STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTIETH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-THIRD SESSION
HOUSING FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Representative Michael Howard, Chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 3:01 PM on March 15, 2023, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
HOWARD, Michael (Chair)
AGBAJE, Esther (Vice Chair)
JOHNSON, Brian (GOP Lead)
CHA, Ethan
DOTSETH, Jeff
HASSAN, Hodan
HUSSEIN, Samakab
KOZLOWSKI, Alicia
MYERS, Andrew
NORRIS, Matt
PEREZ- VEGA, Maria Isa
PETERSBURG, John
Members Excused
NASH, Jim
A quorum was present.
Representative Agbaje moved that the minutes of March 14, 2023, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 2415 (Noor) High-rise sprinkler system grant program established, cities required to report buildings that do not have sprinkler system, report required, and money appropriated.
Representative Howard moved to refer HF 2415 to the committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.
Representative Noor presented HF 2415.
Testifying:
• Tom Brace, Minnesota Chapter-National Fire Sprinkler Association
• Bryan Tyner, Chief, Minneapolis Fire Department
• David Ybarra, President, Minnesota Pipe Trades Association
• Diane Anders, President, Sewers Towers Board
• Tariku Belay, Resident of Sewers Tower
Representative Howard renewed the motion to refer HF 2415 to the committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 2477 (Agbaje) Minneapolis Public Housing Authority grant funding provided to rehabilitate deeply affordable family housing units, and money appropriated.
Representative Agbaje moved to lay over HF 2477 for possible inclusion in the Housing Finance and Policy committee omnibus bill.
Representative Agbaje presented HF 2477.
Testifying:
• Robin Wonsley, Council Member, Ward 2 Minneapolis
• Samantha Pree-Stinson, Commissioner, Board of Estimate and Taxation
• Abdi Warsame, Executive Director/CEO, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority
• Jacob Frey, Mayor, Minneapolis
• Mary Vang, Regional Property Manager, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority
• Mary McGovern, President, Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council
Representative Agbaje renewed the motion to lay over HF 2477 for possible inclusion in the Housing Finance and Policy committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
HF 2335 (Howard) Minnesota Housing Finance Agency budget established, childhood housing stability provided, community stabilization program established, first-generation homebuyers down payment assistance fund established, and money appropriated.
Representative Howard moved to layover HF 2335 for possible inclusion in the Housing Finance and Policy committee omnibus bill.
Representative Howard presented HF 2335.
Testifying:
• Jennifer Ho, Commissioner, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Representative Howard renewed the motion to layover HF 2335 for possible inclusion in the Housing Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
HF 1874 (Kozlowski) Minnesota Housing Finance Agency policy provisions adopted, agency debt limit increased, authority to issue bonds expanded, eligibility requirements and uses for agency funding expanded, and housing infrastructure bond uses expanded.
Representative Kozlowski moved to lay over HF 1874 for possible inclusion in the Housing Finance and Policy committee omnibus bill.
Representative Kozlowski presented HF 1874.
Testifying:
• Dan Kitzberger, Legislative Director, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Representative Kozlowski renewed the motion to refer HF 1874 for possible inclusion in the Housing Finance and Policy committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
HF 2022 (Norris) Manufactured home park revolving loan funding provided, report required, and money appropriated.
Representative Norris moved to refer HF 2022 to the committee on Taxes.
Representative Norris moved the H2022DE1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Norris presented HF 2022 as amended.
Testifying:
• Joel Hanson, Advocacy Manager, Northcountry Cooperative Foundation
• Mark Brunner, President, Minnesota Manufactured and Modular Home Association
Representative Norris renewed the motion to refer HF 2022 to the committee on Taxes. THE MOTION PREVAILED
HF 2492 (Norris) Economic development and housing challenge program; schools added as eligible recipients, and funding requirements added.
Representative Norris moved to refer HF 2492 to the committee on Education Finance.
Testifying:
• Khalique Rogers, United for Action & Good Riddance LLC
• Jill Stewart-Kellar, Assistant Director, Intermediate School District 916
• Joe Nathan, Center for School Change
Representative Norris renewed the motion to refer HF 2492 to the committee on Education Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting adjourned at 5:16 PM.
Representative Michael Howard, Chair
Abdullahi Abdullahi, Committee Legislative Assistant