Transcript Highlights:

• Our price is increasing. Are we seeing a lack of bidders?
• increasing for the project?
• Our good intention fee was $200 to continue on with the project.
• And this has been going on since about 2021 with the increase in new users.
• Maybe that gets increased. I'm on the north side of town.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• When property values are increasing, sales are increasing, that's going up.
• When property values are increasing, sales are increasing, that's going up.
• An increase as to property value?
• In the fee world, fee appraisal is synonymous with the single-property appraisal world.
• It could only increase 10%. So we had a 19% increase in taxable value.

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida on ad valorem valuation, exemptions, and the property tax process. Lauren Levy reviewed the legal and historical framework of Florida property taxation, including Save Our Homes, the 10% cap on non-homestead assessments, portability, tangible personal property exemptions, TRIM notices, and the distinction between taxable value and millage rates. He emphasized that property appraisers are independent constitutional officers who assess just value, administer exemptions, and are overseen by the Department of Revenue, with values and exemptions generally determined as of January 1 and subject to challenge through the Value Adjustment Board or circuit court. Mike Twitty described the mass appraisal process in Pinellas County, explaining how property appraisers value large numbers of parcels using the same core approaches as fee appraisals but with statistical testing, field reviews, aerial imagery, and technology. He discussed the importance of budget, staffing, and the January 1 valuation date, and noted that recent hurricanes caused significant damage, increased petitions, and required new procedures to help property owners with value reductions and FEMA-related issues. Paul Polk focused on Department of Revenue oversight, explaining sales ratio studies, uniformity measures such as COD and PRD, time adjustments, sales qualification reviews, and in-depth studies that can lead to corrective action if assessment standards are not met. He also noted that the Department reviews property appraiser budgets to preserve independence from county pressure. Senators asked about the supersized homestead concept, DOR review and rejection standards, value trends, and the impact of storms and new construction on taxable value. Twitty and Polk said value growth has been driven by a mix of new construction, market appreciation, cap resets, and storm-related adjustments, while noting that some counties saw market value decline even as taxable value rose. They also said some property tax relief proposals would be easier to implement than others depending on how local tax bills are structured, especially where law enforcement millage is separately identified. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this an increase, or is this a new contract?
• you know, other contracts and some, you know, that if we've been using 30%, but we think we can increase
• The draw games were increased by 12.6%. So the total revenue was pretty much increased by 12.6%.
• So the total revenue was pretty much flat, just a 2.2% increase.
• From there, you pay out contract fees, admin fees, salaries, et cetera, and then the net-net is $105

Summary: The committee reviewed two Arkansas Scholarship Lottery contracts and the lottery’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget, along with the monthly disclosure report for May 2026. The first contract was a new three-year advertising and marketing agreement with Cranford Company, running July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, for $19.29 million total, with two optional one-year extensions. Lottery officials said the contract followed an RFP with five bids, no disqualifications, and would cost about $1 million less than the prior contract. Members asked about the bid scoring formula and the weight given to price, and the item was reviewed after a motion and vote. The second contract was a three-year University of Arkansas sponsorship agreement through Learfield for $86,800 per year, or $260,400 total, with no extensions; members questioned a system-generated summary figure that incorrectly showed $1.8 million, and staff clarified that the contract itself did not contain that amount. This item was also reviewed without objection after a motion and vote. In the budget presentation, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery projected about $108.2 million in net proceeds to be transferred to the scholarship account for fiscal 2027. Officials highlighted expected savings of about $1 million each from the new gaming system/scratch ticket printing contracts and the new advertising contract, along with slight shifts in instant and draw ticket revenue forecasts. The committee did not take action on the budget beyond hearing the presentation. The monthly disclosure report showed May 2026 instant game sales were flat year over year, draw game sales were up 12.6%, and total revenue was up 2.2%, while net proceeds were down 8.2% year over year but up 2.5% versus budget for the month. Year to date, draw game sales were up nearly 11.5% and net proceeds were up about 6.4% to 6.5% year over year, with net proceeds ahead of budget by 9.5%. Members asked how unclaimed prizes are handled, and staff explained that scratch-off prizes must be claimed within 90 days and draw prizes within 180 days; unclaimed prizes remain in reserve during the year, then all but $1 million are transferred to the scholarship trust account at fiscal year end. The meeting ended with praise for the lottery’s marketing around a recent large winner and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this an increase, or is this a new contract?
• Correlating to that, the prize payouts will also be decreased or increased based on the sales of those
• The draw games were increased by 12.6%. So the total revenue was pretty much increased by 12.6%.
• So the total revenue was pretty much flat, just a 2.2% increase.
• , admin fees, salaries, et cetera, and then the net-net is $105 million.

Summary: The committee met to review Arkansas Scholarship Lottery contracts and receive updates on operations and finances. Sharon Strong, the lottery’s executive director, presented a new three-year advertising and marketing contract with Cranford Company for $19.29 million, replacing an expiring contract and coming in below the prior three-year amount. Members asked about the RFP process, number of bids, and how cost is weighted in the award formula; the contract was reviewed and approved without objection after a motion and vote. The committee also reviewed a three-year Learfield sponsorship contract tied to University of Arkansas promotional events for $86,800 per year, with a corrected three-year total of $260,400; members questioned a system-generated summary figure that incorrectly showed a seven-year total, and staff clarified the contract itself was only for three years with no extensions. That item was also reviewed without objection. Strong then presented the fiscal 2027 budget, highlighting expected savings of about $1 million each from the new gaming system/scratch ticket contracts and the new advertising contract. The lottery projected slight shifts in instant and draw ticket revenue, corresponding prize payout changes, and net proceeds of about $108.2 million transferred to the scholarship account. In the monthly disclosure report for May 2026, she reported flat instant game sales, a 12.6% increase in draw game sales, and year-to-date net proceeds ahead of budget, with strong draw game performance attributed in part to Powerball. Members asked about unclaimed prizes, which remain in reserve during the year and are transferred at fiscal year-end to the scholarship trust account except for a $1 million reserve, and about how scholarship funds are distributed through the Division of Higher Education based on student rosters and class year awards. The committee also discussed the lottery’s financial statements, including revenue, prize payouts, operating expenses, trust account balances, and unclaimed prize balances. Staff explained that the lottery is self-sustaining and funded by lottery revenue, not taxpayer appropriations, and that the trust account balance is used to meet scholarship requests from higher education. The meeting ended with Senator Hill praising the lottery staff’s marketing around a recent large winner in Little Rock, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then about 18% of that is administrative fees.
• I'll talk a little bit about increasing student recruitment.
• So, as of right now, we are incorporating licensing fees and annual renewal fees for both the custom
• Okay, so that's over 100% increase in five years.
• It's the right time now to invest in increased capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under local law, current law, local authorities could regulate sound through permitting systems, fees
• This includes permitting and fees for basic operational needs like deliveries.
• For a small business already facing inflation, labor shortages, and increased operating costs, these
• fees add up quickly.
• Furthermore, HB 2001 increases the penalty.

Bills: HB 246, HB 796, HB 1056, HB 1544, HB 1846, HB 2001, HB 2618, HB 2625, HB 2869, HB 2898, HB 3069, HB 3114, HB 3157, HB 3228, HJR 98

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• Premiums were increasing over 50%.
• Premiums were increasing over 50%.
• So, there are changes ranging from an average of 7.4% increase to 30.76% increase.
• So, there are changes ranging from an average of 7.4% increase to 30.76% increase.
• increase 30%, they're going to increase increase 30%, they're going to increase 50,<00:57:12.840

Bills: HF3766, HF3972, HF3437, HF4118

Keywords: travel insurance, regulation, insurance licensing, consumer protection, travel assistance, short-term rental, vacation rental, home sharing, rental marketplace, online platform, property damage guarantee, damage waiver, reimbursement insurance, insurance regulation, commerce department, platform user, Airbnb, Vrbo, host protection, rental home marketplace

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that the nominal fee that's associated with them will, arguably, save lives, and we should
• I believe that the nominal fee that's associated with them will in arguably save lives, and we should
• Instead, it will likely increase litigation, costs, and national scrutiny.
• , including the expert fees and the attorney fees on this, so we are opposed.
• Chairman, it would not increase the availability of it to the state. It would remain the same.

Bills: SB1071, SB1315, SB1317, SB1416, SB1493, SB1537, SB1542, SB1584, SB1626, SB1740, SB1751, SB1804, SCR1047, SCR1049

Keywords: Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, school safety, interoperable communications, law enforcement, emergency response, funding, reentry programs, criminal justice, grants, recidivism, attorney general, missing children, kidnapping, reporting requirements, child safety, training

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1071, which would repeal the statutory framework for the Arizona Rangers. The sponsor argued the bill was about accountability and transparency, citing concerns about missing training and firearms qualification records; Arizona Rangers representatives and several sheriffs opposed the bill, saying the Rangers provide valuable volunteer support and that the real issue was adding oversight rather than eliminating protections. After discussion, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1071 a do pass recommendation, with members noting they expected amendments later. The committee then heard SB 1315, requiring school districts and charter schools to maintain interoperable emergency communications with law enforcement and to submit annual affidavits confirming testing and compliance. Testimony from school safety officials and sheriffs emphasized the value of real-time communication during emergencies and the need for secure sharing of campus maps and floor plans; concerns about cost and information security were addressed by supporters. The bill passed unanimously, 7-0. The committee also advanced SB 1317, which appropriates opioid settlement funds for county reentry planning programs; sheriffs and association representatives supported it, citing reduced recidivism and jail populations, and it passed 7-0. Several public safety and missing-children measures were considered next. SB 1416, as amended, revises missing child reporting requirements, adds runaway children back into reporting, requires faster photo and information sharing, and expands training requirements; advocates for missing children and law enforcement supported the compromise language, and the bill passed 7-0. SB 1740, which updates Turquoise Alert training and procedures, was also advanced 7-0 after discussion about statewide versus geographically targeted alerts and the need to keep alerts effective. Later, SB 1493, a strike-everything amendment affecting police officer termination appeals and fee shifting when an employer rejects a favorable administrative ruling, passed 5-2 despite opposition from chiefs’ representatives. SB 1537, renaming the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund and repealing its advisory commission, passed 5-2. The committee also approved SB 1751 and SCR 1049, which expand execution methods to include lethal gas and firing squad and make firing squad mandatory in certain cases involving the murder of a law enforcement officer; opponents raised constitutional, ethical, and practical concerns, while supporters framed the measures as aligning Arizona with other states and providing additional options. Both measures passed 4-3. Finally, SB 1542, which would create a framework and funding for MDMA research and treatment for PTSD in first responders and peace officers contingent on FDA approval, was heard with testimony describing promising clinical trial results and the need for Arizona research; the bill was then moved forward, though the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because these fees are being charged often for landing fees and a variety of things, pilots are actually
• perspective whether that's a ramp fee, a landing fee, and again, it's very minimal right now the amount
• of landing fees and ramp fees that are out there, but they are out there.
• Is that what you're asking about landing fees specifically? Yeah, or just any fees, I guess?
• By just paying that flat fee at the month based on the average mileage, it's a fair fee and that has

Bills: SB1312, SB1323, SB1599, SB1863, SB1932, SB1950, SB1956, SB1958, SB1966, SB1970, SB2052

Keywords: vehicle registration, automatic payments, Service Oklahoma, taxes, motor vehicle, prepayment program, memorial designation, highway, Sheriff Marty Grisham, transportation, Oklahoma Statutes, memorial bridge, dedication, Oklahoma, commemoration, memorial highway, road designation, John Skelley, motor carrier, administrative hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• Key provisions of the bill include capping fees at five times the monthly benefit increase, banning upfront
• increase and times the monthly benefit increase and banning<01:21:06.120> upfront<01:21:06.560
• They don't always give their fees up front.
• , perhaps not for a fee, but perhaps make part of their living doing this?
• perhaps for a fee perhaps not for a fee perhaps for a fee perhaps not for a fee but<01:33:24.400

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:03:23.560> costs really driving these increasing costs really driving these increasing
• schedule, the inpatient fee schedule, and the physician fee schedule when they expect to have greater
• um uh fee schedule the inpatient<02:13:20.840> fee<02:13:21.199> schedule<02:13:21.520
• inpatient fee schedule and the physician fee<02:13:22.440> schedule<02:13:22.920> when
• today that um would you know increase today that um would you know increase the<02:16:29.679>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division III held an informational hearing on Medicaid, Medicare, Choices for Independence, and related financing, while postponing nursing facility financing and the county cap discussion to a later date. DHHS officials Ann Landry, Jonathan Ballard, and Medicaid Director Henry Litman provided an overview of Medicaid’s role, noting it is a federal-state partnership with state-specific eligibility and benefits, and emphasizing that Medicaid is a major funding and programmatic support for other DHHS initiatives. They also distinguished Medicaid from Medicare and explained that Medicaid funding is not the same as grant funding, though some providers may also receive federal grants through other channels. The presentation focused on New Hampshire’s relatively small Medicaid program and why it differs from national averages. Officials said about 184,000 residents are covered, roughly one in seven Granite Staters compared with one in five nationally, and attributed the difference largely to the state’s higher per-capita income and older population. They highlighted that about 65% of Medicaid-enrolled adults in New Hampshire are working, that only 22% of births are covered by Medicaid versus 42% nationally, and that the state’s uninsured rate is lower than the national rate. Members asked about covered services, income limits, federal matching rates, and the names of optional eligibility groups; staff explained that New Hampshire offers the optional groups discussed, with matching rates varying by category, including 90% for Granite Advantage and certain other groups, and 65% for children above the required level. A substantial portion of the hearing covered eligibility rules and recent policy changes. Officials reviewed the history of Medicaid, including HCBS waivers, the CFI program, Katie Beckett, the Olmstead decision, the ACA, and the end of continuous enrollment after the public health emergency. They also discussed the 2023 legislative expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and child eligibility changes. In response to questions, DHHS said it is tracking utilization and costs for the postpartum expansion and reported that many maternal deaths occur after the prior 60-day coverage period, often involving substance use disorder or suicide; they said the longer coverage is intended to improve access to treatment and prevention. The committee also walked through household-income examples, clarified that Medicaid eligibility is based on household income and categorical rules, and confirmed that Granite Advantage ends at 138% of the federal poverty level unless another categorical basis applies. No votes were taken, and the hearing remained informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• fees to the dam maintenance fund.
• And being a boat owner myself, it's a nominal fee.
• And being a boat owner myself, it's a nominal fee.
• And being a boat owner myself, it's a nominal fee.
• Fee. So I think people are okay with this. >> Um, any further discussion?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 241, which would provide information about alternative pain treatments rather than mandate services. Members cited support from the prime sponsor, medical organizations, insurers, and other stakeholders, and noted there was no fiscal impact. The committee voted unanimously, 7-0, to ought to pass the bill. It then took up House Bill 629, which raises a boat decal fee and dedicates the revenue to the dam maintenance fund. Members described the state’s deteriorating dam infrastructure, noting the large number of dams, the high-hazard sites, and the much larger funding need, while saying the bill would provide only a modest start. They also said boat owners generally did not strongly object to the fee. The committee voted 7-0 to ought to pass. House Bill 1042, concerning an increase in the unified contingent credit limit for New Hampshire Business Finance Authority projects, drew more divided discussion. Supporters said the higher cap would provide needed flexibility and liquidity for business development and that the state treasurer and BFA had explained the credit structure and low historical loss rate; opponents warned the increase would raise state exposure too much, too soon. After debate, the chair postponed the bill, then later returned with an amendment lowering the proposed limit from 450 million to 400 million, which the committee adopted unanimously. The committee then moved to ought to pass as amended. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1411, which would have allowed withholding payments to the federal government in response to federal actions. Members opposing the bill argued that withholding employee-related funds would be unlawful and ineffective, while supporters said it could serve as a statement and suggested interim study instead. The committee rejected the bill on a 4-3 vote and voted to inexpedient to legislate.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, if it is a fee dispute, we generally do not get involved in fee disputes unless they're
• It has to be a clear overreaching or unconscionable for us to get involved in a fee dispute.
• However, we do offer a free voluntary fee arbitration program.
• You can see that increases by several 1000 lawyers just about every year.
• That also is funded solely from membership fees. So no tax dollars goes towards that.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• APD SINCE THE AGES FEES FOR PRETZELS DISABILITY TO THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS.
• SO NOVEMBER 1 INCREASE TO 831.
• IT WAS ALSO TRUE BEFORE BUT THERE'S BEEN A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF MALES.
• OR IS THE MAJORITY OF THE STILL FEE-FOR-SERVICE. VERSUS FEE-FOR-SERVICE IN THIS PILOT AS WELL?
• OR IS THE MAJORITY OF THE STILL FEE-FOR-SERVICE. >> CAROL, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT ONE?

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas, in Arizona, the population of adults over 65 has increased from 13% in 2000 to 19% in 2022
• This growth will lead to an increased demand for health services.
• This growth will lead to an increased demand for health services, and whereas the CDC reported that 44.2%
• fees that support operations throughout our 30 parks and all the rural communities among them.
• I think it's important that we have an equitable division of these fees. I will be voting no.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, recorded attendance, and recognized several guests and proclamations, including Arizona Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The chamber also announced temporary committee replacements and received House messages and bill referrals before moving to floor action. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1014 on health insurance, SB 1016 on employment practices, SB 1050 on state parks board/veterans park access, SB 1054 on referendum power and emergency measures, SB 1177 on public monies and gender-affirming care, SB 1194 on health care services and vaccination-related treatment issues, SB 1398 on AHCCCS, SB 1751 on capital punishment, and SCR 1049, a constitutional amendment proposal related to capital punishment. Several members explained votes, with supporters emphasizing veterans’ benefits, limits on emergency measure abuse, health care access, and policy changes on capital punishment, while opponents raised concerns about worker protections, local government authority, discrimination against transgender people, and the death penalty. Each measure passed by recorded vote and was transmitted to the House. The Senate also noted upcoming committee meetings, including Health and Human Services the next day, and then adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And will this increase any cost to your...
• Well, I’m certain that it would somewhat increase our costs.
• And will this increase any cost to your?
• Well, I'm certain that it would somewhat increase our costs.
• Those fees would go up.

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills, a resolution, and one House bill. The committee reported favorably Senate Bill 79 to recreate Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to establish the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, Senate Bill 375 on firefighting foam with amendments clarifying use in declared emergencies, Senate Bill 398 moving manufactured and modular housing oversight under the Contractors Licensing Board with technical and substantive amendments, Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing with an amendment providing for federal preemption if Congress enacts a national licensing regime, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks with consumer-protection provisions and technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably House Resolution 197, as amended, urging the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage resources with LSU involvement, and Senate Bill 54, which would allow estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services; that bill drew extensive testimony from supporters and opponents in the cosmetology and aesthetics industries before being reported favorably. Several bills prompted detailed discussion and testimony. On Senate Bill 398, the sponsor and Contractors Licensing Board representatives said the change would improve enforcement and consumer safety for manufactured-home installation, especially tie-downs, leveling, and foundation blocking, while not affecting HUD-regulated construction. On the virtual currency bills, OFI said it currently licenses 37 virtual currency businesses with 33 pending applications, and supporters described the kiosk bill as a response to fraud complaints by requiring clearer disclosures, refund procedures, live customer support, and reporting to OFI. For House Resolution 197, the sponsor, PSC officials, and energy stakeholders said the study would examine the value of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, in light of rising demand and grid reliability concerns; PSC staff and LSU energy experts described the study as focused on market value and avoided-cost benefits. House Bill 744, which would have shifted regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the PSC, generated discussion about constitutional history, rate impacts, and utility consolidation. PSC officials and the sponsor said the current city-council regulation is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921, and they argued that PSC regulation could reduce costs and simplify oversight, but the sponsor ultimately moved to defer the bill rather than force a floor fight, and the committee agreed. The committee then began consideration of Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, adopting technical amendments and then a larger amendment package that revised definitions and compliance provisions; the transcript ends while that bill’s amendment process is still underway, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• established and um then to make the fees established and um then to make the fees collected<00:13
• of the organization, increase public awareness.
• of the organization, increase public awareness.
• <00:32:35.600> the apparently they need to uh increase the apparently they need to uh increase
• organization, increase public awareness. organization, increase public awareness.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up several Senate messages on House bills. It recommended non-concurrence and a committee conference on HB 428 after Representative Pearson raised a constitutional concern about a retroactive provision in the building code bill. It also recommended non-concurrence on HB 156, which had been rewritten by the Senate to create a permanent subcommittee related to food/procurement; members said they did not want to create a permanent subcommittee and preferred to let the issue return next year if needed. On HB 85, concerning temporary student licenses for respiratory therapists, the committee concurred with a Senate rewrite that added restrictions but preserved the bill’s main purpose. On HB 82, a cleanup bill for occupational licensing, the committee concurred with a Senate amendment explicitly allowing the electricians board to create subcommittees, with members noting they did not think the authority was necessary but that it would not do harm. The committee then considered SB 178 on laboratory water testing. Representative Leyon offered amendment 2025-1743H to clarify how fees would be deposited and to direct a portion of certain fees and grants into a non-lapsing lab equipment and replacement fund rather than the general fund. Members said the amendment made the bill’s fiscal flow easier to understand. The amendment passed unanimously, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended on SB 178, also unanimously, and placed it on consent. For SB 180, dealing with Coos County distressed-area designation, the committee adopted amendment 1748H to remove a provision requiring commissioners to give extra consideration to Coos County and to add a 20-year sunset on the designation. The amendment passed 14-2, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended 15-1; Representative Schmidt said he would file a minority report because he viewed the provision as unenforceable rather than objectionable. The committee also voted to retain SB 185, which concerned OPLC-related issues, so the agency could continue working on a policy and report back later; that motion passed 16-0. Finally, the committee voted inexpedient to legislate on SB 198, establishing New Hampshire Service Dog Week, after debate over whether the recognition should be statutory or left to a gubernatorial proclamation. Supporters argued the bill would raise awareness and help promote service dogs, while opponents said the effort could continue without a statute and that special-day statutes often lose attention once enacted. The committee also voted inexpedient to legislate on SB 182 after extensive discussion of proposed changes to the maternal mortality review process. Opponents argued the bill would broaden access to personally identifiable information, change panel structure, and affect data comparability; supporters said it was a housekeeping update requested by DHS that would add DCYF and Corrections and improve review of maternal deaths. The ITL motion passed 10-6, and Representative Long said he would file a minority report and explain the committee’s reasoning to the bill’s sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you increase spending nearly 40%, it's unsustainable.
• Not only was spending increased by about 40%, but taxes and fees were also increased by an additional
• about 40% spending increased by about 40% but<00:07:30.759> taxes<00:07:31.120> and<00
• :07:31.280> fees<00:07:31.560> were<00:07:31.840> also<00:07:32.160> increased
• but taxes and fees were also increased but taxes and fees were also increased by<00:07:32.759>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Jeremy Miller discussed the Minnesota Senate’s new power-sharing arrangement with DFL Senator Bobby Joe Champion, describing it as a historic opportunity to restore cooperation after what he said were difficult and trust-losing last sessions. He said co-presiding officers should not slow progress, argued that the Senate has a tradition of respectful dialogue, and said his goal is to help rebuild relationships and focus on what is best for Minnesotans rather than partisan interests. Miller said he has heard positive feedback from constituents and emphasized that Minnesota is a “purple state” that expects balance and collaboration. He also said the legislature should address a looming budget deficit by reining in spending, reviewing the budget line by line, and targeting waste, fraud, and abuse, which he said could help create room for tax relief. He framed his legacy goal as cooperation and working together across party lines, saying he and Champion were entrusted by colleagues to lead in the best interest of the Senate and the state. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the interview.

Transcript Highlights:

• The issues we oversee—housing affordability, increasing access to capital, and bolstering our economic
• Atkins, do you agree that private fund managers are charging higher fees?
• Well, Senator, there's a whole range of fees that are done, but I would, to your point there as far as
• So you're saying that investors should be protected by making sure that they know what those fees are
• So the typical management fee for a private fund can be four times higher than the annual fee for a mutual

Keywords: financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth

Summary: The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.

Transcript Highlights:

• and what we heard was that one of the barriers to the use of interlock was the license reinstatement fee
• barriers to the use of interlock was the license<00:04:45.800> reinstatement<00:04:46.560> fee
• reinstatement fee that people have<00:04:47.680> to<00:04:47.840> pay<00:04:48.039>
• interlock restrictions that an increase interlock restrictions that an increase in<00:09:15.040>
• <00:09:51.920> I associated with the interlock fees I associated with the interlock fees I

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 2130, sponsored by Representative Craft, was heard and amended before being re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy. The bill responds to serious impaired-driving tragedies in St. Louis Park, including the Park Tavern crash, and aims to strengthen Minnesota’s ignition interlock requirements for repeat DWI offenders. Craft described the bill as based on data showing repeat-offender risk, arguing that current law’s look-back and interlock timelines are too limited and that the statute was also reorganized for clarity. The A1 amendment was adopted without objection. Craft explained that the amendment clarifies when the $680 license reinstatement fee must be paid: not before entering interlock, but before exiting the program, to reduce barriers to participation. He also said the bill would extend interlock requirements more aggressively for repeat offenders, expand the look-back period for prior offenses, and in some cases require treatment. He emphasized that interlock is intended to improve public safety and can support sobriety, while also acknowledging broader root-cause issues such as mental health and addiction. Testimony in support came from St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamad, Police Chief Brian Cruy, and Methodist Hospital President Jennifer Meister. They said the bill would help address gaps in current law, better account for prior offenses, and potentially prevent future tragedies. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was a reaction to tragedy and about addressing underlying causes of impaired driving, while others supported the measure and noted the need for broader transportation and treatment options. After discussion, the committee voted to re-refer HF 2130 to Public Safety Finance and Policy, and the motion prevailed.