Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the letting schedule and what that means.
• Usually those projects are on the schedule over a five-year period.
• However, that schedule is about till 2033. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• That is not the schedule that is being proposed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Schedule that is being proposed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM25 , HB9 , SB2 , SB19

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but if we can get all the bills out and scheduled, then by the first week in February, I'd like to
• and then by the first week in scheduled and then by the first week in February,<01:08:45.839><c> I'd
• Um, I may have to juggle a schedule to make that happen, but we'll have one more public hearing with
• Um, I may have to juggle a schedule to make that happen, but we'll have one more public hearing with
• Returns can go into this status due to missing or incorrect information, missing schedules, math errors

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a master schedule.
• It it it's a masterful<00:38:18.640><c> master</c><00:38:19.040><c> schedule.
• Um, when we masterful master schedule.
• I mean, like, it’s a very structured schedule, but it also is one that they truly enjoy.
• I mean, like, it’s a very structured schedule, but it also is one that they truly enjoy.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September meeting minutes, and heard presentations from Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington and related school programs in Fayette County Public Schools. School leaders described the academy as an all-male public school option focused on culture, belonging, and opportunity, with a mission to educate, empower, and equip young men academically, socially, and morally. They emphasized culturally responsive instruction, restorative practices, mentorship, brotherhood circles, and access to advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career pathways. Student speakers highlighted school culture, leadership opportunities, and clubs such as SGA, Beta Club, FFA, and the Bow Tie Club, along with service and community engagement. Presenters said the academy began in 2012, is housed with Frederick Douglass High School, uses an application and lottery process, and can serve up to about 350 students but is intentionally kept near 300 because of space. They reported 302 enrolled students, about 38 seniors, a 100% graduation rate, 95% average attendance, 100% postsecondary success, and $1.8 million in scholarship offers last year. They also shared demographic and achievement data, noting growth in MAP scores, strengths in reading and writing, and math as an ongoing focus area. The school said 90% of high school scholars are taking at least one dual credit class this year, and some students have earned opportunities at selective programs such as Gatton Academy and Craft Academy. Committee members praised the school’s results and asked about enrollment, funding, and whether the model could be replicated statewide. School leaders said the program is fully funded through Fayette County Public Schools, could be replicated with committed staff and training, and that teachers receive preparation through the Gearing Institute to better understand how boys learn. They also noted that Fayette County has other specialized programs, including girls’ academies and other options for underrepresented students. Members expressed interest in long-term tracking of graduates, and the school said it is preparing to study outcomes as the first graduating class approaches its 10-year anniversary.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we can create different retention schedules at the department."
• </c> retention schedules at the department. retention schedules at the department.
• </c><01:26:49.440><c> to</c><01:26:49.600><c> be</c> back and she cleared her schedule to be back and
• she cleared her schedule to be with<01:26:50.000><c> us</c><01:26:50.159><c> today.
• Edwards gives me uh tentative<01:53:07.040><c> schedules</c><01:53:07.599><c> for</c><01:53:07.920><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• By aligning this Highway 250 utility work with MnDOT’s scheduled roadway reconstruction, we’re pursuing
• highway work is with Mandot's scheduled highway work is not<00:27:54.159><c> only</c><00:27:54.399><
• </c><00:28:53.279><c> roadway</c> with Mindot scheduled roadway with Mindot scheduled roadway reconstruction
• This portion of the first phase is scheduled to open later this fall or winter for us.
• to open later this early fall scheduled to open later this early fall or<01:08:23.040><c> winter</c>

Bills: HF474 , HF218 , HF210 , HF441 , HF691 , HF720 , HF1068 , HF1314 , HF1465 , HF1860 , HF2046 , HF1389 , HF2404 , HF2854 , HF2985 , HF3128 , HF3103 , HF778 , HF3125

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will do the scheduling.
• Chairman, and thank you for accommodating a busy schedule for today.
• I've scheduled some public hearings for next Tuesday.
• some public hearings for next scheduled some public hearings for next Tuesday<00:34:05.360><c> um</c
• I scheduled, I believe, eight hearings.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we will be scheduling a work session on August 29th.
• Um, there's nothing in this bill that would prohibit diagnoses of Schedule I through Schedule IV drugs
• of schedule one through schedule<03:01:27.680><c> four</c><03:01:28.000><c> drugs.
• </c> schedule four drugs. schedule four drugs.
• </c> referred to us, get put on our schedule referred to us, get put on our schedule just<03:27:25.560

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Here is the lunch schedule."
• Here is the lunch schedule." that we do. Here is the lunch schedule."
• :53:36.240><c> affects</c> if scheduling software actually affects if scheduling software actually affects
• ,</c> um it talks about employee scheduling, um it talks about employee scheduling, work<02:59:12.960
• I ask for a no vote. to the work schedule or taking advantage to the work schedule or taking advantage

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no schedule, there is no requirement, there isn't even one that's made for them, so that's a
• And then the last argument is, well, there's no vaccine schedule.
• Well, there's no vaccine schedule because they're banned. They're just not allowed.
• If we allowed them, then there would be a vaccine schedule.
• well there's no vaccine schedule well there's no vaccine schedule<03:02:56.560><c> because</c><03:02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting covered two main items. First, the solid waste subcommittee reviewed draft language for HB 707, focusing on landfill siting and permitting standards. Members and the Department of Environmental Services discussed replacing repeated references to “aquifer” with “drinking water well,” clarifying that aquifer is a broad term, and considering whether a statutory definition was needed. They also debated the bill’s setback and time-of-travel provisions, including the 10^-5 standard, a 1,500-foot distance, and whether the bill should rely more on performance-based criteria than prescriptive distances. Another major topic was permit denial language tied to applicants with significant histories of repeated serious violations or landfill-related litigation; the department said it already has related authority in current rules, but noted some wording was still too vague and could be tightened. No vote was taken, and the chair closed the hearing with plans to continue work later. The second item was a work session on HB 424, which would direct the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food to create forms for businesses to request information about service animals and establish a study committee on fraudulent or untrained service animals. Several members said the problem raised by the bill was real but expressed concern that the legislature may be limited by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Others argued that a study committee would likely not produce a workable solution and might conflict with leadership’s direction to avoid unnecessary study committees. Members discussed whether the bill should be retained, amended, or instead replaced with a letter or resolution to the federal delegation. The committee appeared to lean toward ITL and possibly pursuing a letter to federal officials, but no final vote is reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• and other kinds of scheduling, would not be able to take their CTE program and fulfill their non-CTE
• </c><04:45:54.920><c> days</c> process um for one thing scheduling days process um for one thing scheduling
• </c><04:46:20.920><c> and</c> because of Transportation scheduling and because of Transportation scheduling
• other kinds of scheduling would not be able<04:46:23.878><c> to</c><04:46:24.080><c> take</c><04:46:
• </c> that if you need to make your schedule that if you need to make your schedule work<04:46:37.680>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reports recommending that the following House bills
• be scheduled for consideration by the House.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions commending Plymouth on becoming the 451st International City of Peace and honoring the Massachusetts Pain Initiative for recognizing September 2025 as Pain Awareness Month. The House also adopted orders extending reporting deadlines for the committees on Community Development and Small Businesses, Education, Environment and Natural Resources, Health Care Financing, and Telecommunications, Utility, and Energy. The chamber concurred in a Senate referral sending a petition on modernizing permitting for certain transportation loads to the Committee on Transportation. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, including proposals on pipe-fitting exemptions, Hispanic-serving institutions in higher education, and adding bone marrow and organ donation to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. The House then approved a slate of bills for consideration, including measures on gender-neutral election-law language, several Haverhill civil service exemptions, improved headlight safety, a Natick civil service exemption, and a sick leave bank for Aidan Daniels. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave second reading and ordered several bills to a third reading. It then passed to engrossment local bills concerning the Natick town home rule charter, Rochester governance, and Leicester stabilization funds. On House No. 3392, designating September as PCOS Awareness Month, the House adopted an emergency preamble amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended to engrossment. The House also observed a moment of silent tribute requested by Representative Jones for political activist Charlie Kirk, with remarks condemning the killing and calling for civil discourse. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reports recommending the following House bills be scheduled

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then received a message from the Governor filing a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill responding to recent federal actions, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also adopted several Rules Committee orders extending reporting deadlines for the Committees on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities and on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery to March 18, 2026, and it adopted resolutions congratulating Webster School on being named a 2025 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act Distinguished School and commending Daval Advoid for 50 years of service to the Plainfield Volunteer Fire and EMS Association. The House suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow two petitions to proceed: one on further regulating state and local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement, and another on energy costs, transparency, and sustainability. It also concurred in a Senate order for a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then placed several House bills on the calendar, including measures exempting Hancock and Warwick schools, addressing homeowners insurance repairs, landlord notice of gas or electric shutoffs, locksmith notice requirements, retirement benefits, regional transit authority advisory boards, and naming an overpass in Sandwich for U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torval. The House suspended Rule 7A and ordered those bills to a third reading, then welcomed Westborough High School law students and guests visiting to learn about the legislative process. Later, the chamber enacted Senate Bill 24 on the Great Barrington Fire District and House Bill 4589 authorizing Ludlow to pay an unpaid bill. It also engrossed House Bills 4235, 4349, 4701, and 4908, dealing respectively with Rochester’s fire chief employment, a Boston police age waiver for Lewis Cabral, expanding Orange’s select board, and a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reports recommending that the following House bills
• be scheduled for consideration by the House.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to apologize for the scheduling confusion. It was totally my fault.
• Do you have a different fee schedule for charitable events that you regulate?

Committee: House A&B Finance Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the session-by-session mentor schedule and directs the Department of Education to establish
• It removes the session by session mentor and schedule and directs the Department of Education to establish

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered three bills and reported each favorably. SB 1318, by Senator Rodriguez, made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was passed without debate or amendments. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690, by Senator Claudio, which updates child care and early learning laws, including transparency, accountability, terminology, and regulation of before- and after-school programs. An amendment was adopted to clarify rulemaking authority by specifying the State Board of Education rather than the Department of Education. Senator Berman raised a concern about the bill’s removal of a parent-notification requirement related to leaving children in vehicles, and the sponsor said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182, by Senator Jones, on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment was adopted that refocused the program on schools with D or F grades, allowed districts and charter schools to place mentors, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and directed the Department of Education to set standards and create a contract template. Supportive appearance forms were filed by Nancy Lothar and Orange County Public Schools. The bill was reported favorably, and the meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and recognizing Kathy Missouri for her service.

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the session-by-session mentor schedule and directs the Department of Education to establish
• It removes the session by session mentor and schedule and directs the Department of Education to establish

Bills: S0182 , S1318 , S1690

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Keywords: education, Florida schools, charter schools, private schools, school choice, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, FTC scholarship, scholarship accounts, fund reversion, public school curriculum, cursive writing, handwriting, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, patriotic programs, In God We Trust, teacher mentoring, teacher training, new teacher support, classroom management

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K through 12 Committee considered three bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 1318 by Senator Rodriguez made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was taken up without debate and passed on a favorable roll call vote. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690 by Senator Calatayud on child care and early learning services. The bill updates child care laws, improves transparency and accountability, clarifies terminology, and aims to avoid over-regulating before- and after-school programs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying rulemaking authority, shifting it to the State Board of Education. Senator Berman questioned a provision related to information on leaving children in vehicles, and Senator Calatayud said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182 by Senator Jones on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment aligned the bill with the House companion, limited mentor placements to D- and F-rated schools, expanded participation to districts and charter schools, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and allowed use of educational enrichment funds. The amendment was adopted, supportive appearance forms were waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, members recognized committee staff and applauded Kathy Missouri for her last committee meeting, and senators later recorded additional affirmative votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reports recommending that the following bills be scheduled

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then the first part of next week, what I'd like to do is for everyone to get a hold of Amy and just schedule
• then the first part of next week, what I'd like to do is for everyone to get a hold of Amy and just schedule

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Session scheduled as follows: Tuesday, January 6 is...
• For the announcements, session scheduled as follows: Tuesday, January 6 is check-in.

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, roll call, and prayer/pledge to open the first floor session of 2026. After routine announcements, members approved several procedural actions, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, and re-referring a list of bills to various committees. The chamber also gave one-day notice to remove AB 710 from the inactive file, and members offered birthday acknowledgments for Assembly Member Irwin and the Speaker. On the daily file, the Assembly passed and retained items 1 and 2, passed and retained Governor’s veto items 3 through 76, continued reconsideration items 77 through 79, and passed and retained Assembly third reading item 80 and Senate third reading items 81 and 82. The session then moved to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assembly Member Ward honored Roman Reuters Volgasang, describing his life, Capitol community ties, education, career in policy, and marriage to Sasha, and Assembly Member Sharp-Collins honored Pastor Glenn Arthur McKinney, Sr., highlighting his long service as senior pastor, community leadership, and family legacy. The Assembly observed a moment of silence, then announced upcoming check-in days and a Thursday, January 8 session at 10 a.m. for the Governor’s State of the State joint convention before adjourning until that date and time.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, keeping you ahead of schedule, I'll stand for questions. Questions for Jennifer?
• So with that, keeping you ahead of schedule, I'll stand for questions. Questions for Jennifer?
• The CDC was funded from 2000, and that funding is scheduled to end on... ...June 30, 2026.
• We went ahead and scheduled those. It will be up to you and the committee to determine.
• So we are ahead of schedule.

Committee: Joint Human Services

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.