STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee
MINUTES
Representative Quam, Chair of the Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee, began the meeting at 1:00 PM, on ¬¬¬¬¬February 26, 2025, in Room G23 of the State Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
QUAM, Duane, Chair
ALTENDORF, Pam, Vice Chair
ACOMB, Patty
COULTER, Nathan
DAVIS, Ben
GORDON, Jimmy
GREENMAN, Emma
LEE, Liz
McDONALD, Joe
ROACH, Drew
VIRNIG, Bianca
Non-Voting member present:
FREIBERG, Mike
Members excused:
Representative McDonald moved the minutes of February 24, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1329 (KOZNICK) METROPOLITAN COUNCIL GOVERNANCE MODIFIED, AND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD ELIMINATED.
Chair Quam moved HF1329 before the committee.
Chair Quam moved the DE2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Lee moved to rerefer HF1329 to the Transportation Committee and requested a roll call. The results were:
AYES
ACOMB, Patty
COULTER, Nathan
GREENMAN, Emma
LEE, Liz
VIRNIG, Bianca
NAYS
QUAM, Duane
ALTENDORF, Pam
DAVIS, Ben
GORDON, Jimmy
McDONALD, Joe
ROACH, Drew
On a vote of 5 AYES and 6 NAYS, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Representative Lee moved to table HF1329 and requested a roll call vote. The results were:
AYES
ACOMB, Patty
COULTER, Nathan
GREENMAN, Emma
LEE, Liz
VIRNIG, Bianca
NAYS
QUAM, Duane
ALTENDORF, Pam
DAVIS, Ben
GORDON, Jimmy
McDONALD, Joe
ROACH, Drew
On a vote of 5 AYES and 6 NAYS, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Chair Quam moved HF1329, as amended, be referred to the General Register. Representative Lee requested a roll call. The results were:
AYES
QUAM, Duane
ALTENDORF, Pam
DAVIS, Ben
GORDON, Jimmy
McDONALD, Joe
ROACH, Drew
NAYS
ACOMB, Patty
COULTER, Nathan
GREENMAN, Emma
LEE, Liz
VIRNIG, Bianca
On a vote of 6 AYES and 5 NAYS, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF931 (NASH) REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO CERTAIN MAILINGS CONTAINING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION OR SAMPLE BALLOT SENT BY OR ON BEHALF OF A COMMITTEE OR OTHER PRIVATE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED.
Chair Quam moved HF931 before the committee.
Testifiers:
Michael Stalberger, Minnesota Association of County Officers
Matt Hilgart, Association of Minnesota Counties
Nicole Freeman, Government Relations Director, Office of the Secretary of State
Kirk Pederson, Hennepin County
Chair Quam moved HF931 be referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF1253 (DAVIS) REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE RETURN OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS ON ELECTION DAY MODIFIED, AND ABSENTEE VOTING PEIOD MODIFIED FOR CERTAIN VOTERS.
Representative Davis moved HF1253 before the committee.
Testifiers:
Jory Danielson, Administrative Services Director, Crow Wing County
Paul Linnell, State Election Director, Office of the Secretary of State
Representative Davis moved HF1253 be referred to the General Register. Representative Lee requested a roll call. The results were:
AYES
QUAM, Duane
ALTENDORF, Pam
DAVIS, Ben
GORDON, Jimmy
McDONALD, Joe
ROACH, Drew
NAYS
ACOMB, Patty
COULTER, Nathan
GREENMAN, Emma
LEE, Liz
VIRNIG, Bianca
On a vote of 6 AYES and 5 NAYS, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF124 (BERG) ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN GIFTS RELATED TO A LINE OF DUTY DEATH OF A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER ALLOWED.
Chair Quam moved HF124, first engrossment, before the committee.
Testifiers:
BJ Jungmann, Fire Chief, City of Burnsville
Tanya Schwartz, Police Chief, City of Burnsville
Chair Quam moved HF124, first engrossment, be referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF977 (FREIBERG) MONEY TRANSFERRED TO THE VOTING OPERATIONS, TECHNOLOGY, AND ELECTION RESOURCES ACCOUNT.
Chair Quam moved HF977 before the committee.
Testifiers:
Steve Gardner, Commissioner, Kandiyohi County
Michael Stalberger, Minnesota Association of County Officers
Steve Simon, Secretary of State
Chair Quam laid HF977 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:44 PM.
Representative Duane Quam, Chair
Rebecca Reiners, Committee Legislative Assistant