Video & Transcript Research : 'House Resolution 286'

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MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • The key thing about the February forecast is that in the House it starts a clock to enact a budget resolution
  • , sometimes the House, sometimes the Senate, depending on if it's used a Senate file or a House file.
  • resolution will be um that budget resolution will be um Targets<00:12:26.560> in<00:12:26.680
  • of origin sometimes the to the house of origin sometimes the house<00:13:01.560> sometimes<00
  • if it's used a senate file or a house if it's used a senate file or a house file<00:13:05.079>
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Higher Ed Finance and Policy Committee met to begin a budget overview for higher education. The chair noted quorum, committee member introductions, and that Democratic members were absent. The chair also said the Office of Higher Education would not be appearing for the planned budget deep dive, so nonpartisan fiscal staff would present instead. Ken Savory, the committee’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst, introduced a presentation on the higher education finance structure and timeline. Savory explained the state budget cycle, the difference between direct appropriations, statutory appropriations, open appropriations, base funding, tails, and one-time appropriations, and how those concepts apply to higher education. He described the committee’s usual budget areas: the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Foundation. He also reviewed historical spending charts showing higher education’s share of the general fund over time, the 2/3-1/3 funding policy in statute, and how tuition and general fund support have shifted. He noted that the FY 26-27 base for the Office of Higher Education area is about $725 million, including roughly $450 million for the State Grant program and about $99 million for North Star Promise. Members asked about comparing the current budget to earlier biennia, and staff responded that they would need to calculate the percentage difference. The chair then summarized prior budget growth, saying the previous budget was about $650 million over base and the current budget/tail was about $450 million over base. Staff also reviewed the 2024 omnibus higher education bill, including a roughly $5 million reduction to North Star Promise that was redirected to the Fostering Independence Grant program and a $500,000 appropriation for Minnesota State’s Kids on Campus program. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions during this portion of the meeting.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm your chair, but also I represent House District 15A down in southwest Minnesota, Marshall, Minnesota
  • I'm your chair, but also I represent House District 15A down in southwest Minnesota, Marshall, Minnesota
  • I'm your chair, but also I represent House District 15A down in southwest Minnesota, Marshall, Minnesota
  • I represent about half of Minnesota's Iron Range up in House District 7A, so looking forward to the year
  • I'm Ashley, a House fiscal analyst that staffs the Energy Committee.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses. House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 1/16/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • John Walls, House fiscal staff. Ben Joh, I'm also with the House Research Department.
  • John Walls, House fiscal staff. Ben Joh, I'm also with the House Research Department.
  • John Walls, House fiscal staff. Ben Joh, I'm also with the House Research Department.
  • name is Nathan Hopkins with the house name is Nathan Hopkins with the house research<00:09:00.480
  • I'm with House Research.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met for an introductory session focused on committee organization, staff roles, and an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction. Members and staff introduced themselves, and the chair explained that one member was absent due to a meeting with the governor. House fiscal staff member John Walls reviewed the committee’s budget spreadsheet and explained the agencies under the committee’s jurisdiction, including the Supreme Court, Board of Civil Legal Aid, Court of Appeals, district courts, Guardian ad Litem Board, Tax Court, Uniform Laws Commission, Board of Judicial Standards, Board of Public Defense, Human Rights Commission, Office of Appellate Counsel and Training, and the Competency Restoration Board. He also explained how fiscal notes work and how costs or revenue impacts are tracked for bills. Nathan Hopkins then described the committee’s broad civil law jurisdiction, covering areas such as property, torts, contracts, civil rights, consumer protection, employment, family law, remedies, statutes of limitations, damages, burdens of proof, due process, and attorney general enforcement. He also outlined the committee’s role in government data practices under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, emphasizing the distinction between transparency and privacy and noting that bills affecting Chapter 13 are often re-referred to this committee. Ben Johnson added that he handles appropriations and court-related policy provisions, with most budget drafting expected later in the session. A member asked about the Competency Restoration Board, and Johnson explained that it was created to address cases involving criminal defendants found incompetent to proceed, with the goal of coordinating placements and services to restore competency rather than serving as long-term civil commitment. The chair also noted the importance of privacy and technology issues, mentioning past bipartisan work on body cameras, license plate readers, and drones. The meeting ended with a brief announcement about a law school for legislators program and an invitation to attend upcoming Zoom sessions, after which the committee adjourned.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Finance and Policy Working Group 1/15/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are going to just do an overview with House fiscal staff and House Research, and then also, as time
  • We are going to just do an overview with House fiscal staff and House Research, and then also, as time
  • I'm Matt Burus with House Research, another nonpartisan office here in the House.
  • I'm Matt Burus with House Research, another nonpartisan office here in the House.
  • I will be the House GOP partisan researcher this session.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Transportation Working Group met on January 15, 2025, with Chair John Kosnik opening by saying the committee expected to pass a transportation bill this year and emphasizing efficient use of transportation revenues, maintenance of roads and transit, and safety. Members and staff introduced themselves, and several representatives noted their interest in roads, bridges, and regional transportation needs. Kosnik also said he had spoken with Representative Kel about leadership arrangements and stressed that bipartisan support would be needed for a transportation bill. House Fiscal Staff’s Andrew Lee and House Research’s Matt Burus then gave an overview of transportation finance, focusing mainly on highways and transit. Burus explained Minnesota’s highway funding structure, including the constitutional Highway User Tax Distribution Fund and the related Trunk Highway Fund, County State-Aid Highway Fund, and Municipal State-Aid Street Fund. He reviewed the main revenue sources: the motor fuels tax, motor vehicle registration tax, motor vehicle sales tax, portions of the general sales tax tied to auto parts, vehicle rentals and leases, and the retail delivery fee. He noted several changes from 2023 legislation, including indexing of the gas tax, creation of the Transportation Advancement Account, and the retail delivery fee, which began in July 2024 and therefore would affect fiscal year 2025 rather than the fiscal 2024 data shown. The presentation also covered how highway dollars flow through constitutional formulas, including the 95/5 split from the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund, with the 5 percent set-aside used for town roads, town bridges, and flexible highway purposes such as turnbacks. Burus distinguished trunk highway bonds from general obligation bonds and explained that both are debt-financing tools for transportation projects, but with different repayment sources and uses. No votes or formal actions were taken at this informational meeting.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Elections Finance and Government Operations Working Group 1/15/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm Matt Aring from House Research. Chelsea Griffin from House Research.
  • House fiscal staff you have a one-page House fiscal staff you have a one-page document<00:02:24.239><
  • Matt Garing from House Research.
  • <00:26:05.840> research legislative analyst with house research legislative analyst with house
  • that are covered in some of our house that are covered in some of our house research<00:26:34.640
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met for an introductory, familiarization-only session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and House Fiscal Staff provided a budget overview for the committee’s elections-related jurisdiction. That overview covered the Office of the Secretary of State, including a requested $200,000 one-time general fund match to draw down additional federal HAVA funds released in 2024, and the presidential primary, which is an open statutory appropriation that reimburses state and local costs in even-numbered election years. It also reviewed the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board’s operations budget, the public subsidy program’s statutory and taxpayer checkoff funding, and the Voting Operations and Elections Resources account, which is funded at $3 million annually for local election-related costs. Members asked questions about the HAVA match, including whether the funds were tied to the most recent election cycle and what specific goals or security-related uses the Secretary of State’s request would support. Staff said they would need to research the details further and would share responses with the full committee. One member also raised broader concerns about non-state money entering elections and the need for clear guidance and oversight; staff said that area was beyond their expertise but could be researched further. The chair noted that the Secretary of State would appear at a future meeting and encouraged members to submit questions for shared follow-up. House Research then gave an overview of the committee’s government operations jurisdiction. Staff explained that the committee historically deals with structural and administrative issues such as agency organization, rulemaking, boards and commissions, state contracting, state IT services, emergency management, and state symbols and recognition days. They emphasized the committee’s role in maintaining consistency and compatibility across state government and in considering the balance between legislative authority and executive-branch discretion. Staff also noted overlap with State Government Finance for fiscal matters and said they would return for more detailed discussion if members wanted it. The final presentation introduced local government concepts. House Research outlined Minnesota’s local government structure, including counties, cities, towns, and special districts, and explained terms such as political subdivision, home rule charter, and Dillon’s rule. The presentation described local governments as creatures of the state, reviewed home rule charter and general welfare authority, and noted that local government powers are defined by statute unless otherwise provided. No votes or formal actions were taken.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 1/15/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:07:12.440> first day Journal of the house first day Journal of the house first legislative
  • <00:16:09.040> of couldn't be luckier in the house of couldn't be luckier in the house of
  • The resolution is pretty self-explanatory, and I urge... Is there any discussion to the resolution?
  • The resolution is adopted.
  • The resolution is adopted.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, then approved the prior day’s journal and confirmed a quorum. The main business was organizing the chamber for the 2025–26 session, beginning with the election of Pat Murphy as chief clerk. Members from both parties praised Murphy’s long service, parliamentary knowledge, work on remote voting during COVID, and commitment to youth programs and the integrity of the House. After nominations closed, Murphy was elected by a 67-0 vote and took the oath of office. The House then adopted a resolution allowing the remaining front-desk officers and assistant sergeant at arms to be elected on a single roll call unless there was more than one nominee for an office. Representative Niska nominated Stephanie Miller, Kathy Carlson, Erica Brinson, Andrew Olen, and Carl Hamry, and the slate was approved by voice vote. The House also elected Lori Hadap as chief sergeant at arms by a 67-0 vote after nominations and supportive remarks about her law-enforcement background, security work, and responsiveness to members; she then took the oath of office. After the chamber was organized, the House adopted resolutions directing the chief clerk to notify the Senate that the House was duly organized and appointing a four-member committee to notify the governor. The appointed committee consisted of Representatives Paul Anderson, John Koznick, Ben Bakeberg, and Max Rymer, who reported back that the governor had been notified. Members also observed a moment of silence honoring former Representative Mary Murphy for her long service. The House then set its next meeting for 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and adjourned.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Working Group 1/15/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • But first things first, I'll kick it to Miss Clark and Miss Mack to talk about the House Research Department
  • 22.320> Miss<00:01:22.520> Clark<00:01:23.159> and Miss Mack to talk about the House
  • Representative Backer, I will just run through quickly the nonpartisan staff roles, so you have the House
  • Myself, I'm with House Fiscal.
  • Members, I’m Elizabeth Clark Vist from House Research.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The meeting was an informational walkthrough for the Health Finance and Policy Working Group, focused on committee structure, budget basics, and major health-related accounts and programs. Staff explained the roles of House Research and House Fiscal, then reviewed key funds used by the committee, including the general fund, government special revenue fund, federal funds, the health care access fund, remediation account, and drinking water revolving fund. They also outlined the committee’s main budget areas, noting that medical assistance is the largest general fund item and that the Department of Health is a substantial agency funded by a mix of federal, general fund, and special revenue dollars. A major portion of the presentation covered subsidized health coverage programs. Staff described Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) as an entitlement for eligible Minnesotans, with no premiums or cost sharing, and explained its managed care and fee-for-service delivery systems. MinnesotaCare was presented as a separate federal-state basic health program for people who are not eligible for MA, with income limits, premiums for adults age 21 and older, and cost-sharing requirements; staff noted that federal premium tax credit changes affect MinnesotaCare premium ranges. The presentation also summarized MNsure’s role in the individual market and in determining eligibility for premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, MinnesotaCare, and MA. The committee also received an overview of health-related licensing boards and occupational regulation. Staff said Minnesota has 16 health-related licensing boards, funded mainly through the state government special revenue fund and subject to legislative appropriation, and explained that health occupations may be regulated by the Department of Health, the Office of Emergency Medical Services, or the boards under chapter 214. Interstate licensure compacts were briefly noted as a way to ease practice across states. No bills were debated and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 1/15/25

Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • I call this Committee on House Rules and Legislative Administration to order.
  • Next, we have the 2025 R11 resolution. I moved to approve the 2025 R11 resolution.
  • Seeing no further discussion, I renew my motion to move the 2025 R11 resolution.
  • <00:01:59.360> today participating in this resolution today participating in this resolution
  • > that opposed the resolution is adopted that opposed the resolution is adopted that is<00:03:
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee met to approve the prior day’s minutes and then considered 2025 R11, a resolution to retain outside counsel for the House in connection with pending legal matters. The chair explained that the resolution followed the general format of a prior LCC resolution and was needed so the House could defend itself in lawsuits challenging its legislative business after members were sworn in. The resolution was amended to insert the names Nicholas Nelson, Samuel Deal, and Ryan Wilson. Representative Niska stated that the named attorneys are colleagues from his outside law practice and that he had no private interest in the resolution; he said he was not participating in the matter and that nonpartisan staff were documenting that fact. Representative Nash asked about the attorneys’ prior work in a ballot-access case involving Donald Trump, and the chair confirmed that the same lawyers had represented Hortman, Long, and Holland in that litigation and had prevailed in the case. There was no public testimony and no further discussion. The committee adopted the 2025 R11 resolution by voice vote, and the meeting then adjourned.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Opening Day of the Ninety-fourth Session of the Minnesota Legislature 1/14/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Minnesota Statute 5.05, it becomes my duty as your Secretary of State to call the members of the Minnesota House
  • day to celebrate for returning members, welcome back for new members elect, welcome to the Minnesota House
  • Representatives<00:01:28.960> and<00:01:29.200> welcome<00:01:29.600> to House
  • of Representatives and welcome to House of Representatives and welcome to Minnesota<00:01:30.720>
  • The House may not conduct any further business and the House of Representatives— Mr.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Minnesota House convened for the opening of the legislative session, with Secretary of State Steve Simon calling the body to order, welcoming returning and newly elected members, and appointing Representative-elect Peggy Scott as clerk pro tem. Pastor Ben M. of Watermark Church in Stillwater, identified as the son-in-law of Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth, delivered the opening prayer, asking for blessing, unity, wisdom, mercy, and truth for members and their families. The members then recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk pro tem conducted a roll call by district and recorded members present. After noting that 133 certificates of election were on file, Chief Judge Jennifer L. Frisch administered the oath of office to the members-elect, who swore to support the U.S. and Minnesota constitutions and faithfully discharge their duties. The House then congratulated the members. A subsequent quorum check found only 67 members present, which was not enough to meet the constitutional quorum requirement. The Secretary of State ruled that the House could not conduct further business because no quorum was present. After that ruling, a motion was made to appeal the no-quorum determination.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 1/14/25

Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll be voting on House resolutions that are required to get the House in order.
  • Chair, members, this is the resolution on House chaplain compensation.
  • > Majority House minority leader House Majority House minority leader House Majority Whip<00:16:34.399
  • Seeing none, I will renew my motion to adopt the R7 resolution. wanted to note that the house roster
  • Miss Knight, if we do not adopt this resolution today, where does that leave the House? Mr.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met with a quorum and took up a series of annual housekeeping resolutions governing House operations and member/staff policies. The committee heard brief explanations from House Controller Pete Squa and HR Director Kelly Knight on each item, including the 2025 P1 service award policy, donated time policy, compensatory time and time card policy, interim/per diem classification, legal fees policy, staff photo/digital image fees, chaplain compensation, leadership compensation, member expense reimbursement, member stationery allocation, postage and digital constituent communications, member communication reimbursement, alcohol consumption policy, remote work policy, drug use policy, and the high school page/internship program reimbursement policy. Most resolutions were adopted without controversy, often with only minor clarifications or no changes from prior years. Notable changes included clarifying donated time limits, refining compensatory time language, updating leadership compensation positions to reflect the new organization, adding a Greater Minnesota mileage option in the member expense reimbursement policy, removing obsolete long-distance reimbursement language from member communication reimbursements, updating the alcohol policy location reference to the Centennial Office Building, and increasing high school page reimbursement from $10 to $15 per day. The committee also noted the House roster staff roster is on file with the controller as required by House Rule 8.20. Two items were set aside for further review: the P5 legal fees resolution was tabled after members raised questions about prior use of the policy and whether the language should be revised in light of past circumstances, and the R5 postage/digital constituent communications resolution was also tabled after Representative Schultz proposed allowing members to choose either 100% digital communications or a 70% digital/30% postage split. The R9 drug use policy was likewise tabled after Representative Engen asked whether changes in state marijuana law affected the policy. All other resolutions brought to a vote were approved and adopted, and the committee then adjourned.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Republican Media Availability 1/14/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am the legal speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
  • <00:03:34.519> of take the work here uh in the House of take the work here uh in the House
  • interfere in the operations of the House interfere in the operations of the House of<00:04:27.840
  • <00:07:00.039> of meet here in the House of meet here in the House of Representatives<00:07
  • to come in I am the speaker of the house to come in I am the speaker of the house and<00:08:36.120
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The transcript centers on the Minnesota House organizing itself at the start of session, with House Republicans asserting that 67 members were present, enough to elect a Speaker and begin operating, while 66 Democrats were absent. The speaker and other Republican leaders argued that the House has authority over its own quorum rules, internal rules, and presiding officers, and that the Secretary of State does not have constitutional authority to control House organization or adjourn the chamber. They said the Secretary of State’s adjournment was improper and indicated the dispute would likely be resolved by the Minnesota Supreme Court if challenged. The Speaker said she was honored to serve, emphasized working for Minnesotans, and said committees would begin meeting later in the week. Republicans framed their agenda around public safety, fraud prevention, fiscal restraint, and affordability, and repeatedly called on Democrats to return to the chamber and “get to work.” They also said they were open to continued negotiations, but only if Democrats were reasonable and present. Questions from reporters focused on the legal basis for proceeding after the Secretary of State adjourned the session, the likelihood of court review, and whether Republicans would follow any Supreme Court ruling. The Speaker said they would comply with court decisions but were confident in their position. She also said the House would meet again at noon the next day and that the status of members who did not take the oath in the chamber would be reviewed if they appeared.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Opening of the 2025 legislative session in Minnesota House 1/14/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Minnesota Statute 5.05, it becomes my duty as your Secretary of State to call the members of the Minnesota House
  • celebrate for returning members, elect, welcome back for new members elect, welcome to the Minnesota House
  • 39.760> Minnesota members elect welcome to the Minnesota members elect welcome to the Minnesota House
  • Representatives<00:00:41.399> and<00:00:41.640> welcome<00:00:42.079> to House
  • of Representatives and welcome to House of Representatives and welcome to Minnesota<00:00:43.160>
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Minnesota House was called to order by the Secretary of State at noon for the opening of the session, with remarks welcoming both returning and newly elected members and emphasizing the significance of their service to Minnesota. Representative-elect Peggy Scott was appointed Clerk Pro Tem. Pastor Ben Mayatt of Watermark Church in Stillwater, identified as the son-in-law of Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth, delivered the opening prayer. His prayer asked for blessings on members, their families, and staff, and stressed unity, wisdom, discernment, mercy, and truth as the House begins its work. After the prayer, members and guests stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, and then were seated. No bills were debated and no votes were taken in this portion of the proceedings.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Opening Day of the Ninety-fourth Session of the Minnesota Legislature 1/14/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House may not conduct any further business and the House of Representatives... Mr.
  • House chamber.
  • Representative Nisa offers the following resolution, and the clerk will report the resolution.
  • Representative Nisa offers the following resolution. The clerk will read the resolution.
  • > an resolution since the resolution is an resolution since the resolution is an expenditure<01:11
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The House convened for the opening of the 2025-2026 Minnesota legislative session. Secretary of State Steve Simon called the chamber to order, appointed a clerk pro tem, and Pastor Ben Mayatt delivered the prayer before the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk then conducted the roll call, and after an initial dispute over quorum and authority, the House determined that 67 members were present, establishing a quorum. The main business was organizing the House. Members nominated and seconded Representative Lisa Demuth for Speaker, and she was elected on a 67-0 roll call vote. After taking the oath, Speaker Demuth delivered remarks emphasizing service, civility, bipartisan cooperation, accountability, and focusing on practical results for Minnesotans. The House also adopted a resolution accepting the findings in the District 40B election contest and declaring a vacancy there, and another resolution adopting temporary House rules for the session, including a committee structure and a fraud prevention/state government oversight committee. Members then adopted a resolution authorizing necessary House employees to continue working, and the Speaker announced appointments for Speaker pro tempore, Deputy Speaker pro tempore, and the House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration. The House also approved permanent desk assignments for the Republican and DFL caucuses. The session ended with announcements about a reception and a Rules Committee meeting, followed by adjournment until noon on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House DFL Media Availability 1/13/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:08.360> of practice of Minnesota House of practice of Minnesota House of Representatives
  • <00:14:23.199> itself ministerial Act and the house itself ministerial Act and the house itself
  • We can have an election of Lisa Demuth as Speaker of the House.
  • <00:26:20.080> of happens here at the Minnesota House of happens here at the Minnesota House
  • <00:26:53.159> of in the Minnesota House of in the Minnesota House of Representatives<00:26
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: Democratic House leaders Melissa Hortman and Jamie Long said Republicans were escalating the Minnesota House organization dispute by refusing to accept power-sharing, threatening to proceed as if they had a two-year majority, and planning to disregard the Secretary of State’s role on the first day of session. They argued that Minnesota law requires the Secretary of State to preside until a quorum is present, and that the House should follow the Minnesota Senate’s example of sharing power when the chamber is tied. They said Democrats had offered a compromise allowing Republicans to act as a majority for the first few weeks while they held a one-seat edge, then revert to the negotiated power-sharing agreement once the House returns to a 67-67 tie. Much of the discussion focused on the Brad Tabke election contest and whether Republicans could use a temporary majority to remove him or otherwise reorganize the House. Hortman and Long said the swearing-in of members is a ministerial act and does not affect the election contest, citing past Minnesota examples where members were sworn in while legal challenges were pending. They said if Republicans ignore the Secretary of State and try to organize the House without a quorum, Democrats would go to court to argue the House was not duly organized. They also said Republicans’ claims about the disputed district residency issue were misplaced and that the Tabke case should be decided by the courts. The leaders said Democrats were prepared to use denial of quorum as a backup if no agreement is reached, describing it as a quieter and less disruptive alternative to a long filibuster. They said the confidential swearing-in held the night before was done as an emergency backup because of security concerns and the possibility that quorum might be denied. They also said they were not worried about Republican recall threats, but warned that if Republicans proceeded with what they called a “kangaroo court,” Democrats might consider recall petitions for malfeasance. No formal vote or legislative action was taken in the exchange, and the leaders said they were still hoping to reach a compromise in later talks with Republican Leader Lisa Demuth.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Republican Press Conference 1/6/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's clear, and legislators are... desks on the house floor ready to get to desks on the house floor
  • The court said this goes back to the House, and the House was the final word on that, and the Minnesota
  • goes back to the house and the house was goes back to the house and the house was the<00:14:17.880
  • the work in the house but if that the work in the house but if that doesn't<00:19:47.000> happen
  • to work through that but House to work through that but House Republicans<00:19:55.280> will<
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: House Republican leaders, led by Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Harry Niska, outlined their priorities for the upcoming Minnesota House session and said they intend to use an organizational majority to advance their agenda. They said their focus will be on stopping fraud, making government more accountable, reducing taxes and fees, and addressing affordability, energy costs, public safety, education, and permitting reform. Specific proposals mentioned included repealing the tax on Social Security benefits, rolling back automatic gas tax increases, repealing the nuclear moratorium, and changing state programs they said should be limited to people in the country legally. A central theme was the creation of a new House committee on fraud and agency oversight, which Republicans said will have subpoena power and be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins. They said the committee will investigate known fraud, review agency internal controls, and press agencies for information on staffing, office space, and cost savings. Rep. Jim Nash also described a proposed “fraud note” scoring system to rate agencies on whether they have implemented Office of the Auditor’s recommendations, with the goal of informing appropriations decisions. On education and public safety, Niska said Republicans want fewer mandates and higher standards in schools, citing low reading and math proficiency, and leaders said they want stronger accountability for repeat and juvenile offenders. They also said they expect committee chairs to be Republican, may reduce Democratic committee seats if Democrats do not show up, and are not planning a power-sharing agreement unless the chamber returns to a true tie. They discussed the pending court case involving Rep. Brad Tabke, a possible recall process for absent legislators, remote voting rules, and a special election timeline, while insisting they expect Democrats to appear on the first day of session and that they will proceed with organizing the House and electing a speaker on January 14.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House DFL Media Availability 1/6/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the will of the voter in the Minnesota House of Representatives in this last election.
  • Illinois uh he went to the state house Illinois uh he went to the state house to<00:03:38.200>
  • and they expect us to govern as a tied House.
  • It is not, because the House is not organized.
  • The House PAC case, there was a court ruling.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: Minnesota House DFL leaders held a press conference at the start of the 2025 session to argue that the election produced a tied House and that neither party has a majority. They said Minnesota law requires 68 members for a quorum, rejected the Republican view that 67 members would be enough to organize the House, and said Democrats would use parliamentary tools, including denial of quorum, if Republicans refused a power-sharing agreement. They framed their position as preserving the will of voters and called the Republican approach an illegitimate power grab. A major topic was the disputed House seat involving Brad Tabke/Tabkey and the related District 40B residency issue involving Curtis Johnson. Democrats said court testimony showed Tabke won and that overturning the result would disenfranchise thousands of voters, while Republicans were accused of trying to use a temporary advantage to force a special election. On the residency case, Democrats said they had a vetting process, disagreed with the trial court’s ruling, and noted Johnson chose not to appeal. They said they expect David Gottfried to win the upcoming special election on January 28 and that a certificate could issue by February 3. The leaders also discussed how a power-sharing arrangement could work if the House remains tied: committee chairs would be split 50-50, each side could set agendas, and speakership duties could alternate daily. They said this would allow hearings on issues such as fraud oversight, the budget, energy, education, the Social Security tax, the nuclear moratorium, and immigration-related proposals, though they described some Republican priorities as nonstarters. No formal votes were taken, and the event ended with Democrats saying they were still negotiating and hoped to reach an agreement before session begins.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/34

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:01:13.000> file bill on the agenda today is house file bill on the agenda today is house
  • <00:01:19.159> file and I will move to lay over house file and I will move to lay over house
  • The next bill is Representative Pinto's House File 4959, and I believe the motion is to re-refer House
  • <00:28:45.159> file the motion and layover house file the motion and layover house file 3761
  • <00:28:49.679> file pintos Bill house file pintos Bill house file 4959<00:28:52.039> and
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The committee approved the March 22, 2024 minutes and then took up House File 3761, the Safety Through Support Act, with a motion to lay the bill over. Representative Lee Finke said the bill is intended to improve re-entry outcomes and public safety by expanding prison visitation, including mentoring and access for mental health and medical professionals, and by creating a task force to support rehabilitation and re-entry. Testifiers in support included Holly Bot, who described how family visits helped her through incarceration and later into successful re-entry and business ownership, and Zeke Caliguri, who argued that consistent visitation and community connection are essential to humanity, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. Elliot Bhai of NAMI Minnesota also supported the bill, framing visitation as a form of needed mental health support in prisons. Members raised several concerns and suggestions. Representative Hudson questioned the bill’s strip-search limitation language, asking what would count as a credible, documented security concern, and also worried the task force could create discriminatory access or favor certain viewpoints. Representative Finke said she did not view a conviction as making someone permanently a security risk and said the task force was meant to ensure meaningful visitation for everyone, not to enable discrimination. Representative Hollins and Representative N. supported the bill’s overall goals while suggesting language could be tightened and noting that maintaining outside ties helps people return as productive members of society. Representative Witte asked about the Department of Corrections commissioner’s presence, and the chair said questions for him could wait for a later bill. Representative Mu asked about the fiscal note and the research behind the bill. Staff said a fiscal note had been requested but not yet signed off by the LBO, which was one reason the bill was being laid over. Finke said she could share the visitation study and noted that the bill responds to research linking visitation to lower recidivism; she also said remote visitation data shows value but can be costly. After closing remarks emphasizing that visitation is “medicine” and that most incarcerated people will return to the community, the chair renewed the motion and laid over House File 3761. The committee then moved on to House File 4959, with a motion to re-refer it to the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 9th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • The chair moves that House Bill 3770 as substituted be reported favorably to the full House with the
  • The chair moves that House Bill 3963 as substituted be reported favorably to the full House with the
  • There was graffiti on his house.
  • House Bill 2145.
  • House Bill 4359, sorry Mr.
Bills: HB 111, HB1545, HB2145, HB2467, HB2520, HB4136, HB4181, HB4214, HB4218, HB4219, HB4359, HB4437, HB4822, HB111
Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation
HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAL Public Hearing - Thu Mar 18, 2021 @ 8:30 AM

HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Tue Mar 17, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST