Week 5 – Lawmakers Advance Education Bills Before Deadline
The Week in Review
Last week’s agenda was packed as the policy committee deadlines fast approached, landing this week Friday at 5 pm. The proposed Constitutional Amendment to improve distributions from the Permanent School Trust Fund advanced out of key House and Senate committees. Education Minnesota’s bill to create a statewide, mandatory health insurance program advanced in the Senate.
Senate Education Policy
The Senate Education Policy Committee’s docket was jam-packed this week, with the looming bill deadline only a week away. Members heard testimony from high school students across the state and debated 11 bills on a broad range of topics.
A pair of bills authored by Sen. Maye Quade (D-Apple Valley) were debated, unanimously passed, and recommended to the committee on Judiciary. SF 3969 establishes the criminal offense of grooming, and SF 4431 modifies teacher licensure provisions to include mandatory reporting for grooming. Testifiers on this bill were the same as those for the House companions which were heard in Week 2, and they argued that this legislation will address gaps in existing law related to grooming, which will in turn better protect students. In bipartisan fashion, members thanked the testifiers for their bravery in sharing their stories, and for moving this legislation forward to address this serious issue.
Two bills addressing school safety were heard and sent along to the Senate Education Finance Committee. SF 3983 (Boldon) would require anonymous reporting systems, allowing schools to opt into the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s current system or create their own. The author notes that this bill aligns with recommendations from Sandy Hook Promise, and the BCA’s Superintendent, Drew Evans, who worked with the author on this bill, comments that it is one important tool to prevent violence in schools and public places. Rick Kaufman, Executive Director of Community Relations and Emergency Management, Bloomington Public Schools, offered concerns on the bill. While his organizations support the goal of the legislation, and while he sees it as a good first step, he notes that it doesn’t yet establish clear standards for threat evaluation, prioritization, or coordination between reporting systems, schools and law enforcements, nor does it provide funding to support the implementation. He argues for a statewide model that strengthens the current BCA platform. With nods to the conversation continuing, the bill was sent forward unanimously.
SF 3572 (Cwodzinski), a bill that would modify the circumstances when firearms are permitted on school property, ultimately creating statewide policy consistency, was also sent on to Senate Ed Finance, but with a split 7 yes, 4 no vote. MASSP, MESPA, and the MSHSL testified in support of this measure, arguing that principals and sheriffs are asking for a consistent policy across the state, while the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified in opposition, asking members to leave the decision-making authority to individual principals. Sen. Duckworth (R-Lakeville) joined the committee’s Democrats in favor, with the remaining Republicans opposed.
In a moment of strong bipartisan support, the committee unanimously passed SF 3603 (Rasmusson), a bill to establish an armed forces veterans high school diploma for those that served during the Korean and Vietnam War eras. This bill easily moved forward to the Committee on Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development.
Also receiving bipartisan support was SF 2909 (Kunesh), a bill to create a statewide teacher insurance pool program for all public employees. While all testifiers and members agreed to the skyrocketing costs of health insurance, there were differences of opinion on whether or not this was the correct mechanism to best address the problem. Those in support proposed that this statewide pool would allow for more predictability, spread risks out over a larger group, increase efficiency in management, resulting in cost savings, give greater ability to negotiate levels of health care, and would ultimately increase the bargaining power for the state.
Those opposed cited concerns including state control without accountability to local budgets as mandated coverages would compete with classroom investments. The finance and benefits official for Anoka Hennepin Schools suggested a statewide stop-loss program would be a productive step forward instead of having the state take over the whole system. Service Cooperative testimony suggested regional plan designs are more cost effective and secure desired provider networks compared to one state run plan. A state fiscal note and a local impact note are desperately needed to cut through the rhetoric in this debate and give the public education community real data to assess the proposal. The bill passed on a voice vote was sent to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee which will likely review the bill after deadlines have passed.
Finally, five more bills were discussed and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. These included: SF 3717 (Mann), which would modify the requirements for crisis management policies to require clear plans to ensure the safety of students with disabilities; SF 3368 (Clark), a bill to better define the qualifications for paraprofessionals to align with their jobs and the needs of the field; SF 3870 (Cwodzinski), the MDE policy bill; SF 4453 (Abeler), a measure to modify the requirements for site-governed schools; and SF 4023 (Abeler), a bill to allow for one additional dismissal day for students in kindergarten through grade 3 immediately following an incident involving disciplinary action.
While each of these bills received discussion and debate, the most fraught was the last on the list. Student and parent advocate groups commented on the historically disproportionate percentage of students of color that face such consequences, and argued for keeping kids in school to retain learning and a sense of belonging. Superintendents, principals, and current and former teachers testified in support of the bill, citing increasingly high numbers of serious teacher injuries from behavior incidents with students in these grades, and the loss of learning and sense of safety for all of the other students impacted by these events. All agreed that any successful means of addressing these difficult issues must include clear communications with and the involvement of families, students, teachers, administrators, and student support staff.
Senate Education Finance
Senate Education Finance heard three bills on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. SF 1310 (Cwodzinski) would amend the ballot language for school district referenda, removing the currently required statement about a “yes” vote increasing property taxes or extending the current tax rate if it had been set to expire. MSBA, MASBO, and Treasurer of the Hibbing School Board all spoke in support of the bill, arguing that the current language does not reflect the complexity of the issue at hand in any given referendum, and that it is not always accurate. Republicans on the committee felt that removing the language would create less transparency, and by exempting schools but not other units of government from the language, it would create inconsistencies. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Next up, SF 3996 (Westlin) would require schools to develop school safety policies; establish a School Safety Advisory Council; appropriate money to the Minnesota School Safety Center to improve school safety; and require the Commissioner of Education to develop a model school safety policy. Sen. Westlin (D-Plymouth) noted that this bill has received bipartisan support in both bodies, and it would empower school districts to find evidence-based practices that are right for their school district. Leaders from Sandy Hook Promise and the Children’s Defense Fund of Minnesota spoke in favor of the measure. Rick Kaufman, Executive Director, Community Relations and Emergency Management, Bloomington Public Schools spoke in favor of the idea but with concerns about the bill in its current form, primarily for its lack of clarity about what the state will require, and the implementation challenges that it imposes on districts. The author promised to continue to work with all stakeholders to better understand and shift the language as needed as the bill moves forward. It was passed and moved to the committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
Sen. Rarick (R-Hinckley)’s bill SF 0903 would extend funding for counseling services to students in grades K-6 in nonpublic schools through nonpublic pupil aid. While the state currently helps cover some of the mental health support costs for 7-12 grade students in nonpublic schools, it does not currently support students in K-6. This bill would change that so all nonpublic students in K-12 are included. Leaders and administrators from independent and nonpublic schools spoke in support of the measure, arguing for the need for mental health supports for all students across the state. Education Minnesota raised policy and fiscal concerns, noting that this would amount to an unfunded mandate for public schools, who often provide the supports to nonpublic students and schools. Nonpartisan staff shared that a fiscal note prepared last session for the House companion outlined an approximate cost of $2 million in the first year and roughly $2.5 the next. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
On Wednesday, members heard Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (D-Minneapolis)’s bill SF 4505, to increase student support personnel aid. With students’ mental health issues at the forefront of priorities this session, author Mohamed noted that this should be at the top in terms of funding investments. She cited Minnesota’s high ratios of 558 students for every 1 counselor, one of the worst ratios in America. Meanwhile, testifiers shared the lower rates in neighboring states, including Wisconsin, which has a counselor in every building, 250 to 1 in North Dakota, and 300 to 1 in Iowa. Members wondered why Minnesota could not at least match those numbers. Concerns were brought forward about the overall rising costs that schools are being asked to bear in the current, tumultuous times, and yet all agreed that mental health is a key support. This bill was also laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Rounding out the Senate Ed Finance docket for the week, MDE’s Director of Finance, Cathy Erickson, gave a detailed presentation on Compensatory Aid, followed by a hearing on SF 4368 (Clark), which would modify the Compensatory Aid calculations for fiscal year 2027 and 2028. All testifiers spoke favorably about this bill, commenting that it would help schools as they work on more accurate and equitable ways to measure poverty in the face of shifting federal policies, and that it would ensure that dollars are going to schools that need it most. The bill passed and was referred to the committee on Finance.
House Education Policy
Tuesday’s House Education Policy meeting, with Co-Chair Rep. Bennett (R-Albert Lea) holding the gavel, was relatively compact. The bulk of the meeting consisted of a thorough presentation from MDE’s Adosh Unni on Charter Authorizers and Schools. Next, Rep. Clardy (D-Inver Grove Heights)’s bill HF 3421 requiring early literacy field experience for teacher candidates providing early literacy instruction was brought up again for further consideration. Co-Chair Rep. Bennett offered an oral amendment to remove language about a fiscal note, since there is none. The amendment was adopted and the bill was placed on the general register. Finally, HF 3487 (Rehrauer), a bill requiring anonymous threat reporting systems, was not able to be heard due to a request for a fiscal note. Both Co-Chairs expressed disappointment at this delay for a bill with strong bipartisan support, and Co-Chair Rep. Jordan noted that the bill would be heard next week.
On Wednesday, with Co-Chair Rep. Jordan (D-Minneapolis) holding the gavel, the committee debated four bills. The most straightforward of these, HF 4399 (Leibling), would allow the Rochester Independent School District (# 535), to clarify and streamline the process of school board elections. The measure, which was unanimously supported by the Rochester School Board, was passed and placed on the general register.
Two bills were passed and referred to the House Education Finance Committee. These included HF 3714 (Clardy), which would prioritize children in foster care for enrollment and eligibility for various children, youth, and family education and financial assistance programs; and HF 2544 (Virnig), which would establish a Dual Enrollment Task Force. The primary concerns and questions for Clardy’s bill centered on the fiscal impact, and members expressed interest in continuing that conversation in House Ed Finance. All agreed that support for foster children and foster families is vitally important. Likewise, Virnig’s bill received questions about fiscal implications, as well as concerns about the number of members on the task force (currently slated for 23 spots), and the relative balance of representation within that group. Some members raised the idea that the OLA report would be a better means of examining the issue of PSEO and dual enrollment. Discussion will continue as the bill moves to Ed Finance.
Finally, HF 4176 (Youakim), a measure that would modify site-governed school requirements, was discussed and laid over for further consideration. The bill author and testifiers note that this law has been on the books for 20 years, but has not often been used because it is highly confusing. This bill would clarify the law, the language, and the process for site-governed schools (such as Gatewood Elementary in Hopkins), making it much more user-friendly, and giving schools much needed flexibility. They note that this is an opt-in option that has been used with great success in various states and geographies across the country, and that there is lots of interest in it here in Minnesota.
House Education Finance
House Education Finance met only once this week, on Tuesday under the gavel of Co-Chair Rep. Kresha (R-Little Falls), with a primary focus on the Permanent School Fund. Two presentations laid the contextual groundwork for the conversation, one updating the committee on the work of the Office of School Trust Lands, by Director, Aaron Vande Linde; and the other sharing the report from the Permanent School Fund Task Force, by the State Board of Investment’s Nate Blumenshine and Andy Christensen.
Following these detailed presentations, Rep. Igo (R-Grand Rapids) presented HF 3900, a bill to modify the calculation for the Permanent School Fund’s distributable earnings, and to amend the state constitution accordingly. The bill recommends a shift to a 4.5% distribution rate based on a three-year rolling average, which, the task force argues, will provide more stable and predictable funding for current beneficiaries while preserving the fund’s long-term purchasing power for future generations. In practice, this will mean a shift from the 2025 disbursement of $68 per pupil to a disbursement of $95 per pupil. The bill reflects the unanimous endorsement of the nine-member Task Force, after over a year’s worth of research, analysis and careful consideration. The author notes that this is a means of better funding education without passing any increased costs back to the taxpayers. After discussion, questions, and clarifications, the bill was passed as amended and referred to the committee on Rules.
The Week Ahead
Senate Education Policy
On Monday, Senate Ed Policy will be rolling out their omnibus bill, SF 3870 (Cwodzinski), with markup, including amendments and debate, happening Wednesday.
Senate Education Finance
Senate Ed Finance will continue to hear individual bills, including SF 3982 (Boldon), a grant appropriation for Rochester Public Schools’ school-based mental health program; SF 3983 (Boldon), a requirement for Anonymous Reporting Systems; SF 4414 (Clark), a provision for an expansion of the operating capital revenue inclusion of utility costs; SF 3761 (Farnsworth), a modification to school district’s eligibility to levy for swimming pool operating costs; SF 3186 (Maye Quade), modifications to the literacy incentive aid program; and SF 4344 (Weber), a fund transfer authorization provision for the Ivanhoe Independent School District (# 403).
House Education Finance
This committee’s agenda is thoroughly packed this week, as bills make their way through finance and are debated for fiscal impact. Under the gavel of Co-Chair Rep. Kresha (R-Little Falls) on Tuesday, members will begin with a grant update from Little Falls Aviation/Transportation, and then move on to individual bills, including HF 3650 (Mueller), which establishes a student career pathways framework; HF 1791 (Scott), authorizing school districts to offer career and technical education postsecondary scholarships and postsecondary grants; and HF 3489 (Bennett), establishing grooming as a criminal offense.
A slate of four bills dealing with PSEO and Dual Enrollment will be heard informationally as well. These include HF 4231 (Keeler), which would establish participation options for student eligibility for postsecondary enrollment; HF 4232 (Keeler), a requirement for postsecondary institutions to notify a pupil’s school of the pupil’s grades, and number of college credits granted each school year for postsecondary course enrollment; HF 4269 (Knudsen), which would direct the Office of the Legislative Auditor to evaluate the postsecondary enrollment options program and report on their findings; and HF 4270 (Knudsen), which would modify payments to postsecondary institutions and schools for the postsecondary enrollment options.
On Wednesday, under the gavel of Co-Chair Rep. Youakim (D-Hopkins), the committee will hear four bills. HF 4213 (Youakim) will forecast adjustments made to PreK-12 education programs, and appropriate funds; HF 4198 (Youakim) will provide grant funding for student mental health programs; HF 3930 (Hill) will appropriate funding for a contract to support teacher retention; and HF 3451 (Rehm) will appropriate funding for grants to schools for anonymous threat reporting systems.
House Education Policy
House Ed Policy will meet on Tuesday with Co-Chair Rep. Bennett (R-Albert Lea) holding the gavel. The committee will hear four bills, including HF751 (Robbins), a requirement for parental notification of adverse incidents; HF3550 (Bennett), a measure that would allow school districts to implement local health education standards; HF3764 (Nadeau), a requirement for anonymous reporting systems and reporting; and HF1490 (Bennett), which offers clarifications on high school graduation requirements.
On Wednesday, Co-Chair Rep. Jordan (D-Minneapolis) will hold the gavel, and members will debate four additional bills. These include HF 60 (Clardy), which modifies teacher licensure requirements to include professional development on dyslexia; HF 3067 (Jordan), defining the qualifications for paraprofessionals; HF 3730 (Jordan), which would modify K-12 education policy as well as charter school policy and state agency policy; and HF 3638 (Hill), which modifies provisions for educator licensing and standards and rulemaking authority for paraprofessional credentials. With the exception of HF 60, no testimony will be taken on these bills as they were previously heard and laid over for consideration. Input is being streamlined as bills make their way to the first and second bill deadline.
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