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Jobs and Economic Development Committee
Monday, March 23, 2026
12:30 PM, 1100 Minnesota Senate Bldg.

Minutes



Present: Senator Bobby Joe Champion - Chair, Senator Zaynab Mohamed - Vice Chair, Senator Rich Draheim - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Heather Gustafson, Senator Foung Hawj, Senator Karin Housley, Senator Carla J. Nelson, Senator Susan Pha, Senator Eric R. Pratt

Absent: No Members Absent

Senator Bobby Joe Champion called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM

S.F. 4527: Senator Pha: Small businesses negatively impacted by federal enforcement activity relief program establishment and appropriation.

S.F. 4527 - Pha: Small businesses negatively impacted by federal enforcement activity relief program establishment and appropriation presentation begins at 12:59 PM by Senator Susan Pha and ends at 1:04 PM. Senator Pha moved for an A2 Amendment, “Delete everything”: Motion prevails (Voice Vote), and the A2 Amendment is adopted. S.F. 4527 - Pha: Small businesses negatively impacted by federal enforcement activity relief program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Alicia Glover, Owner, Creativa Demi, LLC, starting at 1:06 PM and ending at 1:08 PM. S.F. 4527 - Pha: Small businesses negatively impacted by federal enforcement activity relief program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Linda Sloan, Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (VIRTUAL), starting at 1:09 PM and ending at 1:11 PM. S.F. 4527 - Pha: Small businesses negatively impacted by federal enforcement activity relief program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Williametta Kennedy, Harvest African Market (VIRTUAL), starting at 1:11 PM and ending at 1:13 PM. S.F. 4527 - Pha: Small businesses negatively impacted by federal enforcement activity relief program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Jannie Seibure, Cavalla Travel and Tour LLC, Ignite Business Women Investment Group Foundation (VIRTUAL), starting at 1:13 PM and ending at 1:16 PM. Questions Begin at 1:16 PM and ends at 1:47 PM Senator Gustafson laid over SF 4527 for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill

Senator Champion moved that S.F. 4527, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.

S.F. 4535: Senator Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation.

S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation begins at 1:48 PM by Senator Bobby Joe Champion and ends at 1:51 PM. Senator Champion moves an A2 Amendment: Motion prevails (Voice Vote), and the A2 Amendment is adopted. Senate Jobs Committee Counsel, Carlon Doyle Fontaine provides a walk-through the A2 Amendment moved by Senator Champion. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Scott Marquardt, President, Southwest Initiative Foundation, starting at 2:00 PM and ending at 2:02 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Carl Swanson, Coalition Strategist, Minnesota CDFI Coalition, starting at 2:03 PM and ending at 2:05 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Elliot Payne, Minneapolis City Council President, starting at 2:05 PM and ending at 2:07 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Nadia Mohamed, Mayor, St. Louis Park, starting at 2:07 PM and ending at 2:09 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Russ Adams, Lake Street Council, Manager, Corridor Recovery Initiatives, starting at 2:10 PM and ending at 2:12 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Liliana Letran-Garcia, CEO, CLUES, starting at 2:12 PM and ending at 2:14 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Linda Sloan, Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (VIRTUAL), starting at 2:14 PM and ending at 2:16 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Williametta Kennedy, Harvest African Market (VIRTUAL), starting at 2:16 PM and ending at 2:18 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Jannie Seibure, Cavalla Travel and Tour LLC, Ignite Business Women Investment Group Foundation (VIRTUAL), starting at 2:18 PM and ending at 2:20 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Julian Ocampo, Owner, Los Ocampo Restaurant and Bar, starting at 2:20 PM and ending at 2:22 PM. S.F. 4535 - Champion: Minnesota business recovery loan program establishment and appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by David Campana, MN Latino Council on Affairs, starting at 2:22 PM and ending at 2:24 PM. Questions Begin at 2:25 PM and ends at 2:50 PM Senator Mohamed moves an oral amendment to insert on line 1.6 after account “And $250,000 in fiscal year, 2027 is appropriated from the General Fund.” and “delete section 2.” Senator Champion requests a roll call and roll call is granted: Senator Champion: No Senator Mohamed: Yes Senator Draheim: Yes Senator Gustafson: No Senator Hawj: No Senator Housely: Yes Senator Pratt: Yes Senator Nelson: Yes Senator Pha: No 5 Yes and 4 No’s the amendment passes. Senator Draheim moves to lay SF4535 on the table Senator Champion requests a roll call and roll call is granted: Senator Champion: No Senator Mohamed: Yes Senator Draheim: Yes Senator Gustafson: No Senator Hawj: No Senator Housely: Yes Senator Pratt: Yes Senator Nelson: Yes Senator Pha: No 5 Yes and 4 No’s the motion prevails and the bill will be laid over for possible inclusion. Senator Gustafson laid over SF 4535 for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill Senator Champion requested a roll call vote for the adoption of undefined motion undefined. 5/4 (Ayes: Mohamed, Draheim, Housley, Nelson, Pratt; Nays: Champion, Gustafson, Hawj, Pha) MOTION FAILED

Senator Draheim moved that S.F. 4535, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.

S.F. 927: Senator Pappas: Hmong American Partnership grant appropriation.

S.F. 0927 - Pappas: Hmong American Partnership grant appropriation presentation begins at 12:41 PM by Senator Sandy Pappas and ends at 12:42 PM. Senator Pappas moved the A2 Amendment: Motion prevails (Voice Vote), and the A2 Amendment is adopted. S.F. 0927 - Pappas: Hmong American Partnership grant appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by May yer Thao, President and CEO of HAP, at 12:42 PM and ending at 12:44 PM. S.F. 0927 - Pappas: Hmong American Partnership grant appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Lily Thao, Student in HAP programs, at 12:44 PM and ending at 12:47 PM. Questions Begin at 12:48 PM and ends at 12:59 PM Senator Nelson moved an Oral Amendment on line 1.7, deleting “wealth management” and including financial literacy.”: Motion prevails (Voice Vote), and the Oral Amendment is adopted. Senator Champion laid over SF 0927 for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill

Senator Champion moved that S.F. 927, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.

S.F. 3977: Senator Rest: Professional Golfers' Association of America championship events appropriation.

S.F. 3977 - Rest: Professional Golfers' Association of America championship events appropriation presentation begins at 2:51 PM by Senator Ann Rest and ends at 2:52 PM. S.F. 3977 - Rest: Professional Golfers' Association of America championship events appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Adam Duininck, President and CEO, Minneapolis Downtown Council starting at 2:53 PM and ending at 2:55 PM. S.F. 3977 - Rest: Professional Golfers' Association of America championship events appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Dan O’Neill, Vice President of Strategy and Sales, Bloomington, Minnesota Travel and Tourism starting at 2:55 PM and ending at 2:57 PM. S.F. 3977 - Rest: Professional Golfers' Association of America championship events appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Matt Podhradsky, City Administrator, City of Chaska starting at 2:57 PM and ending at 2:59 PM. S.F. 3977 - Rest: Professional Golfers' Association of America championship events appropriation presentation continues with a testimony by Phil Anderson, COO Hazeltine National Golf Club and Director/ PGA of America National Board of Directors (VIRTUAL) starting at 3:00 PM and ending at 3:02 PM. Questions Begin at 3:02 PM and ends at 3:03 PM Senator Champion laid over SF 3977 for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill Committee Adjourned at 3:03 PM

Senator Champion moved that S.F. 3977, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:03 PM


 
                                                                      
Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Chair
                                                                      
Taylor Tidwell-Bennett, Legislative Assistant