Transcript Highlights:

• property tax and changes tax committee property tax and changes tax committee makes<00:01:53.320
• will have ramifications for committee will have ramifications for this<00:02:15.120> committee
• The primary one that works within the walls of this committee, but also with the Tax Committee, is the
• evaluate how well a school Finance evaluate how well a school Finance system<00:13:34.360> is
• finance systems in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21st minutes by voice vote. Members then resumed a school finance overview focused on how Minnesota’s “base” budgeting system works and how future committee targets are set above or below that base by the Ways and Means chair, in consultation with fiscal staff. Staff emphasized that school funding decisions are tied to the state budget base and that changes made by the tax committee can affect school levies and school finance more broadly. The presentation then turned to property tax fundamentals. Staff explained that roughly 65% of school district revenue comes from state aid and about 20% from property taxes, with property tax revenue applying to school districts rather than charter schools. They reviewed the two main school tax bases—referendum market value and adjusted net tax capacity—along with class rates, sales ratios, and equalization. They also described tax credits, especially the school building bond agricultural credit, which helps reduce the property tax burden on agricultural land in Greater Minnesota. Members discussed student choice programs and how funding follows students. In response to questions from Representative Quam, staff explained postsecondary enrollment options (including direct enrollment and College in the Schools) and online learning, noting that funding generally follows the student to the serving institution or district. Staff also reviewed Minnesota’s pupil-counting system, including average daily membership and pupil weighting, and explained that students attending charter schools, other districts through open enrollment, or online programs are counted where they are served. The presentation concluded with broader school finance context: funding sources, equity and adequacy goals, constitutional and statutory authority, and the state’s school data systems (EUP/FARS, MARS, and STARS). Staff also began reviewing long-term enrollment trends, noting the impact of the baby boom, later growth from the mid-1980s through about 2000, and projected modest declines in public school enrollment through 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Quan moves that House File 1240 be recalled from the Committee on Judiciary Finance and
• Civil Law and be re-referred to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy.
• and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.
• Resources Finance and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Energy Finance and Policy.
• and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Health Finance and Policy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Senate Finance Committee.
• , then to the Senate Finance Committee.
• , then to the Senate Finance Committee.
• Finance Committee.
• Committee, then to the Senate Finance Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance. Good morning, Tamara Weber, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance.
• So I do want to thank the chair and committee staff and the finance department staff for their attention
• Department of Finance? Yeah, I'm on Department of Finance.
• I want to thank our committee, wonderful committee staff as well.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Revenue and Finance Committee meeting is now called to order.
• Madam Chair and members of the Revenue and Finance Committee, thank you for the opportunity to present
• The legislation requires the Department of Finance.
• What's the pleasure of the committee?
• What is the pleasure of the committee?

Summary: The House Revenue and Finance Committee met to consider two tax-related measures sponsored by Representative Holofsky. The first was House Substitute 1 for House Bill 386, the Tipped Worker Tax Relief Act of 2026, which would allow a temporary Delaware income tax deduction of up to $15,000 for qualified tips for tax years 2027 through 2029, with phaseouts at higher incomes and a refundable credit for lower-income workers. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill applied to residents and non-residents, whether credit-card tips were included, the need for an updated substitute, and the expected fiscal impact. The Office of the Comptroller General said the bill would likely reduce general revenue and that the fiscal note had not yet been fully reviewed, while Deputy Secretary Goldsmith said the Department of Finance could administer it and that implementation costs would be modest. After public comment, the committee voted on a motion to release the bill, but it did not receive enough votes, so the chair said she would walk it for additional signatures. The committee then heard Senate Bill 219, which would phase in an increase in the military pension income exemption from $12,500 to $25,000 by tax year 2029. Representative Holofsky argued the measure would help attract and retain military retirees, support the economy, and provide a strong return on investment through spending, taxes, and community participation. Members raised concerns about whether the benefit should be income-based, with one member arguing that higher-income retirees may not need the tax break, while supporters emphasized the multiplier effect and the value of veterans to the state. Public testimony from Veterans of Foreign Wars representatives strongly supported the bill and described how the exemption could influence retirement decisions and local economic activity. A motion to release the bill also failed to get enough votes, and the chair said she would walk it for signatures before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:56.000> report defective and in the committee report defective and in the committee
• <00:27:26.799> Chair's the housing committee. Chair's the housing committee.
• This is the Committee on Housing.
• Our concerns, I should say. members of the committee. My name is members of the committee.
• committee will also be doing so today. committee will also be doing so today.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on five housing-related measures. SB 2232 would create a three-year tiny home grant pilot program within HHFDC, with annual reporting to HHFDC and the Legislature; testimony was mixed, and the bill was later recommended for passage with amendments, including a full-time housing development specialist, a residential-use-only restriction for the tiny homes, and a blanked appropriation. SB 2192 would bar county down-zoning that reduces housing capacity unless equivalent capacity is added elsewhere in the county; it drew support from housing advocates and comments from planning officials, and was also recommended for passage with amendments. SB 2378 would clarify insurance requirements for single- and multifamily projects seeking expedited county permitting; engineers and housing groups supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and it was recommended for passage with a technical amendment. SB 2524 would appropriate funds to the City and County of Honolulu for housing-related departments to comply with prior acts; the Honolulu department supported it, and members asked about prior spending and funding sources. SB 2398 would require residential housing utility availability maps; the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as written, citing infrastructure security, accuracy, liability, and administrative burden concerns, while supporters said it would improve transparency for developers. The chair proposed amendments to make the maps broad and geographic rather than parcel-specific, remove contested-case and reliance provisions, allow disclaimer language, and change the date; the bill was then recommended for passage with amendments, with one member noting reservations. All five measures were ultimately passed out of committee with amendments, with votes recorded and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just to also uh this committee So just to also uh this committee received<00:13:24.000> a<
• the housing finance agency policy bill. the housing finance agency policy bill.
• be remitted to the housing finance be remitted to the housing finance agency. agency. agency.
• commissioner of the Housing Finance commissioner of the Housing Finance Agency<00:19:53.919>
• opportunity to testify for the committee opportunity to testify for the committee this<00:21:05.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, a suggestion by the Senate Finance Committee was that land grants and acequias first access their
• But the reason that the Senate Finance Committee wanted to contribute to making the suggestion that the
• But it would have made it to the floor because we had the votes on the Senate Finance Committee, which
• There was a committee.
• I'll turn it over to the committee. I will entertain a motion from the committee. Move a due pass.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was in our Finance Committee handling the moral obligations of the state bill and had an amendment
• I move that this bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
• on Government and Finance upon the request of the chair of such committee.
• The motion from Senator Randolph is to ask for a second reference to the Committee on Finance.
• Ask for a second reference to the Committee on Finance.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Infrastructure Committee first returned to engrossed House Bill 4419, which would require the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings and give notice before increasing tolls, rents, fees, or charges, and would allow legislative auditing of related revenues and sinking funds. The committee debated two amendments related to E-ZPass transponders: one from the Senator from Jefferson to clarify that the Parkway Authority would not be required to read every plate failed on a 4-4 tie, and one from the Senator from Wetzel to codify a restriction on transferring single-fee transponders between vehicles was rejected after discussion with counsel and the Parkways Authority about current policy, convenience for users, and possible effects on the bill. The committee then approved a motion to send HB 4419 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred to Finance, and a separate motion to send it to Finance passed. The committee also considered engrossed House Bill 4563, on which Senator Randolph moved for a second reference to Finance because of fiscal concerns. After discussion of the newly filed fiscal note and the bill’s potential revenue impact, that motion failed by a 4-5 division vote. The committee then voted to report HB 4563 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 4538, which increases fines and penalties for failing to obey traffic control instructions or speeding in construction and work zones, and also references penalties tied to distracted driving provisions. Counsel noted the bill’s possible overlap with existing vehicular homicide penalties and that it had no fiscal note. Jason Pizzitella of the Contractors Association testified in support, emphasizing work-zone safety and recent fatalities, while senators from Fayette, Randolph, and Jefferson also supported the bill and discussed the need to protect workers and drivers. The committee adopted a motion to report HB 4538 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The consent calendar is adopted. the committee on finance non FN bills the committee on finance non FN
• > of finance committee recommends passage of finance committee recommends passage of Senate<03
• <03:52:14.760> committee this purpose Senate Finance committee this purpose Senate Finance
• /c><03:55:51.120> is committee on finance to which is committee on finance to which is referred
• <03:57:08.199> committee 2025 the Senate finance committee 2025 the Senate finance committee

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, good morning.
• As a note, there's a special type of bond financing called pool financing.
• So, Madam Chair, I'm just trying to figure Being a member of, you know, the Finance Committee and Federal
• Finance, the Mortgage Finance Authority. Like the Environment Department or any of those? No. No.

Transcript Highlights:

• on campaign finance reports to avoid prosecution.
• I'm available if you have any questions. candidate committees and non committees from delaying proper
• If the candidate committee qualifies or noncandidate committee qualifies for termination, yeah, we will
• Hi Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the committee.
• That will be in the committee report. Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several nominations and bills. It first recommended advise and consent for Governor’s Message 573, confirming Luann Blake to the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee after she described her experience as a blind voter and her goals of improving outreach and accessibility for voters with print disabilities. The committee then took up the judiciary supplemental budget bill, HB 2095, with testimony from the courts and several supportive organizations. The courts requested funding for security, cybersecurity, substance use treatment contracts, public guardian services, staffing, and capital projects; members questioned the lump-sum CIP request, the substance use contract funding, and the Kamanu Hale elevator project. The committee later voted to pass HB 2095 with amendments, including changes to cybersecurity funding, security-related report language, and other committee-report notes. The committee also heard HB 1520, which changes the five-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations to begin upon discovery by the Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supported the bill, saying it would prevent delayed reporting from avoiding prosecution, while one senator raised concerns about due diligence, tolling, and the difference between administrative and criminal enforcement. The bill drew broad support from advocacy groups and was advanced with an amendment clarifying “criminal prosecution.” HB 1548, which reduces the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to one year to 364 days, received strong support from the Public Defender, immigrant-rights groups, OHA, and others, who said the change would reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. The committee later amended and passed the bill, limiting it to non-violent offenses. HB 2050, increasing partial public financing limits and available public funds, was supported by the Campaign Spending Commission and good-government groups, while OHA asked for parity with lieutenant governor races. The committee passed it with amendments increasing the public-fund match and funding levels, and requested additional appropriations in the committee report. HB 2494, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require documentation of the justification, drew strong support from the Public Defender and civil-liberties advocates but opposition from the Attorney General’s office, prosecutors, police, and some business groups, who warned it would restrict officer discretion and trigger litigation. The committee nevertheless passed it with amendments. In a final decision-making agenda, the committee also passed HB 2250 with amendments, adding blank appropriations and committee-report language related to claims against the state, including claims involving exonerees and a disputed USEPA-related claim.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill No. 452, introduced by the Committee on Finance, extends the date of reversion of certain
• The Committee on Finance makes an appropriation to the State Public Charter School Authority for the
• Senate Bill No. 487, introduced by the Committee on Finance, makes an appropriation to the Office of
• Senate Bill 494, introduced by the Committee on Finance, makes revisions relating to health and human
• Senate Bill 494, introduced by the Committee on Finance, makes revisions relating to health and human

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee report is adopted. To the Finance Report.
• The Finance Committee Report is adopted.
• The Finance Committee Report is adopted.
• The Finance Committee Report is adopted.
• the<00:46:37.200> same Finance Committee and having the same Finance Committee and having

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome all to the Local Government Committee hearing.
• I will be accepting the committee amendments today.
• Tax increment financing tools such as enhanced infrastructure financing districts, or EIFDs, and community
• Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• And thank you, Chair and members of the committee.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 26 and heard four bills, beginning as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The chair opened with housekeeping rules, including that testimony would be in person only and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. AB 59 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry was heard first; it would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects. The author, Colusa County representatives, and water district officials said the change would support long-term financing, lower energy costs, and help the district continue water stewardship. No opposition was presented, and the bill was later reported out 7-0. AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo was then presented as a measure to streamline and clarify laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs). Supporters, including the sponsor and planning, city, and flood control representatives, said the bill would improve local governments’ ability to fund affordable housing, climate adaptation, transit, fire mitigation, and other infrastructure without raising taxes. One opponent objected to the CRIA provisions, arguing that CRIAs retain eminent domain authority and asked for an amendment to remove that authority. The bill was passed after quorum was established, with the chair noting it would improve functionality while preserving transparency and public participation. AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora reauthorized health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects after the prior authority sunset on January 1, 2025. The author and supporters from the Association of California Health Care Districts, the Design-Build Institute of America, and engineering and hospital groups said the measure would restore a useful financing and construction tool without changing public contracting requirements. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also approved AB 1030 on the consent calendar, and after roll calls on the remaining items, all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance? Justin Adelman, Department of Finance.
• As now we move to Department of Finance. Alyssa Cervantes, Department of Finance.
• Garcia, Department of Finance, and Phil Osborne, Department of... of Finance.
• Department of Finance? Lenny Shimoto, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance. Alyssa Cervantes, Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our Education Finance Assembly Budget Committee Number Three.
• Katie Lagomarsino with the Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance, please. Hugo Solis Galena with the Department of Finance.
• And why don't we start with finance? George Harris, Department of Finance.
• George Harris, Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Housing Finance LLC in support. Hawaii Housing Finance LLC in support.
• I am Grant Chan and um committee.
• So, as you may know, this committee has been very interested in helping to finance housing in the state
• So, as you may know, this committee has been very interested in helping to finance housing in the state
• This committee has been very interested in helping to finance housing in the state much more efficiently

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard HCR 66, which asks the State Building Code Council to update the state building code to allow point access block construction for residential buildings up to six stories. Testimony was generally in support, including from Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and OPSD, with one registered opponent. No questions were raised, and the joint committee later adopted a recommendation to pass the resolution as is. Because the housing committee lacked quorum at that time, final action on the resolution was deferred to the housing-only agenda. On the housing-only agenda, the committee first heard HTR 78, which states the intent that housing projects qualifying for credits under Act 31 remain eligible for those credits after the act’s repeal. Testimony was in support from HHFTC and the DIY chapter, and there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 592, confirming Lisa Darcy to the HPHA board. Support came from HPHA board members and several individuals, and Darcy said she accepted the nomination and emphasized her experience and interest in HPHA’s work. Members questioned her about the HPHA board’s oversight role, the 10,000-unit RFQ, and media coverage of Kuhio Park Terrace relocations; she said she supports the project, values transparency, and would push for better context and accountability, though some members felt she had not directly answered concerns about on-the-ground oversight. The committee also heard Governor’s Message 736, confirming Grant Chun to the HHFDC board. Support testimony highlighted his experience in nonprofit housing, real estate, and leadership roles, and Chun said he was pleased to serve the state. Members asked about his residence and his perspective on senior care at Hali Makua, where he said his family found the care compassionate and thorough, while noting staffing shortages. The transcript ends before any final vote on the housing-only items is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee confirms the commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency as well as the Housing
• This committee confirms the commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency as well as the Housing
• This committee confirms the commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency as well as the Housing
• My team and I would be happy to advise the committee on the ramifications of changing the Housing Finance
• My team and I would be happy to advise the committee on the ramifications of changing the Housing Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am calling the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee to order, and we're not
• Um, those would typically go through the State Government Finance Committee, so there's some overlapping
• Um, those would typically go through the State Government Finance Committee, so there's some overlapping
• through uh the state government finance through uh the state government finance committee<00:24:
• he'll government finance committee uh so he'll government finance committee uh so he'll be<00:40:

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.