STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-THIRD SESSION
HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Representative Gene Pelowski, Chair of the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM on March 9, 2023, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
PELOWSKI, Gene, Chair
WOLGAMOTT, Dan, Vice Chair
O’NEILL, Marion, Republican Lead
COULTER, Nathan
DAVIDS, Greg
HANSON, Jessica
HICKS, Kim
KLEVORN, Ginny
ROBBINS, Kristin
SCOTT, Peggy
VANG, Samantha
Members excused:
MCDONALD, Joe
NOOR, Mohamud
A quorum was present.
Representative Wolgamott moved that the minutes from March 7, 2023 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1161 (Wolgamott) Public employee definition exclusions modified.
Representative Wolgamott moved that HF 1161 be referred to the General Register.
Representative Wolgamott moved the H1161A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Wolgamott presented HF 1161 as amended.
Testifying:
• Jonathan Bohn, Director of Public Affairs, Inter Faculty Organization
Representative Wolgamott renewed the motion that HF 1161 as amended be referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1789 (Hicks) Education initiative funding provided to support students who are or were in foster care, and money appropriated.
Chair Pelowski brought HF 1789 before the committee.
Representative Hicks moved the H1789A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Hicks presented HF 1789 as amended on an informational basis.
Testifying:
• Meghan Flores, State Grant and State Financial Aid Manager, Office of Higher Education
• Ariana Guerra, Director of Systems Change, Foster Advocates
• Shane Read, Foster Leader, Foster Advocates
• Vivian Dudley, Foster Leader, Foster Advocates
• Hoang Murphy, Founder and Executive Director, Foster Advocates
The committee concluded discussion on HF 1789 and the bill was kept in possession of the committee.
HF 165 (Coulter) Paramedic scholarship program established, reports required, and money appropriated.
Chair Pelowski brought HF 165 before the committee.
Representative Coulter presented HF 165 on an informational basis.
Testifying:
• Buck McAlpin, Lobbyist, Minnesota Ambulance Association
• Dylan Ferguson, Executive Director, Minnesota State Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board
The committee concluded discussion on HF 165 and the bill was kept in possession of the committee.
HF 1435 (Vang) College Possible; report required, grant funding provided to support programs of college admission and graduation for low-income students, and money appropriated.
Chair Pelowski brought HF 1435 before the committee.
Representative Vang presented HF 1435 on an informational basis.
Testifying:
• Paula Kashtan, Director of Institutional Engagement, College Possible
• Isaiah Allen, Senior Director of External Relations, College Possible
The committee concluded discussion on HF 1435 and the bill was kept in possession of the committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:51 AM.
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Representative Gene Pelowski, Chair
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Alayna Smieja, Committee Legislative Assistant