Transcript Highlights:

• So I think these are important conversations. I'm looking for recommendations.
• We have used inside the recorders' conversations over many, many years.
• The conversation with the child completely. Sorry that you have to have that.
• We need to have this conversation.
• This is... ...to have a meaningful conversation about how these laws are applied.

Bills: SB1012, SB1099, SB1234, SB1392, SB1489, SB1535, SB1570, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1661, SB1709, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard and advanced several election, judiciary, child welfare, and criminal justice measures. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators for initiatives and referenda to disclose their name, state of residence, and paid status verbally and on a badge, add registration requirements for certain local circulators, prohibit pay by signature for local measures, and apply strict compliance and funding-disclosure rules to local initiatives. The ACLU opposed it as compelled speech and a burden on political expression, while the Arizona Chamber supported it as transparency and parity with state-level rules. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure concerning political party names, would require proposed party names to be distinguishable from existing parties and bar use of terms like “independent” or similar variations. The Arizona Independent Party opposed it as a retroactive change and “cartel protection,” while county election officials and the Arizona Association of Counties supported it as reducing voter confusion. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 7-0 vote. SCR 1040, a voter-approved constitutional referral, would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices of courts of record from 70 to 75; supporters argued it reflects longer life expectancy and preserves experienced judges, while opponents said voters previously rejected a similar proposal and that an age limit is preferable. It passed 5-2. The committee also considered SB 1234, which changes juvenile court representation rules by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing appointment of an attorney for the child depending on age and ability to express an opinion. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety reform effort informed by cases such as Rebecca Baptiste, arguing that a guardian ad litem with attorney authority would better protect children’s best interests. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, saying children need a dedicated attorney-client relationship, confidentiality, and a voice separate from the court or DCS; DCS remained neutral. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 5-2 vote. SB 1661 would allow a presumed father to be relieved of child support obligations if genetic testing shows he is not the biological father; supporters described cases where men remained liable despite exclusionary DNA results, and the bill passed 6-0. Later, the committee heard election administration and transparency bills. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to locations where election materials are created, handled, processed, tabulated, or stored, so they can observe procedures and review records while protecting secrecy and security; county officials raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with a copy of an applicant’s handwritten signature when facilitating voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature comparison, and the bill passed 5-2 after a vote correction. SB 1743 would redact an individual donor’s employer street number, employer name, or residence address from public campaign finance reports, with penalties for improper disclosure; supporters cited privacy and safety, while opponents argued employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment, set statutory criteria for defamation claims involving public or private figures and public or private concerns, including falsity, reckless disregard, and context; it passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which increases penalties for buyers of sexual conduct, including making the conduct a class 6 felony and adding a $200 assessment to support anti-human trafficking services. The sponsor and supporters, including survivors, law enforcement, neighborhood advocates, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said the bill targets demand that fuels trafficking and neighborhood disorder. Opponents from criminal justice and anti-violence groups said the bill should include a rebuttable presumption to better protect trafficking victims. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:21.279> around we've had a lot of conversation around we've had a lot of conversation
• in schools to start this conversation. in schools to start this conversation. and<00:44:03.839><
• that might sometimes feel conversations that might sometimes feel scary.
• able to fund uh those conversations able to fund uh those conversations between<00:49:34.480>
• look at and we had had conversation look at and we had had conversation about<01:16:45.280> things

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• vouch for the really hard conversations vouch for the really hard conversations we<00:24:46.680>
• I've been having a lot of conversations in the communities about taxes.
• I think that there has been a lot of conversation and a lot more conversation both of the issue of misclassification
• <01:35:10.480> that, bring us back to the conversation that, bring us back to the conversation
• and a lot been a lot of conversation and a lot more<01:37:18.920> conversation<01:37:19.440><

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesotans are skeptical and not naive about this conversation.
• Minnesotans are skeptical and not naive about this conversation.
• Minnesotans are skeptical and not naive about this conversation.
• Minnesotans are skeptical and not naive about this conversation.
• He said worse is the conversion of this rebate to an upfront exemption.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been speaking with stakeholders and with DHS who are very happy to continue conversations with
• <01:05:02.440> I moving forward needs conversation. I moving forward needs conversation.
• > still know those conversations are still know those conversations are still continuing continuing
• next year can continue the conversation next year can continue the conversation about<01:12:19.560
• I think that we have had really hard conversations here.

Bills: HF4338

Keywords: human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review, postpayment review, surety bond, compliance training, case management, targeted case management

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, for the conversation.
• as possible, chatbots ratchet up conversations.
• They validate human conversations.
• That makes AI chat end a conversation.
• Eventually,<02:01:14.719> after<02:01:15.119> conversations Eventually, after conversations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm happy to continue that conversation. Mr.
• :37:02.240> how there's a conversation about how there's a conversation about how transportation
• <00:37:10.079> Chair, continue that conversation. Mr. Chair, continue that conversation.
• I guess, you know, we're going to continue this conversation.
• I think we're going to conversation.

Bills: HF3169, HF3749, HF2605, HF3541, HF4102, HF3513, HF268

Keywords: suicide prevention, transportation, mental health, bridge safety, data collection, state law, bridge inspection, active transportation, truck parking, public safety, vehicle registration, fee structure, full-service providers, Capitol security, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, Minnesota State Patrol, State Patrol compensation, trooper salary

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:26.000> even a delicate and hard conversation even a delicate and hard conversation
• It's now casual conversation. That's not right.
• Now casual conversation. That's not right.
• <01:16:12.880> a lot of conversations about a lot of conversations about a comprehensive<01:16
• I know that um football is conversation.

Bills: HF3409, HF3487, HF3401

Keywords: immigration status, undocumented students, immigrant rights, K-12 education, public school enrollment, Plyler v. Doe, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, law enforcement access, ICE, immigration enforcement, civil lawsuit, private right of action, injunctive relief, mandamus, student records, directory information, parental engagement, equal access to education

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, the question of public conversations versus private conversations: if there is a majority versus
• versus private conversations versus private conversations.<00:28:01.679> If<00:28:02.320>
• comfortable engaging the conversations comfortable engaging the conversations even<01:32:31.840>
• this conversation comes up. Thank you. this conversation comes up. Thank you.
• . conversation. conversation. outlined<01:53:50.320> here.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32.400> we're this is fantastic conversation we're this is fantastic conversation we're having
• So that's an important conversation to add to this.
• It's been a very interesting conversation today.
• We conversations on election security.
• even as we have these conversations even as we have these conversations about<01:43:28.560> transparency

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's always a difficult conversation it's always a difficult conversation when<00:52:30.240>
• I believe in transparency, and I believe that this legislature should have this conversation.
• I believe in transparency, and I believe that this legislature should have this conversation.
• I believe in transparency, and I believe that this legislature should have this conversation.
• opportunity to have this conversation opportunity to have this conversation and<01:47:17.080>

Bills: HF2228, HF46, HF856, HF2149, HF2215

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll wrap with closing statements that we appreciate always being involved in the ongoing conversations
• I think the one sticking point that we have with this is we'd want to continue our conversations with
• <00:19:02.640> with want to continue our conversations with want to continue our conversations
• that'll exist on on the conversations that'll exist on on some<00:43:39.040> of<00:43:39.200>
• In their conversation, the confusion came up around how to make sure you are exhausting both lists.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• um just to that point and conversations um just to that point and then<00:02:59.080> I<00:02:
• <01:01:45.400> we've know in previous conversations we've know in previous conversations we've
• And I appreciate the question and the conversation.
• that the question and the conversation that the question and the conversation thank<01:07:57.680
• This conversation is excellent. I've never had it in my 13 years here at the legislature.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from State Auditor Judy Randall and Deputy Legislative Auditor Jody Mason Rodriguez on the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s 2023 report, “Oversight of State-Funded Grants to Nonprofit Organizations.” Randall explained that the report takes a broad look at how Minnesota manages grants, building on earlier work that helped lead to the Office of Grants Management (OGM) in 2007. She emphasized that the new recommendation-tracking booklet in members’ packets is meant to help the legislature see which audit recommendations have been implemented, partially implemented, or not implemented, and to support oversight rather than assign blame. Rodriguez summarized the report’s findings: Minnesota’s grants management policies contain many important practices, but they often lack enough detail for agencies to implement them consistently. The office found pervasive noncompliance in recent years and identified weak statutory enforcement as a major reason. She reviewed how grants flow from the legislature to agencies and then to nonprofit grantees and subgrantees, and noted that state agencies spent an average of about $514 million annually on nonprofit grants from fiscal years 2018 through 2022, awarding grants to about 2,400 nonprofits. The report found OGM policies partially reflected 17 of 24 recommended grant-management practices, but examples of missing detail included no required risk-based monitoring, no minimum standards for progress reports, telephone-only monitoring visits allowed, and no deadline for closeout reviews. The auditors said some recommendations have been acted on since the report, including 2023 statutory changes that led OGM to revise its pre-award financial review policy and set a timeline for closeout reviews, though other recommendations remain only partially implemented. They also discussed repeat compliance problems across agencies, including conflict-of-interest documentation, and said agencies are beginning to improve by automating checklists and disclosure processes. In response to member questions, the auditors said training is important and should likely be required for grants staff, though not necessarily with highly specific statutory language; they also said grant managers vary widely across agencies, making baseline training especially useful. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the presentation, and the chair noted that OGM would be invited for a future presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a conversation we have often: the Aiea Center and our plans, and the acquisition that we made of
• I had a conversation with the incoming FTA administrator, Noria Fernandez.
• I had a conversation with the incoming FTA administrator, Noria Fernandez.
• I had a conversation with the incoming FTA administrator, Noria Fernandez.
• , it's the same conversation I'm having with our own department.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I thought that was an important conversation to have as a committee.
• So, I think this is a really good and important conversation.
• I think good and important conversation.
• <00:16:02.360> continues hopefully as this conversation continues hopefully as this conversation
• correctly that that uh the conversation correctly that that uh the conversation around<00:17:02.960

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want us to to conversation.
• Would like to have continued conversation.
• You know, I have continued conversation.
• Um, a system where conversations about.
• forward to continued conversations. forward to continued conversations.

Bills: HF3373, HF4449, HF3486, HF4180, HF4227, HF2505

Keywords: transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use

Summary: The committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 3373, which was laid over. The bill sought trunk highway bond funding for preliminary and final design work at the 70th Street interchange in St. Paul Park. Representative Hansen, Mayor Keith Frankie, and Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham described the interchange as undersized and increasingly unsafe because of refinery truck traffic, aggregate hauling, nearby growth, and changing traffic patterns. Members asked about prior study, cost, and greenhouse gas requirements, and the bill author said the request was about $500,000. Chair Cosgrove noted the bill would be laid over and suggested the issue could involve future statutory exemptions. The committee then took up House File 4449, also laid over, after adopting the A4 author’s amendment. Representative Jones presented the bill as a transit planning and accountability measure for the Twin Cities metro. It would set numeric transit goals, require better coordination between road projects and future transit projects, and give the Met Council more tools to support transit-oriented development, including property acquisition and development around transit corridors. Jones argued the bill would help avoid rebuilding roads twice and improve transit ridership, frequency, speed, and reliability. Representative Olson offered an amendment to exempt highway projects primarily addressing documented safety issues, arguing that safety projects should not be burdened by added transit requirements or costs. Jones said she supported the safety concern but opposed the amendment as written because the bill was aimed at major construction projects. After a roll call, the amendment failed on an 8-8 tie. The bill itself remained laid over for further work, with the chair noting there was still time to refine the proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've learned a lot from our conversations and with Ms.
• If anyone ever wants our conversations.
• This has been the our conversations.
• Um, and so I'm conversation here.
• to have a little more conversation. Mr. to have a little more conversation. Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that, you know, it's really helpful that we're having these conversations. Thank you all.
• I think that, you know, it's really helpful that we're having these conversations. Thank you all.
• I think that, you know, it's really helpful that we're having these conversations. Thank you all.
• I really appreciate your remarks, and I think that it is an ongoing conversation.
• has been having some conversation Senate has been having some conversation over<01:45:44.880> there

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And what a great conversation.
• And what a great conversation.
• Please continue this conversation there, for goodness sake. This is fantastic.
• Let's make the conversations substantive.
• Let's make the conversations substantive.

Bills: HF56, HF780

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• 58.880> about<00:42:59.119> the know, real conversations about the know, real conversations
• this line, we should have that conversation when it is appropriate.
• It’s conversations like this that prevent us from building a robust transit system.
• Um, it's conversations like project.
• <01:03:40.720> on forward to future uh conversations on forward to future uh conversations

Bills: HF3694, HF3844, HF4006, HF3785, HF3849, HF4102, HF3441, HF3507, HF3562

Keywords: transportation, tow trucks, variable message signs, road safety, emergency service, optometrist, window glazing, motor vehicle regulations, medical prescriptions, transportation safety, infrastructure, construction, appropriation, state project, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, transportation regulations, safety standards, dealer license