STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee
MINUTES
Representative Robbins, Acting-Chair of the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:01 PM, on April 1, 2025, in Room G23 of the Minnesota Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
WOLGAMOTT, Dan, Co-Chair, DFL
SCHWARTZ, Erica, Co-Vice Chair, GOP
COULTER, Nathan, Co-Vice Chair, DFL
ALLEN, Keith
DURAN, Bidal
HANSON, Jessica
HICKS, Kim
KLEVORN, Ginny
LIEBLING, Tina
NOOR, Mohamud
NOVOTNY, Paul
ROBBINS, Kristin
SCOTT, Peggy
Members Excused:
RARICK, Marion, Co-Chair, GOP
Representative Schwartz moved the minutes of March 27th, 2025, be approved.
HF2634 (Bakeberg) North Star Promise scholarship’s eligibility conditions limited to students in programs in high-demand industries and occupations.
Acting-Chair Robbins moved that HF2634 be laid over.
Representative Bakeberg presented HF2634.
Brad Gruhot, President, Marshell Area Chamber of Commerce, testified in favor of HF2634.
Christie Ransom, President and CEO, Winona Area Chamber of Commerce, testified in favor of HF2634.
Lauryn Schothorst, Director, Workplace Management and Workforce Development Policy, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, testified in favor of HF2634.
Mike Dean, Executive Director, North Star Prosperity, testified in opposition to HF2634.
Jessica Rose Sander, Student, University of Minnesota, testified in opposition to HF2634.
Wendy Robinson, Assistant Commissioner for Program, Policy, and Grants, Office of Higher Education, provided information on the HF2634 fiscal note.
Acting-Chair Robbins renewed the motion that HF2634 be laid over. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Acting-Chair Robbins renewed the motion to approve the minutes of March 27th, 2025. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF2610 (Rarick) Cybersecurity permitted to be offered as an applied doctoral degree.
Acting-Chair Robbins moved that HF2610 be laid over.
Representative Hanson presented HF2610.
Ginny Arthur, President, Metro State University, testified in favor of HF2610
Acting-Chair Robbins renewed the motion that HF2610 be laid over. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF2241 (Scott) In-state residency and work requirement for recipients of North Star Promise scholarships imposed.
Acting-Chair Robbins moved the A3 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Acting-Chair Robbins moved the A2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Acting-Chair Robbins moved that HF2241, as amended, be laid over.
Representative Scott presented HF2241, as amended.
Christie Ransom, President and CEO, Winona Area Chamber of Commerce, testified in favor of HF2241, as amended.
Shae Horning, Student, University of Minnesota, testified in opposition to HF2241, as amended.
Karina Villeda, Student, University of Minnesota, testified in opposition to HF2241, as amended.
Acting-Chair Robbins renewed the motion that HF2241, as amended, be laid over. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF2520 (Skraba) University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute Minnesota Green Iron Initiative funding provided, and money appropriated.
Acting-Chair Robbins moved that HF2520 be laid over.
Representative Skraba presented HF2520.
Rolf Weberg Ph.D., Executive Director, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, testified in favor of HF2520.
Acting-Chair Robbins renewed the motion that HF2520 be laid over. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF2649 (Knudsen) Disclosure of employment opportunities for fields of study required, institution eligibility for state student aid modified, and report required.
Acting-Chair Robbins moved the A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Acting-Chair Robbins moved that HF2649, as amended, be laid over.
Acting-Chair Robbins renewed the motion that HF2649, as amended, be laid over. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:37 PM
Representative Marion Rarick, Chair
James Cook, Committee Legislative Assistant