Hello from the Capitol! The ninth week of session has been busy with hearings, as lawmakers rush to meet the first deadline of the legislative session. By March 15, bills that haven’t gotten the green light from a committee in its house of origin won’t move forward, with the exception of certain committees to which these deadlines don't apply.
Good news! An MHP-championed measure to create a state match for Local Housing Trust Funds (SF 1961) was introduced in the Senate. Thank you to Chief Author Senator Andrew Lang (R-17/Olivia)!
Past hearings
House
The Housing Finance and Policy Division heard several important housing-related bills including one that would make apartment leases easier to understand (HF 495). Another bill addresses evictions and eviction case court records (HF 1511).
On March 6, the House Health and Human Services Finance Division hearda proposal to raise the monthly cash benefit for families in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), supported by Homes for All. The MFIP funding level has not changed since 1986. A companion bill awaits a hearing in the Senate.
The House Property Tax division heard several cities make their case for extensions and variances related to Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts. TIF uses the expected increase in property taxes from a project to help pay for the project. The bills that advanced would create new TIF districts in Burnsville, Duluth, Edina and Minneapolis. Bloomington, Champlin, and Roseville asked for extensions or alterations. Many of these TIF districts will include affordable housing as part of a development.
Senate
The Senate Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing Finance Committee heard two bills on manufactured home parks. One that would provide a one-time grant for infrastructure (SF 1871) and another that clarifies manufactured home parks may use housing infrastructure bonds (SF 469).
The Senate Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing Policy Committee heard testimony from Housing First Minnesota and the Minnesota Realtors on a bill to establish a legislative commission on housing affordability (SF 1294). The committee also considered providing a $2 million appropriation (for the biennium) the Bridges program, which provides housing supports for people with a mental illness (SF 1611).
Upcoming hearings
Tuesday, March 12, 3pm (Rm 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.)
The Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee will mark up and send on SF 1859 (Agriculture) and SF 1644 (Housing) as policy omnibus bills. The committee will also hear SF 2178, which modifies Minnesota Housing’s Economic and Housing Challenge grant program. If you wish to testify on behalf of any bill contact the committee administrator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 651-296-5968.
Wednesday, March 13, 8am (Rm 200 State Office Bldg.)
The Housing Finance and Policy Division will hear a bill on manufactured home parks (HF 1571), affordability terms for rental housing projects financed by Minnesota Housing (HF 1574), a bill that requires landlords to notify tenants that they may be evicted and explain the grounds for eviction (HF 1972), a bill relating to tenant termination of leases (HF 1918), and a bill on housing tax credit allocation requirements (HF 2273). Please contact Owen Wirth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (651) 296-6970 if you would like to testify on any of these bills. If the committee doesn’t finish their agenda, they’ll pick it back up at 5pm in Rm 400N of the State Office Bldg.
Bill Introductions
- SF 2178: Modifies requirements for economic and housing challenge grants
- HF 2273: Repeals certain requirements for the allocation of housing tax credits
- HF 2135: Appropriates money for housing bonds for senior housing projects
- HF 2178: Requires landlords to test for radon and provide disclosures
- HF 1972: Requires landlord notifies tenant of grounds for potential eviction
- HF 2017: Changes the manufactured home park relocation trust fund
Join MHP for regular legislative update calls!
Join MHP's policy team every other Friday morning at 10 to stay in-the-loop and share suggestions on how to move our agenda forward. Our next call will take place on Friday, March 22 at 10am. Dial 800-220-9875 and enter 24167074 to join the call. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Glidden.
