Transcript Highlights:

• million was distributed during the 2023-24 school year to the state's 329 school districts and 181 charter
• million was distributed during the 2023-24 school year to the state's 329 school districts and 181 charter
• million was distributed during the 2023-24 school year to the state's 329 school districts and 181 charter
• ><01:16:32.480> schools<01:16:32.800> now<01:16:33.080> though less than 181 charter
• schools now though less than 181 charter schools now though I<01:16:33.360> think<01:16:33.560

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An act authorizing the town of Bridgewater to amend its charter for gender-neutral language, House No

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several committee orders extending reporting deadlines to March 18, 2026 for the Committees on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and Public Safety and Homeland Security, and adopted each after suspending the rules. It also adopted a House resolution recognizing Russell Carrier for 44 years of service to the Forbes Library. The chamber concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals related to a sick leave bank for a trial court employee, creditable service for certain police officers and firefighters, and mobile driver’s licenses, and it suspended Joint Rule 12 on another sick leave bank petition for a Department of Correction employee. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommended four bills for House consideration: anti-retaliation protections for public employees, “Getting to Zero Week,” local and regional cultural council membership, and a Boston police age-waiver bill for Giselle Mello. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to third reading. It also passed to enact two local bills: one increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston and another dissolving a special fund in Athol. Later, the House passed to engrossment a bill authorizing the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge, a Bridgewater charter amendment for gender-neutral language, and an Arlington local option bill to place a ballot question on increasing certain alcohol licenses. Members also observed a moment of silent tribute for former Lowell legislator Philip L. Shea, and the House ordered special adjournment in his memory. The chamber then adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, this bill amends statute 196.22 to clarify the ability of the commissioner to direct staff
• So, I'd like to have our nonpartisan staff just address that through an amendment.
• I think if we address that in an amendment, there'll be no problems over here.
• So, I'd like to have our nonpartisan staff just address that through an amendment.
• I think if we address that in an amendment, there'll be no problems over here.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3467, a policy bill by Representative Ray Brower that would give the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs clearer statutory authority to collaborate with veterans organizations using staff time, expertise, and other nonmonetary resources. Brower and MDVA testified that the bill is permissive, does not move money, and is intended to help the agency support initiatives related to food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, and similar needs. They cited a DAV-led effort to expand veterans food pantry services statewide as the main example, including possible use of MDVA space and staff support, and noted a reporting requirement to legislative veterans committee leaders. John Kelly of MDVA said the bill arose from discussions with agency counsel and is meant to avoid uncertainty about whether the department can partner quickly on emerging initiatives. Stefan Whitehead of the Disabled American Veterans described the food pantry work already underway in Minneapolis, where DAV says it serves about 300 boxes of food a month, and said the organization wants to expand statewide with MDVA’s help in identifying need, coordinating partners, and connecting veterans to benefits and other resources. He emphasized that DAV is not seeking state funding, but rather MDVA expertise and coordination. Members generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the bill’s wording and whether it could be read to allow use of agency resources beyond nonmonetary support or lead to added costs or staff positions. Chair Bliss and Representative Wilson asked for clarifying language to ensure the bill does not authorize spending or full-time employees, and Kelly said MDVA was willing to work on amendments to make that clear. The committee did not take final action and instead laid the bill over for possible amendment and further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the amendment is here. appreciated. And the amendment is here.
• So, uh, I'll move amendment 1573S. And I will second that amendment. All right.
• Um, is there any further discussion on the amendment? Senator, do you want the amendment?
• amendment amendment 1538s.<00:11:33.440> All<00:11:33.440> right.
• This is the amendment. Correct. Yes. This is the amendment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• voting to keep it in or voting to amend voting to keep it in or voting to amend it<02:56:48.239>
• Charter school is 6.174 million, and EFAs was 10.6.
• 28 and 32 those are adequacy charter 28 and 32 those are adequacy charter school<03:08:56.760>
• It's usually not amended, but it's not unprecedented either. Thank you.
• As sort of a heads up, we may well ask for some amendments with regards to this.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. The Department of Education testified that the bill’s definition would conflict with federal definitions and be very restrictive, potentially affecting a wide range of instructional methods, curriculum materials, teacher training, civics requirements, suicide prevention training, and other programs. The department said the bill could force a broad overhaul of school practices, create local implementation burdens, and require at least one new state position, with a fiscal note estimating roughly $118,000 in FY 2026 rising in later years. Members also raised concerns about possible impacts on federal pass-through funding and whether the bill was workable. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. The committee then heard HB 133, a Department of Safety/DMV bill involving follow-up when a person votes using an out-of-state license or non-driver ID and then does not obtain a New Hampshire credential within the statutory timeframe. DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology upgrade plus a new full-time position, and that the fiscal note did not include postage or fully account for the manual work needed to match records, send notices, and review responses. They said the proposal also raised broader tracking issues because it would apply not only to voters but to anyone who had not obtained a New Hampshire license within 60 days, and they questioned whether DMV was the proper agency to make those inquiries. Committee members pressed the department on how the 60-day clock would be determined, whether the bill could amount to a kind of poll tax or raise privacy concerns, and whether voter ID cards or other exceptions would avoid that problem. The department explained that New Hampshire offers a free voter identification card through town clerks for people without a license or state ID, but said the bill did not exempt those cards and that the DMV would still be asked to investigate status after voting. Officials also said the bill would be difficult to enforce, that some cases would be ambiguous, and that any response from the DMV would likely amount to a request for information rather than an enforceable consequence. No vote on HB 133 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• voting to keep it in or voting to amend voting to keep it in or voting to amend it<02:56:48.239>
• 28 and 32 those are adequacy charter 28 and 32 those are adequacy charter school<03:08:56.760>
• Charter School is $6.174 million, and EFAs was $10.6 million.
• Well, even a floor amendment at some point.
• It's usually not amended, but it's not unprecedented either. Thank you.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. Department of Education testimony said the bill’s definition would conflict with the federal definition and be unusually restrictive, potentially affecting curriculum, educator training, and many existing state requirements. The department said it could force a broad overhaul of school programs and create a need for at least one new state position, with local districts likely facing significant unbudgeted costs. Members raised concerns about impacts on federal pass-through funding, curriculum materials, and whether the bill was workable at all. Several members said the proposal would be too costly and difficult to implement, especially during a tight budget cycle. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. Members who supported retention said they wanted to set the bill aside because of the scale of the concerns, while also stating they did not support the bill as written. The committee then opened HB 133, dealing with DMV follow-up on residency and licensing issues tied to voting and other interactions. Department of Safety/DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology update plus a full-time position to handle manual correspondence and review of possible matches, and that postage was not included in the fiscal note. They said the bill’s 60-day residency trigger is vague, that the DMV would be acting outside its normal role by investigating status after the fact, and that the measure could create privacy and operational problems. Members questioned whether the bill would effectively force people to buy a driver’s license to vote, whether non-driver and voter ID options would avoid that concern, and whether the Secretary of State rather than DMV would be the more appropriate agency to handle any follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment in A2. amendment in A2.
• amendment? Yes, thank you Madam Chair. amendment? Yes, thank you Madam Chair.
• then the larger part of the amendment then the larger part of the amendment if<00:31:57.240>
• You've got charters and restricted.
• Um, charter schools, other schools?

Bills: HF4456, HF4544, HF3698

Keywords: data broker, data brokerage, consumer privacy, personal data, data privacy, Minnesota attorney general, registration, public registry, civil penalties, enforcement, special revenue fund, privacy rights, data sales, data collection, consumer protection, chapter 325M, controller, processor, data broker registry, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• for his amendment. for his amendment.
• . amendment. amendment.
• . amendment. amendment.
• He said the purpose of the amendment is simply to restore the Senate's language, which gives a charter
• So, the amendment is strictly to restore the Senate's language, which gives a charter school 12 months

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Anthony Phillips, and dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized several guests in the galleries, including family members of senators, medical professionals for Early Childhood Day, and advocates and local officials. After introductions, the Senate moved into the calendar and began considering bills and motions. Among the measures taken up, the Senate passed House Bill 1393 to create the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund, with the sponsor explaining it would allow MDA to support energy projects and require compliance with state procurement laws. The Senate also passed House Bill 420, which provides a full homestead ad valorem tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans age 85 or older and allows an unremarried surviving spouse to keep the exemption; senators asked about eligibility, age limits, and safeguards against improper exemptions. Another bill passed was House Bill 1941 on the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, which would allow funding through bonds or other means in addition to direct appropriation and raise the DFA processing cap from 2% to 3%; several senators raised concerns about state debt and the funding mechanism. The Senate concurred in Senate Bill 2906, which gives the Secretary of State additional time to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for county election systems. It also adopted motions to table reconsideration on several House bills, including House Bill 908 on absentee ballot receipt dates, House Bill 525 on mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery, and House Bill 538 on sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement. The chamber voted to reconsider and then again pass House Bill 1613, described as a bill on aggravated trafficking weight and pill counts that also included a chemical abortion ban, after some senators who were absent earlier asked to go on record. For House Bill 2409, dealing with a comprehensive mitigation program for retrofitting insurable homes, the Senate voted not to concur and invited conference. The Senate also passed and retained numerous other items as it worked through the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will move the A1 amendment.
• > the oppose the amendment is adopted the oppose the amendment is adopted the motion<00:03:16.280
• interference house file 22 as amended interference house file 22 as amended empowers<00:03:52.680
• The amendment fixes the proposed statute in my view, because without that amendment it would have been
• The amendment fixes the proposed statute in my view, because without that amendment it would have been

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• SHOW THIS AMENDMENT ADOPTED. WE ARE BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED.
• THIS AMENDMENT DEFINES WHAT A STATE AGENCY IS AND ALLOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OR CHARTER SCHOOL TO
• DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? DO YOU WANT TO CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT?
• THERE IS AN AMENDMENT.
• PLEASE SHOW THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED. THERE ARE NO OTHER AMENDMENTS ON THE DESK.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You just move the amendment, amendment? You just move the amendment, Representative.
• vote on this amendment. vote on this amendment.
• , 1184 as amended, 1186 as amended, 1234 as amended, 1305, 1311 as amended, passed on second reading
• as amended, 1305, 1311 as amended, 1234 as amended, 1305, 1311 as<02:52:52.960> amended,<02:52
• Second Amendment. Second Amendment.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we expanded access to charter schools.
• Our statewide charter board was a great reform, but we still let local school districts block new charters
• If we want top-tier charters to come to Oklahoma, they should be able to go straight to the statewide

Bills: HB3725, HB3260, HB3660, HB3369, HB3370, HB2937, HB3419, HB3264, HB3266, HB3267, HB3268, HB3310, HB4311, HB3841, HB3024, HB3075

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a title amendment.
• There is a title amendment. We vote. There is a title amendment.
• amendment. Do we have a motion? amendment. Do we have a motion?
• ,<00:26:23.520> say of adopting the title amendment, say of adopting the title amendment,
• Next up on Title amendment is adopted.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um I think we will bring the amendments um I think we will bring the Amendments<00:03:58.680> as<
• The amendment is adopted. Mr.
• :24.760> Amendment<02:09:25.840> 2025 to move Amendment 2025 to move Amendment 2025 d414
• appeared to be Amendment 1162.
• We have another amendment. Amendment I do not—if that was your question.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met to review Division One of a very large budget package, with the chair explaining that the budget was being analyzed in three divisions over multiple days. Members first discussed procedure, including when amendments and line-item votes would be taken, and agreed to proceed with the division’s presentation before questions. Representative Maguire then outlined the division’s approach as a series of tradeoffs to close a large budget gap, emphasizing cuts, some revenue changes, and a focus on overall spending levels as well as individual reductions. The presentation covered a wide range of agencies and policy areas. Major proposed changes included cuts or eliminations to several boards and commissions viewed as costly or duplicative, such as the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Tax and Land Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Aging, Office of the Child Advocate, and the Personnel Appeals Board, with some functions consolidated into other boards. The division also proposed back-of-the-budget cuts to the Information Technology Department, Judicial Branch, Justice Department, Retirement System, Corrections, and Environmental Services, along with fee increases in several areas. Other notable items included ending marketing for Paid Family Leave, reducing job advertising and tourism promotion, defunding the Arts Council, moving liquor enforcement functions out of the Liquor Commission, and shifting some funds such as the College Savings Commission money to Division Two. Several members questioned specific cuts, especially the elimination of the Council on Aging, the reduction in regional planning commission grants, and the large cut to tourism advertising. Maguire defended the choices as necessary budget tradeoffs, arguing that some programs duplicated work done elsewhere, that regional planning grants were not among the most essential items, and that tourism promotion was a form of spending he viewed skeptically. He also explained that the public defender’s budget was partially restored after a credible claim of a governor’s budget error, and that the committee would continue refining corrections-related cuts because the House was only halfway through the budget process and further changes could still occur in the Senate and conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It called on Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
• It possesses only those properties which the charter of its creation confers upon it.
• The charter that exists in Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 414.
• That's why the constitutional convention proposed an amendment that mandated the legislature establish
• >> Senator Keohokalole. >> Yeah, upon consideration of the house amendments, we'll agree.

Bills: HB1800, HB1860, HB2250, HB472, HB649, HB1391, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1515, HB1518, HB1541, HB1548, HB1576, HB1618, HB1642, HB1643, HB1661, HB1667, HB1678, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1804, HB1810, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1839, HB1853, HB1854, HB1864, HB1870, HB1881, HB1888, HB1890, HB1891, HB1894, HB1920, HB1959, HB1960, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2023, HB2050, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2104, HB2137, HB2152, HB2158, HB2171, HB2207, HB2218, HB2246, HB2270, HB2271, HB2272, HB2279, HB2282, HB2289, HB2293, HB2297, HB2300, HB2309, HB2310, HB2314, HB2319, HB2329, HB2338, HB2339, HB2344, HB2361, HB2385, HB2395, HB2417, HB2429, HB2443, HB2452, HB2474, HB2475, HB2498, HB2505, HB2547, HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• help every single district, charter help every single district, charter school,<00:13:31.839>
• <00:31:22.159> have we see uh schools and charters have we see uh schools and charters have
• I think charters limited set of eleas.
• I think charters were<00:49:17.839> always<00:49:18.240> allowed<00:49:18.640> but
• So if districts or charters or others are seeing loss of students in real time due to the 15-day drop

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, there's differences amongst privates and charter schools for these.
• You know, there's differences amongst privates and charter schools for these.
• You know, there's differences amongst privates and charter schools for these.
• You know, there's differences amongst privates and charter schools for these.
• You know, there's differences amongst privates and charter schools for these.

Bills: HF984, HF921, HF922

Keywords: education funding, nonpublic schools, counseling services, guidance services, transportation for students, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so as you know, the DFI regulates state-chartered banks, trust companies, and credit unions
• So on the left-hand side of the slide here, you can see the number of chartered...
• All right, so as you know, the DFI regulates state chartered banks, trust companies, and credit unions
• So on the left-hand side of the slide here, you can see the number of chartered. Licensed with us.
• So we said, hey, let's, can we do an amended delegation?

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3549 by Ward Johnson relating to requiring a school district or open enrollment charter school to
• HJR 155 by Pursuit proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the governing body of a political
• HJR 157 by Brooks Landgraf proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt
• HJR 158 by Tony Tinderholt proposes a constitutional amendment regarding the time during ...
• HJR 159 by Eddie Perez of El Paso proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we have an amendment, and we have—I think we have an amendment and we have...
• This is amendment 1791.
• <00:13:12.959> right right we're doing the amendment right right we're doing the amendment
• version had ban and then we we amended version had ban and then we we amended it<00:15:43.600>
• I have an amendment. Oops.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all