[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6326801,"mediaKeyId","2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca","parentId",2323674,"title","Committee adopts amendment and refers bill to Agriculture to create ag worker ombudsperson at DEED","audioSeconds",698,"startMs",2834000,"endMs",3532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca&start=2834&end=3532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca/thumbnail_2834000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326801/Minnesota/Committee-adopts-amendment-and-refers-bill-to-Agriculture-to-create-ag-worker-ombudsperson-at-DEED","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326801-3a213a80621ed362a502b41607fda743/orig.mp4?Expires=1770665276&Signature=QaMQUZ0rkMQa5p-RUGqej9DzgAdvK2lYxR7Fd6TzxR0BbTzRr4EbyXGqojFMNQKubB-Pdl9EsvvYiiXxGWnzkregs~UKb9xhpjg1BmcncLrCAP6StnvLDZbXXckj5HXpzTyKTNTa~gjvDqWxUSguM08eAqylYo9oaIGVjIYfNBfsZPAhkp6FUbVq0vp5G-GF4HboyCBwUFy5duuLYZLd7YMdcPTQPz7nbALfHk1XjZWGiWSBF6eYtJ4QI0~mG1ELKXzTb5XPL50i-FYYBNZAEbIwYIf7l6iaF84Z78WYn3iyHVLB1uMi-YyWAIeR4OPVXuKANlL8kjcPb6kI3z7PIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Senate Media Services","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Putnam introduced Senate File 7‑75 on Feb. 17 to create an ombudsperson within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to assist agriculture and food‑processing workers with housing, workplace safety and fair‑labor questions.

Sen. Joy Ham offered an A‑1 amendment to add the ranking minority member to a governance line, clarify report placement in the legislative reference library, and require a subscription of all expenditures for transparency. Sen. Putnam accepted the A‑1 as a friendly amendment. The committee adopted the A‑1 by voice vote.

The author said the office is intended as a centralized “one‑stop” resource to help workers and employers navigate rights, responsibilities and services across multiple agencies. Sen. Putnam and co‑authors described broad support from labor and industry groups, including the Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Midwest Food Products Association and the Minnesota Pork Producers Association; AgriGrowth provided a letter of support, the author said.

After discussion about suitable housing within state government, committee members moved to pass the bill as amended and refer it to the Senate Agriculture Committee. Sen. Pratt made the motion to pass and refer; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and the chair announced the bill was passed and referred.

Action recorded in committee: A‑1 amendment adopted; Senate File 7‑75 passed as amended and referred to the Agriculture Committee. No roll‑call vote was taken in committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved an A‑1 amendment and passed Senate File 7‑75 to create an ombudsperson for agricultural and food‑processing workers housed in the Department of Employment and Economic Development; the bill was referred to the Agriculture Committee by voice vote.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326806,"Sen. Kupek seeks $15M to expand dental assisting and hygiene program capacity",690,2026000,2716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca&start=2026&end=2716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca/thumbnail_2026000.jpg","/articles/6326806/Minnesota/Sen-Kupek-seeks-15M-to-expand-dental-assisting-and-hygiene-program-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326806-7b09fe2b26522aa4c94e3533daaafe35/orig.mp4?Expires=1770665276&Signature=N7Gm-rIyFGplEZZtWV2qeCwh1J9YJVkQa8eduKbq7~gAjdNFDnyTgkGzsPYUwaYgG3ooohDEPGvT~9niKYS~lQrvz~zmaexS23JHYqqFD~-hMfmBG6aCVh-yirPCJSuiI0WXjvTnI0kz~A6HxPKalOdDIObha-VZsSSdl8DsVSkb0V7R-CA1mmfBedPNKsu3nf93glIPgCbC2Oqbeqj3pNzTFvx8Au3070dVxSMSX2ma12-ZxczKJe8AYrjoxw0PWFLdIMFhCvn9Lih20OLT9wYjqHysELAcdV1FE9sGi9vgXIvlGGiguDmNqG8uTOAZrt8TfHUHOLicI-pvo4uTjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Kupek told the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee on Feb. 17 that Minnesota faces a shortage of dental assistants and dental hygienists and that school capacity is constraining workforce supply.

Sen. Kupek said recent data shows most dental practices are hiring and that two‑thirds of dentists call recruitment “extremely” or “very” challenging. “Minnesota’s dental assisting and hygiene schools are at maximum capacity with demand outweighing available openings,” she said.

Dan Murphy of the Minnesota Dental Association said programs have applicant pools larger than available slots and provided written program‑level needs in the committee packet. Grants in the bill could be used for classroom or clinic infrastructure, scholarships, faculty and staff retention, equipment or other program‑specific needs. Murphy told the committee the packet lays out wait lists, applicant counts and estimated grant needs for each program.

Fiscal staff told the committee the Jobs Committee has not funded a program like this in the last two biennia and that the bill’s $15,000,000 request is a substantial ask from the Workforce Development Fund. Committee members raised jurisdictional questions—one senator asked why higher‑education issues (facility and equipment funding) were before Jobs rather than Higher Education—and also questioned use of one‑time funds for ongoing costs such as salaries.

Sen. Kupek said she would work with members on language and explore whether HEAPR or capital requests already cover projects on campuses. Senate File 13‑25 was laid over for possible inclusion.","Sen. Kupek introduced a bill to create grants for dental assisting and dental hygiene schools to expand capacity, equipment and faculty; stakeholders told the committee programs are at maximum enrollment and the request was laid over for possible inclusion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326810,"Film North seeks $400,000 to design statewide film workforce training program",576,1409000,1985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca&start=1409&end=1985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca/thumbnail_1409000.jpg","/articles/6326810/Minnesota/Film-North-seeks-400000-to-design-statewide-film-workforce-training-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326810-f1e97959a536115b61fc82a782f229b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770665276&Signature=JACyaqQoxDWs5U25p-ptL51HK2QXIzCu3x~knG1oilBLGty9PGLtnEFIbgU2AQUYnD5gFJTRccuXmwPpYAzHkRLN94GGadGuLF7JI1W1n4ORe-TX97X~uD~CtxFhvklXBlQbQDLPpw~1youOIKjr-Dh2-3Sy~KGWluqR-s-0hhXob7~xgxDrIWLGWZQ-xfHj7edE3eGrmVZb0ntp3saP61-CWTIptlCS0I-K00HozvQbrLK8pFCe66E~61Qej~-2euDSNfTKGj8Fjuee9Dmt9alhMufeEv0c5YB5iD-wZYKOsSqReN2A82v163eFSms-QMEmFJfCYvAXCQd2uSeJnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Umu Verbatim presented Senate File 11‑51 to the Minnesota Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Development on Feb. 17, asking support for Film North to develop a statewide film workforce training program.

Robert Ndondelei, director of engagement and professional development at Film North, told the committee the state lacks a coordinated set of year‑round training programs for film production crew and that Explore Minnesota’s staffing and current crew directory do not provide sufficient training or placement capacity. “We are the leading filmmaker support organization in the Upper Midwest,” Ndondelei said, describing Film North’s 35‑plus year track record and existing education and production facilities.

Sen. Umu Verbatim said the program would aim to train people previously excluded from the industry and to create consistent standards across regions; it would study successful programs in other states, pilot courses and then fund a sustainable statewide program.

Fiscal staff reported Film North received $100,000 one time in FY2025 from the Workforce Development Fund and that Senate File 11‑51 requests $400,000 one‑time in FY2026 from the General Fund. Witnesses said the requested amount was based on comparable programs in mid‑sized states rather than large markets such as California or New York.

Committee members asked for more details on how the $400,000 would be spent and how many trainees could be served; Ndondelei said the $400,000 figure was based on market comparisons and that the program to date has focused on research and travel funded by the earlier $100,000. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.","Sen. Umu Verbatim and Film North director Robert Ndondelei urged the Jobs Committee to fund a one‑time, statewide film workforce training pilot; Film North requested $400,000 for FY2026 to study and pilot a program and develop a sustainable statewide curriculum.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326815,"Sen. Umu Verbatim asks committee to fund Ujamaa Place workforce services",930,433000,1363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca&start=433&end=1363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323674-a1a05066f6f525b446974b90430160ca/thumbnail_433000.jpg","/articles/6326815/Minnesota/Sen-Umu-Verbatim-asks-committee-to-fund-Ujamaa-Place-workforce-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326815-8e715dd5e831b4f4767bb14903bfaebf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770665276&Signature=gPKa~VjN-OYZMRWGFvikzUrC2sWgBOs3d49eIL~9PQycvenPYjJSe8QJIhMGJ4l9BT6Ya5PNZjLZlgnWUxM3Ob7p4JGuRTU08IIfXWbp7TS7NcV20Y0DrpPIqFFMIfLLpR~MEGQn9RKqNuxaZsjazdxa6mdNztbjkRIvRSnMgcUI6vj7u5Pt-kJVllpSL52LNWRV8iY1qN6gW7lrJ2kzo4atnjOMkvlE0-YmvxkXTA3ahS6TD-oxL7~9xbp9Y2qZ-VKG3Q0RvnvKKnghpbqs4H8CrWLWabPLUth3RQsMqGyy~W9hqVLE8JtbLo~jGGcX3LyqgYYutfAy4aWCjFkqag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Umu Verbatim asked the Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Development on Feb. 17 to approve Senate File 12‑78, a workforce-appropriation request to expand services at Ujamaa Place.

Ujamaa Place interim CEO Michael Belton told the committee the organization serves primarily African American men aged 18 to 30 and has used prior state funds to expand coaching, a GED requirement for participants who lack a diploma, and mental-health and chemical‑health services. “With these additional funds, we will be able to enhance our programming, offering opportunities to young men who may need them,” Belton said.

Joshua Thomas, a program participant who began at Ujamaa Place in summer 2024, described the program’s effects on his housing, mental health and basic needs: “Being at Ujamaa has helped me a lot mentally. It has helped me a lot physically and it has helped me with a place to stay, a place to eat.”

The bill request, as presented by the author, is for $2.5 million in fiscal 2026 and $2.5 million in fiscal 2027. Committee fiscal staff advised the author that previous appropriations included $800,000 in FY22–23 and $2,000,000 in FY24–25 from the Workforce Development Fund; they also noted the current draft contains no one‑time language and recommended adding it if that was the intent.

Committee members pressed Ujamaa Place for outcome data tied to past funding. Chair Champion said the Jobs and Economic Development Committee focuses on employment results and asked for numbers showing how many people received job training, how many obtained employment and wage levels. Belton said the organization can provide the data but did not have the figures at the hearing. He described program expansions funded with earlier appropriations—additional coaches, staff and expanded meal service—but did not provide the employment totals on the record.

Senators asked for a clearer breakdown of how new funds would be allocated between direct programming (coaches, education, mental‑health staff) and organizational capacity costs; Belton said much of the requested increase would pay for additional coaches and licensed mental‑health providers to serve more men and to improve service quality.

Senate File 12‑78 was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee requested follow-up information on program outcomes, head counts served today, and projections for how many additional people the proposed funds would allow Ujamaa Place to serve.","Sen. Umu Verbatim and Ujamaa Place leaders asked the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee for $2.5 million in FY2026 and $2.5 million in FY2027 to expand job training, GED enrollment and mental-health supports for Black men aged 18–30; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts amendment and refers bill to Agriculture to create ag worker ombudsperson at DEED

Sen. Kupek seeks $15M to expand dental assisting and hygiene program capacity

Film North seeks $400,000 to design statewide film workforce training program

Sen. Umu Verbatim asks committee to fund Ujamaa Place workforce services