With the 1st and 2nd committee deadlines scheduled for next Friday, April 4, legislative committees have been busy hearing bills.
On Tuesday, the House Housing Committee heard Rep. Agbaje’s (DFL) community-based first-generation homebuyer downpayment assistance program bill (HF 999). This bill would create a permanent fund for the 2023 program, with an available grant amount of 10% of the home price, up to $32,000, per homebuyer or household.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Housing Omnibus Bill.
The House Workforce and Labor Committee and Senate Labor Committee heard HF 2145 and HF 2146 from Rep. Greenman (DFL) and SF 2360 from Sen. Oumou-Verbeten (DFL) related to the 2024 employer misclassification changes and Intergovernmental Misclassification Enforcement and Education Partnership.
The bills were laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
On Wednesday, the House Housing Committee heard Rep. Igo’s (R) bill requiring that any bill (HF 2492) that would increase the cost of residential construction or remodeling by $3,000 or more per unit be heard by the Housing Committee. This bill gives the House Housing Committee a seat at the table for bills that would increase housing costs but would not otherwise have jurisdiction in this committee.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
A review of this week’s media coverage can be found here:
- Yes to Homes: Statewide housing shortage demands a common-sense solution| West Central Tribune
- Key 2025 Housing Issues & Trends Chart Book | Minnesota Housing
- West metro leaders looking to tackle housing crisis (VIDEO) | Fox9 KMSP
- Our housing legislation would balance the need for homes in Minnesota with local concerns | MinnPost (Opinion article from James Vagle, Housing First Minnesota CEO)
- Amid Minnesota’s housing shortage, should the state step in to require more density? | Star Tribune
- MN cities lobby against restrictions aimed at lowering cost of homes | Fox9 KMSP
