Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, I call your name, please step up and form a queue outside the railing to my left: Paul Bixler, Ruth
• And Paul, come forward. Thank you.
• Paul Bixler, please step up and form a queue outside the railing to my left.
• My name is Paul Bixler. I stand in opposition.

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the January 21, 2026 minutes and held SB 1208. It then heard SB 1211, which would allow victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence to seek a lifetime injunction against a convicted defendant. Supporters from victim advocacy organizations and a survivor described the bill as an important safety measure that would reduce repeated court appearances and trauma. The committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1211 a do pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1239, which removes the statute of limitations for failing to register as a sex offender or providing false registration information. The sponsor said the bill closes a public-safety loophole and was requested by DPS, while opponents argued existing warrant procedures already address the issue and raised due process concerns. After discussion, the committee voted 4-3 to recommend SB 1239 do pass. SB 1240 would exclude probationers convicted of dangerous crimes against children from the probation incentive payment formula. The sponsor tied the bill to a recent child sexual assault case and said the change would keep those cases separate from probation performance incentives; defense attorneys warned it could discourage treatment and push more people into prison. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend SB 1240 do pass. The committee also heard and approved SB 1095, as amended, which bans gender transition procedures and referrals for minors and restricts public funding and facilities for such care; supporters called it necessary child protection, while opponents said it was discriminatory. The committee then heard SB 1243 and SB 1244, both related to court-ordered mental health treatment. SB 1243 adds notice to guardians and lets them seek continued treatment, while SB 1244 creates a continuing court-ordered treatment process after repeated annual reviews. Supporters, including family members of seriously mentally ill patients, said the bills would close gaps and prevent dangerous lapses in care; opponents raised due process concerns and warned about expanded involuntary treatment. Both bills received do pass recommendations, with SB 1243 passing 7-0 and SB 1244 passing after amendment and roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Representative Paul, I don't know. Just help me understand.
• &gt;&gt; Representative<00:23:22.720><c> Paul,</c> &gt;&gt; Representative Paul, &gt;&gt; Representative
• Paul, &gt;&gt; I<00:23:25.280><c> don't</c><00:23:25.360><c> know.

Bills: HB161 , HB146 , HB289 , HB290 , HB31 , HB146 , HB289 , HB290 , HB31

Committee: House Health

Keywords: consumer protection, app store, age verification, parental consent, data protection, minors, HB146, ivermectin, pharmacist, standing order, prescription drug, non-patient-specific order, dispensing, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, licensed health care provider, pharmacy board, medical licensure, disciplinary action, drug access

Transcript Highlights:

• They've been borrowing on their reserves, they're, you know, robbing Peter to pay Paul...
• They've been borrowing on their reserves, they're, you know, robbing Peter to pay Paul, but there's only
• They've been borrowing on their reserves, they're, you know, robbing Peter to pay Paul They've been borrowing
• on their reserves, they're, you know, robbing Peter to pay Paul, but there's only so long they can do

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget, which the chair described as roughly balanced in the budget year but still facing large out-year structural deficits. The vice chair criticized the revenue assumptions as overly optimistic and stressed the need to review recent program expansions and address the state’s $20 billion federal unemployment insurance debt. The Department of Finance said the budget is a “workload” plan with about $350 billion in total spending, $23 billion in reserves, a projected $2.9 billion budget-year deficit, and out-year gaps above $20 billion, while the LAO warned of downside revenue risk tied to stock market volatility and urged earlier action on the structural deficit rather than waiting for May. Finance and the LAO discussed major budget components, including Proposition 98 funding, higher education base increases for UC and CSU, climate and wildfire spending, a new ZEV incentive, child care COLAs, and tax proposals involving marketplace facilitators, renewable aviation fuel, and an extension of the California Competes tax credit. Members raised concerns about proposed Medi-Cal and CalFresh changes tied to federal HR1 impacts, the MCO tax extension, hospital finances, county costs, and the decision not to backfill all federal funding losses. Finance said the administration is not in a position to replace all lost federal funds, but wants to work with the Legislature on priorities and timing before the May Revision. Several senators used the hearing to preview subcommittee priorities and request more detail on spending growth, reserves, and program cuts. Topics included homelessness funding, Care Court throughput, wildfire and climate investments, AB 617, data centers, the judicial branch’s facilities backlog, displaced workers, transit funding, and preparations for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. No budget action or vote was taken at this hearing; the committee mainly received presentations and member questions, with public comment scheduled later.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, you can't — we're banking $250,000 or robbing Peter to pay Paul, and we're being reactive
• All right, you can't — we're banking $250,000 or robbing Peter to pay Paul, and we're being reactive
• All right, you can't, we're banking $250,000 or Robin Peter to pay Paul, and we're being, You can't,
• we're banking $250,000 or Robin Peter to pay Paul, and we're being reactive in our management and our

Summary: The board met at the State Capitol and approved the agenda and prior minutes after brief motions and no public comment. Executive Director Michael Hare then gave a CPRA implementation update, describing a large portfolio of active projects and highlighting several that are under construction, nearing bid, or recently awarded, including Port Fourchon shoreline protection, Caernarvon marsh creation, Schooner Bayou saltwater barrier rehabilitation, Cain Bayou marsh creation, West Shore river reintroduction work, Morganza to the Gulf, Raccoon Island restoration, Chenier-O-Tig ridge restoration, Bayou Pigeon and Dismal Swamp boat launches, Grand Bayou marsh creation, Highway 1 terracing, and several National Coastal Resilience Fund projects. He also noted the annual plan public meetings had concluded, with comments accepted through February 17, 2026, and answered board questions about the Rockefeller shoreline project, saying CPRA and the Corps were working through geotechnical and environmental issues and trying to move it forward. The board then received a joint presentation from CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the White Lake Conservation Area and Management Plan. Speakers described White Lake as a 72,000-acre property in Vermilion Parish with major freshwater marsh, wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing opportunities, and aging infrastructure that currently operates on limited self-generated revenue. The plan, finalized in October 2025, focuses on habitat protection, maintaining wildlife, supporting revenue generation, expanding controlled public access, and strengthening partnerships. Proposed priorities include GIWW shoreline protection, Unit 2/Caddo levee stabilization, and north shoreline protection, with about $30 million secured for engineering and design and total costs estimated around $120 million to $130 million. Officials also discussed a possible lodge revitalization funded only with private dollars, broader landscape-level habitat management, conservation incentives for private landowners, and potential land acquisition for additional public access. Board members and agency leaders emphasized the importance of White Lake to waterfowl habitat and public recreation, and one member urged similar management attention for Sabine, Lacassine, and Cameron Prairie refuges. The final major presentation covered CPRA’s marsh creation design guidelines. Staff explained that marsh creation remains a major share of the coastal master plan and current project pipeline, and reviewed how projects are built using dredged sediment, containment dikes, and pipeline systems. They said the 2017 design guidelines were intended to standardize minimum design and construction practices, but are now being updated to reflect lessons learned, current survey standards, geotechnical practices, construction methods, and issues such as oil and gas infrastructure and land rights coordination. Board members asked about reducing unnecessary geotechnical costs, improving land-rights timing, considering unconfined marsh creation where appropriate, and accounting for why marsh areas are failing in the first place. Staff said they would consider those suggestions as part of the guideline update and then moved into a follow-up presentation on safety, access, and logistics for marine construction in the coastal zone.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am representing the Kentucky Public Library Association, and I'm the director of the Paul Sawyer Library
• 45.520><c> the</c> Association and I'm the director of the Association and I'm the director of the Paul
• 46.400><c> Library</c><00:21:46.760><c> here</c><00:21:46.880><c> in</c><00:21:47.000><c> Frankfurt</c> Paul
• Sawyer Library here in Frankfurt Paul Sawyer Library here in Frankfurt are<00:21:48.120><c> you</c><

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Bledsoe, which would create a risk-based AI governance framework for state government and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The sponsor said the bill came from the AI task force and is intended to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible use of AI while distinguishing between internal and external systems. The committee took a roll call vote and reported the bill out 7-0. The committee then heard Senate Bill 58, sponsored by Sen. Webb, which would allow Kentucky Retirement System benefits to be designated to a Special Needs Trust for a beneficiary. Webb said the bill would help families of special-needs children preserve benefits for supplemental needs such as adaptive equipment, technology, and medical or dental care not covered by government programs. He said retirement systems had provided no-impact letters, and the bill passed 7-0. Members also approved Senate Bill 117, which would let cities adjust incentive payments for training by appointed and elected city officials and remove the statutory minimum from ordinance requirements, and Senate Bill 121, which would authorize county judges to contract with rescue groups to deal with wild horse herds in rural areas. SB 117 passed 10-0 and SB 121 passed 10-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 71, as amended by a committee substitute, dealing with local library board appointments. Sen. Boswell said the bill was a compromise but that he preferred removing KDLA from the process entirely; library representatives opposed the committee substitute and said they wanted KDLA out of the selection process. Several senators expressed conditional support but said they wanted further changes, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out after a roll call vote with 10 yeas and 1 pass, with members noting they expected further floor amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul remotely.
• with</c><00:00:52.760><c> us</c><00:00:53.120><c> from</c><00:00:53.320><c> St</c><00:00:53.680><c> Paul
• </c> Stewart appearing with us from St Paul Stewart appearing with us from St Paul remotely<00:00:55.680

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul knows best perspective, we're saying we're protecting, but we also need to be thinking about how
• </c><00:30:41.680><c> Paul</c><00:30:41.880><c> knows</c> start moving away from a St.
• Paul knows start moving away from a St. Paul knows best best best perspective, right?
• Paul knows best, although being from St. Paul, I'm going to actually probably take that one.
• Paul knows best, although being from St. Paul, I'm going to actually probably take that one.

Bills: HF4308 , HF4153 , HF4703 , HF4711

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF4308, Monticello nuclear plant, Prairie Island, renewable development account, RDA, nuclear waste, spent fuel, dry cask storage, utility tax, commercial-industrial property tax, state general levy, property tax exemption, residential heating fuels, natural gas tax exemption, electricity sales tax exemption, year-round sales tax exemption, distributed solar energy standard, solar mandate, community solar, grid modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, not my employer. And any errors are my own and [laughter], as was the chair's earlier.
• Paul, not my not my employer. and St.
• Paul. We have a 9.875% sales tax. You have some payroll taxes. You may have some income tax.
• </c> Paul.
• We have a 9.875% Paul. We have a 9.875% sales<01:15:03.440><c> tax.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul had an exercise with the police department yesterday.
• Paul found a way to prevent the repeated theft of copper from lights last year, residents with landline
• Paul found a way to prevent the repeated theft of copper from lights last year, residents with landline
• Paul found a way to prevent the repeated theft of copper from lights last year, residents with landline
• Madam Chair, Paul Schnell, the commissioner at the Department of Corrections.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, and I have worked in home care probably on and off for 15 years.
• Paul, and I have worked in home care probably on and off for 15 years.
• Paul, and I have worked in home care probably on and off for 15 years.
• Paul. I am a server and a cook at Serenity Care Center.
• </c> Senator Westrom and representative Paul Senator Westrom and representative Paul Anderson<01:04:02.319

Bills: HF2367 , HF2319 , HF2523 , HF1742 , HF671 , HF2331 , HF2722 , HF2406 , HF1674

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Minnesota. In my life as a self-advocate, I wear many hats.
• </c><00:03:41.200><c> Paul,</c> I'm a constituent from St. Paul, I'm a constituent from St.
• Paul, Minnesota.<00:03:42.560><c> In</c><00:03:42.879><c> my</c><00:03:43.040><c> life</c><00:03:43.200
• Paul Wellstone once said, “It is the belief that extremes and excess of inequality must be reduced so
• Paul Wellstone once said, "It is 666.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to re-emphasize the testimony of Commissioner Paul McDonald.
• 32.720><c> testimony</c><00:02:33.200><c> of</c><00:02:33.360><c> Commissioner</c><00:02:33.760><c> Paul
• </c> the testimony of Commissioner Paul the testimony of Commissioner Paul McDonald.<00:02:34.640><c>
• I'm Paul Markwart, the Commissioner of Revenue, and just a huge thank you for allowing the discussion
• I'm Paul Markwart, the members.

Bills: HF1698 , HF632 , HF1352 , HF2197 , HF618 , HF1248 , HF1697

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul City Council, state TRIO directors, several large public K-12 school district superintendents, and
• head president of oxburg uh University head president of oxburg uh University Dr<00:04:20.359><c> Paul
• 04:21.600><c> sweet</c><00:04:21.840><c> a</c><00:04:21.959><c> man</c><00:04:22.199><c> as</c> Dr Paul
• Anderson about as sweet a man as Dr Paul Anderson about as sweet a man as you'll<00:04:22.600><c> ever
• </c><00:04:37.000><c> city</c><00:04:37.280><c> council</c> Wilson and the St Paul city council Wilson

Bills: HF2090 , HF982 , HF2229

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, scholarship, financial aid, state grant, tuition assistance, Pell grants, student retention, education equity, disabled veterans, veterans' dependents, dependent children, college affordability, books and fees, University of Minnesota, public colleges, Office of Higher Education, veterans benefits, military families, permanent disability, 100 percent disability

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul has 3.7 million people. Those numbers are always going to be higher just by the sheer number.
• Paul has 3.7 million people. Those numbers are always going to be higher just by the sheer number.
• Paul has 3.7 million people. Those numbers are always going to be higher just by the sheer number.
• Paul area. Duluth has 571 for a grand total of 113,000 people riding from the Minneapolis-St.
• </c> th000 people riding from min St Paul th000 people riding from min St Paul area<01:35:24.760><c>

Bills: HF1167 , HF1242

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul near Red Wing, Minnesota.
• Paul near Redwing Minnesota pray Paul near Redwing Minnesota pray supports<00:59:26.640><c> the</c><00
• Paul today and testifying on behalf of your communities. We appreciate that.
• Paul today and testifying on behalf of your communities. We appreciate that.
• > today</c><01:04:28.319><c> and</c><01:04:28.480><c> testifying</c><01:04:29.160><c> on</c> to St Paul

Bills: HF458 , HF459 , HF461 , HF449 , HF450 , HF965 , HF1280 , HF612 , HF615 , HF616 , HF622 , HF650 , HF651 , HF1045 , HF972 , HF851 , HF644 , HF1050

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF458, Henderson, water treatment facility, drinking water, municipal water, public infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, bonding bill, Public Facilities Authority, water distribution system, well connection, local government grant, Minnesota capital budget, HF459, Carver levee, City of Carver, levee restoration, flood control, flood mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Lloyd from the New Hampshire VFW... Good morning. You got the mics right?
• Paul Lloyd.
• <c> Lloyd</c><01:34:21.159><c> from</c><01:34:21.360><c> the</c><01:34:21.480><c> New</c> speak Mr Paul
• Lloyd from the New speak Mr Paul Lloyd from the New Hampshire<01:34:21.960><c> BFW</c> morning<01:34
• Lloyd I'm the um but um I will Paul Lloyd I'm the um State<01:34:45.600><c> quartermaster</c><01:34:

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Ivers, Paul Yoder, on behalf of the County of Marin and strong support.
• Paul Yoder, on behalf of the County of Marin, is in strong support.
• Paul Yoder, good morning, Chairman and members, on behalf of the counties of Tulare, Kern, and Humboldt

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1102, an act establishing medical panels for the Probate and Family Court, filed by Senator Paul
• Senate Bill 1102, an act establishing medical panels for the Probate and Family Court, filed by Senator Paul
• S-1102, an act establishing medical panels for the Probate and Family Court, sponsored by Senator Paul

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children. The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Paul Yoder, on behalf... Mr.
• Chairman, members, Paul Yoder, on behalf of the counties of Kern, Fresno, and Kings, in respectful opposition
• Paul Bauer, with ACTA, on behalf of LW Partners, in support of the bill. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax and revenue measures, beginning with SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment. The author and solar industry witnesses argued the bill would create a uniform statewide method, provide certainty for developers, and exclude tax credits and other intangibles from valuation; county assessors and several counties opposed it, saying it would reduce assessed value and depart from market-based appraisal. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1406 to close the “Montana tax loophole” used to avoid California vehicle taxes, with support from the California Teachers Association and no registered opposition; it passed 2-0 and was placed on call. SB 984, conforming California law to the federal tipped-income deduction, drew support from the restaurant industry, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and enrolled agents, and passed 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. Later, the committee considered wildfire- and energy-related tax credits. SB 1084 would create a fire-safe home tax credit for home hardening and defensible space improvements; supporters said it would reduce wildfire losses and insurance costs, and it passed 3-0 on call. SB 1118 would provide credits for backup generators and solar battery systems in high fire-threat areas; the author framed it as a resilience measure for households and small businesses, but members raised concerns about cost, diesel use, and whether the credit would reach lower-income households. The bill was moved 1-0 and placed on call, with the chair and other members noting unresolved budget and policy concerns. SB 1424, expanding a partial sales tax exemption to zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, received support from hydrogen and electric transportation groups and passed 4-0 on call. The committee also advanced SB 1249, a senior tax deduction for taxpayers ages 86 to 90, with support from LeadingAge California and senior advocates; members noted it was narrowly targeted and passed 4-0 on call. SB 1113, conforming California tax law to the federal tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flag international shipping companies, drew support from maritime industry groups and opposition from ILWU over the fiscal impact; it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1137, the Medical Expense Deduction Act, would allow a targeted deduction for medical expenses for lower-income taxpayers; supporters said it would help families facing high out-of-pocket costs, and it passed 4-0 on call. Finally, SB 1415 would extend a partial welfare property tax exemption to mixed-income housing that includes moderate-income units; supporters said it would help finance “missing middle” housing, while assessors and housing stakeholders requested amendments and guardrails. The bill was also moved forward on a committee vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Paul Yoder, on behalf of... Mr.
• Chairman, members, Paul Yoder, on behalf of the counties of Kern, Fresno, and Kings, in respectful opposition
• Paul Bauer, with ACTA, on behalf of L.W. Partners, in support of the bill. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation