Transcript Highlights:

• This economy-of-scale kind of thing. So I think their cost in care and you can...
• of scale kind of thing so i think their cost in care and you can Right, this economy-of-scale kind of
• I think the insurance industry has probably spent that time and energy doing things for themselves.
• They said, 'Here, you got a clean home inspection.
• I did do my own home inspection; it came up clean.

Bills: S3091 , H5477

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: crumbling concrete, pyrite, pyrrhotite, homeowner assistance, financial relief, CEDAC, construction, insurance surcharge, foundation repair, Massachusetts

Transcript Highlights:

• So this current language could discourage investment in energy efficiency and clean technology by creating
• So I'll tell you this, right now, 80% of all the energy in the entire world, all the energy consumption
• That is what powers our economy, right?
• All of these different types of energy are what power our workforce and our economy, right?
• energy initiatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the next bill is AB 168, the Public Resources or the Energy trailer bill.
• It adjusts the annual salary of the vice chair of the California Energy Commission.
• We cannot build a strong economy on unstable communities, and I want... economy on unstable communities
• So for this legislature to take the responsibility and say that we realize our economy is volatile.
• Mark Fenstermaker here for two clients, two issues, both in the clean transportation transition.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review heard the 2026-27 budget package, including AB 111 and AB 112 plus 16 trailer bills and two policy bills. Chair Laird described the budget as balanced over two fiscal years, with about $351.7 billion in total spending, $251.5 billion General Fund, and record reserves, while emphasizing investments in child care, homelessness, housing, Medi-Cal, education, courts, and other core programs. The Department of Finance presented each bill, outlining major items such as Medi-Cal adjustments tied to federal H.R. 1, child care and early learning funding, education and higher education investments, human services, developmental services, health, skilled nursing, resources, energy, transportation, housing, labor, state government, courts, taxation, and two policy bills on education governance and ballot measure placement. The LAO said it had no additional comments but was available for questions. The committee later achieved quorum and moved to member questions and comments, with no votes taken in the portion provided. Members largely focused on the budget’s fiscal structure and policy implications. Several senators praised staff and noted the compressed timeline, while Vice Chair Niello criticized the process as overly complex and burdensome. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas supported the budget but raised concerns about Medi-Cal changes for people with unsatisfactory immigration status, asking about access to care, the number affected, and county eligibility support; Finance said about two million people would transition to fee-for-service and that $39 million was included for care coordination, along with additional county eligibility funding. Senator Durazo said the agreement delayed, but did not resolve, cuts to immigrant health coverage, dental, and clinic payments, and argued that the budget did not create a true restoration mechanism. Senator Richardson highlighted hospital funding, public hospital definitions, DMV data protections, and court construction and maintenance needs, while Senator Grove questioned the sustainability of spending, the Medi-Cal savings assumptions, distressed hospital funding, Planned Parenthood transparency, developmental services changes, high-speed rail costs, and the property tax postponement program. Other members emphasized different priorities. Senator Blake Spear praised climate and parks investments, support for HAP homelessness funding with accountability, transit stabilization, and Care Court referral funding, while expressing concern about the lack of wildlife coexistence funding and long-term transit operating support. Senator Weber Pearson raised a technical concern in the health trailer bill regarding menopause language, arguing that the bill should refer to perimenopausal symptoms and should not narrow provider participation through contracting language. Throughout the hearing, Finance repeatedly explained that many of the budget’s savings came from reduced caseloads or delayed implementation of prior proposals, while some new spending was added to mitigate impacts and support administration of the changes. No final committee action or vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the next bill is AB 168, the Public Resources or the Energy trailer bill.
• It adjusts the annual salary of the Vice Chair of the California Energy Commission.
• We cannot build a strong economy on unstable communities, and I want... ...economy on unstable communities
• So for this legislature to take the responsibility and say that we realize our economy is volatile.
• Mark Fenstermaker here for two clients, two issues, both in the clean transportation transition.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 10 counties in West Central Minnesota. 10 counties in West Central Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota and to our community. Minnesota and to our community.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission through California's self-made energy crisis.
• So I am pleased and proud to support the confirmation of Siva Gunda to the Energy Commission.
• energy.
• Can make a ton of money doing big world issues on energy in his background.
• These businesses are the foundation of California's economy.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote. On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were able to get the folks to clean up.
• It's not inexpensive to clean up these sites.
• We do have the concerns over the dry cleaning, some dry cleaning plants.
• This could be used to clean up dry cleaning messes. [unclear: "Post. Bye."]
• This could be used to clean up dry cleaning messes.

Bills: SB66 , SB79 , SB108

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: environment, cleanup, contamination, uranium mining, abandoned sites, state funding, mosquito control, public health, surveillance, prevention funds, local government grants, food security, agriculture, food bank, regional program, appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> public trust and bring the Minnesota public trust and bring the Minnesota Senate<00:08:59.040><c
• </c> holding the Integrity of the Minnesota holding the Integrity of the Minnesota Senate<00:09:52.880
• Senator Gagin used to do it regularly around his employment with Xcel Energy when there was an energy
• Senator Gagin used to do it regularly around his employment with Xcel Energy when there was an energy
• Senator Gagin used to do it regularly around his employment with Xcel Energy when there was an energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; for um Minnesota? &gt;&gt; for um Minnesota?
• Minnesota does not have state-level equivalents to many of these federal energy tax programs.
• So current Minnesota law will require a non-conformity adjustment to allow the energy property to accelerate
• The remaining 15 modified and terminated federal energy credits do not have an impact on Minnesota income
• </c> in Minnesota. in Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in our culture in Minnesota a strong desire of support for public transparency.
• This bill will cure that and put us in a position where Minnesota can be strong and open again in how
• , and there's no possibility Minnesota, and there's no possibility for<00:10:13.640><c> public</c><00
• </c><00:13:14.080><c> So,</c><00:13:14.520><c> I</c> them being here in Minnesota.
• So, I them being here in Minnesota.

Summary: Lawmakers held a bipartisan press availability on a bill to prohibit local governments and their officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities. Supporters said the measure is intended to protect transparency, public participation, and Minnesotans’ right to know about local decisions involving land use, public financing, and economic development, especially in cases involving data centers and other large projects. Representatives and senators from both parties described the bill as a response to examples in cities such as Rosemount, Farmington, Hermantown, North Mankato, Monticello, Pine Island, and others, where they said NDAs kept communities from learning about projects until decisions were effectively already made. The authors argued that the bill is not anti-development or limited to data centers, but instead prevents corporations from using private contracts to circumvent Minnesota’s open meeting and data practices laws. They said Chapter 13 already addresses trade secrets and other confidential information, and that the bill is meant to stop NDAs from creating secrecy around government decision-making. They also said they had heard little organized opposition so far, though they acknowledged questions about how the bill would affect early-stage business recruitment conversations and how local governments, especially smaller ones, would implement the change. Members also discussed the bill’s legislative path. They said it had previously received unanimous support in committee and was sent to the general register, then moved to the Judiciary Committee at the request of Chair Scott, who wanted a hearing. The authors said they did not believe the bill raised Chapter 13 issues requiring judiciary review, but agreed to the referral as a courtesy and said they were seeking a hearing. They reported that Senate consideration had previously ended in a tie vote, but said momentum was growing and expected stronger support this session. No vote was taken during the press event.

Transcript Highlights:

• Taiwan plays a critical role in the global economy, particularly in the fields of semiconductors, Critical
• role in the global economy, particularly in the fields of semiconductors, smart machinery, biotechnology
• , energy, information technology, and so many other areas, and it's an important contributor to secure
• adds 13 new communities to the qualified hotel project program, but does so in a way that is very clean

Bills: HB346 , HB1851 , HB2974 , HB5596 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR141

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee heard and laid out several measures focused on school safety, Texas-Taiwan relations, defense manufacturing, business formation, hotel tax policy, and NASA relocation. HB 1851 would allow surplus DPS vehicles and law enforcement equipment to be transferred to school districts in economically disadvantaged areas for use by school police and security personnel, with a two-year resale restriction. HCR 127 expressed support for the Texas-Taiwan relationship and trade ties, HCR 118 supported expanding warship manufacturing in Texas, HCR 141 urged Congress to move NASA headquarters to Houston, HB 346 (with a committee substitute) revised business filing and fee authority while making permanent a franchise tax exemption for new veteran-owned businesses, HB 2974 was an omnibus hotel occupancy tax and qualified hotel project bill, and HB 5596 addressed accountability for municipal hotel occupancy tax revenues in coastal communities. Witnesses generally supported the measures, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association on HB 2974 and resource witnesses from the Texas Veterans Commission and Secretary of State on HB 346; no opposition testimony was registered on the laid-out bills. After public testimony, the committee took up pending business and adopted committee substitutes where applicable. HB 1851, HB 346, HB 2974, and HB 5596 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with HB 346 and HB 2974 also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HCR 127 and HCR 118 were reported favorably as well, and HCR 127 and HCR 141 were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported HB 4320 favorably, though the transcript repeats that motion several times. The meeting ended with the committee standing in recess until 7:00 a.m. subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• But not only that, but they do impact the entire Minnesota economy.
• But not only that, but they do impact the entire Minnesota economy.
• But not only that, but they do impact the entire Minnesota economy.
• But not only that, but they do impact the entire Minnesota economy.
• But not only that, but they do impact the entire Minnesota economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to train, you know, new clean energy workforce. And I just wanted to be here to show you.
• I am here to tell you that the clean workforce is being trained currently.
• In terms of the economy, we are missing out on a lot of federal infrastructure that was supposed to be
• That's good for our economy and good for our communities. I really appreciate it.
• physical security program that, again, other things like, for instance, somebody knows where the energy

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Summary: The work session focused first on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship in Washington, with Labor and Industries explaining the registered apprenticeship system, the role of the state apprenticeship council, minimum training and classroom requirements, and the use of the ARTS database and navigators to help people find programs. Members asked whether the system was saturated and how people learn about openings; presenters said apprenticeship is tied to actual jobs and training agents, and that navigators and centralized tools like Career Bridge are important because L&I does not track hiring openings. The panel also described pre-apprenticeship requirements, youth apprenticeship, and statewide growth in apprentices, training agents, and prep programs, while noting strong earnings and employment outcomes for completers. Representatives from the building trades emphasized that the multi-employer union apprenticeship model is labor-management governed, privately funded through employer and worker contributions, and supported by recruitment, retention, and diversity efforts. They argued that the main constraint is not a lack of apprenticeship capacity but a shortage of jobs and training-agent employers willing to take apprentices, and said public policy tools such as apprenticeship utilization requirements, project labor agreements, and construction-related public investments can help create demand. They also presented data showing many workers on out-of-work lists and many apprenticeship seekers on waitlists, and said support services are needed because apprentices often face unstable wages, transportation costs, tools, and benefit cliffs. Nicole Miller described the Constructed Career initiative, a grant-funded pilot that provides outreach, navigation, case management, and wraparound supports for building trades apprenticeship seekers and first-year apprentices. She said the program has enrolled nearly 1,200 participants, with about 775 currently in apprenticeship, and reported high retention among participants; common supports include transportation, tools, work clothes, and help with barriers such as housing insecurity, food insecurity, and reentry from incarceration. Megan Pearson then described Build Up, a newer nonprofit offering similar statewide support services, including a prison-based boot and PPE program and assistance with insurance, licensing, and other barriers, funded through a mix of public and private sources. Aaron Frazier closed the apprenticeship portion by describing a new oversight committee created by legislation to examine construction training in correctional facilities and improve pathways from prison-based training to apprenticeship, college, or work. The second half of the meeting shifted to Renton Technical College, where college leaders highlighted strong enrollment growth, a median student age of 30, a diverse and largely nontraditional student body, and recent budget cuts that forced program and staffing reductions. Health and human services leaders described short-term and longer-term health programs and noted rising enrollment and completion. Early childhood education faculty then explained how they rebuilt a low-enrollment program by moving to hybrid evening and Saturday offerings, adding Spanish-language instruction, and creating in-person, step-by-step support sessions for application, financial aid, and registration. A committee member raised the issue of English literacy for Spanish-speaking students, and the presenters said the program does not directly teach English reading and writing but is working to support students as they transition into the workforce.

Transcript Highlights:

• The liquefied natural gas industry in Texas is a crucial component of the state's energy sector, driven
• and defined permitting timelines are necessary for the industry to continue and to add to Texas's economy
• applied for several permits and amendments to build and expand our operations and help us provide clean
• , secure, and affordable energy. to the world.
• So, both of these industries are critical to the Texas economy. I don't need to tell y'all that.

Bills: SB2037 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759 , HB29

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond our broad safety oversight role, we also implement the Clean Miles Standard program. from Senate
• And you may have said it, but for the Clean Miles Program, how is that going to be funded?
• However, that was a sensitive in establishing the regulatory fee in the Clean Mile Standard Program,
• The Clean Miles Standard and the Access for All program.
• Lyft is very much committed to meeting the targets that are outlined in the Clean Miles Standard.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the interim executive director at Move Minnesota Action.
• Association and the Association of Minnesota Counties.
• Cities are already investing in renewable energy by offsetting energy costs through subscriptions to
• Cities are already investing in renewable energy by offsetting energy cry cost through subscriptions
• After the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, we'll have the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.

Summary: The committee took up House File 748, a bill revising Minnesota’s transportation greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) impact assessment requirements for trunk highway projects. The chair first moved and adopted the A2 author’s amendment and then the A3 amendment, which was described as adding implementation time and project exemptions when federal dollars are available. The bill author explained that the measure responds to concerns from stakeholders that the current law can force costly mitigation, delay or stop safety and capacity projects, and create uncertainty because key implementation details are still being developed by a technical advisory committee. Testimony was split. County and city engineers, county commissioners, the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities generally supported the bill, arguing that the current requirements can add 20% to 40% or more to project costs, are difficult to administer, and could jeopardize critical safety improvements, congestion relief, and federal funding. They cited examples such as Scott County and Trunk Highway 65, and said VMT mitigation is especially hard to quantify and fund. Opponents, including Move Minnesota and Sierra Club, argued that safety and climate goals are not in conflict, that reducing driving can save lives and reduce pollution, and that the bill would weaken an important tool for cutting transportation emissions. Members also asked about how GHG and VMT are measured, whether the required assessment was ready, and who would be responsible for mitigation assets and costs. After discussion, the committee held a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, passed 8-7 and was moved to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, expansion of aerospace and space programs, advanced energy, advanced computing, those are all things
• So we're in the process of cleaning that up.
• So we were cleaning up their budgeting and their accounting, and part of that money was theirs.
• We have the finance team here and They hit it every single day, fixing, cleaning, finding money that
• down, and yay, we get to give it back to the state And we don't get to keep it, but at least it's clean

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> justice for all citizens of Minnesota. justice for all citizens of Minnesota.
• </c> Senate resolution recognizing Minnesota Senate resolution recognizing Minnesota Senate<00:09:25.440
• And there's Minnesota connections.
• </c><00:10:44.079><c> Um,</c> and their Minnesota connections. Um, and their Minnesota connections.
• We've got five Minnesota connections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission through California's self-made energy crisis.
• He somehow, with his kind and humble personality, was able to disarm almost every one of the energy..
• And that combination of characteristics in somebody on the Energy Commission or on any of our really
• energy.
• These businesses are the foundation of California's economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• still runs on Friday, and remaining on site for post-incident monitoring until the system is truly clean
• I have no problem working to address that appropriately in an amendment and to clean that up.
• We're really a country economically with a $2.7 trillion economy, and we have a target on our back.
• We're really a country economically with a $2.7 trillion economy, and we have a target on our back.
• We obviously, you've spent a lot of time and energy on all these AI issues as well, as, of course, has

Bills: HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833 , HB146 , HB150

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending. The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.