STATE OF MINNESOTA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE TWENTY THIRD MEETING
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair of the Committee on Education Finance, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM on March 5, 2026 in Room 120 of the Capitol.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
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
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
VIRNIG, Bianca
Members Excused:
KRESHA, Ron GOP Chair
RYMER, Max
A quorum was present.
Representative Lee moved that the minutes of March 3, 2026 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation from The Violence Prevention Project
? Dr. Jillian Peterson, Executive Director, The Violence Prevention Project
? Dr. James Densley, The Violence Prevention Project
HF3653 (Greene); Safe schools revenue increased to school districts, safe schools aid to charter schools and cooperative units provided, and money appropriated.
Representative Greene moved that HF3653 be laid over for further consideration.
Representative Greene moved the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Greene presented HF3653 as amended.
Testimony on HF3653 as amended and HF2717:
? Marcy Doud, Superintendent, Intermediate School District 287
? Dennis Laumeyer, Superintendent, Benson Public School District
? Nicole Woodward, Executive Director, St. Croix River Education District
? Joey Cienian, Executive Director, Minnesota Association of Charter Schools
? Dr. Megan Forgette, Associate Director of Quality and Excellence, Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
? Tim Benz, President, MINNDEPENDENT
? Mike Rogers, Executive Director, Risen Christ Catholic School
? Shannon Peterson, Executive Director, Lakes International Language Academy
? Javon Wilson, Sojourner Truth Academy
? Lanayah Ray, Sojourner Truth Academy
? Kate Olson, Special Programs Teacher, Sojourner Truth Academy
? Alexandra Fitzsimmons, Senior Policy Director, Children’s Defense Fund
? Tony Simmons, Executive Director, High School for the Recording Arts
Representative Greene renewed the motion that HF3653 as amended be laid over for further consideration. The bill was laid over.
HF 2717 (Greene); Safe schools revenue increased, safe schools aid established, revenue expanded to all cooperative units, and money appropriated.
Rep. Greene moved that HF2717 be laid over for further consideration. The bill was laid over.
HF 3857 (Sencer-Mura); Student support personnel aid increased, and money appropriated.
Representative Sencer-Mura moved that HF3857 be laid over for further consideration.
Representative Sencer-Mura presented HF3857.
Testimony on HF3857:
? Dr. Mollie Weeks, Teaching Assistant Professor, Specialist Coordinator, School Psychology Program, University of Minnesota
? Flannery Clark, Parent
? Sarah Bernhardt, School Psychologist, Groves Learning Organization
? Dr. Tascha Just, Director, SEL Academy
? Christy McCoy, School Social Worker
? Tara Cliff, President, School Nurse Organization of Minnesota
Representative Sencer-Mura renewed the motion that HF3857 be laid over for further consideration. The bill was laid over.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 pm.
__________________________________________ Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair
_________________________________________ Isabel Anderson, Committee Legislative Assistant