House File 3,650 (as amended) referred to Education Finance after testimony on statewide career pathways
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Summary
Committee advanced House File 3,650 (as amended with A1) to Education Finance. The opt‑in bill directs four commissioners to collaborate on a statewide framework for student career pathways; witnesses stressed removing barriers, aligning districts and employers, and potential private grant support to limit general fund costs.
Representative Mueller presented House File 3,650 on Feb. 26 and offered the A1 amendment. The amendment was adopted by voice vote and the bill—described by the author as a voluntary, opt‑in statewide framework to align K‑12 career pathways, agencies and employers—was heard with multiple testifiers before the committee voted to refer the measure to the Education Finance Committee.
Testifiers included John Fanning (Education Partnerships Coalition of Minnesota), Tim McMillan (North Branch School Board chair), Sarah Paul (superintendent, North Branch Area Public Schools), T.J. Hendrickson (Shakopee teacher), and Matt Schmidt (principal, Austin High School). Supporters emphasized local pilot examples, workforce alignment opportunities (noting a potential $157 million private investment to North Branch from Louisiana Pacific and employer wage prospects), and the need to remove administrative barriers so promising local work scales statewide.
Committee members requested a fiscal note; Representative Mueller said conversations with agency partners were ongoing and ECMC indicated potential private grant support. Representative Mueller moved to refer HF3650 as amended to Education Finance and members voted by voice to send the bill forward.
No final fiscal figures were presented at the hearing. The bill was referred to the next committee for financial review and potential further amendments.
