Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senators.
• Senator Dibble.
• Senator Dziedzic. return to um Mr. Nord. Senator Dziedzic.
• Chair, Senator Dibble.
• Chair, Senator Dibble. I think >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, Senator Dibble.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Grunhagen. well. Senator Grunhagen.
• >> Senator Lucero. >> Senator Lucero.
• Uh, Senator Dreheim will be presenting Senate File 2434.
• Uh, Senator Dreheim will be presenting Senate File 2434.
• >> Senator<01:33:57.040> Dreheim. >> Senator Dreheim. >> Senator Dreheim.

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Transcript Highlights:

• > Senate<00:10:14.959> File Senator Balden moves that Senate File Senator Balden moves
• Senator Carlson, I. Senator Bahr, no. Senator Balden, I. Senator Cwodzinski, yes.
• >> Senator<00:10:49.120> Marty, >> Senator Marty, yes. >> Senator Matthews, no. >> Senator
• Thank you, Senator Senator Swadzinski. Thank you, Senator Senator Swadzinski.
• So thank you, Senator Balden. Thank you, Senator Balden. >> Senator Koran.

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Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator McQuade. >> Senator McQuade.
• Oh, Senator Gusson. Anyone else? Oh, Senator Gusson.
• >> Senator<01:00:23.359> Clerk, >> Senator Clerk, >> Senator Clerk, >>
• Thank you, Senator. Um, it varies >> Yeah. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Omar Feben.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to take input, including the applause from Senator Wesland.
• Senator Nelson. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• You have the floor. >> Senator Friends, members of the commission, uh, I do realize that I'm the last
• >> So, Representative Driscoll, Senator >> So, Representative Driscoll, Senator France
• Senator Seabour is excused tonight. She has mandatory firefighter training.

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Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:09:31.680> Rasp. >> Senator Rasp. >> Senator Rasp.
• Next up, we have Senator Latz, Senate File 3545. and sent to the Senate floor.
• >> You<00:21:32.240> senator >> You senator >> You senator Senator<00:21:34.080
• Senator France. the committee. Senator France.
• To your amendment, Senator<00:32:30.399> France. Senator France. Senator France.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome back, Senator Ric. Senator Ric who is back on the labor committee.
• Senator Dornink.
• follow up Senator. follow up Senator.
• Senator Papus. what they need. Senator Papus.
• item, Senate File 3720. item, Senate File 3720.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bradley: Senator Burton: Senator Calatayud: Senator Davis: Senator Gaetz: Senator Jones: Senator
• Leek: Senator Mayfield: Senator Passidomo: Senator Rodriguez: Senator Simon: Senator Truenow: Senator
• Senator Bradley: Senator Burton: Senator Calatayud: Senator Davis: Senator Gaetz: Senator Jones: Senator
• Leek: Senator Mayfield: Senator Passidomo: Senator Rodriguez: Senator Simon: Senator Truenow: Senator
• Senator Burton? Senator Calatayud? Senator Davis? Senator Gaetz? Senator Jones? Senator Leek?

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Transcript Highlights:

• Will the Senate please come to order? Will the Senate please come to order?
• Washington, Senator Perchick. Washington, Senator Perchick.
• Senator from Chitten Central. Senator from Chitten Central.
• Uh, Senate Economic Development and Housing and General Affairs will be addressing this resolution at
• Senator from Windham. Senate Institutions will meet at 1. Senator from Bennington. Mr.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senator Rob Coop, Senate District 4, uh, Clay and Becker counties. >> Uh, Senator Nate Weenberg's
• Uh Senator Rob Coop, Senate Thanks.
• :02:47.440> uh<00:02:47.599> Senate >> Uh Senator Nate Weenberg's uh Senate >&
• >> Senator<00:11:05.120> Kunish. >> Senator Kunish. >> Senator Kunish.
• >> Senator, >> Senator, >> Senator, >> thank<00:30:37.760> you,<00:30:

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Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Murphy, Johnson, and Champion introduced Senate Resolution 62, a Senate resolution recognizing
• Senators Murphy, Johnson, and Champion introduce Senate Resolution 63, a Senate resolution recognizing
• adopt Senate Resolution number 62. adopt Senate Resolution number 62.
• Senate resolution number 63. Senate resolution number 63.
• adopt Senate Resolution number 63. adopt Senate Resolution number 63.

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Summary: The Senate opened with a motion to dispense with further roll call proceedings and bring in absent members, then heard a prayer and pledge. A quorum was established, with Senator Carlson noted as voting remotely. The chamber adopted the printed committee reports, except those relating to appointments, which were laid on the table. Several new bills were introduced and given first reading, including SF 3733, SF 3734, SF 3755, and SF 3780, all referred to human services or health and human services committees as announced. Under motions and resolutions, Senator Kunesh added Senator Housley as a co-author to SF 3593 and SF 3594, and SF 2909 was stricken from the calendar. Senator Fate successfully moved SF 3629 from Judiciary and Public Safety to State and Local Government. Senate Resolutions 60 and 61 were referred to Rules and Administration without action. The Senate then adopted SR 62 and SR 63, both recognizing Senate employees for years of dedicated service; Senator Murphy explained that the resolutions honored staff service milestones and, in SR 63, session-only staff. Later, Senator Hley offered a brief announcement celebrating Minnesota connections to recent Olympic hockey results, highlighting women’s and men’s gold-medal teams and naming several Minnesota players. The session concluded with a motion by Senator Murphy to adjourn until Thursday, February 26 at 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Nelson. doing that. Senator Nelson.
• Senator Nelson. Senator Nelson.
• Senator Muhammad. Senator Muhammad.
• >> Senator<01:14:20.960> Jan. >> Senator Jan. >> Senator Jan.
• to Senator Nelson. to Senator Nelson.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Committee. Senate Committee.
• Thank you, Senator<00:15:39.040> Kupec. Senator Kupec. Senator Kupec.
• Senator Pappas. >> No. >> Senator Siebenaler. >> No. >> Senator Westlin?
• Limmer. >> Senator Limmer. >> Yes. >> Senator Clark. >> No. >> Senator Holmstrom. >> Yes. >> Senator
• . >> No. >> Senator Clark. >> Yes. >> Senator Holmstrom. >> No. >> Senator Kreun. >> No. >> Senator Pappas

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:31:13.200> Abler, Senator Abler, Senator Abler, >> thank<00:31:15.440>
• Thank you, Senator Moren. it then. Thank you, Senator Moren. Senator<00:37:35.920> Coleman.
• Senator? Senator?
• Senator Mann to your bill. adopted. Senator Mann to your bill.
• Our >> Thank you, Senator Senator McUade.

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Transcript Highlights:

• {ROLL CALL} Chair: Senator Berman is excused.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:20:44.159> Green. Senator Green. Senator Green.
• Um, I see Senator Dibble, then we'll go to Senator Green. >> Um, Senator Rarick and then Senator Gustafson
• Senator Dibble. Senator Green. Senator Rarick. Senator Gruenhagen. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• I believe we have Senator Green, then Senator Rarick, then Senator Gruenhagen. Senator Green.
• Senator<01:29:50.960> Grunhagen. Senator Grunhagen. Senator Grunhagen.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Utke.
• Uh<00:41:33.240> Senator. Uh Senator. Uh Senator.
• Senator...
• . resolution. resolution.
• Senator. Senator. Senator.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Uh Senator Coleman. All right. Uh Senator Coleman.
• Senator Johnson Stewart, Dibble and Senator Johnson Stewart, mostly<00:43:51.400> Senator<00:
• visiting Senator up. visiting Senator up.
• Senator<01:11:33.000> Limmer. Senator Limmer. Senator Limmer.
• Senate Senate and<01:46:43.640> Ms.

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Transcript Highlights:

• to the Senate floor.
• Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight. >> Thank you.
• to the Senate floor.
• Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight. >> Thank you.
• Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight. Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight.

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Summary: The program opened the 2026 Senate session with tributes to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and others lost or injured during the interim, including Senator John Hoffman, who returned to the floor after surviving an attack. Senators repeatedly framed the session around courage, grief, civil discourse, and a commitment to govern despite heightened fear and political violence. The Capitol itself has changed in response, with locked doors, new security systems, more law enforcement presence, and new visitor guidelines. A major segment focused on Capitol security. Senator Bonnie Westlin said the Axtell report, commissioned by the Department of Public Safety, was the basis for new screening measures and identified weapon screening as the top priority. She said the goal is to create a safer perimeter for members, staff, and the thousands of annual visitors, while keeping access workable through single entry points and Evolv screening machines. She also discussed Senate restrictions on guns in the gallery, possible future legislation to ban guns on the Capitol complex, encrypted badges, internal access controls, and behavioral threat assessments. She noted some recommendations will require funding, with the Department of Administration seeking about $41 million. The program also highlighted the Senate fiscal review, described as a nonpartisan summary of the enacted budget that is being moved toward a more interactive web format. Another segment featured Senator Eric Lucero on affordable housing and home ownership. He said the Minnesota Housing workforce and affordable home ownership program is intended to increase owner-occupied housing supply, but argued that 123 homes built statewide is not enough to address the shortage. Lucero blamed regulation and permitting delays for higher costs, said Minnesota homes can cost $50,000 to $150,000 more than comparable homes in neighboring states, and said he will continue pushing for regulatory rollbacks to make home ownership more attainable.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight. >> Thank you.
• So, the Senate office building, our gallery, our floor.
• <00:04:36.160> to<00:04:36.800> make The Senate has the capacity to make The Senate
• So, the Senate office our scope.
• <00:04:52.720> that um on the floor of the Senate that um on the floor of the Senate that

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Summary: The interview focused on changes to security at the Minnesota Capitol complex in response to rising political violence and recent attacks on public officials, including the June 14 assassinations of Melissa and Mark Hartman and the attempted assassination of Senator Hoffman and his wife. The senator said those events, along with broader threats against elected officials, created urgency to strengthen protections for members, staff, and visitors. The discussion centered on the Axtell report, a Department of Public Safety security assessment of four priority buildings: the Capitol, Centennial Office Building, Judicial Center, and Minnesota Senate Building. The report included a public executive summary and a confidential detailed analysis. Its top recommendation was weapon screening, which the advisory committee adopted as the highest-impact measure to prevent weapons or other dangerous items from entering the buildings. The senator described visible changes such as screening at entrances, single-entry points, Evolv machines, and X-ray screening for bags, as well as a Senate rule barring guns in the gallery after concerns about member safety. She argued these measures do not significantly reduce access because most state capitols already screen visitors, and said restrictions on firearms in government buildings are consistent with constitutional limits in sensitive places. She also noted that permit holders may still enter with firearms for now, but said she plans to introduce a bill to ban guns on the Capitol complex entirely. Additional recommendations discussed included encrypted staff badges, more consistent access controls across buildings, and behavioral threat assessment training. The senator said some proposals will require legislative action and funding, citing an estimated $41 million request from the Department of Administration, while other measures could be implemented administratively from the non-public security report.