Transcript Highlights:

• And this is just the first step of many bills that will be coming.
• in this state and it's time for us to in this state and it's time for us to take<00:02:42.959> steps
• at getting to that and fixing take steps at getting to that and fixing that<00:02:45.959> the
• We believe the Minnesota Starter Home Act can be a step in the right direction.
• The Minnesota Starter Home Act can be a step in the right direction.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1987, the Minnesota Starter Home Act, and first adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which made minor cleanup changes, removed sections two and three, adjusted ADU language, and tweaked density language. The bill authors described the measure as a bipartisan effort to address Minnesota’s housing shortage by allowing more starter homes, duplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units, while also limiting some local zoning barriers and preserving city protections in certain sensitive areas. They emphasized that the state has a large housing gap, rising home prices, and that the bill is intended as one part of a broader housing package. Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Housing First Minnesota, Habitat for Humanity, AARP Minnesota, and Americans for Prosperity. These witnesses argued that workforce and starter-home shortages are hurting families, employers, and economic growth; that restrictive zoning and lengthy approval processes raise costs; and that more middle housing and ADUs would expand options for older adults, caregivers, working families, and people seeking homeownership. Several supporters said the bill would reduce regulatory barriers, lower development costs, and help communities add needed housing supply. Opposition or cautionary testimony came from city and municipal representatives, including officials from Cambridge, Eagan, and Mankato, as well as the League of Minnesota Cities and related groups. They argued that local governments already are approving substantial housing growth and need flexibility to manage zoning, parking, infrastructure, stormwater, and community input. They warned the bill could weaken local control, remove practical standards, and create unintended impacts such as more rental conversion in some neighborhoods or development without adequate infrastructure. No final vote on the bill itself was shown in the transcript beyond adoption of the A1 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• or<00:15:42.880> six<00:15:43.360> very<00:15:43.720> big<00:15:44.079> steps
• There will be steps along the way that we will see benefits and improvements as we document our standards
• The legislature took steps to address the backlog in state fiscal year 2024 by adding four investigator
• present day the legislature took steps present day the legislature took steps to<00:44:21.319>
• As you can see, there are numerous steps in the process contributing to the time it takes to process

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 21 and first approved the January 30 minutes and the consent calendar, with item 2540 removed by the Department of Education and item 25057 set aside for discussion. The committee then took up FIS 25057, a Department of Transportation request tied to a federal grant for building information modeling and related data standardization across DOT systems. Transportation officials explained that the $2.405 million consultant-heavy request would connect surveying, design, construction, and asset management systems, improve efficiency and long-term asset tracking, and help the department catch up with other states. Several senators questioned the lack of immediate, quantifiable budget savings and the reliance on consultants, but the item was ultimately adopted. The committee next approved FIS 25054 for the Department of Health and Human Services after questioning a $16 million shortfall in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. DHHS explained the variance as a budgeting and accounting issue tied to separating CHIP from Medicaid managed care, pandemic-era continuous enrollment, and the new federal requirement for 12 months of continuous coverage for children. Members also approved a Cannon Mountain fee item, where park officials described a proposed price freeze for early-bird passes, a new in-season tier, and modest increases in off-season pricing, while noting operating cost pressures, strong snow conditions, and favorable customer value ratings. That item was adopted unanimously. The committee also approved the Department of Corrections item after discussion of staffing, retirement eligibility, overtime, and recidivism. Commissioner Helen Hanks said retirement-eligible staff had declined slightly, recruitment was improving, overtime hours were down, one housing floor had been closed because of lower population, and the department had reduced reincarceration by 8% over seven years, which she said produced substantial savings. The item was adopted. During informational items, the committee heard a Legislative Budget Assistant performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. The audit found the commission inefficient and ineffective in processing complaints, with average case closure taking 840 days, significant backlogs dating back decades, expired administrative rules, weak management controls, disorganized and outdated procedures, unreliable data, and unresolved prior audit findings. The audit included 25 recommendations, two of which may require legislative action. Commission staff said they appreciated the recommendations and expected the additional resources from the prior budget cycle to help address the backlog and improve transparency and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's several steps in order to do that, put the technology in. and to educate the liaisons, and then
• So then once competency is determined is there step-down program or is it just okay back into the jail
• We do have step down programs.
• What, what steps are you taking? to ensure compliance with those gubernatorial directives.
• forward. forward, one step backwards, then two more steps forward, and you'll see some of that and the

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, OK, but let me go one step further.
• I think this bill is another step in the right direction.
• So, HB17 to me is just a first step to the Chinese community.
• I get a lot of steps in. Get your steps in. Well, thank you. Any questions for these witnesses?
• So I think this It is a great step toward trying to protect the citizens. Thank you.

Bills: HB17, HB34, HB41, HB 118, HB 119, HB 127, HB 128, HB 129, HB 130, HB132, HB133, HB17, HB41, HB118, HB119, HB127, HB128, HB129, HB130, HB132, HB133

Keywords: foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy

Transcript Highlights:

• first the voter fund is a major step first the voter fund is a major step forward<00:53:00.920><
• In conclusion, these bills are vital steps towards curbing the influence of money and politics.
• conclusion these bills are vital steps conclusion these bills are vital steps towards<01:20:34.719
• I'm just trying to say I think this is a step forward.
• <01:30:45.639> forward to say I think this is a step forward to say I think this is a step

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But now the Fraud Unit for insurance is going to be the poor step-cousin in CSI Miami.
• You took something where there's no problems and you're putting it so it can be the poor step-cousin
• But now the Fraud Unit for insurance is going to be the poor step-cousin in CSI Miami.
• <00:46:36.040> of fairly strongly counters eight steps of fairly strongly counters eight steps
• <00:46:40.079> and that if you miss any of those steps and that if you miss any of those steps

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are on the side for today, but it's critical to think about each of those steps as making sure
• Those are on the side for today, but it's critical to think about each of those steps as making sure
• Those are on the side for today, but it's critical to think about each of those steps as making sure
• Those are on the side for today, but it's critical to think about each of those steps as making sure
• needs to be what are our next steps needs to be what are our next steps final<00:49:06.079> report

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• and obtain qualified behavioral health professionals recognized in advanced licenses is a practical step
• Like, if I take an extra step, now am I at the 25-foot mark? ...construed.
• Like, if I take an extra step, now am I at the 25-foot mark?
• So if the person was moving to exercise their constitutional rights and inadvertently stepped in, obviously
• Additionally, the federal government is making the same steps as this legislation.

Bills: SB231

Keywords: school social workers, salary supplement, LCSW, mental health, education funding, Delaware Code, certification, professional standards

Summary: The House Administration Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 231, which would extend the existing 6% salary supplement for school-based mental health professionals with advanced credentials to school social workers who hold licensed clinical social worker credentials and have passed the national exam. The bill sponsor and multiple witnesses described school social workers as essential to student mental health, crisis response, attendance, and family support, and argued the measure corrects an oversight and inequity in the current salary supplement structure. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted to release the bill. The committee then heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 212, a constitutional amendment to protect the rights to hunt, fish, and trap. Supporters, including sportsmen’s groups and individual residents, said the amendment would preserve longstanding traditions, support wildlife management, and guard against future threats to hunting and trapping. An opposing witness argued there was no current threat in Delaware and said the Constitution should not be used to protect trapping or elevate hunting and trapping over other wildlife management approaches. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to release the substitute bill. Finally, the committee took up Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Response Act, which would create a 25-foot buffer around first responders at emergency scenes after warning, with misdemeanor penalties for knowingly entering or remaining in the zone to interfere with duties. Supporters said the bill would protect police, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics from interference, while opponents from the ACLU and the Office of Defense Services raised concerns about vague terms, potential First Amendment impacts, enforcement clarity, and jurisdictional issues. Committee members also questioned how the buffer would be marked and enforced. The sponsor and staff said they would continue working on the language, and the committee voted to release the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our audit work focused on two of the steps that Karen shared earlier about what data districts apply
• Our audit work focused on two of the steps that Karen shared earlier: what data districts apply and that
• through the strict OCIO gated funding oversight process, with OCIO oversight and OFM approval at each step
• accuracy of the system, it's a complex system with many different calculations and many different steps
• And as we all know, when you do a simple math problem, whether you round after the first step of the

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the accuracy and reliability of OSPI’s school apportionment system. Auditors said the system, which calculates and distributes K-12 funding using multiple feeder systems and a core apportionment engine, is outdated, unstable, inefficient, and at high risk of failure. They reported weak controls over data input, documentation, oversight, and staffing, and said OSPI relies heavily on manual workarounds, a few knowledgeable staff, and vendor support. In limited testing of three districts, the auditors found the system calculated funding correctly for the 2023-24 school year, but they identified nine small input discrepancies tied to differences between budget materials and state law, which they said could compound into larger dollar amounts. The auditors recommended replacing or modernizing the system and noted that delays in doing so prolong risk. OSPI largely agreed that the current platform needs replacement and said it has been working toward a new system for years. Agency officials clarified that the Legislature requested a feasibility study in 2022, that the study found the system at risk of catastrophic failure, and that funding for a replacement is now in the state IT pool subject to OCIO/OFM gate reviews. OSPI disputed the audit’s characterization of the rounding and budget-law discrepancies, saying the issue was an agency rule and implementation choice, not an error that caused under- or over-allocation. Officials also said the current system is too old to easily absorb future formula changes, but that the planned replacement should be flexible enough to handle a new funding model if the Legislature adopts one. Committee members asked about the amount and timing of the $16 million project funding, whether smaller districts face greater risk, how many times data is entered, and whether the funding formula should be simplified. Auditors and OSPI both emphasized that formula simplification is a policy question for the Legislature, not the audit. Public testimony came from one online witness, who urged full implementation of the audit recommendations and modernization of the system. The subcommittee took no formal vote and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you need to take a call, please step into the hallway to do so.
• This task force is sort of the next step in that, bringing all the different organizations within law
• concerns with the bill that you brought last year that I believe applied to state agencies, this goes a step
• This goes a step even further to require nonprofit organizations to do the work of government, really
• I don't want to step on anybody's toes. I mean, it seems pretty...

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you need to take a call, please step into the hallway to do so.
• This task force is sort of the next step in that, bringing all the different organizations within law
• concerns with the bill that you brought last year that I believe applied to state agencies, this goes a step
• This goes a step even further to require nonprofit organizations to do the work of government, really
• I don't want to step on anybody's toes. I mean, it seems pretty...

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary B met on May 21 with a quorum present, approved the May 14 minutes, and then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions. It first reported Senate Resolution 125 favorably, which urged the Navy to expedite funding and implementation of medium-unmanned surface vessels, citing jobs and private investment tied to Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City. The committee then heard House Bill 1253, the Gracie Claire Rushing Act, from Chairwoman Butler and Crystal Romero, who described the painful history of Gracie’s death, exhumation, and discovery that her heart had not been returned after autopsy; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 89, a local retirement health insurance measure for the Third and 30th Judicial Districts; House Bill 1257, barring elected officials and immediate family members from owning interests in electronic monitoring companies; House Bill 1029, as amended, creating a moratorium on alcohol beverage licenses in House District 3 until 2027; House Bill 1011, making a juror-per-diem donation program for CASA permissive statewide; House Bill 1064, creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot in East Baton Rouge Parish with support from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and YWCA; House Bill 816, prohibiting foreign adversaries from buying land near military installations; and House Bill 940, creating a counter-unmanned aircraft system task force to coordinate law enforcement response to drone threats. The committee then heard House Bill 1247, which addresses the shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners by creating a statewide SANE coordinator in the Attorney General’s office and a response standards subcommittee; after adopting a technical amendment set, it was reported favorably with amendments. House Bill 335, expanding public-benefit eligibility verification to entities administering benefits and adding legislative auditor oversight, was also amended after concerns from food banks and disaster-response nonprofits, with members agreeing to work on additional floor amendments to protect essential services during emergencies. House Bill 623, a tobacco-related deadline fix, was voluntarily deferred to allow more time for drafting. The committee also reported favorably HCR 64, extending a report deadline for the Supreme Court drug and specialty court office. Later, the committee reported favorably House Bill 243, changing recusal procedures so cases go first to the Attorney General rather than a private lawyer; House Bill 451, allowing hearing notices to be sent more than 30 days in advance and electronically; House Bill 1251, reducing permit costs for very small in-state distillers; House Bill 1053, allowing salons, barbers, and boutiques to offer limited complimentary wine or champagne without a permit; House Bill 153, barring criminal-justice debt from being reported to credit agencies; House Bill 59, authorizing East Baton Rouge Parish to transfer funds to the public defender’s office; HCR 50, a task force request; HCR 102, continuing the Senior Task Force on Fraud Prevention; and House Bill 1098, part of the aerospace package addressing liability related to sonic booms. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief exchange about LSU and McNeese football.

Transcript Highlights:

• flexibility to use the funds that they have generated to support students as they journey into the next steps
• flexibility to use the funds that they have generated to support students as they journey into the next steps
• <00:04:15.640> into<00:04:15.840> the<00:04:15.920> next<00:04:16.120> steps
• <00:04:16.359> of they journey into the next steps of they journey into the next steps of

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 1791 was presented as a scholarship/grant program for students in postsecondary technical or career programs offered through their high schools. Representative Scott and Representative Lawrence described it as a way to help students transition into careers or further education by covering costs such as tools, boots, books, and other work-related expenses. The chair noted the bill would be laid over, with limited time for testimony because of a full agenda. Testimony strongly supported the bill. Steve Collina of the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association said manufacturing is a major Minnesota industry and that the bill fills a gap by supporting K-12 career pathways; he emphasized the proposal would not cost the state or taxpayers. Trevor Quennell, a Centennial High School graduate now at Dunwoody College, said the bill would have eased the burden of buying expensive tools and balancing work, school, and transportation. Eric Trost, an instructor at St. Francis High School, explained that Saints Manufacturing is a student-run, elective business-style program that teaches estimating, quoting, logistics, welding, machining, and employability skills, and he said the grant portion is especially important because many students go directly into the workforce. Naomi Brasky, a St. Francis student and Army National Guard enlistee, said the program has given her real-world problem-solving and communication experience and that grants would help cover costs not included in tuition. Members responded positively, with one noting broader trends away from four-year college and calling the bill common sense. In closing, Representative Lorentzen credited instructor Eric Trost for originating the idea and thanked an audience member, Mr. Yost, for supporting the program. The chair then laid House File 1791 over.

Transcript Highlights:

• While this is a meaningful step forward and a workable solution, the sponsor continues to work with stakeholders
• You're stepping aside from the actual... ...what we have come to.
• You're stepping aside from the actual... I will get right back to it.
• And for all of those reasons, I think this is a great step towards greater affordability for homeownership
• And for all of those reasons, I think this is a great step towards greater affordability for homeownership

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation honoring the future USS Arizona, SSN-803, and the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation. Members also announced committee assignments and several bills were read for first and second reading. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider HB 4034, HB 2444, HB 2992, and HB 4027, with amendments adopted on each measure. HB 4034 drew comments about career and technical education funding and district disputes; HB 2992 prompted debate over a pilot sexual abuse prevention program, with supporters calling it a resource for students and opponents criticizing it as an opt-out pilot and a burden on classrooms; HB 4027 generated discussion about a highway naming amendment involving Charlie Kirk and Ed Pastor. All three bills were reported out as amended and sent to engrossing and third reading. On third reading, the House passed HB 293, HB 2502, HB 2750, HB 2999, and H.C.M. 2009. HB 293 dealt with school curricula and passed 31-22. HB 2502 related to the Arizona State Retirement System and passed 37-16. HB 2750, concerning mining and legislative department provisions, passed 44-9. HB 2999, creating special taxing districts tied to housing development, drew supportive remarks about affordability and private financing and passed 32-21. H.C.M. 2009 urged federal action to streamline access to minerals on federal land withdrawals and passed 31-22. HB 2229, relating to maternal services and funding for pregnancy resource centers, failed initially by a 26-27 vote after extended debate over abortion-related implications and taxpayer funding. Members then moved to reconsider that failure, and the motion to reconsider passed 27-21, placing the bill back on the calendar. The House also heard a proclamation for March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month and a Women’s History Month reflection on Mexican-American and Mexican-Irish heritage. The chamber adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first step is being 21 years old or older and receiving a diagnosis of a qualified medical condition
• As someone pursuing a career in health care, I believe programs like this represent important steps in
• I believe programs like this represent important steps.
• So there are several steps along the way... ...until they get to that.
• We're taking it one step at a time as we wait for that fiscal note. >> Thank you, could yes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, two years ago, the Burch's Academy was actually, um, this to step back, this is our 14th school year
• So, two years ago, the Burch's Academy was actually, um, this to step back, this is our 14th school year
• for you know those Burch's Academy was actually um this to Burch's Academy was actually um this to step
• step back, this is our 14th school year. step back, this is our 14th school year.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was the first step back in 2021.
• This bill would go another step further two years later that would allow us to only use email notification
• ><00:10:31.360> would<00:10:31.680> go<00:10:31.839> another<00:10:32.240> step
• This bill would go another step notice.
• This bill would go another step further<00:10:32.880> two<00:10:33.120> years<00:10:33.279

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 216, 2 March, 2026; 4:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several House bills related to fraud prevention and business filing procedures. On HB 1719, members discussed creating a study committee to examine prevention strategies for financial fraud and related scams, with the sponsor citing a sharp increase in securities division investigations and the need to coordinate among multiple state agencies. Questions focused on whether the study would include deed fraud and veterans’ fraud; the sponsor said the committee was initially aimed at securities fraud but could be expanded, and noted the Veterans Affairs director was included. An amendment adding the president of the Mississippi Bankers Association or designee was adopted, and the bill was given a do pass strike all recommendation. HB 1532 would allow the Secretary of State to remove fraudulent business filings and protect personal information used without consent. The sponsor explained that current law does not let the office remove a filing even when someone’s name, address, or phone number is used fraudulently, and said the bill would create a process to investigate complaints and take down fraudulent filings. Members clarified that the bill would not address scam solicitation letters sent to businesses, only fraudulent filings themselves. The committee then voted title sufficient, do pass. HB 1642 would move dissolution notices for corporations and LLCs to electronic notice. The sponsor said Mississippi already requires email addresses on filings and has been sending both email and mailed notices, but the bill would allow email-only notice and save about $65,000 in mailing costs while improving response rates. After concerns were raised about whether electronic notice alone was enough before a business is dissolved, the committee adopted a reverse repealer amendment to keep working on the issue, then reported the bill out with a title sufficient, do pass strike all recommendation and rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes prior authorization and step therapy requirements for FDA-approved medications for
• Twenty-two other states have taken steps to limit or eliminate prior authorizations because the evidence
• hurdles. 22 other states have<00:01:51.759> uh<00:01:51.920> taken<00:01:52.320> steps
• <00:01:52.560> to<00:01:52.720> limit<00:01:52.960> or have uh taken steps to
• limit or have uh taken steps to limit or eliminate<00:01:53.920> uh<00:01:54.079> pri<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is not just a one-step process.
• make decisions based on the information that we're given, and I am pretty confident in the oversight steps
• I read off the steps that are taken for accountability, the oversight... ...off the steps that are taken
• He was with us, had to step out because they had an issue in the Senate.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• concerning, and something that the governor and the House and Senate worked together on to provide a step
• It's not everything anybody wanted, but it is a great step in the right direction to help municipalities
• concerning, and something that the governor and the House and Senate worked together on to provide a step
• The governor and the House and Senate worked together to provide a step forward.
• It's not everything anybody wanted, but it is a great step in the right direction to help municipalities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• just look at the application, the things that we can control, I have identified on page seven the steps
• So we'd note that these little steps in between, the time between when you see that authorized list,
• Where to help entities go to get to their next steps.
• We've taken some steps to mitigate that, to close that a little bit, but that's a huge issue for a lot
• Do you guys have a checklist or steps to start applying for this water project that you can provide us