STATE OF MINNESOTA ELEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FINANCE AND POLICY
MINUTES
Representative West, Chair of the Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 3:01 PM on March 18, 2025, in Room 123 of the State Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
WEST, Nolan, GOP Chair
KOTYZA-WITTHUHN, Carlie, DFL Chair
NELSON, Nathan, GOP Vice-Chair
HANSON, Jessica, DFL Vice-Chair
ALTENDORF, Pam
COULTER, Nathan
HEMMINGSEN-JAEGER, Amanda
HICKS, Kim
McDONALD, Joe
NADEAU, Danny
OLSON, Bjorn
PÉREZ-VEGA, Maria Isa
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved the minutes of March 12, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF2135 (Pinto) Fiscal analysis of child welfare system required; comprehensive child welfare program, practice, and service evaluation required; reports required; and money appropriated.
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved HF2135 before the Committee.
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved to adopt the HF2135 DE3 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifier:
Doctor Traci Laliberte, Executive Director Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, University of Minnesota
Chair West laid over HF2135, as amended.
HF776 (Hanson J.) Family assets for independence program funding provided, and money appropriated.
Vice Chair Hanson moved HF776 before the Committee.
Testifiers:
Dave Murphy, Family Assets For Independence in MN (FAIM) Program Director
Mayra Espitia, FAIM Program Participant
Chair West laid over HF776.
Vice-Chair Nelson assumed the gavel at 3:56 PM.
HF2226 (West) Background study requirements for childcare providers modified.
Chair West moved HF2226 be re-referred to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee.
Testifiers:
Adrian Lundeen-Hornung, People Serving People
Hoang Murphy, CEO, People Serving People
Chair West renewed the motion to re-refer HF2226 to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair West assumed the gavel at 4:40 PM.
HF1581 (Hicks) Diaper distribution grant program funding provided, and money appropriated.
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved HF1581 before the Committee.
Chair West laid over HF1581.
HF1158 (Hicks) Diaper distribution program modified.
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved HF1158 before the Committee.
Testifiers:
Amy Smith, Advocacy Chair, Diaper Bank of Minnesota
Gina San Buenaventura, Board Member and Volunteer, Way of the Lord Church
Chair West laid over HF1158.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:51 PM.
Representative Nolan West, Chair
Elizabeth Laukka, Committee Legislative Assistant