Transcript Highlights:

• Had a chance a couple months ago to go up to Duluth and talk to business leaders up there, and so many
• > to<01:17:53.160> go<01:17:53.320> up<01:17:53.480> to<01:17:53.560> Duluth
• <01:17:54.000> and couple months ago to go up to Duluth and couple months ago to go up to
• Duluth and talk<01:17:54.360> to<01:17:54.440> business<01:17:54.840> leaders<01
• , and at every level of here in Duluth, and at every level of housing,<01:24:34.480> we<01:24:

Bills: HF3279, HF1879, HF1417, HF2462

Keywords: housing, sales tax, homeownership, rent assistance, community stability, education, counseling, financial assistance, housing development, culturally appropriate services, HF1417, manufactured home parks, manufactured housing, mobile home parks, housing development fund, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, infrastructure grants, infrastructure loans, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• director of strategy and policy at Wonder Community Housing, and we operate a Community Land Trust up in Duluth
• director of strategy and policy at Wonder Community Housing, and we operate a Community Land Trust up in Duluth
• director of strategy and policy at Wonder Community Housing, and we operate a Community Land Trust up in Duluth
• director of strategy and policy at Wonder Community Housing, and we operate a Community Land Trust up in Duluth
• develop in Greater Minnesota without assistance, excluding some of the larger communities such as Duluth

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• North Star Promise consists of two types of awards: the North Star Promise, or what we refer to as the
• North Star Promise program really is. North Star Promise program really is.
• Promise. Promise.
• The people who are not on North Star Promise wish they could be on North Star Promise.
• Northstar Promise and also to our state. Northstar Promise and also to our state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor vetoed it, but they're producing less jobs than originally promised.
• The governor vetoed it, but they're producing less jobs than originally promised.
• The governor vetoed it, but they're producing less jobs than originally promised.
• The governor vetoed it, but they're producing less jobs than originally promised.
• The governor vetoed it, but they're producing less jobs than originally promised.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Senate District 8, which is almost all of the city of Duluth, a beautiful city which I grew
• I'm up in Duluth, and there's also some unrelated directly to that proposal, but in Duluth there's also
• I'm up in Duluth, and there's also some unrelated directly to that proposal, but in Duluth there's also
• I promise to be quick.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not just for the university students in the cities, but it's something that we hear, you know, in Duluth
• serve Twin City campus students, but also take questions from satellite campuses such as Morris and Duluth
• The leases before students are the same leases they use in Duluth and Morris and other college areas.
• They said they had talked to the University of Minnesota Duluth campus student government, and they were

Bills: HF2740, HF2901, HF4443, HF3943

Keywords: affordable housing, housing finance, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, low-income housing tax credit, LIHTC, Section 42, compliance period, housing stability, rental housing, affordable rental housing, homelessness, housing insecurity, housing supply, preservation, recapitalization, distressed properties, regulatory relief, local affordable housing aid, Interagency Council to End Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud to Duluth, from Duluth to Fergus Falls to Alexandria.
• And I'm want to say thank you for the Duluth airport tower.
• That international Duluth airport tower is 70 years old.
• And I want to say thank you for the Duluth airport tower.
• That international Duluth airport tower is 70 years old.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• same conference, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference: Minnesota State Moorhead, Minnesota Duluth
• same conference, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, Minnesota State Moorhead, Minnesota Duluth
• that the businesses and school districts that have made the commitment seem to think it has some promise
• I've provided emails with communication post-audit findings about what the promise was to work on and
• So that... ...about what the promise was to work on and what had been done moving forward.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• small rural ambulance services, defined as those outside the seven-county metro area and cities of Duluth
• small rural ambulance services, defined as those outside the seven-county metro area and cities of Duluth
• small rural ambulance services, defined as those outside the seven-county metro area and cities of Duluth
• small rural ambulance services, defined as those outside the seven-county metro area and cities of Duluth
• Hermantown; 701, which is Hibbing; 704, which is Proctor; 707, which is Nett Lake; 709, which is Duluth

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud.
• So that would be Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud.
• So that would be Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud.
• So that would be Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud.
• So that would be Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured. A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council. The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• For an example, if we go back to the Duluth disaster assistance package of $168 million in 2012.
• For an example, if we go back to the Duluth disaster assistance package of $168 million in 2012.
• For an example, if we go back to the Duluth disaster assistance package of $168 million in 2012.
• We did the Duluth paper mill retrofit. We did a dairy assistance investment relief initiative.
• We did the Duluth paper mill retrofit. We did a dairy assistance investment relief initiative.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We rolled out with MCOs, and the promise was that they were going to save money and improve care.
• And we were promised it would save money, and we were guaranteed it was going to save money because the
• Network inadequacy and the comment I just heard about how the plans promised you'd have our large commercial
• I live and work in Duluth.
• I live and work in Duluth.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House File 3939, a bill to support a Helping Paws service-dog litter named in honor of Gilbert and the Hortman family. Testimony from Helping Paws and service-dog graduate Angie Foley described the organization’s work, the significance of the “Guided by Gilbert” litter, and how the funding would help train dogs that provide independence and support to people with disabilities, veterans, and others. Members from both parties spoke warmly about Speaker Hortman’s connection to the organization and Gilbert, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then considered House File 3769, the Department of Corrections’ technical omnibus bill, with an A1 amendment adopted to clarify tuberculosis testing language. The bill updates TB screening procedures in correctional facilities, including how refusals are handled, and adds Quantiferon Gold Plus testing as an option alongside existing methods. Members discussed whether the bill would create costs for counties and jails, with some noting added testing and segregation costs and others arguing the changes would improve accuracy and reduce time in restrictive housing. The bill, as amended, was recommended to the general register. House File 3978 was next, a technical cleanup bill for a provider wellness program created last year. The bill expands eligibility and confidentiality protections from physicians to all health care providers, while supporters said the program is meant to address burnout and mental health strain in the workforce and does not require new money. Some members questioned whether the change was redundant or would broaden the program without additional funding, but the Minnesota Medical Association testified that the program is separate from insurance and was intended to serve all providers. The bill was recommended to the general register. Finally, the committee began House File 3476, which Rep. Liebling described as a cleanup bill related to Minnesota’s Medicaid managed care system and public program oversight. She argued that the state spends billions through managed care organizations and that the system has never been proven better than direct payment, setting up a broader discussion of the bill’s purpose and the state’s oversight of public health care spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• couple of times in the last two months, and I've seen what has been happening both here in rural Duluth
• But they are obviously a huge disruption in making sure that we are bringing the promise of AVs to the

Transcript Highlights:

• But, uh, I think the city of Duluth is trying to work through a homeless shelter now to, um, I can't
• But, uh, I think the city of Duluth is trying to work through a homeless shelter now to, um, I can't

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• were trying to become recertified as a provider after having been one for 25 years, we included the Duluth
• We mentioned to the DCF recertification specialist that even the Duluth model contains a faith-based

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early measures included CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would allow qualified candidates or political parties to sue over violations of party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of it, arguing the bill removed existing limits on force and erased sentencing distinctions. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including CS/SB 7014, SB 7016, CS/SB 7012, SB 7000, SB 7002, SB 7004, SB 7006, and SB 7008, all of which extend or preserve public records or meeting exemptions for topics such as social media investigations, small business loan records, motor vehicle enforcement records, emergency shelter information, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, Public Service Commission proceedings, and Gaming Control Commission records. The committee also approved SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and opponents not appearing in the excerpt. HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably after supporters from the Florida Chamber and Associated Industries backed the bill, which limits strict liability claims involving natural geological substances on former phosphate mines but not phosphogypsum stacks. CS/SB 48 on housing, as amended, would require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units, limit certain local barriers, and extend housing incentives; it drew broad support from housing, business, real estate, and advocacy groups. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 on CPA licensure modernization, SB 292 on public records protection for appellate court clerks, CS/SB 296 and CS/SB 298 on domestic and dating violence protections and related public records exemptions, and SB 386 on farm equipment warranty protections were also reported favorably, generally with supportive testimony from affected industries, advocacy groups, or public safety stakeholders. Later, the committee approved SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increase penalties and enforcement tools. It also heard but temporarily postponed CS/CS/SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services after the chair allowed public testimony because many stakeholders had traveled to attend; one opponent, a longtime builder, argued the bill could criminalize contractors who withhold payment for deficient subcontractor work. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes on selected bills and then adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• were trying to become recertified as a provider after having been one for 25 years, we included the Duluth
• We mentioned to the DCF recertification specialist that even the Duluth model contains a faith-based

Bills: S0062, S0156, S0168, S0288, S0290, S0292, S0296, S0298, S0364, S0386, S0624, S7004, S7006, S7008, S7012, S7014, S7016

Keywords: candidate qualification, political party, voter registration, election law, Florida Statutes, rural electric cooperatives, energy production, Florida law, energy tariffs, regulation, agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, public records, appellate courts, information exemption, safety, personal identifying information

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and considered a long agenda of bills, many of which were reported favorably. Early action included CS for SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS for SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and add mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of the bill, arguing it removed useful limits on force and imposed overly rigid sentencing. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including measures extending exemptions for social media platform investigations, small business loan program records, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigatory records, emergency shelter recipient information, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information, Public Service Commission records and meetings, and Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. The committee also advanced CS for SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and no participant would be required to take part. Other approved measures included HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands, which limits certain liability claims if notice and survey requirements are met; CS for SB 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units and was amended to remove hearing and variance requirements and clarify local ordinance obligations; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, described as a negotiated glitch bill preserving co-op authority over generation and power purchases; and CS for SB 364 on public accountancy, which creates additional CPA licensure pathways and mobility provisions. The committee also approved SB 292 creating a public records exemption for appellate court clerks and their families, despite some opposition votes. Later, the committee passed CS for SB 296 and CS for SB 298, which expand protections for victims of domestic violence and dating violence by creating a feasibility study for a secure web-based 911 alert platform and extending address confidentiality and public records protections to dating violence, stalking, and aggravated stalking victims. SB 386 on farm equipment, described as a “lemon law” for tractors and similar equipment, also passed. Additional open-government bills were approved for emergency shelter recipients, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, PSC records, and gaming commission records. SB 168 on public nuisances was reported favorably as well. One bill, CS for CS for SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was temporarily postponed after extensive stakeholder testimony; the chair allowed public comment but no vote was taken, and the sponsor indicated ongoing discussions and possible changes. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded several individual votes for the record, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I spent 9 years driving from Ely to Duluth once a month to be on this committee.
• So, I spent 9 years driving from Ely to Duluth once a month to be on this committee.
• 44.200> to So, I spent 9 years driving from Ely to So, I spent 9 years driving from Ely to Duluth
• <01:03:45.120> once<01:03:45.400> a<01:03:45.440> month Duluth once a month Duluth
• So I spent 9 years driving from Ely to Duluth once a month to be on this committee. It's important.

Bills: HF3879

Keywords: outdoor heritage, conservation, habitat restoration, natural resources, wildlife management, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3879, the Legacy Finance Outdoor Heritage bill. The committee adopted the DE1 author’s amendment, which incorporated the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council’s revised recommendations and made technical corrections, and staff explained that the bill appropriates about $191.081 million in Outdoor Heritage funding, plus carryforwards and an extension for a carp deterrent project at Lock and Dam. Staff also noted the bill makes no changes to the Clean Water Fund or Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and the bill was moved to the Committee on Ways and Means. A large portion of the meeting focused on the Roseau Lake rehabilitation/Roseau River restoration project and related concerns about landowner impacts, eminent domain, drainage, and whether Outdoor Heritage dollars are being used on private property. Landowners and their attorney testified that the project threatens private farmland, that they do not consent to easements or takings, and that funding should be paused until litigation and legal questions are resolved. They described flooding, drainage problems, financial burdens, and long-term harm to family farms, and asked the committee to suspend funding for the project. Supporters of the project, including Roseau Mayor Dan Fabian and farmer/watershed district manager Jason Bratton, said the project is part of a broader flood-mitigation effort following the 2002 Roseau flood and would help control water, reduce flood damage, and improve conditions for downstream farmers. After testimony, the committee considered the A5 amendment, offered by Representative Heintzeman, which would delete the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project Phase 3 from the bill. Members debated the amendment, with some emphasizing landowner concerns and pending litigation and others defending the project and the council’s vetting process. The transcript cuts off during continued discussion, and no final vote on the A5 is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• Television in Bemidji and Brainerd, $650,000 to KSMQ in Austin and Rochester, $250,000 to PBS North in Duluth
• Television in Bemidji and Brainerd, $650,000 to KSMQ in Austin and Rochester, $250,000 to PBS North in Duluth
• $250,000 to<00:51:59.960> PBS<00:52:00.640> North<00:52:01.320> in<00:52:01.440> Duluth
• <00:52:02.040> and<00:52:02.200> Superior,<00:52:03.200> and to PBS North in Duluth
• and Superior, and to PBS North in Duluth and Superior, and $200,000<00:52:04.720> to<00:52:04.840

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• "Yeah, so Lakeland, Bemidji, um, you know, and up in Duluth, and so. Okay."
• Lakeland, Bemidji, um you know, and<00:23:02.440> up<00:23:02.640> in<00:23:02.760> Duluth
• and up in Duluth, and so. Okay. and up in Duluth, and so. Okay.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But Minneapolis and Rochester and Duluth and Spring Lake Park all look different.
• 00:33:48.280> and Um but Minneapolis and Rochester and Um but Minneapolis and Rochester and Duluth
• :51.680> Lake<00:33:51.880> Park<00:33:52.280> all<00:33:52.440> look Duluth
• and um Spring Lake Park all look Duluth and um Spring Lake Park all look different.<00:33:53.480>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 3791 was laid over for possible inclusion later, with Rep. Green and Rep. Noor presenting it as a response to rising threats against Minnesota elected officials and public officers. They cited increased threat reports, the June 2025 killings of Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, the shootings of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and other recent threats as evidence that current protective resources are insufficient. The bill would create a state officials protective services unit within the State Patrol, provide security and threat-assessment services for principal state officials, and require reporting on credible threats. Rep. Noor said the proposal would be triggered by leadership when there is a credible threat, would include legislators and constitutional officers, and would be funded at about $3.98 million in FY 2027 with an ongoing base of $3.25 million, with some ability to contract with local law enforcement for support in official-capacity situations. Members raised concerns about scope, jurisdiction, and cost. Rep. Olsen argued the bill was not narrow enough and worried it could allow Capitol Security to provide home or event security too broadly, rather than limiting the work to the Capitol and catastrophic incidents. Rep. Joy offered an A1 amendment to use existing funds instead of adding new spending, saying local sheriffs and police already handle many situations. That amendment failed on a voice vote. Rep. Olson then moved an A2 amendment focused on clarifying who should be in charge of protection at home and how local law enforcement would be involved; discussion centered on whether Capitol Security, State Patrol, or local agencies should lead response and how credible threats would be determined. Supporters of the bill, including Rep. Green and Rep. Muir, said the events of June 14 showed the need for a dedicated, coordinated protective service and that local responses were uneven across jurisdictions. Rep. Muir described delayed or inconsistent police responses after the attacks and said lawmakers need a more reliable system to keep members and their families safe. Rep. Keagle also testified about personal threats and harassment at home, including a prank pizza delivery that made her fear someone knew when she was home. The committee did not take final action on the bill beyond laying it over, and the A1 amendment failed; discussion on the A2 amendment and the bill’s details continued.