Transcript Highlights:

• We also talked about other entities trying to look at moving some of the concentrated product that was
• This is because of the rollback tax system where those tax entities will come and collect three years
• I think this is a win-win for appraisal districts, taxing entities, the comptroller's office, and the
• House Bill 4060 gives local taxing entities a powerful optional tool.
• It allows, doesn't mandate, a taxing entity or governmental entity to adopt a sliding scale.

Bills: HB485, HB1367, HB1370, HB1827, HB1879, HB2032, HB2133, HB2357, HB3581, HB3830, HB4060, HB4085, HB4270, HB4979, HB5217, HB5268, HB5478, HJR96, HJR97, HJR119, HJR195, HJR209, SB4, SB23, SJR2, SJR85, SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, access, affordability, public health, emergency services district, sales tax, gas and electricity, residential use, tax exemption, emergency services, gas, electricity, HB 485, ESD, use tax, residential utilities, utility tax, local option tax, Texas Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• They are two separate entities.
• companies uh entities. I rephrase that. companies uh entities. I rephrase that.
• <01:59:35.280> go<01:59:36.080> uh as entities go uh as entities go uh licensed<01:
• As far as the two separate entities, these are licensed as two separate entities.
• Our office treats them as two separate entities. They have to report as two separate entities.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have some discussion about what we see as possible future ideas for mutual aid or support of local entities
• of local entities. of local entities.
• , tribal and territorial entities, tribal and territorial entities, providing<00:10:44.720> assessment
• We encourage entities we visit to adopt those services and not try to take it all on themselves.
• to continue to make Minnesota entities to continue to make Minnesota entities safer. safer. safer

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity met remotely on January 8, 2026, approved the minutes from October 27, 2025 by voice vote, and confirmed a quorum was present. The main presentation came from the Minnesota National Guard’s cyber coordination cell, with Lieutenant Colonel Brian Morgan describing the unit’s mission to prepare Guard cyber forces for state or federal cyber support, including domestic emergencies like the St. Paul ransomware incident and broader federal activations. Morgan outlined three main lines of effort: optimizing cyber force training for likely threats, building relationships with state, federal, academic, and local partners, and equipping deployable incident-response tools. He said the coordination cell is not itself the incident response team, but serves as the planning and coordination office for military cyber response, maintaining equipment at Cedar Street Armory that can provide out-of-band connectivity and be deployed quickly. He also described partnerships with Minnesota IT Services, CISA, the FBI, Metro State University, and international/state partners such as Norway and Croatia, along with participation in major exercises and conferences. The presentation emphasized the St. Paul response as a model for coordination, noting the Guard’s role in mission coordination, operational support, public affairs support, and lessons learned. Morgan said the Guard has conducted more than 200 engagements with partner institutions in 2024-2025 and uses outreach to educate counties and other entities on how to request Guard cyber support, comparing the process to requesting assistance for a fire or flood. In response to a question from Representative Bonner, he highlighted the long-standing relationship with Metro State University and its practical role in training cyber personnel, including operational technology training and a credit-transfer pathway toward a master’s degree.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um before I move to important entities.
• <00:09:35.760> whose is talking about entities whose is talking about entities whose contracts
• <00:09:46.959> um<00:09:47.680> fall just wondering how many entities um fall just
• wondering how many entities um fall into<00:09:48.240> this<00:09:48.560> category.
• :10:38.160> had<00:10:38.320> their these entities that have had their these entities that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 39.760> entity<00:03:40.159> to<00:03:40.400> receive basically a pseudo entity
• longer the same entity that was created<00:03:49.360> there.
• It is a public-purpose entity focused on property stewardship, not a new regulator.
• It is a public-purpose entity focused on property stewardship, not a new regulator.
• There are private minting entity.

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 2191, which would expand the allowable uses of municipal use tax funds. The bill would add sidewalks to the list of eligible projects and remove remaining restrictive language that limited use tax spending to roads and bridges. A senator asked for confirmation that the funds would be limited to publicly owned property of the local government, and the sponsor confirmed that was the intent. The committee approved the bill and reported it out. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2257, the Mississippi Land Bank Act, which would create a local land bank tool for cities and counties to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help address blight, especially properties held at the Secretary of State’s office, and emphasized that land banks would be locally created, subject to public accountability requirements, and barred from using eminent domain. The committee adopted the bill and reported it out. Members also discussed Senate Bill 2828, a committee substitute that would impose a fee on international wire transfers, with a credit available to Mississippi income taxpayers. The sponsor said half of the revenue would go to DPS for 287(g) programs and half to the general fund. An amendment was adopted to exempt certain transactions funded through U.S.-issued debit or credit cards or withdrawn from federally insured accounts. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out. Later bills included SB 2863, creating a Jackson County industrial zone exempt from municipal annexation, and SB 2862, a related annexation measure brought forward with a reverse repealer; both were advanced after brief discussion. The committee also approved SB 2909, which lowers the unreduced retirement threshold in Tier 5 from 35 years to 30 years, and SB 2885, the Mississippi Work and Save program, a voluntary state-treasurer-run retirement savings option for small employers and employees. Throughout, the committee generally asked limited clarifying questions and then voted to adopt committee substitutes and report the bills out.

Transcript Highlights:

• um my interpretation is that entities um my interpretation is that there<00:10:36.120> would<
• <00:11:04.880> uh about different entities uh about different entities uh supplying<00:11:
• But I do recall outside entities supplying large quantities of money, and to me hundreds of thousands
• But I do recall outside entities supplying large quantities of money, and to me hundreds of thousands
• But I do recall outside entities supplying large quantities of money, and to me hundreds of thousands

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met for an introductory, familiarization-only session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and House Fiscal Staff provided a budget overview for the committee’s elections-related jurisdiction. That overview covered the Office of the Secretary of State, including a requested $200,000 one-time general fund match to draw down additional federal HAVA funds released in 2024, and the presidential primary, which is an open statutory appropriation that reimburses state and local costs in even-numbered election years. It also reviewed the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board’s operations budget, the public subsidy program’s statutory and taxpayer checkoff funding, and the Voting Operations and Elections Resources account, which is funded at $3 million annually for local election-related costs. Members asked questions about the HAVA match, including whether the funds were tied to the most recent election cycle and what specific goals or security-related uses the Secretary of State’s request would support. Staff said they would need to research the details further and would share responses with the full committee. One member also raised broader concerns about non-state money entering elections and the need for clear guidance and oversight; staff said that area was beyond their expertise but could be researched further. The chair noted that the Secretary of State would appear at a future meeting and encouraged members to submit questions for shared follow-up. House Research then gave an overview of the committee’s government operations jurisdiction. Staff explained that the committee historically deals with structural and administrative issues such as agency organization, rulemaking, boards and commissions, state contracting, state IT services, emergency management, and state symbols and recognition days. They emphasized the committee’s role in maintaining consistency and compatibility across state government and in considering the balance between legislative authority and executive-branch discretion. Staff also noted overlap with State Government Finance for fiscal matters and said they would return for more detailed discussion if members wanted it. The final presentation introduced local government concepts. House Research outlined Minnesota’s local government structure, including counties, cities, towns, and special districts, and explained terms such as political subdivision, home rule charter, and Dillon’s rule. The presentation described local governments as creatures of the state, reviewed home rule charter and general welfare authority, and noted that local government powers are defined by statute unless otherwise provided. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• that were not 340B entities.
• So you had more covered entities able to distribute the drugs.
• You had more covered entities able to distribute the drugs.
• So if you are a covered entity, if your clinic is a covered entity, even if you are not necessarily a
• that the private entities should have to report on what they're doing with those funds.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because even if it is a 30, 60, et cetera, sometimes the entity paying them doesn't follow the 30- or
• Let’s be frank, they might have more resources and want to, you know, maybe buy this entity, flip it,
• Cultural districts don’t have that, and some of the other district management entity types don’t have
• Those districts don’t have that, and some of the other district management entity types don’t have that
• or fellows or something that are business improvement district and then there's certain entities like

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its second hearing of the session, with Chairs Gómez and Vargas opening by emphasizing the committee’s focus on equity, small business growth, and support for communities that have historically been overlooked. Several members noted the historic nature of having two Latino chairs. The hearing covered a package of bills centered on access to capital, transparency in state assistance, commercial tenant protections, downtown revitalization, and business improvement district administration. Testimony was largely supportive of bills aimed at helping micro-businesses, small businesses, and disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Beckma, the Asian Business Empowerment Council, a minority- and woman-owned business owner, and a worker-owned Springfield business all backed measures including S. 179 and H. 312/S. 184, which would prioritize capital assistance and require reporting on where state business aid goes. Witnesses said transparency, upfront payments on state contracts, and better data collection could help businesses that struggle with delayed reimbursements, limited reserves, and difficulty accessing traditional financing. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council supported S. 173, which would dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to a downtown vitality fund for district management, cultural districts, and downtown infrastructure, and said the bill could help sustain downtowns and prevent cultural displacement. There was also testimony on H. 306, a commercial tenant first right of refusal bill, with Beckma supporting it as a way to help small tenants stay in their locations, while the Greater Boston Real Estate Board opposed it, arguing it would add cost, delay, uncertainty, and could reduce property values and the commercial tax base. The board supported H. 305, a housing bill that would expand by-right multifamily and open-space residential development while preserving local zoning protections. Andre Leroux of MassINC also supported S. 173 and H. 299, the latter proposing longer BID renewal periods and audit requirements aligned with nonprofit standards. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and questions, with the chair closing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• because the regulation of those entities because the regulation of those entities is<00:12:41.120
• that that you're government entity that that you're presenting<00:27:15.440> to<00:27:15.600>
• On the other hand, there were several entities—Clean Elections Minnesota, Common Cause Minnesota—who
• There were several entities—Clean Elections Minnesota, Common Cause Minnesota—who were concerned that
• <00:41:51.079> that<00:41:51.440> can uh the uh entities that can uh the uh entities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, courts have an opportunity to determine how much control a state entity or a government entity
• over a contractor, to determine how much control and oversight they have and whether or not that entity
• or a government entity has over a contractor to determine how much control and oversight they have and
• And are you representing yourself or a particular entity? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Essentially, they are their own sovereign entity.

Bills: S0828, S1274, S1310, S1378, S1562

Keywords: sovereign immunity, public transit, contractors, liability, state agents, transportation, traffic signal modernization, seaports, commercial space launch, micromobility, automated license plate recognition, railroad crossing safety, railroad crossings, grade crossing, public railroad-highway grade crossing, rail safety, crossing technology, advanced detection systems, monitoring systems, sensors

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several measures and adopted amendments on multiple bills. SB 1274, as amended, removed a number of provisions from the original bill and added items including local authority to lower residential street speed limits, clarification on obscured license plates, FDOT funding for certain rural airport aviation projects, limits on yellow-light timing changes tied to red-light cameras, changes to private use of license plate readers, and other transportation-related revisions. After brief questions and supportive testimony, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 1310, which was converted into a study bill directing FDOT to study advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report findings and policy options to the governor and legislature. Railroad industry testimony supported the study but raised concerns about interoperability with train safety systems and suggested the study consider additional safety tools such as red-light cameras and wayside horns. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 828, as amended, would extend sovereign immunity protections to private contractors providing public transit services on behalf of governments, with supporters saying it would reduce costs and provide certainty for transit providers, while opponents warned it was an overbroad expansion of sovereign immunity and could conflict with railroad employee protections under federal law. The committee reported that bill favorably as well. The committee then passed SB 1378, which strengthens traffic enforcement by clarifying when vehicles may be treated as abandoned, adding penalties for unlawfully attached plates or stickers, and allowing forfeiture of vehicles used to flee law enforcement even without an immediate arrest. It also approved SB 1562, which aims to prevent manufacturers from concentrating sales of certain vehicle brands through a single dealer group and instead promote competition among independent dealers. In addition, the committee unanimously confirmed a slate of appointees, and members later recorded additional affirmative votes on several bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• adverse economic impact on small entities, and these are not emergency rules.
• And if it goes to the commission, and the commission is a public entity, I think the public is...
• economic impact on small entities, and these rules were normal rules, not emergency rules.
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity economic impact statement were prepared and also
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity impact statement were prepared and attached to this

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll hear from invited entities. There is no opportunity for public comment.
• Are they all made by one person, one entity? Folks right over here.
• Simply because a private entity engages with a public entity does not subject the entire private entity
• So in no way is IRG asserting that DRC is a public entity. Obviously, it is not.
• collective governmental entity, regardless of what it is labeled.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regions must identify an accountable entity, as Esperanza will talk about what that accountable entity
• All of the remaining accountable entities are county governments for this focus.
• You get their application, we'll be working closely with that entity to identify their logistics.
• The first entities who are doing that need to be included.
• We did prescribe that a little bit and have shared it with each of the accountable entities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, a few years ago, it was changed to allow other entities to also do that because of the workload on
• <00:09:28.160> to uh changed to allow other entities to uh changed to allow other entities
• And uh unfortunately, other entities.
• <00:10:01.280> that entity that entity that was<00:10:02.440> interested<00:10:02.880><
• <00:10:50.960> in<00:10:51.120> the And I think having an entity in the And I think

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 856, relating to creation of an independent Office of Inspector General to fight fraud in Minnesota. Representative Norris presented a DE6 author’s amendment that he said fixed constitutional appointment language, expanded the office’s fraud-prevention role, and made other noncontroversial cleanup changes. He emphasized that the bill was still not finished and that more work remained before it would be ready for final House passage. Members raised several concerns. Representative Joy questioned language about who has primary investigative authority in Medicaid-related cases and whether the bill could create confusion over who may freeze funds; Norris responded that federal rules require administering agencies to be primary investigators and said the language was intended to comply with those rules while still ensuring investigations happen. Representative Bahner said the bill was improved, especially on constitutionality and prevention, but noted remaining concerns about agency expertise, duplication of effort, and funding. Representative Quam argued the state already has the Office of the Legislative Auditor and other processes in place, while Norris said an executive-branch office working directly with agencies could help ensure best practices are actually implemented. Several members, including Representative Cleborne and Representative Craft, said they remained concerned about duplication, cost, and language they believed still placed the new office above state law, though they acknowledged the bill was improved and constitutional issues had been addressed. The chair moved the DE6 amendment, which was adopted, and then the committee voted on Senate File 856 as amended. The bill passed on a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 1 nay and was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them groups or entities we don't.
• Um, right now our mobile entities, 740 of the folks that we have licensed as mobile entities have $50,000
• <00:36:40.800> um application fee for those entities um application fee for those entities
• Senator Westrom asked whether the proposal would cover any new entities.
• At this point, it would not cover any new entities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the data-providing entity, the government entity, moves on to the next stage of the request.
• Then the data-providing entity, the government entity, moves on to the next stage of the request.
• <00:26:56.120> the<00:26:56.279> government<00:26:56.600> entity providing entity
• the government entity providing entity the government entity move<00:26:57.159> on<00:26:57.320
• the government entity and the requestor the government entity and the requestor so<00:27:16.640>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• are there any other private entities are there any other private entities that<00:14:16.240>
• These are funds from these private entities that are then handed to the state, so it's not a public entity
• thatly internal to the to the entity thatly internal to the to the entity that's<00:49:05.160>
• versus uh a representative of entities versus uh a representative of entities who<03:38:31.960><
• <03:40:17.239> like<03:40:17.359> the have an entity like the have an entity like the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any taxing entity that does not consent is excluded from the increment district.
• The the the business entity always stand is to gain.
• But it'll be on the local government entity that will put the bill in the elections.
• If the people may decide, the entity may say, 'Hey, no, we're not gonna.
• Public entities are no different. They've also been facing the same issue.

Bills: HB3310, HB4311, HB3841, HB3024, HB3075

Keywords: purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, unclaimed property, service charges, property fund, accountability, government transparency, local development, economic impact, voter approval, tax increment financing, review committee, public finance, blight, salary increase, bonus limits, job performance

Transcript Highlights:

• The pass-through entity tax says that there are 66,000 businesses, small and medium-sized businesses,
• that use the pass-through entity tax. that use the pass-through entity tax. 66,000. 66,000. 66,000
• That's the number that they're paying at these past two entities paid $2 billion.
• <00:17:58.840> tax entity tax entity tax that's<00:18:00.080> sending<00:18:00.440>
• these past two entities paid 2 billion. these past two entities paid 2 billion.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that, based on everything he had found out, the question is whether these entities should have
• I would hope that the entity, but if you say 'and upon the request of the entity,' I don't know if it's
• But the request, if it says 'and request of the entity,' if the entity doesn't request it, then good
• If there isn't a cause, then the only reason to have be would be the request of the entity.
• Let's say the entity says they can fire a lawyer anytime they want. But does it have to be?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee reconvened and reviewed the status of several bills. The chair said bill 1377 could not be acted on until the House finished work on campaign finance bill 2156, and bill 1535 likely would not be ready because of unresolved concerns from Representative Davis and planned meetings with Highway Patrol and BCI. The committee therefore focused on bill 1601, which dealt with when the Attorney General may refuse or revoke special assistant attorney general appointments for certain state offices and entities. Members debated the policy and constitutional implications of the bill, including whether it was solving a real problem or creating a potential conflict, and whether statewide elected officials and independent bodies should have their own counsel. After testimony from the Chief Deputy Attorney General clarifying current law and the appropriations process, the committee amended the bill to add the Ethics Commission to the list of entities and to narrow the affected offices to the Governor, State Auditor, and Ethics Commission. The committee also changed one provision from “and” to “or” to clarify the standard for refusal or revocation. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a 6-0 vote and designated Senator Braunberger as the carrier. The chair said the committee would not meet the next morning and would instead reconvene the following week at the call of the chair.