Transcript Highlights:

• We're still the distribution utility for the natural gas.
• gas, but it's still just natural gas.
• natural gas. natural gas.
• natural gas, but it's still just natural natural gas, but it's still just natural gas. gas. gas.
• He said the utility has based the charge for that natural gas plant east of town on its model, and asked

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The Joint Revenue committee met with a quorum and heard a series of interim topic proposals focused on tax policy. Representative Brown raised two ideas: reinstating an exemption reporting requirement for corporations and entities receiving tax exemptions, with loss of the exemption for the current and prior year if they fail to report, and revising property tax treatment for wind turbines and related infrastructure by shifting the taxed footprint from agricultural to industrial classification. Senator Case and others then discussed energy taxation more broadly, including a possible generation tax for electricity, how to handle large data-center electricity loads, and whether sales tax revenue from very large electrical loads should be shared statewide rather than concentrated locally. The committee referenced prior bills and studies, including House Bill 300 and Senate File 76, and discussed using a mechanism that would keep local electricity bills net neutral while redirecting revenue distribution. The committee also took up problematic gaming and program funding. Senator Case described personal experiences with gambling addiction and the lack of available resources, while the presenter said the topic had been requested in multiple committees and that the biggest concern from House Bill 171 was protecting county and municipal funding. Members discussed whether the issue belonged in Revenue, Health, Labor, or Transportation, and several suggested it should stay with the standing committee handling gaming. Ideas raised included using gaming-related revenue for prevention and treatment, fully funding the 988 lifeline, and creating a broader trust fund for addiction-related services and law enforcement. The committee appeared to agree to continue the topic for educational purposes and to examine taxation of HHR and other gambling activity. Senator Case then proposed a severance tax on wind energy, arguing that wind development creates permanent landscape impacts and that the state should be compensated similarly to coal, oil, and gas extraction. Curt Meier, the state treasurer, supported reviewing lease agreements and said Wyoming should get more from wind resources, noting the state’s unique wind potential and the loss of viewshed. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to reform property tax relief by extending it to motor vehicle registration. Former Revenue director Dan Noble argued that vehicle taxes should be treated like other property taxes, using fair market value, depreciation, the residential assessment ratio, and local mill levies, which he said could provide broad relief but would be expensive, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $120 million. Representative Chestek followed with a related reform proposal based on Pennsylvania’s base-year assessment model, arguing that Wyoming’s current statewide relief measures treat symptoms rather than the underlying problem of rapidly rising local valuations.

Transcript Highlights:

• or the manager of the airport, there's going to be a natural tie-in as well as with other projects we
• So<00:03:40.720> the<00:03:40.879> natural<00:03:41.280> tie-in<00:03:42.000>
• That's the nature of doing capital projects. That's what I needed.
• That's the nature of contingency part.
• That's the nature of doing<00:15:50.079> capital<00:15:50.480> projects.

Keywords: Reuploaded tor restore the roll call and minutes approval 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:20 Approval of Minutes 0:00:50 Information Items 0:01:39 Project Rpt from Eastern KY University 0:06:54 Lease Rpt from University of KY 0:11:33 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:18:50 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:29:33 OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:38:27 OFM – Debt Issues 0:46:27 Louisville Arena Authority 1:24:30 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes and received information items on University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts reporting upcoming bond issues with no additional tax levies needed, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues for fiscal year 2026. It then considered an appropriation increase for a University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. University officials said the project is 100% federally funded and will construct a terminal building tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school. Members asked about the relationship to aviation expansion and whether the flight school would be publicly operated; the witnesses said EKU would operate it, public appropriations had already been applied, and student revenue would help offset costs. The committee approved the item by roll call vote. Next, the committee approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for property at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead, Rowan County, for $6.4 million. UK said the property, which includes an 85,000-square-foot facility on 9.6 acres, is directly across from UK St. Clair and was offered by the Rowan County Board of Education after it moved to a new location. Members questioned why the payment schedule was structured as quarterly installments and why the price was below two appraisals; UK said the board requested the arrangement and did not want the full amount upfront, and there was no interest on the purchase price. The committee also approved this item. The deputy state budget director then reported three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Ballard Wildlife Management Area pump station project, Lake Barkley State Resort Park emergency repairs, and Lake Barkley lodge wing exterior repairs. After questions, staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies because bids came in close to available funding. The committee approved the action items, then heard four no-action pool projects: HVAC upgrades at the FFA leadership training center in Hardinsburg, Kentucky School for the Blind’s McDaniel Scoggin building, KSD’s Brett Brady Hall, and a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation for the School of Engineering Technology. Finally, the committee heard two real property items: a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the high per-square-foot cost and whether another county location could be used; CHFS said it maintains offices in every county seat, this lease would replace an existing 1977 office, and the new construction was negotiated down from a higher initial bid. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing space, with renovation costs partly absorbed by the lessor and the remainder amortized over the lease term.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since that time, just in our service area alone, there has been an ongoing pattern of natural disasters
• Since that time, just in our service area alone, there has been an ongoing pattern of natural disasters
• Since that time, just in our service area alone, there has been an ongoing pattern of natural disasters
• This year, we've had three natural disasters, three disaster declarations, that came this year in our
• At one point this year, we had 18 counties of our 37 that were in a natural disaster declaration.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky, including Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Legal Aid, AppalRed Legal Aid, and the Legal Aid Society in Louisville. The presenters explained that the four nonprofit programs provide civil legal services in all 120 counties, focusing on low-income clients and matters such as domestic violence, family law, housing, expungement, public benefits, and veterans’ issues. They emphasized that they do not handle criminal defense cases and described statewide efforts such as the kyjustice.org website and Project Renew, which helps people in recovery with legal issues that affect stability, employment, housing, and family reunification. Each organization highlighted regional service challenges and examples of casework. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass described its 33-county service area, its mobile “justice bus,” and expungement work for people in recovery. Kentucky Legal Aid focused on disaster response after the December 2021 tornadoes, including insurance disputes and contractor fraud, and said it has continued to handle repeated FEMA-declared disasters. AppalRed described serving 37 rural counties with limited attorneys, the shortage of lawyers in “rural legal deserts,” and its disaster-response work after flooding and tornadoes, including FEMA appeals clinics and volunteer attorney support. The Legal Aid Society described its Louisville-area veteran services, including Social Security and VA disability cases, veterans treatment court referrals, and homeless outreach. Committee members praised the organizations’ work and noted the importance of their services. In response to questions about funding, the presenters said their support comes from a mix of Legal Services Corporation funds, state appropriations, federal grants such as VOCA, VAWA, and HUD, United Way, and foundation funding. They stressed that many grants are restricted, while state funding is more flexible and useful for emergencies and day-to-day operations. The presenters said current funding does not fully meet demand and requested an increase in the General Assembly’s appropriation from $500,000 per year to $1 million per year, or $2 million over the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• about someone who's experiencing family or related problems, what that is, and then the temporary nature
• are we saying that temporary nature are we saying that they're<00:53:27.079> only<00:53:27.559
• So the part about experiencing family or related problems of a temporary nature, that's already the law
• So the part about experiencing family or related problems of a temporary nature, that's already the law
• Experiencing family or related problems of a temporary nature, that's already the law.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And which then again are arbitrary in nature, no transparency, who gets grants.
• And which then again are<00:31:46.680> arbitrary<00:31:47.400> in<00:31:47.520> nature
• ,<00:31:47.880> no are arbitrary in nature, no are arbitrary in nature, no transparency,<00
• <00:32:26.400> of I I just hate the arbitrary nature of I I just hate the arbitrary nature
• So, it's really technical in nature. Thank you, Mr. Strzenski. Members, any questions?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires employers to provide seating for employees when the nature of the work reasonably permits
• It respects the operational needs of employers by applying only when the nature of the work reasonably
• Um, and when the nature of the work reasonably permits, it defines suitable seating.
• 03:53.920> work<00:03:54.159> reasonably the nature of the work reasonably the nature of
• nature of the work reasonably permits. nature of the work reasonably permits.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The natural change piece is really easy to predict.
• The natural change piece is really easy to predict.
• The natural change piece is really easy to predict.
• And the question sort of of national trends on some of those natural factors, as the baby boomers, as
• in natural decline, which Minnesota<00:30:27.919> is<00:30:28.080> not.

Bills: HF3004, HF3663

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, internships, mentoring, job opportunities, digital platform, online portal, career pathways, youth workforce, employment and economic development, DEED, general fund appropriation, nonprofit grant, social media outreach, digital outreach, workforce opportunities, teen jobs, young adults, career exploration, Minnesota youth

Transcript Highlights:

• So questions of that nature, we have an entire hearing dedicated to that, so if we can stay away from
• So questions of that nature, we have an entire hearing dedicated to that, so if we can stay away from
• So questions of that nature, we have an entire hearing dedicated to that, so if we can stay away from
• Chair, is are these complaints of a dissatisfaction nature, or are they real problems?
• To the nature we are, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• from our constant uh daily threats from our adversaries<00:33:35.760> the<00:33:35.880> nature
• c><00:33:36.240> extent<00:33:36.519> of<00:33:36.720> which adversaries the nature
• extent of which adversaries the nature extent of which are<00:33:37.840> classified<00:33:38.399
• /c><01:45:45.119> by<01:45:45.320> their<01:45:45.520> very<01:45:45.800> nature
• deceptive acts by their very nature deceptive acts by their very nature under<01:45:46.360> 358

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the state makes in other natural the state makes in other natural systems.<02:21:40.720> Um
• Currently, in current law, natural systems are identified as one of the general areas of offsets, and
• there's an illustrative list of types of projects around natural systems in the bill draft language.
• Currently, in current law, natural systems are identified as one of the general areas of offsets, and
• <02:26:54.960> systems item number nine in the natural systems item number nine in the natural

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of people talked about natural immunity.
• We had natural immunity to measles, and none of us died.
• We have the Department of Land and Natural Resources in support.
• Uh, do we have Department of Land and Natural Resources? Uh, they won't check in.
• <04:07:14.080> resources Department of land and natural resources Department of land and natural

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At some point, we will not have those natural resources.
• And that's both severance tax estimates, oil and natural gas, as well.
• Are those natural disaster declarations not required to be a...
• Are those natural disaster declarations not required to be accepted?
• After COVID, hospitality costs have increased, and things of that nature.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• out anything that has apparent bias, to check any citations, if there are any, or anything of that nature
• But I think the biggest thing that we hear is that it's just the sycophantic nature.
• But I think the biggest thing that we hear is that it's just the synchophantic nature.
• and are not the By ensuring that tools can be used for things that are ministerial in nature and are
• When we're talking about surveillance state and privacy and all of that nature.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the meeting of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee to order
• resource use for all boating and natural resource use for all Minnesotans.<00:31:37.640> And<
• away from other really important natural away from other really important natural resource<00:49
• I mean, I know there's a cultivated rice versus natural uncultivated rice.
• natural uncultivated rice. natural uncultivated rice.

Bills: HF3426, HF3896, HF1426, HF3793, HF4061, HF4246

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, wild rice, watercraft regulation, environmental protection, aquatic ecosystems, HF1426, product stewardship, extended producer responsibility, EPR, electronics recycling, e-waste, battery recycling, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, electrical products, covered products

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a registered nurse and the owner and founder of Just Natural CBD Wellness.
• I talked to my doctors and told them I wanted to research the science behind CBD products for a natural
• I am a registered nurse and the owner and founder of Just Natural CBD Wellness.
• I talked to my doctors and told them I wanted to research the science behind CBD products for a natural
• I am a registered nurse and the owner and founder of Just Natural CBD Wellness.

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• sensory-friendly days, also special exhibits, garden preservation, habitat renewal, and Music in the Nature
• They inspire learning and really help people connect with the natural world.
• <00:02:12.520> series renewal and music in the nature series renewal and music in the nature
• <00:02:19.560> world<00:02:20.560> I people connect with the natural world I people
• connection to the wonders of the natural connection to the wonders of the natural world<00:04:13.159

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:19:44.000> know<00:19:44.240> that<00:19:44.400> the<00:19:44.520> nature
• freezes go away we know that the nature freezes go away we know that the nature of<00:19:45.159>
• of federal funding and what the nature of federal funding and what they<00:57:23.000> require
• <01:25:53.239> resources Department of land and natural resources Department of land and natural
• We anticipate that if it continues to be successful, we might open up another one of this nature, and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. HB 44, which would appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to work with community-based organizations on social services needs, drew broad support from nonprofit providers and coalitions that said contracts and reimbursement rates have not kept pace with the actual cost of services, leaving agencies unable to retain staff or meet demand. DHS said it supported the bill’s intent but asked for clarification because the language was broad and did not specify which organizations or how funds should be allocated. Committee members and the bill’s introducer discussed how to make the measure more specific and equitable, including whether to set a percentage increase, use a baseline date, and direct DHS to distribute funds among different program areas; the True Cost Coalition and DHS agreed to follow up in writing with proposed language and a funding number. The committee then heard HB 1349, which would authorize Medicaid/CHIP coverage for income-qualified pregnant persons and children regardless of immigration status. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, Aloha Care, and the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, said the bill would improve prenatal and child health, reduce the chilling effect of immigration enforcement on care-seeking, and help prevent premature or underweight births by ensuring earlier access to providers. DHS provided comments and the committee asked where the measure would fit in the budget; the department identified the relevant budget code. Written testimony in support came from multiple advocacy and health organizations and dozens of individuals. Finally, the committee heard HB 613, which would appropriate funds to DHS for emergency shelter and services for unaccompanied homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the Office of Youth Services, Rise, the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others supported the bill, emphasizing youth homelessness, the need for coordinated shelter and outreach, and the high share of LGBTQ+ youth among homeless minors. OYS asked that the committee consider funding its existing Safe Spaces pilot rather than creating a new program, while DHS said it supported the intent but wanted clarification because multiple department programs could be implicated. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair instead requested follow-up language and funding information for HB 44 and continued the measures for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's mostly maintenance medications, for example, hypertension, high cholesterol, things of that nature
• It's mostly maintenance medications, for example, hypertension, high cholesterol, things of that nature
• It's mostly maintenance medications for, let's say, hypertension, high cholesterol, things of that nature
• There are, so for my facility, we wouldn't administer Things of that nature.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence held a hearing on two assisted living bills, Senate 3057 and House 5376, which would create an Assisted Living Residence Trust Fund to support certification staffing, compliance reviews, complaint investigations, ombudsman services, public reporting, appeals, and oversight. Testimony from MassALA, AARP, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman generally supported the bills and the dedicated funding stream, but MassALA urged amendments to expand career pathways for staff through certified medication aides and to add guardrails on the use of fines as a funding source. The Ombudsman supported the fund and emphasized the need for additional staffing to better serve the state’s assisted living residents. Committee members asked for draft amendment language, and the chairs indicated they were open to further discussion, especially on fines and CMA language. The committee then heard testimony on Senate 3056 and House 5243 regarding medication administration in rest homes. Providers, including the Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes, LeadingAge Massachusetts, and several rest home operators, opposed proposed Department of Public Health changes that would eliminate the long-standing “responsible person” model and move rest homes toward the Medication Administration Program (MAP). Witnesses said the current model has been used for decades, is tailored to rest homes, and is essential to affordability, staffing stability, and resident continuity of care; they warned that replacing it with MAP or nurse-only administration would raise costs, worsen workforce shortages, and could force closures or resident displacement. They asked the committee to support legislation preserving responsible persons’ authority to administer medications while improving training and oversight. Committee members asked questions about the history of the responsible person model, how medication administration works day to day, whether other states use similar systems, and whether data exist comparing medication error rates under MAP and the current model. The chairs said they were still reviewing building-code-related recommendations raised in the assisted living discussion and noted that some issues might be better addressed through a task force. The hearing concluded after testimony and questions, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's the natural disaster kind of stuff that's sort of lingering out there.
• So, it's it's<00:08:05.600> the<00:08:05.720> natural<00:08:06.120> disaster<00:
• 08:06.640> kind<00:08:06.880> of<00:08:07.000> stuff it's the natural disaster kind
• of stuff it's the natural disaster kind of stuff that's<00:08:07.880> sort<00:08:08.160> of

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference on Senate Bill 564 reconvened to review a new amendment from Representative DuMont. The amendment cleaned up prior language, added a new section carving out wetland buffers and conservation areas for special exception or conditional use permit treatment, and included an effective-date delay. Senator Murphy noted that agreed-upon language was missing to prevent municipalities from imposing new building or lot-size restrictions before the bill’s effective date, and that language was restored using wording from amendment 2070. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey, who explained that fire-code concerns centered on road access and dead-end roads, and suggested tying road-length limits to NFPA 1141 so the bill would reference an established standard while preserving existing state fire code provisions on water supply, road widths, slopes, and turnarounds. Members discussed refining the language to say road-length caps must comply with the state fire code and NFPA 1141. Representative Alexander also explained that section 3 would expand by-right treatment for certain subdivision buffers and reduce development costs, while section 4 would require at least conditional use or special exception review for wetland buffers and conservation areas rather than allowing a flat denial. After a brief pause to resolve concerns, participants agreed to keep section 3 and section 4, with the understanding that the changes struck a balance between lowering housing-development costs and preserving local review and environmental protections. The committee then voted unanimously to support the agreement, seconded by Rainforth, and the chair said the revised amendment would be sent to OLS for final drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 259 is very simple in nature, but will provide significant opportunity for more safety provisions
• And the temporary nature of the TRO, where we always refer to as TRO, is essentially because you've made
• But it's only temporary in nature, until you can get to a court date where all of the evidence can be
• So I really like this bill because of the online nature of what it does. It allows some money.

Summary: The committee first took up SCR 30 by Senator Connick, which memorializes Congress to compel the Department of Justice to release unclassified Epstein-related records. Senator Connick gave personal remarks about child sexual abuse and the need to hold powerful people accountable. Representative Newell supported the resolution, and the committee reported it favorably without opposition. Next, the committee considered SCR 40 by Senator Selders, urging Congress to timely pass defense appropriations that fully fund and align with the National Defense Authorization Act. The measure was briefly explained as a statement of support for military readiness and proper appropriations, and it was moved favorably with no opposition. The main substantive discussion centered on SB 259 by Senator Barrow, which would authorize an online portal for civil protective order applications. A Supreme Court protective order registry representative explained that the portal would let domestic and dating violence survivors complete petitions online, with the same judicial review, service, and hearing process that exists now; the bill would not eliminate manual filing. Members asked about fees, guidance for applicants, verification, judicial review, public access, and the risk of false filings. The witness and several members emphasized that the process remains temporary and ex parte at the outset, that final orders are issued by judges, and that the registry is not public. A domestic violence coalition representative also testified in support. Representative Newell moved favorable, Representative Edmondson objected, and the committee reported the bill favorably by a 10-1 vote. Finally, Representative Baham presented HR 245 condemning political violence in the United States. He cited recent and historical examples of political attacks and argued that violence against public figures and activists is harmful regardless of party. Members voiced support, no one objected, and the resolution was adopted before the committee adjourned, with the chair noting it was the last meeting of the session.