Minutes

Present: Senator David J. Tomassoni - Chair, Senator Jason Rarick - Vice Chair, Senator Gregory D. Clausen, Senator Michael P. Goggin, Senator John R. Jasinski, Senator Aric Putnam

Absent: No Members Absent

Senator David J. Tomassoni called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. A quorum was present.

S.F. 1502: Senator Duckworth: Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights.

Senator Duckworth, chief author of S.F. 1502, explained his bill (see summary, bill and fiscal note).  The title is as follows:

A bill for an act relating to commerce; requiring licensure of student loan servicers; prohibiting certain practices in student loan servicing; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 13.712, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 58B.

The Chair requested that Joan White of Senate Counsel give a brief overview of the bill.

Testifying in support of S.F. 1502 were the following:

    1)  Ron Elwood - Legal Aid of MN

    2)  Joe Warren, Realtor

Following discussion, Senator Jasinski moved that S.F. 1502 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Commerce Committee.  The MOTION PREVAILED (see attached committee report).

S.F. 1575: Senator Bakk: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities board of trustees operations and maintenance supplemental aid appropriation.

Senator Bakk, chief author of S.F. 1575 explained his bill (see summary and bill).  The title is as follows:

A bill for an act relating to higher education; appropriating money to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Senator Rarick moved amendment SCS1575A-1 on behalf of the author.  The MOTION PREVAILED and the A-1 AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying in support of S.F. 1575, as amended, was:

    1)  Axel Kylander, Vice President of LeadMN

Senator Bakk presented closing comments.

Following discussion, the Chair announced that S.F. 1575, as amended, would be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Higher Education bill.

S.F. 1631: Senator Tomassoni: Student success basic needs barrier reduction requirement and appropriation.

The Chair passed the gavel to Senator Goggin while he presented his bill.

Senator Tomassoni, chief author of S.F. 1631, moved his author's amendment, SCS 1631A-1.  The MOTION PREVAILED and the A-1 AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Senator Tomassoni explained the bill as amended (see summary and bill).  The title is as follows:

A bill for an act relating to higher education; requiring access to basic needs information, a basic needs support trigger, and dedicated campus contact; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136F.

Testifying in support of S.F. 1631, as amended, was:

    1)  Axel Kylander, Vice President of LeadMN (see handout)

Senator Tomassoni presented closing comments.

Following discussion, Chair Goggin announced that S.F. 1631, as amended, would be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Higher Education bill.

Chair Goggin passed the gavel back to Chair Tomassoni.

S.F. 1788: Senator Westrom: Teacher shortage loan forgiveness eligibility modification to include nonpublic schools authorization.

Senator Westrom, chief author of S.F. 1788, explained his bill (see summary and bill).  The title is as follows:

A bill for an act relating to higher education; modifying teacher shortage loan forgiveness eligibility to include nonpublic schools; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 136A.1791, subdivision 1.

Testifying in support of S.F. 1788 was:

    1)  Tanya Fischer, Principal of St. Mary's School in Morris, MN

Joan White, Senate Counsel, answered questions of committee members.

Senator Westrom presented closing comments.

Following discussion, the Chair announced that S.F. 1788 would be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Higher Education bill.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

Senator David J. Tomassoni, Chair	Laura Bakk, Legislative Assistant