STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FOURTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Novotny, member of the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM, on March 10th, 2026, in Room G23 of the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
ROBBINS, Kristin, Co-Chair, GOP
SCHWARTZ, Erica, Co-Vice Chair, GOP
WOLGAMOTT, Dan, Co-Chair, DFL
COULTER, Nathan, Co-Vice Chair, DFL
ALLEN, Keith
DURAN, Bidal
HANSON, Jessica
HICKS, Kim
KLEVORN, Ginny
LIEBLING, Tina
NOOR, Mohamud
NOVOTNY, Paul
SCOTT, Peggy
Members excused:
RARICK, Marion,
A quorum was present.
Representative Klevorn moved the minutes of March 5th, 2026 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Klevorn moved to reconsider the minutes of March 5th, 2026. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Klevorn moved to move the minutes of March 5th, 2026, as corrected. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF1323 (Schultz) Undocumented noncitizens made ineligible for state financial aid programs
Representative Novotny moved that HF1323 be placed on the General Register.
Testifiers
Aaron Sepulveda, Legislative and Policy Director, Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs
Elliot Lindsey, Student and Treasurer, UMN College Republicans
Jenny Liang, Graduate Student, University of Northwestern Saint Paul
Ashley Davis, Student, University of Minnesota
Molly Leutz, Policy Director, LeadMN
Nekey Oliver, Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement, Office of Higher Education
Meghan Flores, Director of State Financial Aid Programs, Office of Higher Education
Representative Novotny laid over HF1323.
HF3500 (Duran) Bemidji State University storm damage relief funding provided, and money appropriated
Testifiers
Dr. John L. Hoffman, President, Bemidji State University
Dr. Jim Harding, Associate Professor of Forestry, Bemidji State University
Bernie Oman, Special Assistant to the Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Representative Novotny laid over HF3500.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:48PM.
Representative Paul Novotny, Acting Chair
Ellie Wasserman, Committee Legislative Assistant