Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:09:49.760><c> inc><00:09:49.880><c> thec><00:09:50.000><c> statec><00:09:50.279><c> capital
• c><00:09:51.839><c> 329c><00:09:52.839><c> welcomec><00:09:53.440><c> andc><00:09:53.680><c> thank
• forc><00:09:54.200><c> beingc><00:09:54.519><c> herec><00:09:55.120><c> uhc><00:09:55.320><c
• c><00:10:03.000><c> umc><00:10:03.279><c> upc><00:10:03.720><c> isc><00:10:03.959><c> HBc><
• c> These types of high-impact investments dramatically improve public safety.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to housing, homelessness, caregiving, and tax relief. On HB 431, which appropriates funds for the CAL initiative and HHFDC, the Department of Human Services supported the bill and noted the Governor’s request for $50 million per year for HMS, the need for more permanent supportive housing, and a technical issue with establishing a special fund in session law. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions strongly supported the measure, describing it as unprecedented funding for CAL projects and linking it to goals of reducing homelessness and expanding housing inventory. Catholic Charities Hawaii, the ACLU of Hawaii, and the Reimagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition also supported the bill, emphasizing permanent supportive housing, diversion from jail, and public safety benefits. The chair redirected one testifier to stay on the measure when testimony drifted to another program. Written support was also noted from several organizations and agencies. The committee then heard HB 225 on squatting. DHS said it appreciated the intent and deferred to the Attorney General and task force members, while noting that outreach on public lands differs from private land, where owner consent is required. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill and wanted a voice in finding a solution. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions also said it supported the intent, while opposition from the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands and support from one individual were noted. For HB 280, which would make the community outreach court permanent and appropriate funds, the Judiciary strongly supported the bill, describing the court as a mobile, community-based program serving vulnerable populations and connecting participants to services. The Office of the Public Defender also supported the measure, saying the program has helped people move off the streets and into stable housing and that permanent funding would allow expansion. Written support from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition was noted. The committee then moved to HB 71, creating a refundable family caregiver tax credit, where the Department of Taxation provided comments, the Executive Office on Aging and AARP Hawaii supported the measure, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about duplication with an existing dependent care credit and the lack of incentives for cost control. The committee next heard HB 753, which would increase the applicable percentage for the household and dependent care services tax credit. Support came from the Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, and Hawaii Children’s Action Network, while the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and administration but noted the bill adds guardrails against abuse. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> typesc><00:27:31.840><c> ofc><00:27:31.960><c> entitiesc><00:27:32.440><c> vendorsc><00:
• 57.359><c> typec><02:25:57.520><c> ofc><02:25:57.680><c> activityc> able to enforce this type of
• <c> forc><02:57:43.239><c> certainc><02:57:44.040><c> uhc><02:57:44.200><c> typesc><02:57:44.439
• c><02:58:28.600><c> coveredc><02:58:28.960><c> orc><02:58:29.200><c> thec> the types of companies
• :33:03.199><c> booksc><03:33:03.600><c> ofc><03:33:04.160><c> thatc><03:33:04.279><c> typec><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to hear House Bill 520, which would authorize the Department of Education to issue subpoenas in investigations and hearings involving the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators. Representative Lynn, the bill sponsor, said the measure was intended to give the department standard subpoena power during investigations and in later adjudicatory proceedings, with a process for challenging overbroad subpoenas. He argued that agencies with investigative and hearing authority should also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, and said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader draft to focus on teacher credentialing and address concerns about scope. Members raised several concerns about whether the department already has enough authority, whether the Attorney General could handle subpoenas instead, and whether the bill creates an imbalance by giving subpoena power mainly to the investigating side. Representative Burroughs said she did not feel she had enough information and was uncomfortable with the bill, especially regarding who bears subpoena costs. Representative Biron questioned the trial analogy and whether both sides truly have equal subpoena rights. Lynn responded that the investigative stage is like a grand jury process, where only the investigating body subpoenas witnesses, while the adjudicatory stage allows both sides to seek subpoenas through the hearing officer. Other questions focused on the bill’s scope. Representative Andreos asked what investigative authority the Department of Education already has, and Representative Organ questioned why the bill is limited to educators rather than also covering vendors, charter school boards, or the EFA scholarship organization. Lynn said the limitation to educators was deliberate, because earlier broader versions drew objections for being too expansive. Representative Tur asked whether the Attorney General could already handle such matters, and Lynn said that while the AG might be able to pursue some investigations or court subpoenas, agencies should be able to conduct their own internal investigations. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :06:42.960><c> knowc><00:06:43.759><c> ac><00:06:44.000><c> periodc><00:06:44.240><c> ofc><00
• c><00:07:24.639><c> So,c><00:07:25.120><c> Ic><00:07:25.360><c> meanc><00:07:25.520><c> Ic>
• c><00:12:06.720><c> Andc><00:12:06.880><c> soc><00:12:07.519><c> asc><00:12:07.839><c> Ic>
• ><c> inc><00:12:14.079><c> ac><00:12:14.320><c> inc><00:12:14.560><c> ac><00:12:14.800><c> very
• c> wec><00:12:22.320><c> canc><00:12:22.480><c> bec><00:12:23.040><c> thec><00:12:23.200><c>

Bills: SB326, SB326

Keywords: sheriff, credit card, debit card, financial procedures, Jackson County, purchasing authority, boating regulations, anchoring, rafting, enforcement mechanism, environmental protection, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> youc><00:02:14.319><c> knowc><00:02:14.400><c> thec><00:02:14.560><c> drill.
• > wec><00:02:40.160><c> seec><00:02:40.400><c> thisc><00:02:40.640><c> asc><00:02:40.959><c>
• goc><00:02:47.840><c> outc><00:02:48.000><c> andc><00:02:48.239><c> enjoyc><00:02:48.560><c>
• c><00:02:49.840><c> asc><00:02:50.080><c> thisc><00:02:50.319><c> committeec><00:02:50.640><c
• ><c> youc><00:02:52.800><c> whenc><00:02:53.120><c> youc><00:02:53.280><c> addc><00:02:53.440

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 23.960><c> thisc><00:58:24.280><c> thec><00:58:24.960><c> thisc><00:58:25.240><c> typec><00:58
• ><c> I'mc><01:45:00.719><c> justc> uh other types of activities I'm just uh other types of activities
• for loose under the couch cushions for loose change<03:41:14.960><c> typec><03:41:15.520><c> type<
• c> change type type of stage here and change type type of stage here and um but<03:41:23.840><c> it's
• c><03:50:54.439><c> typec> like I said we we do have the Rand type like I said we we do have the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on HB 402, a bill dealing with whether Education Freedom Account (EFA) payments should be described in state law as not constituting taxable income. The bill sponsor argued that the current statute is misleading because New Hampshire should not imply a federal tax result, and said the bill would remove that language and could also be amended to clarify that families should consult tax advisors. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to impose a state tax on EFAs, but to avoid giving inaccurate advice about possible federal tax liability. Testimony was divided. A retired representative and a tax preparer both opposed the bill, saying EFA payments are already treated consistently with IRS rules and that the bill would create confusion, administrative burden, and possible tax consequences for low- and moderate-income families. They argued the bill is a solution in search of a problem and warned that requiring 1099s could add costs for the scholarship organization and recipients. A tax attorney supported the bill’s repeal of the state language, saying New Hampshire should not put tax advice into statute and that the current wording is inaccurate because federal law, not state law, controls taxability. He cited IRS Section 117 and Publication 970, explaining that only some scholarship-like payments are tax-free and that many EFA-eligible expenses may not qualify for federal exemption. Members asked questions about what would be misleading, whether the bill was trying to tax EFAs, and the cost of issuing 1099s. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill was not a state tax on voucher payments, but a clarification about federal tax treatment. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:14:13.760><c> chip,c><00:14:14.000><c> anc> type of license.
• create this only to in order to achie to create this type<00:28:28.399><c> ofc><00:28:28.960><c> driver's
• c> type of driver's license. type of driver's license.
• :37:45.600><c> typec><04:37:45.920><c> andc> that they had changed uh fuel type and that they had
• changed uh fuel type and it<04:37:46.400><c> wasc><04:37:46.480><c> inputc><04:37:46.879><c> into

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> typesc><00:43:39.280><c> ofc> administering to these types of administering to these types of
• 01:44:46.560><c> typec><01:44:46.719><c> ofc> maybe we can um figure out some type of maybe we can
• thec><04:12:23.840><c> housingc><04:12:24.080><c> typesc> often present prevent the housing types
• 04:33:57.520><c> they'rec><04:33:57.760><c> creatingc> type of housing, how they're creating type
• c><05:54:40.558><c> typec><05:54:40.878><c> model.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><02:07:47.400><c> ofc> with those types of with those types of issues<02:07:50.040><c> followup<
• ><c> toc><03:42:05.920><c> fundc><03:42:06.199><c> everyc> type thing again you want to fund every
• <c> typec><03:49:49.359><c> thingsc> being one um sa6 Regional type things being one um sa6 Regional
• type things when<03:49:50.120><c> youc><03:49:50.279><c> takec><03:49:50.439><c> ac><03:49:50.640
• ><c> typec><04:38:04.600><c> ofc><04:38:04.719><c> ac><04:38:04.799><c> billc> just feel that

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials. Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So can you explain, like, what type is this? Types of thermal energy?
• The types of geothermal historically has been The types of geothermal historically has been drilling
• We do have a card for information purposes only: Tanner McGee with C&E.
• Same type of issue, right? I mean, same type of public safety issues, oil and gas.
• Yeah, because there were two different types of state lands.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 480, which would allow anchoring in certain waterways, specifically Oyster Bayou, with restrictions to protect oyster leases and require a person to remain on board. After brief explanation from the sponsor, Representative DeWitt moved favorable and the bill was reported favorable without objection. House Bill 510, which would have prohibited importation of captured carbon dioxide into Louisiana for sequestration, was discussed briefly. The sponsor said the proposal appeared to conflict with federal law and interstate commerce concerns, and he asked to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee agreed, and HB 510 was deferred. The committee also heard House Resolution 279, urging the state to study geothermal energy policy; after questions about geothermal technology and possible overlap with CCS infrastructure, the resolution was adopted on a 10-3 roll call vote and reported favorable. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 1152, as amended, dealing with the Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage Trust Fund and a proposed injection fee for carbon sequestration projects. The amendment would set the fee at 19 cents per ton, with 12 cents going to the state trust fund and 7 cents going directly to affected parishes, while retaining existing fund caps and adding evacuation routes as an eligible local expenditure. Industry groups and local government representatives both testified: industry warned the proposal was rushed, could create uncertainty, and might hurt Louisiana’s competitiveness; parish officials argued locals need a meaningful revenue share, transparency, and bargaining power because they will bear emergency-response burdens. Members raised questions about the fee structure, exemptions for state lands and parish agreements, and whether the local share would continue for the life of a project. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with talk of creating an off-session task force or working group to continue negotiations for next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• is the<01:14:25.280><c> typec><01:14:25.440><c> ofc><01:14:25.600><c> thingc><01:14:25.760><c>
• typec><01:36:36.159><c> ofc><01:36:36.320><c> thing.
• c> that type of thing.
• c><03:55:02.560><c> typec><03:55:02.720><c> ofc><03:55:02.800><c> ac><03:55:03.040><c> method
• c><03:55:03.359><c> wherec> through that type of a method where through that type of a method where

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:05:31.360><c> toc><00:05:31.600><c> addc><00:05:31.840><c> thec><00:05:32.160><c> Snowc
• > makec><00:06:47.360><c> thatc><00:06:47.600><c> typec><00:06:47.840><c> ofc> corporation to
• make that type of corporation to make that type of donation.<00:06:49.440><c> umc><00:06:50.080><c
• So from your point of view,<01:02:42.319><c> whatc><01:02:43.040><c> typesc><01:02:43.520><c> of<
• /c><01:02:44.920><c> non-vehicularc> view, what types of non-vehicular view, what types of non-vehicular

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation bills. SB 154 would add the Snow Traveler Foundation to the list of charitable organizations authorized to offer multi-use decal plates through the existing Department of Safety program. Senator David Roford said the bill would create a non-tax funding source for snowmobile trail maintenance, especially after flood damage, and Dan Gold of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association said the foundation would accept tax-deductible donations for projects such as upgraded trail signage. He explained that the association’s 96 volunteer clubs maintain about 7,000 miles of trails and that the sign program is costly. No opposition was presented, and the hearing was closed after questions from members about the foundation’s status and fundraising goals. SB 271 would expand eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans with a general discharge under honorable conditions. The sponsor’s representative said the change would recognize service members who are already eligible for many veterans benefits but are excluded from plates under current law. Supporters included Phil Grizzo, who argued that general discharges often reflect service that was otherwise honorable, and Kevin Grady of the State Veterans Advisory Committee, which said it strongly supported the bill and was also considering broader statutory cleanup to standardize the definition of veteran across state law. Committee members asked whether the change should be limited to plates or applied more broadly, but the sponsor said broader changes would be a separate policy question. The public hearing was then closed. SB 273, titled “Cheryl’s Law,” would update New Hampshire’s move-over requirements for motorists approaching stopped or standing vehicles on the roadside, including stranded vehicles and those with warning signals. Senator Donovan Fenton said the bill was intended to save lives and honor Staff Sergeant Jesse Cheryl and Brigadier General John Pogo, both of whom died in roadside incidents. He said the measure would require drivers to slow down, change lanes if safe, and move over for roadside vehicles, with the intent of education rather than punishment. Committee members asked about enforcement, the lack of a fiscal note, whether the bill applied statewide, and whether the language could be read as weakening the move-over requirement; the sponsor said it applied to all roads, did not change fines, and was meant to clarify and broaden safety obligations. The hearing continued with additional questions, and the sponsor said state police and other safety stakeholders supported the approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:19:56.880><c> typesc><00:19:57.200><c> ofc><00:19:57.360><c> jobsc><00:19:57.760><c> in
• c> kind of direct care types of jobs in kind of direct care types of jobs in health<00:19:58.400><c
• ><c> thosec><01:30:37.120><c> typesc> triple pane windows, all of those types triple pane windows
• necessarily trained in analyzing this types<01:34:05.280><c> ofc><01:34:05.360><c> docc><01:34:05.600
• ><c> thisc><01:34:05.760><c> typec><01:34:05.920><c> ofc><01:34:06.080><c> documentationc> types

Bills: HF3004, HF3663

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

Transcript Highlights:

• ,c><01:01:12.080><c> somec><01:01:12.360><c> typec><01:01:12.600><c> ofc><01:01:12.720><c> adjustment
• in my home who've come from had kids in my home who've come from those<01:07:22.120><c> typesc><01:
• c> those types of homes.
• make sure that I would just want to make sure that those<01:27:37.280><c> typesc><01:27:37.560><c>
• ><c> bec><01:27:38.640><c> anc> those types of things uh wouldn't be an those types of things uh

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year. Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed. Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• limit the number and types<00:40:13.640><c> ofc><00:40:13.720><c> coursesc><00:40:14.120><c> that
• c><00:40:14.280><c> ac><00:40:14.360><c> studentc><00:40:14.800><c> dulyc> types of courses that
• about what type<00:47:33.120><c> ofc><00:47:33.240><c> publicc><00:47:33.600><c> educationc><00
• :47:34.359><c> we'rec><00:47:34.520><c> goingc><00:47:34.800><c> toc> type of public education
• ><c> thesec><01:36:09.400><c> typesc><01:36:09.800><c> ofc> the constitutionality of these types

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:16.400><c> Now,c><00:01:16.640><c> onc><00:01:16.799><c> thec><00:01:16.880><c> other
• typec> leases um and 26 other recreation type leases um and 26 other recreation type leases.<00:36:
• probably our two most notable recreation type<00:36:40.000><c> leasesc><00:36:40.480><c> fromc><
• 00:36:41.599><c> youc><00:36:41.760><c> knowc><00:36:41.920><c> countyc> type leases from you know
• county type leases from you know county commissioners<00:36:43.119><c> wherec><00:36:43.440><c> they

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:20:46.640><c> Soc><00:20:46.799><c> there'sc><00:20:46.960><c> 27%c> farm type breakdowns
• The<01:24:25.920><c> typec><01:24:26.159><c> ofc><01:24:26.320><c> creditorc><01:24:26.880><c>
• wasc><01:24:27.199><c> sendingc><01:24:27.520><c> thec> The type of creditor was sending the The
• The<01:26:00.400><c> typec><01:26:00.560><c> ofc><01:26:00.800><c> ownershipc><01:26:01.520><c>
• <01:37:46.560><c> intoc><01:37:46.880><c> ac><01:37:47.119><c> mediationc><01:37:47.840><c> type

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sayc><00:10:12.680><c> Ic><00:10:13.560><c> Ic><00:10:13.959><c> allc><00:10:14.160><c> opposed
• <c> thosec><01:03:02.680><c> typec><01:03:02.920><c> stopsc> speech we don't want those type stops
• speech we don't want those type stops this<01:03:03.799><c> willc><01:03:03.920><c> bec><01:03:04.079
• c><01:38:00.760><c> thosec><01:38:01.199><c> typec><01:38:01.360><c> ofc> and person B overdoses
• those type of and person B overdoses those type of cases<01:38:01.840><c> comec><01:38:02.040><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill prioritizes<00:02:48.480><c> thec><00:02:48.720><c> typesc><00:02:49.200><c> ofc><00:02
• :49.959><c> transportationc> prioritizes the types of transportation prioritizes the types of transportation
• :27:18.400><c> typesc> Uh, on average per year, various types of EVs are driven, and, you know, we're
• <c> certainc><00:46:34.480><c> typec><00:46:34.640><c> ofc><00:46:34.800><c> vehicle.
• c> to require a certain type of vehicle. to require a certain type of vehicle.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• with us to try and come to some<00:47:04.160><c> typec><00:47:04.319><c> ofc><00:47:04.480><c> a
• c><00:47:05.280><c> uhc><00:47:05.640><c> uhc><00:47:06.640><c> midc><00:47:07.000><c> type
• c><00:47:07.280><c> agreementc> some type of a uh uh mid type agreement some type of a uh uh mid type
• c><00:47:12.480><c> soc><00:47:12.599><c> it'sc><00:47:12.720><c> ac> consent type process so
• ofc><01:30:04.560><c> thec><01:30:04.719><c> abovec><01:30:05.000><c> typec><01:30:05.239><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate File 285, a bill to shift MnDOT highway project cost participation away from local governments and onto MnDOT. The bill’s author and several city representatives said current cost-share policies force cities to spend local aid, property taxes, or debt on state highway projects they do not control, leaving less money for local streets and maintenance. Testifiers from Richfield, Elk River, Faribault, Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Association of Small Cities all supported the bill, describing the policy as one-size-fits-all, financially burdensome, and especially harmful to smaller cities and cities with major state highways running through them. Witnesses gave examples of large and sometimes changing local cost-share obligations, including Richfield’s spending of most of its MSA funds on projects it does not own and a small-city project where the estimated local share rose from about $2.3 million to over $3 million. Several testifiers said cities often have little practical ability to refuse MnDOT projects because the projects are valuable and MnDOT can move on if a city declines. One witness also raised concerns about money being paid upfront and held in an account during construction, causing cities to lose interest earnings while funds sit unused. Members asked whether cities truly have a say in these projects and whether there are limits on how much the local share can increase. Testifiers said MnDOT does engage cities, but the cost participation policy largely dictates the outcome, and they described the municipal consent statute as too narrow in practice. Senators expressed concern about fairness and the burden on local budgets, while one member noted the bill may not fully address the broader consent issue. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an agency overview from Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. After member and staff introductions, Ho described Minnesota Housing’s mission, structure, and role as a mission-driven financial institution that issues bonds, uses earnings to support operations, and works across the housing continuum from homelessness prevention to homeownership and preservation. She emphasized that the agency is not a builder or regulator, but funds and partners with developers, local governments, nonprofits, and lenders. She also noted the agency’s four divisions, including a new local government housing programs division created after the 2023 legislative session expanded the agency’s responsibilities. Ho reviewed funding and program activity, saying Minnesota Housing spent $1.96 billion in fiscal year 2024 and helped more than 73,000 households. She highlighted that the agency’s work is heavily competitive and often oversubscribed, with many projects selected through RFPs and grants but more applications than available resources. She discussed 2023 and 2024 investments, including homeownership, rental, and manufactured housing projects, and said roughly half of competitive dollars have gone to Greater Minnesota over the last several years. She also explained the difference between funds committed and funds actually disbursed, noting that construction and rehabilitation projects can take many months to close and draw down funds. The commissioner also updated members on new programs created in 2023 and 2024, including first-generation down payment assistance, the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program, public housing rehabilitation, state housing tax credits, and other local and regional initiatives. She said some programs are already closed out, while others remain in early implementation or are still accepting applications. Ho mentioned a forthcoming technical amendment to adjust a high-rise sprinkler program after eligibility issues limited participation. She closed with examples of projects preserved or funded, including a St. Louis Park preservation deal, public housing preservation in Greater Minnesota, a St. Cloud challenge project, and the first-generation down payment assistance program, which distributed $50 million to about 1,450 first-time buyers, most of whom were Black, Indigenous, or people of color. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.