Transcript Highlights:

• security and foreign policy priorities security and foreign policy priorities around<00:06:31.960
• That ought to be the priority, not a $50,000 paint job for the new Secretary of Defense.
• That ought to be the priority, not a $50,000 paint job for the new Secretary of Defense.
• That ought to be the priority, not a $50,000 paint job for the new Secretary of Defense.
• And then many of the president's priorities are another $8 trillion.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I rise on AB 1896, a Latino Caucus and Progressive Caucus priority bill, and for anyone wondering
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote on this API Caucus legislative priority bill. Thank you.
• I rise today to present Assembly Bill 2721, a Latino Caucus priority bill to ensure workplace safety
• This bill is an LGBT caucus priority bill.
• So this has to be one of our highest priorities, and I do believe that this is only a beginning.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• consideration other pressures on our lives, the income, the disposable income that we have, the expenditure priorities
• consideration other pressures on our lives, the income, the disposable income that we have, the expenditure priorities
• 04.320> have,<00:41:05.200> the<00:41:05.760> expenditure<00:41:06.600> priorities
• <00:41:07.120> that we have, the expenditure priorities that we have, the expenditure priorities
• every county health department in the state for community health assessments and setting health priorities

Bills: HF4343

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:09.279> are<00:16:09.440> then<00:16:10.160> giving<00:16:10.560> priority
• <00:16:11.040> to that that we are then giving priority to that that we are then giving priority
• <00:16:40.880> of<00:16:41.040> our<00:16:41.279> state The number one priority
• Yes, that's very helpful, because I think our, at least speaking for myself, the biggest priority this
• at a at a about the systems priorities at a at a later<01:47:05.360> date.

Bills: HF1323, HF3500

Keywords: undocumented, financial aid, state policy, higher education, noncitizen eligibility, funding, storm damage relief, Bemidji State University, reforestation, state appropriations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, our top priority is to secure funding for a package of proposals that we believe will help
• As a result, our top priority is to secure funding for a package of proposals that we believe will help
• As a result, our top priority is to secure funding for a package of proposals that we believe will help
• So maybe you could views as a priority.
• <00:32:24.399> and worked on what were your priorities and worked on what were your priorities

Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on House File 3874, which was laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz testified in support of a supplemental funding request focused on judicial branch safety and security, along with funding to cover the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch is seeking help because it did not receive funding for paid leave in the last session and is having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. The safety and security request included five parts: personal data protection for judges and court administrators, home security, two additional staff positions for threat assessment and coordination, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program for counties. Testimony emphasized rising threats and incidents involving judges and court staff, including examples of doxing, home surveillance, and threats involving litigants, and cited increases in reported incidents, threats, and disturbances. Fritz said the branch’s current response system is stretched and that more law-enforcement-trained staff would improve coordination and response. Members questioned why the judicial branch should receive state funding for paid leave when private employers must absorb the cost, and Shorba responded that the branch was excluded from end-of-session funding decisions and that the mandate should be funded for all branches of government. Members also asked about the threat-response process and whether local law enforcement should be used more directly. Another concern raised was whether State Patrol troopers assigned to judicial security would have the training needed for criminal-code enforcement, and Shorba said the branch is discussing that issue with the State Patrol. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• statewide goal of housing and the governor's, you know, kind of real, um, that's one of her top priorities
• <00:08:59.760> of<00:08:59.839> her<00:09:00.000> top<00:09:00.240> priorities
• <00:09:00.640> as that's one of her top priorities as that's one of her top priorities as
• > not<00:26:55.679> the The governor's priorities, not the legislature's, because only
• ,<01:59:33.760> bipartisan, one of our top priorities, bipartisan, one of our top priorities

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a legislative women's caucus priority bill.
• They can decide to have different priorities. They can decide.
• DOJ obviously sets its own priorities.
• They can decide to have different priorities. They can decide. They can decide. minds.
• The USDAJ obviously sets its own priorities.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what their priorities are all about.
• That's what their priorities are all about.
• My priority is the working class because the working class raised me.
• His signature domestic priority: massive tax cuts for the super wealthy.
• HIS SIGNATURE DOMESTIC PRIORITY, MASSIVE TAX CUTS FOR THE SUPER WEALTHY.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state universities to ensure accessibility and affordability and alignment with regional and state priorities
• 47.199> state and alignment with regional and state and alignment with regional and state priorities
• :48.720> cut<00:13:48.920> to<00:13:49.120> the<00:13:49.360> chase priorities
• so let's cut to the chase priorities so let's cut to the chase house<00:13:50.639> file<00:13
• until this year because there were challenges getting it in for a hearing, just lots of competing priorities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The fact that this bill is a top priority for the commander task force and the department reflects the
• The fact that this bill is a top priority for the commander task force and the department reflects the
• <00:14:02.800> We're legislative priorities this year.
• We're legislative priorities this year.
• also a top priority nationally.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• convention in November, MFU members voted to make ensuring affordable and accessible care a top priority
• <00:45:23.760> for accessible care is a top priority for accessible care is a top priority
• She said they talk about priorities and what they have on the table, and that they will never ever have
• She said she hesitates to compare priorities because there are always competing needs, such as long-term
• are and what we have on the priorities are and what we have on the table<01:03:40.359> um<01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is AARP Minnesota's top priority this year, and we want to thank Senator Rest for authoring this
• If you're have something official, um, if all things are a priority, nothing's a priority.
• um if all things are a priority um if all things are a priority nothing's<00:48:39.680> a
• <00:48:39.960> priority<00:48:40.960> um<00:48:41.160> but<00:48:41.359> I'd<
• /c><00:48:41.520> be nothing's a priority um but I'd be nothing's a priority um but I'd be interested

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to put the budget first, protecting their income, funding their priorities, and stopping the
• :26.440> income<01:37:27.000> funding<01:37:27.400> their<01:37:27.639> priorities
• their income funding their priorities their income funding their priorities and<01:37:28.800>
• I would hope that his first priority would be the state of Minnesota right now, and that is my expectation
• would be the state of first priority would be the state of Minnesota<01:49:12.080> right<01:49

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They said the priority is to end the moratorium so cities can either authorize these projects or come
• They said the priority is to end the moratorium so cities can either authorize these projects or come
• They said the priority is to end the moratorium so cities can either authorize these projects or come
• They said the priority is to end the moratorium so cities can either authorize these projects or come
• They said that for their members, when push comes to shove, the priority is to end the moratorium so

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we need to be able to fund our high-priority facilities, especially asset preservation.
• You know, we need to be able to fund our high-priority facilities, especially asset preservation.
• The question is about the priority.
• <00:47:17.280> for governor's bonding Bill priorities for governor's bonding Bill priorities
• For those of you who have toured our facilities, it should not be surprising that our first priority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Minnesota Department of Administration on the governor’s capital budget requests. Commissioner Tamara Grundal described the state’s deferred maintenance backlog, saying Minnesota owns more than 4,800 buildings across 19 agencies, with an estimated replacement value of $11.2 billion and about $2.2 billion in deferred maintenance. She urged continued bonding support for asset preservation, CAPRA emergency repair funding, Capitol Complex security upgrades recommended by the ACAS advisory committee, and a budget-neutral account to help leverage federal funds for renewable energy storage and electric vehicle projects at state facilities. Members asked follow-up questions about prior security spending and CAPRA use. The commissioner said some 2018 security funds were used for items such as bollards, projectile-resistant glass, key card readers, and security kiosks, but specific details would be provided offline. On CAPRA, staff said recent projects included public safety upgrades, correctional facility repairs, water main and sewer work, roof repairs, lift station repairs, and boiler and steam trap replacements. The commissioner said the account has recently been used heavily, with about $1.9 million remaining, and estimated a typical target range of roughly $3 million to $5 million based on past spending and expected emergencies. A staffer said they did not know whether bonds had been issued ahead of time to fund the reserve and would follow up. The committee then heard from the Department of Public Safety on BCA capital projects. Commissioner Bob Jacobson and Superintendent Drew Evans said the governor’s proposal includes a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory in Mankato, expansion of BCA regional office and lab space, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters using trunk highway cash. Evans said the Mankato project is needed because of growth in DNA analysis, digital evidence, controlled substances, cyber tips, and sexual assault kit testing, and because the current St. Paul facility is over capacity. He said the new regional facility would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for scientists and law enforcement, support training, and improve evidence intake and crime scene response in southern Minnesota. Senator Pappas questioned the increase in the Mankato project cost from about $48 million to $68.6 million. Evans said the increase was driven by rising construction costs and additional specialized laboratory and support-space needs identified during design work with the Department of Administration. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're thinking about the opportunities or areas of the bills that we think are high-priority for us.
• of the bills that we think um are areas of the bills that we think um are high<00:14:40.959> priority
• ><00:14:41.560> are<00:14:41.839> high<00:14:42.120> high<00:14:42.279> priorities
• high priority are high high priorities high priority are high high priorities for<00:14:43.000><
• <01:35:28.040> Minnesota 2026 you can see the priority Minnesota 2026 you can see the priority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Capital Investment held its first meeting of the 2025 session with members and staff introducing themselves and describing their priorities. Senators from both parties repeatedly emphasized the goal of passing a strong bipartisan bonding bill this year, with several members noting that local projects were delayed after no bonding bill passed the previous year. Chair Housley also said the committee would not meet later that week and previewed an upcoming presentation from MMB on federal funds. The committee then heard a presentation from MMB’s Leah Corey and Anna Ming on Minnesota’s federal funding efforts. Corey explained that MMB’s federal funds team coordinates state efforts to maximize funding from IIJA, IRA, CHIPS, and related federal programs. She said Minnesota has secured about $12.3 billion in federal funding so far, including roughly $3 billion more since the last presentation, supporting about 1,800 projects statewide. Most of the funding is going to transportation, roads, and bridges, with other major areas including clean energy and weatherization. She also highlighted an interactive public dashboard showing projects by region and noted that much of the data reflects funds flowing through the state enterprise. Corey also discussed state match programs that helped unlock federal dollars, including the IIJA discretionary match fund, the State Competitiveness Fund, and the Forward Fund. She said $180 million in state match has unlocked about $1 billion in federal investment through the IIJA discretionary match fund, nearly $17 million in state investment has unlocked nearly $90 million in federal funding through the State Competitiveness Fund, and $124 million for the Forward Fund has unlocked nearly $1 billion in federal and private investment. Members asked whether more state dollars could have brought in more federal funds; Corey said she was not sure, but noted the IIJA match fund is expected to run out in the coming months. The presentation also focused on direct pay tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, which allow tax-exempt entities such as governments, nonprofits, school districts, and tribal nations to receive payments for eligible clean energy projects after they are completed. Corey said the state is building awareness and technical assistance around direct pay, including educational sessions and a tax expert resource. She also described Minnesota’s Green Bank, the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority, which is beginning to issue loans for projects such as community energy, nonprofit geothermal systems, and solar-plus-battery installations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The number priority was to get the CEO.
• Five years later and we have no priority.
• I've not seen anybody here that had any priority come from the DEMAP to say, okay, if this is the priority
• years later and we have no priority. years later and we have no priority.
• <02:41:19.840> let's if this is the priority then let's if this is the priority then let's

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate tourism briefing focused on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract oversight, destination management action plans (DMAPs), and the impact of recent legislation and audit findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson said she accepted the temporary role to help address agency challenges, emphasized rebuilding trust, and said HTA is reviewing the state auditor’s concerns and posting its response publicly. She also described HTA’s mission and organizational structure under SB 1571, including reporting lines to the governor, the director, and the board, and outlined staff additions in finance, brand marketing, destination stewardship, and planning. A major topic was the permanent CEO search. HTA board chair Tata Po said the goal is to select a CEO within about four months, with the search firm still engaged, the position description being revised to reflect the new law and compensation changes, and approvals still needed before the job can be reposted. Members expressed frustration that the recruitment had been paused and questioned whether HTA has sufficient qualified leadership and staff during the interim period. Board leadership said the current staff is limited by vacancies but that they have confidence in the team and will add resources if needed. Members also pressed HTA on the role of the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana contract, asking how staff oversight works and whether staff members were effectively wearing multiple hats. HTA explained that the stewardship team provides direction to contractors and that the work is divided among specialists overseeing projects such as tour guide certification, technical assistance, community tourism collaboratives, and a destination app. The committee also discussed whether the board can still vote on budgets under the new structure; the Attorney General’s office was cited as confirming that the board may advise, but the department director retains budget authority. HTA said it is working with CNHA and HVCB on contract and budget timing, with a goal of shifting to a calendar-year process so recipients know funding earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislators, the Office of the Governor, and congressional staff, and consistently ensured that the priorities
• And whereas Lori McDonald represents the Department of Human Services on high-priority statewide initiatives

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call, prayer, and approval of the previous minutes. Members then adopted a resolution honoring Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service, with remarks praising her legislative work, constituent services, leadership, and emergency response roles. McDonald thanked the committee, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, flag, and commemorative coin. The committee received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and a projected surplus of $585.8 million. The executive subcommittee report was adopted, covering emergency rules for DHS and the Department of Education, school district waiver requests, committee fund allocations, cancellation of the July ALC meeting, and authorization for subcommittees to meet in July on urgent matters. The administrative rules report was also adopted after members noted that most rules were approved, with a few pulled by agencies or held. Members then heard a lengthy exchange on the Arkansas Education Department’s ClassWallet contract and delays in expense review for education savings account payments. Department officials said they were meeting regularly with ClassWallet, enforcing contract standards, keeping some reviews in-house, and adding staff and technology improvements to speed processing while maintaining oversight. The committee also adopted reports from Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel, including a Department of Commerce reallocation tied to a broader shared-services realignment. Under review of communications, members filed several retirement system investment items as reviewed, approved rural community grant funding, gave favorable advice for state park additions, approved special maintenance funding for state parks, and filed Office of State Technology service-rate changes as reviewed. The meeting concluded with no new business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, they remain vulnerable to shifting priorities or changes in the administration.
• supports this crucial conservation work by identifying implementation of the rice footprint as a priority

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• friendly reminder, joint committee tomorrow, joint, not House Transportation, joint committee on port priority
• friendly reminder, joint committee tomorrow, joint, not house transportation, joint committee on port priority

Bills: HR275, HR282, HCR112, SCR62, SCR64, SB513

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, Utility Terrain Vehicles, UTVs, safety regulations, transportation, Louisiana, task force, vehicle operation, legislation, accidents, HCR112, House Concurrent Resolution 112, Louisiana Highway 1

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 with a quorum present and took up several resolutions and one Senate bill. SCR 64 created a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) in Louisiana public works; an amendment added representatives from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors, and the resolution was reported with amendments. HR 282 created a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with state agencies; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and it was also reported with amendments. The committee then considered SB 513 on public works project delivery methods. The bill originally included an average-bid award method for certain pilot projects, along with airport design-build provisions. Testimony from a Reason Foundation analyst and from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors raised concerns that average-bid contracting could encourage collusion, raise costs, and lacked supporting data or use by U.S. transportation departments, while airport design-build was supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to strike the average-bid provisions, leaving the airport-related design-build language in place, and SB 513 was reported with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays. The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses, including a fatal incident referenced by the author. HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were disposed of and the committee adjourned.