MINUTES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STATE OF MINNESOTA
EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION TWENTY-FOURTH MEETING
HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE DIVISION
Thomas E. Huntley, Chair
Vice Chair Hosch began the twenty-fourth meeting at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, in Room 200 of the State Office Building. A quorum was not present.
HF 1587 (TSCHUMPER) - Office of Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans staff positions authorized, and money appropriated.
Vice Chair Hosch moved HF 1587 for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
Rep. Tschumper made a brief presentation. Also testifying on behalf of the bill were:
Marge Thurin and Deb Wingert of ElderCare Rights Alliance
Maria Michlin, Acting State Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans also came to the table to respond to questions.
Discussion followed.
A quorum present at 12:38 p.m., Vice Chair Hosch formally called the meeting to order and moved HF 1587 for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
At 12:39 Rep. Abeler assumed the gavel and moved approval of the March 8, 2007 minutes. The motion prevailed.
HF 971 (HOSCH) - Senior citizen programs funding provided, and money appropriated.
Rep. Hosch made a brief presentation of his bill. Also testifying in favor of the bill were:
Jackie Johnson, Director, Central Minnesota Foster Grandparent Program, Sauk Rapids
Erma Peterson, Foster Grandparent Volunteer, Zimmerman
James Miller, Senior Companion Volunteer, East Bethel
Mark Skeie, RSVP Leadership Board and Volunteer, Lake Elmo
Discussion followed.
Rep. Hosch moved the bill be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Chair Abeler renewed the motion that HF 971 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
At 1:05 p.m. Vice Chair Hosch resumes the gavel.
HF 1170 (HAUSMAN) - Living-at-home/block nurse programs grant amounts increased and indexed, number of programs increased, grant administration funding provided, and money appropriated.
The Vice Chair moved HF 1170 for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
Rep. Hausman makes a brief presentation. Also testifying in favor of the bill were:
Lee Greenfield, Chair, Elderberry Institute Board
Before continuing testimony, Vice Chair Hosch introduced in the audience a group of 9th grade students from St. Louis Park High School who were participating in the Minnesota Historical Society Capitol Historic Site's "Voice of the People: Your Role in Minnesota Government" tour and education program. They received a round of applause from the members of the committee.
Continuing the testimony in favor of HF 1170 were:
Connie Feig, Program Director, Atwater Living at Home Block Nurse Program
Margaret Magnuson, Consumer, and Care Recipient, Conway-Battle Creek Living At
Home Block Nurse Program
Rep. Gottwalt moved an oral amendment as follows:
page 2, lines 2.21 through 2.23, delete the new language
Discussion followed.
Gottwalt renewed his oral amendment. The motion prevailed. The amendment was adopted.
Rep. Hausman made closing comments on the bill. Vice Chair Hosch renewed his motion that HF 1170, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
HF 444 (JOHNSON) - Senior nutrition funding restored, grants provided, and money appropriated.
Vice Chair Hosch moved HF 444 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill and Rep. Johnson made a brief presentation of his bill. Also testifying were:
Shep Harris, Jewish Community Relations Council
Zelda Katz, Meals on Wheels Recipient, St. Paul
Carolyn Tonneson, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels
Darlene Morganstern-Loch, Assistant Director, Lutheran Social Services, Senior Nutrition
Discussion followed and Rep. Johnson made closing comments about the bill.
Vice Chair Hosch renewed his motion that HF 444 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill and adjourned the meeting at 1:58 p.m.
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Larry Hosch, Vice Chair
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Jan Horner, Committee Legislative Assistant