Transcript Highlights:

• However, because this simple report inexplicably has a fiscal note, three times the construction cost
• year tax year is under construction year tax year is under construction shall<00:41:16.400> not
• properties that are being constructed properties that are being constructed are<00:43:00.560>
• Construction costs, a statewide crisis.
• Uh, it is a popular construct in our state relative to our population size.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction is funded, with a projected opening in June 2029.
• Construction is funded with a refined.
• <01:07:30.720> funds appropriated school construction funds appropriated school construction
• Darling did the design and construction, and they will manage the property in the short term.
• <01:20:28.159> of funding request include construction of funding request include construction

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In responding to Senator Gruenhagen, I'll say that the Met Council is similarly in its legal construction
• to a local unit of legal construction to a local unit of government.<01:43:58.840> It's<01:43
• grateful for this bill because it is so important that we do whatever we can in the way that we construct
• grateful for this bill because it is so important that we do whatever we can in the way that we construct
• grateful for this bill because it is so important that we do whatever we can in the way that we construct

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received a chaplain’s prayer and the pledge, and then proceeded through routine business. Members adopted the committee reports except those relating to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, gave second reading to Senate File 203 and several House files, and referred Senate File 5200 to Rules and Administration. The chamber also adopted a motion to return Senate File 4390 from the general orders calendar to the Finance Committee. The main floor activity centered on a series of motions to send withdrawn executive appointments back to their originating committees under Senate Rule 8.2. Senator Putnam moved to return appointments from the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee, including the Board of Animal Health, the Veterans Affairs commissioner, and the Rural Finance Authority. Senator Swadzinski moved a similar action for Education Policy appointments, and Senator Her did so for Environment, Climate, and Legacy appointments, including the DNR commissioner, the PCA commissioner, the Clean Water Council, and related boards. Senator Wicklund later moved to return Health and Human Services appointments, including the Children, Youth and Families commissioner, Health commissioner, VNSHUR Board, and EMS director. These motions prompted extended debate. Supporters of returning the appointments argued that the Senate has a constitutional advice-and-consent duty and that committee hearings should occur before floor consideration. Opponents, mainly Republicans, argued that sending the appointments back without floor action avoided accountability and transparency, especially in light of fraud concerns in state programs and agencies. Some authors said hearings had not yet been scheduled or that the committee process should come first; others noted at least one hearing had already occurred on a health nomination. The debate repeatedly focused on whether the Senate was fulfilling its constitutional role or delaying confirmation review. Roll-call votes were requested on the appointment motions. The Putnam, Swadzinski, Her, and Wicklund motions were each adopted by narrow 34-33 margins, returning the appointments to committee rather than leaving them on the confirmation calendar for floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of them are built, and two of them are under construction right now.
• I mean, it causes lots of accidents, particularly in highway construction zones, right?
• Categories can include evaluation, study, project, construction projects, or strategy.
• This is a construct in place that I think we can all sit here and go, it makes sense.
• Do you think they'd be helpful if they were constructed?

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:33.360> of uh to continue the the construction of uh to continue the the construction
• So, active transportation, complete streets, road construction projects.
• So, active transportation, complete streets, road construction projects.
• So, active transportation, complete streets, road construction projects.
• So, active transportation, complete streets, road construction projects.

Bills: HF4693

Keywords: transportation, license plates, validation stickers, replacement fees, government fees, 1183, house

Summary: The Transportation Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 13, 2026 minutes and then heard a presentation from Charles Carlson of Metropolitan Transportation Services on regional transit governance and finance in the Twin Cities area. Carlson reviewed the history of transit governance from private streetcars and buses to public control, including the creation of the Met Council and Metropolitan Transit Commission in 1967, later fragmentation through suburban opt-outs and the Regional Transit Board, and the 1994 consolidation that made Metro Transit part of the Met Council. He also explained the role of the Transportation Advisory Board as a state-created advisory body to the council’s federally designated MPO function, and noted that any major structural change to the Met Council could trigger federal redesignation requirements. The presentation then focused on funding changes over time. Carlson said transit was long supported by fares, property taxes, and federal aid, but that property taxes for operations were prohibited in 2001, federal operating assistance ended, and the state shifted to general fund support and then motor vehicle sales tax revenue. He described the 2006 constitutional dedication of motor vehicle sales tax, the volatility of that revenue during the Great Recession, and the use of one-time state appropriations and later federal COVID relief to cover operating gaps. He said the 2023 legislature created the regional 3/4-cent transportation sales tax to stabilize transit operations, reduced the state’s rail operating obligation, and moved Metro Mobility/Metro Move into a state forecast-based program effective in 2025. Members asked several questions about the structure of suburban “opt-out” providers, including Maple Grove and Plymouth, and how they can contract with Metro Transit or private providers while still retaining control of their allocated funds. Carlson explained that replacement service municipalities receive statutory and formula allocations and choose how to use them. He also described Metro Move as a waiver-based service begun in 2024 that uses human services and Medicaid funds to reduce pressure on the state general fund. Later discussion covered ridership and service shares, with Metro Council providing the vast majority of regional transit service and suburban providers accounting for a small share. No votes or bill actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes; the chair indicated a bill would be taken up later in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• areas or especially rain in construction areas or especially in<00:53:53.040> rural<00:53:53.359
• I have responsibility over maintenance and construction activities in the Transportation Cabinet, and
• The other type of stripe that we apply is when we have any sort of construction project that puts a new
• uh when we have any sort of construction uh when we have any sort of construction project<00:58:
• For our construction projects, that budget is incorporated into the budget for those projects.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association on the importance of general aviation airports in Kentucky and their economic and public-safety role. Witnesses said the state has more than 50 general aviation airports that support jobs, agriculture, tourism, medical transport, disaster response, and law enforcement, and they urged continued support for aviation infrastructure and workforce development. They asked the legislature to again provide $200,000 per general aviation airport for operating and basic infrastructure costs, to route the money through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for accountability, to revisit a special-purpose governmental entity audit requirement they said is too costly for small airports, to create a long-term appropriations process for the roughly $100 million in unmet capital needs, and to fund the Arrow Act for aviation education and scholarships. Members asked about a dedicated aviation fuel tax and about local training partnerships, simulators, and school or community college programs; the witnesses said they preferred an appropriations-based solution and offered to help connect interested communities with aviation education resources. The committee then took up “Troy’s Law,” sponsored by Representatives White and Flannery, which would allow tow trucks to use blue lights while stationary and actively removing vehicles or debris from highways. Sponsors and tow operators said the bill is intended to improve worker safety after the deaths of tow operators Troy Cwell and Hubert Mosley in highway hit-and-run incidents, and they emphasized that tow operators often work in dangerous conditions at night, in bad weather, and near fast-moving traffic. They said the proposal would not apply while driving or towing and noted that other states have adopted similar measures. Witnesses from the towing industry, including Bubba Johnson and Barbara Maguire, supported the bill as an added layer of protection and described tow operators as first responders who help motorists in emergencies. Representative Flannery and other members expressed support for the safety goal and invited further discussion, but no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The vision for a new shelter. 360 Communities is embarking on a transformational project to construct
• to remain fully operational during construction as part of the Minnesota Day One system.
• to remain fully operational during construction as part of the Minnesota Day One system.
• Thank you. construct a Vivo St. Cloud facility and construct a Vivo St.
• We, the local capital construction.

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a new, basically it's a new facility now because it's been newly constructed to be able to make
• There's a new, basically it's a new facility now because it's been newly constructed to be able to make
• There's a new, basically it's a new facility now because it's been newly constructed to be able to make
• <00:57:19.480> to because it's been newly constructed to because it's been newly constructed
• to be able to move the new construction to be able to move people<00:57:28.520> around<00:57:

Bills: HF2196, HF2586, HF2187, HF2037

Keywords: mental health, emotional disturbance, terminology update, statutory cleanup, conforming amendments, children's mental health, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, case management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis services, health plan coverage, antipsychotic drugs, medical assistance, Medicaid, foster care, juvenile court, school discipline, county board

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is the library construction program.
• be safe spaces for people to go to, so we really appreciate your care and concern for library construction
• and cultural heritage construction and cultural heritage construction School<00:08:39.760> library
• program um there's almost construction program um there's almost $200<00:09:51.160> million<00
• you've given um to library Construction you've given um to library Construction um<00:10:00.200>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be used for new construction or rehab and funds both rental housing and home ownership.
• It can be used for new construction or rehab and funds both rental housing and home ownership.
• It can be used for new construction or rehab and funds both rental housing and home ownership.
• It can be used for new construction or rehab and funds both rental housing and home ownership.
• It can be used for new construction or rehab and funds both rental housing and home ownership.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last eight years, we also have deferred construction of new projects, you know, like playgrounds
• of of of new deferred construction of of of new projects<00:02:35.680> you<00:02:35.800> know
• Late last year, we were able to negotiate acquisition of land and begin construction on our permanent
• family homes are now under construction family homes are now under construction we<00:09:51.640>
• This includes the construction and reconstruction of affordable single-family and multifamily housing

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also continue to believe that allowing utilities to be more directly involved in construction and
• In many projects, it is the largest cost for construction.
• I think this is a constructive approach. I appreciate it. Trying to solve this problem.
• I think this is a constructive approach.
• Certain types of projects don't require a CPCN or a permit to construct.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• has spent a substantial amount of time and shared his vast experience to provide thoughtful and constructive
• <00:04:15.599> feedback thoughtful and constructive feedback thoughtful and constructive feedback
• With it being a new construction, vendors had already been selected.
• already<00:35:44.800> been construction, vendors had already been construction, vendors
• only on on amounts uh work, construction only on on amounts uh work, construction work,<01:01:21.359

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 1750, an HOA/common interest community reform bill, and first adopted the DE9 amendment after the chair moved it to put the bill in the form the author wanted. The bill was described by supporters as a consumer and homeowner protection measure intended to add transparency, dispute-resolution rights, conflict-of-interest rules, and limits on fees and late charges in Minnesota HOAs, which supporters said have grown rapidly and are not adequately covered by current law. Supporters, including legal aid, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, said the bill responds to longstanding complaints about HOA abuse, lack of transparency, escalating attorney fees, foreclosure-related problems, and management-company conflicts of interest. They argued the revised bill reflects extensive stakeholder work and would help homeowners resolve disputes without costly escalation while improving fairness and accountability. Opponents, including attorneys and representatives of HOA management interests, argued the bill is too rigid and one-size-fits-all, would raise costs for all homeowners, and could make associations harder to govern. They said fee caps, contract restrictions, procurement mandates, and dispute procedures would increase assessments, reduce flexibility, discourage board service, and create more legal and administrative burden, especially for smaller or financially strained communities. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction equipment.
• Summit Academy is very much powerful in the construction area.
• So what happens is there is a real shortage in just construction.
• So what happens is there is a real shortage in just construction.
• So what happens is there is a real shortage in just construction.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the planning design and construction and the planning design and construction of<00:11:00.880
• <00:14:13.639> management<00:14:14.600> in for uh construction management in for uh
• construction management in quality<00:14:15.360> insurance<00:14:16.240> and<00:14:16.759
• <00:27:00.880> of<00:27:01.120> those<00:27:01.399> facilities for construction
• of those facilities for construction of those facilities that<00:27:02.520> the<00:27:02.720>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures on the 1 p.m. agenda. SB 817, relating to out-of-state offices, drew support from DBEDT and several community groups, with questions focused on the requested funding, staffing level, whether the office would expand broadly, and whether the Philippines was being singled out. SB 1578, relating to international affairs, received support from DBEDT and the Attorney General, with the chair noting the bill was intended to help DBEDT analyze Hawaii’s international partnerships and plan next steps. SB 1639, establishing Hawaii Beach Day, had limited testimony and was moved along without substantive debate. SB 582, relating to DBEDT, was also heard with support from state agencies and a few individuals, and was described as a vehicle for organizational and funding changes affecting the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, including moving some positions and programming to general funds and narrowing the works-of-art special fund's uses. The committees then took up recommendations. All three measures were advanced with amendments: SB 817 was amended to include technical changes and a defective effective date of July 1, 2025; SB 1578 was amended to address the Attorney General’s concerns, make the commission subject to Senate confirmation, and add technical changes and a defective date; and SB 582 was amended to incorporate provisions from SB 1577, clarify SFCA authority over performing arts, shift SFCA positions and programming to general funds, restrict the works-of-art special fund, and add a defective date. Each committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations, with no reservations or no votes noted in the Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee and only Senator Dela Cruz voting no on SB 817 there; in the Economic Development and Tourism committee, SB 817 passed with Senator Kim in reservation and Senator Awa voting no, while SB 1578 and SB 582 passed with Senator Awa voting no. The later 10:00 a.m. agenda hearing focused on SB 1589, relating to the stadium development special fund, and SB 1629, relating to taxation. On SB 1589, the Attorney General asked for clarification of section 3, particularly the proviso about remaining monies lapsing to the general fund if the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is terminated before completion; the interim stadium manager explained the bill would allow spending of $49.5 million already in the special fund for consultant, construction management, quality assurance, and contingency costs. On SB 1629, testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including film industry and business representatives, said the measure would support local film production, restore prior GET treatment, and help attract studio development; opponents argued the bill was vague, overly favorable to a specific project, and lacked oversight and accountability. The hearing ended with extensive questioning about whether the bill was effectively tailored to a particular studio project and how it related to other film tax credit measures, but no final committee action on SB 1589 or SB 1629 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, it provides sales tax refunds for construction projects for construction materials for projects
• And finally, it provides sales tax refunds for construction projects for construction materials for projects
• , and the timeline to spend these aids on affordable housing construction or emergency shelter construction
• Include emergency shelter facility construction, and the timeline to spend these aids on affordable housing
• construction or emergency shelter construction is extended by two years.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stormwater in constructed ponds contains multiple pollutants of concern, including bacteria, viruses,
• Some treatment of stormwater from constructed ponds is appropriate and necessary to make this water safe
• on how to safely use stormwater guidance on how to safely use stormwater from<01:03:07.320> constructed
• <01:03:07.880> stormwater<01:03:08.400> ponds<01:03:08.760> for from constructed
• stormwater ponds for from constructed stormwater ponds for reuse. reuse. reuse.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the definition of public works in Title 16 limits it to specific industry, so for construction and
• But the definition of public works in Title 16 limits it to specific industry, so for construction and
• So, right now, in Title 16, which correctly only applies to construction and other types of services,
• uh construction and transportation. uh construction and transportation.
• and other types applies to construction and other types of<00:36:34.440> services,<00:36:35.400

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The joint Minerals Committee met to select interim topics and announced its meeting dates for April 27-28 in Casper, June 4-5 in Casper, and August 27-28 in Cheyenne. Members heard public testimony on several economic development and minerals-related topics and were asked to identify their top priorities for later ranking and consensus. No formal votes were taken during this portion of the meeting. A major topic was removing obstacles to energy development in Wyoming, including possible regulatory, bonding, and permitting barriers. Testimony from the Mining Association and Energy Capital Economic Development supported revisiting barriers to development, similar to the earlier Regulatory Reduction Task Force. Another related topic was industrial siting exemptions on coal mine property, with testimony arguing that mineral-related projects such as rare earths, uranium conversion, and ferroalloys should not have to go through the full industrial siting process when communities have already dealt with similar development. Members also discussed industrial siting bonding requirements, including whether bonding or advance payments should be used to cover impacts on local services and emergency response, especially for projects like solar farms or battery storage. The committee also discussed coal bed methane industrial sovereign zones, tied to House Bill 120, with testimony seeking to include coal bed methane in value-added manufacturing zones. The sponsor said the goal was to create industrial zones that support economic development while protecting scenic values and limiting industrial sprawl. Another topic was sourcing curling stones in Wyoming, which was presented as a lighthearted but potentially useful way to promote Wyoming stone and broader dimension-stone quarrying; a state geologist testified that Wyoming has granite with similar mineralogy to stone used for curling stones elsewhere. Child care as an economic driver was withdrawn. The committee also heard support for a Business Council restructure review, though several members said the Minerals Committee should do the substantive review because the Business Council falls within its jurisdiction, while still coordinating with Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a domestic preference in residential general service contracts, extending Wyoming preference concepts beyond construction into goods and services, with testimony emphasizing local economic multipliers and possible exceptions for federal funding or other procurement limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a construction worker, so what did he do?
• He took his construction truck every night after work, went home, had dinner with his kids.
• He's a construction worker, so what did he do?
• He took his construction truck every night after work, went home, had dinner with his kids.
• He's a construction worker, so what did he do?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the primary drivers is simply the increase in construction costs that continue to rise through
• 00:21:32.600> the<00:21:32.760> increase<00:21:33.120> in<00:21:33.320> construction
• simply the increase in construction simply the increase in construction costs<00:21:34.159> that
• <00:47:02.359> of<00:47:02.559> the just for the construction of the just for the construction
• and all the actually start construction and all the biddings<00:47:48.440> and<00:47:48.599><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal facts. Chair Franson then announced that the committee would hear the governor’s bonding request for state agencies, starting with the Department of Public Safety. Commissioner Bob Jacobson, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, and State Patrol Colonel Christina Boich were introduced as the presenters. The Department of Public Safety focused on three capital projects: a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory, an expansion of the BCA regional office and laboratory in northern Minnesota, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters funded with trunk highway cash. Evans said the BCA’s St. Paul headquarters is severely overcrowded and that demand has grown because of sexual assault kit testing, digital evidence work, drug evidence, and a sharp rise in cybercrime and child exploitation cases. He said the regional facilities would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for testimony and evidence drop-off, expand training access for local law enforcement, and allow the BCA to serve southern and northern Minnesota more efficiently. Members questioned the high cost of the projects, including Representative Skraba’s concern about the per-square-foot cost. Evans responded that the facilities are expensive because they are specialized laboratories, not office buildings, and must include costly equipment, HVAC systems, redundant power, and other lab-specific features; he said retrofitting existing buildings would cost about the same as new construction. He also said the Southern Minnesota project had increased from about $48 million to $68.1 million due to final design changes, larger space needs, and rising construction costs. Representative Sexton asked about training availability, and Evans said the new facility would include a classroom for 40 to 60 students and could be used by other agencies at low or no cost. Representative Hansen asked about regional training centers, and Evans said the BCA uses them for specialized training but still needs this classroom-based regional space. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.