TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FIRST SESSION

EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 2:38 P.M. on, Tuesday, February 18, 2020, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

YOUAKIM, Cheryl (Chair)
KUNESH-PODEIN, Mary (Vice-Chair)
ERICKSON, Sondra (GOP-Lead)
BAKER, Dave
BENNETT, Peggy
BIERMAN, Robert
CHRISTENSEN, Shelly
GRUENHAGEN, Glenn
HASSAN, Hodan
JORDAN, Sydney
MARIANI, Carlos
MOLLER, Kelly
SANDELL, Steve
SCOTT, Peggy
URDAHL, Dean
WAZLAWIK, Ami

Members excused:
BAHR, Cal
HER, Kaohly

A quorum was present.

Representative Urdahl moved that the minutes of March 27, 2019 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


HF 3179 (Sandell) School district transportation contracts clarified.

Representative Sandell moved HF 3179 be recommended to be placed on the General Register.

Representative Sandell moved the A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Sandell presented HF 3179.

Scott McMahon from Flaherty and Hood testified in support of the bill on behalf of his client, the Minnesota School Bus Operators.

Chair Youakim renewed Rep. Sandell’s motion that HF 3179, as amended, be recommended to be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


HF 125 (Bennett) Education finance; evidence-based grant standard established for any legislative grants awarded to organizations for prekindergarten through grade 12 education programs, and report required.

Representative Bennett moved HF 125 be recommended to be placed on the General Register.

Representative Bennett moved the DE1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Bennett presented HF 125.

Representative Bennett renewed her motion that HF 125, as amended, be recommended to be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


School Gun Violence Presentation

Dr. Jillian Peterson from Hamline University and Dr. James Densley from Metropolitan State University presented their findings from The Violence Project, a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to reducing violence in society and improving policy and practice through research and analysis.

Dr. Peterson and Dr. Densley answered questions from members.


ClearWay Vaping Presentation

The following testifiers presented data and findings regarding the use of e-cigarettes among Minnesota youth:
Molly Moilanen, Co-Chair of Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation;
LaTrisha Vetaw, Health and Policy Advocacy Manager of NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center;
Sue Nokleby, Former President of School Nurse Organization of Minnesota;
Kerry Juntunen, Superintendent of Hermantown Community Schools;
Adetoni Adelagun and Siham Abdilahi, students from John Glenn Middle School in Maplewood.

Testifiers answered questions from members.


HF 3166 (Edelson) Vaping awareness and prevention instruction for public school students required.

Representative Christensen moved HF 3166 be recommended to be re-referred to the Education Finance Division.

Representative Edelson presented HF 3166 and took questions on the bill.

Arjun Maheshwari, student and youth leader at Edina High School, testified in support of the bill.

Andrew Thompson, student at Minnetonka High School, testified in support of the bill.

Lisa Smith, health and P.E. teacher at Lakeview South High School, testified in support of the bill.

Sarah Lien, Director of Marketing at Cambria, testified in support of the bill.

Testifiers answered questions from members.

Chair Youakim renewed Representative Christensen’s motion that HF 3166 be recommended to be re-referred to the Education Finance Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


HF 3164 (Edelson) Vaping prevention pilot grant created, and money appropriated.

Representative Christensen moved HF 3164 be recommended to be re-referred to the Education Finance Division.

Representative Edelson presented HF 3164 and took questions on the bill.

Chair Youakim renewed Representative Christensen’s motion that HF 3164 be recommended to be re-referred to the Education Finance Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


Chair Youakim made several administrative announcements to the committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:14 P.M.





Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair




Megan Arriola,
Committee Legislative Assistant