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Committee advances proposals to create Melissa Hortman memorial and uses Capitol Mall funds for design
Summary
Lawmakers advanced House File 36-43 (a working group to study establishing a memorial/park on the Capitol grounds) and House File 44-70 (an $800,000 appropriation from Capitol Mall design funds to create a Melissa Hortman memorial and statue); the Department of Administration supported a working group and cautioned about funding and operational implications.
Representative Fisher described House File 36-43 as creating a working group to examine how to establish a memorial or state-park area on the Capitol grounds honoring Speaker Melissa Hortman. He said the effort is meant to resolve "the devil in the details" — which agencies would coordinate, what parts of the Capitol grounds would be included and how to preserve existing uses and protests while expanding public engagement.
Julie Viralon, legislative director at the Department of Administration, testified that "as originally proposed, this legislation would be a substantial change to the operations of the Capitol complex" and expressed support for forming a working group to balance public engagement with operational realities; she noted the Capitol Mall maintenance account is running a deficit and any plan should recognize ongoing funding needs.
Representative Klevorn also brought House File 44-70, which would permit $800,000 of previously allocated Capitol Mall design framework dollars to be used to design and add a statue and memorial site adjacent to the state Office Building. Klevorn clarified the cap on memorials would not apply to this appropriation and said the design selection would still follow the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board's competitive artist-selection process and standard design approvals; the appropriation would be available through June 30, 2029.
Members asked about the customary 10-year waiting period for naming items on Capitol property; Eric C lived all, identified as executive secretary of the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board, explained the waiting period is intended to provide historical perspective for memorials. Several members said the recent traumatic circumstances surrounding Speaker Hortman's death (as referenced in committee remarks) weighed on their support for moving forward.
Both measures were advanced out of committee: HF 36-43 as amended and HF 44-70 were referred to Ways and Means for further consideration.
