Agenda: TBA

Friday, March 19, 2010

Senate Higher Ed Budget & Policy hear about budget plans for 2012-2013

Yesterday at the Capitol

The Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division met yesterday to hear about the higher education systems budget plans for fiscal years 2012-2013 and learn more about how the federal stimulus dollars are being spent. Laura King, Vice Chancellor and CFO for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, told committee members that with notice of the $50 million unallotment to the system occurring a year in advance, and the state's economic outlook, the system adjusted its budget planning framework early in the process and aimed for a $594 million base each year for planning purposes. The $594 million base reflects the governor's $50 million unallotment and the proposed $10.5 million reduction to the system in FY2011. You may learn more about the system's 2012-13 budget planning at http://bit.ly/aRy0Ym.

Jake Hite, a student at Winona State University, testified on the effects the appropriation cuts have had on students. Hite told committee members that the Minnesota State University Student Association, or MSUSA, listened to students at the 7 state universities to learn more about how the reductions are affecting the universities and students. Hite said some of the trends include reduction of course offerings and increased class sizes; student service reductions in financial aid and childcare; fewer hours of operation at libraries and student centers; increased fees and charges for services; and reduced public safety.

Hite said that the initial picture of how recent cuts have affected the state universities and the students attending them raises concern as to how the quality, affordability, and accessibility of education will be affected as further steps are taken to balance the campus budgets. Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, said that this year higher education is seeing a 2 percent reduction, however next year, given the economic outlook, higher education could be looking at a 20 percent reduction. Erickson Ropes encouraged Hite to have conversations within the MSUSA organization regarding what has to change and what has to go away.

The House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division heard HF 3616 yesterday. The bill would require the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system’s central office to undergo a series of reforms, including eliminating duplication of services between the central offices and individual institutions, and ensure that services are delivered primarily at the institution level. It would also cap salaries of future system chancellors, vice-chancellors and presidents at the governor's salary level.

Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, chief author of the bill, said the bill is meant to address issues outlined in a recent report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on the Office of the Chancellor. Poppe said the state’s budget problems require the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to deliver its services more efficiently, and with a greater focus on teaching.

Chancellor Jim McCormick told committee members that the system needs time to implement changes recommended by the OLA report. No action was taken by the committee.

Today at the Capitol

9:00 AM
Senate Judiciary
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mee Moua
Agenda:

  • S.F. 3145-Pappas: Controlled substance offenses mixture definition modification and weight measurement mandate.
  • S.F. 1568-Doll: Minnesota Safe Drug Disposal Act of 2009.
  • S.F. 3209-Higgins: Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Act of 2010.
  • S.F. 2663-Scheid: Motor vehicle sales and distribution costs responsibility and regulation.
  • S.F. 2704-Scheid: Minnesota Nonrecourse Civil Litigation Funding Act.
  • S.F. 2354-Betzold: Data practices violations administrative remedies and civil penalties.
  • S.F. 3028-Stumpf: Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education appropriations and appropriation reductions.
  • S.F. 2517-Moua: Electronic court documents access authorization.
  • S.F. 1126-Moua: Tax-forfeited property uses and conveyances procedures modifications.
  • S.F. 2437-Moua: Domestic abuse ex parte court orders for protection expansion.

10:00 AM
House Civil Justice
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joe Mullery
Agenda:
  • HF1531 (Loeffler) Classified employee expectations established as nonpartisan resources to all decision makers, and additional whistleblower protection provided to state employees.
  • HF3106 (Bigham) Implied consent, driving while impaired, and ignition interlock provisions modified.

Looking Ahead

Monday, March 22

8:00 AM
House Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda:
  • HF2899 (Pelowski) Administrative remedy provided for certain data practice law violations, civil penalty provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF2499 (Mullery) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees required to study technical education credentials.
  • HF3274 (Obermueller) Benefit account requirements modified for unemployment benefits.
  • HF3048 (Norton) Construction codes and licensing provisions modified, and certain notice provisions modified.
  • HF2925 (Kath) Public facilities programs amended and technical changes made.

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Richard J. Cohen
Agenda:
  • S.F. 2598-Saxhaug: Collaborative urban educator grant program appropriation clarification.
  • S.F. 2533-Bakk: Lake Vermilion state park land acquisition authority and incorporation of existing park land.
  • S.F. 2564-Anderson: Outdoor heritage appropriations.
  • H.F. 2624/S.F. 2462-Anderson: Legislative-citizen commission on Minnesota resources (LCCMR) environment and natural resources appropriations.
  • S.F. 2364-Pappas: Higher education facilities authority revenue bond limit increase.
  • S.F. 2386-Metzen: Labor agreements and compensation plans ratification.
  • S.F. 364-Sparks: Drainage systems provisions modifications.

10:00 AM
House in Session

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
  • S.F. 2199-Olson, G.: Legislature size reduction and senate district division prevention.
  • S.F. 2471-Olseen: Declaration of trust and real property secretary of state filings modification.
  • S.F. 2809-Higgins: State bond proceeds recipients requirements and electronic reporting requirement.
  • S.F. 2644-Betzold: Minneapolis employees retirement fund (MERF) administrative functions transfer to the public employees retirement association (PERA); MERF consolidation account in PERA establishment and operation provisions.

3:00 PM
Senate Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. David J. Tomassoni
Agenda:
  • S.F. 1590-Sieben: Inflatable amusement equipment safety standards establishment.
  • S.F. 2895-Bonoff: Unemployment insurance administrative, benefit and tax provisions modifications; special state extended unemployment insurance program establishment.
  • S.F. 2310-Saltzman: Comparative study of state regulation affecting small business start-ups.
  • S.F. 3014-Saltzman: Minnesota Science and Technology Authority Act.

Tuesday, March 23

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Finance
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda:
  • HF2887 (Drazkowski) Independent School District No. 858, St. Charles, disaster aid funding and declining pupil unit aid appropriation used to help the city cover revenue losses.
  • HF3404 (Mariani) Aid payment schedule modified for certain charter schools.
  • HF3539 (Benson) Charter schools revised evaluation requirements and changes in sponsorship fees postponed.
  • HF2867 (Newton) Child with a disability definition clarified and obligations to children with disabilities specified.
  • HF3487 (Newton) Conciliation conference requirements clarified, and Minnesota Department of Education directed to amend two special education rules.
  • HF2885 (Davnie) Capital project referendum ballot language modified in cases where the same level of taxing authority is renewed.
  • 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. - article 1 only

Wednesday, April 7

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

Friday, April 9

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

Thursday, March 18, 2010

House Ways and Means approved HF 1671, supplemental budget bill, Leaders working to resolve $1 bil budget deficit in 3 phases

Yesterday at the Capitol

The House Ways and Means committee met yesterday evening and approved HF 1671, the supplemental budget bill which includes the higher education article with a reduction of $10.5 million to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. This was the last committee stop, so the bill now heads to the House floor where it will be taken up Monday. In the Senate, the bill is scheduled to be heard this morning in the Tax committee.

The bill includes all the finance division's supplemental budget bills with the exception of K-12 education and health and human services, which will be addressed at a later time. The reductions to state agencies and programs in the bill total $209 million.

Legislative leaders are working to resolve the $1 billion budget deficit in three phases. The first phase is the supplemental budget bill that also includes the tax bill that cuts $105 million in state spending. These reductions come from county program aid, local government aid and the market-value homestead credit. Gov. Pawlenty is proposing to cut $250 million from the same areas.

Today at the Capitol

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Thomas M. Bakk
*** SF3223 Added ***
Agenda:

  • S.F. 2926-Saxhaug: Cohasset tax increment usage for city repayment authorization.
  • S.F. 2970-Saltzman: Landfall Village tax increment financing (TIF) district duration extension.
  • S.F. 3056-Fischbach: Sauk Rapids tax increment financing (TIF) district extension.
  • S.F. 2938-Wiger: Oakdale tax increment financing (TIF) district duration extension.
  • S.F. 2829-Foley: Coon Rapids tax increment financing (TIF) districts duration extension.
  • S.F. 2480-Stumpf: East Grand Forks tax increment financing (TIF) use authorization; tourism facilities financing modifications.
  • S.F. 2987-Murphy: St. Charles tax increment financing (TIF) district establishment; sales tax exemption for construction materials for new and expanding businesses.
  • S.F. 2255-Rest: Tax increment financing (TIF) districts modification; Brooklyn Park, St. Paul and Fridley housing replacement provisions authorization.
  • S.F. 2467-Moua: St. Paul tax increment financing (TIF) district expenditure special rules provision.
  • S.F. 3223-Cohen: Supplemental appropriations and reductions for higher education, environment, natural resources, energy, agriculture, veterans affairs, economic development, transportation, public safety, judiciary and state government.

8:30 AM
House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda:
  • HF3131 (Mullery) Interstate Compact for Juveniles adopted.
  • HF2958 (Pelowski) Open Meeting Law changed.
  • HF3008 (Anzelc) Type III vehicle drivers requirements amended.
  • HF3279 (Huntley) Electronic health record technology provisions amended, administrative penalties provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF3168 (Nelson) Escort drivers of overdimensional loads allowed to control traffic, and commissioner of public safety directed to establish escort driver training and certification program.
  • HF2952 (Murphy) State employees retirement plan contribution rates increased, interest rates on refunds and certain benefit accrual rates reduced, vesting requirements and early retirement reduction rates increased, and certain amortization periods extended.
  • HF3281 (Murphy) Volunteer fire relief associations technical corrections made, break-in-service return revised, Minnesota deferred compensation plan service pension transfers authorized, payout defaults revised in survivor benefits, and corrections of certain special fund deposits authorized.

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda:
  • HF3421 (Mariani) High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.

10:30 AM
House in Session

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
  • Budget Plan Report (March 15th Report)
  • Discussion on absence of federal stimulus funds
  • OLA Reports: Workforce Programs (MnSCU item); MnSCU Occupational Programs
  • Program Closure Discussion
  • S.F. 3205-Bonoff: College textbook price availability to students requirement.

1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
  • HF737 (Rukavina) relating to economic development; providing certification for rehabilitation counselors for the blind
  • HF3616 (Newton) Waiver of overdue payments provided.
  • HF3533 (Rukavina) Joint powers agreements may not circumvent or impinge upon the rights of employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements.
  • HF3629 (Poppe) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities reorganized, salaries adjusted, central office established, and age increased for free classes.

2:45 PM
House State Government Operations
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Phyllis Kahn
Agenda:
  • HF2577 (Carlson) Legislators allowed to call a special session, and constitutional amendment proposed.
  • HF2755 (Swails) Voting equipment and vote-counting equipment grant funding provided, grant terms and procedures specified, and money appropriated.
  • HF2690 (Sertich) Executive agency appropriations required to include proportionate reductions in expenditures on contracts, and requirements provided during periods of projected deficits.
  • HF2758 (Lillie) Labor agreements and compensation plans ratified.
  • HF2815 (Bly) Fiscal note requirements modified.
  • HF2866 (Carlson) Executive branch authority modified to reduce unexpended allotments.
  • HF3073 (Carlson) Amount of agency deposit receipts made technical changes, and use of fees clarified in the combined charities campaign.
  • HF3205 (Mahoney) Preference created for community banks and credit unions for the state's general revenue account, state depository accounts required to be held in community banks or credit unions, and a study required of possible further use of community banks and credit unions by the state and municipalities.
  • HF3589 (Kath) Contracts for professional or technical services reporting threshold reduced.
  • HF2840 (Swails) Collaborative governance council established.

2:45 PM
House Education K-12 Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Agenda:
  • HF3043 (Kalin) Computer-adaptive assessments provided for general education students.
  • HF3267 (Newton) Advisory task force established on school desegregation and integration.
  • HF3163 (Mariani) Prekindergarten through grade 12 funding provided, including general education, education excellence, special programs, and early childhood education.

3:00 PM
Senate Judiciary
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mee Moua
Agenda:
  • S.F. 2880-Moua: State Guardian Ad Litem board establishment.
  • S.F. 1233-Kubly: Massage therapists licensure and regulation.
  • S.F. 2427-Betzold: Trust and guardianship provisions modifications; distribution status clarifications; relationship and inheritance provisions modifications; emergency and temporary conservator appointment authority.
  • S.F. 2519-Anderson: Interim public utility rate approval process and standard for approval modification.
  • S.F. 2866-Sheran: Statewide trauma system modifications and repeal.
  • S.F. 2945-Murphy: Child pornography definition modification.
  • S.F. 3251-Berglin: Sexual psychopathic personalities treatment provisions modifications.
  • S.F. 3087-Senjem: Student maltreatment parent notification requirements modifications; disciplined teachers mental health screening requirement; teaching license revocations; mandatory child maltreatment reporting district policy development requirement.
  • S.F. 2773-Ingebrigtsen: Salvia divinorum sale or possession regulation and crimes definition.
  • S.F. 2928-Saltzman: Construction codes and licensing provisions modifications; unlicensed individual registration requirement.
  • S.F. 1886-Saltzman: Insurance claims for residential roofing goods and services regulation and roofing contracts right to cancel.
  • S.F. 891-Olson, M.: Uniform Arbitration Act.
  • S.F. 2999-Olson, M.: Children in need of protection or services provisions modifications.
  • S.F. 2952-Moua: Financial records release in response to subpoena authority reinstatement.
  • S.F. 2493-Moua: Crime of identity theft expansion to include scanning and reencoding devices.
  • S.F. 2328-Betzold: Civil commitment oaths and affirmation procedures modifications.
  • S.F. 2186-Betzold: Civil commitment county financial responsibility and prepetition clarification.
  • S.F. 3116-Scheid: Offender DNA collection authorization.
  • S.F. 2869-Higgins: Human rights act provisions modifications.

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, April 7

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

Friday, April 9

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

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Senate Higher Ed Budget & Policy hears from MHEC, CREST, CST

Yesterday at the Capitol

The Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division met yesterday and heard from Larry Isaak with the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. Isaak, the president of MHEC, told committee members that each of the 12 states that are part of the compact pays $95,000 a year in dues, however the return on that investment for Minnesota in fiscal year 2009 was 26:1. Minnesota higher education institutions, school districts, state and local governments and students have achieved cost savings of $28.8 million since joining the compact in 1991 by using MHEC's cost savings and student exchange programs.

Committee members learned about a new initiative, The Midwest Credential Repository for Education, Skills, and Training, or CREST, which is intended to accelerate degree completion through improved mobility, transferability, and application of credits and credentials. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded MHEC $100,000 to explore the creation of a multi-state credential repository to reduce student time to degree and promote the completion of degrees in progress or on hold.

Senate higher education committee members also heard from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities about the system's purchasing procedures. Steve Gednalske, System Director of Tax & Financial Services and Michael Noble-Olson, Purchasing Manager at Minneapolis Community & Technical College, explained to members about the system's Collaborative Sourcing Team, or CST. The mission statement of the team is to collaborate to seek innovative strategic sourcing solutions to achieve sustainability and best value by leveraging the system's buying power. The team includes representation from system institutions and the Office of the Chancellor. Gednalske provided an example of a benefit gained. The team was able to obtain quality mattresses at reduced prices through a contract that is used by all campuses with dorms.

Committee members also heard from Richard Pfutzenreuter, CFO at the University of Minnesota and Lori Lamb, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Both Pfutzenreuter and Lamb shared information regarding personnel reductions, salaries, contracts and furloughs with the committee. Lamb testified that the system is concerned about proportionality of personnel reductions and review it regularly. Lamb said that reductions are proportional and do not affect any one unit more than another.




Today at the Capitol

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda:
  • HF3421 (Mariani) High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.


8:30 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
  • S.F. 3045-Wiger: Prekindergarten through grade 12 education policy provisions modifications; general education, education excellence, special programs and early childhood education.

  • S.F. 3087-Senjem: Student maltreatment parent notification requirements modifications; disciplined teachers mental health screening requirement; teaching license revocations; mandatory child maltreatment reporting district policy development requirement.

  • S.F. 3131-Clark: Early childhood education and care advisory council statewide school readiness report card creation and implementation recommendations.

  • S.F. 3119-Rummel: Early childhood education and care advisory council membership and duties modifications.


11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House in Session

12:30 PM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
  • S.F. 2858-Robling: State agency deposit receipts amount requirement change; state employee combined charities campaign use of fees clarification.
  • S.F. 3096-Robling: State owned buildings disposal process.
  • S.F. 2188-Betzold: State webmaster position establishment and appointment; state chief information officer policy and report development requirements.

3:00 PM
Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ann H. Rest
Agenda:
  • S.F. 2698-Koch: Graduation required assessment for diploma (GRAD) retake requirement modification.
  • S.F. 3028-Stumpf: Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education appropriations and appropriation reductions.
  • S.F. 3002-Bonoff: School desegregation and integration advisory task force establishment.
  • S.F. 2967-Sparks: Mower county office of recorder appointment provisions authorization.
  • S.F. 3013-Olson, M.: Explore Minnesota tourism council representation modification.
  • S.F. 1682-Fobbe: Revisor of statutes free state publications recipients survey requirement.
  • S.F. 2918-Betzold: Volunteer fire relief associations break-in-service, deferred compensation plan transfers, inactive member credits, ancillary benefits, bylaws amendments, annuity purchase and special fund disbursement provisions modifications; surviving spouse.
  • S.F. 2925-Rest: Metropolitan area treatment works and interceptor reserved capacity costs allocations provisions modifications.
  • S.F. 3005-Clark: Metropolitan council best value contracts and procurement for transit vehicles authorization.

6:30 PM
House Ways and Means
Room: 5 State Office Building
Agenda:
  • Budget Resolution;
  • 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;
  • HF802 (Murphy) Mental health urgent care and psychiatric consultation required, hospital payment rates reduced, covered services changed, transfers allowed, general assistance medical care program created, transitional MinnesotaCare coverage provided, coordinated care delivery systems required, temporary uncompensated care pool and prescription drug pool created, and money appropriated.

Looking Ahead

Thursday, March 18

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Thomas M. Bakk
*** SF3223 Added ***
Agenda:
  • S.F. 2926-Saxhaug: Cohasset tax increment usage for city repayment authorization.
  • S.F. 2970-Saltzman: Landfall Village tax increment financing (TIF) district duration extension.
  • S.F. 3056-Fischbach: Sauk Rapids tax increment financing (TIF) district extension.
  • S.F. 2938-Wiger: Oakdale tax increment financing (TIF) district duration extension.
  • S.F. 2829-Foley: Coon Rapids tax increment financing (TIF) districts duration extension.
  • S.F. 2480-Stumpf: East Grand Forks tax increment financing (TIF) use authorization; tourism facilities financing modifications.
  • S.F. 2987-Murphy: St. Charles tax increment financing (TIF) district establishment; sales tax exemption for construction materials for new and expanding businesses.
  • S.F. 2255-Rest: Tax increment financing (TIF) districts modification; Brooklyn Park, St. Paul and Fridley housing replacement provisions authorization.
  • S.F. 2467-Moua: St. Paul tax increment financing (TIF) district expenditure special rules provision.
  • S.F. 3223-Cohen: Supplemental appropriations and reductions for higher education, environment, natural resources, energy, agriculture, veterans affairs, economic development, transportation, public safety, judiciary and state government.
8:30 AM
House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda:
  • HF2952 (Murphy) State employees retirement plan contribution rates increased,interest rates on refunds and certain benefit accrual rates reduced, vesting requirements and early retirement reduction rates increased, and certain amortization periods extended.
  • HF3281 (Murphy) Volunteer fire relief associations technical corrections made, break-in-service return revised, Minnesota deferred compensation plan service pension transfers authorized, payout defaults revised in survivor benefits, and corrections of certain special fund deposits authorized.
  • Recommendations from the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

10:30 AM
House in Session

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
  • Budget Plan Report (March 15th Report)
  • Discussion on absence of federal stimulus funds
  • OLA Reports: Workforce Programs (MnSCU item); MnSCU Occupational Programs
  • Program Closure Discussion
  • S.F. 3205-Bonoff: College textbook price availability to students requirement.

1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
  • HF3629 (Poppe) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities reorganized, salaries adjusted, central office established, and age increased for free classes.
  • HF3533 (Rukavina) Joint powers agreements may not circumvent or impinge upon the rights of employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements.
  • Other bills may be added

2:45 PM
House State Government Operations
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Phyllis Kahn
Agenda:
  • HF2577 (Carlson) Legislators allowed to call a special session, and constitutional amendment proposed.
  • HF2755 (Swails) Voting equipment and vote-counting equipment grant funding provided, grant terms and procedures specified, and money appropriated.
  • HF2690 (Sertich) Executive agency appropriations required to include proportionate reductions in expenditures on contracts, and requirements provided during periods of projected deficits.
  • HF2866 (Carlson) Executive branch authority modified to reduce unexpended allotments.
  • HF3073 (Carlson) Amount of agency deposit receipts made technical changes, and use of fees clarified in the combined charities campaign.
  • HF3205 (Mahoney) Preference created for community banks and credit unions for the state's general revenue account, state depository accounts required to be held in community banks or credit unions, and a study required of possible further use of community banks and credit unions by the state and municipalities.
  • HF3589 (Kath) Contracts for professional or technical services reporting threshold reduced.

2:45 PM
House Education K-12 Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Agenda:
  • HF3043 (Kalin) Computer-adaptive assessments provided for general education students.
  • HF3267 (Newton) Advisory task force established on school desegregation and integration.
  • HF3163 (Mariani) Prekindergarten through grade 12 funding provided, including general education, education excellence, special programs, and early childhood education.

Bill Introductions

For the most recent bill introductions, please see the our spreadsheet listing.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

House passes HF 2624 to fund water related research and related online education

Yesterday at the Capitol

On the House floor yesterday, members debated the annual bill that funds projects based on recommendations from the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Lawmakers passed the bill by a vote of 91-39. Of the more than 240 proposals submitted to the commission, the bill, HF 2624, appropriates funding for approximately one-fifth of the submitted projects. The funding comes primarily from the state lottery’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Included in the list of projects in the House bill is $340,000 to the University of Minnesota in cooperation with St. Cloud State University to determine the chemical and biological fate of phytoestrogens in surface waters and the impacts on fish. Also in the bill is $594,000 to the commissioner of health for department activities and for an agreement with the U.S. Geologic Survey in cooperation with St. Cloud State University to develop quantitative data on septic system discharge of estrogenic and pharmaceutical compounds and assess septic and watershed influences on levels of contamination and biological responses in Minnesota lakes. And $124,000 is included in the bill for the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota State University, Mankato to develop online educational materials on the Minnesota River for schools and outreach centers.



Today at the Capitol

8:30 AM
Senate Education
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
  • S.F. 2757-Bonoff: Teaching board teacher preparation and licensure programs authorization.

  • S.F. 3104-Saltzman: School and parent conciliation conference requirements clarification.

  • S.F. 2698-Koch: Graduation required assessment for diploma (GRAD) retake requirement modification.

  • S.F. 3002-Bonoff: School desegregation and integration advisory task force establishment.



8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda:
  • HF2867 (Newton) Child with a disability definition clarified and obligations to children with disabilities specified.

  • Presentation by Margaret Bird, the director of Utah's Children's Land Alliance Supporting Schools (CLASS) and Kevin Carter, director of the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration on Utah school trust land governance and land management practices


8:30 AM
House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda:

  • HF3389 (Mahoney) Minnesota Science and Technology authority created, and money appropriated.

  • HF3106 (Bigham) Implied consent, driving while impaired, and ignition interlock provisions modified.

  • HF3124 (Dill) Aquaculture provisions modified, provisions for taking, possessing, and transporting wild animals modified, fish and wildlife management plans requirements modified, and game and fish license provisions modified.

  • HF3475 (Dittrich) Independent agency created to oversee management of Minnesota's permanent school fund lands.

  • HF1828 (Hornstein) Municipal comprehensive plan for affordable housing amendments authorized to be approved by a simple majority.

  • HF2660 (Thissen) Minnesota Coalition for Innovation and Collaboration created, rule and law waivers provided, and money appropriated.

  • HF3055 (Thissen) State-County Results, Accountability, and Service Delivery Redesign Act changes made, and public employee status specified for service delivery units.

  • HF2510 (Gardner) Threats of reprisal against a person who is or is considering being a candidate prohibited.



9:00 AM
Joint Senate Finance and Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Richard Cohen and Sen. Tom Bakk
Agenda:
  • Discussion with David Walker, President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Former Comptroller General of the United States, Former head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO)


12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
  • MHEC: Discussion of purchasing and CREST agreements

  • Discussion of MnSCU purchasing agreement

  • Discussion on salary freezes and furloughs at MnSCU and U of M

  • S.F. 2941-Saltzman: 4-H funding procedure modification; county and state fair surcharges authorization; University of Minnesota extension service policy modification for 4-H programs support.


1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
  • HF3216 (Masin) Report required on at-risk businesses and a fast-action economic response team created.


  • HF3570 (Newton) Loan program expanded to veteran-owned small businesses.


  • HF2781 (Obermueller) Labor and industry licensing provisions modified, and license fees modified and imposed.


  • HF3324 (Brynaert) Minnesota investment fund expanded, and construction mitigation pilot program grants restriction removed.


2:45 PM
House Capital Investment Finance Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda:
  • Discussion on bonding policy issues


6:30 PM
House Tax Committee
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Ann Lenczewski
Agenda:
  • Supplemental Budget




Looking Ahead

Wednesday, March 17

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda:
  • HF3421 (Mariani) High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.


8:30 AM
Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
  • S.F. 3045-Wiger: Prekindergarten through grade 12 education policy provisions modifications; general education, education excellence, special programs and early childhood education.

  • S.F. 3087-Senjem: Student maltreatment parent notification requirements modifications; disciplined teachers mental health screening requirement; teaching license revocations; mandatory child maltreatment reporting district policy development requirement.

  • S.F. 3131-Clark: Early childhood education and care advisory council statewide school readiness report card creation and implementation recommendations.

  • S.F. 3119-Rummel: Early childhood education and care advisory council membership and duties modifications.


11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House in Session

12:30 PM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
  • S.F. 2858-Robling: State agency deposit receipts amount requirement change; state employee combined charities campaign use of fees clarification.

  • S.F. 3096-Robling: State owned buildings disposal process.

  • S.F. 2188-Betzold: State webmaster position establishment and appointment; state chief information officer policy and report development requirements.


Thursday, March 18

8:30 AM
House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda:
  • HF2952 (Murphy) State employees retirement plan contribution rates increased,
    interest rates on refunds and certain benefit accrual rates reduced, vesting requirements and early retirement reduction rates increased, and certain amortization periods extended.

  • HF3281 (Murphy) Volunteer fire relief associations technical corrections made, break-in-service return revised, Minnesota deferred compensation plan service pension transfers authorized, payout defaults revised in survivor benefits, and corrections of certain special fund deposits authorized.

  • Recommendations from the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.


10:30 AM
House in Session

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
  • Budget Plan Report (March 15th Report)

  • Discussion on absence of federal stimulus funds

  • OLA Report on MnSCU Workforce Programs

  • S.F. 3205-Bonoff: College textbook price availability to students requirement.


1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda:
  • HF3629 (Poppe) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities reorganized, salaries adjusted, central office established, and age increased for free classes.


  • HF3533 (Rukavina) Joint powers agreements may not circumvent or impinge upon the rights of employees covered by certain collective bargaining agreements.

  • Other bills may be added



2:45 PM
House Education K-12 Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Agenda:
  • HF3043 (Kalin) Computer-adaptive assessments provided for general education students.

  • HF3267 (Newton) Advisory task force established on school desegregation and integration.

  • HF3163 (Mariani) Prekindergarten through grade 12 funding provided, including general education, education excellence, special programs, and early childhood education.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Announcement expected today on bonding bill, House to take up HF 1671

Good morning. We anticipate an announcement by the governor today about his line-item veto action on the bonding bill. We will keep you posted as we learn more.

This week we can expect the House to take up HF 1671, the supplemental budget bill, in the Ways and Means committee where it is expected to be merged with a forthcoming tax bill from the House Tax committee. As a reminder, included in that bill is a $10.5 million reduction to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

In the Senate, their version of the supplemental budget bill, SF 3223, was scheduled to be taken up in the Senate Tax committee this morning, but the hearing was canceled. The Senate bill also includes a $10.5 million reduction to the system. Stay tuned as lawmakers continue to work on resolving the almost $1 billion budget deficit.

Senate Supplemental Budget Bill (SF 3223):


House Supplemental Budget bill (HF 1671):
The full bill has not yet been posted. Attached, please find HF 1835, the bill as passed out of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division.

Today at the Capitol

9:00 AM *Meeting Canceled*
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Tom Bakk
Agenda: 2010 Supplemental Budget

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 2629-Sieben: County assistive voting, vote-counting and optical scan equipment grants appropriation.
S.F. 2870-Rest: Legislative auditor audit costs payment authorization from heritage funds appropriations.
S.F. 2915-Dahle: Fiscal note requirements modification.
S.F. 3134-Betzold: State government appropriations, appropriation reductions and one-time transfers.

1:00 PM
House in Session


Looking Ahead

Tuesday, March 16

8:30 AM
Senate Education
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf
Agenda:
S.F. 2757-Bonoff: Teaching board teacher preparation and licensure programs authorization.
S.F. 3104-Saltzman: School and parent conciliation conference requirements clarification.
S.F. 2698-Koch: Graduation required assessment for diploma (GRAD) retake requirement modification.
S.F. 3002-Bonoff: School desegregation and integration advisory task force establishment.

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF2867 (Newton) Child with a disability definition clarified and obligations to children with disabilities specified.
Presentation by Margaret Bird, the director of Utah's Children's Land Alliance Supporting Schools (CLASS) and Kevin Carter, director of the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration on Utah school trust land governance and land management practices

8:30 AM
House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda: HF3389 (Mahoney) Minnesota Science and Technology authority created, and money appropriated.
HF3106 (Bigham) Implied consent, driving while impaired, and ignition interlock provisions modified.
HF3124 (Dill) Aquaculture provisions modified, provisions for taking, possessing, and transporting wild animals modified, fish and wildlife management plans requirements modified, and game and fish license provisions modified.
HF3475 (Dittrich) Independent agency created to oversee management of Minnesota's permanent school fund lands.
HF1828 (Hornstein) Municipal comprehensive plan for affordable housing amendments authorized to be approved by a simple majority.
HF2660 (Thissen) Minnesota Coalition for Innovation and Collaboration created, rule and law waivers provided, and money appropriated.
HF3055 (Thissen) State-County Results, Accountability, and Service Delivery Redesign Act changes made, and public employee status specified for service delivery units.
HF2510 (Gardner) Threats of reprisal against a person who is or is considering being a candidate prohibited.

9:00 AM
Joint Senate Finance and Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chairs: Sen. Richard Cohen and Sen. Tom Bakk
Agenda: Discussion with David Walker, President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Former Comptroller General of the United States, Former head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO)

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
MHEC: Discussion of purchasing and CREST agreements
Discussion of MnSCU purchasing agreement
Discussion on salary freezes and furloughs at MnSCU and U of M
S.F. 2941-Saltzman: 4-H funding procedure modification; county and state fair surcharges authorization; University of Minnesota extension service policy modification for 4-H programs support.
Budget Plan Report (March 15th Report)

1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: TBA

2:45 PM
House Capital Investment Finance Division
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda: Discussion on bonding policy issues

Wednesday, March 17

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: HF3421 (Mariani) High school assessments established to determine college and career readiness.

12:30 PM
House in Session

12:30 Pm
Senate State Government Budget Division
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda:
S.F. 2858-Robling: State agency deposit receipts amount requirement change; state employee combined charities campaign use of fees clarification.
S.F. 3096-Robling: State owned buildings disposal process.
S.F. 2188-Betzold: State webmaster position establishment and appointment; state chief information officer policy and report development requirements.

Thursday, March 18

8:30 AM
House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Gene Pelowski
Agenda: HF2952 (Murphy) State employees retirement plan contribution rates increased, interest rates on refunds and certain benefit accrual rates reduced, vesting requirements and early retirement reduction rates increased, and certain amortization periods extended.
HF3281 (Murphy) Volunteer fire relief associations technical corrections made, break-in-service return revised, Minnesota deferred compensation plan service pension transfers authorized, payout defaults revised in survivor benefits, and corrections of certain special fund deposits authorized.
Recommendations from the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

10:30 AM
House in Session

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda: To be announced

2:45 PM
House Education K-12 Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Agenda:
HF3043 (Kalin) Computer-adaptive assessments provided for general education students.
HF3267 (Newton) Advisory task force established on school desegregation and integration.
HF3163 (Mariani) Prekindergarten through grade 12 funding provided, including general education, education excellence, special programs, and early childhood education.