STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SIXTH 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 3:05 PM on March 11, 2026 in Room 123 of the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
KOTYZA-WITTHUHN, Carlie, DFL Co-Chair
WEST, Nolan, GOP Co-Chair
HANSON, Jessica, DFL Co-Vice Chair
NELSON, Nathan, GOP 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 Lee, X moved that the minutes of March 10, 2026 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation titled Minnesota Supreme Court, Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention.
Presenting:
• Judy Nord, Sr. Staff Attorney, State Court Administrator’s Office
• Erin Johnson, Assistant Washington County Attorney III
HF3877 (Liebling) Notices to public authorities in dissolution cases clarified, and Supreme Court Council on Child Protection expiration date modified.
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved that HF3877 be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.
Representative Liebling presented HF3877.
Testifying:
• Jeff Shorba, Minnesota State Court Administrator
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn renewed the motion that HF3877 be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3714 (Clardy) Enrollment and eligibility priority modified for children in foster care for various children, youth, and families education and financial assistance programs; Northstar foster care child care allowance modified; and licensing agencies required to provide license holders with information about child care costs and early childhood education programs.
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved that HF3714 be re-referred to the Committee on Education Policy.
Nonpartisan Research staff provided a walkthrough of the A1 amendment.
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved the A1 amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED, THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Clardy presented HF3714 as amended.
Testifying:
• Osahon Akpata-Tanious, Executive Director, Foster Advocates
• Zoua Vue, constituent with lived experience
• Debra Jackson, foster parent
• Nicque Mabrey, Program Officer, Pathways Home, Greater Twin Cities United Way
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn renewed the motion that HF3714, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Education Policy.
HF3750 (Torkelson) Requirements governing licenses and license exemptions for crisis nurseries amended, and report required.
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn moved HF3750 before the committee.
Representative Torkelson presented HF3750.
Testifying:
Amber Collins, founder, director, Ivy House
Steve Turvold, volunteer board member, Ivy House
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn laid over HF3750.
HF3024 (Hanson) Foster Youth Bill of Rights Established
Representative Hanson moved HF3024 before the committee.
Representative Hanson moved the DE1 Amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED, THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Hanson presented HF3024 as amended.
Testifying:
• Misty Coonce, MSW, LISW, Ombudsperson for Foster Youth, Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
• Dez Newstrom, Business Owner, Mother, Foster
• Vivian Dudley, Social Worker College Student, Foster
• Travis Matthews, Foster Postsecondary Success Coordinator, Youthprise
• Osahon Akpata-Tanious, Executive Director, Foster Advocates
• Renee Carlson, General Counsel, True North Legal
Chair Kotyza-Witthuhn laid over HF3750 as amended.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45PM
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Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn, Co-Chair
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Caleb Rohrer, Committee Legislative Assistant