STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTIETH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Education Finance Committee
MINUTES
Representative Kresha, Chair of the Education Finance Committee, began the meeting at 1:00PM, on April 14, 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
GANDER, Steve
GORDON, Jimmy
GREENE, Julie
HILL, Josiah
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 March 26, 2026, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Bennett moved the minutes of April 9, 2026, be approved. 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.
Representative Lawrence moved that HF3493 be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Representative Lawrence moved the H3493DE1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Lawrence presented on HF3493, as amended.
Testifiers:
Rachel Hilyar, Director of Prevention, Safety, and Grants, Independent School District 728
Dr. Nathan Flansberg, Superintendent, PACT Charter School
Jason Adkins, Executive Director, Minnesota Catholic Conference
Jessica Webster, Attorney, Legal Aid
Erin Sandsmark, Executive Direction, Solutions not Suspensions Coalition
Maren Hofer, Executive Director, Multicultural Autism Action Network
Laura Jean, Public Policy Coordinator, PACER Center
Cory McIntyre, Superintendent, Anoka-Hennepin School District
Denise Schnabel, Principal, Ramsey Elementary, Anoka-Hennepin School District
Matt Shaver, Senior Policy Director, Ed Allies
Shannon Peterson, Executive Director, Lakes International Language Academy
Judy Brown, Manager of Mental Health, Minneapolis Public Schools
Kate Lynne Snyder, Lobbyist, Education Minnesota
Claire Luger, Special Education Teacher, White Bear Public Schools
Fatima Molas, Parent, Multicultural Autism Action Network (Remote)
Sarah Bernhardt, School Psychologist, Minnesota School Psychologist Association (Remote)
Christopher Kampa, Director of Finance and Operations, Cambridge-Isanti Schools (Remote)
Vice Chair Bakeberg requested a roll call.
Representative Lawrence renewed the motion that HF3493, as amended be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
The results are as follows:
AYES
KRESHA
BAKEBERG
ALTENDORF
BENNETT
DIPPEL
GANDER
GORDON
KNUDSEN
LAWRENCE
MUELLER
QUAM
RYMER
NAYS
YOUAKIM
CLARDY
BAHNER
GREENE
HILL
JOHNSON
LEE
PEREZ-VEGA
REHM
REHRAUER
SENCER-MURA
VIRNIG
On a vote of 12 AYES and 12 NAYS, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Chair Kresha laid over HF3493, as amended for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or further consideration at a later date.
HF4114 (BAKEBERG) - CONTINGENT REDUCTION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AID APPROPRIATIONS REPEALED.
Vice Chair Bakeberg moved that HF4114 be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Vice Chair Bakeberg presented on HF4114.
Representative Hicks presented on HF4114.
Representative Bennett requested a roll call.
Testifiers:
Alison Sherman, School Board, Assoiation of Metropolitan School Districts
Shannon Mitchell, Public Policy Director, Minnesota Association of Charter Schools
Dr. Justin Killian, Education Minnesota and Blue Ribbon Commission
Maren Hofer, Executive Director, Multicultural Autism Action Network
Nicole Woodward, Executive Director, St. Croix River Education District
Laura Jean, Public Policy Coordinator, PACER Center and Blue Ribbon Commission
Michael Thomas, Superintendent, Independent School District 719
Hollee Saville, School Board Vice Chair, St. Michael-Albertville Schools
Cathy Nathan, Rochester Public School Board (Remote)
John Magas, Superintendent, Duluth Public Schools (Remote)
Chair Kresha renewed the motion that HF4114 be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
The results are as follows:
AYES
KRESHA
YOUAKIM
BAHNER
BAKEBERG
CLARDY
ALTENDORF
BENNETT
DIPPEL
GANDER
GORDON
GREENE
HILL
JOHNSON
KNUDSEN
LAWRENCE
LEE
MUELLER
PEREZ-VEGA
QUAM
REHM
REHRAUER
RYMER
SENCER-MURA
VIRNIG
On a vote of 24 AYES, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Education Savings Accounts Presentation:
Dr. Patrick Graff, American Federation for Children
Betzy, Student (Remote)
Aidan, Student (Remote)
The meeting was adjourned at 2:46 PM.
Representative Ron Kresha, Chair
Jynell Boulka, Committee Legislative Assistant