Conference committee adopts Minnesota housing omnibus, debates manufactured‑housing protections and private‑equity limits

A Minnesota legislative conference committee on House File 1141 voted on May 12 to instruct nonpartisan staff to prepare a conference committee report incorporating a spreadsheet of fiscal changes and policy language for an omnibus housing finance and policy bill.

Eric Olsen, a fiscal analyst for the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee, walked members through a four‑page spreadsheet that reallocated investment earnings and identified new appropriations and transfers, including $14,275,000 in FY27 for the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program, $4,000,000 for manufactured home park infrastructure grants and $38,000,000 from the general fund for the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP), described in the packet as coming from a Tyler settlement cancellation. Katrina Highmark of House fiscal staff told the committee the bill would authorize $100,000,000 in housing infrastructure bonds and identified an initial debt‑service cost of $2,000,000 in fiscal 2029 and additional annual debt‑service estimates across the bond life.

"This is a really, really great bill that's gonna do a lot of ... to build thousands of units of homes, to help thousands of Minnesotans who are really struggling," said Chair Howard, who led the committee through floor‑level debate and emphasized partnership with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) and nonpartisan staff.

Members debated a series of amendments. Vice Chair Senator Bolden offered A16, a manufactured‑housing "bill of rights" that would add purchase‑opportunity provisions, enhanced enforcement of existing protections and measures to address steep lot‑rent increases. Bolden described residents' organizing and said the amendment would respond to rent increases that he said sometimes exceed 8–12% year over year. The amendment was put to a roll call and did not secure the required majority from all three caucuses and was not adopted.

Senator Lucero proposed A18 to permit POW/MIA, blue‑star, gold‑star and armed‑forces branch flags in homeowners associations and similar locations. Members said the substance was generally supported but questioned whether the housing conference report was the right vehicle; the roll call did not produce the required three‑caucus majority and the amendment failed.

Bolden also offered A17, a limit on large private‑equity firms owning or purchasing more than 100 single‑family homes in Minnesota. "We are seeing ... these companies swoop in and they can purchase homes with a cash offer ... and people who live in those communities don't have a chance to compete," Bolden said. Proponents argued it would preserve homeownership opportunities; opponents urged more study and coordination with federal developments. The amendment did not pass on a three‑caucus roll call.

Chair Igo moved A13 to preempt municipal rent control statewide; the committee debated whether the policy merited a longer, standalone conversation. The amendment failed to get the required cross‑caucus majority on a roll call.

Committee chairs and members repeatedly praised the package's mix of funding and policy changes. "We're covering it all," Chair Igo said, noting the agreement includes investments for single‑family, multifamily and manufactured housing and provisions intended to strengthen transparency and accountability in MHFA. Representative Kozlowski described community testimony and said the bill would help teachers, nurses and working families who are struggling to find housing.

After discussion, Chair Port moved that nonpartisan staff prepare the conference committee report incorporating the spreadsheet and be empowered to make technical and conforming changes to language to reflect the committee's intent. The motion was approved on a roll call that the chair recorded as five ayes and one nay with a majority from each caucus. The committee then adjourned.

Votes at a glance • A12 (allows qualifying local units to invest in housing‑focused, long‑term fixed‑income investments): adopted (formal roll‑call adoption after an initial voice vote). • A16 (manufactured‑housing bill of rights): failed to secure required three‑caucus majority on roll call (not adopted). • A18 (HOA flags): failed to secure required three‑caucus majority on roll call (not adopted). • A17 (private‑equity cap on single‑family homes): failed to secure required three‑caucus majority on roll call (not adopted). • A13 (state preemption of local rent control): failed to secure required three‑caucus majority on roll call (not adopted).

What happens next Nonpartisan staff were instructed to prepare the conference committee report reflecting the agreed spreadsheet and language; the report will be filed and the bill sent to the respective chambers for final action and, if passed, to the governor.