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Committee adopts amendment to HF110 to change HAP appropriation; testimony highlights job training and microloans
Summary
A Minnesota House committee adopted an amendment to House File 110 that changes the timing/amount of an appropriation for the Hmong American Partnership (HAP). HAP leaders and a small-business borrower testified about workforce training, revolving microloan funds and local job creation. The bill was laid over for future consideration.
Representative Hussain moved and the committee adopted an amendment to House File 110 that alters the bill's appropriation language for the Hmong American Partnership (HAP), and the bill was laid over for future consideration.
The amendment was adopted by voice vote after Chair Baker confirmed the change, which committee members discussed as replacing a $500,000 line with $1,000,000 in a later fiscal year. The committee did not record a roll-call vote on the amendment.
Mindset Paul, president and CEO of the Hmong American Partnership, told the committee HAP runs workforce and economic development programs targeted to underemployed and immigrant communities. "We are the bridge between government and community, ensuring state investments reach those who need it the most," Paul said. Paul gave program statistics to the committee: HAP has served nearly 3,000 Minnesotans in workforce programs since its first direct appropriations; more than 630 people enrolled in job training with a 74 percent completion rate; more than 250 earned industry-recognized credentials; program graduates averaged $20.25 per hour; HAP's CDFI activities supported 850 businesses since July 2023, made microloans totaling more than $1,100,000 and leveraged over $6,000,000 in private funds, grants and owner investments, producing more than 60 jobs.
Small-business owner Mo Chang, who identified himself as owner of Moe's Tropical Market and Moe's Tropical Wholesale in St. Paul, described a $100,000 loan and technical assistance from HAP that he said allowed him to secure a 28,000-square-foot facility and expand into wholesale. "Between my two businesses, I create over 75 jobs for the community," Chang said.
Rep. Pinto asked for more detail on HAP's microloan process and on performance metrics. Paul described HAP's loans as revolving loan funds that are relent when repaid and noted HAP provides pre- and post-loan technical assistance and reviews loans through a loan-review committee. Chair Baker asked that updated nonprofit filings (Form 990s) and current metrics be provided to the committee; Paul agreed to follow up through committee staff.
Representative Hussain thanked the witnesses and renewed his motion to lay the bill over; the committee laid House File 110 over for future consideration, with no final disposition recorded at the hearing.
The committee hearing record indicates further committee review is expected; no final passage or referral to the full House was recorded in the transcript excerpt.
