Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dziedzic? Uh, thanks, Mark.
• Senator more affordable for Minnesotans. Senator Dziedzic?
• Thank you, Senator Dziedzic. Thank you, Senator Dziedzic.
• back over to Senator Johnson. back over to Senator Johnson.
• County engineers, city engineers, State Senator former State Senator Carla Bigham testified how bad this

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures. Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers. In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• > excused,<00:19:37.440> all With Senator Favela as excused, all With Senator Favela as excused
• With Senator not, advise and consent.
• Noting Senator Favela as consent.
• <00:20:50.120> With<00:20:50.320> Senator 790 advise and consent.
• With Senator 790 advise and consent.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard several governor’s message nominations for health-related boards and commissions. Kanwardeep Kaleka was considered for the Substance Abuse Kauai Service Area Board; he said his work as a psychiatrist and family physician on Kauai motivates him to improve mental health and addiction services. Kunani Dryer was considered for the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances; he emphasized 26 years of personal recovery, harm reduction experience, and representation of rural, LGBTQIA+, and Native Hawaiian communities. Olivia Kim was considered for the Center for Nursing Advisory Board; testimony highlighted her experience in nursing leadership, long-term care, and LPN workforce issues. Trisha Lynn Yamashita was considered for the Kauai Subarea Health Planning Council; she described her hospice leadership, public health and palliative care background, and focus on data-informed, community-centered planning. Emily Dong was considered for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel Wastewater Treatment Plants; she stressed wastewater’s public health importance and the need to strengthen the operator workforce pipeline. Testimony in support came from the Department of Health and several organizations and individuals, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hina Mauka, the Kauai mayor, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and others. Committee members generally praised the nominees’ credentials and community ties, and repeatedly noted the value of lived experience, rural perspective, and workforce expertise. One nominee, Olivia Kim, was not present and was deferred to a later meeting for decision-making. At the end of the hearing, the committee took up the governor’s messages and recommended advise and consent for GM707, GM537, GM545, GM724, and GM790, with Senator Fevella excused and no objections recorded. GM662 was deferred to Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 3:20 p.m. in Room 225 because the nominee could not attend. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• full Senate full Senate for<00:13:04.480> confirmation.
• Senator Ihara is excused. Senator Kealoha? Aye. Senator Dela Cruz aye.
• Senator Kealoha?
• Senator Dela Cruz aye. Chair, your >> Aye. Senator Dela Cruz aye.
• full Senate hearing is. full Senate hearing is.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met on April 14, 2026, to consider GM 644, the nomination of Kayla Curvelo to the Hawaii Island Burial Council, shifting her seat from the at-large/large landowner position to the Kona representative seat. Testimony in support came from SHPD Administrator Jessica Pap, who said Curvelo has served faithfully and has strong ties to the Kona community, and from OHA’s Leiloha Macouani, who noted Curvelo has served on the council since 2021 and as chair since August 2025. Curvelo, appearing on Zoom, described her family’s deep roots in Kona and said her focus would be on supporting community and descendant voices in burial matters. In response to questions, she emphasized that burial council decisions should be handled case by case, especially in situations involving inadvertent discovery of iwi, preservation in place, or relocation. She said the council’s role is to listen to families, SHPD, and community needs, and to balance cultural practice, changing conditions, and respect for kupuna and ʻāina. Members asked about her vision for the council and whether iwi could be moved when necessary. Curvelo said relocation can be appropriate when done properly, but there is no single rule; each situation depends on the family, the site, and conditions such as coastal erosion or high surf. After discussion, the chair recommended advise and consent. The committee voted to adopt that recommendation, with Chair Richards, Vice Chair, Senator Kealoha, and Senator Dela Cruz voting aye; Senator Ihara was excused. The nomination was forwarded to the full Senate for confirmation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a 2-minute time limit on testimony normally.
• I, uh, Senator Gabbard is excused. Senator Nishimoto. I. Senator Moriwaki is I and Senator Dela I.
• Senator Nishimoto. I. Senator Nishimoto. I.
• and<00:04:03.480> Senator<00:04:03.880> Dela Senator Moriwaki is I and Senator Dela
• Senator Moriwaki is I and Senator Dela I.<00:04:05.000> I.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations met on April 14, 2026, to consider Governor’s Message 784, a nomination for the 911 Board: Terrence Gomez for a term ending June 30, 2030. The chair noted that the committee had received written testimony in support from Davelyn Racadio, EMS Dispatch Coordinator for the Maui Police Department, and invited Gomez to testify by Zoom. Gomez said he wanted to serve because of his public safety background and his desire to strengthen emergency communications and support community and first responder safety. He said he has 27 years of law enforcement experience, including work with dispatchers and the emergency operations center. The chair asked about the board’s role in helping counties upgrade PSAP systems, but Gomez said he was not familiar with that issue and had no specific thoughts at the time. After questions concluded, the chair recommended advising and consenting to the nomination, saying Gomez’s county police experience would be an asset to the board. The committee voted yes by members present, with Senator Gabbard excused, and the nomination was approved. The chair congratulated Gomez and adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motions and resolutions. >> Senator Gianaris. >> By Senator Salazar, Calendar 648, Parker, 636, and Senator
• the title read and please recognize Senator Scarcella-Spanton. >> Secretary will read. >> Resolution
• SENATOR GIANARIS.
• The resolution was adopted on March 10. Senator Gianaris.
• At the request of Senator Scarcella-Spanton, we'll be opening the resolution for co-sponsorship.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of utility and public service bills and resolutions. A resolution sponsored by Senator Scarcella-Spanton designating April 9, 2026, as Yellow Ribbon Day was adopted after remarks honoring veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The chamber then moved through several Public Service Law measures focused on utility affordability, consumer protections, and PSC procedures, with some bills laid aside and others advanced. Among the bills passed were measures by Senators Mayer, Cleare, Hinchey, Comrie, and Parker. Debate on the Mayer bill centered on limiting utility expenses and fees recoverable in rate cases; supporters said it was part of a broader package to reform PSC practices, while opponents argued it would not lower current bills and had been softened from earlier versions. The Webb bill creating a residential utility usage monitoring program drew extended debate over whether it would meaningfully reduce costs, who would pay for the program, and whether it could lead to government monitoring of household usage; supporters said it would give consumers more control and transparency, while critics said it would not lower rates. The Gonzalez bill, which would add consumer protections during PSC investigations and delay shutoffs in certain circumstances, also passed after questions about whether it applied to rate cases, with the sponsor saying rate cases were explicitly excluded. Several members explained their votes, with supporters emphasizing affordability, transparency, and consumer protection, and opponents arguing the package would not address immediate rate relief and could burden ratepayers or encourage nonpayment. Senator Tedisco and others criticized PSC appointments and state energy policy, while Democratic sponsors argued the bills were part of a longer-term effort to reform utility regulation and address climate and affordability concerns. The chamber restored multiple bills to the non-controversial calendar before final votes, and the recorded results showed passage of the major utility bills by substantial margins, along with one amendment appeal being ruled nongermane and rejected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate file 4335, Senator On line 441 is Senate file 4335, Senator Champion's<00:16:04.880> additional
• Senator Wicklund's Senate file also from Senator Wicklund's Senate file 4719<00:23:46.200> and
• as Senate File 4933 by Senator Wiklund.
• Senator Wicklund. Senator Wicklund.
• finally, sections 2 through 5 are<00:42:00.760> from<00:42:01.000> Senate<00:42:01.320

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:08:36.120> Kunesh. Senator Kunesh. Senator Kunesh.
• 2 ft. 2 ft.
• Senator<00:41:05.240> Kruse. Senator Kruse. Senator Kruse.
• Senator<00:42:03.960> Latz. Senator Latz. Senator Latz.
• <00:47:13.480> Senate So, if we don't finish by 2:30, we'll come back at 6:00.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clark, Senate File bill from Senator Clark, Senate File 4368. 4368. 4368.
• c> 1310 Senator Swidinsk's Senate File 1310 Senator Swidinsk's Senate File 1310 and<00:04:29.680>
• <00:04:43.840> Switzinski Senate File 1310 from Senator Switzinski Senate File 1310 from Senator
• 39, um, from Senator Balden, Senate File 39, um, from Senator Balden, Senate File 39, uh,<00:
• Oh, Senator Rarick. to uh Senate File 4677. to uh Senate File 4677.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um Senate file 3988. Um Senate file 3988.
• <01:04:40.720> Senator Thank you, Senator McEwen. Senator Thank you, Senator McEwen.
• Senator Dziedzic. I. Senator Carlson. No. Senator Coleman. I. Senator Farnsworth. Yes.
• Senator Hawj. No. Senator Hemmingsen-Jaeger. No. Senator Lang. I. Senator McEwen. No.
• Senator Lang. I. Senator Lang. I. Senator<01:35:42.920> McEwen. Senator McEwen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:09:03.240> Murphy. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy.
• Senator Murphy. Thank you. Senator Murphy. Thank you.
• Senator Roswell. Thank you. Senator Roswell. Thank you.
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Fuller.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:22:21.240> Kupec. Senator Kupec. Senator Kupec.
• Senator Putnam and Senator and echo what Senator Putnam and Senator Kupec<00:36:40.720> have<00
• Senator Senator Senator >> Mr.
• Senator Kupec: Yes. Senator Westrom: Yes. Senator Dahms: Yes. Senator Dornink: Yes.
• Senator Gustafson: No. Senator Hommersten: Yes. Senator Kunesh: No. Senator Sieben: No.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill on the agenda is Senate File 4262. Senator Putnam.
• . 2%. 2%.
• Senate tax committee. Senate tax committee.
• we raised $2 billion. we raised $2 billion. $2<01:53:16.880> billion.
• Uh Senator Dibble. I I bill over. Uh Senator Dibble.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Koopak's<00:37:11.359> Senate from Senator Koopak's Koopak's Senate from Senator Koopak's
• Senate File 5048. Senate File 5048.
• Sections 2 to 6, 25, and 34 are the staffing ratios for nursing homes from Senator Dibble's bill 2972
• Next is Senator Abeler's Senate File 4121.
• Senator Stephen Senator Rasmussen. Thank Senator Stephen Senator Rasmussen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution 185 has been adopted.
• Draft 1, on page five through Standing Committee Report No. 3808 on House Bill 2576, Senate Draft 2,
• Senate Draft 2 relating to campaign contributions. >> Senator San Buenaventura. >> Mr.
• > to 1929 Senate Draft 2, relating to 1929 Senate Draft 2, relating to biosecurity. biosecurity.
• to 2033 Senate Draft 2 relating to 2033 Senate Draft 2 relating to transportation. transportation

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a $2 million appropriation for Enterprise Minnesota from Senator Gustafson's bill.
• Then article 2, there are two sections that were part of a bill that Senator Champion had, and both sections
• Please state your name for the record, and you have 2 minutes. Thank you, Senator Pha.
• And I'm here to say thank you for including $2 million in the general fund for the version of Senator
• Senator Gustafson here has been working on this for the past 2 years with the Office of Inspector General

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:15:32.639> Long. >> Senator Long. >> Senator Long.
• Senator, >> Thank you.
• <01:09:35.120> Senator, know that. Senator, know that.
• >> Senator Bzo. >> Senator Bzo.
• Thank you, Senator Avar. >> Okay. Thank you, Senator Avar.

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Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:14:26.720> Aler, >> Senator Aler, >> Senator Aler, >> thank
• Senator<00:38:33.599> Alula. Senator Alula. Senator Alula.
• Senator Re. testimony. Any questions? Senator Re.
• Did you have a question, Senator? Senator? Senator?
• Thank you, senators. senators. senators.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committed to Senate Finance.
• committed to Senate finance. committed to Senate finance.
• Senate Government Operations will meet at 2:00. >> Senator from Windham. >> Thank you, Mr.
• >> Senator from Rutland. >> Senator from Rutland.
• >> Senator from Windham. >> Senator from Windham.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Rules will come to order.
• Thank you, Senator Laird. Senator Gomez-Reyes. Thank you.
• But I'm up at 2:30 a.m. But I'm up at 2:30 a.m.
• Senator Reyes. Thank you.
• We're going to go with Senator Jones, followed by Senator Laird. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first established quorum and then approved several routine items, including one governor’s appointment not required to appear, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard from two CDCR appointees required to appear, Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both nominated to associate director positions in the Division of Adult Institutions. They described their long careers in corrections and emphasized the California model, explaining that it is intended to improve staff safety, rehabilitation, trauma-informed practices, and reentry outcomes. Members raised concerns about a widely reported use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, sexual abuse and retaliation concerns in women’s prisons, visitation restrictions, and the need for consistent policies and stronger communication. The nominees said the department investigated the incident, disciplined staff, provided medical and mental health support, conducted training, and is working to improve reporting, PREA compliance, and family visitation. The committee voted 4-0 to send both nominations to the Senate floor, with public testimony largely in support from former incarcerated people, nonprofit reentry advocates, and community stakeholders. The committee then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as Undersecretary of Operations at CDCR. Johnson framed his work as centered on rehabilitation, public safety, and culture change, and he described his background in probation, parole, and CDCR leadership. Members questioned him about opposition letters and complaints alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, discrimination, and public safety concerns tied to his leadership of adult parole operations. Johnson said many complaints were tied to efforts to change a previously toxic culture, denied retaliatory intent, and pointed to his record of creating or strengthening reentry and compliance programs, including community reentry units, community compliance units, behavioral health reintegration efforts, and transitional community reentry programs. He also addressed parole supervision tools for high-risk sex offenders, contraband interdiction, and PREA-related training and reporting systems. The discussion repeatedly returned to the need to balance institutional security with rehabilitation and to ensure that staff and incarcerated people can report misconduct safely. The committee did not take a final vote on Johnson in the portion provided, but members indicated they were weighing the late-breaking opposition materials and his responses carefully.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have Senator Wiener. Okay, we'll start with Item Number 2, which is SB 1003.
• Senator Cervantes? Aye. Senator Laird? Aye. Senator Seyarto? No. The vote is 4-2.
• The vote is 4-2 and we remain on call. Okay, we move on. Senator Grayson to SB 1036.
• Senator Choi? No. Cervantes? Aye. Laird? Aye. The vote is 5-2, the bill is out.
• The current vote is 4-2, with the chair voting aye, vice chair voting no. Senator Laird? Aye.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of housing, land use, infrastructure, and local governance bills, beginning without a quorum and briefly operating as a subcommittee until members arrived. SB 1003 by Senator Grayson would create an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infill housing infrastructure; it drew support from housing advocates and senior housing groups, while Senator Seyarto questioned whether the state would actually fund another program. The bill passed 3-1 and remained on call. The committee then adopted a consent calendar containing SB 1169, SB 1086, SB 1126, and SB 1439 through SB 1442. SB 1014, also by Senator Grayson, would require local jurisdictions to provide early estimates of on-site and off-site improvements and limit later surprise requirements; supporters said it would reduce costly late-stage changes, while the City of San Mateo and county/city groups raised concerns about estimates being too speculative at the preliminary application stage. It passed 4-2 and remained on call. SB 1036, another Grayson bill, would require credit for prior site uses under the Mitigation Fee Act for redevelopment projects; it had broad support and passed unanimously. SB 1145 would streamline CEQA and surplus land procedures for the Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse project; supporters emphasized the long-planned 10,000-home transit-oriented redevelopment and labor agreements, while housing legal groups sought stronger affordability enforcement. The bill passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 908 by Senator Wiener, which would streamline permits for energy-code-compliant window replacements and limit local and HOA design restrictions; supporters framed it as a way to lower energy bills and help affordable housing providers, while local government groups warned about overbroad state preemption and possible litigation exposure. It passed 3-1 and remained on call. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place guardrails on tax-sharing consultant agreements, with the City of Shafter and League of California Cities supporting the measure as a taxpayer protection; it passed 4-0 and remained on call. SB 1379 by Senator Cervantes would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner in response to high in-custody death rates; supporters cited transparency and public trust, while the sheriff’s association and county representatives argued it would override local control and increase costs. The bill passed 4-1 and remained on call. SB 1283 by Senator Ashby would expand ministerial approval for EV charging stations to include canopies and on-site energy storage; supporters said it would modernize permitting and help fill charging gaps, while cities and counties raised safety, liability, and local review concerns. It passed 4-0 and remained on call. Later, SB 1414 by Senator Reyes proposed an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County. Supporters from Common Cause and the League of Women Voters said it would improve transparency and remove conflicts of interest from supervisorial map-drawing, while the county opposed the bill, citing its existing advisory commission and an estimated $2 million implementation cost. Senators Ashby and Arreguín voiced support for independent redistricting, and the committee continued discussion as the transcript ended.