STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Education Finance Committee
MINUTES
Representative Kresha, Chair of the Education Finance Committee, began the meeting at 1:00PM, on April 1, 2025, in Room 120 of the Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
KRESHA, Ron, GOP Chair
YOUAKIM, Cheryl, DFL Chair
BAKEBERG, Ben, GOP Vice Chair
CLARDY, Mary Frances, DFL Vice Chair
ALTENDORF, Pam
BAHNER, Kristin
BENNETT, Peggy
DIPPEL, Tom
ENGEN, Elliot
GREENE, Julie
HILL, Josiah
HUDSON, Walter
JOHNSON, Pete
LEE, Liz
KNUDSEN, Krista
LAWRENCE, Bryan
MUELLER, Patricia
PEREZ-VEGA, Maria Isa
QUAM, Duane
REHM, Lucy
REHRAUER, Kari
RYMER, Max
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
VIRNIG, Bianca
Representative Bennett moved the minutes of March 27, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF1161 (IGO) - SCHOOL DISTRICT SEASONAL TAX BASE REPLACEMENT AID
Chair Kresha moved the bill before the committee.
Representative Igo presented on HF1161.
Testifiers:
Aaron Riehle, Educator, Grand Rapids Public Schools
Gina Kleive, Superintendent, Lake Superior Public Schools (Remote)
Matt Grose, Superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools (Remote)
Chair Kresha laid over HF1161 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date.
HF2201 (MYERS) - LOCAL OPTIONAL AID FOR SCHOOLS INCREASED, STATE-PAID FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES TO FAMILIES WITH INCOMES AT OR BELOW 500 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL LIMITED, AND MONEY APPROPRIATED.
Chair Kresha moved the bill before the committee.
Representative Myers presented on HF2201.
Testifiers:
Kent Pekel, Rochester Superintendent
Dan Olson, School Board, Minnetonka Schools
Matt Shaver, EdAllies
Leah Gardner, Hunger Solutions
Lori Smith, Head Cook, St Cloud Public Schools
Kate Lynne Snyder, Education Minnesota
Adosh Unni, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota Department of Education
Chair Kresha moved the A1 amendment.
Chair Kresha withdrew the A1 amendment.
Chair Kresha moved the A2 amendment.
Chair Kresha withdrew the A2 amendment.
Chair Kresha laid over HF2201 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date.
HF2786 (BENNETT) - REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MODIFIED.
Representative Bennett moved the bill before the committee.
Representative Bennett presented on HF2786.
Chair Kresha moved the A1 amendment.
Chair Kresha withdrew the A1 amendment.
Chair Kresha laid over HF2786 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date.
HF1053 (BAKEBERG) - REENROLLMENT AFTER STUDENT WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL ENCOURAGED, AND NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR THE FAMILY OF AN UNENROLLED CHILD.
Vice Chair Bakeberg moved the bill before the committee.
Vice Chair Bakeberg moved the DE4 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Greene moved the A4 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Vice Chair Bakeberg presented on HF1053, as amended.
Representative Keeler presented on HF1053, as amended.
Testifiers:
Ashley Hightower, Be at School Program, Hennepin County
Adosh Unni, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota Department of Education
Chair Kresha laid over HF1053, as amended, for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date.
HF51 (VIRNIG) - EDUCATION FINANCE; ROOF PROJECTS AUTHORIZED AS PART OF THE LONG-TERM FACILITIES MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
Representative Virnig moved the bill before the committee.
Representative Virnig presented on HF51.
Testifiers:
Seth Putz, St. Peter Public Schools
Patricia Magnuson, St. Louis Park School District
Evan Gough, Goodhue Public Schools.
Chair Kresha laid over HF51 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45PM.
Representative Ron Kresha, Chair
Jynell Boulka, Committee Legislative Assistant