STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTY-FIRST MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
WORKFORCE, LABOR, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Baker, Chair of the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 8:22AM, on March 18th, 2026, in Room G3 of the State Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
Members present:
BAKER, Dave Co-Chair
PINTO, Dave Co-Chair
MEKELAND, Shane Vice-Chair
GREENMAN, Emma Vice-Chair
BERG, Kaela
FRAZIER, Cedrick
HUSSEIN, Samakab
JOHNSON, Pete
JOHNSON, Wayne
KOZLOWSKI, Liish
MUELLER, Patricia
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
SCHULTZ, Isaac
Members excused:
BAKEBERG, Ben
Representative Johnson, W moved the minutes of March 17h, 2026 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3597 (Mueller) Certain S Corporations exempted from paid leave law.
Representative Mueller moved HF3597 before the committee.
Testifiers:
Amy Carlson, Independent business owner
Kelly Martinson, President and CEO, Ksquare Writing Inc.
Chair Baker moved that HF3597 be placed on the General Register.
Vice-Chair Mekeland requested a roll call vote. The results were as follows:
AYES
BAKER, Dave Co-Chair
MEKELAND, Shane, Vice-Chair
JOHNSON, Wayne
MUELLER, Patricia
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
SCHULTZ, Isaac
NAYS
PINTO, Dave Co-Chair
GREENMAN, Emma Vice-Chair
BERG, Kaela
FRAZIER, Cedrick
HUSSEIN, Samakab
JOHNSON, Pete
KOZLOWSKI, Liish
On a vote of 6 AYES and 7 NAYS, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Chair Baker laid over HF3597.
Vice-Chair Mekeland assumed the gavel at 9:00AM.
HF4003 (Baker) Rural Cancer Institute appropriation modification.
Chair Baker moved HF4003 before the committee.
Testifiers:
Stephanie Ohlmann, Rural Cancer Institute
Chair Baker moved that HF4003 be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3843 (Baker) Report to the legislature recommending appropriations from the workforce development fund.
Chair Baker moved HF3843 before the committee.
Testifiers:
Dillon Donnely, Workforce Partnership Manager, Hospitality Minnesota
Chair Baker moved that HF3843 be re-referred to the committee on Ways and Means.
Chair Baker requested a roll call vote. The results were as follows:
AYES
BAKER, Dave Co-Chair
MEKELAND, Shane, Vice-Chair
JOHNSON, Wayne
MUELLER, Patricia
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
SCHULTZ, Isaac
NAYS
PINTO, Dave Co-Chair
GREENMAN, Emma Vice-Chair
BERG, Kaela
HUSSEIN, Samakab
JOHNSON, Pete
KOZLOWSKI, Liish
On a vote of 6 AYES and 6 NAYS, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Vice-Chair Mekeland laid over HF3843.
Chair Baker assumed the gavel at 9:34AM.
HF3167 (Zeleznikar) University of Minnesota; Center for Nursing Equity and Excellence appropriation.
Representative Zeleznikar moved HF3167 before the committee.
Representative Zeleznikar moved to adopt the H3167A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Zeleznikar moved to adopt the H3167A2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifiers:
Elaine Vandenburgh, Interim Executive Director, Minnesota State HealthForce Center of Excellence
Chair Baker laid over HF3167, as amended.
HF4193 (Rehrauer) eligibility for the extended employment program rule repealed.
Chair Baker moved HF4193 before the committee.
Testifiers:
Kassia Janezich, Vice President of Vocational and Housing Services, Rise
Shelly Bormann, Manager, Goodwill Easter Seals
Chair Baker laid over HF4193.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:58AM.
Representative Baker, Chair
Noah LaSalvia, Committee Legislative Assistant