Transcript Highlights:

• So I think it's just something to bear in mind that these programs help keep kids in school.
• . provide food programs.
• It's an alternative school in the Gadsden Independent School District.
• The Federal Rural Program does not replace the State Rural Program. I hope that helps.
• or to go to school.

Transcript Highlights:

• , an analysis of the programs in five or six of our neighboring states.
• Wyoming who was doing an externship with me do an analysis of Wyoming's program, an analysis of the programs
• some facilitation within the Hobbs School.
• working relationship from these programs working relationship from these programs that<01:05:02.160
• <01:09:00.080> permanent went to this common school permanent went to this common school permanent

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I took him to lunch. It was around Christmas time. I said, "Al, how does this work?"
• You're going to be bumping people in the lunch line, and you're going to get bumped.
• And I was proud of the work that we did establishing the School Trust Fund Commission, which is there
• He's a junior in high school, right? At St. Thomas Academy.
• with because of my that I go to school with because of my experience<00:11:39.280> here."

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Tim O’Driscoll delivered a farewell floor speech marking his retirement from the Minnesota House and requested a roll call at the start. He reflected on his 16 years in the chamber, his first election after serving as mayor of Sartell, and the importance of relationships, bipartisanship, and learning how the Legislature works. Much of the speech was personal, including stories about his parents, his father’s service as a police chief, and how those experiences shaped his commitment to public service. He also highlighted several policy and institutional accomplishments, including work on school trust lands and the School Trust Fund Commission, which he said helped double the fund for Minnesota children, as well as pension work and restoring earlier pension cuts. He thanked colleagues from both parties, former and current co-chairs, and House staff for helping him get work done, especially during difficult periods such as the split House and the COVID-era remote meetings. O’Driscoll closed by thanking members’ families and House staff, offering a special shout-out to Representative Paul Thorkelson for support during his freshman year, and saying he hoped his career would be remembered for the relationships built and the future being created for Minnesota. The speech ended with applause; no formal vote on legislation was taken in the excerpt beyond the requested roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• unique programming in our school that will suspend some of the minimum school approval standards for
• They would go for logical reasons like that school has a theater program that's state-recognized.
• They have an automotive program, or maybe we live 2 miles from that school because we're on the end of
• <01:22:03.760> that's that school has a theater program that's that school has a theater program
• or maybe we live 2 miles from program or maybe we live 2 miles from that<01:22:11.199> school

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're right that there wouldn't be any necessarily for school-based programs, as those programs don't
• I didn't include the numbers for Head Start programs and school-based, um, uh, like pre-kindergarten
• I didn't include the numbers for Head Start programs and school-based, um, uh, like pre-kindergarten
• <01:23:39.440> and that um uh Head Start programs and that um uh Head Start programs and school-based
• <01:23:40.480> pre-kindergarten<01:23:41.159> programs school-based pre-kindergarten programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and budget, with the chair emphasizing the committee’s role over a large portfolio of children, youth, and family programs and the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). House Research and House Fiscal staff explained their roles and described the 2023-24 reorganization that transferred many programs from DHS, DPS, MDH, and MDE to DCYF, along with a statute recodification and a crosswalk resource for members. Doug Berg then walked through the committee’s budget structure, explaining the difference between all-funds and general fund views, the major funding sources, and how forecasted programs and grant bases roll forward. He highlighted that the committee’s general fund base is a little over $2.1 billion for the biennium, with large federal components such as SNAP and TANF, and noted smaller accounts including child protection-related opioid funds and federal reimbursement offsets (FFP) for administrative costs. Members asked several questions about federal financial participation, TANF, and the effect of the repeal of the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). Staff explained that FFP generally applies to administrative costs for federally related programs and usually does not change much unless program activity changes, while TANF is a block grant that has been stable for years. On DWP, staff said the program was sunsetted effective March 1, 2026, and that the associated funding and administrative costs were being reworked rather than simply removed. A member also asked about federal funding fluctuations; staff said no changes were currently factored in, though SNAP or other federal policy changes could alter future numbers. Danielle Penelli then presented on economic assistance and employment supports transferred to DCYF, focusing first on MFIP, Minnesota’s state-supervised, county-administered welfare program jointly funded by state and federal dollars. She explained that MFIP provides cash and food assistance, employment and training services, and related supports, with a 60-month time limit and certain exemptions for illness, incapacity, or other barriers to employment. She also described the program’s income and asset standards, including a $10,000 asset limit with exclusions for homesteads and one vehicle per assistance unit member age 16 or older. Members asked clarifying questions about how the time limit applies and what assets count, and staff responded that the limit applies to the caregiver and does not restart with additional children. Penelli also introduced support services grants, which fund employment services for MFIP, DWP, and SNAP participants through workforce centers, counties, tribes, and community agencies, and help cover some county and tribal administrative costs. She began outlining nutrition programs under DCYF, including SNAP, the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, the Minnesota Food Shelf Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the American Indian Food Sovereignty Program. No formal votes or bill actions were taken during this meeting; it was primarily an informational staff briefing and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our public schools are led by some of the most dedicated educators you'll find anywhere.
• They are also interested in education programs.
• Companies also want to make investments in our high school programs, and give our high school kids access
• Those are all programs that we want to think about promoting.
• There are box lunches in the back.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Municipal Program of Cultural Affairs Committee. It is 10:34.
• Today we've got lunch provided, so it won't be the day. I thank you all for showing up.
• Okay, lunch is served in the anteroom.
• Today we've got lunch provided, so it won't be the day. I thank you all for showing up.
• Okay, lunch is served in the anirub.

Summary: The Municipal Program of Cultural Affairs Committee met with a quorum and took up three Senate bills by Senator Edmonds, all related to the new City of St. George. The first bill, SB 348, would allow a local enforcement agency to contract with third-party vendors for administrative support in motor vehicle liability enforcement, such as plate processing, insurance verification, and notices, while making clear the vendors would not have police powers. Members raised concerns that the bill as drafted appeared statewide rather than local to St. George, and discussed how to limit it properly. After debate, the committee adopted amendments to narrow SB 348 to cities incorporated after October 1, 2019 and to sunset the authority on July 31, 2028, with the understanding that St. George could return later with a properly advertised local bill. The bill then received favorable action. The committee then considered SB 485, which transfers authority to levy and collect the insurance premium tax within St. George to the city beginning January 1, 2027; it was reported favorably without objection. Finally, the committee heard SB 444, which gives St. George expropriation authority for public infrastructure projects such as roads, drainage, flood protection, water, sewer, and utilities, using procedures similar to other Louisiana municipalities and DOTD. Members asked about the process and confirmed it was standard municipal authority and not related to private industry. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and members and a reminder that this was the committee’s last meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a program where if you have diabetes, this is a program that can help you make.
• We also have a program that is designed for high-risk individuals, which is a prevention program.
• in this program.
• Again, a unique program.
• PERS Health Insurance Program.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 980 ON HUNGER FREE CAMPUS PILOT PROGRAM BY SENATOR BERNARD.
• SENATE BILL 980, HUNGER FREE CAMPUS PROGRAM IS CREATED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER
• THE PROGRAM IS MEANT TO HELP FIGHT HUNGER ON THE CAMPUSES OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND
• THE PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED FOR A ONE YEAR PERIOD BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025.
• LUNCH PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE BORDER SECURITY THROUGH THEIR AGRICULTURE LAW OFFICE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• EPA's programs.
• The program you had mentioned...
• These dollars have gone into programming and equipment to help our schools in areas that they have identified
• We worked with the college that provided funding to get a program in place, recruiting local high school-age
• to strengthen that program.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Really interested in ensuring stable funding for out of school time programs through the use of PERF.
• The public education reform fund, just because out of school time programs can be so many...
• They can be tutoring; they can be an after-school program of some other kind.
• also been an increase in the number of students who are participating in the school meals program.
• The first beginning in elementary school NM Pre-K Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• I referenced in my testimony the promise programs that we have, and all the A&M systems schools have
• Presently Texas Southern operates a summer of success program. to serve as a bridge from high school
• What was State Graduate Program? Is that in the Bauer School? Yes, that's in Bauer School.
• Any other schools that have this real estate master's program?
• I am not aware... of other schools that have a master's program like that, but I could be remiss.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DESE operates 29 schools and the Department of Social Services operates 15 schools.
• DESE operates 29 schools and the Department of Social Services operates 15 schools.
• I heard you say new program, but on here it says program expansion.
• So is it a new program, or what is the actual program?
• I heard you say new program, but on here it says program expansion.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 42.240> in<00:02:42.360> 1994 This program originally created in 1994 This program originally
• And so the way this program Minnesota.
• Murphy Construction Grants Program.
• I I too am a Grant Program today.
• language in other MnDOT run programs. language in other MnDOT run programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lunch program.
• You allow- Your school finance, your foundation school program system is not based upon state appropriations
• Just y'all run this foundation school program, you write an adjustment in the law accordingly.
• So you have a K-12 program of study really, a high school program of study, and. college program of study
• of study what does a high school need to do if they're going to offer a welding program?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is such a great program. It's a great program. And they led, right?
• Daily programs, daily programs, daily days per week and includes evening sessions.
• [Witness/Staff] ...but the program is a good program.
• We offer the programs and we want people to take advantage of the programs.
• of Law as well as Northeastern University School of Law and Massachusetts School of Law.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• school dental sealant program for high-priority DOE school complex areas.
• school dental sealant program for high-priority DOE school complex areas.
• program to identify, develop, and recommend safe routes for students to travel to and from school across
• program to identify, develop, and recommend safe routes for students to travel to and from school across
• Starting next school year, students on reduced-price lunch will receive meals for free, and families

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are opportunities to create more statewide diversion programs that expand school-based diversion
• So we just have better programs in the high schools and even middle schools for these at-risk kids.
• We're trying to get CTE into middle schools because we lose kids in middle school by high school.
• Also, counselors—the number of counselors in middle schools and high schools—enormous caseloads.
• I went to medical school at Yale School of Medicine, and I came to Albuquerque to UNM.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oklahoma currently has 541 school districts.
• Oklahoma, currently at 988 elementary schools.
• a national library, school lunch matching at $3.1 million, and assessment Early childhood initiatives
• the literacy experts in those school sites.
• and in middle or high school?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is a culturally responsive program when we're looking at schools and ensuring that we have these
• Title VI programs do offer resources to Native American students in the school system, and being misclassified
• At the same time, more young people than ever are participating in school sports programs intended to
• I used to work at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights running an after-school program, and unfortunately
• school.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with most of the discussion centered on student privacy, faculty health coverage, Native student data collection, mental health training for coaches, and human trafficking prevention education. AB 1159, the California Learner Personal Information Protection Act, would expand student data privacy protections to higher education, clarify existing ed-tech rules, and add limited enforcement. The author and supporters said current law is outdated and does not adequately protect sensitive student information, while some college-related stakeholders raised definitional concerns about preserving routine student communications and access to course materials. The bill was approved on a due-pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and placed on call. AB 1171 would keep unspent funds in the part-time community college faculty health insurance program from being swept for other uses and would require all community college districts to begin negotiating participation by 2030. The author and supporters argued that part-time faculty often lack employer-sponsored coverage despite teaching most community college courses, while opponents said the bill was premature because participation is still growing and the program’s full-year spending data is not yet known. Members debated whether the Legislature should preserve the funding in statute or continue handling it through the budget process. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1581 would require collection of tribal affiliation data for Native American and Alaska Native students in CalPADS to address severe undercounting and improve resource allocation. The author and tribal and education supporters said Native students are often misclassified, making it harder to provide culturally responsive programs and measure outcomes; committee members discussed how the reporting would work for multitribal and multiracial students and emphasized the need for tribal consultation and workable data definitions. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1665, requiring mental health training for school coaches, was supported as a way to help trusted adults recognize warning signs and connect student athletes to services; it also passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1766, which would expand human trafficking prevention education from kindergarten through 12th grade and address online grooming and exploitation, received strong support from the author, survivors, and advocacy groups, with testimony emphasizing earlier prevention and digital safety; the transcript ended during support testimony and did not include final action on that bill.