Transcript Highlights:

• And Chris is about to dial in, I think. You have to get him a link. Do you have it?

Summary: The meeting opened with attendance and brief remarks acknowledging recent violence against public servants in Minnesota and the risks of public service. The committee then approved the prior minutes and noted there were no employment disclosure forms to report. An update followed on digitizing committee files: the vendor’s estimate had been reduced after reviewing the files, the contract would be sent via DocuSign for the chair’s signature, and staff discussed whether the work could be completed before the end of the biennium and how it would be paid for. The main business was a review of remaining advisory opinions for possible retention or retirement. Staff walked through several opinions, recommending retention of some that still aligned with current law or practice, and retirement of others that were outdated, duplicative, or no longer useful because the underlying statutes had changed or the supporting materials could not be found. The committee voted to accept staff’s recommendations on the set of previously reviewed advisory opinions. A separate question was raised about an older opinion on outreach/newsletters and whether its factors should still apply outside the election-year context. Members generally agreed that the same factors should continue to guide analysis, with their weight varying depending on timing and circumstances. Staff was asked to review the opinion further and bring back a recommendation on whether to unretire or otherwise clarify it. The public portion of the meeting then adjourned, with the committee preparing to move into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Linda, and Chris is about to dial in, I think. You have to get him a link. Do you have it?

Summary: The meeting opened with attendance and technical setup, including bringing a remote member into the session. The chair also made brief remarks about public service in light of recent violence against public officials, and a member shared condolences related to a colleague’s death. The committee then approved the minutes and noted no employment disclosure forms were filed. The main business was an update on digitizing committee files. Staff reported that the archival scanning estimate had been reduced and that a DocuSign contract would be sent for the chair’s signature. Members also discussed whether the work could be completed before the end of the biennium and whether existing funds could be used or prepaid. The committee then reviewed a long list of remaining advisory opinions and, on motion, approved staff recommendations to retain some opinions and retire or partially retire others based on changes in law or usefulness of the opinions. Topics included special privileges, frequent flyer miles, state contracts involving legislators, tours sponsored by lobbying entities, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of drafting requests, election-year brochures, and recusal/firewall issues. After a separate discussion about an older election-related outreach opinion, members agreed they likely still intended to apply the same factors outside the election-year context and asked staff to revisit whether that opinion should be unretired or revised. The public portion of the meeting was then adjourned, with the committee preparing to move into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indian Resources Department at NMSU, Marissa Dials from the Ag Trust Farm Credit, and Christina Wilson

Transcript Highlights:

• large enough to make a dent in household budgets, which I think you could argue this does, you have to dial
• large enough to make a dent in household budgets, which I think you could argue this does, you have to dial
• large enough to make a dent in household budgets, which I think you could argue this does, you have to dial
• large enough to make a dent in household budgets, which I think you could argue this does, you have to dial
• large enough to make a dent in household budgets, which I think you could argue this does, you have to dial

Bills: HF4906 , HF3971 , HF4777 , HF2109 , HF2988

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Transcript Highlights:

• this into the bill, and that might mean we have to say no, or partial no, or at least turn back to dial
• this into the bill, and that might mean we have to say no, or partial no, or at least turn back to dial
• this into the bill, and that might mean we have to say no, or partial no, or at least turn back to dial
• this into the bill, and that might mean we have to say no, or partial no, or at least turn back to dial
• this into the bill, and that might mean we have to say no, or partial no, or at least turn back to dial

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• actually would receive less under this formula is Manchester, and I would characterize that as a dialing
• actually would receive less under this formula is Manchester, and I would characterize that as a dialing
• actually would receive less under this formula is Manchester, and I would characterize that as a dialing
• actually would receive less under this formula is Manchester, and I would characterize that as a dialing
• ><c> uh</c><00:44:59.280><c> of</c><00:44:59.640><c> an</c><00:44:59.839><c> excessive</c> as a a dialing

Summary: The executive session focused primarily on HB 563, which revises the school funding formula, especially the adequate education grant amounts for special education students and the treatment of fiscal capacity disparity aid. Representative Ladd moved OTPA on Amendment 06508, explaining that FY 26 would largely hold the current formula steady, while FY 27 would increase several per-pupil amounts, including base cost, free and reduced-price meals, English language learner aid, and special education differentiated aid. He said the special education change was based on estimated case loads across disability categories and that the amendment also reinstates fiscal capacity disparity aid, using a formula intended to better assist property-poor communities. Several members supported the amendment as a step in the right direction, saying it better recognizes special education costs and separates property wealth from low-income student counts. Others raised concerns about the lack of time and the absence of a printed spreadsheet showing how the fiscal capacity disparity aid would affect each town. In response, sponsors said the spreadsheet existed, that the LBA had copies, and that the amendment would help about 40 target towns, while Manchester would be the main community receiving less under the new formula because of prior shifts in the extraordinary needs grant. Discussion also covered the broader impact of the bill, with members noting that about 200 of the state’s 245 cities and towns would see an increase and 45 a decrease under the proposed FY 27 changes. Supporters argued the bill was a compromise given limited revenues and that it should move forward so it can be considered by the full House and then Finance. No final vote on the amendment or bill was taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee was still deciding whether it had enough information to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• in health care, provide security grants for pride events, and restore the LGBTQ+ 988 crisis support dial-three
• care, provide security grants for pride events, and would restore the LGBTQ plus 988 crisis support dial

Summary: The committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to review California hate-crime trends and hear from state agencies and community organizations about current impacts and policy responses. The California Department of Justice reported that 2025 hate-crime events declined modestly from 2024 but remained historically elevated, with race and ethnicity still the largest category, anti-Black bias the most frequently reported, and notable increases in anti-Hispanic/Latino and citizenship/immigration-status bias. The California Commission on the State of Hate said its research and victimization studies show hate is broader than official crime data alone, with millions of Californians experiencing hate incidents and many victims needing services beyond law enforcement, including mental health care, legal help, and workplace protections. The commission also emphasized online radicalization, the need for better data infrastructure, and stronger training and support systems. Members then heard from the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, CAIR California, and Equality California. Testimony described fear, underreporting, and the effects of rhetoric, federal policy changes, and online misinformation on Black, Latino, Jewish, immigrant, Asian American, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ communities. Witnesses urged sustained funding for Stop the Hate and nonprofit security grants, stronger language access, civic education, and community-based reporting and victim services. Several groups also called for specific legislation, including measures on racial profiling, immigration detention oversight, Jewish ethnicity recognition, safe worship zones, anti-Muslim hate prevention, and LGBTQ+ data privacy and health protections. Committee discussion focused on the conditions that fuel hate, especially political polarization, social media radicalization, and the role of public figures and institutions in normalizing dehumanizing language. Members and witnesses discussed the limits of current data, the need for long-term research and prevention strategies, and the importance of solidarity across communities. No formal votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, though members referenced existing and pending bills and ongoing efforts to expand training, funding, and anti-hate infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tanner, do you want to come up, or do you want to—I don't know if you're dialed into this particular
• Tanner, do you want to come up or do you want to, I don't know if you're dialed into this particular

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 480, which would allow anchoring in certain waterways, specifically Oyster Bayou, with restrictions to protect oyster leases and require a person to remain on board. After brief explanation from the sponsor, Representative DeWitt moved favorable and the bill was reported favorable without objection. House Bill 510, which would have prohibited importation of captured carbon dioxide into Louisiana for sequestration, was discussed briefly. The sponsor said the proposal appeared to conflict with federal law and interstate commerce concerns, and he asked to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee agreed, and HB 510 was deferred. The committee also heard House Resolution 279, urging the state to study geothermal energy policy; after questions about geothermal technology and possible overlap with CCS infrastructure, the resolution was adopted on a 10-3 roll call vote and reported favorable. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 1152, as amended, dealing with the Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage Trust Fund and a proposed injection fee for carbon sequestration projects. The amendment would set the fee at 19 cents per ton, with 12 cents going to the state trust fund and 7 cents going directly to affected parishes, while retaining existing fund caps and adding evacuation routes as an eligible local expenditure. Industry groups and local government representatives both testified: industry warned the proposal was rushed, could create uncertainty, and might hurt Louisiana’s competitiveness; parish officials argued locals need a meaningful revenue share, transparency, and bargaining power because they will bear emergency-response burdens. Members raised questions about the fee structure, exemptions for state lands and parish agreements, and whether the local share would continue for the life of a project. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with talk of creating an off-session task force or working group to continue negotiations for next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the system is dialed in to make sure that it's the last guy in is going to foot the bill for the bill
• So the system is dialed in to make sure that it's the last guy in is going to foot the bill for the bill

Transcript Highlights:

• So the system is dialed in to make sure that it's the last guy in who's going to foot the bill for the
• So the system is dialed in to make sure that it's the last guy in is going to foot the bill for the bill

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related proposals and policy ideas. One speaker urged changes to the welfare property tax exemption for affordable housing, arguing that annual income recertifications are outdated and burdensome, and proposing a one-time qualification at move-in, streamlined monitoring through TCAC or HCD, and continued exemption protection for projects that remain in compliance. The witness said rising insurance costs and administrative burdens are hurting cash flow and threatening the viability of affordable housing operations. A major portion of the meeting focused on social housing and the SB 555 study. HCD described its ongoing study process, including public engagement with residents, practitioners, and experts, and noted that California already has many building blocks for social housing, such as public land tools, long-term affordability mechanisms, community land trusts, and tenant protections. Community land trust and housing policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action, expanded public subsidy, tax abatements, public land, and simplified financing, and they emphasized the need to reframe the concept for the “missing middle” and middle-class households to build broader political support. Committee members discussed stigma around “social housing,” the need for a rebrand, and the possibility of a pilot program, especially on excess public land. The committee also heard a proposal for a certified professional plan-check system modeled on Vancouver, Canada. The presenter said California’s permitting delays, inconsistent reviews, and staffing shortages add cost and uncertainty even for streamlined projects, and proposed allowing state-certified private professionals to perform plan checks and inspections under state oversight while local governments retain zoning and enforcement authority. Members discussed local control concerns, infrastructure costs, and the need to reduce delays and uncertainty in the entitlement process. Finally, the committee heard testimony supporting changes to HCD loan disbursement so funds can be used during construction rather than only after completion. Witnesses said this would reduce interest costs, improve feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes with existing funding. The discussion also referenced AB 1053 as the vehicle for implementing that approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I’m very optimistic about this winter, both because we’re dialing in some of those being peas and
• And I’m very optimistic about this winter, both because we’re dialing in some of those being peas and

Bills: HF3692

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law

Transcript Highlights:

• that everyone understands if we don't do this soon, in a lot of places in Missouri, people will be dialing
• That everyone understands if we don't do this soon, in a lot of places in Missouri, people will be dialing

Summary: The House met after a quorum call and several members introduced job shadows, interns, and 4-H guests. Once 93 members were present, the chamber moved to House Bills for Perfection. House Bill 1707 was taken up first and amended with a title change; sponsors said it would stop the Department of Revenue from taxing credit card processing fees charged to vendors. Members described it as a small-business measure, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed as amended. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2819, which would authorize rounding cash sales to the nearest five cents in light of the penny’s elimination. Supporters said it would give businesses clear authority to round and avoid compliance problems or lawsuits. The substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2103 followed, a property-fraud and notary-fraud bill that would require warning signs in recorder offices, increase penalties for false filings and notary-related fraud, and raise fines for notary seal vendors. Supporters said it was aimed at deterring deed fraud and protecting homeowners; some members questioned whether it went far enough or whether it could burden honest notaries. The substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1800, dealing with the Hancock Amendment inflationary growth factor for property tax assessments, drew the most debate. An amendment changed the title and another amendment lowered the cap on revenue growth from 5% to 3% when inflation exceeds that level. Supporters argued it would help taxpayers keep more of their money; opponents warned it would reduce funding for schools, fire districts, ambulance districts, libraries, and community colleges and could force more frequent ballot measures. The amendment and the bill were both adopted, and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2600, which would create a clearer process for ambulance district consolidation and improve rural EMS access, was also amended to preserve county commission authority over subdistricts, allow at-large districts in some cases, require voter approval for mergers, and tighten timing and election procedures. Members said the changes would help struggling ambulance districts while keeping local control, and the substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then adjourned after announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to just dial in a little bit on why we need this funding in the Reclamation Fund.
• I wanted to just dial in a little bit on why we need this funding in the Reclamation Fund.

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard a series of capital, bond, environmental, economic development, juvenile justice, and health care bills. Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay package, was presented as a $1.3 billion statewide appropriation, including discretionary capital projects and agency projects; after questions about CYFD projects and House/Senate capital allocations, the committee voted do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 248, the general obligation bond package totaling about $392.5 million for senior centers, libraries, higher education, and tribal projects, also received a do pass after questions about project vetting, bond timing, and school bus funding. House Bill 80, which increases the share of oil and gas conservation tax revenue going to the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund to speed orphan well plugging and site cleanup, drew strong support from business, environmental, and industry groups; members discussed funding balances, procurement bottlenecks, and the distinction between abandoned and orphan wells before voting do pass. House Bill 184, making technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and related distribution rules, passed with little debate. The committee also heard Senate Bill 172, which expands the TRIGGER program allowing companies to access national laboratory expertise; supporters from the labs, the governor’s office, universities, and business groups cited job creation, follow-on investment, and commercialization gains, while one senator raised concerns about the long extension of the program. The bill passed do pass. House Bill 95, creating a judge for the First and Second Judicial Districts, was described as matching a previously heard Senate bill and passed do pass. Senate Bill 165, a major juvenile justice bill, generated the most extensive debate: the sponsor said it updates the juvenile code, raises the age for certain serious offenses, extends services for youth sentenced as adults, and expands community corrections; law enforcement supported it, while the Public Defender, youth advocates, the ACLU, and a Bernalillo County commissioner opposed it, arguing it expands adult sentencing and relies too heavily on incarceration. Despite those objections, the committee voted do pass. Finally, House Bill 4, which increases the Health Care Affordability Fund distribution to support premium assistance and related coverage programs, was amended so that a portion of the premium surtax would go to the Behavioral Health Program Fund and any unexpended balance would revert to the affordability fund. Supporters from BeWell, health advocacy groups, the insurance office, and homeless services said the bill would protect coverage gains and help offset federal changes; members asked about the amendment’s effect on the behavioral health fund and the bill’s flexibility if revenues decline. The amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did any of them look at rolling back the gas tax and how they dialed the amount of the fee to make up
• I mean, were there some balancing of gas tax reduction in any way as they looked at the dial for the

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from NCSL staff on national transportation funding trends and alternative user-fee options as gas tax revenue declines. The presentation covered declining fuel-tax purchasing power, the effects of more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, and a range of state responses including indexed gas taxes, EV and hybrid registration fees, voluntary and mandatory road usage charges, transportation network company fees, retail delivery fees, and per-kilowatt-hour EV charging fees. Members asked about Virginia’s mileage-fee program, enrollment rates, and whether states had reduced gas taxes alongside new fees; the presenters said they would follow up with additional information. Committee staff then presented a comparison of Washington’s transportation budget with Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, focusing on population, lane miles, road condition, fuel taxes, preservation spending, mega-projects, and governance structures. The discussion highlighted Washington’s unique transportation pressures, including ferries, fish-passage obligations, high debt service, and major capital projects. Members asked follow-up questions about debt service, interest costs, CCA impacts on fuel prices, and whether project costs differed by state. The committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2109 would allow vehicles being towed on trailers to use coverings to contain mud, rocks, or debris instead of requiring prior cleaning; the bill’s sponsor and construction witnesses supported it as a practical solution, and the fiscal note showed modest costs to WSP and WSDOT. House Bill 2139 would raise snowmobile registration fees to support snow park and trail grooming; State Parks, DNR, and several snowmobile advocates supported it, while some snowmobile users opposed it, arguing that enforcement of unregistered sleds should be addressed first. House Bill 2192 would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority and allow it to collect certain health data; the sponsor and agency supported the bill as a public-health tool, while one attorney raised concerns about limiting civil discovery and evidentiary access in fatal crash litigation.

Transcript Highlights:

• same 2003 Toyota Tacoma also likes to change the heat to full blast heat no matter what I do on the dial
• I've changed the actuator, but I think it's in the dial.

Bills: SB5720 , SB5833 , SB5936 , SB5993 , SB5735

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: consumer debt, judgment, uniformity, legal standards, debt collection, pets, motor vehicles, animal welfare, public safety, legislation, human trafficking, prevention, remedies, victims, law enforcement, support services, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• and FCC requirements for 911 services, including ensuring the ability to reach first responders by dialing
• swiftly during these emergency outages. ...including ensuring the ability to reach first responders by dialing

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several transportation-related bills, beginning with AB 431 on advanced air mobility. The author and supporters from AUVSI, Joby Aviation, United Airlines, Wisk Aero, the City of Long Beach, and Archer said the bill would create a statewide plan and technical framework for eVTOL/advanced air mobility infrastructure, public outreach, and local implementation. No opposition testified, and the bill passed the committee as amended to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call. Members then took up AB 630 on abandoned or hazardous RVs. The author and supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office, argued the bill would curb a cycle in which inoperable RVs are towed, auctioned cheaply, and returned to the streets by predatory buyers, while adding notice, recovery, and reporting requirements. Opponents from Western Center on Law and Poverty and ACLU California Action warned the bill would destroy RVs that serve as shelter for unhoused residents and could worsen homelessness. After discussion about the bill’s focus on dismantling rather than towing, the committee passed AB 630 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 314, which would support transit-oriented development around planned and existing high-speed rail stations; AB 1223, which gives Sacramento County communities more flexibility to use local transportation revenues for related infrastructure supporting infill development; AB 1111, which adds flexibility to the zero-emission school bus transition for rural and disadvantaged districts; AB 1190, which caps fees charged by DMV business partners and requires clearer disclosure of the official DMV site; AB 987, which limits unreasonable towing fees and related charges; and AB 911, which creates a narrow exemption from Advanced Clean Fleets rules for telecommunications bucket trucks and sail-on-wheels used in emergencies. Most bills drew support from local governments, industry, or consumer groups, while AB 1111 and AB 911 drew opposition from clean transportation and environmental advocates concerned about weakening emissions goals. All of the bills were reported out as amended to the Committee on Appropriations, with recorded roll-call votes and several members adding their names as co-authors or supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• be a pattern of when you come to committee, you're not really familiar with your own numbers of the dials
• There should be, I think, Senator Tobiasson: Major dials on your dashboard at this point in time.
• triggers and red flags and protocols, but I think it deserves a strong discussion of what are the dials

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you dial back to the space that was concerning to you? What page? Page five? Thank you.
• could you uh could you dial back to the could you uh could you dial back to the space<01:21:56.239><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows staff to dial and change the needle of pre-filled resident in Flint pay pins and it allows

Transcript Highlights:

• Hart Lowman: When I read the bill, I immediately dialed you and said can I cosponsor this bill.