Local Optional Revenue (LOR) Bills

• SF 1254 (Susan Pha, DFL, Brooklyn Park): This bill proposes increasing LOR to $920 per pupil as part of the tails budget.

• HF 409 (Andrew Myers, GOP, Tonka Bay): This measure would raise LOR to $974 per pupil, with the first $250 per pupil provided entirely as state aid.

• Rep. Kari Rehrauer (DFL, Coon Rapids): A bill is in draft form aiming to boost LOR to $974 per pupil. This proposal emphasizes improved equalization and indexing the per-pupil amount to the formula inflator.

These proposals are significant as they affect both the per-pupil revenue and the structure of state aid distribution.

Roof Repair & Replacement (LTFM-Related) Bills

• HF 51 Bianca Viring (DFL, Eagan) and Ben Bakeberg (GOP, Jordan) and SF1198 Grant Hauschild (DFL, Hermantown) and Rob Farnsworth (GOP, Hibbing)

These bills aim to address our district’s infrastructure needs by establishing or modifying funding mechanisms for roof repair and replacement projects.

Operating Referendum Equalization Bills

Sen. Rob Kupec (DFL, Moorhead) is considering introducing a bill to significantly increase the equalization amount for operating referenda.

Seasonal/Recreational Tax Base Replacement Aid Bill

SF 1197 Grant Hauschild (DFL, Hermantown) and Robert Farnsworth (GOP, Hibbing) and HF1161 (Spencer Igo, GOP, Wabana Township) This bill addresses school district seasonal tax base replacement aid establishment. While this may have limited impact on many SAFF members, it is important to note.

Here are a few other happenings as of February 20, 2025.

The Minnesota State Legislature is actively engaged in shaping education finance, policy, and taxation. Recent developments include the introduction of several bills and budget proposals in both the House and Senate.

Recent Legislative Initiatives:

HF 1028 / SF 1612 This bill proposes increased funding for school districts, addressing areas such as general education basic formula allowance, special education cross-subsidy aid, English learner cross-subsidy aid, and safe schools revenue. It also seeks to adjust equalization aid for debt service levies, local optional revenue, and operating referendums. Additionally, the bill aims to link extended time revenue to the general education basic formula allowance and modify compensatory revenue eligibility criteria.

HF 921 This legislation clarifies aid and levy adjustments when a tax increment finance excess is received by a school district, ensuring accurate financial management and distribution of funds.

Below are quick links to the SAFF website.

Legislative Updates

News

House and Senate Committee Meetings

House and Senate Education Bills Introductions. How to follow a bill in the Minnesota House or Senate, you can use the Minnesota Legislature’s website: https://www.leg.mn.gov/

Find the Bill Number:
If you know the bill number (e.g., HF 6 for House bills, SF 771 for Senate bills), you can search for it directly.
If you don’t know the bill number, check the House (https://www.house.mn.gov) or Senate (https://www.senate.mn) websites for recent bill introductions.
Search for the Bill:
Use the Legislation and Bill Status page (https://www.revisor.mn.gov) to find details like bill text, authors, status, and votes.
Follow Committee Hearings & Votes:
Check which committee the bill is assigned to.
Look at committee schedules to see when it will be discussed.
Sign Up for Alerts:
Subscribe to email notifications on the bill’s status.
Follow committee or chamber updates.
Contact Your Legislators:
Reach out to your local representative or senator to express your opinion or ask about the bill’s status.

Upcoming General Membership Meeting Dates

April 11. 2025

May 22, 2025

Thanks for your membership and support!