Transcript Highlights:

• We feel immediate changes need to be made to the current law to keep projects on track.
• We feel immediate changes need to be made to the current law to keep projects on track.
• We feel immediate changes need to be made to the current law to keep projects on track.
• We feel immediate changes need to be made to the current law to keep projects on track.
• <00:21:30.120> our law to keep projectss on track our law to keep projectss on track our request

Bills: HF47, HF434, HF1503, HF1702

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF434, cervidae, deer, elk, moose, chronic wasting disease, CWD, wildlife importation, animal health, biosecurity, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA, USDA exhibitor, species survival plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the CDC, the Department of Health works closely with the CDC, and I know that they've been tracking
• that as we track the layoffs or retirements or pieces with the USDA and then we do regular check-ins
• that as we track the layoffs or retirements or pieces with the USDA and then we do regular check-ins
• that as we track the layoffs or retirements or pieces with the USDA and then we do regular check-ins
• <00:32:14.399> the tracking that as we as we track the tracking that as we as we track the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since that time, we have done a number of, I think we've lost track, within the office, kind of one-off
• done a number I think we have lost track done a number I think we have lost track within<00:14:25.680
• They just track the money to where the money was spent.
• c><01:29:12.600> don't<01:29:13.119> they<01:29:13.239> just<01:29:13.440> track
• <01:29:13.719> the job but they don't they just track the job but they don't they just track

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on February 10, 2025, with member and staff introductions and opening remarks from Chair Kristin Robbins about the committee’s bipartisan mission to address state fraud and improve oversight of executive branch spending. Robbins said the committee would focus on both legislation and informational oversight hearings, likely in coordination with standing policy committees, and emphasized concerns about reported fraud in state government and the need to prevent waste before it occurs. Members from both parties generally expressed support for the committee’s work and interest in learning more about the issues. The sole agenda item was a presentation from the Legislative Auditor on the 2023 report, “Oversight of State-Funded Grants to Nonprofit Organizations.” Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Deputy Legislative Auditor Jodi Munson Rodriguez explained that the report reviewed how comprehensive Minnesota’s grants management policies are and how well agencies follow them. They said the policies cover the grant lifecycle but often lack detail, and the office found widespread noncompliance in recent years. The presentation included examples such as limited standards for progress reports, flexible monitoring requirements, and no required timeline for closeout reviews. The auditors also noted that state agencies spent an average of about $514 million annually on nonprofit grants from fiscal years 2018 through 2022, with about 2,400 nonprofit organizations receiving grants. The auditors said several factors contribute to compliance problems, including inconsistent funding for grants management, limited training, and uneven use of electronic grants systems. They also noted that statutes gave little authority to enforce compliance. Since the report was released, the Department of Administration has taken some steps, including changes to pre-award financial review policies and a timeline for closeout reviews, but the auditors said other recommendations remain only partially implemented. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mitchell was in, and there are three trends that I'm tracking, I think, that he brought...
• Yeah, let's get it all back on track. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Corker. Senator West.
• We have an inside track to Rick Pastor.
• , the institution's track record.
• I'm pleased to report that we're on track. ...open this fall.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:58:10.480> the<00:58:10.680> rate<00:58:11.000> of been tracking the the
• the rate of been tracking the the the rate of decline<00:58:11.720> and<00:58:11.840> it's
• I mean, the Department of Revenue tracks that.
• > Department of Revenue tracks Department of Revenue tracks um<01:22:07.160> that.
• Did you— >> We're getting off track. >> We're getting off track. Well, there was a question asked.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the corrective action plan on the timelines that CMS has either requested or directed, and we are on track
• the corrective action plan on the timelines that CMS has either requested or directed, and we are on track
• On track in that regard with respect to a number of items, and most of the timelines are in the first
• So, we are tracking spending trends. We're looking at provider location and concentration.
• So, we are tracking at things like that. So, we are tracking spending<01:13:30.640> trends.

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're using data to help track that.
• using<00:09:34.160> data<00:09:34.720> to<00:09:34.959> help<00:09:35.200> track
• We're using data to help track that. do. We're using data to help track that.
• as we deliver food, including tracked as we deliver food, including baby<00:55:42.319> formula,
• We do not track it. We do not collect it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been in conversation about what our experience was when you did a fast track of additional money
• <00:31:38.640> of fast track of fast track of of<00:31:40.240> additional<00:31:40.600
• We track them, we follow them, they matter.
• We track them, we follow them, matter. We track them, we follow them, they<01:12:10.880> matter.
• we track this. we track this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• taxable income, resulting in a of their taxable income, resulting in a Minnesota<00:27:46.720> tracking
• <00:27:47.200> of<00:27:47.600> contribution Minnesota tracking of contribution Minnesota
• tracking of contribution carryovers. carryovers. carryovers.
• And we have discovery programs that for those who may not be complying, you know, we can keep track of
• <01:38:38.080> uh keep track of some other information. uh keep track of some other information

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ability to have a system very similar to what Pinedale has where you can go in make your application and track
• ability to have a system very similar to what Pinedale has where you can go in make your application and track
• ability to have a system very similar to what Pinedale has where you can go in make your application and track
• ability to have a system very similar to what Pinedale has where you can go in make your application and track
• to have a system very similar to what Pinedale has, where you can go in, make your application, and track

Bills: SF0082

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they are privately owned, railroads make significant investments in maintaining and upgrading their track
• they are privately owned, railroads make significant investments in maintaining and upgrading their track
• ,<00:43:29.040> upwards<00:43:29.440> of and upgrading their track, upwards of and
• upgrading their track, upwards of $23<00:43:30.079> billion<00:43:30.760> annually.
• Thank you for your time. preserve our roadways by uh tracking the preserve our roadways by uh tracking

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you're on the right track by consolidating these things.
• I think you're on the right track by consolidating these things.
• I think you're on the right track by consolidating these things.
• I think you're on the right track by consolidating these things.
• Then there was a way that they were keeping track of it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofit organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands in Minnesota with a proven track
• nonprofit organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands in Minnesota with a proven track
• nonprofit organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands in Minnesota with a proven track
• nonprofit organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands in Minnesota with a proven track
• nonprofit organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands in Minnesota with a proven track

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:35.319> towards headlines really tracking towards headlines really tracking towards
• There are institutions that are using AI to track the amount of time we spend with our patients, and
• they also can track where and when we take our breaks.
• institutions that are using AI to track institutions that are using AI to track the<00:58:45.920
• <00:58:51.359> where patients and they also can track where patients and they also can track

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to proceed with testimony, try to get back on track a little bit, so back to the list that
• Businesses, small and large, had to build entirely new compliance systems to track, collect, and remit
• Um, and to the testifiers, don't you already track sales taxable items?
• fee so we still would have to track fee so we still would have to track those<00:58:23.000> um
• <00:58:49.720> sales<00:58:50.280> taxable already track sales taxable already track

Bills: HF5

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house

Summary: The Transportation Committee resumed consideration of House File 5, which would reduce transportation-related revenues while also providing tax relief, including a subtraction for Social Security income, elimination of the delivery fee, and a cap on automatic gas tax indexing. The committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which added the phrase “using existing resources,” and then proceeded to public testimony. Representative Joy described the bill as making Minnesota more affordable, while several members and testifiers raised concerns about the impact on transportation funding and road maintenance. MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Doppenberg testified that reductions in planned transportation investments would worsen pavement, bridge, and roadway conditions, reduce construction projects and jobs, and add to an already large funding gap. Committee discussion focused on the estimated revenue losses from the bill, including about $45 million in fiscal year 2026 and $55 million annually from repealing the delivery fee, plus additional losses from capping gas tax indexing, for a combined transportation revenue reduction of about $131 million in the 2026-27 biennium. Members also asked about bridge aesthetics, paint, transit impacts, and whether other mandates and cost increases should be considered alongside revenue reductions. Supporters of the delivery fee repeal, including the Minnesota Grocers Association and Minnesota Retailers Association, argued the fee is costly to administer, confusing to consumers, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and lower-income or disabled consumers who rely on delivery. The Minnesota Association of Townships and the Minnesota Transportation Alliance emphasized that rural and local governments face major road and bridge funding needs and warned that reducing revenue would shift costs to property taxpayers or leave projects unfunded. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued with testimony and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a good track record of working with the legislature and the governor’s office to have strong
• We have a good track record of working with the legislature and the governor’s office to have strong
• We have a good track record of working with the legislature and the governor’s office to have strong
• record of going after fraud of track record of going after fraud of working<01:28:46.440> to<
• record of tackling fraud about 80% track record of tackling fraud about 80% of<01:32:13.960> the<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities. Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years. MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a number of metrics of success, but not an infinite number of metrics that we apply, and we track
• for<01:27:30.760> a<01:27:30.920> minimum<01:27:31.239> of projects are tracked
• for a minimum of projects are tracked for a minimum of five<01:27:31.600> years<01:27:31.840>
• <01:28:09.679> these that we uh apply and um we track these that we uh apply and um we track
• You are on the right track. That is why they are here.

Keywords: 1183, house

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

Transcript Highlights:

• think what we are trying to do is when these immunization acknowledgement letters by DPH are for tracking
• Letters by DPH are for tracking purposes, but that kind of adds like an extra layer to all this.
• I am on track to complete a bachelor's degree in only two and a half years and have been accepted to
• These bills try to force their way into our home by tracking our private decisions.
• As educators and protectors, these bills try to force their way into our home by tracking our private

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• that most of these large industrial firms will have water conservation plans and are definitely tracking
• They are fast-tracking that work with EPA. They're doing all the science.
• Those are the corners that we're fast-tracking.
• Direct TCEQ and provide it with the resources to create a defined brackish desalination permit track
• We didn't get it over the finish line last session, but we're on the right track.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't track that. Okay, so you did think you might have gotten minutes or...
• If they did, I just didn't track that. Okay.
• If they did, I I just didn't track that. If they did, I I just didn't track that.
• I know that we put the fast track in our rules a few years ago.
• I know that we put the uh fast<01:54:08.880> track fast track fast track in<01:54:10.200> our

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.