Transcript Highlights:

• Please identify yourself and then proceed with your testimony. Hello. My name is Michael Dahl.
• So please just identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony. Very good.
• Please identify yourself and proceed with your testimony. Thank you, Chair Freiberg.
• Please identify yourself and then proceed with your testimony. Okay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ramos, and when you are ready, please proceed with your presentation on Assembly Bill 53.
• Ramos, and when you are ready, please proceed, with your presentation on Assembly Bill 53.
• Tangipa, and when ready, please proceed with your presentation. All right.
• “Thank you very much for waiting patiently, and you may proceed when ready.” “Thanks so much, Mr.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will allow the ACT provider to proceed with the emergency transport so the person can receive the
• the<00:16:14.560> ACT<00:16:15.079> provider<00:16:15.399> to<00:16:15.519> proceed
• <00:16:15.839> with<00:16:15.959> the the ACT provider to proceed with the the ACT
• provider to proceed with the emergency<00:16:16.560> transport<00:16:17.079> so<00:16:17.240

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a series of Senate bills and generally advanced most of them, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 15 on the definition of historic property was amended to narrow the definition to properties at least 50 years old that are culturally significant or otherwise significant for Hawaii Register purposes, and it passed. SB 97 on excessive speeding was amended to clarify felony penalty language, license revocation timing, and fingerprinting procedures, and passed. Other bills passed as is or unamended included SB 145 on water shortages, SB 108 on accessible parking enforcement, SB 660 on hospitality anti-harassment measures and panic buttons, SB 1662 on landlord application fees and tenant screening reports, SB 1421 on Department of Health provider arrangements, SB 1439 on DOH nuisance authority, and SB 1452 updating controlled substances law. SB 1454 on wage payment violations passed with technical amendments only, while SB 1481 on motorcycle instruction permits was deferred as not ready. Several bills received more substantial changes. SB 253 on condominium association budget summaries was amended to require a single document and to shift the standard to substantial compliance; it passed. SB 371 on critical infrastructure damage was amended to remove a section affecting manslaughter law and to apply specifically to broadband and cable networks; it passed. SB 984 on water pollution liability for large landowners was advanced with a defective date. SB 1517 on public land leases for recreational residential use was amended to change the lease term to five years and add a defective date. SB 1074 on temporary continuation of challenged activities during environmental review was significantly amended to limit the provision to currently authorized activities, add a one-year limit with possible court extension, and clarify other terms; it passed. SB 1322 on emergency mental health transport was amended to restore provider-initiated transport language, require notice and coordination, remove special immunity provisions, and clarify court-ordered treatment procedures; it passed. The committee also passed SB 1496 on disability access to information in public accommodations, with a request that the committee report discuss the Roe v. St. Pizza case and the distinction between physical and digital accommodations. SB 1255 on Uniform Information Practices Act record retention was deferred as not ready. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that both agendas were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we proceed to testimony, I'd like to recognize and introduce members of the committee here with
• The law includes exceptions, including one that allows lawsuits to proceed in cases when the gun industry
• bill attempts to do while working within the constraints of a federal law is allowing a lawsuit to proceed
• , and merely to proceed, in that type of situation against a gun manufacturer or a gun dealer who uses
• And at that point, it's up to me to make a determination on whether or not I'd like to proceed with the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused heavily on firearms legislation, especially bills to repeal Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 (including H. 2618/S. 1671 and related repeal measures) and bills on firearm industry accountability (H. 2672/S. 1653). Supporters of repeal, including Senator Peter Durant, Rep. Ken Sweezey, gun owners, instructors, sportsmen, and women’s gun-rights advocates, argued that Chapter 135 overreaches, creates confusion in licensing and training requirements, burdens lawful gun owners, restricts pepper spray and semi-automatic firearms, and is being enforced in ways they said criminalize responsible conduct. Committee members defending the law said it was the product of years of work, public listening sessions, and multiple drafts, and argued that Massachusetts remains the safest state for gun violence and that implementation issues, such as live-fire training, had been delayed to allow time for regulations and infrastructure. Several witnesses also testified on H. 2672/S. 1653, which would create firearm industry standards of conduct and allow civil actions against manufacturers, distributors, and dealers that engage in unsafe or unlawful practices. Supporters from the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown, Brady, Giffords, and survivors described the bill as a way to hold the industry accountable, reduce the flow of crime guns, and give victims and the Attorney General a path to sue bad actors. They cited data on crime-gun traces, disproportionate impacts on communities of color, and examples from other states that have enacted similar laws. Opponents, including gun dealers and industry representatives, argued that existing law already punishes illegal sales, that most crime guns are stolen or diverted after lawful sale, and that the bill would improperly target manufacturers for the actions of others. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to remove the non-resident ban on semi-automatic firearms for hunting (H. 2710/S. 1676), with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers supporting the change as a way to restore access for returning residents, veterans, and hunting programs that had been displaced. Later testimony returned to repeal and related gun-law bills, with sportsmen’s groups arguing Chapter 135 was rushed, confusing, and harmful to youth hunting and lawful ownership. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; it was a public testimony session with extensive questioning by committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please identify yourself and proceed. >> Uh, good morning, uh, Co-Chair France and Co-Chair Lee and members
• Please identify yourself and<00:03:03.280> proceed.
• Please identify yourself and proceed. Good morning, Mr. Chair and Madame Chair. I'm Tamar Grunval.
• Please uh identify yourself<00:26:01.120> and<00:26:01.360> proceed.
• yourself and proceed. yourself and proceed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Please proceed. Thank you, Chairman. Uh, thank you, uh, committee members.
• Please proceed. Thank you, uh, Chairman.
• All right, please, uh, proceed. All right, uh, my name is Trent Hightower.
• Please proceed. Thank you, Chairman Ghan and the members of the committee.
• Please proceed. Yes, sir.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll proceed with our public testimony.
• Okay, please proceed. Thank you. Good morning.
• Let's allow the committee to handle the quorum, and we'll proceed forward.
• Chandler, please proceed. Opposite, I think you guys bend over backwards listening to us.
• Proceed with your testimony, sir. Thank you for being here and for your patience.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the folks with trust in that category don't have to go to court to have the proceeding proceed.
• to um have the proceeding uh proceed to um have the proceeding uh proceed proceeding<00:45:00.160
• > proceed.
• <00:45:01.040> Um,<00:45:01.920> this<00:45:02.240> modifies proceeding proceed
• Um, this modifies proceeding proceed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You may proceed. Thank you, Chairman and members.
• Proceed. Thank you. Uh, good morning and thank you, Mr.
• Proceed. Awesome.
• Proceed. All right, good morning.
• Proceed. Um, good morning everybody.

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• identify yourself and please proceed identify yourself and please proceed absolutely<00:02:32.519
• If you could introduce yourself and please proceed. Thank you, committee members.
• If you can identify yourself and please proceed. Hi, I'm Dan Gruber.
• If you just identify yourself and proceed. Yeah, thank you for including me.
• If you just identify yourself and proceed. Yeah, thank you for including me.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I and it's uh we're well suited to proceed and progress in this.
• we're<00:32:25.880> well<00:32:26.120> suited<00:32:27.040> to<00:32:27.240> proceed
• <00:32:27.840> and we're well suited to proceed and we're well suited to proceed and progress
• Proceed.<00:35:09.120> Thanks,<00:35:09.240> Mr.<00:35:09.400> Chairman.
• Proceed. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Proceed. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 28, which would create a framework for the $5 million in agricultural economic development funding included in the 2024 budget. Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell testified that the bill is intended to support agriculture-focused economic development, especially processing and further processing projects, by giving the Department of Agriculture tools to identify opportunities, convene partners, and offer incentives. He emphasized the role of the new economic development division in the department and said the effort is meant to complement, not replace, the work of the state Economic Development Cabinet. Shell and several senators described the bill as a rural development tool aimed at helping smaller communities attract projects that fit their scale. He cited examples such as poultry processing, grain and elevator operations, milling, and specialty crop ventures, arguing that local processing can create jobs, strengthen markets for farmers, and keep more value in Kentucky. Senators discussed the need for return-on-investment metrics and clawback provisions for unsuccessful projects, and Shell said the framework includes those concepts. He also said the department is working on opportunities in sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, and other markets that could bring more acres into production. Members also raised questions about small-farm innovation, raw milk, and direct-to-consumer opportunities. Shell said raw milk testing and related consumer protection issues are more closely tied to the University of Kentucky and the department’s consumer/environmental protection functions than to the bill’s economic development focus, but he said the department can help expand small-farm programs such as Kentucky Proud, Buy Local, KOAP, CAP, food-as-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. The discussion also turned to beef processing and feedlot development, with Shell saying Kentucky wants a beef processor but first needs to prove it can feed cattle at scale; he said changing conditions in western states could create an opening for Kentucky if it can build the necessary supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• will uh turn it over to Bowling Engineering, and if you would state your name for the record and proceed
• You do have 10 minutes. >> And you can state your name for the record and proceed when you're ready,
• when you're ready, record and proceed when you're ready, sir. not<00:32:17.600> work.
• And if you want to state your name for the record, you may proceed.
• <01:33:38.000> Thank<01:33:38.159> you, proceed with? Thank you, proceed with?

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:

• Proceed. appreciate that. Uh, this Senate file appreciate that.
• <01:01:14.799> Proceed. Thank you. I'm so grateful that you reminded me to do that.
• It establishes an account for state bond proceeds.
• Um, it specifies that the grants that are funded with GO proceeds are limited to public entities and
• <01:15:48.960> are that are funded with GO proceeds are that are funded with GO proceeds are

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying to get these out of the way so people can proceed.
• If there are no further questions, we will proceed to testimony. Okay, there's no testimony.
• Seeing none, we will proceed to testimony.
• Thank you, you may proceed.
• Proceed.

Bills: HB2065, HB2462, HB2621, HB3187, HB3539, HB3563, HB3726, HB4164, HB4207, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB4429, HB5597

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• proceed with informing us on the de and proceed with informing us on the de and your your your bill<00
• And the author, you can proceed, or you do have a testifier?
• Please introduce yourself for the record and proceed.
• The author can proceed. Thank you, Mr.
• Proceed with your presentation of your amendment. The D1 amendment. Sure.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we'll have Jean M. identify yourself, please, for the record and then proceed with your testimony
• Then we'll have Jean M. identify yourself, please, for the record and then proceed with your testimony
• Then we'll have Jean M. identify yourself, please, for the record and then proceed with your testimony
• Then we'll have Jean M. identify yourself, please, for the record and then proceed with your testimony
• <01:39:05.520> with you're affiliated with and proceed with you're affiliated with and proceed

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Elections Committee met on February 6, 2025, and first considered the reappointment of Steven Swanson to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Swanson described his background in legal aid, lobbying, judging, and international rule-of-law work, and said he wanted to continue serving the public. Committee members praised his experience and discussed the importance of campaign finance oversight, including preventing corporate participation in Minnesota elections. Senator Wosinski moved to recommend Swanson’s confirmation, and the motion was adopted. The committee then heard Senate File 529, a proposed constitutional amendment to state that elections shall be free, fair, and equal, and that no civil or military power may interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote. Senator Dibble presented the bill as a way to strengthen voting rights and provide a constitutional basis to challenge voter suppression, gerrymandering, and unfair campaign practices. Testimony in support came from David Fischer of Clean Elections Minnesota and Jean Massie of Fair Vote Minnesota, both of whom argued the amendment would protect access to voting, increase confidence in elections, and align Minnesota with other states that have similar language. Members discussed whether the amendment’s broad language could invite judicial interpretation or affect future election laws. Senator Koran questioned how the proposal would improve Minnesota’s already high turnout, while Senator Grant raised concerns that the terms “free, fair, and equal” were undefined and could shift power to the courts. Senator Lucero proposed an oral amendment to add “ensuring one eligible citizen, one vote” after the word “equal,” saying it would address concerns about future voter ID laws. The amendment was restated by counsel and discussed, with Senator Dibble saying it did not significantly harm the bill but suggesting it might imply a requirement he did not intend. The transcript ends during discussion of that oral amendment, and no final vote on the bill itself is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Fountain Henderson, proceed. To inquire. Proceed.

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met with a quorum and held a public hearing on Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, which concerns the Show-Me America 250 initiative. Representative Rudy Veit presented the measure on behalf of the Senate sponsor and noted it was the same as the version previously heard by the committee. Members briefly discussed why the Senate version was back before them and were told the senator was working on the budget, so Representative Veit was carrying the bill. No witnesses testified in favor, opposition, or for informational purposes. After closing the hearing, the committee moved into executive session and considered a do-pass motion on the resolution. The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 10 ayes and 0 noes. The committee reported Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 do pass and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, you are remote, so please proceed, Mr. Smith, after giving us your name for the record.
• Mr Smith after giving us please proceed Mr Smith after giving us your<00:47:48.000> name<00:47
• Thank you, and please introduce yourself for the record and proceed. Great, thank you.
• well thank me thank you chairman proceed well thank me thank you chairman lucera<01:21:42.600> chair
• all right uh thank you chair proceed all right uh thank you chair Lucero<01:47:29.159> thank<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard informational presentations from Housing First Minnesota and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities on the state of housing in Minnesota. Mark Foster of Housing First Minnesota said the state has a severe housing shortage, with demand outpacing supply since the 2007-09 housing crash, and argued that Minnesota is nearly 100,000 units short of a healthy market. He said new homes are increasingly unaffordable, citing a median new single-family price above $530,000 and declining affordability in the Twin Cities metro, and he urged lawmakers to remove exclusionary zoning and other regulatory barriers that he said make starter homes and smaller-lot housing difficult or illegal to build in many growing cities. He also highlighted the group’s Housing for Heroes projects, including transitional housing for veterans and other crisis housing projects around the state. Members asked Foster about starter-home examples and his view that the committee’s top priority should be reforming residential development approvals. He said most new housing is negotiated through planned unit developments rather than built under base zoning, which he argued adds cost and reduces supply. The committee then heard from Elizabeth Wael of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, who said housing challenges outside the metro are different but equally serious. She said many Greater Minnesota cities face a lack of developers, inadequate infrastructure such as roads and utilities, and gaps in the housing continuum, especially starter workforce housing and senior housing. She thanked the committee for 2023 housing funding and said cities are contributing their own resources, updating zoning, reducing parking requirements, allowing ADUs, and partnering with developers and nonprofits. Wael also urged faster rollout of the Greater Minnesota infrastructure grant program and said the state should consider changes to the housing tax credit and housing TIF rules to make them easier to use. In response, senators said they shared frustration with the slow implementation of the infrastructure program and emphasized the need for state investment and locally tailored zoning reforms. No bills were heard and no votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on stakeholder testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• them, they would decide to take jurisdiction of that bill and then authorize the impacted agency to proceed
• appropriate for this committee to have jurisdiction, the committee could reconsider its action and then not proceed
• committee took jurisdiction over to the impacted agency, whether that be TFFR or PERS, and then they'll proceed
• pursue... ...that's required to be appended to the measure, so if the primary sponsor decides to proceed
• So the sponsor may choose not to introduce the bill or not to proceed with the process when they get

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to approve prior minutes, hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave, and related policy issues, and then recess for lunch. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the long-standing state-paid family coverage, cost-control measures, wellness incentives, the current grandfathered PPO and high-deductible options, and the effects of recent benefit mandates such as insulin caps, prosthetic coverage, medication management, prescription copay changes, and ambulance balance-billing limits. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact of adding benefits and the possible cost of moving to a non-grandfathered plan, while PERS and HRMS emphasized that health insurance remains the top-ranked employee benefit and that any major plan changes should be considered carefully. HRMS also presented compensation comparisons showing state pay generally below private-market benchmarks, discussed targeted market equity adjustments, identified ongoing recruitment and retention concerns in fields like nursing, IT, engineering, and attorneys, and reviewed leave policies, tuition reimbursement, and family leave comparisons with neighboring states. Job Service provided labor market data showing low unemployment, high labor force participation, and wage growth that still trails some neighboring markets, and OMB explained that prevailing wage requirements apply to federally funded projects under Davis-Bacon, not to ordinary state contracts. After lunch, the committee took up the required process for health insurance mandate bills and adopted an amendment to Joint Rule 211. The amendment clarified that the deadline for submitting mandate measures is intended to allow time for all required reports, including both the cost-benefit analysis and any Employee Benefits Committee actuarial report, while leaving the existing deadline unchanged. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and a few no votes recorded. The committee then moved into its jurisdiction review of bill drafts, beginning with a bill that would automatically renew pre-tax dental and vision elections; members debated whether it had any actuarial or administrative impact on PERS or the state, and the chair explained that the committee’s role was only to decide whether further analysis was needed before later testimony and recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will proceed.
• Please proceed. Thank you. You also mentioned that you currently have four employees... Thank you.
• Chair, yes, please proceed if I may explain my vote.
• Please proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. For today, to me, the numbers are just not adding up.
• Please proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1182, all