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Committee hears testimony supporting ProStart funding; amendment shifts appropriation to DEED and bill is laid over
Summary
Lawmakers and students spoke in favor of House File 961, funding the ProStart hospitality education program. A delete‑all amendment moved the appropriation from Education to DEED and from the general fund to the workforce development fund; the committee adopted the amendment by voice and laid the bill over for further consideration.
The House Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee heard testimony in support of House File 961, a measure to provide state funding for ProStart, a career and technical education program for high school students run by the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation.
Representative Baker, sponsor of the bill, described ProStart as a successful program that trains students for hospitality careers and cited testimonials from students and local industry mentors. Student witnesses said ProStart had changed their education and career plans; Chef Josh Brown, a mentor and board member of the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation, described graduates who have launched careers or businesses and said the program helps address industry staffing needs.
House Research staff explained a DE1 delete‑all amendment to the bill that moves the appropriation from the Department of Education to the Department of Employment and Economic Development and transfers funding from the general fund to the workforce development fund. The committee adopted that amendment by voice vote.
Witnesses from the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation provided program statistics: the foundation reported expansion from about 45 to 75 schools and enrollment growth from 5,600 to 13,000 students after recent funding; it said it has been able to increase teacher professional development and provide grants for curriculum and equipment. A committee member noted the program previously received $250,000 in each of the prior two biennia; the current request of $500,000 was discussed as enabling further expansion into rural and under‑served schools.
Representative Baker moved to lay House File 961 over for further consideration; the chair said the bill would be "laid over" and the committee moved on to other agenda items.
Why it matters: ProStart provides industry connections, hands‑on training and career credentials for high‑school students, and committee members said the program can both support student outcomes and address hospitality industry workforce needs.
Ending: Committee members asked for additional materials, including a map of participating schools and details about program reach; the bill was laid over for future hearings.
