Transcript Highlights:

• You know, all of our communities right now are struggling financially.
• If we were to visit it right now, there would be portions of it with caution tape that are unsafe.
• I want to thank the chair of Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, both the Senate chair
• People, including those with disabilities.
• Embracing disability as a natural and valued part of the human experience.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, moving on.
• That's right.
• That's right.
• That's right.
• Same in 2016, right?

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, folks.
• To quote Martin Luther King, the time is always right to do what right.
• To quote Martin Luther King, the time is always right to do what right.
• To quote Martin Luther King, the time is always right to do what right.
• All<00:39:00.840><c> right.</c><00:39:01.480><c> Um</c> All right. Um All right.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• , right?
• , right?
• All right, so next slide.
• They say housing, you have to be on the list by 18, right?
• , how to support people with disabilities.

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The main presentation was from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE), a five-year Administration for Community Living grant focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence. Presenters described the project’s community conversations, consortium model, and four work groups, with emphasis on the family-partnership work group and a survey designed to better understand family engagement, barriers, and expectations around transition planning. The survey results showed that family participation increased significantly after Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute it, rising from a small number of responses to more than 200. Key findings included barriers such as meeting times, language access, child care, and limited understanding of IEPs and transition timelines. Families generally expected college or employment outcomes for their children, but many reported limited awareness of pre-employment training and transition planning, especially for younger students. Lawrence Public Schools described its five-person transition team, bilingual resources, workshops, and a new transition website, while noting that even with added supports, engagement remained lower than hoped and requires ongoing relationship-building. Committee members asked about cultural outreach, early transition planning, college and trade pathways, summer youth employment, and how to expand real-world work experiences. Presenters said the district is trying to start transition conversations earlier, improve access to accommodations and postsecondary options, and expand employment experiences beyond simulated settings. They also noted that the LPTE resource hub will be transferred to the Arc and remain available after the grant ends in September, and that the consortium model may continue in some form. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjournment, and members were reminded of an upcoming meeting with Seed on Massachusetts as a model employer and a future presentation from the Office of Veterans Affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right to it.
• , because they didn't have a right in 1865 and you don't have a right now.
• disabled... ...be on the developmentally disabled, who, as being developmentally disabled, are automatically
• All right. All right. All right. Bill on the clerk's desk. Motion by Slope. I don't know.
• That's their right.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, now we will go on to member questions.
• I think that's what he's saying, right?
• Looks like the commissioner is shaking her head, right?
• Use abusive practices, right?
• Am I right?

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> highlight is the hospice Bill of Rights highlight is the hospice Bill of Rights this<00:53:24.720
• All right.
• </c> staff and they're just they're right staff and they're just they're right here<01:14:22.840><c>
• <01:46:22.239><c> and</c><01:46:22.400><c> Trauma</c> disability and Trauma disability and Trauma our
• It's a fragile balance right now, since every part of the system for people with disabilities depends

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And homes and to disability services.
• That's right. And it can mean homes. That's right.
• Dozens of disability rights advocates and service and waiver recipients raised their voices at the Capitol
• As of now, the human disabilities.
• It's sustainable biodiesel, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is for jail and prison, right? Yes. Okay.
• Okay, okay, that's it for right now.
• All right. We will now move to House Bill 3038.
• Well, I'm a generous person, but no, this office is already going right.
• But no, this office is already going on right now. It's not a new one.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:16.440><c> and</c> people with um verified disabilities and people with um verified disabilities
• I don't know what the right as beds. I don't know what the right nomenclature<00:08:01.080><c> is.
• </c><00:31:18.880><c> now</c><00:31:19.640><c> and</c> be addressed right now and be addressed right
• I mean even when we were process, right?
• Right. Exactly.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is for jail and prison, right? Yes. Okay.
• Okay, that's it for right now. All right.
• Or they can say it's their pet cell phone, right? They could.
• Or they can say it's their pet cell phone, right? They could.
• All right. Seeing no other questions. Thank you very much.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2708, which would increase penalties for bringing or possessing unauthorized electronic communication devices in prisons and jails, raising the offense from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony and clarifying the statutory language. Representative Hovis said the bill is intended to deter contraband cell phones and similar devices that can be used to coordinate criminal activity, threaten victims, or continue gang operations from inside facilities. Department of Corrections staff supported the bill, saying cell phones are dangerous contraband and that current administrative sanctions are not always enough. Members asked about notice to visitors, current DOC discipline, whether the bill applies to inmates, staff, and visitors, and whether the language should be tightened to cover devices “capable of” communication; the sponsor agreed to have House Research review the wording and potentially offer a committee substitute. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee then heard House Bill 3038, which would place the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Special Investigations into statute and give it limited authority to assist investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of eligible adults. Representative Cook said the office already exists and the bill mainly codifies its role, allowing limited subpoena and search warrant authority to speed investigations, especially financial exploitation cases, while preserving local law enforcement and prosecutorial control. DHSS witnesses supported the bill, explaining that their investigators have long worked on vulnerable-adult cases and often need quicker access to records; they said the office has law enforcement experience and coordinates with Adult Protective Services and public safety agencies. Committee members asked about the fiscal note, vacancies, the definition of exploitation, whether the office can investigate public administrators or guardianship cases, and whether investigators have arrest authority; witnesses said the bill is not intended to create a new police force or expand arrest powers, but to formalize existing functions and improve access to records. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those living with invisible disabilities, one of the most difficult parts is often not the disability
• Right.
• And that's a useful conversation to have, right?
• Unfortunately, we have a system right now where you know...
• All right, great. And how about 14 to 15?

Summary: The Senate reconvened, read committee reports, and assigned House Bill 89 with House Amendment 1 and House Bill 393 with House Amendment 1 to the Senate Finance Committee. It then adopted Consent Calendar 64, which included resolutions recognizing Take Our Children to Work Day, Juneteenth, National Farmers Day, Invisible Disabilities Week, Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day, National Nonprofit Day, and two property-assessment working group resolutions. The calendar passed by a unanimous roll call, and the chamber heard remarks supporting Juneteenth, Delaware agriculture, invisible disabilities awareness, and the nonprofit sector. The Senate passed the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates in Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, and approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget in Senate Bill 335 after extended debate on budget growth, recurring costs, health care, education, public safety, retiree obligations, and fiscal restraint. It also passed Senate Bill 336, the one-time supplemental appropriation bill, which includes one-time investments such as a $100 million transition toward a weighted education funding formula, election support, early childhood education, classroom projects, lead remediation, and campaign finance modernization. Several members praised the budget process and staff, while others cautioned against future spending growth. Among policy bills, the Senate passed House Bill 369 to codify the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, House Bill 268 to increase penalties for assaulting postal workers, House Bill 374 to require workforce reporting on large public works projects, Senate Bill 253 with House Amendment 1 to standardize school bullying parental-notification procedures, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 to modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, House Bill 402 to extend Clean Air Act Title V permit fees, and Senate Bill 346 with Senate Amendment 1 to streamline Environmental Appeals Board timelines. The Senate also began consideration of House Bill 293, which would add hate crimes to the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, but the transcript cuts off before its vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; right? &gt;&gt; right?
• Right?
• &gt;&gt; right? &gt;&gt; right?
• &gt;&gt; right? &gt;&gt; right?
• Right.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 247, an act relating to disabled veterans benefits. Representative Williams.
• House Bill 252, an act relating to line-of-duty disability benefits and declaring an emergency.
• House Bill 247, an act relating to disabled veterans benefits. Representative Williams.
• </c> disabled veterans benefits. disabled veterans benefits.
• of duty disability benefits and declaring<00:19:42.400><c> an</c><00:19:42.640><c> emergency.

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 06:39 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 13:20 Introductions of New Bills and Resolutions 17:05 Adjournment 23:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Randy Hicks, California's disability rights.
• I'm not speaking on behalf of California for disability rights and speaking on behalf of me.
• Now, I want to tell you, I have Medi-Cal. ...disability rights and speaking on behalf of me.
• I'm Evan Fern with Disability Rights California.
• Right.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we've got a couple of introductions. All right, we've got a couple of introductions.
• All right.
• So we're right there. We're right there.
• Right on. Right on. I don't know how much. It's just a man. I don't know. I don't know. Right on.
• Absolutely, this is right.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and doctor-of-the-day introduction, then moved through a long special-order calendar. Early proceedings included a resolution honoring former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also heard several member introductions and recognitions before taking up bills. The most substantial debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid/SNAP reforms. The bill would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid pharmacy purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Senators Berman, Smith, Bracy Davis, Osgood, and others argued for Medicaid expansion and added protections for vulnerable SNAP recipients, while Gates defended the bill as a compliance and cost-saving measure. Multiple amendments were offered, including Berman’s Medicaid-expansion condition and Osgood’s SNAP photo-ID safeguards; both were defeated. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading after extended questioning. The Senate then passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions before final vote. These included tax conformity legislation (7031/7048), technology and computer science education (1503/1694), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public-records measures (1443/1684), designation of the SS American Victory as the official state flagship (249/1656), electronic payments for local governments (967/1612), legal tender and related public-records exemptions for gold, silver, stablecoins, and virtual currency kiosks (1311/1588/1087/7044/1568), local government finance and spending transparency (1329/1566), digital voyeurism (1536), insurance customer representative licensing (1343/1504), and medical freedom legislation (1756) with amendments on anti-kickback rules and vaccine information materials. Most bills passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with several amendments adopted and some withdrawn; the medical freedom bill was still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Randy Hicks, California Disability Rights.
• I'm speaking on behalf of California Disability Rights and speaking on behalf of myself.
• I'm Evan Fern with Disability Rights California.
• Right.
• Right.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extended briefing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, followed by testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and county officials. DHCS described major Medi-Cal changes in H.R. 1, including work/community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, reduced federal matching for some emergency services, narrower immigrant eligibility, reduced retroactive coverage, and limits on provider taxes and directed payments. CDSS outlined CalFresh changes, especially the expanded able-bodied adults without dependents time limit, reduced exemptions and waivers, and the new federal-state-county administrative cost split. Both departments emphasized implementation plans, automation, outreach, and county coordination, while acknowledging significant expected coverage losses and administrative burden. The LAO and an independent policy expert discussed how H.R. 1 could increase demand on county indigent care systems and public hospitals as people lose Medi-Cal. They reviewed the history of county indigent care, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, explaining that counties already rely on a patchwork of funding and that current realignment revenues are often used for public health rather than indigent care. They warned that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents, with wide variation in how counties respond, and raised concerns about equity, financing, and whether a more standardized state-county program should be created. Committee members pressed witnesses on county funding, exemptions, homelessness, older adults, undocumented residents, and the effect of administrative burden versus true ineligibility. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described the expected local impacts and asked for additional state support. They said H.R. 1 would drive major losses in Medi-Cal and CalFresh enrollment, increase uncompensated care, strain eligibility staff, and worsen homelessness and food insecurity. Several counties urged the Legislature to fund eligibility workers, preserve enrollment, and consider a CalFresh match waiver; Santa Clara and San Bernardino also cited local tax measures and staffing reductions already underway. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right. And so, uh, with that, Ms.
• . disability. disability.
• &gt;&gt; All<00:51:49.520><c> right.
• All right.<00:53:17.920><c> Commissioner,</c> All right. Commissioner, All right.
• All right. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, let's move along. &gt;&gt; Nope. All right, let's move along.
• </c> convicted, right? not just charged. convicted, right? not just charged.
• All right. We will then followup. Okay. All right.
• All<00:21:34.240><c> right,</c> All right, All right, we<00:21:36.799><c> have</c><00:21:36.960><c> lots
• All right. So, this to you very clearly. All right.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is going to be treated much differently than the other as far as the disability benefit.
• or temporary disability where they're going to be...
• Some injuries where it causes a permanent disability or a temporary disability where they're going to
• All right. Seeing none. Senator, would you like to close?
• But we should make it right for as many park rangers as we possibly can. I ask for an aye vote.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to hear several bills related to insurance coverage, wildfire risk, workers’ compensation, and paid family leave. SB 8 by Senator Ashby would extend workers’ compensation and disability protections to Sacramento County park rangers, with testimony emphasizing that they perform law-enforcement-like duties and should receive the same protections as comparable officers. SB 429 by Senator Cortese would create a public wildfire catastrophe model and related wildfire safety program, with support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates who said public access to modeling data would improve transparency and help evaluate private insurance risk models. The committee also heard SB 525 by Senator Jones, which would require the FAIR Plan to offer coverage options for manufactured and mobile home owners, including replacement cost coverage. Supporters said the bill would help lower-income residents obtain meaningful insurance protection, while no opposition testified. SB 495 by Senator Allen, as amended, would require insurers to provide a larger contents-coverage advance after a total loss during a declared emergency without requiring an immediate itemized inventory, extend proof-of-loss deadlines, and require insurers to provide catastrophe modeling and reinsurance data to the Department of Insurance. Several insurers withdrew opposition after amendments, and the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure. SB 590 by Senator Durazo would expand paid family leave to cover care for designated persons or chosen family members, with strong support from AARP, labor, civil rights, caregiving, and health organizations, and testimony from a parent describing the need to care for a non-legal family member during surgery recovery. The committee also took up consent items SB 230 and SB 854. After roll calls, SB 8, SB 429, SB 495, SB 525, and SB 590 all received do-pass votes, with SB 429 sent to the Committee on Emergency Management, SB 495 to Judiciary, and SB 525 and SB 590 to Appropriations. The consent calendar bills were also approved, and the committee adjourned.