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Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

SEVENTH MEETING

2025-2026 Regular Session - Tuesday, February 25, 2025

STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION

WORKFORCE, LABOR, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Representative Baker, Chair of the Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 8:17AM on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025, in the G3 Room of the Capitol.

Representative Mekeland moved the minutes for Thursday February 20th, 2025, to be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

A Quorum was present.

Members present:

BAKER, Dave Chair
MEKELAND, Shane Vice-Chair
BAKEBERG, Ben
BERG, Kaela
FRAZIER, Cedrick
GREENMAN, Emma
HUSSEIN, Samakab
JOHNSON, Pete
JOHNSON, Wayne
KOZLOWSKI, Liish
MUELLER, Patricia
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie

Non-voting member present:

PINTO, Dave, Minority Lead

Members Excused:
SCHULTZ, Isaac

The Committee heard testimony from the following:

Evan Rowe, Assistant Commissioner, DEED

Greg Norfleet, Director, Paid Family and Medical Leave Program

The Committee heard testimony from bill author, Representative Hicks, regarding H.F. 261. Chairman Baker offered an author’s amendment, labeled H0661A1.

The amendment was adopted.

Additional testifiers were Kyle Mullen, Adult Services Director, Workforce Development, Inc., Tona Davidson (citizen) and Rebecca Sullivan (citizen).

H.F. 661 was laid over for future consideration.

The committee heard testimony from bill author Representative Davids, regarding H.F. 610.

Additional testifiers were Mary Morem, Superintendent, and William Carlson, student, from Houston Public Schools.

H.F. 610 was laid over for future consideration.

The committee heard testimony from Representative Rymer and Representative Wayne Johnson, regarding H.F.606 and H.F. 1376, respectively.

Additional testifiers were Bo Njoroge, FATHER engagement coordinator, Family Service Rochester and Andrew Freeberg, FATHER Project Program Director, Goodwill Easter Seals MN.

H.F. 606 and H.F. 1376 were presented jointly and both bills were laid over for future consideration.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 AM.










Representative Dave Baker, Chair




Ann C. Tepoorten, Committee Legislative Assistant



More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF661 (Hicks) - Bridges to Healthcare funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF610 (Davids) - Emergency medicine career pathways program funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
  • HF606 (Rymer) - FATHER Project grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF1376 (Johnson) - FATHER Project grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
House TV Video:
View Archive

00:55 - Conclusion of questions from overview by Department of Employment and Economic Development regarding paid leave program buildout.
47:09 - HF661 (Hicks) Bridges to Healthcare funding provided, and money appropriated.
1:03:17 - HF610 (Davids) Emergency medicine career pathways program funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
1:25:17 - HF606 (Rymer)/HF1376 (Johnson, W.) FATHER Project grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
Runs 1 hour, 42 minutes.


I. Conclusion of questions from overview by Dept. of Employment and Economic Development regarding paid leave program buildout

II. H.F. 661 (Hicks) - Bridges to Healthcare funding provided

III. H.F. 610 (Davids) - Emergency medicine career pathways program appropriation

IV. H.F. 606 (Rymer) / H.F. 1376 (Johnson, W) - FATHER Project grant funding provided
**** this bill will be presented jointly with a bill being introduced by Rep. Wayne Johnson on Monday, Feb. 24th. Both bills will be laid over.