Transcript Highlights:

• census on the left, and for those of you all who heard me testify, I'm color blind: what I call the blue
• what<00:49:04.640> I<00:49:04.680> call<00:49:04.920> the<00:49:05.040> blue
• <00:49:05.320> and<00:49:05.440> on color blind what I call the blue and on color blind
• what I call the blue and on the<00:49:05.680> left<00:49:06.359> is<00:49:06.520> the
• The blue, the orange, or the gray? Right. And the blue is not 0.01 above the orange or the gray.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with the pledge and prayer, a roll call established quorum, and members announced a Veterans Caucus meeting to follow the session. The committee also recognized distinguished veteran Joe Mash Masterson of Bardstown, who was praised for his Army service, long-time advocacy for veterans, and leadership in the American Legion and local veteran organizations. Masterson thanked his family, the American Legion Post 121, and the VA staff, and several members offered remarks honoring his service and the committee’s practice of recognizing veterans. The committee then briefly addressed a referred administrative regulation, 017 KAR 001 030, which leadership described as technical updates to existing policy; no vote was taken. After that, members heard testimony from KDVA and Finance and Administration officials on the ongoing HVAC replacement project at the Radcliffe Veteran Center. Officials said the system had been problematic for years, that design work began early to accelerate the project, and that the work was complicated by the need to replace the system in an operating nursing facility. They explained that the project was bid in March, awarded to Less Mechanical, and that protective measures, shop drawings, and equipment orders were underway. Committee members pressed officials on why the problem had taken so long to resolve, why the original system had been installed, whether the issue had been communicated regularly, and whether the state should be paying for a replacement in a relatively new facility. Officials said the original system’s components and warranties had failed, that they had tried to replace parts before moving to a full replacement, and that the system’s manufacturer and quality differed from a similar facility in Glasgow that had not had the same issues. They said the current phase one contract was about $6 million, with the remaining funds held for phase two to restore full occupancy; phase two design was nearly complete and could be bid later if funding is approved. Officials estimated phase one completion around January 2026 and full completion around March 2027, depending on funding and scheduling.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Director of Business Operations for Blue Earth County Human Services and the Mankato?
• I'm the Director of Business Operations for Blue Earth County Human Services.
• <01:19:31.400> in uh not necessarily because I live in uh not necessarily because I live in Blue
• 01:19:33.800> I<01:19:33.960> had<01:19:34.080> a<01:19:34.239> family Blue
• Earth County that if I had a family Blue Earth County that if I had a family member<01:19:35.080>

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:

• closer to $210,000 to $220,000, and if you want to go into general counsel, you can see that solid blue
• closer to $210,000 to $220,000, and if you want to go into general counsel, you can see that solid blue
• closer to $210,000 to $220,000, and if you want to go into general counsel, you can see that solid blue
• 29.480> solid General councel you can see that solid General councel you can see that solid Blue
• Line has exponentially increased Blue Line has exponentially increased where<00:48:32.559> General

Bills: HF747, HF360

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, trusts, Uniform Trust Code, probate, estate planning, trust protector, directed trust, investment trust advisor, distribution trust advisor, excluded fiduciary, decanting, power of appointment, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, uneconomic trust, rule against perpetuities

Transcript Highlights:

• page<00:16:19.279> two<00:16:19.839> in<00:16:20.000> the<00:16:20.240> blue
• <00:16:20.519> dark level but on page two in the blue dark level but on page two in the blue
• dark blue<00:16:21.440> area<00:16:22.440> we've<00:16:22.720> collected<00:16:
• 23.360> data<00:16:23.920> from<00:16:24.639> five blue area we've collected data
• from five blue area we've collected data from five State<00:16:25.600> Grant<00:16:25.959>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In that context, it is noteworthy to point out that this investment went to both blue and red states
• In Blue Earth County, the average county employee already has 500 hours of PTO in addition to short-term
• every single pressures of property tax every single District<01:19:16.400> red<01:19:16.719> blue
• both<01:19:17.679> sides<01:19:17.840> of<01:19:17.960> the District red blue
• at both sides of the District red blue at both sides of the aisle<01:19:18.280> are<01:19:18.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee’s first official meeting was framed as an informational session, with the chair saying no legislation would be acted on and that testimony would focus on what is working and not working for businesses and workers in Minnesota. The stated topics included earned sick and safe time, paid family and medical leave, labor shortages, and broader business climate concerns. The chair also noted the absence of DFL members and invited questions to be held until the end so testifiers could present fully. Lauren Shodor of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued that Minnesota’s business climate has worsened because of high taxes, rising costs, regulation, and new workplace mandates. She cited chamber survey and research findings saying more businesses are considering leaving the state, that Minnesota companies are investing more in other states than vice versa, and that the state lags national growth rates. She said employers are especially concerned about earned sick and safe time and the upcoming paid family and medical leave program, which the chamber believes add compliance burdens and costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Matt Hilgart of the Association of Minnesota Counties said the new leave laws affect county budgets and operations because labor is the main county cost and services are often state-mandated. He said the programs were imposed outside the collective bargaining process and can duplicate existing county benefits, increase costs, and create staffing and service challenges. He asked for changes including clearer premium-sharing language, exclusion of elected officials and short-term election workers from paid leave requirements, better exemption and private-plan rules, coordination requirements for intermittent leave, and more clarity for essential employees during weather emergencies. Owen Worth of the League of Minnesota Cities said cities are facing similar implementation problems, with overlapping leave policies and concerns about stacking state and federal leave rules, and he indicated the league would support changes to reduce administrative and budget pressures on cities.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's bright blue lights. You can press it and a police officer will be there within minutes.
• There's a blue light that will always be visible from another blue light. It's a safe system.
• blue light system<01:22:35.440> we<01:22:35.679> have.
• There's bright blue the university.
• > light<01:23:08.880> she's the members, the blue light she's the members, the blue light

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize a member from Blue Earth, Representative Frederick, to your motion.
• I recognize a member from Blue Earth, I recognize a member from Blue Earth, Representative<00:35:38.240
• I recognize the member from Blue Earth, Representative Frederick, to your motion.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• many other jurisdictions, cities and states across the country, primarily liberal jurisdictions and blue
• primarily liberal the country, primarily liberal jurisdictions<01:38:57.280> and<01:38:57.440> blue
• <01:38:58.480> And<01:38:58.639> what jurisdictions and blue states.
• And what jurisdictions and blue states.

Bills: HB2246, HB2119, HB1929, HB1953, HB1572, HB2549, HB2594, HB2551, HB2595, HB2548, HB2459, HB1931, HB1604, HB1616, HB1736, HB2233, HB2241, HB1891, HB1803, HB2567, HB2534, HB2399, HB2172, HB1595, HB1811, HB2168, HB1780, HB1781, HB1785, HB2122, HB2012, HB2398, HB1779, HB2296, HB1894, HB1925, HB2019, HB1896, HB2294, HB2298, HB2300, HB2344, HB2345, HB2391, HB2037, HB2201, HB1941, HB1635, HB1943, HB2325, HB1926, HB2490, HB1710, HB2545, HB1976, HB2173, HB1804, HB1563, HB2015, HB1619, HB2475, HB1889, HB2367, HB2187, HB1765, HB1452, HB2231, HB1700, HB1705, HB1626, HB1897, HB1642, HB1523, HB2593, HB815, HB1655, HB1596, HB1732, HB1842, HB2476, HB2478, HB2022, HB1588, HB2575, HB1163, HB2153, HB772, HB1519, HB2050, HB2309, HB2147, HB2329, HB2274, HB2280, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2306, HB2148, HB2088, HB1764, HB2438, HB2117, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2155, HB1832, HB2216, HB1601, HB1934, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2454, HB2004, HB2427, HB2207, HB1810, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB2323, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB1691, HB2386, HB2423, HB2121, HB1984, HB1593, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB1643, HB2558, HB1864, HB1898, HB2214, HB2167, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB322, HB1964, HB2218, HB2616, HB1535, HB1574, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2250, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1740, HB1724, HB1733, HB1799, HB1725, HB2049, HB2161, HB1970, HB2519, HB1790, HB2416, HB1873, HB2001, HB2151, HB1603, HB1880, HB1753, HB2198, HB1511, HB1991, HB2546, HB1615, HB1939, HB2140, HB2429, HB1870, HB1850, HB1782, HB2137

Keywords: agriculture, federal grants, Hawaii, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, financial support, coffee, pest control, subsidy program, coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust, economy, biosecurity, invasive species, Molokai, advisory board, quarantine, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, this weekend I was up at the home show in Fargo and had a constituent out of the blue
• Fargo and had a constituent out<00:41:55.599> of<00:41:55.680> the<00:41:55.839> blue
• 56.560> to<00:41:56.800> me,<00:41:58.000> um,<00:41:58.640> and out of the blue
• comes up to me, um, and out of the blue comes up to me, um, and never<00:41:58.960> met<00:41

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3668, authored by Chair Beerman, which would create a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Beerman and several supporters framed gun violence as a public health crisis, arguing the office would improve research, coordination, data collection, and evidence-based prevention. Supporters cited firearm deaths among children and adults, the trauma experienced by survivors and families, and Minnesota’s need for a centralized structure to guide policy and prevention efforts. Testifying in support were representatives of the Minnesota Medical Association, Protect Minnesota, a parent affected by the Annunciation school shooting, family physicians, an OB-GYN, and a pediatric emergency physician. They described gun violence as a daily clinical and community reality, pointed to rising firearm deaths and injuries, and said Minnesota should apply the same public health approach used for motor vehicle safety, tobacco, and other crises. Several witnesses emphasized the impact on children, suicide prevention, maternal health, and the need for Minnesota-specific research and coordinated responses. Opposition came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which argued the bill would create a taxpayer-funded bureaucracy that could be used to advance gun control policy and treat lawful firearm ownership as a public health problem. The group said the state should focus instead on enforcement, prosecution, and victim services. Vice Chair Nidau offered an A2 amendment to move the office from the Department of Health to the Department of Public Safety, citing data-sharing and accountability, but withdrew it after discussion with Chair Beerman. The hearing ended with additional member discussion, including concerns about existing violence-prevention spending and whether school safety investments would be a better use of funds; no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Mark Osborne here on behalf of Blue Cross Blue Shield and America's Health Insurance
• Blue Cross recently did an actual actuarial examination of this legislation and determined that it will
• We've been working already with Blue Cross to be contracted as providers and working through the insurance

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is not a blue state, red state thing. It's all across the country.
• So, this is not a blue state, red state thing. It's all across the country.
• So, this is not a blue state, red state thing. It's all across the country.
• So, this is not a blue state, red state thing. It's all across the country.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met with a quorum, approved the August 20, 2025 minutes, and then heard a discussion tied to Constitution Day and Kentucky’s constitutional duty to provide an efficient system of common schools. Chairman James Tipton reviewed the history of Kentucky’s model laboratory schools, postsecondary academy programs such as Gatton and Craft, magnet schools, virtual learning, and computer science opportunities, arguing that Kentucky has long expanded educational opportunity through different school models. He described model schools and academy programs as hybrid or innovative approaches that serve specialized student needs and noted that some of these programs receive state appropriations and, in some cases, tuition. Senator Steve West then gave a retrospective on school choice in Kentucky, beginning with the 2017 charter school law and explaining that Kentucky’s charter framework was designed as public-only to comply with the state constitution. He said charter schools have remained largely dormant in Kentucky and used that as context for Senate Bill 207, the School Innovation Act, which he said was modeled on a South Carolina approach. Under SB 207, a local school board can contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, receive SEEK funding, and seek waivers from certain state regulations in order to innovate, while retaining limits on items such as school safety and attendance rules. Members asked about how the new model differs from charter schools, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the bill is intended to keep the school within the public system, with the local district initiating the process and maintaining accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school fails to perform. They emphasized that the school would serve the existing student population rather than select students, and that teachers would remain district employees with their pensions and related contributions unchanged. Representative Brown raised concerns that exceptions and charters could leave lower-income children behind, while West responded that the bill is meant to expand choice for families who otherwise lack access and cited examples from other states where outside management and parental involvement helped turn around low-performing schools. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the member from Blue Earth, Representative Frederick. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• c><00:04:58.080> the<00:04:58.240> member<00:04:58.479> from<00:04:58.639> Blue
• I recognize the member from Blue report.
• I recognize the member from Blue Earth,<00:04:59.199> Representative<00:04:59.759> Frederick

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• spreadsheet, and my copy, I don't know if others of the spreadsheets has the A31 language highlighted in blue
• :31.039> language<00:05:31.520> highlighted<00:05:31.919> in<00:05:32.160> blue
• <00:05:32.400> to the A31 language highlighted in blue to the A31 language highlighted in
• blue to distinguish<00:05:33.039> the distinguish the distinguish the spreadsheets.<00:05:35.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in the state of Minnesota, there were both red and blue municipalities and counties that took advantage
• there were both the state of Minnesota, there were both red<00:30:45.440> and<00:30:45.679> blue
• <00:30:46.399> uh,<00:30:46.559> municipalities<00:30:47.279> and red and blue
• uh, municipalities and red and blue uh, municipalities and counties<00:30:48.320> that<00:30:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh you know, every year I I do a blues festival.
• 45.119> I<00:57:45.280> I<00:57:45.520> do<00:57:45.599> a<00:57:45.760> blues
• uh you know, every year I I do a blues uh you know, every year I I do a blues festival.<00:57:47.520

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It really doesn't cut one way if you're in a blue district or red district, if you're in Greater Minnesota
• really uh doesn't cut one way if you're<00:05:04.639> in<00:05:04.720> a<00:05:04.840> blue
• <00:05:05.080> District<00:05:05.400> or<00:05:05.560> red you're in a blue
• District or red you're in a blue District or red District<00:05:06.160> if<00:05:06.280> you're

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:

• And as babies we dress them in pink or blue, wanting to make sure the world knows what sex they are,
• soul and as babies we dress them in pink soul and as babies we dress them in pink or<00:41:18.640> blue
• 19.839> make<00:41:19.960> sure<00:41:20.200> the<00:41:20.280> world or blue
• wanting to make sure the world or blue wanting to make sure the world knows<00:41:20.800> what

Keywords: Consideration of HB 9 00:02:20 Consideration of HB 495 00:08:53 Consideration of HB 520 00:46:51 Consideration of HB 622 00:54:39 Consideration of HB 635 00:59:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 9, which would create oversight for Medicaid-related policy through a board modeled after the Public Pension Oversight Board. Sponsor Rep. Adam Bowling said the measure was intended to bring legislative, executive, and stakeholder voices together to vet issues and make better-informed Medicaid policy. Members generally supported the concept, though some questioned the proposed board’s party breakdown and whether the language should be updated now rather than later. After discussion, the committee voted 19-0 to pass HB 9 favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 495, which Rep. Hail said would protect mental health care professionals, institutions, and ordained ministers from discrimination when providing what the bill calls protected counseling services. He described the bill as a parental-choice measure that would allow counseling aligned with family values and said it also creates a civil cause of action for harmed parties. Opponents argued the bill would shield conversion therapy, with Dr. Eric Russ, Brandon Long, Dr. Brandon Creech, Brenda Rosen, Chris Hartman, and Dr. Bobby Glass testifying that conversion therapy is discredited, harmful, and associated with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide risk. They said professional medical and counseling organizations oppose such practices and urged rejection of the bill. During questions, Rep. Layman pressed the sponsor on whether the bill would protect therapies even if a child was not in distress and on whether the committee should be endorsing a practice discredited by professional organizations. Rep. Hail responded that he viewed the issue as a parental choice and said he believed the bill protects providers offering those services. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HB 495, with no final vote shown on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blue cards are for certified designees of elected officials.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary A met on May 19, 2026, established a quorum, approved the May 12 minutes, and heard two bills. Senator Carter also made a personal privilege statement wishing his wife a happy birthday. The committee took up House Bill 71, which provides liability protection for private security guards who use a weapon in the course of their duties when the use of force is deemed justifiable by the district attorney and responding law enforcement. After discussion, the committee adopted amendment set 4036, which narrowed the bill so the liability limitation applies only when the perpetrator is wielding a dangerous weapon as defined in law. An informational card was noted, and an opposition witness waived testimony in light of the amendment. HB 71 was then reported with amendments. The committee next considered House Bill 79, which would remove a special limitation on damages for the carbon capture industry. The author argued the industry should not receive a damages cap that other industries do not have. The committee adopted amendment set 3979, which restored a non-economic damages cap of $250,000 except in cases involving wrongful death, permanent substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb or bodily organ system, or permanent injury preventing independent self-care. One supporter card was noted, and HB 79 was reported with amendments. The committee then stood at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• Back here in the powder blue. Welcome, Ms. Eliza. All right, Erica Booth is first.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the blue section, there is a provision, except as provided by court order—what does that mean?

Bills: HB384, SB181, HB391

Keywords: food enrichment, corn masa, health regulations, nutritional standards, folic acid, respiratory therapy, interstate compact, public health, licensure, workforce mobility, military families, adverse actions, streamlined practice, traffic offenses, blood testing, law enforcement, chemical analysis, DUI, 1136, house