STATE OF MINNESOTA TWELFTH 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 8:17 AM on Thursday, March 6th, 2025, in the G3 Room of the Capitol.
Representative Mekeland moved the minutes for Wednesday, March 5th, 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
JOHNSON, Pete
JOHNSON, Wayne
MUELLER, Patricia
SCHULTZ, Isaac
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
Non-voting member present:
PINTO, Dave, Minority Lead
Members Excused:
HUSSEIN, Samakab
KOZOWSKI, Liish
The committee heard testimony from bill author, Representative Natalie Zeleznikar, regarding H.F. 500 – Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board wage and benefit recommended increases modified.
Representative Greenman moved to withdraw amendment H0500DE3. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chairman Baker moved to approve Amendment H0500A1 to bill H.F 500. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The committee also heard testimony from:
Teresa Brees, SEIU Healthcare MN and IA
Brian Elliot, SEIU Healthcare
Vicki and Samantha Knigge, Worthington MN (via zoom)
Kyle Berndt, Long Term Care Imperative
Elyse Bailey, DHS Budget Director
Representative Greenman moved to refer bill H.F. 500 to the State Government and Finance Policy Committee. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Representative Greenman moved to refer bill H.F. 500 to Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Chairman Baker moved to refer the bill of the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The committee heard testimony from bill author, Representative Natalie Zeleznikar, regarding H.F. 718 – Hired grant funding provided.
The committee also heard testimony from:
Jill Brekke, President and CEO, Hired
Liz Tratnik, Senior Manager, Medtronic
Bill H.F. 718 was laid over for future consideration.
Vice Chair Mekeland assumed the gavel while the committee heard testimony from Chairman Dave Baker regarding, H.F.1096- Summit Academy OIC funding appropriation.
The committee also heard testimony from Leroy West, President of Summit Academy and Dami Mafe, Summit Academy IT Graduate.
Bill H.F. 1096 was laid over for future consideration.
The committee heard testimony from Representative Greenman on behalf of Representative Hussein regarding H.F. 1246 – Neighborhood Development Center grant funding provided.
The committee also heard testimony from:
Renay Dossman, President and CEO, Neighborhood Development Center
Dalton Outlaw, President and CEO of Outlaw Development and Owner of Element Fitness.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 AM.
Representative Dave Baker, Chair
Ann C. Tepoorten, Committee Legislative Assistant