STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTY-FIRST MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SECOND SESSION
STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
Representative Michael V. Nelson, Chair of the Committee, called the virtual State Government Finance & Elections Committee meeting to order at 8:31 AM, February 15, 2022 pursuant to House rule 10.01. The meeting was conducted over Zoom and broadcast via House Public Information Services.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
NELSON, Michael V. - Chair
CARLSON, Andrew - Vice Chair
NASH, Jim - Minority Lead
BAHNER, Kristin
DRAZKOWSKI, Steve
ELKINS, Steve
GREENMAN, Emma
KLEVORN, Ginny
KOZNICK, Jon
MASIN, Sandra
NEU BRINDLEY, Anne
PELOWSKI, Gene
QUAM, Duane
A quorum was present.
Representative Klevorn moved that the minutes for February 14, 2022, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Nelson moved that HF2618 be referred to the General Register.
Representative Hansen presented HF2618, cities required to allow native landscapes on private land, and vegetation overgrowth within cities prohibited.
The following testified on HF2618:
Elaine Evans, Department of Entomology, U of M
Heidi Heiland, Owner, Heidi's GrowHaus & Lifestyle Gardens
Jason Rathe, Field Outdoor Spaces
Tim Malooly, Irrigation by Design
Scott Frampton, Co-Owner, Landscape Renovations
The following submitted written testimonies on HF2618:
Joanna Eckles, Conservation Biologist, Avian specialist
Dale Gentry, Conservation Manager, Audubon Minnesota
Laurie Schneider, Executive Director, Pollinator Friendly Alliance
Paulita LaPlante, CSO & Partner, Prescription Landscape Inc.
Jeff Dinsmore, Co-founder, Humming for Bees
Patricia Hauser, Co-founder, Humming for Bees
Mike Lund, Government Relations Specialist, Metro Cities
John Bly, Director of Operations & Special Projects
Craig A. Johnson, Intergovernmental Relations Representative, League of Minnesota Cities
Dell Eriksson, Citizen
Margot Monson, Entomologist
Chair Nelson renewed the motion that HF2618 be referred to the General Register.
The clerk noted the roll.
AYES
NELSON, Michael V. - Chair
CARLSON, Andrew - Vice Chair
BAHNER, Kristin
ELKINS, Steve
GREENMAN, Emma
KLEVORN, Ginny
KOZNICK, Jon
MASIN, Sandra
PELOWSKI, Gene
NAYS
NASH, Jim - Minority Lead
DRAZKOWSKI, Steve
NEU BRINDLEY, Anne
QUAM, Duane
With a vote of 9 AYES and 4 NAYS, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Nelson moved that the HF2894 division report be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Nelson moved that HF2894 be referred to the General Register.
Representative Huot presented HF2894, subordinate service district establishment by counties permitted.
The following testified on HF2894:
Commissioner Mike Slavik, Dakota County
Sheriff Tim Leslie, Dakota County
Chair Nelson renewed the motion that HF2894 be referred to the General Register.
The clerk noted the roll.
AYES
NELSON, Michael V. - Chair
CARLSON, Andrew - Vice Chair
BAHNER, Kristin
ELKINS, Steve
GREENMAN, Emma
KLEVORN, Ginny
KOZNICK, Jon
MASIN, Sandra
PELOWSKI, Gene
NAYS
NASH, Jim - Minority Lead
DRAZKOWSKI, Steve
NEU BRINDLEY, Anne
QUAM, Duane
With a vote of 9 AYES and 4 NAYS, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Nelson moved HF2454 to be referred to the General Register.
Representative N. Nelson presented HF2454, Public Utilities Commission membership increase permitted.
The following testified on HF2454:
Greg Ardner, Chair, Mora Public Utilities Commission
Mayor Alan Skramstad, Mora
Chair Nelson renewed the motion that HF2454 be referred to the General Register.
The clerk noted the roll.
AYES
NELSON, Michael V. - Chair
CARLSON, Andrew - Vice Chair
NASH, Jim - Minority Lead
BAHNER, Kristin
DRAZKOWSKI, Steve
ELKINS, Steve
GREENMAN, Emma
KLEVORN, Ginny
KOZNICK, Jon
MASIN, Sandra
NEU BRINDLEY, Anne
PELOWSKI, Gene
QUAM, Duane
With a vote of 13 AYES, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The committee recessed at 9:43 AM.
The committee reconvened at 6:01 PM.
Chair Nelson moved HF3190 to be laid over for future consideration.
Chair Nelson moved Amendment H3190A5. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Nelson moved Amendment H3190A6. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Nash moved Amendment H3190A4 and called for a Roll Call Vote.
The clerk noted the roll.
AYES
NASH, Jim - Minority Lead
DRAZKOWSKI, Steve
KOZNICK, Jon
NEU BRINDLEY, Anne
QUAM, Duane
NAYS
NELSON, Michael V. - Chair
CARLSON, Andrew - Vice Chair
ELKINS, Steve
GREENMAN, Emma
KLEVORN, Ginny
PELOWSKI, Gene
ABSENT
BAHNER, Kristin
MASIN, Sandra
With a vote of 5 AYES, 6 NAYS, and 2 ABSENT, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
The following testified on HF3190 as amended:
Aaron McKean, Legal Counsel, State & Local Reform, Campaign Legal Center
Arline Datu, ISAIAH
Jeff Sigurdson, Executive Director, Minnesota Campaign Finance Board
The following submitted written testimonies on HF3190 as amended:
Chris Conry, Campaign Director, 100% Campaign
George Beck, Board Member, Clean Elections Minnesota
Aaron McKean, Legal Counsel, Campaign Legal Center
Representative Long presented HF3190, as amended, campaign finance; communication express advocacy definition modified, independent expenditure disclaimer additional information required, and Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board directed to adopt rules on small electronic communication disclaimer requirements.
Chair Nelson renewed the motion that HF3190, as amended, be laid over for future consideration.
Chair Nelson moved HF2857 to be laid over for future consideration.
Representative Nash presented HF2857, elections; absentee or sample ballot application mailing requirements provided for committee or private organization.
The following testified on HF2857:
Matt Gehring, Staff Coordinator / Attorney, Minnesota House of Representatives
Nicole Freeman, Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State
Chair Nelson renewed the motion that HF2857 be laid over for future consideration.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM.
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Representative Michael Nelson, Chair
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Benjamin Brinks, Committee Legislative Assistant