STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SIXTY MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
HEALTH FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Representative Liz Reyer, Vice Chair of the Health Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 5:08 P.M. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Room 120 of the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
BIERMAN, Robert (DFL Chair)
BACKER, Jeff (GOP Chair)
REYER, Liz (DFL Vice Chair)
NADEAU, Danny (GOP Vice Chair)
BAHNER, Kristin
CARROLL, Ned
DIPPEL, Tom
ELKINS, Steve
FRANSON, Mary
GILLMAN, Dawn
LEE, Xp
HUOT, John
KEELER, Heather
KNUDSEN, Krista
LIEBLING, Tina
MAHAMOUD, Anquam
PERRYMAN, Bernie
PURSELL, Kristi
REPINSKI, Aaron
SCHOMACKER, Joe
VAN BINSBERGEN, Scott
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
A quorum was present.
HF3939 (Bierman); Helping Paws grant funding provided to breed, train, and place service dogs; and money appropriated.
Chair Bierman moved that HF3939 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Chair Bierman presented HF3939.
Testifiers:
• Alyssa Golob, Executive Director, Helping Paws
• Angie Folie, Helping Paws
Chair Bierman renewed the motion that HF3939 to be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
Chair Bierman assumed the gavel at 5:28 P.M.
HF3769 (Curran); Multiple levels of substance abuse care provided by the commissioner of corrections clarified in law, access to mental health unit beds for incarcerated persons expanded, and mandatory tuberculosis screening in correctional facilities clarified.
Chair Bierman moved that HF3769 be placed on the General Register.
Chair Bierman moved to adopt the A1 amendment to HF3769. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Curran presented HF3769, as amended.
Testifier:
• Kelly Haff, Legislative Director, Minnesota Department of Corrections
Chair Bierman renewed the motion that HF3769, as amended, be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3978 (Reyer); Protections provided to participants in and employees and operators of a health care provider wellness program.
Vice Chair Reyer moved that HF3978 be placed on the General Register.
Vice Chair Reyer presented HF3978.
Testifier:
• Chad Fahning, Sr. Manager of Lobbying & Legislative Affairs, Minnesota Medical Association.
Vice Chair Reyer renewed the motion that HF3978 be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Franson called for a division.
The clerk took the hand count.
There being 15 AYES and 7 NAYS, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3476 (Liebling); Patient-Centered Care program established, direct state payments to health care providers authorized, contracting with administrative services organizations authorized, conforming changes made, and money appropriated
Representative Liebling moved that HF3476 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Liebling moved to adopt the A1 amendment to HF3476. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Liebling presented HF3476, as amended.
Testifiers:
• Sheldon Toubman, Attorney, Disability Rights Connecticut
• Chris Rubesch, President, Minnesota Nurses Association
• Abdullah Nasser, Medical Student, University of Minnesota
• Dr. Eileen Weber, Retired Clinical Associate Professor
• Chelsea Olson, Minnesota Council of Health Plans
• Kristy Wilfahrt, VP of Medicaid and Special Needs Plans, Medica
• Dr. Tom Von Sternberg, Senior Medical Director, HealthPartners
Chair Bierman renewed the motion that HF3476, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The bill, as amended, was laid over.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 P.M.
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Representative Robert Bierman, Chair
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Saynab Jama, Committee Legislative Assistant