Transcript Highlights:

• plan, went from 6% to 5.5%, and that was part of keeping the actives and the additional COLA, or inflation
• the actives and the additional<01:51:04.000> Colo<01:51:04.880> or<01:51:05.079> inflation
• <01:51:05.599> protection additional Colo or inflation protection additional Colo or inflation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen a significant increase in costs due to inflation, upward pressure on wages due to workforce
• a significant increase in costs due seen a significant increase in costs due to<00:04:25.919> inflation
• > upward<00:04:26.960> pressure<00:04:27.280> on<00:04:27.440> wages to inflation
• , upward pressure on wages to inflation, upward pressure on wages due<00:04:28.080> to<00:04:28.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their own power and offset their own energy use, but cooperative members should not be forced to pay inflated
• be<00:07:39.400> forced<00:07:39.720> to<00:07:39.879> pay<00:07:40.039> inflated
• <00:07:40.520> prices<00:07:40.840> for be forced to pay inflated prices for be forced
• to pay inflated prices for excess<00:07:41.319> energy<00:07:41.639> when<00:07:41.800

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164

Transcript Highlights:

• system is the system that we should be using to fund our nursing homes, and the 20% reduction to the inflation
• 01:46:09.920> reduction<01:46:10.440> to<01:46:10.639> the<01:46:10.800> inflation
• <01:46:11.239> rate<01:46:11.800> I 20% reduction to the inflation rate I 20% reduction
• to the inflation rate I believe<01:46:12.159> undermines<01:46:12.760> that<01:46:12.960

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this request is to keep up with inflation and the growing demand for AFNR education programming
• is to keep forward however this request is to keep up<00:21:24.799> with<00:21:25.000> inflation
• and<00:21:25.559> the<00:21:25.679> growing<00:21:25.960> demand up with inflation
• and the growing demand up with inflation and the growing demand for<00:21:26.480> AFR<00:21:26.960

Bills: HF711, HF653

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then other increased expenses related to inflation.
• related<01:01:28.720> to increased expenses related to increased expenses related to inflation
• 01:32.520> um<01:01:32.640> so<01:01:32.839> let's<01:01:33.079> talk inflation
• all right um so let's talk inflation all right um so let's talk about<01:01:33.599> our<01:01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation has also hit families hard in Minnesota and throughout the country. the the media center and
• size and wealth that is simply our size and wealth that is simply unacceptable<01:03:42.520> inflation
• <01:03:43.240> has<01:03:43.520> also<01:03:43.920> hit unacceptable inflation
• has also hit unacceptable inflation has also hit families<01:03:44.760> hard<01:03:45.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving forward, one big factor that's coming into play in farm country is inflation, as we are seeing
• in the farm that's coming into play in the farm country<01:23:32.520> is<01:23:32.719> inflation
• > it<01:23:34.120> we<01:23:34.239> are<01:23:34.400> seeing country is inflation
• as it we are seeing country is inflation as it we are seeing the<01:23:34.880> break<01:23:35.159

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of this project, just as we let it sit, is rising faster than inflation, so the longer we wait
• :07:24.720> rising<00:07:25.160> faster<00:07:25.479> than<00:07:25.720> inflation
• <00:07:26.720> so<00:07:26.919> the is rising faster than inflation so the is rising
• faster than inflation so the longer<00:07:27.319> we<00:07:27.440> wait<00:07:27.639><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• data for graduated students by degree program to determine the average annualized four-year pre-tax inflation-adjusted
• data for graduated students by degree program to determine the average annualized four-year pre-tax inflation-adjusted
• data for graduated students by degree program to determine the average annualized four-year pre-tax inflation-adjusted
• financial burden on our institutions at a time where we're The average annualized four-year pre-tax inflation-adjusted

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with a hearing on CACR 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to explicitly state that defendants are innocent until proven guilty in all cases and suits brought by the state. The prime sponsor argued the amendment would strengthen due process, prevent government overreach, and extend the presumption of innocence beyond criminal cases into civil and administrative matters such as forfeiture and family court proceedings. In testimony and questioning, the sponsor cited New Hampshire constitutional provisions, historical examples, and concerns about courts shifting burdens onto individuals. Committee members raised questions about the amendment’s wording, its relationship to existing law, and whether it would have practical effect if current statutes already place the burden on the state. The hearing was then closed without further witnesses. The committee next moved to executive session on House Bill 480, which establishes a procedure for restoring competency and creates a pilot forensic liaison position in Merrimack or Strafford County to assist with that process. After discussion about prior concerns, including an email from the Disabilities Rights Center and whether enough members were present, the committee voted to adopt Amendment 2025-61H and then voted ought to pass as amended. The amendment passed unanimously, and the bill passed on a 10-1 roll call, with Representative Andrew voting no. The chair noted the bill would not go on consent and that no minority report was planned. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 666-FN, which would add restitution for violations of library-use confidentiality and expressly include library cards and membership status among confidential records. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen privacy protections after a local dispute and to provide a remedy and deterrent for improper disclosure. Committee questions focused on whether the restitution penalty would apply to accidental disclosures, how the bill interacts with existing exceptions such as court orders or investigations, and whether the language was consistent with current confidentiality law. The hearing remained open at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• these fees will cover growing personnel and other operating costs, which have not been adjusted for inflation
• 07.400> for costs which have not been adjusted for costs which have not been adjusted for inflation
• 04:09.000> HMO<01:04:09.559> fees<01:04:10.520> uh<01:04:10.599> for inflation
• the last time HMO fees uh for inflation the last time HMO fees uh for application<01:04:11.359> or

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• States's issues with immigration onto our state, which is as small as one county in Florida, is inflating
• States's issues with immigration onto our state, which is as small as one county in Florida, is inflating
• States's issues with immigration onto our state, which is as small as one county in Florida, is inflating
• States's issues with immigration onto our state, which is as small as one county in Florida, is inflating

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is now indexed to inflation, not to exceed 3% any year.
• ><00:22:23.919> now<00:22:24.080> indexed<00:22:24.480> to<00:22:24.679> inflation
• <00:22:25.679> um that that is now indexed to inflation um that that is now indexed to inflation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation was around 29%, if I recall correctly.
• So we significantly increased school funding beyond inflation.
• You know, back in 2005, when we were funding K-12 schools at a lower rate, when you adjust for inflation

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation was around 29%, if I recall correctly.
• So we significantly increased school funding beyond inflation.
• You know, back in 2005, when we were funding K-12 schools at a lower rate, when you adjust for inflation

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, approved the journal, and took up several Senate bills and one Senate concurrent resolution through motions to reconsider, return bills for reconsideration, and refer measures to additional Committee of the Whole sessions for further amendment. Early actions included returning SB 1175 and SB 1198 to the Senate for reconsideration, rescinding passage of SB 1336 so it could be reconsidered, and referring SB 1111 and SB 152 to an additional COW. The House also recognized Representative Travers for a personal privilege statement honoring National Women Veterans Recognition Day and recorded attendance. In Committee of the Whole, members adopted floor amendments and recommended passage for SB 1511, SB 1552, SB 1198, SB 1110, SB 1618, SB 1431, and SCR 1004, with some debate on SB 1110’s home-confinement/reentry program, SB 1618’s Military Affairs Commission changes, and SB 1431’s city and town authority over residential project standards and streetscapes. The House later adopted the COW reports and moved the measures to engrossing or third reading as appropriate. SB 1336 and SB 1519 were also advanced from committee, while SB 1004 was reconsidered and ultimately failed on reconsideration. On third or final reading, the House passed SB 1127, SB 1180, SB 1428, SB 1198, SB 1336, SB 1511, SCR 1004, SB 1552, HB 2104, HB 2105, HB 2114, HB 2311, HB 2729, and HB 4117. SB 1687, SB 1004, SB 1519, and SB 1502 failed. Members explained votes on several measures, including support for tax administration clarity in SB 1180, objections and support for the May primary proposal in SB 1687, concerns about sex offender monitoring in SB 1004, support for the Arizona Beef Council in SB 1198, and debate over the photo enforcement referral in SCR 1004. The session also included recesses for caucuses, lunch, and dinner, plus a brief technical outage of the live stream.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that based on student count, or is that student count and inflation, cost of food?
• reimbursement rates didn't increase that much every year, but it seems like the last five years with inflation
• But it seems like the last five years, with inflation, they have increased the reimbursement rates about

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that based on student count or is that student count and inflation, cost of food?
• rates didn't include that much of an increase every year, but it seems like the last five years with inflation
• But it seems like the last five years with inflation, they have increased the reimbursement rates about

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, inflation during COVID caused a huge spike, supply chain issues, all sorts of things.
• This helps us understand those inflation effects. We've seen inflation come down dramatically.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 5 minutes, then heard a presentation from Balig Engineering on cost drivers for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in small Minnesota communities. The testifier said most Minnesota communities are small, and that limited local staff, complex funding requirements, and the need to combine multiple funding sources make projects expensive and labor-intensive. He cited examples of aging infrastructure, including a Tracy street collapse and failing water mains, and said federal funding can help but often requires extensive reports that can cost tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of staff hours. He also pointed to inflation, supply-chain disruptions, colder climate requirements, higher material and labor costs, limited competition among contractors and suppliers, and newer treatment requirements such as PFAS removal and cybersecurity controls as major cost drivers. Members asked whether reduced bonding or less frequent state funding would lower prices, whether annual bonding bills provide market certainty, how regionalization could be encouraged, and whether tightening specifications adds costs. The testifier said stopping work would likely drive contractors out of the market and reduce competition, which could raise prices later, and that consistent funding helps keep contractors in Minnesota. He said regional water systems such as Red Rock Rural Water and Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water are already helping lower costs and that legislators could encourage more regionalization through incentives. He also said some specifications and federal requirements, especially around treatment plant controls and cybersecurity, increase costs, though some standards like deeper water-main burial are necessary. The committee then moved on to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, where John Kelly began presenting the governor’s 2026 capital budget recommendations and described the department’s mission, statewide network of veterans homes and cemeteries, and service to nearly 300,000 veterans and dependents.

Transcript Highlights:

• constituents, all they're going to remember is: you voted to raise my registration fees, you added to inflation
• Speaker, gentlelady, is we've seen a lot of inflation in the last five years.
• Speaker, kind gentleman, I'd love your honest opinion on whether those companies will pass that on and inflation

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25, HB9, SB2, SB19

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• The hikes currently outpace inflation, often with little explanation or justification.
• This bill would index the foster youth infant supplement to inflation beginning in 2026.
• Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement Program by adjusting compensation amounts to account for inflation

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.