Finance panel advances memorial package honoring Keri Dietzic and Melissa Hortman, includes $886,000 in signage/administration funding

Senator Hoffman presented a three‑bill memorial package to the Senate Finance Committee that renames public places and sets up memorial designations and a working group.

Senator Hoffman described SF 43‑38 (renaming the Senate Building for Keri Dietzic) and SF 46‑62 (honoring Melissa Hortman with naming/designation and related highway and working‑group language). The package’s vehicle, SF 38‑99, was combined with an A7 amendment that incorporated the three bills and related provisions.

Senate counsel and committee members made a technical edit to the A7 amendment (striking an “or in lieu of rent” clause). Committee staff noted section 6 of the amendment functions as a rider on the Capitol Mall design appropriation and provides $800,000 from that framework for signage; section 7 appropriates $86,000 to the LCC for administrative costs of the working group. The A7 amendment was adopted by voice vote and the vehicle Senate File 38‑99 as amended was recommended to pass.

Why it matters: The package memorializes two recently deceased former legislators and includes modest state spending tied to Capitol signage and working‑group administration. Committee members praised the nominees’ service and staff work assembling the package.

What’s next: The committee recommended the memorial package to the floor. No roll‑call vote was recorded in committee minutes.