STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SECOND MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FINANCE POLICY MEETING MINUTES
Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn, Co-Chair of the Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 3:01 PM on February 25, 2026 in Room 123 of the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
KOTYZA-WITTHUHN, Carlie, Co-Chair
WEST, Nolan, Co-Chair
HANSON, Jessica, Co-Vice Chair
NELSON, Nathan, Co-Vice Chair
ALTENDORF, Pam
COULTER, Nathan
HICKS, Kim
Lee, XP
MCDONALD, Joe
NADEAU, Danny
OLSON, Bjorn
PÉREZ-VEGA, María Isa
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
A quorum was present.
Representative Zeleznikar moved that the minutes of April 24, 2025 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation titled County Impact and Perspective of HR 1 on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Presenting:
• Commissioner Jenny Mongeau, Clay County, Association of MN Counties (AMC) 2nd Vice President
• Barb Dahl, Social Services Director, Scott County
HF45 (Pérez-Vega) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Outreach Program funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Pérez-Vega moved HF45 before the committee.
Representative Pérez-Vega moved the DE1 amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED, THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Pérez-Vega presented HF45 as amended.
Testifying:
• Tina England (she/her), Neighbor Services Operations Manager, Second Harvest Heartland
Co-Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn laid over HF45 as amended.
Bills not introduced at the time of the meeting are indicated by the House Research or Revisor Code.
Representative Lee, X presented SC3756-1, a bill for an act relating to food assistance; establishing the Minnesota supplemental nutrition 1.3 assistance program.
Testifying on SC3756-1:
• Tamara, Blaine resident
• Ms. Carlson, Blaine resident
• Madeleine Kinscher, MPH, (she/her), Community Cooks Program Facilitator, Appetite For Change
HF3586 (Gander) Regional food bank grant program established, and money appropriated.
Co-Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved to re-refer HF3586 to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Representative Gander presented HF3586
Testifying on HF3586:
• Susie Novak, North Country Food Bank (Virtual)
• Shaye Moris, Second Harvest Northland (Virtual)
Co-chair Kotyza-Witthuhn renewed her motion that be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3624 (Coulter) - Food shelf programs funding provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Coulter moved to refer HF3624 to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Representative Coulter presented HF3624.
Testifying on HF3624:
• Dom Korbel, Executive Director, Community Pathways of Steele County
• Patrick Felker, Director of Food Access Services, Family Pathways
• Forrest Gregory, Executive Director & Founder, Manna Market
• Ms. Jenifer Loon (she/her), Former State Representative and Executive Director, PROP Food Shelf, Eden Prairie
• Trina Thayer, Volunteer, Food without Fear
Representative Coulter renewed the motion that HF3624 be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF1148 (Coulter) Prepared meals food grant program established, and money appropriated.
Representative Coulter moved HF1148 before the committee.
Representative Coulter presented HF1148 as amended.
Testifying on HF1148:
• Erick Hedman, Meals Director, Prairie Five Community
• Faisa Ali, Food Resource Navigator, Fairview
Co-Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn laid over HF1148.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:55PM
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Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn, Co-Chair
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Caleb Rohrer, Committee Legislative Assistant