Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that's a valid concern.
• /c><00:59:06.240> think<00:59:06.319> that's<00:59:06.480> a<00:59:06.640> valid
• And I I think that's a valid Yeah.
• And I I think that's a valid concern.<00:59:07.359> We<00:59:07.599> don't<00:59:07.760

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's really not a valid justification for amending that policy right now.
• there's<01:04:19.920> really<01:04:20.240> not<01:04:20.480> a<01:04:20.799> valid
• <01:04:21.200> justification there's really not a valid justification there's really not a
• valid justification for<01:04:22.240> amending<01:04:23.039> that<01:04:23.359> policy

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement agency to whatever community organizations they think it is, so that it would have some valid
• think it is so that it would have some think it is so that it would have some some<01:47:42.840> valid
• 45.119> we<01:47:45.320> can't<01:47:45.639> do<01:47:46.000> that some valid
• local impact we can't do that some valid local impact we can't do that if<01:47:46.719> we<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Learning-rich environments where children can safely explore, play, create, and thrive cannot be validated
• Association for the Education of Young Children, many programs choose to seek that accreditation as a validation
• Association for the Education of Young Children, many programs choose to seek that accreditation as a validation
• Association for the Education of Young Children, many programs choose to seek that accreditation as a validation

Bills: HF1918, HF2305, HF897, HF2191, HF2617, HF2551, HF2137

Keywords: HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program

Transcript Highlights:

• , there was a White Earth needs assessment done by the Minnesota Department of Health that's still valid
• > Department of Health that's still uh Department of Health that's still uh still<00:04:32.560> valid
• 33.840> shows<00:04:34.080> that<00:04:34.880> uh<00:04:34.960> the still valid
• . uh and it shows that uh the still valid. uh and it shows that uh the urban<00:04:35.520> Indian<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All reagents to add MLDD are commercially available, including assay reagents and validation standards
• assay commercially available including assay regions<00:13:08.240> and<00:13:08.560> validation
• regions and validation standards. regions and validation standards.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was only after all the ballots were added in that were received on Election Day and validated that
• The ballots received on Election Day were only later added and validated, which is why the recount threshold
• the ballots were only after all the ballots were added in that were received on Election Day and validated
• This measure clarifies requirements to establish a quorum to do business and validate acts of the Stadium

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input. The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a very valid question, Senator Farnsworth, and I think at the end of the whole process here,
• Farnsworth,<00:36:46.960> that's<00:36:47.119> a<00:36:47.359> very<00:36:47.680> valid
• <00:36:48.000> question Farnsworth, that's a very valid question Farnsworth, that's a very
• valid question and<00:36:49.119> I<00:36:49.440> think<00:36:49.599> at<00:36:49.839

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• already talked about, uh, it actually expanded them to anybody who can prescribe to humans and has a valid
• we've already talked about, it actually expanded them to anybody who can prescribe to humans and has a valid
• we've already talked about, it actually expanded them to anybody who can prescribe to humans and has a valid
• Can prescribe to humans and has a valid DEA license, so again it included podiatrists, dentists, naturopathic

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ambiguous requirements, including a state-mandated ideological survey, raise serious concerns about data validity
• survey raises serious concerns about survey raises serious concerns about data<01:41:46.199> validity
• ><01:41:47.119> academic<01:41:47.760> freedom<01:41:48.400> political data validity
• academic freedom political data validity academic freedom political misuse<01:41:50.000> and<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, I... so, or do we want to start determining what those conditions are that have to be validated
• that<00:33:33.720> have<00:33:33.840> to<00:33:34.039> be<00:33:34.679> validated
• conditions are that have to be validated conditions are that have to be validated I<00:33:35.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee work session of the Education Policy and Administration Committee focused on House Bill 131 and House Bill 781, which were described as nearly identical bills addressing student cell phone use in schools. Members noted that HB 781 is an early bill and therefore needed committee action by Wednesday, while HB 131 did not face that deadline. The chair and members discussed the bills’ shared goal of requiring school boards to develop and adopt policies on student personal device use, with debate over whether the state should set minimum standards or leave more to local control. A major topic was funding. One member urged the committee to avoid creating an unfunded mandate and asked for some funding support, while others argued it was too early to commit money and that the committee should first establish the policy framework. The governor’s proposed funding was discussed, including a $1 million figure in the budget and a separate $250,000 amount referenced in the bill, but several members said the money would likely be insufficient to cover all students or pouch systems statewide. The committee also reviewed a handout reflecting proposed budget language that would require school boards to adopt policies on personal device use during the school day, with schoolwide implementation and exceptions for medical disability or language proficiency needs, and a DOE-administered grant program. Members spent considerable time on drafting details, especially deadlines and exceptions. They debated whether the bills should require school boards to “develop,” “adopt,” or also “implement” policies, and whether the effective date of the act should also serve as the deadline for school boards. They also discussed whether exceptions for classroom instructional use should be mandatory or merely encouraged, and whether the bills should explicitly include or exclude charter schools. Additional proposed exceptions included IEPs, 504 plans, English learners, and medical needs such as glucose sensors or insulin pumps, with some members suggesting medical issues be certified by a physician. No final vote or formal action was taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• money, and folks aren't even willing to listen to them or hear them out when it comes to their very valid
• money, and folks aren't even willing to listen to them or hear them out when it comes to their very valid
• money, and folks aren't even willing to listen to them or hear them out when it comes to their very valid
• money, and folks aren't even willing to listen to them or hear them out when it comes to their very valid

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sales taxes last year, that was a very strong position held by the House, which I felt was a very valid
• very<01:42:46.520> um<01:42:47.000> a<01:42:47.199> very<01:42:47.560> valid
• <01:42:48.000> one I um felt was a very um a very valid one I um felt was a very um a very
• valid one that<01:42:49.199> the<01:42:50.480> um<01:42:51.480> uh<01:42:51.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the allocation of funds to cooperatives in section two may create validation issues at the agency
• 56.640> create cooperatives in section two May create cooperatives in section two May create validation
• 58.159> at<00:29:58.240> the<00:29:58.360> agency<00:29:58.760> level validation
• issues at the agency level validation issues at the agency level and<00:29:59.720> could<00:29

Bills: HF56, HF780

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant agreements are not valid unless approved by the Commissioner of Administration.
• 01:48:44.639> Agreements<01:48:45.119> are<01:48:45.280> not<01:48:45.560> valid
• policies Grant Agreements are not valid policies Grant Agreements are not valid unless<01:48:46.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation that's in the draft would result in permits issued under the temporary framework remaining valid
• temporary permits issued under the temporary framework<00:58:05.640> remaining<00:58:05.960> valid
• <00:58:06.240> forever<00:58:07.160> while framework remaining valid forever while
• framework remaining valid forever while standards<00:58:07.839> developed<00:58:08.160> under

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund requests and laid them over for possible inclusion. Senate File 673 sought $795,000 to help replace or refurbish the structurally unsound Marshall bandshell. Senator Gary Dames, Marshall Mayor Bob Burns, and Parks and Recreation Superintendent Preston Stenard described the bandshell as an iconic community venue used for concerts and arts events, noting prior repairs in 2004, a 2001 structural report, and the need for full replacement due to settlement and deterioration near the Redwood River. They said the project has local support and a local funding commitment for the remaining costs. Senate File 627 requested $850,000 for the Olmsted County Historical Society to continue rehabilitation of the George Stoppel Farmstead. Senator Liz Balden, Dr. Mark Warner, and Commissioner Sanum said the site includes three National Register buildings and preserves immigration and agricultural history in southeast Minnesota. They reported that $1.1 million had already been raised and that prior Legacy funding helped stabilize one structure, but additional work is needed on the bank barn and Stoppel house to complete restoration and improve accessibility. Senate File 822 proposed $65,000 in fiscal year 2026 for the Minnesota State Band to provide free public performances across Minnesota. Testifier Craig Allen said the volunteer band, formed in 1898, uses the funding to travel to small towns and schools, including outreach to students and veterans. Conductor Keith Leuty emphasized the educational value of school visits and upcoming concerts in Moose Lake, Grand Rapids, and Cloquet, including a performance at Fond du Lac Ojibwe School. Members expressed support, and the bill was also laid over. The committee then began hearing Senate File 575, which would appropriate $3.8 million for the Grand Rapids Old Central School renovation. Senator Iorn, city councilor Rick Blake, and City Administrator Tom Pagel described the 1895 building as a historic and arts-centered community landmark with artist residencies, galleries, concerts, and other public uses. They said the building needs major repairs, including a new roof, structural truss work, HVAC replacement, and ADA and elevator upgrades, and they were in the middle of detailing those needs when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also emphasize the human involvement in the use of AI to validate the information, and that would
• use<00:42:30.359> of<00:42:30.599> AI<00:42:31.000> to<00:42:31.280> validate
• involvement in the use of AI to validate involvement in the use of AI to validate the<00:42:32.119

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I'm suggesting is that the conclusions are not valid based on that substantial flaw in the data
• conclusions<00:37:01.240> are that the conclusions are that the conclusions are not not not valid
• 05.599> that<00:37:05.880> substantial<00:37:06.520> flaw<00:37:07.520> in valid
• based on that substantial flaw in valid based on that substantial flaw in the the the data data data

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• next is relevant to all of our proliferation of interest in vaccines, and there's, you know, a very validated
• <01:22:53.840> very and and there's um you know very and and there's um you know very validated
• 22:56.280> of<01:22:56.400> reasons<01:22:56.719> to<01:22:56.880> be validated
• reason uh set of reasons to be validated reason uh set of reasons to be aware<01:22:57.800> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee met and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair noted that agency overviews from the Office of Higher Education and other state agencies were not available, so the committee proceeded with University of Minnesota presentations instead. The committee also reviewed posted committee rules. University of Minnesota representatives gave an overview of the university’s research enterprise, describing it as a system of five campuses with a possible expansion to St. Cloud, and highlighting research strengths across campuses in agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, and the Twin Cities flagship campus. They said the university has more than $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures, receives most of its research funding from federal sources, and is ranked highly for both overall research and interdisciplinary research. Examples discussed included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Forever Green initiative, and research tied to sustainable crops, health, and commercialization. Members asked questions about specific research areas, including biodegradable or renewable plastics, wheat research, food dyes, health and environmental toxins, and the market for winter camelina and winter pennycress. University staff said they could follow up with more detailed information and explained that the winter crop work is intended to become market-driven over time, while also improving soil health and creating new revenue streams for farmers. They also clarified that the university’s federal research funding includes money from NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and other agencies, and that the “other” funding category includes foundations, subawards, and internal university seed funding. The committee then heard a second University of Minnesota presentation focused on partnerships, commercialization, and workforce development. Testimony highlighted collaborations with industry and government partners such as U.S. Steel, 3M, Medtronic, Cisco, and defense-related industry leaders, as well as programs supporting microelectronics, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation fuels. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee ended the segment by moving on to the next testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I will tell you that I don't know if that's valid, but that was a concern that was voiced to me.
• ><01:02:55.079> that's<01:02:55.319> if<01:02:55.440> that's<01:02:55.880> valid
• <01:02:56.319> but don't know if that's if that's valid but don't know if that's if that's
• valid but that's<01:02:56.799> that<01:02:56.920> was<01:02:57.039> a<01:02:57.200

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before the Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Chair Nicole Lowen and other legislators opened the meeting by framing the issue as important statewide and encouraging recycling, composting, and proper use of the curbside bins. The city’s Department of Environmental Services, led by Director Roger Babcock and Deputy Director Mike O’Keefe, then presented the background and siting process. ENV explained the legal and technical constraints that shaped the search, including the 2019 Land Use Commission decision requiring closure of Waimanalo Gulch by March 2, 2028, and the 2020 Act 73 restrictions on landfill siting near residences, schools, hospitals, conservation districts, airports, and tsunami inundation areas. They said a landfill advisory committee reviewed six candidate sites in 2021-2022 and rejected them because they fell within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. After further evaluation and an extension of the naming deadline, the city selected a site in central Oahu near Wahiawa, on agricultural land currently used as a Dole pineapple field. City officials said the selected site was chosen as the best of the evaluated options and, in their view, could be permitted under state and federal law. They described planned environmental protections, including a modern sanitary landfill design with double liners, leachate collection systems, monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring, and said the existing Waimanalo Gulch landfill has operated for 35 years without leachate leaks. They also emphasized that the site would still require a special use permit, Department of Health approvals, an environmental impact statement, and other public permitting processes, and that public engagement would continue over the next several years.