Last Week in Summary
With another week down, more bills are introduced and conversations continue as we inch closer to deadlines. Republicans currently still have control in the House, and many bills from the past have been brought out for reexamining. The House GOP caucus is using this limited time to focus on their priorities that were overlooked during DFL control the last two years. Many of these bills have passed through committees on party-line votes, and will move on to floor votes. Republicans are short 1 of the 68 required votes to pass bills off of the floor, so most of these bills will go no further. Last Thursday, the House did manage to come together and vote unanimously to pass HF 289 over to the Senate for consideration. The bill would establish an incentive program for state agencies to cut costs, and prevent state-funded organizations from using those funds for political activities. More bipartisan work from the House will be needed to keep this session moving forward.
Legislative leaders stated they are looking for ways to cut costs with the state anticipating a more challenging financial outlook in the next cycle. However, parties differed on the factors contributing to this economic shift and may have a hard time working across party lines to come to an agreement. With the upcoming budget forecast update from MN Management and Budget set to be released on March 6, lawmakers are priming themselves and members of the public for anticipated difficult budget decisions.
House Education Finance
HF 1, the Office of Inspector General bill, kicked off the week for House Ed Finance. This bill has been making its rounds through all committees with lengthy discussions. HF 779, establishing advance payment of the education tax credit, was also brought to the committee by Chair Kresha. The bill will eventually be making its way to the Tax Committee.
HF 29, the bill to modify the social studies and ethnic studies requirement, was brought to committee. HF 29 had prompted a lengthy debate when it was heard in Ed Policy, so the committee was asked to focus on the fiscal provisions. If passed, this bill would reportedly bring a savings of $1.793 million in FY24-25. The bill was laid over.
House Education Policy
House Ed Policy heard bills on chronic absenteeism in schools, topics that both Democrats and Republicans seem to be able to find common ground on. HF 1054 and HF 1413 help to ensure schools post consistent attendance data for each school year so there is no longer a lag in data, as data inconsistencies continue to hinder the quest for solutions. Rep. Bakeberg (R-Jordan) and Rep. Keeler (D-Moorhead) presented the bills and said they plan to work together bipartisanly to find solutions to this growing issue.
On Wednesday, HF 15, the SHIELD Act (Safe Haven In Every Local District) was presented by Rep. Engen (R-White Bear Township). The SHIELD Act would require schools to include specific safety measures in their long-term facilities maintenance school facility plan, as well as provide additional funds and security system grants. Committee conversation was productive. Rep. Engen welcomed amendments and said he was eager to discuss any concerns in depth with members before the bill makes its way to the House Public Safety committee. Priority for MN vendors was one of the noted amendments. Educators and students from Lakeville, a district that has already implemented these safety measures in each of their 15 schools, brought forward positive testimonies and sang high praises. Rep. Gillman presented HF 22, the “Parent’s Bill of Rights,” which aims to give parents fundamental rights without obstruction or interference from the state or government entity. HF 22 will be moving through additional committees.
Senate Education Finance
Senate Ed Finance committee heard SF 1176, a bill on P-TECH implementation grants. Republican senators suggested perhaps opening this program up to other trades throughout the state that are in high demand. SF 0510, a bill to establish the Academic Acceleration Pilot Program, was introduced by Sen. Mann (D-Edina). Senators had a divided debate on discrimination, and Sen. Rarick (R-Pine City) mentioned the difficulties rural schools face when trying to offer advanced coursework due to adding on more graduation requirements. The Office of Inspector General creation bill (SF 0856) was heard in committee as well, where senators seemed to agree upon the benefits of creating a nonpartisan independent office.
Senate Education Policy
Ed Policy committee began with a presentation on MNP20, a multi-sector coalition of leaders representing early childhood, K-12, higher education, nonprofits, workforce development, and government. Sen. Westlin (D-Plymouth) introduced SF 1457, a bill that requires and establishes a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) within schools. The focus in committee was on sporting and athletic events at schools, where forty percent of sudden cardiac arrests occur. The bill proposes that schools establish a written plan that includes a team of school employees and/or personnel who get CPR and AED training within 30 days of the school year’s start, an AED within a 1-3-minute walk of athletic venue, all coaches and athletic faculty must be CPR and defibrillator-trained, and have Minnesota State High School League supervision at events.
Chair Cwodzinski (D-Eden Prairie) introduced SF 1740, the MDE policy bill. Also heard was SF0197, authored by Sen. Maye Quade (D-Apple Valley), which modifies school board membership requirements.
This Week at the Legislature
Senate Ed. Finance will hear:
- SF 1404 – Kunesh: relating to indigenous mascots
- SF 0110 – Champion: Learning with Music grant provision and appropriation
- SF 0328 – Putnam: St. Cloud Area School District preschool programs grant appropriation
- SF 1461 – Maye Quade: School-age care programs to provide services to certain eligible prekindergarten students authorization
- Department of Children, Youth, and Families Update
- Community Education Presentation
- Full Service Community Schools
Other agendas are yet to be posted.
