Transcript Highlights:

• :02:23.560><c> Minnesota</c><00:02:24.040><c> education</c><00:02:24.480><c> Equity</c> for the Minnesota
• education Equity for the Minnesota education Equity partnership<00:02:25.360><c> manip</c><00:02:26.040
• 00:02:34.239><c> the</c><00:02:34.360><c> Minnesota</c><00:02:34.879><c> office</c> education funding
• the Minnesota office education funding the Minnesota office of<00:02:35.280><c> higher</c><00:02:35.519
• <00:02:58.840><c> in</c><00:02:59.000><c> Minnesota</c><00:03:00.080><c> by</c><00:03:00.280><c> investing

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• overview</c><01:02:03.359><c> for</c><01:02:03.599><c> edn</c><01:02:04.079><c> 600</c><01:02:04.640>
• 06.839><c> fiscal</c><01:02:07.240><c> by</c><01:02:07.440><c> any</c><01:02:07.720><c> um</c><01:02:
• :02:14.240><c> we</c><01:02:14.599><c> we</c><01:02:14.960><c> highlight</c><01:02:15.400><c> here</c
• 02:06:00.040><c> are</c><02:06:00.360><c> they</c><02:06:01.040><c> um</c><02:06:01.719><c> how</c><02
• 02:14:09.599><c> in</c><02:14:10.599><c> edn</c><02:14:11.199><c> 400</c><02:14:12.199><c> but</c><02

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> cost</c><01:02:05.440><c> Minnesota</c><01:02:05.920><c> hospitals</c><01:02:06.640><c> even</c><
• Minnesota<01:02:41.040><c> has</c><01:02:41.440><c> 77</c><01:02:42.079><c> critical</c><01:02:42.559
• 45.680><c> Minnesota</c><01:02:46.160><c> has</c><01:02:46.400><c> the</c><01:02:46.640><c> 10th</c><
• rural</c><01:02:51.839><c> Minnesota</c><01:02:52.400><c> is</c> in four adults in rural Minnesota is
• That's why<02:09:22.239><c> in</c><02:09:22.480><c> Minnesota,</c><02:09:23.040><c> we</c><02:09:23.280

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• compromise to move often difficult compromise to move Minnesota<00:02:40.080><c> forward.
• </c><00:02:40.800><c> None</c><00:02:41.120><c> of</c><00:02:41.200><c> us</c><00:02:41.360><c> got</
• ><c> that</c><00:02:45.680><c> we</c><00:02:45.840><c> would</c><00:02:46.160><c> do</c><00:02:46.319
• ><c> of</c><00:02:47.599><c> good</c><00:02:48.480><c> for</c><00:02:48.720><c> a</c><00:02:49.040><c
• of people.<00:02:50.480><c> And</c><00:02:50.720><c> with</c><00:02:50.879><c> that,</c><00:02:51.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:08.440><c> of</c><00:02:08.840><c> farms</c><00:02:09.800><c> uh</c><00:02:10.000><c> does
• <00:02:13.160><c> of</c><00:02:13.599><c> consumers</c><00:02:14.599><c> uh</c><00:02:14.959><c> and<
• /c><00:02:15.599><c> you</c><00:02:15.760><c> know</c><00:02:15.920><c> what</c><00:02:16.040><c> I</
• <c> from</c><00:02:16.519><c> them</c><00:02:16.800><c> is</c><00:02:17.280><c> uh</c><00:02:17.440><
• </c><00:02:32.040><c> pleased</c><00:02:32.360><c> to</c><00:02:32.480><c> be</c> here<00:02:37.599><

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:22.480><c> Minnesota</c><02:02:23.199><c> to</c> conversation with Explore Minnesota to conversation
• with Explore Minnesota to make<02:02:23.520><c> sure</c><02:02:23.679><c> that</c><02:02:23.840><c>
• to Minnesota last two important benefit to Minnesota last two years.<02:03:50.719><c> Paid</c><02:03
• It's<02:03:55.040><c> coming</c><02:03:55.280><c> to</c><02:03:55.480><c> Minnesota</c><02:03:56.480>
• Minnesota and it will do It's coming to Minnesota and it will do a<02:03:57.440><c> lot</c><02:03:57.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.359><c> home</c><01:02:01.680><c> in</c><01:02:01.839><c> on</c><01:02:02.000><c> what</c><01:02:
• ><c> these,</c><01:02:07.440><c> I</c><01:02:07.680><c> I</c><01:02:08.000><c> think</c><01:02:08.079
• c><01:02:16.160><c> spoken</c><01:02:16.319><c> with</c><01:02:16.480><c> anyone</c><01:02:17.119><c>
• </c><01:02:26.960><c> or</c><01:02:27.119><c> or</c><01:02:27.359><c> or</c><01:02:27.520><c> either<
• That was one of<01:02:33.040><c> the</c><01:02:33.119><c> things</c><01:02:33.280><c> that</c><01:02:

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> able</c><00:02:05.240><c> to</c><00:02:05.320><c> have</c><00:02:05.560><c> like</c><00:02:05.720
• </c><00:02:08.000><c> in</c><00:02:08.160><c> Minnesota</c><00:02:08.640><c> if</c> or Olympic level
• events in Minnesota if or Olympic level events in Minnesota if we<00:02:08.800><c> don't</c><00:02:09.000
• we need to do and it was it's unfortunate<00:02:17.480><c> that</c><00:02:17.640><c> Minnesota</c><00
• :02:18.120><c> Democrats</c> unfortunate that Minnesota Democrats unfortunate that Minnesota Democrats

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:02:03.640><c> ticketed</c><00:02:04.159><c> event</c><00:02:04.640><c> and</c><00:02:04.840><c>
• you've<00:02:06.280><c> gotten</c><00:02:06.479><c> a</c><00:02:06.640><c> ticket</c><00:02:06.920><c
• 02:14.680><c> is</c><00:02:14.840><c> filling</c><00:02:15.239><c> up</c><00:02:15.440><c> and</c><00
• 03.119><c> the</c><01:02:03.240><c> Minnesota</c> 2023 why the hell is the Minnesota 2023 why the hell
• is the Minnesota Department<01:02:04.079><c> of</c><01:02:04.200><c> Public</c><01:02:04.520><c> Safety

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> service to our uh residents of Minnesota service to our uh residents of Minnesota here.<00:58:37.119
• :50.640><c> and</c><01:02:50.880><c> removing</c><01:02:51.280><c> vandalism</c><01:02:51.760><c> and
• ><c> proposal</c><01:02:53.040><c> for</c><01:02:53.200><c> the</c><01:02:53.359><c> timely</c><01:02
• :54.079><c> damage</c><01:02:54.480><c> as</c><01:02:54.640><c> well</c><01:02:54.799><c> as</c><01:02
• as well as other cleanliness standards<01:02:56.559><c> necessary</c><01:02:57.040><c> to</c><01:02:

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:00.320><c> a</c><00:02:00.640><c> huge</c> and the children of Minnesota a huge and the children
• of Minnesota a huge opportunity<00:02:02.000><c> at</c><00:02:02.320><c> funding</c><00:02:02.560><c
• our school kids in the state of our school kids in the state of Minnesota.<00:02:45.840><c> What</c>
• single pupil in the state going to every single pupil in the state of<00:02:52.480><c> Minnesota,</c
• <00:02:53.920><c> be</c><00:02:54.239><c> over</c> of Minnesota, we are going to be over of Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :26.640><c> in</c><00:02:26.800><c> the</c><00:02:26.879><c> shape</c><00:02:27.040><c> you</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:33.599><c> I</c><00:02:33.760><c> didn't</c><00:02:33.920><c> mean</c><00:02:34.000><c> to
• had tax conformity in Minnesota,<01:02:08.160><c> people</c><01:02:08.400><c> could</c><01:02:08.559
• ><c> save</c><01:02:08.720><c> that</c><01:02:08.960><c> much</c> Minnesota, people could save that much
• Minnesota, people could save that much more.<01:02:09.359><c> And</c><01:02:09.520><c> then</c><01:02

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:07.600><c> important</c><00:02:07.920><c> of</c><00:02:08.160><c> the</c><00:02:08.319><c>
• :02:24.480><c> we</c><00:02:24.640><c> have</c><00:02:24.800><c> broad</c><00:02:25.200><c> access</c
• :02:34.480><c> need</c><00:02:34.640><c> to</c><00:02:34.800><c> pass</c><00:02:35.120><c> strong</c>
• 02:38.560><c> that</c><00:02:38.800><c> will</c><00:02:39.040><c> protect</c><00:02:39.360><c> our</c
• Minnesota. Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c> uh</c><00:02:25.280><c> this</c><00:02:25.480><c> bill</c><00:02:25.720><c> is</c><00:02:25.879><c
• 32.319><c> to</c><00:02:32.480><c> be</c><00:02:32.640><c> the</c><00:02:32.760><c> new</c><00:02:32.920
• frontier in crime<00:02:34.400><c> it's</c><00:02:34.519><c> a</c><00:02:34.720><c> new</c><00:02:34.879
• ><c> that</c><00:02:40.440><c> auto</c><00:02:40.800><c> correct</c><00:02:41.319><c> drones</c><00:02
• <00:02:47.080><c> different</c><00:02:47.440><c> ways</c><00:02:47.640><c> that</c><00:02:47.840><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 282 would increase penalties for using an uncrewed aircraft, or drone, in the commission of a felony. The Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney strongly supported the bill, saying drones are being used to facilitate crimes such as burglaries, sex offender registration violations, and even murders, and that the measure would create a stronger deterrent and address sentencing issues. Members discussed how drone use could be investigated and noted that a prior Uncrewed Aircraft Offenses Act already covers a range of drone-related offenses. Testimony also included support from a Kauaʻi County Council member and the Office of the Public Defender, and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved on. The committee also heard SB 1032 on campaign finance, which would amend restrictions on foreign nationals and foreign corporations making contributions and expenditures. Testimony was listed in support from labor, civic, and advocacy groups, with some opposition, but the measure was not debated further in the portion provided. SB 1160, a consumer protection bill on ticket resale, drew support from venues and event groups and opposition from the Chamber of Progress, which argued the bill should target scalpers and deceptive practices rather than legitimate resale platforms. The Attorney General suggested an amendment to limit the bill’s scope to Hawaiʻi events, citing Commerce Clause concerns. On SB 344, requiring skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, the Department of Transportation, Honolulu Police Department, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported the measure. SB 106, which would let pedestrians cross outside marked crosswalks when a reasonably careful pedestrian would see no immediate danger, drew mixed testimony: public health and equity advocates supported it as a safety and anti-profiling measure, while others opposed it, warning it could increase danger on wider, faster roads. Committee members questioned whether Hawaiʻi’s current law is more dangerous because pedestrians must step into the roadway before drivers are required to stop, and the discussion continued at length without a final vote in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 10009 on accessible parking fines, with DCAB and DAGS supporting the intent; a member asked that any new fine revenue go to the state parking revolving fund. SB 820, shortening the vehicle title transfer deadline from 30 days to 14 days, drew opposition from the Public Defender and Honolulu Customer Services, who said the current deadline is reasonable and the bill did not clearly solve a problem. Later measures included SB 1095 on license plate decal restrictions, SB 215 on towing and immobilization fees, and SB 1117 on electric mobility rebates and age/helmet rules, which received support from transportation and safety groups, though the transcript cuts off before any final actions or votes on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• > at</c><00:02:16.160><c> random</c><00:02:16.599><c> times</c><00:02:16.920><c> that</c><00:02:17.040
• :02:20.360><c> would</c><00:02:20.560><c> occur</c><00:02:21.040><c> what</c><00:02:21.160><c> the</c
• ><00:02:26.680><c> so</c><00:02:27.160><c> when</c><00:02:27.319><c> we</c><00:02:27.480><c> hear</c>
• </c><00:02:28.280><c> stories</c><00:02:28.680><c> of</c><00:02:28.959><c> Amazon</c><00:02:29.360><c
• ><c> urinate</c><00:02:35.440><c> in</c><00:02:35.599><c> a</c><00:02:35.959><c> in</c><00:02:36.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:02:07.439><c> I</c><00:02:07.840><c> want</c><00:02:08.000><c> to</c><00:02:09.039><c> give</c><
• 00:02:09.280><c> a</c><00:02:09.520><c> lot</c><00:02:09.599><c> of</c><00:02:09.759><c> credit</c><00
• And<00:02:21.599><c> I</c><00:02:21.840><c> have</c><00:02:22.080><c> colleagues</c><00:02:22.480><c>
• ><c> proud</c><00:02:56.720><c> of</c><00:02:57.040><c> Minnesota</c> colleagues and really proud of
• Minnesota colleagues and really proud of Minnesota in<00:02:58.239><c> the</c><00:02:58.400><c> way</

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:05.439><c> But</c><00:02:05.680><c> House</c><00:02:06.079><c> House</c><00:02:06.320><c>
• :02:08.479><c> in</c><00:02:08.720><c> front</c><00:02:08.800><c> of</c><00:02:08.959><c> us</c><00:02
• :02:16.239><c> this</c><00:02:16.480><c> bill</c><00:02:16.720><c> to</c><00:02:16.879><c> the</c><00
• :56.160><c> state</c><00:02:56.319><c> of</c><00:02:56.480><c> Minnesota</c><00:02:56.959><c> for</c>
• hospitals in the state of Minnesota for hospitals in the state of Minnesota for the<00:02:57.280><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 369 was the main topic, with House authors Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, Rep. Robert Bierman, and Rep. Dave Baker arguing that the bill would give Minnesota’s 2024 340B law “teeth” by enforcing protections for nonprofit and rural hospitals’ access to the federal drug pricing program. They said the measure costs the state nothing, aligns with similar laws in more than 20 other states, and is needed before adjournment to help hospitals close funding gaps, support services like emergency care, obstetrics, behavioral health, and pharmacy access, and preserve care in remote communities. Several hospital leaders from across greater Minnesota testified that 340B revenue helps keep their facilities viable and that losing it would threaten services and, in some cases, hospital survival. Witnesses described severe financial pressure on rural hospitals, including reimbursement cuts, workforce shortages, inflation, and rising drug costs. Leaders from United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Lakewood Health System in Staples, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Northshore Health in Grand Marais, Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby said their hospitals serve as safety-net providers and often operate with thin or negative margins. They emphasized long travel times to other hospitals, seasonal tourism pressures in some areas, and the importance of local emergency, ambulance, inpatient, and specialty services. The Minnesota Hospital Association president also criticized pharmaceutical company messaging and said nonprofit hospitals are working around the clock to maintain access. In response to questions, Zeleznikar said she had considered other enforcement approaches but now supported using the original Senate-passed bill, citing concerns about fraud and the difficulty of alternative enforcement mechanisms. She and hospital leaders distinguished this bill from a separate hospital stabilization-grant proposal, saying both are needed but serve different purposes. No vote was taken at the meeting, and the speakers repeatedly urged House leadership to bring the bill to the floor before session ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota who cannot practice medicine Minnesota who cannot practice medicine right<00:02:34.120><c>
• <c> in</c> would be eligible to practice in would be eligible to practice in Minnesota<00:02:45.400><
• ><c> practice</c><00:02:57.680><c> in</c><00:02:57.800><c> Minnesota</c><00:02:58.319><c> for</c><00:
• 02:58.519><c> 2</c><00:02:58.760><c> years</c> will practice in Minnesota for 2 years will practice in
• Minnesota for 2 years in<00:02:59.159><c> a</c><00:02:59.280><c> rural</c><00:02:59.560><c> or</c><00

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:02:48.800><c> Minnesota.
• </c><00:02:49.440><c> I've</c> District 10, Central Minnesota. I've District 10, Central Minnesota.
• Every day we help Minnesota<01:02:50.720><c> veterans</c><01:02:51.280><c> access</c><01:02:51.680><c
• > these</c><01:02:52.000><c> benefits</c> Minnesota veterans access these benefits Minnesota veterans
• in serving Minnesota<01:02:58.960><c> veterans.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:04.000><c> to</c><00:02:04.159><c> the</c><00:02:04.320><c> table</c><00:02:04.880><c> and
• of<00:02:12.959><c> working</c><00:02:13.280><c> together</c><00:02:13.840><c> here</c><00:02:14.000
• ><c> in</c><00:02:14.520><c> Minnesota.
• ><c> Minnesota</c><00:02:38.160><c> and</c> of what we've done here in Minnesota and of what we've done
• here in Minnesota and how<00:02:38.720><c> we've</c><00:02:38.959><c> done</c><00:02:39.120><c> it.

Keywords: 1183, house