STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTIETH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Education Finance Committee
MINUTES
Representative Kresha, Chair of the Education Finance Committee, began the meeting at 1:01PM, on February 24, 2026, in Room 120 of the Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
KRESHA, Ron, GOP Chair
YOUAKIM, Cheryl, DFL Chair
BAKEBERG, Ben, GOP Vice Chair
CLARDY, Mary Frances, DFL Vice Chair
ALTENDORF, Pam
BAHNER, Kristin
BENNETT, Peggy
DIPPEL, Tom
ENGEN, Elliot
GREENE, Julie
HILL, Josiah
HUDSON, Walter
JOHNSON, Pete
LEE, Liz
KNUDSEN, Krista
LAWRENCE, Bryan
MUELLER, Patricia
PEREZ-VEGA, Maria Isa
QUAM, Duane
REHM, Lucy
REHRAUER, Kari
RYMER, Max
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
VIRNIG, Bianca
Representative Bennett moved the minutes of April 28, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Mueller moved the minutes of February 19, 2026, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3492 (DURAN, JR.) - COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION AUTHORIZED TO AWARD SCHOOL SAFETY FACILITY GRANTS TO SCHOOLS TO ENHANCE SAFETY FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF, NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS FUNDS CANCELLED, AND MONEY APPROPRIATED.
Chair Kresha moved HF3492 before the committee.
Representative Duran presented on HF3492.
Testifiers:
Jeremy Olson, Superintendent, Bemidji Schools (Remote)
Casey Reierson, Principal, St. Philips School (Remote)
Chair Kresha laid over HF3492 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3495 (DURAN, JR.) - SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT ELIGIBILITY EXPANDED TO NONPUBLIC AND TRIBAL CONTRACT SCHOOLS, AND MONEY APPROPRIATED.
Chair Kresha moved HF3495 before the committee.
Representative Duran presented on HF3495.
Testifier:
Kate Lynne Snyder, Education Minnesota
Adosh Unni, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota Department of Education
Chair Kresha laid over HF3495 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3493 (LAWRENCE) - SAFE SCHOOLS REVENUE INCREASED; SAFE SCHOOLS REVENUE AVAILABLE TO CHARTER SCHOOLS, COOPERATIVE UNITS, NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND TRIBAL CONTRACT SCHOOLS MADE; AND MONEY APPROPRIATED.
Chair Kresha moved HF3493 before the committee.
Representative Lawrence presented on HF3493.
Testifiers:
Cally Proctor, Annunciation Catholic School Parent
Simon Osamoh, Founder & President, Kingwood Security Consulting
Shannon Mitchell, Minnesota Association of Charter Schools
Tammy Rackliffe, Executive Director, Duluth Edison Charter School
April and Ka'Milla, students
Tim Benz, President, MINNDEPENDENT
Dr. Nathan Flansburg, Superintendent, PACT Charter School
Sabrina Williams, Excell Academy for Higher Learning
Lisa Olson, Elk River Education Association
Chair Kresha laid over HF3493 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date.
HF3602 (CURRAN) – SCHOOLS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS, SCHOOL SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED, MINNESOTA SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER FUNDING PROVIDED, AND MONEY APPROPRIATED.
Kresha moved HF3602 before committee.
Chair Kresha moved the H3602A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Curran presented on HF3602, as amended.
Representative Witte presented on HF3602, as amended.
Testifiers:
Aurora Vasquez, Senior VP of State Policy, Sandy Hook Promise
Rick Kaufman, Association of Metropolitan School District
Chair Kresha laid over HF3602, as amended for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45PM.
Representative Ron Kresha, Chair
Jynell Boulka, Committee Legislative Assistant