Transcript Highlights:

• Just want to remind our fellow senators that tomorrow is Massage Awareness Day at the Capitol.
• Just want to remind our fellow senators that tomorrow is Massage Awareness Day at the Capitol.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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• these students are future leaders and I'm We're excited to have them here with us today to tour the Capitol
• Please join me in giving them a warm welcome to the Capitol as they celebrate 175 years. of dedicated

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• The 1900 storm destroyed the original Capitol, but a replica of the House of Representatives building
• House Bill 3251 designates the first Capitol State Historical site in West Columbia to facilitate the

Transcript Highlights:

• Just want to remind everyone that we are one month out from the annual Capitol blood drive sponsored
• Just want to remind everyone that we are one month out from the annual Capitol blood drive sponsored

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have the honor of welcoming the Wise Choice for Girls, Marin City Youth Leadership, to the State Capitol
• Seeing young leaders like you in the Capitol reminds us of the important work and why we are doing this

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota and to have a replica of the flag of the First Minnesota regiment flowing over the state capitol
• on July 2nd of every year on the north flag pole of the Minnesota State Capitol.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a great opportunity to really teach them a little bit about the legislative process, to visit our Capitol
• a great opportunity to really teach them a little bit about the legislative process, to visit our Capitol

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee began with procedural reminders that the meeting would be short, that bill changes should generally be provided with 24-hour notice, that testimony would be limited at the chair’s discretion, and that no signs were permitted in the room. After roll call established a quorum, members led the pledge and prayer. The chair also recognized Marsha Robinson of Fort Knox for her service to veterans and military families and for receiving the Association of Defense Communities’ National Military Spouse Leadership Award. The sole bill considered was Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools. The sponsor, Senator Craig Richardson, said the bill was intended to protect private property rights by clarifying that homeowners who rent out their private swimming pools through platforms such as Swimly.com would still be treated as operating private pools rather than public recreation pools subject to additional regulation. Senators asked about parking impacts in residential neighborhoods and about liability and insurance coverage. The sponsor said the bill did not address parking or homeowners association issues, and a representative from Swimly.com testified that homeowners insurance and platform-backed insurance products can provide coverage for rentals. The committee voted to advance SB 61. The roll call showed unanimous support from members present, with Senator Wilson briefly explaining his yes vote and joking that the sponsor should ask for it in the future. The chair congratulated the sponsor on getting his first bill through committee and said it would be heard again on the floor. The meeting ended with an announcement about Military Kids Day on Tuesday, February 25, and an invitation for families to contact the Senate clerk for details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legal costs can be expected to be at least $300,000, if not more, depending upon the complexity of the
• Legal costs can be expected to be at least $300,000, if not more, depending upon the complexity of the
• As I worked to peel back the layers of this complex system and talked with other stakeholders, I also
• system and talked with this complex system and talked with other<03:14:23.279> stakeholders,<
• Uh this is a complex issue the state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would come as a county commissioner all those years ago to the Capitol to lobby for this exact
• So, I would come as a county commissioner all those years ago to the Capitol to lobby for this exact
• So, I would come as a county commissioner all those years ago to the Capitol to lobby for this exact

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 334, a bill to modernize Minnesota’s county-administered human services technology systems, including those used for Medicaid, SNAP, and related programs. The author described the current systems as outdated “green screen” platforms from the late 1980s and early 1990s that are cumbersome for county workers, slow service delivery, and make it harder to retain staff. The bill would create an integration layer over legacy systems, establish a long-term technology modernization fund with about $90 million in spending over time and a $50 million cap, and place MNIT in charge of holding and disbursing funds. It also creates governance structures, including an interagency group with county representation and a legislative working group, and includes a $15 million fund for the Office of the Inspector General’s technology needs. Several members spoke in strong support, emphasizing that modernization would improve efficiency, help counties serve residents better, and strengthen fraud detection and data sharing. Representatives from Winona, Washington, Olmsted, Stearns, Hennepin, and others cited local experiences with hacked county systems, obsolete software, and the difficulty of recruiting workers to outdated systems. One member urged that the effort be made enterprise-wide and suggested adding the Office of Legislative Auditor to oversight. Another noted the bill’s potential to improve identity verification tools and support broader agency collaboration. No amendments were offered. After third reading and debate, the clerk called the roll and the House passed the bill with 134 ayes and 0 nays; the title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• one prior to this committee at<00:09:37.400> the<00:09:37.560> state<00:09:37.800> capitol
• c><00:09:38.360> was<00:09:38.680> doing<00:09:39.240> anything at the state capitol
• , was doing anything at the state capitol, was doing anything about<00:09:40.240> it<00:09:40.520

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristen Robbins opened the meeting by explaining that the committee’s majority report had been released after the minority declined to file a minority report, though the minority later issued a statement. She said the report reflects two years of work aimed at exposing fraud, strengthening internal controls, and creating a whistleblower portal, mnfraud.com, which will remain open during the interim to receive and review tips. Robbins and several Republican members described the report as documenting how fraud in Minnesota began with earlier CCAP-related schemes and then expanded into Feeding Our Future and other programs, including housing stabilization, autism services, sober homes, adult day care, assisted living, non-emergency medical transportation, and interpretive services. They argued that fraud was enabled by weak oversight, a culture of inaction, and retaliation against whistleblowers, and said the report includes findings and recommendations for future reforms. Members also highlighted bipartisan bills already passed to strengthen whistleblower protections, internal controls, and fraud reporting. Representative Pam Altendorf and others praised the report and said it exposed widespread misuse of public funds, citing housing stabilization and autism services as examples of programs with rapidly growing costs and weak oversight. Representative Isaac Schultz said the committee had uncovered “industrial-scale” fraud and that the state had failed to hold agencies accountable. He and Robbins said the new Office of Inspector General, created by legislation passed this session and set to begin in January, will have broad authority to investigate public dollars and, later, police powers; they also noted a salary-setting provision for the office would be added to a state government bill. The members said the next governor will need to change the culture of state agencies and enforce accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when she was working long hours for little pay on Capitol Hill after Melissa said that her parents
• was working long hours for little<00:23:26.240> pay<00:23:26.480> on<00:23:26.640> Capitol
• <00:23:27.039> Hill<00:23:27.440> after Little pay on Capitol Hill after college, she

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I did driving into the Capitol, a little gas station right there on Serius Road before you turn up to
• I did driving into the Capitol.
• I did driving into the Capitol.

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• want to get a first-hand view of it, the next time former Representative Packer Offlow is around the Capitol
• You're commuting here to the Capitol; maybe you just need a one-seater, right?
• Security, the ladies and gentlemen that protect us in this building and protect the assets around the Capitol

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• We're convening a conference committee here in the state Capitol room 329.
• I might mention that we are here in the State Capitol in Room 329, and... we cannot... okay, we'll take
• Welcome to this 4:30 p.m. hearing in the State Capitol, Room 329, conference committee meeting on a single

Keywords: 910, house, all

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• We're convening the 10 a.m. conference committee here in State Capitol Conference Room 329 on one measure
• We're convening the 10 a.m. conference committee here in State Capitol Conference Room 329 on one measure
• conference committee here on Wednesday, April 23rd, in the House conference room at the Vice State Capitol

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Simon, would you on USF day at the Capitol?
• We actually are recognizing some of those students today at the historic Capitol.
• Your first committee stop on USF Day at the Florida Capitol. >> It is a great day. >> Goebel, it is always

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Veronica Marshall at the Capitol.
• And the fact that some worry more than others, that's part of the deal here at the Capitol, and it's
• And the fact that some worry more than others, that's part of the deal here at the Capitol, and it's

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today was Military Kids Day here in the Senate and across the Capitol.
• here in the Senate uh and across uh Day here in the Senate uh and across uh the<01:25:06.480> Capitol
• :08.080> want<01:25:08.239> to<01:25:08.320> say<01:25:08.639> we the Capitol
• And I just want to say we the Capitol.
• suggestion to heart and created a day of recognition to honor children of military families at the Capitol

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, approval of the prior journal, and remarks welcoming visitors, including military children in the annex. The House clerk then communicated several House-passed measures to the Senate, and the clerk reported second readings of Senate Bills 70, 74, 80, 127, and 154, which were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports also advanced SB 129, SB 101 with Committee Substitute 1, SB 124, SB 50, SB 162 with Committee Substitute 1, SB 170 with Committee Substitute 1, and Senate Resolution 103. The chamber also introduced SB 211 on prescription drug coverage and SB 212 on mental health coverage and declared an emergency. The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 74, which directs the Legislative Research Commission and state agencies to create a statewide fiscal map of substance use disorder programs and funding sources. Supporters said the map would consolidate fragmented funding information across agencies, identify gaps and duplication, improve budgeting, and provide a public-facing report; the resolution also requires posting the map online and submitting a report to the General Assembly by October 30, 2026. The Senate passed SJR 74 by a vote of 38-0. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 104, the “Halo Act,” which would create a 25-foot safety buffer around first responders while they are performing official duties. Supporters argued it would protect first responders and EMTs from interference and still allow bystanders to document events from a distance. Opponents said existing laws already cover obstruction and related conduct, and warned the bill is vague, duplicative, and could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police or protesting. The debate included multiple explanations of votes, with some senators citing public safety and others raising constitutional concerns; the excerpt ends before the final vote on SB 104 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, work for these, uh, some of these have associations with some of your people here, uh, in the Capitol
• Well, that's not a complex question, but the AI is going to go in there and look and see who the CEO

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: A presenter from Fast Health Corporation described a proposed Kentucky Health Command System tied to Senate Bill 175, which would create a state-sanctioned AI platform for rural hospitals and telehealth. The company said the system would help rural residents get health information remotely, triage minor issues, and escalate more serious cases to Kentucky providers, with use cases including blood pressure, diabetes, maternity care, smoking cessation, and other preventive-care topics. The presenter argued the system would help rural hospitals compete with out-of-state telehealth companies and keep patients connected to local care. The presentation also emphasized a commercial model the sponsor said would generate new revenue through ads and branded interactions, with the bill reportedly directing 80% of that revenue to rural hospitals and 20% to the state to maintain the system. The presenter said the technology would augment, not replace, doctors and nurses, and claimed it could improve access and convenience in underserved areas. Committee members raised concerns about liability, whether the AI could provide medical advice, and whether there was evidence it had reduced emergency room visits; the presenter said the system could not give medical advice and acknowledged the technology is still very new. The sponsor of the bill said the goal was to help transform rural health care, reduce unnecessary ER use, and capture revenue that would otherwise go to commercial search engines and out-of-state companies. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion ended with questions about branding, loyalty, and the legal limits of the AI system.

Transcript Highlights:

• incorporates this new funding while adjusting institutional distributions to account for facility complexity
• If not, we're going to see more and more bills like your bill come to this House, this Capitol, when

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 8:00 p.m. that day, also allowing the Secretary to make the calendar available as soon as practicable. The chamber then took up and passed several House bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 2128, relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue capabilities, passed unanimously. HB 4157, on liability protections for commercial spaceflight and exploration, passed 28-3. HB 2240, concerning certain void marriages, passed after adoption of a Birdwell amendment extending filing deadlines to 90 days for certain active-duty service members and Foreign Service officers. HB 367, on verification of excused absences for students with severe or life-threatening illnesses, passed unanimously after clarifying school district forms and TEA model forms. HB 1506, expanding expedited handgun license eligibility to certain retired county court judges, passed 29-2. HB 4449, on alcohol sales in annexed municipal areas, passed 29-2. HB 3812, on health plan prior authorization requirements, passed 30-1. The Senate also announced a long list of bills and resolutions signed in the presence of the Senate. A major portion of the meeting centered on HB 521, a voting-related bill on curbside voting for voters with disabilities. Senator Paxton described it as an anti-misuse measure requiring a signed eligibility form for curbside voting, creating a 20-foot electioneering buffer, limiting election officer assistance in marking ballots unless a second officer is present, and adding reporting requirements for people who assist seven or more curbside voters. Senators Miles, Menendez, Johnson, Campbell, Cook, and others questioned whether the bill would burden disabled voters, create a de facto registry of volunteers, and impose a harsh Class A misdemeanor penalty for failing to complete the form. Paxton said the bill was intended to protect legitimate curbside voters and curb abuse, and the chamber adopted Paxton Floor Amendment No. 1 after a recorded vote. Zaffirini’s Floor Amendment No. 2, allowing an escorting voter to receive his or her own ballot at the curbside or entrance, was adopted. Menendez’s Floor Amendment No. 3 to reduce the penalty failed. The bill was then passed to third reading on a 20-11 vote, with a motion by Senator Miles to have the exchanges reduced to writing and placed in the journal adopted. The Senate also passed HB 3000, creating a grant program for rural ambulance service providers, after a comptroller-related amendment; HB 5616, establishing the Texas Presidential Library Promotion Program and funding for traveling exhibits, after narrowing the bill to mobile exhibits only; HB 4211, addressing certain residential property interests controlled by entities, which passed 30-1; HB 1178, creating temporary educator certificates for out-of-state certified educators and military spouses, which passed unanimously; HB 2243, creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, which passed after debate over the need to streamline education mandates; and HB 42, increasing and reallocating the constitutional Higher Education Fund appropriation by 50% to $1.18 billion, which passed 31-0. Finally, HB 2512, a Fort Worth-specific bill limiting ETJ release for land subject to active development agreements, passed after debate over broader ETJ and de-annexation policy, with a local-only clarifying amendment adopted and a proposed broader amendment withdrawn. The meeting ended with the Senate beginning consideration of HB 3372, which would bar school district administrators from receiving financial benefits tied to outside consulting or contracting with education entities, though the transcript cuts off during questions on that bill.