Transcript Highlights:

• What are they sharing with us?
• What are they sharing with us?
• What are they sharing with us?
• What are they sharing with us?
• What are they sharing with us? concerns? What are they sharing with us?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• substitute and House bill 1928 not hearing any not seeing any chair And I just hope you'll encourage us
• that is an agreement. that has been made.
• I understand, but the main goal for us is to make sure. works. Right.
• not based on the exchange of resources, but us putting our son at the forefront of this.
• Thank you for joining us. It's 28 and testifying for herself. Is that correct? That's correct.

Bills: SB387, SB1335, HB1671, SB1760, SB1839, SB1923, HB1928, HB4942, HB5628, HB5642, HB1980

Keywords: judicial bond, guardianship, probate law, county judge, statutory county court, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, retroactive child support, parentage, genetic testing, family code, child's conception, incapacitated persons, court proceedings, guardianship fees, estate management, probate

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our cost-share ag cost-share program, we've demonstrated success there over the years.
• As I mentioned, agriculture makes up the largest land use and water use that we have in our area, a little
• We do have an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey. Agreement with the U.S.
• And with this agreement, a historic agreement signed this summer with Governor DeSantis and the Trump
• You can use a drone, right?

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, but I also want to say, Candy, thank you for sharing Ron with us this long because I know when he
• Rich, not made us, loud as this thing to Eddie O, that he took the spotlight off of yourself and shared
• Thank you for sharing that with us.
• Candy, thank you for sharing this pleasant, happy, wonderful human being with us.
• And so what we'd like to share, both of us, is when we were on staff here, you were one of the, I'll

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So please join us.
• We used to also use leaded fuel. We don't do what we used to do in the '70s. We've learned.
• with us.
• This bill would me... ...sharing with us.
• This has had little use.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The department a purchase agreement.
• that would allow the funds to be used that would allow the funds to be used over<00:06:57.759>
• with an agreement to this bill. with an agreement to this bill.
• in 2020 up to 35% of the market share in 2023.
• in 2020 up to 35% of the market share in 2023.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a couple of items of business before us this evening.
• So I'll use agriculture as an from base.
• together under this power sharing together under this power sharing agreement<00:09:29.440> and
• Uh, the objective work yet ahead of us.
• Um, for bringing this bill before us.

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:43.799> um do that everybody's in agreement um do that everybody's in agreement um
• how they can lead to substance use how they can lead to substance use disorder<00:03:47.040>
• <01:13:17.760> of us to use different modes of us to use different modes of transportation
• And if we can use it for senior dining, if we get enough to use through our area, we will actually use
• If we can use it for senior dining, if we get enough to use through our area, we will actually use food

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ’re using and how they’re using them.
• And if your office could get that information to all of us so we could share that with our constituents
• We want them to continue with us. So it is always going to be a priority for us.
• Be a priority for us.
• It's just north of us.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of us share concerns about border security.
• While the pandemic is years behind us, spending as a share of the economy remains at levels previously
• All of us get sick; all of us are going to need health care.
• And by the way, working with us means actually working with us and not telling us to accept a trillion
• Utilize the resources that nature has given us and uniquely given us as Americans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. agreements altogether or it's good to agreements altogether or it's good to have<00:06:47.120
• It simply states that, in practice, non-disclosure agreements are commonly used during economic development
• definitely a critical discussion for us definitely a critical discussion for us as<00:28:23.960>
• <00:35:58.920> operations<00:36:00.320> and us sustain core court operations and us
• worried that makes us both old. worried that makes us both old. Not<01:00:15.400> really.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House is in agreement.
• Um can you tell us what that language. Um can you tell us what that means?
• Just let us know and direct us to where you want us. judicial branch justice.
• and direct us to where you want us. and direct us to where you want us.
• This is a revenue sharing item. Revenue sharing is separate from meals and rooms.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 met to review revenue estimates and begin working through a side-by-side of the budget. New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre testified that lottery revenues are outperforming prior estimates, projecting a $27 million return to the state this year, up $7 million, and $200 million per year in the next biennium, up $6.5 million per year. He attributed the increase to stronger scratch ticket sales, no negative impact from Massachusetts sports betting, and overall better performance. Members questioned the assumptions behind the higher numbers, including the proposed $50 scratch tickets, the effect of inflation, and whether the projections were conservative enough. McIntyre said the $50 ticket could produce modest growth and that the estimates were intentionally cautious. The discussion also covered gaming revenue assumptions for historical horse racing and video lottery terminals, with McIntyre saying the state market is not yet saturated and that future conversions from HHR to VLTs should be net positive for the state. Members also discussed differences between House and Senate revenue numbers for gaming, including machine counts, daily revenue assumptions, and the tax split. The Senate version used higher machine counts and a 31.25% tax rate, with a quarter-point reserved for responsible gaming and the remainder split between charities and the state. The House had used a 30% rate with a different distribution. McIntyre and committee members also reviewed House Bill 2 items affecting Kino hours and local option games of chance, with McIntyre explaining that the bill would expand playing hours and shift towns to an opt-out model. No votes were taken during the lottery discussion, but the committee indicated it would continue refining the revenue model and circulate the spreadsheet used for the estimates. The committee then moved through the HB 1 detail change sheet, accepting several Senate positions and holding others for later. It agreed to a zero-cost realignment in the Department of Safety moving the international fuel tax agreement function from administration to motor vehicles, and it restored eight passenger motor vehicle inspection positions for later discussion in HB 2. The Department of Corrections reorganization was set aside for a later, more detailed discussion. The committee also accepted no-change positions for the Department of Employment Security and agreed to a technical footnote fix in the Judicial Council section. It discussed a new HB 2 item moving contract counsel for involuntary mental health admissions from the judicial branch to the Judicial Council, funded at $100,000 per year, and noted that the public defender funding issue would be revisited when the overall budget picture is clearer. The meeting ended with the committee continuing its review of the remaining pages of the detail change sheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• To use the Hospital Services Corporation, which does our verification data for us.
• That's telling us what to do.
• We know what they've told us.
• They want us in the compact, right? That's what they said. They want us in the compact.
• We have an item before us.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's a view shared not just by me, but many of us in the Assembly when we meet in various conversations
• Can you help us with that?
• Give us your quick version.
• So you have sent that to us.
• Please help us. Thank you. Please help us. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We used intergovernmental agreements. And we've incorporated data metrics into every agreement.
• We used intergovernmental agreements. and respond with speed and flexibility.
• We used intergovernmental agreements to cut red tape, and we've incorporated data metrics into every
• agreement.
• This is a chance to ask questions, share feedback, share critique, or support.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it used to be done by the legislative auditor.
• Thank you for coming down and informing us.
• For us, it really doesn't make a change.
• The tracking is not really unreasonable for us.
• We generally don't use outside counsel.

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:29:04.399> using<00:29:05.200> uh purchasing and using uh purchasing and using
• Can you give us an idea?
• I mean, this is something that's important for us in order for us to survive.
• I mean, this is something that's important for us in order for us to survive.
• It's not us, you know? Yeah.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• to love agriculture and taught us to want to be involved in agriculture; she never told us you couldn't
• That is a big hit to us.
• It's going to impact all of us.
• Of us that don't know these things.
• As you can imagine, that data is very important because it allows us to share the data with the U.S.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sanchez to start us off. Thank you so much.
• And it's, I'll use the word peculiar, that we're on the And it's, I'll use the word peculiar, that we're
• I just really don't want us to do that.
• So it would be a devastating impact to us.
• Using allowance value to reduce emissions from industry, Using allowance value to reduce emissions from

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a user, if you could just share with us your experience and some of the pains, maybe successes, if
• As a user, if you could just share with us your experience and some of the pains, maybe successes, if
• Who's here with us today.
• They were not successful in the testing that they shared with us to complete that interface and move
• their data into... ...shared with us to complete that interface and move their data into IConnect.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy presentation on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ I-Connect system, based on an ILAB assessment of the platform’s performance and requirements. ILAB said the system provides useful centralized records, reporting, compliance support, and audit trails, but users described it as cumbersome, outdated, and inefficient, with excessive manual entry, weak navigation, limited notifications, no mobile app, poor printing/export options, and performance issues. ILAB also said the original 2013-era requirements were too high-level and that only a portion of the requirements could be verified, with some features de-scoped or never implemented. Their recommendations included better integration with electronic health record systems, improved performance monitoring, electronic signatures, OCR, and more modern export and verification tools. Public testimony from providers and advocates echoed those concerns. A support coordination provider said the system is nicknamed “I Disconnect,” described problems with EVV/GPS sign-ins, lengthy support plans, lack of a phone app, and possible HIPAA concerns. Another advocate said the system should have preserved family access to records and criticized the need for providers to use workarounds and additional software. APD staff said the agency has spent about $19.7 million through FY 2023-24, has regular build updates under the current contract with WellSky, and uses an internal help desk and vendor ticketing process to triage bugs versus enhancement requests. They said some issues are handled case-by-case, critical tickets have SLAs, and the agency is working on interoperability and other requested improvements. Members questioned whether the system should be fixed or replaced, whether the original contract and SaaS arrangement were sufficient, and whether the state received value for the money spent. APD said the system went live in phases and that all functionality was in place by June 2024, while ILAB and members noted significant technical debt and unresolved gaps. The committee also discussed record retention, provider access to records after a consumer changes providers, and whether federal funding or compliance could be affected. The meeting ended with broader budget remarks emphasizing completion over expansion, stronger upfront planning for technology projects, and more accountability before funding new systems or major enhancements.