STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SEVENTH MEETING
MN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY FIRST SESSION
EDUCATION FINANCE DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Jim Davnie, Chair of the Education Finance Division, called the meeting to order at 9:45 am on March 26, 2019 in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
DAVNIE, Jim
SANDSTEDE, Julie
BENNETT, Peggy
DANIELS, Brian
DEMUTH, Lisa
DETTMER, Bob
EDELSON, Heather
ERICKSON, Sondra
HUOT, John
JURGENS, Tony
KOTYZA-WITTHUHN, Carlie
KUNESH-PODEIN, Mary
MARQUART, Paul
MURPHY, Mary
NORNES, Bud
PRYOR, Laurie
RICHARDSON, Ruth
SANDELL, Steve
YOUAKIM, Cheryl
Excused:
KRESHA, Ron
A quorum was present.
Rep. Kunesh-Podein moved that the minutes from March 21, 2019 be approved. Motion prevailed.
HF 824 (Kunesh-Podein) Amends current statutes and establishes or amends grant programs aimed at increasing the number of teachers who are of color or American Indian.
Rep. Kunesh-Podein moved that HF 824 be presented before the committee; be laid over for possible inclusion in a future division report.
Chair Davnie moved that the amendment to HF 824, A19-0233, be adopted by the committee. Motion prevailed.
Rep. Kunesh-Podein presented HF 824, as amended.
Rep. Kunesh-Podein renewed the motion that HF 824, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in a future division report. The bill was laid over.
HF 2195 (Pryor) Relates to quality and coordination of early care and education programs, including to authorize data sharing to determine early learning scholarship eligibility based on receipt of public assistance; establish a universal identifier to identify children across care and education programs; require ongoing evaluation of Parent Aware; set requirements for kindergarten assessment under the Department of Education; create an Early Care and Education Coordination Task Force to develop alignment of the child care assistance program and early learning scholarships; and make appropriations in amounts to be determined.
Rep. Pryor moved that the Division Report for HF 2195 be adopted by the committee. Motion prevailed.
Rep. Pryor moved that HF 2195 be presented before the committee; be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means with the recommendation it be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Rep. Pryor presented HF 2195.
Rep Pryor renewed the motion that HF 2195 be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means with the recommendation that it be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Motion prevailed.
HF 566( Wazlawik) Requires school districts to establish safety assessment teams and provides duties of team. Also appropriates money for safety assessment grants.
Rep. Richardson moved that HF 566 be presented before the committee; be laid over for possible inclusion in a future division report.
Rep. Wazlawik presented HF 566.
Rep. Richardson moved that HF 566 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future division report. The bill was laid over.
HF 16 (Urdahl) Makes three changes to the small schools revenue formula. First, it increases the maximum qualifying size from 960 pupils to 1,500 pupil units. Second, the allowance is increased from $544 to $631.20 (10 percent of the basic revenue formula allowance). Finally, each district’s pupil count for this formula is limited to no less than 750 pupil units. These three changes increase the small schools revenue by about $30 million beginning in fiscal year 2020.
Rep. Daniels moved that HF 16 be presented before the committee; be laid over for possible inclusion in a future division report.
Rep. Urdahl presented HF 16.
Rep. Daniels renewed the motion that HF 16 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future division report. The bill was laid over.
HF 1148 (Christensen) As amended by the H1148A1 and H1148A2 amendments, creates a revolving loan fund to provide low-cost funds school districts can use to make energy conservation investments in order to reduce school energy costs. Loans are to be made at below the market rate of interest for terms up to 15 years. $8 million is appropriated from the general fund and $8 million from the renewable development fund in fiscal year 2020 to the commerce commissioner for this program.
Rep. Koyza-Witthuhn moved that HF 1148 be presented before the committee; be laid over for possible inclusion in a future division report.
Rep. Christensen presented HF 1148, as amended.
Chair Davnie renewed Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn’s motion that HF 1148 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future division report. The bill was laid over.
Testifiers:
Chee Vang, Washington Tech High School, St. Paul Public Schools
Sherry Xiong, Washington Tech High School, St. Paul Public Schools
Trisha Livingston, Teacher Candidate, Metropolitan State University
Abdirizak Jama, Teacher Candidate, Augsburg University (EAST/CUE Program)
Jasmine Carey, Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage
Katy Sly, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
Melanie Franks, Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
Violeta Hernandez Espinosa
Kiarra Zackery, Teacher Candidate, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities GYO Program)
Jim Miklausich, Board Member, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
Marcela Kostihova, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Hamline University
Sabrina Tapia Contreras, Teacher, Prior Lake-Savage School District
Roberta Hernandez, Teacher, Roseville Area Schools
Randy McAlister, Police Captain, Cottage Grove
Matt Schultz, Superintendent, Lanesboro Public Schools
Fred Nolan, Executive Director of MREA
Sarah Strong Belisle, Close the Gaps by 5
Jamie Fitzke, Policy & Program Manager, Center for Energy & Environment
Matt Stupnik, Chief Operating Officer, Cedar Creek Energy
The meeting of the Education Finance Division was adjourned at 11:12 am.
______________________________________________
Representative Jim Davnie, Chair
______________________________________________
Brittney Sunderland, Committee Legislative Assistant