Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Aler. Senator Aler.
• Senator<01:15:07.600> Edki. Senator Edki. Senator Edki.
• >> Senator<02:12:56.239> Bate, >> Senator Bate, >> Senator Bate, >> Senator
• >> Senator >> Senator >> Senator Abler. >> Senator<02:25:46.000> Abler.
• Senator Hoffman: Senator Hoffman.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:02:31.000> Abeler. >> Senator Abeler. >> Senator Abeler.
• <00:03:42.200> File uh, Senator Mann moves that Senate File uh, Senator Mann moves that Senate
• Senator Liscinsky. Senator Liscinsky.
• Senator Kohohic. Senator Kohohic.
• Senator Fattah. about the bill? Senator Fattah.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :45.280> understand Senator Rasmussen, Senator, I understand Senator Rasmussen, Senator, I understand
• Thank you, Senator Boldon. Senator... Thank you, Senator Boldon. Senator...
• Senator Duckworth: Yes. Senator Hauschild: Yes. Senator Kupec: Yes. Senator Mann: Yes.
• Senator Miller: No. Senator Westlin: No.
• Senator? Senator?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:25:31.440> Limmer. Senator Limmer. Senator Limmer.
• Senate<01:06:43.320> File Senate File Senate File 3338. 3338. 3338.
• Clark, Senator Seaburger, Senator Clark, Senator Seaburger, Senator<01:49:37.880> Westrom,<01
• > Senate<02:00:13.520> file Senator Clark moves that Senate file Senator Clark moves that
• Senator Gustafson Senate file 3907. Senator Gustafson Senate file 3907.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's Senate File 4014. And then we'll hear Senator Maye Quade, Senate File 4381.
• Senator<00:20:06.080> Dibble. Senator Dibble. Senator Dibble.
• > Senate<00:21:39.000> file Senator Johnson Stewart, uh Senate file Senator Johnson Stewart
• you, Senator McEwen. Senator Maye Quade. you, Senator McEwen. Senator Maye Quade.
• <00:47:13.880> Senator Thank you, Senator Dziedzic. Senator Thank you, Senator Dziedzic.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so, Senator Hley, uh<00:21:34.080> Senate<00:21:34.480> file uh Senate file uh Senate
• Thank you very much, Senator. Senator. Senator.
• Senate File 3788. Senator Karan brings us Senate File 3788.
• Senator<01:30:02.320> Dornick. Senator Dornick. Senator Dornick.
• Um, next we have Senate File 4232. Senator Coup.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator >> Senator >> Senator >> Thank<00:04:49.919> you, >>
• Senator Bogen. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um thank you, Senator Draheim.
• I have Senator Draheim, Senator Mohamed, and Senator Frentz on the speaking list.
• Senator<00:34:15.840> Friends<00:34:16.399> on Senator Muhammad, and Senator Friends
• Senator Draheim. the speaking list. Senator Draheim.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mcu, I'll give you... >> Senator Mcu.
• Senator Senator >> Other questions?
• >> Senator, >> Senator, >> Senator, >> thank<01:04:26.000> you.
• ;> Senator, >> Senator, >> Commissioner.
• Senator Re. Excuse me. A second by Senator Re. Excuse me. A second by Senator<01:24:26.159> Mcu.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:20:38.559> Long. >> Senator Long. >> Senator Long.
• Senator Apprentice. committee? Senator Apprentice.
• Senator<01:11:09.280> Aar. Senator Aar. Senator Aar.
• >> Senator Senator Aart has a question. >> Senator Senator Aart has a question.
• Senator<02:33:35.280> Berszo. Senator Berszo. Senator Berszo.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions from the senators. Questions from the senators.
• Senator<00:07:39.760> Watters? Senator Watters? Senator Watters? Thank<00:07:40.960> you.
• Yes, Senator.
• Senator<00:44:13.400> Reagan. Senator Reagan. Senator Reagan.
• Questions from the<01:11:27.600> senators? the senators? the senators?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kunesh, then to Senator Adams. Senator Kunesh, then to Senator Adams.
• <00:37:23.440> Senator Thank you, Senator Sieben. Senator Thank you, Senator Sieben.
• Senator<00:58:59.200> Hustrom. Senator Hustrom. Senator Hustrom.
• And then um Senator Senator Westrom.
• Senator McEwen: Senator Westrom, it costs $1,000. Senator Westrom: What does?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hatcher seconded by Senator Sessions.
• seconded by Senator Hatcher seconded by Senator<00:02:52.800> Sessions.
• By Senator Figures, seconded by Senator Hatcher. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed?
• Senator Singleton.
• experience in the Alabama Senate. experience in the Alabama Senate.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Keywords: 927, senate, all

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• Senator Rasmussen. Thank you, Senator Rasmussen. Senator Pappas, did you have a comment?
• Senator Thank you, Senator Rasmussen.
• Senator<00:07:51.400> Pappas. Senator Pappas. Senator Pappas.
• Um Um Um Senator<00:53:20.840> Howe. Senator Howe. Senator Howe.
• Thank you, Senator Senator Pappas.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The commission first approved the minutes and then took up several pension omnibus items. Representative Rapinski’s item, related to an I-RAP issue, was moved ahead of the agenda and passed without further information after members noted the State Board of Investment and Minnesota State had not identified additional facts; the bill, as previously amended, was recommended for inclusion in the 2026 Pension Omnibus Bill. The committee also corrected a procedural issue on Senator Gustafson’s bill, SF 3897/HF 3703, after realizing an amendment referenced earlier belonged to a different bill; the motion was restated without the amendment reference and the bill was then recommended to pass and be incorporated into the omnibus bill. The main policy discussion centered on SF 3897/HF 3703, which would change how terminating firefighter relief association plans value benefits for firefighters under age 50. Senator Gustafson said the current statute can unfairly reduce benefits by requiring present-value discounting and that the bill would instead allow benefits to be based on accrued benefit under the plan formula, while still leaving relief associations flexibility to use present value if they choose. Staff confirmed the bill applies only to relief associations under chapter 424B, not PERA or the statewide plan. Senator Rasmussen raised concerns about consistency between SVF and non-SVF reliefs and about differing treatment on termination; the bill author acknowledged the difference. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the bill for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill. The final major item was House File 4162, as amended by an A1 amendment, which requires employers of reemployed annuitants in TRA to make employer contributions during reemployment, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees covered under section 354.445. Representative O’Driscoll argued the bill would direct existing education-formula pension dollars to TRA, prevent districts from using those funds elsewhere when retirees are rehired, and keep the employee neutral because the annuitant’s benefit would not change. Supporters said the measure would help pension funding and address situations where districts rehire retired teachers, often in hard-to-fill specialties. Opponents, including Senator Rasmusson, questioned the added cost to school districts, citing an estimated $5.385 million in annual TRA revenue from the change and warning it could reduce districts’ ability to hire or retain staff. After discussion, the committee had not yet taken final action on this item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate. Senate.
• Senator<00:04:09.120> Abeler Senate file 4023 from Senator Abeler Senate file 4023 from Senator
• Senate at the moment. Senate at the moment.
• Senator Wolsfeld's bill. Is he taking on the Senate?
• So, the Senate okay. So, the Senate okay.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press event focused on school safety, student performance, and relief from what they described as burdensome mandates on districts. Sen. Zach Duckworth promoted the SHIELD Act, which would provide grant funding through the Minnesota School Safety Center for security upgrades such as access controls, ballistic-resistant materials, mass notification systems, and staff training. He also highlighted other education bills, including measures to require parental and teacher notification of violent incidents within 24 hours, allow short removals after serious incidents in K-3 classrooms, expand retention and intervention policies for students not meeting grade level, and increase parental access to curriculum materials and consent for sex education. Duckworth said the school safety proposal has bipartisan support and argued schools should have flexible, locally driven tools to protect students. Sen. Julia Coleman and other Republicans framed the agenda as a response to classroom violence, learning loss, and a lack of transparency. Coleman said teachers and parents are seeing serious problems firsthand and argued that schools should not hide violent incidents. She described Senate File 676 as a notification and anti-retaliation bill, and said Senate File 4023 would give schools a brief reset after serious incidents in early grades. She also backed the transparency bill requiring parental review of curriculum and written consent for sex education. The group repeatedly argued that schools, parents, and teachers should be prioritized over what they called political secrecy or overreach. Sen. Jason Rarick focused on school finance, saying new state mandates have left districts in deficit despite prior funding increases. He discussed bills to expand safe school aid to nonpublic schools, increase staffing at the Minnesota School Safety Center, expand counselor funding for nonpublic students to K-6, and conform state law to federal tax credits that could support scholarships and tutoring. Sen. Carla Nelson Housley argued that more than 60 unfunded mandates have strained districts and said Senate File 3361 would temporarily let districts transfer funds between accounts and opt out of certain new mandates from 2023-24, with public board discussion and votes. In the question period, Republicans also discussed the governor’s supplemental budget, fraud enforcement, possible bonding for IT upgrades, and potential tax and child care credit changes, while emphasizing they want bipartisan cooperation on fraud and school safety but oppose new taxes and what they called harmful mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• of 33 in the Senate.
• Senate. Senate.
• <00:07:22.400> Thank Next is Senator Siebenaler. >> I'm Senator Judy Seeberger, Senate District
• Senator Liz Bolden: Good afternoon. I'm Senator Liz Bolden.
• Senator Liz Bolden: Good afternoon. I'm Senator Liz Bolden.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Lawmakers and manufactured housing residents discussed a Minnesota bill of rights for manufactured home park residents, aimed at addressing rent increases and private equity ownership of mobile home parks. Rep. Matt Norris and Sen. Liz Bolden described the proposal as a response to out-of-state investors buying parks, raising lot rents, and using enforcement gaps to pressure residents. The bill would define “reasonable rent,” give residents a stronger opportunity to purchase their parks when sold, and strengthen penalties and enforcement of existing protections. Bolden said it is a policy-only bill with no expected fiscal cost and noted it had bipartisan support in the Senate, with a plan to move it from the Commerce Committee to the Judiciary Committee and then to the Senate floor. Residents from Blaine International Village, Sylvan/Lake Elmo, and Cimarron described large rent increases, higher eviction rates, and what they characterized as predatory management practices by out-of-state private equity firms. Tammy Fry said her rent rose from $425 to $700 after her park was sold to Haven Park, while new residents were paying $1,000; Bree Mafee said Sylvan’s lot rent is $1,060 a month and has risen more than 35% in five years, with evictions increasing from about three a year to more than 40 since 2020. Speakers emphasized that manufactured housing residents are both homeowners and renters, and said the bill is needed to protect families from losing homes they own but cannot easily move. Several legislators voiced support. Sen. Judy Seeberger said she had seen predatory practices in Cimarron and would vote yes in committee. Sen. Jim Abeler, a Republican, said he had become aware of the issue and could not stay silent, calling the situation wrong and not a partisan matter. During questions, Bolden said the bill includes a reasonableness standard for lot rent increases, with an exception for health and safety needs, and said similar provisions exist in other states. She also said the bill stalled previously due to timing and moving pieces, not a substantive Senate defeat, and residents argued the issue is about housing stability rather than party politics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I will now call on some individual senators for motions. We'll start with Senator Pappas.
• Senator<00:14:07.680> Dames. Senator Dames. Well, thank you, Mr.
• Senator Carlson votes aye. Senator Fatemi votes aye. Senator McEwen votes aye. Senator Lazinski.
• Senator Nelson votes aye. Senator Miller votes aye. Senator Lang votes aye.
• Senators,<00:19:14.680> Senator<00:19:15.080> Murphy.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through routine orders of business, including receipt of House messages and first and second readings of several bills. House File 3615, a cannabis-related bill, was received and referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with Senate File 3670. Senate Files 3957, 4072, 3956, 239, and 3955 received second reading, and the introduction calendars were given first reading and referred as indicated. During motions and resolutions, the Senate approved several committee re-referrals: SF 4075 was moved from Transportation to State and Local Government; SF 4177, a bill related to the Secretary of State, was moved from Commerce and Consumer Protection to State and Local Government; SF 4262 was moved from Taxes to State and Local Government; and SF 4418 was moved from Health and Human Services to Human Services. The chamber also adopted committee reports and designated special orders. The main special order considered was SF 3832, which would modify eligibility for the dairy assistance investment relief initiative program to allow dairy producers established since 2022 to enroll. The author explained the bill would help new dairy producers access an existing program with no new fiscal impact, and Senator Dames spoke in support. The Senate then gave SF 3832 third reading and passed it by a vote of 66-0, with its title agreed to. The session concluded with announcements, including invitations to a Metro Parks pizza event and St. Louis County Days, a reminder about legislative auditor evaluation topic suggestions, and a brief St. Patrick’s Day reflection by Senator Murphy before the Senate adjourned until March 18 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• passed<00:02:11.160> Senator Last year, the Senate passed Senator Last year, the Senate passed
• I'm Senator Zena Mohamed. I'm Senator Zena Mohamed.
• colleague um represent Senator colleague um represent Senator Hemmingsen-Jaeger.
• I'm over here in the Senate. >> Senator Koubek, I'm looking at your bills here.
• I'm over here in the Senate. >> Senator Koubek, I'm looking at your bills here.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate DFL leaders held a press conference outlining a fraud-prevention agenda centered on transparency, accountability, and modernization of state systems. Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Minnesotans are angry about fraud and that the caucus has already passed multiple fraud-prevention measures, but more work is needed. She and other senators emphasized that outdated county and state IT systems leave programs vulnerable to waste and abuse, and said they want to pursue both immediate upgrades and longer-term funding solutions, including possible bonding for technology infrastructure. Senator Zena Mohamed described legislation to overhaul program integrity in Medicaid and human services by adding safeguards before, during, and after provider enrollment and service delivery. She said the goal is to prevent theft before dollars are spent, rein in third-party entities that profit without accountability, and improve consumer protections and reporting pathways. Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger highlighted a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks, arguing they are heavily used in scams targeting seniors and vulnerable people, and also backed a state consumer financial protection bureau and stronger False Claims Act enforcement. Senator Rob Kupec focused on ethics and conflicts of interest, including a proposal to bar legislative members and certain state employees from quickly moving into jobs tied to entities receiving state appropriations or grants. He also said lawmakers should strengthen penalties for theft of public funds and restrict state contracts for people convicted of fraud. Senator Heather Gustafson promoted her Office of Inspector General bill, saying oversight is fragmented and an independent office is needed for investigations, safeguards, and early detection; she said the Senate passed the bill 60-7 last year and she wants it enacted. In response to questions, Murphy and Gustafson said the OIG should have law-enforcement powers, that bipartisan support exists in principle, and that the House needs to settle on a single proposal. The senators also said prepayment review can be useful but can disrupt services, and they argued agencies must use the tools already given to them while lawmakers continue oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you know, Senator Weber will be working closely with Senator Rest on ideas like this.
• <00:12:56.640> There's Senate. That was the compromise. There's Senate.
• Senate at the moment. Senate at the moment.
• have 45 senators and 135 House seats. have 45 senators and 135 House seats.
• And the House or Senate dog? So, the Senate. Wow.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republicans discussed the governor’s supplemental budget and criticized proposed cuts to nursing homes, disability services, and counties, arguing the changes would hurt vulnerable Minnesotans and that the tax package would amount to roughly an $868 million increase. They said they were open to some family-focused tax provisions, such as an expanded child care or dependent credit, but opposed broader tax increases and several previously rejected ideas, including sales tax changes and a social media tax. A major topic was fraud prevention and the Office of Legislative Auditor report on kickbacks. Republicans said the report reinforced their push for a statewide independent Office of Inspector General with a law enforcement division and a broader fraud definition, and they argued the office would have handled the cases more effectively. They also said they support the concept of an OIG bill but want only modest amendments, while criticizing House Democrats for resisting the law enforcement division and for raising constitutional objections they called a drafting issue. The lawmakers also reacted skeptically to the governor’s proposed AI-related job development fund and $10 million in forgivable loans for businesses affected by Operation Metro Search, saying the aid would mainly benefit downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul rather than the broader state. They closed with broader comments that the session felt relatively normal and less intense than past years, noted ongoing work on a bonding bill, and joked about campaign politics, possible candidates, and even the idea of a Senate dog.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the Senate side today we are joined by State Senator Hinchey, Senator Serrano, and we have Senator
• SENATOR SERRANO AND WE HAVE SENATOR MARTINS AS THE COMMITTEE RANKER AND SENATOR HELMING AS THE ALTERNATE
• Senator Pam Helming.
• Senator Pam Helming.
• Senator Pam Helming.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing opened budget negotiations for the 2026-2027 enacted budget, with Senate and Assembly leaders outlining their one-house proposals and committee members giving brief remarks. The discussion covered environment, agriculture, housing, parks, and energy, with repeated emphasis on affordability, climate resilience, and support for rural and urban communities. Senate and Assembly chairs described the process and noted the agencies present, while minority members criticized the overall size of the budgets and urged more attention to housing affordability, building stakeholders, and energy costs. On the environment and energy side, the Senate highlighted proposals for $138 million in additional clean water infrastructure funding, a $75 million increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, $95 million in restored parks capital, $200 million for the Energy Affordability Program, and $1 billion for Sustainable Futures 2.0, including a proposed revival of the NY STUN program. The Assembly said it increased the EPF to $500 million, raised clean water infrastructure funding to $800 million, and included targeted amounts for cities, rural housing-related water projects, Cornell Ag Tech, and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management. Democrats argued that high utility bills are driven by natural gas costs rather than clean energy, while Senate and Assembly Republicans said the CLCPA and other energy mandates are increasing costs and should be reconsidered. Agriculture remarks focused on research, farm support, and resilience. Senator Hinchey described funding for Cornell’s COWS program, Farm to School amendments, $7 million for farm worker housing, and a new $20 million Farm Weather Resiliency Grant Program. Chair Lupardo said the Assembly added $16 million over the Governor’s proposal for educational research and outreach, restored support for beginning and disadvantaged farmers, and backed dairy, livestock, hemp fiber, and natural fibers initiatives, while also accepting $30 million in farmer tariff relief if guidelines are set. Minority Assembly Member Tague supported dairy infrastructure funding but criticized the farm labor overtime phase-down and the CLCPA’s impacts on farms. Housing discussion centered on major capital and assistance programs. The Assembly proposed $200 million more for the Housing Access Voucher Program, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and NYCHA, $50 million for down payment assistance, $4 million for fair housing testing, land banks, and $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program. The Senate outlined similar priorities, including $500 million for NYCHA, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama preservation, $250 million total for HAVP, and additional funding for mixed-income rental development, vacant rentals, senior housing, and block-by-block infill. Chair Rosenthal said rent stabilization was not being changed in the budget, while Republican members argued that affordability requires lower taxes, lower utility costs, and fewer regulatory burdens. No votes were taken; the meeting was an opening round of budget negotiations and ended with closing remarks from both sides.