Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted?
• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted?

Summary: The Florida House convened in Special Session 2025B after a quorum was established and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The Speaker announced that regular committee meetings were canceled for the week so the chamber could focus on special session work, including three select committees on illegal immigration that would hear HB 1B, along with a Rules and Ethics Committee meeting later that evening. Members were also told the bill filing deadline had been extended to Wednesday at 5 p.m. The main floor business involved the House’s effort to reinstate vetoed legislative operating funds from HB 5001, the 2024 appropriations act. After the clerk read the governor’s veto message, Representative Kennedy moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2802 and its related proviso on page 412, described as legislative services support funding. Supporters said the veto had cut essential legislative functions such as IT, economic forecasting, auditing, and accountability work, and argued the reduction was likely an oversight or improper interference with legislative independence. The motion passed 111-0. Kennedy then moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2803 and its related proviso, the second legislative support services line item. The House again approved the motion unanimously, 111-0. With no other messages, reports, or bills on the desk, the House adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. or upon the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome Representative Krisha and proceed with your bill, House File 327. us today. Um us today.
• Please introduce yourself and proceed with your testimony. Thank you, Chair Baker and members.
• Please introduce yourself and proceed with your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members.
• . proceed. proceed.
• <00:58:34.400> and proceed through the identification and proceed through the identification

Bills: HF3217, HF2252

Keywords: bioindustrial facilities, economic development, renewable energy, advanced biofuels, state funding, HF2252, Minnesota bonding, volume cap, private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, public facility bonds, public facilities pool, unified pool, bond allocation, municipal finance, bond cap, housing bonds, residential rental projects, manufacturing bonds, enterprise zone bonds

Summary: The committee first approved the prior day’s minutes as amended, correcting the meeting number from the 46th to the 45th meeting. It then took up House File 3217, which would restore funding for the Minnesota Bioincentive Program. Representative Kisha argued the state should honor commitments made to companies that met program requirements and had not received full reimbursement. Testifiers from the Great Plains Institute and Minnesota Biofuels Association said the program has supported bioeconomy investment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and generated strong economic returns, but has been underfunded, leaving unpaid claims. Members raised questions about whether the bill was retrospective and whether it should be reviewed by another committee; the bill was laid over for further consideration without a vote. The committee then heard House File 2252, a proposal to modernize Minnesota’s private activity bond volume cap by shifting unused allocation from the small issuer/manufacturing bucket to the public facilities bucket while leaving the overall cap unchanged. The bill’s public finance testifier said the current allocation formula is outdated, housing would remain the top priority, and the change would be budget neutral. Testifiers from the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and Minnesota Biofuels Association supported the bill, saying it would better align financing with rural infrastructure, clean water, manure management, renewable natural gas, dairy processing, and low-carbon fuel projects, and could lower borrowing costs for those sectors. Members questioned whether the bill fit the committee’s jurisdiction and noted it might be more appropriate for another committee; the bill was also laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• and proceed with your testimony. and proceed with your testimony.
• and proceed with your testimony. testimony. testimony.
• Heller, if you'd like to proceed.
• Heller, if you'd like to proceed.

Bills: HF4456, HF4544, HF3698

Keywords: data broker, data brokerage, consumer privacy, personal data, data privacy, Minnesota attorney general, registration, public registry, civil penalties, enforcement, special revenue fund, privacy rights, data sales, data collection, consumer protection, chapter 325M, controller, processor, data broker registry, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• So, they were not able to proceed with their plans.
• So, they were not able to proceed with their plans.
• So, they were not able to proceed with their plans.
• <00:26:33.520> will<00:26:33.760> go bianium, the eventual proceeds will go bianium
• <02:04:37.760> towards year we put 100% of the proceeds towards year we put 100% of the proceeds

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can introduce yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• If you can introduce yourself and proceed with your testimony. Testimony.
• If you'd introduce yourself for the record and proceed.
• Um, if you could introduce yourself and proceed with your testimony.
• Go ahead and introduce yourself and proceed.

Bills: HF1660, HF1824, HF1926, HF1002, HF994, HF1915, HF1336

Keywords: children, youth programming, needs assessment, community engagement, state funding, education, funding, school districts, state budget, rural schools, food support, Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, food shelves, grant funding, Minnesota FoodShare, early childhood, Head Start, education funding, developmental programs, literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:11.440> then um questions comments we'll proceed then um questions comments we'll proceed
• If you would proceed and explain your bill.
• If you may, proceed to describe your bill.
• If you may, proceed to describe your bill.
• If you may, proceed to describe your bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You could please introduce yourself for the record and then proceed with your testimony.
• You could please introduce yourself for the record and then proceed with your testimony.
• You could please introduce yourself for the record and then proceed with your testimony.
• <00:44:56.720> with<00:44:56.839> your and then proceed with your and then proceed
• <01:04:21.640> as<01:04:21.799> you<01:04:22.240> will proceed as you will proceed

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, and the author can proceed. Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• uh would uh we got house filed proceeds uh would uh we got house filed 124<01:20:53.400> would
• Proceed. Thank you, Chair Quam, members of the committee.
• Proceed. Thank you.
• Proceed. Thank you, Chair Quam, members of the committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, proceed with your plan.
• Proceed. Mr.
• Proceed with your other amendments. Representative Camell: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• But anyway, how does Division Two wish to proceed? I guess I would put it off.
• Boulevard um how do you wish to proceed Boulevard um how do you wish to proceed we<04:15:18.359>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met to review Division One of a very large budget package, with the chair explaining that the budget was being analyzed in three divisions over multiple days. Members first discussed procedure, including when amendments and line-item votes would be taken, and agreed to proceed with the division’s presentation before questions. Representative Maguire then outlined the division’s approach as a series of tradeoffs to close a large budget gap, emphasizing cuts, some revenue changes, and a focus on overall spending levels as well as individual reductions. The presentation covered a wide range of agencies and policy areas. Major proposed changes included cuts or eliminations to several boards and commissions viewed as costly or duplicative, such as the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Tax and Land Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Aging, Office of the Child Advocate, and the Personnel Appeals Board, with some functions consolidated into other boards. The division also proposed back-of-the-budget cuts to the Information Technology Department, Judicial Branch, Justice Department, Retirement System, Corrections, and Environmental Services, along with fee increases in several areas. Other notable items included ending marketing for Paid Family Leave, reducing job advertising and tourism promotion, defunding the Arts Council, moving liquor enforcement functions out of the Liquor Commission, and shifting some funds such as the College Savings Commission money to Division Two. Several members questioned specific cuts, especially the elimination of the Council on Aging, the reduction in regional planning commission grants, and the large cut to tourism advertising. Maguire defended the choices as necessary budget tradeoffs, arguing that some programs duplicated work done elsewhere, that regional planning grants were not among the most essential items, and that tourism promotion was a form of spending he viewed skeptically. He also explained that the public defender’s budget was partially restored after a credible claim of a governor’s budget error, and that the committee would continue refining corrections-related cuts because the House was only halfway through the budget process and further changes could still occur in the Senate and conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So ultimately it would be up to the committee on how you want to proceed.
• It's just for your consideration, and it'll be up to you how you want to proceed with it, whether it's
• Your consideration, and it'll be up to you how you want to proceed with it, whether it's revisions or
• “So it’s up to you how you want to proceed, or if you have any additional questions, but it’s just here
• Then you can proceed with your presentation.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So ultimately it would be up to the committee on how you want to proceed.
• It's just for your consideration, and it'll be up to you how you want to proceed with it, whether it's
• that issue, and there were recommendations that came out of that to enact some legislation and to proceed
• So it's up to you how you want to proceed, or if you have any additional questions, but it's just here
• Then you can proceed with your presentation.

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you would introduce yourself for the record and feel free to proceed. >> Sure.
• uh from the treasury uh to hold proceeds uh from the commonwealth's<00:40:06.000> case<00:40:
• Please proceed.
• Glad to have you here this morning.<00:42:26.160> Please<00:42:26.400> proceed.
• Please proceed. morning. Please proceed. >> Thank<00:42:28.079> you.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee heard a presentation from Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program. He said Kentucky received about $213 million in federal funding, among the highest awards nationally, after a fast application and negotiation process. He emphasized that the grant is time-limited, must be used for the specific goals in the state’s application, and cannot be treated as a general bailout or replacement for existing funding. He also noted the state will use a website, ruralhealthplan.ky.gov, to share the full application, award terms, and future opportunities. Dr. Stack outlined five focus areas: maternal health and prenatal/early childhood supports; EMS and trauma response workforce and transfer capacity; behavioral health crisis care through the EMPATH model and mobile crisis services; oral health access through more hygienists, telehealth, and hub-and-spoke models; and rural community hubs for chronic disease prevention and innovation, including food-as-medicine and healthier lifestyle interventions. He stressed that the program is meant to be transformative, not duplicative, and that it cannot pay clinician salaries, fund new construction, replace EMR systems broadly, or duplicate billable services. He said the state will work with community partners, hospitals, universities, and others, including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, to begin implementation. Members responded positively overall. Senator Berg praised the award and the goal of integrating care across the state, but raised concerns about access to prenatal care and about possible future changes to water fluoridation, warning both could harm children and rural families. The chair and other members thanked Dr. Stack for the update and congratulated him on the award. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be an additional cost that, in order for this to proceed, or could any work get started with
• sign an affidavit, and then<00:32:03.919> they<00:32:04.080> could<00:32:04.240> proceed
• <00:32:06.240> Today then they could proceed to vote.
• Today then they could proceed to vote.
• proceed uh to register. proceed uh to register. >> Thank<00:39:40.640> you.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard. Representative Bose explained that the bill would modify class one definitions, eliminate class two, reduce the utility obligation for class one thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjust alternative compliance payments for classes one, three, and four. He said the changes were intended to save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, would not materially harm the renewable portfolio standard, and would have little effect on class two because that market is already saturated. Members questioned the impact on consumers, the state budget, and the renewable energy fund; Bose said the fund had already been redirected in the state budget, and another member noted an amended fiscal note showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue. The committee also discussed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and later removed by the Senate, and Bose said the Senate’s eventual action was hard to predict. The committee then heard House Bill 164 on local records retention from Secretary of State David Scanlan. He said the long-standing local records manager position had never been funded, but that the need for it had grown as towns increasingly digitize records and must ensure accessibility, including ADA compliance. He described the bill as a way to provide state support and expertise to municipalities, especially smaller towns with limited resources, and said the fiscal note for hiring the position remained accurate, though broader website and storage costs could rise over time. Members asked about retrieving lost records, the cost of a public website, and whether records should remain local or be stored at the state level; Scanlan said the state would serve as a resource rather than take control of local records. Finally, the committee began work on House Bill 365, also with Secretary Scanlan, concerning proof of U.S. citizenship for indigent voters. He said the bill would help voters who may lack required documents under the new voter registration law by allowing the state to verify qualifications through federal, private, or other state databases and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to earlier voter ID accommodations and said the goal was to help qualified voters meet the new requirements without weakening them. Members raised questions about defining “indigent,” how out-of-state birth records would be handled, and the practicality of the verification process; Scanlan said the term would likely need further discussion and that the state would try to assist voters before election day whenever possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whenever you're<00:43:20.079> ready,<00:43:20.400> proceed.
• you're ready, proceed. you're ready, proceed.
• If you could introduce yourself for the record, and you can proceed. Thanks.
• If you could identify yourself for the record, and you can proceed.
• If you could reintroduce yourself and then you can proceed."

Bills: HF4479, HF4368, HF4889

Keywords: higher education, public university, college campus, postsecondary institution, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, University of Minnesota, town hall, town hall meeting, elected official, legislator, public forum, constituent meeting, campus access, free meeting space, parking fees, civic engagement, public outreach, chapter 135A, HF4368, Minnesota State

Summary: The committee approved the April 9 minutes and then took up House File 4479, which would require public postsecondary institutions to make space available for town halls and similar official events by elected officials, with limits intended to keep the events on the official side and not campaign-related. Representative Frederick said the bill is meant to prevent universities from creating barriers such as fees or parking charges and to ensure a neutral, accessible venue for community conversations. The bill was laid over for possible later action. The committee heard supportive testimony from Jim Dimmick of Minnesota State University, Mankato, who argued that town halls should be public, open, moderated, and dialogic rather than speeches, and said universities should be centers for public discourse. He also said charging fees can undermine neutrality and that using partisan student groups to sponsor events can create the appearance of bias. Minnesota State official Mr. Omen said campuses often host these events, fees are set locally to cover costs, and student government sponsorship can sometimes avoid charges; he also noted the fee at Mankato is discounted and depends on room size. Several members raised concerns about the bill. Representative Scott, Chair Robbins, Representative Schwarz, Representative Allen, and others argued that campuses should not be required by statute to give legislators special treatment, that fees and parking costs cover real expenses, and that universities should remain focused on education rather than political events. Questions also focused on who would decide what room size is reasonable, how disputes would be handled, and who would pay for security if protests or safety issues arose. Representative Frederick responded that room selection would be a good-faith partnership with the university, that the bill does not require a town hall or guarantee a specific room, and that security funding is not spelled out in the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, state your name for the record and proceed.
• <01:04:45.359> And name for the record and proceed. And name for the record and proceed.
• State your name for the record and proceed with your presentation. Mr.
• with<01:12:01.120> your record and proceed with your record and proceed with your presentation
• Go ahead and proceed and state your name for the record.

Bills: HF3421

Keywords: early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Would the author please state your name and proceed with your testimony?
• Would the author please state your name and proceed with your testimony? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• please uh state your name and proceed please uh state your name and proceed with<00:01:22.040>
• Please proceed and identify yourself for the record.
• committee and author please proceed committee and author please proceed thank<00:19:06.679> you

Bills: HF484, HF483, HF1447, HF1496, HF554

Keywords: natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption, municipal regulation, county ordinance, electrification, climate policy, housing development, building codes, energy source, utility infrastructure, Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B, propane, utility service, building permits, local government, energy choice

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome back, actually, and please proceed. Good morning, members.
• Please introduce yourself and proceed.
• Please introduce yourself and proceed.
• Please introduce yourself and proceed.
• Please introduce yourself and proceed. Thank you, Chair.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As we proceed with witnesses and public comment, I want to make sure everyone understands that the Assembly
• Please proceed with your bill when you are ready. Thank you, Chair. Members, good afternoon.

Summary: The committee opened with routine announcements, including hearing logistics, public comment instructions, and a brief “fun fact” about National Pecan Month and Ag Day. After establishing a quorum, the committee took up a consent calendar of four bills—AB 2423, AB 2743, AB 2778, and AB 2779—which were approved unanimously. The main item heard was AB 1711 by Assembly Member Conley, which would require more timely distribution of state funds for fairs and fairgrounds and expand allowable uses for those funds. The author and the Western Fairs Association argued that fairs are important for agricultural education, local economies, cultural events, and emergency response, and that delayed funding leads to deferred maintenance and higher costs. Several committee members spoke in strong support, noting the importance of county fairs in their districts and their role as community hubs and emergency shelters. There was no opposition testimony. The committee voted AB 1711 out on a due pass motion to the Appropriations Committee, and the bill ultimately passed unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we proceed with witnesses and public comment, I want to make sure everyone understands that the Assembly
• Please proceed with your bill when you are ready. Thank you, Chair. Members, good afternoon.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine logistics, noted the hearing would be brief, and approved a consent calendar containing AB 2423, AB 2743, AB 2778, and AB 2779. The chair also shared a few informal remarks about Ag Day and National Pecan Month before establishing a quorum and moving to the main item, AB 1711 by Assembly Member Connolly. AB 1711 would require fair-related state funds to be distributed in a more timely and predictable manner, with the goal of helping local fairs address deferred maintenance, infrastructure repairs, safety upgrades, and emergency preparedness needs. The author and the Western Fairs Association emphasized that fairs are important community hubs, economic drivers, and emergency response sites, and that funding delays can postpone critical projects and raise costs. Support was also voiced by rural county representatives, and committee members spoke in favor, citing the importance of county fairs in their districts and their role during emergencies such as flooding. The committee voted unanimously to pass AB 1711 to the Appropriations Committee. After additional roll calls were completed for absent members, the consent calendar and AB 1711 were both reported out of committee with unanimous support, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please proceed with AB 406. Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Please proceed with AB 406 on behalf of the Department of Women, Dr. Chavez.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard three bills. AB 1136 would provide workers who are detained or deported by ICE with five unpaid days to handle immigration-related matters and up to 12 months of unpaid leave in detention/deportation cases, with an amendment allowing employers to require use of other leave first and a requirement to restore workers to their prior position once legal status is proven. Support came from labor groups including the California Federation of Labor Unions and SEIU California, while opposition came from the Association of California School Administrators and others who raised concerns about the length of the rehire period and impacts on public education and employers. Committee members described the bill as a necessary response to current immigration enforcement conditions, and the Senate amendments were concurred in. AB 1514, the committee’s cleanup bill for AB 5, would extend the sunset on the licensed manicurist exemption by three years and the commercial fisherman exemption by five years, while adding reporting requirements from EDD and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement on misclassification and unemployment claims. There were no witnesses in support or opposition, though one member noted the importance of continuing to work on manicurist issues, especially for API women in the industry. The committee approved concurrence in the Senate amendments. AB 406, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Chavira, makes technical and clarifying changes to prior legislation related to leave for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other violence. The bill adjusts enforcement timelines between the Civil Rights Department and the Labor Commissioner, adds sunset dates to certain Labor Code sections, and aligns paid sick leave language with a new Government Code section. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted to concur in the Senate amendments. All three bills ultimately received unanimous committee approval and were reported out.