Transcript Highlights:

• Why would we limit them, but not limit the Attorney General when that office doesn't even have the power
• In terms of not listening, in terms of not understanding, and making good policy.
• About 11 terms. Dozen terms? Eleven terms. Eleven terms.
• Has a limited amount of funds to build roads in this state? They will always have limited funds.
• Everything we do here is limited.

Bills: HJR175 , HJR88 , HB21 , HB49 , HB216 , HB346 , HB573 , HB565 , HB954 , HB1953 , HB2686 , HB1441 , HB2734 , HB1650 , HB3161 , HB2876 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB 1186 , HB1534 , HB5506 , HB5129 , HB3619 , HB778 , HB2867 , HB3221 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB4921 , HB3866 , HB3901 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4012 , HB4491 , HB4088 , HB229 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HB5138 , SB17 , HB4944 , HB2284 , HB3421 , SB1569 , SB2420 , SB1968 , SB2351 , SB2544 , SB1490 , SB1349 , SB1568 , SB2776 , HB3531 , HB2149 , HB4327 , HB3158 , HB3717 , HB4520 , SB888 , SB552 , HB3138 , HB3704 , HB2921 , HB4853 , HB4506 , HB3892 , HJR161 , HJR175 , HJR88 , HB1937 , HB3334 , HB5444 , HB5137 , HB361 , HB321 , HB5447 , HB464 , HB678 , HB2294 , HB4172 , HB3225 , HB1769 , HB5394 , HB1837 , HB1787 , HB2271 , HB2440 , HB5134 , HB5149 , HB2151 , HB2073 , HB2186 , HB2025 , HB1936 , HB1777 , HB1663 , HB 1306 , HB 1290 , HB1527 , HB4802 , HB3462 , HB2963 , HB2462 , HB2560 , HB644 , HB2725 , HB2621 , HB2588 , HB1443 , HB1403 , HB3032 , HB1557 , HB1664 , HB2811 , HB2088 , HB2598 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3940 , HB4027 , HB4097 , HB4862 , HB4170 , HB4157 , HB4205 , HB4279 , HB4377 , HB4838 , HB5424 , HB5294 , HB4870 , HB4763 , HB5639 , HB4112 , HB2275 , HB1677 , HB5014 , HB3848 , HB3797 , HB3727 , HB3709 , HB3177 , HB3057 , HB4176 , HB4202 , HB2180 , HB3528 , HB3658 , HB21 , HB49 , HB216 , HB346 , HB573 , HB565 , HB954 , HB1953 , HB2686 , HB1441 , HB2734 , HB1650 , HB3161 , HB2876 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB 1186 , HB1534 , HB5506 , HB5129 , HB3619 , HB778 , HB2867 , HB3221 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB4921 , HB3866 , HB3901 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4012 , HB4491 , HB4088 , HB229 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40

Keywords: constitutional amendment, medium of exchange, currency rights, digital currency, financial autonomy, tax exemption, rainwater harvesting, graywater system, local government, ad valorem taxation, housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, audit requirements, affordable housing, development bonds, oil waste, gas waste, liability, treatment processes

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I woke up this morning to the very, very, uh, from my perspective, deadly news about the congressional
• We need to show Minnesotans that we're able to think of them in terms of their humanness, of their lives
• :15:11.120><c> the</c> legislation that we also then set the legislation that we also then set the terms
• <c> special</c><00:15:12.320><c> session</c><00:15:12.959><c> and</c><00:15:13.279><c> usually</c> terms
• of the special session and usually terms of the special session and usually that<00:15:13.839><c> is

Transcript Highlights:

• Last week, we covered the long-term estimate, and that is expected to grow.
• But expectations for long-term growth are decreasing as well.
• TCJA was passed, and there was The $10,000 limit, so let's say $10.
• This is impacted in the longer term by.
• So could you comment on that in terms of how do we stack up?

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• selection process in the states shall allocate delegates in proportion to the certified statewide and congressional
• In terms of the review, it will provide some certainty for bond counsel and the districts that are putting
• page documents that we're combing through to look at assessed valuation, look at the percentages and terms
• In terms of local contest to an election result, no, I don't have that.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Elections Committee met in executive session first and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2387, which combined HB 2387 and HB 2480. The substitute removed provisions on extending no-excuse in-person absentee voting and shortening the absentee voting window, shifted the presidential candidate filing fee to be set by state party committees, and added language to bind presidential delegates to primary results while allowing national party rules to control where required. Members discussed the legal basis for delegate binding, party input on the substitute, and the role of closed primaries, then the committee voted 10-2-1 to do pass HB 2387 as substituted. The committee also passed House Bill 1987 and House Concurrent Resolution 23 without opposition, and passed House Bill 1802 after members discussed election transparency and concerns about applying the measure uniformly across counties; the vote was 11-2. In public hearing, the committee heard House Bill 2605, which would update election notice requirements, especially for bond elections. Sponsor Rep. McGaugh and the State Auditor’s office said the bill would address technical publication errors that had jeopardized voter-approved bond issues by allowing notice defects to be cured if no election contest is filed within 30 days, while also allowing one newspaper publication and one direct mailing notice. Testimony from county clerks, school administrators, a fire district, the Missouri Press Association, and others generally supported the bill as a practical fix, though one witness urged broader website posting of notices. The hearing also covered House Bill 2301, a campaign finance cleanup bill that would clarify definitions and reporting rules in Chapter 130, especially for continuing committees and indirect political spending; the sponsor said it was intended to fix ambiguity from prior law, and the only testimony in favor called for additional restrictions on recurring donations and more transparency. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1787, which would require schools used as polling places to treat election days as school holidays beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve child safety and could also help with staffing and voter participation, while members raised concerns about school calendars already being set and whether the mandate should instead be optional or delayed to a later school year. A witness in favor supported the safety goal but asked for local control and a later effective date. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> your</c><02:05:51.440><c> liberty</c> substantive limitations on your liberty substantive limitations
• Parole is another be some limitations.
• There's also short-term prison savings.
• </c> less urgency to pursue long-term less urgency to pursue long-term infrastructure<02:25:47.760><c
• </c><02:54:52.080><c> So</c> uh all those terms. So uh all those terms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Dow, it varies in terms of what they request.
• I think there's some examples in that paragraph in terms of...
• And I don't know if Sunny wants to elaborate in terms of the Education Acts.
• So I think that there in terms of housing students.
• I'm sorry I didn't give any limits.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• it comes to clearing debris, when it comes to not only immediate response to a disaster but a long term
• And then your last point about the folks in DC, we're talking all the time to the congressional...
• In terms of cancers, they cause cancers across almost every organ system.
• New Mexico, in general, has limited finishing capacity.
• Limited warehousing and rail hanging space, distribution, and Cold chain logistics, labor shortages,

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we've seen some limitations.
• But I would say that there are sort of limitations in terms of But I would say that there are sort of
• limitations in terms of what can be generated through that, and there are implications from a rating
• So how do we plan long-term?
• It's because we've seen some major improvements of the MBTA in terms of workforce, in terms of reliability

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 55, the governor’s FY25 supplemental budget proposal to spend about $1.3 billion in surplus Fair Share revenue. House and Senate chairs framed the bill as a one-time opportunity to invest fairly in education and transportation, while also noting the need to protect the state’s long-term fiscal balance. Administration officials said the proposal should be considered alongside the FY26 budget and related bills, since the governor’s broader Fair Share plan aims for roughly an even split between education and transportation over time. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, and Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler outlined the administration’s priorities. Transportation funding would go mainly to the MBTA and related reserves, including money for the Federal Transit Administration reserve, MBTA stabilization reserve, low-income fares, winter resilience, RTA workforce support, MassDOT workforce and project delivery, and micro-transit grants. Education funding would support universal preschool expansion, early education and care capacity, early literacy tutoring, adult basic education and ESOL, early college and career technical education, MyCAP expansion, and special education circuit breaker funding. The administration emphasized that many of these investments are one-time or multi-year measures designed to address current needs without creating unsustainable recurring costs. Committee members raised concerns about regional equity, especially the large share of transportation money going to the MBTA versus regional transit authorities and rural areas. Several members asked for more detail on how the proposal would benefit Western Massachusetts and other non-MBTA regions, and whether micro-transit and Chapter 90-related investments would be sufficient. Education questions focused on special education reimbursement shortfalls, federal funding cuts to school districts, and how CTE and vocational investments would align students with workforce needs. The administration said it would provide additional data on MBTA versus RTA investment and explained that the special education circuit breaker and transportation reimbursement changes were intended to improve predictability and relief for districts. After the administration panel, Jessica Tang of AFT Massachusetts testified in support of using Fair Share funds to protect public education amid federal uncertainty and cuts. She argued that schools are facing a fiscal cliff, that vulnerable students would be hit hardest by funding losses, and that the Fair Share revenue should be used to preserve services and support students’ needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:26:55.080><c> as</c> legis in statute you're Le Li limited as legis in statute you're Le Li limited
• </c><01:29:20.000><c> of</c> defensible and auditable in terms of defensible and auditable in terms of
• The biggest chunk of what gets spent, in terms of a curve, in terms of getting spent, is during construction
• of a curvature in what gets um in terms of a curvature in terms<02:43:28.000><c> of</c><02:43:28.160
• That's not even the right term.

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure what the status is in terms of how the chat is set up. Patrick. Ms.
• Yes, again, I'm going to try to limit things to three questions, but go ahead, follow-up.
• So there's a lot of flexibility built into this in terms of a lot of opportunity for the contractor to
• In terms of retirements and the changing workforce, I mean, that's a challenge for us as owners, you
• And when somebody changes along the way on a long-term contract like this, which they do, we require

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the Air Quality Control Commission, effective February 1, 2026, for terms expiring January
• </c> term expiring September 27th, 2028. term expiring September 27th, 2028.
• </c> for terms expiring January 31st, 2029. for terms expiring January 31st, 2029.
• Reappointed for term experience.
• centers for terms expiring July 1st,<00:42:02.800><c> 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 11, this is Opportunity Enterprise Board loan terms.
• And they have, we can go up to a 30-year term.
• There's a 25 percent limit in any one county for commercial development and a 50 percent limit under
• That will be available on Zoom and in person, with a one-minute time limit.
• And I think that's just based on where we are in terms of funding as a state.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• permanent federal holiday and was posthumously honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional

Bills: HB1160 , HB1187 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1345 , HB1501 , HB1604 , HB1798 , HB1069 , HB1347

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• The IMLS is an independent federal agency that plays a key role in distributing congressionally approved
• The Somali Museum has done great work, not just in Minneapolis but statewide, in terms of educating the
• The Somali Museum has done great work, not just in Minneapolis but statewide, in terms of educating the
• The Somali Museum has done great work, not just in Minneapolis but statewide, in terms of educating the
• The Somali Museum has done great work, not just in Minneapolis but statewide, in terms of educating the

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:14:15.199><c> there's</c> beyond the time uh limits there's beyond the time uh limits there's
• </c><02:52:06.840><c> that's</c> have uh statute of limitations that's have uh statute of limitations
• </c> statute this bill that um are not terms statute this bill that um are not terms used<03:08:08.200
• but long-term careers.
• but long-term careers.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I think we talked about this last term. I think we talked about this last term.
• So, like a term. Okay.
• </c><05:21:46.798><c> limited</c><05:21:47.520><c> cocktail</c> um I mean a limited limited cocktail
• Limit it to one.
• Limit it to one. to say the same thing. Limit it to one.

Summary: The committee first discussed a budget-related issue involving liquor commission enforcement staff and tobacco enforcement funding. A member explained that proposed cuts to “group two” enforcement positions at the liquor commission could jeopardize the tobacco enforcement money that flows to Health and Human Services, and expressed confidence that the enforcement division would ultimately be preserved. The main hearing was on Senate Bill 19, which would modernize hotel and motel statutes by repealing outdated requirements. The sponsor and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association said the bill would remove obsolete rules such as the old guest book/card system and antiquated posting requirements for room rates and motel signs. Members questioned whether the bill would eliminate the requirement to record guest departure dates or affect inspection rights, and the witnesses said the intent was only to remove the book-and-card reference while leaving the rest of the recordkeeping requirement in place. Supporters argued the rate-posting rules are widely ignored, hard to enforce, and outdated in an era of digital reservations and variable pricing; the committee also discussed whether any consumer-protection purpose remained. The public hearing on SB 19 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 280FN, which would require food delivery services to have an agreement with a restaurant or food retail store before offering delivery from that business. The sponsor said the bill restores a prior law that had sunset and was intended to prevent third-party platforms from listing restaurants without consent. Restaurant industry testimony strongly supported the bill, describing problems with unauthorized listings, delayed deliveries, and reimbursement disputes, and saying the agreement requirement protects restaurant brands and consumer expectations. Members shared examples of delivery problems and voiced support for reinstating the safeguard.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a term of parlance, and so we're now back on the joint resolution and Senator Avala.
• at the provisions in terms of what is allowed or permissible within the expenditures, the amendment
• residents with limited affordable housing options.
• Saving for a rainy day, place it in simple terms, right?
• I don't have a congressional member right now, so it makes me the top-ranking official.

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment on property tax reform. The measure would increase the homestead exemption in stages, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses such as public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt service, employee benefits, and certain administrative costs. Supporters, led by Senator Avila, argued the proposal would provide meaningful property tax relief and push local governments to rein in spending, while opponents warned it would shift costs to fees, reduce local flexibility, and threaten funding for core services. Several amendments were offered and rejected. Senator Sharief proposed an income-based circuit breaker for property tax relief; Senator Smith offered a sunset clause; and Senator Berman proposed revising the ballot statement to better match the amended proposal and remove outdated references. Each amendment failed on recorded votes. During questioning and debate, senators pressed Avila on the ballot language, the effect on local services, whether the legislature could later restrict local spending by statute, and whether renters would benefit. Avila said the ballot language was not his and repeatedly stated he was presenting the governor’s proposal, while also saying local governments would need to prioritize budgets and that future legislatures could address implementation details. After the amendment votes, the joint resolution was read a third time and moved into final debate. Supporters said the proposal would give homeowners relief and force fiscal discipline at the local level. Opponents, including Senators Nathan, Bracey Davis, Smith, Polsky, and Errington, argued the measure was rushed, lacked a completed fiscal analysis or replacement revenue, and could harm police, fire, libraries, parks, housing, and other local services. They also criticized the ballot summary as misleading, especially regarding the staged homestead exemption increase. The transcript ends during debate, before any final vote on the joint resolution itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has been 50 days since the people of Arizona's Seventh Congressional District elected me to represent
• passed a continuing resolution that funded critical services and had given us time to negotiate long-term
• And they do not want to drive up our debt $1.5 trillion as part of a short-term continuing resolution
• AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE UP OUR DEBT $1.5 TRILLION AS PART OF A SHORT-TERM CONTINUING RESOLUTION
• In the simplest terms, we're putting the government back to work for our people.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:34.679><c> Mobility</c><00:23:35.200><c> at</c> our students um with limited Mobility at our
• students um with limited Mobility at all<00:23:36.279><c> um</c><00:23:36.600><c> in</c><00:23:36.919
• of the agencies we of Minnesota in terms of the agencies we have<00:58:24.000><c> um</c><00:58:24.960
• Our students hail from every congressional district and 54 of Minnesota's 67 Senate districts.
• Our students hail from every congressional district and 54 of Minnesota's 67 Senate districts.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s a term of parlance, and so we’re now back on the joint resolution in Senator Avala.
• The intent, if you look at the provisions in terms of what is allowed or permissible, If you look at
• the provisions in terms of what is allowed or permissible within the expenditures, the amendment that
• residents with limited affordable housing options.
• I don't have a congressional member right now, so it makes me the top ranking official.