Transcript Highlights:

• We know that HCBS saves money, and that's where we should be investing as we look forward.
• Looking forward to continuing to close this out in the next few weeks. Thank you. Thanks, Jessica.
• We look forward to those continued conversations as part of the budget process. Thank you.
• We look forward to those continued conversations as part of the budget process.
• We're very grateful for your support and looking forward to working with the Assembly. Thanks.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to come forward to the table. Good morning.
• Any opposition witnesses wishing to come forward?
• Any opposition witnesses wishing to come forward?
• I just want to thank the author for bringing this forward.
• I just want to thank the author for bringing this forward.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
• Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
• Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
• Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
• Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And um, I'm looking forward to us moving forward. This is a nonpartisan issue.
• And um, I'm looking forward to us moving forward. This is a nonpartisan issue.
• And um, I'm looking forward to us moving forward. This is a nonpartisan issue.
• And um, I'm looking forward to us moving forward. This is a nonpartisan issue.
• And um, I'm looking forward to us moving forward. This is a nonpartisan issue.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House State Government Finance and Policy Committee met on January 23, 2025, approved the minutes from January 21, and took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as requiring state agencies to report suspected fraud to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts online, conduct unannounced site visits for grant recipients, require reporting of grant violations, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related crimes. No testifiers were present. Committee members asked about how the reporting requirements would work, whether the bill should reference inspectors general or other law enforcement channels, and whether whistleblower protections would cover employees making reports. Representative Joy suggested the bill should halt funding immediately when fraud is reported, while Representative Ston raised the possibility of including contract employees. The committee administrator said the general whistleblower statute likely applies, but would follow up if needed. Representative Anderson noted that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent and asked about any outreach; Representative Davis said he was surprised and had not been contacted directly. The chair said the bill would be laid over because no fiscal note was yet available, and encouraged further discussion with members and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits before the bill returns. The chair then moved on to a brief discussion of the governor’s budget proposal, noting that several agencies had declined to appear, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please step forward and begin when ready.
• And what we’re trying to do is just avoid that going forward.
• Thank you for bringing this forward.
• The opposition actually brought forward their amendments, which would put forward a system where local
• Please step forward. Thank you. You have two minutes each.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't say not you can come forward and sit at the the you can come forward and sit at the the table
• We have put forward some language that we feel is okay.
• /c><00:09:38.880> we<00:09:39.200> feel forward some language that we feel forward some
• <00:09:52.720> knowing was language that we put forward knowing was language that we put forward
• forward. underlying. forward. underlying.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And obviously, that's... we didn't even go forward with it.
• And obviously, that's... we didn't even go forward with it.
• And obviously, we didn't even go forward with it.
• year for the rest of for going forward year for the rest of for going forward I'm<00:36:07.440><
• noticed more and more as we move forward noticed more and more as we move forward when<00:37:22.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And this was agreed upon, and I think this is a step forward.
• Chairman, for finding a way to move forward.
• . this is long-term thinking in forward. this is long-term thinking in advance<00:18:43.039> and
• It was tough at the committee forward.
• <00:25:14.080> thinking foresight and and forward thinking foresight and and forward thinking

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please step forward.
• Thank you for putting that forward.
• Thank you for putting that forward.
• And I do look forward to working with the manufacturers and the new car dealers going forward.
• and I look forward to that.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and authorize additional funding to support renewable natural gas projects by reducing interconnection costs. Supporters said high interconnection costs and the current tax treatment are major barriers to methane reduction projects; opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, raised ratepayer cost concerns and objected to rate-basing and additional public funding. The author said amended language would remove the rate-basing provisions and instead urge the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Community Impact Mitigation Program for the Diablo Canyon plant through 2030 to continue funding local emergency preparedness, fire protection, public safety, and school district costs. The County of San Luis Obispo and labor groups supported the bill, while TURN opposed it as a statewide ratepayer subsidy that could be funded from existing PG&E revenues instead of higher rates. Members discussed the bill in the context of the 2022 Diablo Canyon extension deal and the possibility of a future longer extension. SB 1215 by Senator Cortese would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing and evaluate progress, with amendments aimed at affordability and limiting system upgrade costs. Supporters said renters are largely locked out of home charging and that prior utility programs proved cost-effective; no opposition testified. SB 1359 by Senator Stern would require more deliberate CPUC review before major gas system investments, emphasizing electrification and non-pipeline alternatives. Gas utilities and several industry groups opposed it, arguing it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and change the regulatory compact. The committee also heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Senator Gonzalez, which would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Water agencies, environmental groups, and local governments supported the measure, while one member expressed concern that it lacked a funding source and could not overcome Proposition 218 limits; the bill was moved to Appropriations and the roll was left open. Finally, SB 1098 by Senator Perez would restrict the use of long-running memorandum and balancing accounts by investor-owned utilities, require exceptional circumstances for new accounts, and add sunset and cost-sharing requirements. Consumer advocates and large energy users supported tighter oversight, while the utilities and business groups opposed the bill as too rigid and potentially harmful to flexibility for wildfire, emergency, and safety-related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to your testimony. Thank you, Mr.
• Ben, thank you for being here, and we look forward to seeing you.
• We look forward to your testimony. Again, thank you all for being here. Mrs.
• We look forward to working with you as you reauthorize the Farm Bill.
• I look forward to answering any questions you may have. Thank you Mr. Rowe very much.

Keywords: farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management

Summary: The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I appreciate you bringing this forward, and with that, I look forward to supporting the bill.
• So I appreciate you bringing this forward, and with that, I look forward to supporting the bill today
• to working with them as it moves forward.
• to working with them as it moves forward.
• I want to appreciate you for bringing this forward.

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:50.880> with goals we do support moving forward with goals we do support moving forward
• implement program as we move forward implement program as we move forward U<00:13:00.240> Mr<
• We look forward to working with all of you and with other stakeholders on this going forward, and thank
• They look forward to working with all of you and with other stakeholders on this going forward, and thanked
• He thanked the committee for bringing the bill forward and said he looks forward to continuing to work

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I look forward to continuing discussions on that piece of it going forward.
• Thank you for putting that forward.
• Thank you for putting that forward.
• And I do look forward to working with the manufacturers and the new car dealers going forward.
• and I look forward to that.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But really, we are at a moment to move forward and stay the course with the approach. Mr.
• So we hope for better governance and transparency going forward.
• And I look forward to whoever suggested an in-person meeting.
• And I look forward to whoever suggested an in-person meeting.
• I think everyone has brought things forward.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to working with Mr.
• I look forward to answering your questions.
• Well, I look forward to getting to the SEC to find out what has happened.
• I look forward to your leadership on that. And I'm looking forward to working with you on that.
• I look forward to working with you on that.

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:

• <00:10:25.120> I'm 27 so on these slides going forward I'm 27 so on these slides going forward
• Going forward, their base is $25.9 million.
• Going forward, their base is $25.9 million.
• Just look forward to your report, thank you.
• <00:42:54.559> to comments well again looking forward to comments well again looking forward

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee met for an informational session with no bills taken up and no votes or formal actions. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Speno said the committee would focus on understanding housing policy and barriers to building more homes, noting Minnesota’s housing shortage and the need to support both single-family and multifamily construction. House Research analyst Mary Davis and House Fiscal analyst Katrina Heimark gave an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s programs and funding streams. Davis outlined areas the committee may hear about, including real estate law, landlord-tenant law, manufactured home parks, housing cooperatives, zoning, property taxes, and MHFA programs. Heimark described MHFA’s five main budget areas—development and redevelopment, housing stability, homeownership assistance, preservation, and resident/organization support—and reviewed recent appropriations, emphasizing that much of the large 2024–25 funding was one-time money and that ongoing base funding is lower in 2026–27. Members asked several questions about how prior appropriations were spent, whether unused funds return to the general fund, and whether funds can be repurposed. Heimark said transferred funds generally are not returned to the general fund if unspent, but are expected to be used for the purposes outlined in the appropriation; she also said she had requested more detailed expenditure information from the agency and would follow up. Questions also focused on who benefits from programs such as rental housing rehabilitation and the affordable rental investment fund, with the testifiers explaining that most MHFA programs are targeted to low- and moderate-income households and that income eligibility varies by program. The committee also discussed the new metro-area sales tax revenue dedicated to housing, with members requesting more detail on reporting, oversight, and allowable uses.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:48.720> currently and so we are moving forward currently and so we are moving forward
• <00:04:35.280> with our plan would be to move forward with our plan would be to move forward
• Kushner is coming forward. >> Uh, Mr.
• Kushner is coming forward. see Mr. Kushner is coming forward. >> Uh,<00:09:04.000> Mr.
• <00:45:22.480> Um be able to move forward. Um be able to move forward.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Audit Commission Evaluation Subcommittee met on October 6, 2025, to choose additional program evaluation topics for the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jody Mson Rodriguez explained that the commission had previously selected seven topics from an initial list of 11, with background papers already prepared on five of those items, and that the subcommittee was now being asked to select five more topics for background papers before narrowing the full set to four recommendations later in the fall or early spring. Members discussed several possible topics, especially emergency medical services, non-emergency medical transportation, MinnesotaCare eligibility, child care assistance, medical assistance fraud prevention, and U.S. Bank Stadium. David Kersner of OLA said emergency medical services and non-emergency medical transportation are distinct programs, and noted the EMS topic was evaluated in 2022 while non-emergency medical transportation had not been reviewed since 2011. Auditor Judy Randall said MinnesotaCare eligibility, child care assistance, and medical assistance fraud prevention are better suited to OLA’s financial audit division or special review unit rather than program evaluation, and that financial audits and special reviews do not require Legislative Audit Commission nomination. On process, Mson Rodriguez said the subcommittee had already met its minimum required selections under the commission’s policy and was free to choose additional topics. The discussion also covered whether to broaden the stadium topic beyond U.S. Bank Stadium; staff said the U.S. Bank financing structure alone would be a major undertaking, but they could help craft a future topic focused on maintenance across multiple facilities. No final vote or motion was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue nominations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please come forward.
• > and<00:25:52.240> introduce they could come forward and introduce they could come forward
• to playing a key role in all forward to playing a key role in all steps<00:27:09.040> forward
• forward in modernization. So, thanks you forward in modernization.
• . forward. forward.

Bills: HF3919, HF1335, HF3864, HF3916, HF3728

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, electronic license, driver's license, digital credential, transportation, data privacy, authentication, license plates, vehicle registration, validation stickers, Minnesota statutes, transportation policy, aeronautics, transponder, aircraft safety

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:34.560> to board uh as we also look forward to board uh as we also look forward to
• and just learn from our mistakes to take new ideas forward.
• I'll just mention um as we look forward I'll just mention um as we look forward for<00:18:52.919
• leveraged um to to run projects forward leveraged um to to run projects forward uh<00:30:53.200>
• We'll all be looking forward to that too.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What I will say about working together in a tie, I think we can bring some of these things forward, regardless
• And those are some of the lessons I want us as a legislature to continue to take forward.
• forward. And it there weren't the votes. forward. And it there weren't the votes.
• forward, there weren't the votes. forward, there weren't the votes.
• . forward. forward.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republican leaders in Minnesota gave a post-session recap focused on what they described as major accomplishments in a tied legislature. They highlighted passage of the Office of Inspector General bill to combat fraud, along with tax and fee relief measures including $125 million in property tax relief and $250 million in car tab reductions. They also pointed to funding for hospitals and uncompensated care, county IT modernization, school safety and mental health programs, public official safety at the Capitol and judicial branch, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure. Leaders repeatedly contrasted this session with the prior Democratic trifecta, arguing Republicans blocked new tax increases and helped make government more accountable and affordable. They said the OIG bill had been a top priority, had previously been blocked in the House, and was now signed into law. On health care, they said the final package included support for hospitals and denied that discussions about 340B involved pharmaceutical companies, saying offers on that issue were rejected by House Democrats. In response to questions, leaders said the tie forced public negotiation and that Minnesotans were the real winners because lawmakers worked together. They also defended the lack of final floor votes on gun-related proposals, saying those measures had been voted on multiple times in committee and on the floor but did not have the votes to pass. On transparency, they said the process was as open as possible and that bonding projects had been heard in committee and reviewed by the bonding team before inclusion.