STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTY-FOURTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE AND POLICY DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative David Bly, Vice Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division, called the meeting to order at 1:35 P.M. on Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Rukavina, Tom, Chair
Bly, David, Vice Chair
Anderson, Sarah
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
Dettmer, Bob
Downey, Keith
Eastlund, Rob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Mahoney, Tim
McFarlane, Carol
Murphy, Mary
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Obermueller, Mike
Poppe, Jeanne
Reinert, Roger
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
Members excused:
Atkins, Joe
A quorum was present.
HF 737 (Rukavina)
Representative Rukavina moved that HF 737 be recommended to pass and be referred to the Finance Committee.
Representative Rukavina presented HF 737, relating to economic development; providing certification for rehabilitation counselors for the blind.
Jennifer Dunnam, President, National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding HF 737.
Questions and discussion followed.
Richard Strong, Director, State Services for the Blind, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) introduced himself and assisted with answering questions.
Representative Bly moved to reconsider HF 737. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
March 18, 2010
Page Two
Representative Rukavina moved that HF 737 be recommended to pass and be referred to the Finance Committee.
Representative Rukavina moved to amend HF 737 with the amendment
H0737A1. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Rukavina renewed his motion that HF 737 as amended be recommended to pass and be referred to the Finance Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3616 (Newton)
Representative Bly moved that HF 3616 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion.
Representative Newton presented HF 3616, relating to higher education; providing a waiver of overdue payments.
Representative Rukavina assumed the chair.
Representative Haws moved to amend HF 3616 with the delete everything amendment
H3616DE3.
Questions and discussion followed.
Christopher Dale, Assistant Director for Labor Relations, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3616.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Haws renewed his motion to amend HF 3616 with the delete everything amendment H3616DE3. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Bly moved that HF 3616 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion.
HF 2849 (Norton)
Representative Norton moved that HF 2849 be recommended to pass and be referred to the Finance Committee.
Representative Norton moved to amend HF 2849 with the amendment
H2849A1, attached.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Norton presented HF 2849 as amended, relating to business development; providing for a comprehensive study of state laws affecting small business start-ups in Minnesota and Wisconsin; appropriating money.
Questions and discussion followed.
Kate Paris, Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI), introduced herself and provided testimony regarding HF 2849.
Questions and discussion followed.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
March 18, 2010
Page Three
Representative Norton renewed her motion that HF 2849 as amended be recommended to pass and be referred to the Finance Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3629 (Poppe)
Representative Poppe moved that HF 3629 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion.
Representative Poppe presented HF 3629, relating to higher education; reorganizing the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; adjusting salaries; establishing a central office; increasing the age for free classes.
Representative Downey assumed the chair.
Representative Poppe continued her presentation.
Questions and discussion followed.
Roderick Henry, President, Inter Faculty Organization (IFO), introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3629.
Questions and discussion followed.
Anne-Marie Ryan-Guest, President, Minnesota State College Faculty (MSCF), introduced herself and provided testimony regarding HF 3629.
Questions and discussion followed.
Jennifer Weil, Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA), introduced herself and provided testimony regarding HF 3629.
Questions and discussion followed.
James McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3629.
Scott Thiss, Chair, Audit Committee, MnSCU Board of Trustees, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3629.
Questions and discussion followed.
Doug Berg, House Fiscal Analyst, discussed the spreadsheet in the packet.
Chair Rukavina noted that his bill, HF 3533, would be heard next week.
Representative Poppe renewed her motion that HF 3629 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant