Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

TWENTY-FIRST MEETING

2025-2026 Regular Session - Thursday, March 27, 2025

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIRST 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 8:18 AM on Thursday, March 27th, 2025, in the G3 Room of the Capitol.

Vice Chair Mekeland moved the minutes for Wednesday March 26th, 2025, to be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

A quorum was present.

Members present:

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




H.F. 1965 (Johnson, W.) – Small business assistance partnerships program appropriation

Testifier:
Michelle Marotzke, Kandiyohi County Economic Development, via zoom
Mary Ssegirinya, Found and Owner, Patience N Bubbles Child Care, via zoom
Lee Hall, CEO, Nextstage

H.F. 1965 was laid over for future consideration.




H.F. 2251 (Baker) Department of Employment and Economic development policy modifications.

Presentation by Deven Bowdry, Director of Government Relations, Department of Employment and Economic Development.

H.F 2251 was laid over for future consideration.

Department of Employment and Economic Development updates on vocational rehabilitative services.

Presentation by Evan Rowe, Commissioner, Department of Employment and Economic Development.



H.F. 2838 (Hicks) Vocational rehabilitation services program funding provided.

Testifiers:
Renae Schultz, Vocational Rehabilitation Services Counselor, Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development, via zoom
Chandra Peterson, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Minnesota Department
Of Employment and Economic Development, via zoom
Sheenah Jewison MS, CRC, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development, via zoom

H.F. 2838 was laid over for future consideration.

.

H.F. 1538 (Mueller) Teacher apprenticeship funding provided.

Representative Mueller moved that the DE3 amendment to H.F. 1538 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Testifiers:
Kate Lynne Snyder, Lobbyist, Education MN
Kelly Krick Oborn, University of St. Thomas School of Education, via zoom
Gina Boots, Brightworks
Erin Larsen, Director, Apprenticeship Minnesota
Sara Paul, Superintendent, North Branch Public Schools
Teri Priesler, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Danaya Franke, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota


H.F. 1538, as amended, was laid over for future consideration.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 AM.





Representative Dave Baker, Chair




Ann C. Tepoorten, Committee Legislative Assistant



More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF1538 (Mueller) - Teacher apprenticeships funding provided, report required, and money appropriated.
  • HF1965 (Johnson) - Small business assistance partnership program funding provided.
  • HF2251 (Baker) - Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board membership modified, state services for the blind vendor facilities modified, and reporting requirements modified.
  • HF2838 (Hicks) - Vocational rehabilitation services program funding provided, and money appropriated.
House TV Video:
View Archive

01:26 - HF1965 (Johnson, W.) Small business assistance partnership program funding provided.
13:54 - HF2251 (Baker) Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board membership modified, state services for the blind vendor facilities modified, and reporting requirements modified.
17:18 - Vocational Rehabilitation Services update by Department of Employment and Economic Development.
1:10:26 - HF2838 (Hicks) Vocational rehabilitation services program funding provided.
1:27:26 - HF1538 (Mueller) Teacher apprenticeships funding provided, report required, and money appropriated.
Runs 1 hour, 46 minutes.


Agenda
I. H.F. 2251 (Baker) – Department of Employment and Economic Development policy bill

II. Department of Employment and Economic Development update on Vocational Rehabilitation Services

III. H.F. 2838 (Hicks) - Vocational rehabilitation services program funding provided

IV. H.F. 1538 (Mueller) – Teacher apprenticeships funding provided

V. H.F. 1965 (Johnson, W) – Small business assistance partnerships program appropriation

*these bills will be laid over.