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State Government Finance Division

FIFTY-FOURTH MEETING

2019-2020 Regular Session - Thursday, March 12, 2020

FIFTY-FOURTH MEETING – State Government Finance Division
2019-2020 Regular Session

STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTY-FOURTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES

Representative Michael V. Nelson, Chair of the State Government Finance Committee, called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM, March 12, 2020 in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:
NELSON, Michael V. Chair
KLEVORN, Ginny Vice Chair
ALBRIGHT, Tony GOP Lead
ACOMB, Patty
ELKINS, Steve
FREIBERG, Mike
GREEN, Steve
HERTAUS, Jerry
HUOT, John
JORDAN, Sydney
KIEL, Debra
LIPPERT, Todd
LONG, Jamie
MASIN, Sandra
NASH, Jim
OLSON, Liz
QUAM, Duane
VOGEL, Bob

A quorum was present.

Representative Quam moved that the minutes from the committee meeting on March 11, 2020 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Nelson moved HF1424 be held over for further consideration.

HF1424 (Stephenson); Establishing a student loan advocate; requiring licensure of student loan servicers; prohibiting certain practices in student loan servicing; requiring a report; appropriating money.

The following testified on HF1424:
The Honorable Zack Stephenson, State Representative
Adam Welle, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
Lori Haak, Biology Teacher, Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights
Andrew Wold, Senior Staff Attorney, Office of Higher Education
Mike Sonn, Member, AFSCME Council 5

Chair Nelson held HF1424 over for further consideration.

Chair Nelson moved HF1257 be rereferred to the Committee on Ways & Means.

HF1257 (Cantrell); Requiring prescription drug benefit transparency and disclosure.

The following testified on HF1257:
The Honorable Hunter Cantrell, State Representative
Galen Benshoof, Assistant Director of SEGIP (State Employee Group Insurance Program), Minnesota Management and Budget

Chair Nelson renewed the motion that HF1257 be rereferred to the Committee on Ways & Means. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The committee recessed at 8:49 AM.

The committee reconvened at 8:51 AM.

Chair Nelson moved HF4 be rereferred to the Committee on Ways & Means.


HF4 (Lesch); Prohibiting a manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor from charging unconscionable prices for prescription drugs; requiring the Board of Pharmacy, the commissioner of human services, and health plan companies to notify the attorney general of certain prescription drug price increases; authorizing the attorney general to take action against drug manufacturers and wholesalers related to certain price increases; imposing civil penalties; appropriating money.

The following testified on HF4:
The Honorable John Lesch, State Representative
James Canady, Deputy Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

Chair Nelson moved Amendment H0004A6.

Chair Nelson incorporated an oral amendment to Amendment H0004A6. On Line 1.6 delete “$267,000” in both instances, and insert “$527,000” in both instances.

Chair Nelson moved Amendment H0004A6, as amended. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT, AS AMENDED, WAS ADOPTED.

Chair Nelson renewed the motion that HF4, as amended, be rereferred to the Committee on Ways & Means. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 AM.





_______________________________________
Representative Michael V. Nelson, Chair



_______________________________________
Sydney Spreck, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF0004 (Lesch) - Drug manufacturer or wholesale distributor prohibited from charging unconscionable prices for prescription drugs; Board of Pharmacy, commissioner of human services, and health plan companies required to notify the attorney general of certain prescription drug price increases; attorney general authorized to take action against drug manufacturers and wholesalers related to price increases; civil penalties imposed; and money appropriated.
  • HF1257 (Cantrell) - Prescription drug benefit transparency and disclosure required.
  • HF1424 (Stephenson) - Student loan advocate established, licensure of student loan servicers required, certain practices prohibited in student loan servicing, report required, and money appropriated.
  • HF0004 (Lesch) - Drug manufacturer or wholesale distributor prohibited from charging unconscionable prices for prescription drugs; Board of Pharmacy, commissioner of human services, and health plan companies required to notify the attorney general of certain prescription drug price increases; attorney general authorized to take action against drug manufacturers and wholesalers related to price increases; civil penalties imposed; and money appropriated.
  • HF1257 (Cantrell) - Prescription drug benefit transparency and disclosure required.
  • HF1424 (Stephenson) - Student loan advocate established, licensure of student loan servicers required, certain practices prohibited in student loan servicing, report required, and money appropriated.


I. HF 1424 (Stephenson) Student loan advocate established - Discussion will focus on the cost to the Attorney General's Office (Pending referral to State Government Finance)

II. HF 1257 (Cantrell) Prescription drug benefit transparency and disclosure required (Pending referral to State Government Finance)

III. HF 4 (Lesch) Drug manufacturers and distributors prohibited from charging unconscionable prices for prescription drugs

Additional bills may be added