Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to week 10 of the 2025 legislative session! This week was packed with committee hearings, bill presentations, and meetings with community members. In the Human Services Committee, we discussed a range of bills focused on improving disability services, assisted living regulations, and nursing home funding. I also presented bills in the Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, and the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee. Outside the committees, I had the opportunity to meet with constituents, advocacy groups, and local leaders, including White Earth Tribal Leaders, Care Providers of Minnesota, and the North Metro Mayors. Read on for more details about this week’s work!
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Monday’s Human Services hearing had a full agenda, with ten bills up for discussion. Topics included the creation of an Office of the Inspector General, a budget exception for consumer-directed community supports, the establishment of a pilot program for a single administrative structure and delivery system, modifications to assisted living service termination requirements, updates to regulations for health facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living, changes to electronic monitoring consent rules, and updates on employment regulations for workers with disabilities, continuing education requirements for certain professionals, and electrical work regulations.
I presented three bills:
- SF 2443: Makes significant revisions to Human Services programs, modifying provisions related to aging and disability services, behavioral health, Direct Care and Treatment, health care administration, licensing and disqualification, and department operations.
- SF 2439: Establishes new payment rates and guidelines for day services for adults with disabilities, including a transparent rate-setting methodology for day training and habilitation services. It also mandates case managers ensure informed decision-making and choice, with specific training and evaluation requirements.
- SF 2542: Updates the statute governing reimbursement for basic care services under medical assistance, modifying payment methodologies for enteral nutrition equipment and supplies based on the 50th percentile of usual and customary charges, with rate increases capped at 150% of the prior year’s rates.
On Wednesday, we heard six bills covering nursing home minimum wage standards, temporary nursing facility rate increases, updates to assessments and monitoring for assisted living residents, and changes to county costs, admission timelines, and funding for expanded mental health treatment capacity. I presented two bills:
- SF 1725: Proposes changes to reimbursement rates for elderly waivers and nursing facilities, adjusting cost factors like direct care, operating costs, and wage standards. It establishes rate adjustments for nursing home wage standards starting in 2026 and requires facilities to apply for adjustments based on employee compensation data.
- SF 2630: Establishes the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council to coordinate efforts across sectors to make the state more age-friendly. It codifies and expands grant programs, including age-friendly community grants and technical assistance grants, and mandates an annual report from the new council.
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Health and Human Services Committee
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During Wednesday’s Health and Human Services committee hearing, I presented two bills related to ambulance services: SF 1132 and SF 1133. SF 1132 seeks to create and fund an ambulance service training and staffing program, in which EMT students can earn livable wages while still in training. SF 1133 proposes updates to the existing Volunteer Ambulance Reimbursement program. The bill would include training for Emergency Medical Responders as a reimbursable expense because EMRs are also staffing ambulances alongside EMTs.
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Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee
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In Housing and Homelessness Prevention, I presented SF 2214. This bill aims to appropriate continual funding for the Minnesota Homelessness Study by The Wilder Research Foundation. Wilder has conducted this study every three years since 1991, collecting insightful and policy-influencing data on the Minnesota homeless population. The study is at risk of shutting down without proper funding. The data collected by this study has helped various Minnesota agencies, including the Department of Health, The Office of Economic Opportunity, Metro Transit, and more.
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Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee
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On Tuesday in the Environment, Climate, and Legacy committee, I presented SF 2113. This bill aims to provide legacy funding for the Minnesota Public Television Association. The six public television stations it represents produce programs on arts, history and cultural heritage, and increased funding would allow them to expand on and continue these initiatives as they serve the state of Minnesota.
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Staying in Minnesota for Spring Break?
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It’s Spring Break season, but there’s no need to get on airplane to find ways to entertain kids while they’re out of school. Explore Minnesota has put together a wide-ranging list of fun activities and attractions for kids of all ages: School Break Staycations for Kids of All Ages
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On Tuesday, I participated in Disability Services Day on the Hill. This collaborative event provided an excellent opportunity to support and advocate for our most vulnerable Minnesotans. During the event, I spoke at a rally about the importance of funding disability services, and I met with numerous constituents visiting for the event with Representative Hortman.
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Preparing for an Emerging Helium Industry in Minnesota
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Minnesota could become a global hub for helium thanks to the discovery of a naturally occurring helium deposit in Northern Minnesota. Used as a critical element as a coolant in nuclear reactors, rockets, superconductors, and medical diagnostic equipment, helium is much in demand, but many sectors face shortages due to its limited supply. Tests of Minnesota’s deposit are promising, and industrial-scale production could be in the state’s future.
The Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee heard legislation that would establish the permanent regulatory framework necessary to make that production possible. The proposal outlines what agencies would oversee permitting for production, the process for securing a permit, and lays out other regulations and requirements necessary for this emerging industry. The bills also includes language around environmental protection and prohibits locating projects around certain areas, including parks, trails, other natural areas and waters, and existing dwellings.
More work lies ahead. Senate DFLers are committed to getting the policies in place that will ensure Minnesota is ready for this new industry and the opportunities it brings.
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This week, I had the pleasure of meeting Pastor Chris Grazor, a community member from Dayton. He works with Anchor Bible Church, and I enjoyed our conversation about his legislative priorities.
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White Earth Tribal Leaders
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Also on Tuesday, I met with the White Earth Tribal Leaders. We had a valuable conversation about a bill I am authoring ahead of its introduction on Thursday supporting the creation of a cultural center. I appreciated their visit and our necessary discussion.
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Also on Wednesday, I met with constituents and Mayor Hollies Winston of Brooklyn Park during North Metro Mayors Day on the Hill. This organization serves to be a voice for the North Metro area, including our district, and it was a pleasure discussing their legislative goals and concerns.
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It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Dayton, and Rogers here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come to visit. So stop on by or arrange a Zoom meeting! Reach out and tell me what matters to you or schedule an appointment so I can continue working on your behalf. Please contact our office at cassie.sohr@senate.mn, email me directly at jhoffman@senate.mn, or call us at 651-296-4154 and we will take your input or assist you as we can.
Sincerely,
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John A. Hoffman
Minnesota Senate, District 34
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Capitol Address
95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
St. Paul, MN 55155
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