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HF 5072

License processing fee for a lifetime substitute teaching license application prohibited.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Swedzinski

Prohibits the license processing fee for lifetime substitute teaching licenses, while allowing background study fees to be charged.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Education Finance
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Bill Summary · HF 5072

Summary of HF 5072 (Session 2025-2026, Minnesota)

Purpose

To prohibit the license processing fee for lifetime substitute teaching license applications. The bill amends the licensure process provisions to ensure lifetime substitute teachers do not pay a processing fee, while allowing the board to charge for required background studies.

Key Provisions

  • Current fee structure (existing practice):

    • Applicants for teaching licenses (including licenses via portfolio under subdivision 4) must pay a processing fee of $57.
    • Fees for teacher licenses and supervisory personnel licenses are paid to the executive secretary of the relevant board and deposited in the state treasury.
    • Fees are nonrefundable if an applicant does not qualify for a license.
    • The commissioner of management and budget must refund a fee if the applicant already holds a valid unexpired license.
    • The board may waive or reduce fees if applying for multiple licenses at the same time.

  • Change enacted by HF 5072 (Section 1):

    • Prohibition on processing fee for lifetime substitute license: The board may not require an applicant seeking a lifetime qualified short-call or long-call substitute teaching license to pay a processing fee. Note: The board may still require payment for the required background study in accordance with section 122A.18, subdivision 8.

  • Financial mechanics retained:

    • Any background study costs (as applicable) remain payable, separate from the processing fee prohibition.

Who Is Affected

  • Lifetime substitute teachers seeking a lifetime substitute teaching license (short-call or long-call) will be exempt from the license processing fee.
  • Other licensure applicants remain subject to the existing processing fee structure (where applicable), including those applying for traditional teaching licenses and supervisory licenses.
  • The measure does not change the handling of background study costs.

Effective Date

  • The changes take effect on July 1, 2026.

Procedural Summary

  • Introduced in the House as H. F. No. 5072.
  • Authored by Rep. Swedzinski; co-sponsored by Chris Swedzinski.
  • Referred to the Committee on Education Finance for consideration.

Potential Impacts

  • Accessibility and cost reduction: Eases entry for individuals pursuing lifetime substitute teaching roles by removing the processing fee barrier.
  • Administrative considerations: Board retains authority to collect background study fees; no change to process timing for background checks.
  • Budgetary impact (state perspective): Removing a processing fee may reduce revenue from licensing fees related to lifetime substitute licenses, though background study fees and other license fees remain in place for other licenses.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to current statute text or provide a brief impact assessment for districts and prospective substitutes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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