Transcript Highlights:

• It updates cross-references related to gasoline and the American Society for Testing and Materials.
• These changes must be adopted by January 1, 2026, for Minnesota to meet NAIC accreditation standards.
• Those two Senate provisions relate to the licensing for the testing facilities.
• As noted, we create a licensing variance for testing facilities.
• Is there anyone else that takes exhaust the list of test?

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• RFP in September uh if if you standard RFP in September uh if if you want<00:31:31.840> more<
• It pays for test strips. It pays for drilling equipment. It pays for mileage. It pays for expenses.
• It pays for test strips. It pays for drilling equipment. It pays for mileage. It pays for expenses.
• It pays for test<01:00:23.520> strips.
• It pays for drilling test strips.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:43.600> So refunds are mostly income tested. So refunds are mostly income tested.
• prop tax refund is income tested. prop tax refund is income tested. there's<00:30:25.840> a
• Capital gains are still high by historical standards, but they've fallen back the last couple of years
• , are still high by historical standards, are still high by historical standards, but<00:33:52.720
• <01:09:18.159> K12 supplies with the income tested K12 supplies with the income tested K12

Bills: HF331, HF916

Keywords: school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• To standard applicator certification and additional safety requirements including specialized labeling
• talked to somebody, a constituent, today about this bill, they said, well, all you do is the float test
• use and others homeowners are licensed or permitted at the federal level, so they do a lot of the testing
• <00:54:32.920> and<00:54:33.440> uh do a lot of the testing and uh do a lot of the
• testing and uh reviewing<00:54:34.760> of<00:54:34.960> them<00:54:35.240> and<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that if their medics went through training, then that was good enough for them to be able to take a test
• <00:54:00.880> to controlled science-driven pathway to controlled science-driven pathway to test
• <01:00:33.760> for<01:00:34.000> folks uh as compared to the standard for folks uh
• as compared to the standard for folks that<01:00:34.480> enter<01:00:34.799> into<01:00
• The benefit of ivagane standard of care.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 25 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 612, which had been laid on the table because of questions about section one. Senator Tate explained that section one would allow the state, counties, and municipalities to enter interlocal agreements to provide installation support services on military installations, mainly road and infrastructure work such as paving and dirt work, and that section two would add Coast Guard medics to an existing provision allowing trained military medics to sit for LPN certification. After questions about the breadth of “installation support services,” the committee adopted the motion for title sufficient, due pass, with opposition noted, and the bill was reported to the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. House Bill 942 was then passed over at Senator McMahon’s request until Tuesday. The committee then took up House Bill 1034, which would allow terminally ill hospital patients to use medical cannabis gummies. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help terminally ill patients who already qualify for medical cannabis but are denied access in hospitals, and that it prohibits smoking or inhalation. Members raised concerns about whether the bill was too broad, whether it would interfere with hospital and physician judgment, possible drug interactions, federal law issues, liability for hospitals and doctors, storage and disposal requirements, and whether hospitals would incur costs or be forced to handle cannabis on their premises. The sponsor responded that the patient’s use would be logged in the chart, that the caregiver is generally responsible for the lockbox and disposal, and that the bill includes language allowing a facility to opt out if compliance would jeopardize federal funding or licensing. The bill’s author also described the measure as arising from a Coast Guard family’s experience in which a terminally ill patient was denied access to medical cannabis at one hospital but allowed at another, and said the goal is to prevent similar denials for terminally ill patients. He said he was not aware of other drugs treated this way in hospitals, but argued that terminally ill patients should have access to most anything they want. The discussion ended with Senator England asking whether changing the bill’s requirement that a facility “shall” allow medical cannabis to “may” allow it would better protect hospitals and preserve discretion, but no final action on House Bill 1034 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Portman stands on<00:08:44.800> it<00:08:45.040> submitted<00:08:45.360> test.
• on it submitted test. on it submitted test.
• You know, I'm wondering whether some sort of more formal or standardized rubric can be made available
• <00:21:50.960> deferred vehicles they're just standard deferred vehicles they're just standard
• whatever the you know the the standard whatever the you know the the standard trigger<00:22:03.840

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a series of gubernatorial nominations to boards and commissions. Early nominees included Falleno Vital for the Boxing Commission, Rebecca Moore for the Board of Nursing, and Alexander Smith and Zachary Johnson for the Board of Public Accountancy. DCCA and board representatives testified in support of each, and the nominees who were present briefly described their qualifications and willingness to serve. The chair noted the unusually large volume of written testimony in support of the boxing nominee and emphasized that these are voluntary positions and nominees had already been vetted through questionnaires and resumes. The committee then heard several nominations to the Hawaii Board of Optometry, the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Board, and the Hawaii Medical Board. Ashley Porter and Katherine Mao spoke in support of their optometry nominations, Nathan Konishi supported his motor vehicle repair board nomination, and Gary Belchure discussed his reappointment to the medical board. A substantial portion of the discussion on the medical board focused on physician shortages, especially on the neighbor islands, and efforts to address them through the Interstate Medical Compact and pending legislation such as SB 1365. Board staff also discussed possible pathways for foreign medical graduates and the need for criminal background checks to fully participate in the compact. The latter part of the hearing shifted to real estate commission nominations, including Audrey Abbe and Denise Lacosta. Testimony and member questions focused heavily on condominium governance, deferred maintenance, reserve studies, insurance costs, and the need for better education and oversight of volunteer board members and property managers. Both nominees said older buildings, rising insurance premiums, and lack of expertise among volunteer boards are major challenges, and they suggested more training, clearer guidance, stronger enforcement against unlicensed property management, and better access to qualified consultants and financing. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and moved through the agenda nominee by nominee.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also sets a much-needed framework for those regulations and sets standards that protect human
• It preserves critical health and safety standards while giving counties... ...for low-impact camping.
• It preserves critical health and safety standards while giving counties more flexibility about what is
• statement that all fire hydrants have been tested and are operable.
• A test...

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 518 on low-impact camping areas. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for small rural camping operations on private land, expand outdoor access, and support rural economies, while opponents from campground associations and counties warned it could undermine existing regulation, create enforcement problems, and allow advertising of unpermitted sites. Members raised concerns about fire safety and local control, but the bill was ultimately passed as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee then approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General. Supporters said mobile home residents need stronger enforcement against egregious park-owner violations, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, costly, and should remain subject to a sunset. After discussion of the program’s surplus and enforcement role, the bill passed 9-1. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and broadens eligibility for affordable units to students, faculty, and staff, also drew strong support from student advocates and housing groups and respectful opposition from the League of California Cities over local control and height limits; it passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, would require stronger emergency preparedness measures in mobile home parks, including accessible exits, working fire hydrants, and gas shutoff access, with a fee increase to fund enforcement. Supporters framed it as a life-safety measure in disaster-prone areas, while opponents argued the bill duplicates existing requirements and imposes an unnecessary fee increase. The committee voted 6-1 to send it to Appropriations, with the bill left on call. The consent calendar, including several other housing and local government bills, was approved 8-0. The committee also heard AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee protections for applicants enforcing state housing laws against public agencies; supporters said it would improve compliance, while special districts opposed the bill as overly broad and unclear. Members discussed indemnification and timing issues, and the bill was advanced with amendments to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:51.480> we foster home licensing standards we foster home licensing standards we created
• > standards<00:38:08.680> so<00:38:08.839> that's National recommended standards
• <00:38:14.720> the<00:38:14.880> standards The standards themselves are common sense
• The standards provide that necessary recommended language to align with recommended standards.
• that meets licensing standards that meets licensing standards Transportation<00:42:53.319> mental

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will test them.
• testing.
• acceptance testing occurring, you talk about interface testing with all the agencies... ...and I touched
• And so all that has to be tested as part of interface testing, as part of UAT.
• And we also do internal pen testing when we can. And we also do internal pen testing when we can.

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several major technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Department of Financial Services’ Florida PALM project, which is replacing the state’s decades-old FLAIR accounting system. DFS described PALM as a statewide effort affecting all three branches of government, with cash management already live and the remaining financial management, payroll, and data warehouse components still in development. Officials said the project began in 2014, was restructured after a 2022 legislative pause, and is now being recommended for a go-live delay from January 2026 to July 2026. Members asked about governance, staffing, contract structure, cost growth, and maintenance costs; DFS said the contract is deliverable-based, the current amendment would add a net $2.2 million, and post-go-live maintenance is expected to be about $13 million annually under the current contract through July 2027. The Agency for Health Care Administration then updated the committee on the FX Medicaid enterprise modernization program. AHCA explained that federal CMS directed states to move from monolithic Medicaid systems to a modular approach, leading Florida to procure separate vendors for integration services, data warehouse, unified operations, provider services, and claims processing, with pharmacy benefits still to be procured. Officials said the project has spent about $334 million to date, with most costs federally matched, and requested $189.95 million for the upcoming year. They also highlighted a 2024 special assessment that produced 81 recommendations, most tied to staffing shortages, and said the Legislature added 47 FTEs, with 17 currently filled or being filled. Members asked about governance changes, production status, data access, and future technology maintenance; AHCA said some components are operational, the data warehouse is nearing certification, and the agency is working to keep the system adaptable and nonproprietary. The Department of Children and Families presented its Access modernization project, which is replacing a mainframe-based eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid assistance, and related programs. DCF said the six-year, $205 million project is in its third year and has already delivered a new customer portal with mobile access, multi-factor authentication, and fraud protections, while also building a worker portal, document management, community partner tools, and workload management functions. The agency said it is requesting $36.625 million for the next fiscal year, the same as last year, and emphasized that the project has remained on schedule and on budget by breaking work into smaller modules and using strong vendor and staff support. Members praised the project’s progress and asked about cybersecurity testing and the long delay before modernization began; DCF said security requirements were built in from the outset and that the remaining work will focus on moving staff off the legacy mainframe and modernizing notices and back-end processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cannabis has mold, and then some states are really lax about the testing.
• And so, well, they don't do the testing; they require you to send it out to a testing entity, but there
• <04:37:10.639> is like an irreparable harm standard is like an irreparable harm standard is
• <04:38:43.279> than to be probably high standard than to be probably high standard than language
• It's a standard clause.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The discussion focused on a cannabis legalization/regulation bill and whether it should be retained for further study or moved forward. Members debated the fiscal impact, with one side emphasizing that the bill would cost about $7.1 million in the first two years before generating revenue, while supporters argued the House should make a statement in favor of legalization despite likely opposition from the Senate and governor. There was also disagreement over strategy: some said retaining the bill until closer to the next election would give the issue more visibility, while others said delaying would only avoid sending a bill the Senate was unlikely to take up anyway. A major point of contention was whether cannabis should be regulated by a new cannabis commission or placed under the Liquor Commission. Supporters of the Liquor Commission argued it already has enforcement infrastructure, especially for age restrictions, and could handle cannabis more efficiently without creating a new bureaucracy. Opponents said cannabis is a different industry that would require specialized expertise, and they objected to expanding the Liquor Commission, which they described as unpopular and costly. The committee also discussed past versions of the bill, including concerns about limited licenses and the perception that the earlier approach favored large businesses. Members reviewed specific provisions such as licensing fees, THC limits, and cultivation categories. One member noted a $10,000 fee for retail cannabis stores and cannabis product manufacturers authorized to perform extractions, while a smaller tier-one cultivator fee was described as a lower-cost option for small growers. There was also discussion of whether the bill would allow sales through general retail outlets or only dedicated cannabis stores, and whether plants and seeds were covered. No final vote or action was clearly recorded in the excerpt, but the main procedural question was whether to retain the bill for more work or advance it as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• It mandates clear disclosures for public-facing AI systems and standardized notices about data use and
• The AI sandbox program allows controlled testing of new systems, enabling Texas to stay at the or front
• We're particularly glad to see that the bill relies on established standards from the National Institute
• of Standards and Technology's AI risk management framework. to ensure that there is strong and clear
• Specifically in the use of artificial intelligence through inventorying and standardized notices.

Bills: HCR141, SB438, SB1495, SB1964, HB 1225

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill begins the process of aligning the core principles, standards, and content of Florida's different
• The bill standardizes the requirements for teacher mentors and clinical educators and requires the Department
• We're going to change some things where the bill says that we will get rid of the general knowledge test
• We've got a number of different rules in place and standards.
• We're starting off very high, with very high standards.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and passed two bills. HB 875 on educator preparation would create a uniform core curriculum for teacher preparation programs, establish a new competency-based CERT program, standardize mentor and clinical educator requirements, allow certain certification waivers, and create a Florida Institute of Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College subject to appropriation. Sponsor Rep. Rizzo said the bill would not add costs to local districts and would phase in beginning July 1, 2029; Rep. Snyder said the goal was to unify and raise standards across multiple certification pathways. An amendment by Rep. Aristide to reduce clinical hours for experienced teachers seeking counseling certification was withdrawn after discussion. Public testimony included support from the Foundation for Florida’s Future and opposition from the ACLU of Florida and another opponent. The bill passed on a recorded vote, with Reps. Franklin, Bracey Davis, and Campbell voting no. Members then took up HB 681, as amended by PCS, on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program funding. Rep. Mello said the bill focuses on funding transparency, accountability, resolving bargaining issues between local education agencies and apprenticeship providers, and requiring annual reporting to the Legislature to assess return on investment. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from business, trade, and workforce groups, including Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, and others. Rep. Franklin praised the sponsor’s work and said he would support the bill. HB 681 passed unanimously, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We haven’t had a real good test run of it to see the impact.
• test requirement?
• And then that support model relies on standardization. That's that work.
• Eighty-five, 90% of our time is operational testing.
• The NDUS EDU page redesign, we met the WCAG standards. It has about 230 pages.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this past several years have tested the growers' resilience.
• MOG also strongly grain standards act.
• Reasonable permitting reform isn't about lowering standards.
• > we<01:41:01.119> are environmental standards and we are environmental standards and we
• It's about clarity, standards.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But based on. industry standard for cost estimation, we have a lot of confidence in this $20 billion
• Current water quality standards in the Bay Delta are inadequate and the state must not.
• is implemented. and we will report back to state lawmakers as soon as due diligence and meeting standards
• Bulk milk tanking, bulk milk tank surveillance testing, that was something that folks maybe had heard
• this that adds more people, more diagnostics, more lab capacity to all of that and also pet food testing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, this has to do with the health care materials. your test sure sure all right your test sure
• The department felt that if they were sort of held to rigorous standards on these audits and couldn't
• The department felt that if they were sort of held to rigorous standards on these audits and couldn't
• trust<00:53:35.799> and<00:53:36.040> then<00:53:36.480> once irrevocable test
• uh trust and then once irrevocable test uh trust and then once again<00:53:37.040> those<00:53

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Tax Committee first approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then took up Senate File 11 at the request of the Judiciary Committee. The bill was removed from the table, recommended to pass, and referred to Judiciary. Members explained that the request was tied to data practices language in the bill and Judiciary’s jurisdiction over that subject. The committee then heard Senate File 268, as amended by the A1 amendment. Senator Nelson said the bill would extend a sales tax exemption for certain physician-prescribed, non-durable medical goods to publicly and privately held health plans, aligning them with treatment already given to Medicare, Medicaid, and other government-paid plans. Testifiers from Corner Home Medical and the industry said current tax rules are confusing, audits are burdensome and expensive, and providers often end up paying tax themselves because insurers do not pay retroactively. They argued the bill would reduce administrative burden and create parity in the tax code. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and laid the bill over. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 88, also amended by an A1 technical change. Senator Klein said the bill is intended to prevent the Department of Revenue from issuing retroactive assessments when taxpayers relied in good faith on prior audit guidance, so long as there was no material change in law, court interpretation, federal adjustment, or written notice from the commissioner. Department of Revenue staff said they had no formal position but explained how the bill would affect sample audits and noted it would require more detailed written guidance; they said normal audits would not change much. Supporters from the CPA Society and several senators said the bill would provide certainty and protect taxpayers from unexpected back taxes, while one senator questioned whether the bill was needed and whether it would bypass settlement or litigation. The bill was laid over after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• pregnancy testing is also a technique. pregnancy testing is also a technique.
• Blood test is how we all the tests.
• break test their cows. break test their cows.
• testing than I do for PE testing. testing than I do for PE testing.
• Sir, further<03:35:38.479> test. further test. further test. Go<03:35:41.040> ahead.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 100,000 tests performed to identify infectious disease trends and outbreaks.
• 100,000 tests performed to identify infectious disease trends and outbreaks.
• <00:16:02.000> almost and uh just last year tested almost and uh just last year tested almost
• 100,000 I had almost 100,000 tests 100,000 I had almost 100,000 tests performed<00:16:07.079>
• monitored we have coordinated testing monitored we have coordinated testing for<01:07:58.359>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee convened for its first meeting of the 2025 session, with Chair Melissa Wiklund outlining the new co-chair arrangement, rotating gavel, committee size of 12, and the seven-vote threshold needed to move bills and motions. Members and staff introduced themselves, including several new senators, committee administrators, counsel, fiscal staff, researchers, and new pages. The committee then began its agenda with an overview of the Minnesota Department of Health from Deputy Commissioner Wendy Underwood. Underwood described MDH’s mission and structure, emphasizing public health’s focus on prevention, population health, and the social and economic factors that drive health outcomes. She highlighted the state’s health disparities, the department’s five bureaus, and major work areas including infectious disease response, newborn screening, environmental health, chronic disease prevention, health regulation, health equity, and operations. She also discussed the Center for Health Care Affordability, saying the department has been meeting with stakeholders and has hired a director to begin work on advisory bodies and community engagement around rising health care costs. Members asked questions about physician shortages, burnout, administrative burden, and health care bureaucracy. Senator Grunhagen argued that excessive paperwork and micromanagement are worsening access and workforce shortages, while Senator Abeler asked for data on whether past disparity programs have been effective and whether some efforts should be consolidated. Underwood said MDH has rural health programs, workforce supports such as loan forgiveness, and research on administrative costs and low-value services, and she noted the department has published legislative reports with more data to come. The chair then moved the committee to a broader discussion of public health system development in Minnesota, introducing City of Bloomington officials to present on a recent report.

Transcript Highlights:

• to meet all of the concerns of an independent contractor, all the indicia, including the six-factor test
• There's also a six-factor test used by the Department of Labor.
• with your experience, Senator Sorrentino, where I'm headed here, figuring out the right-to-control test
• Of course, in this event, it'll just be in Lincoln and Omaha, but hey, I guess we're the testing ground
• This amendment allows schools to apply the same reasonable five-credit or one-class standard across the

Bills: LB815A, LB838A, LB912A, LB972A, LB1126A, LB962A, LB1114, LB921, LB937, LB803, LB803A, LB1032, LB1032A, LB1075, LB1075A, LB889, LB878, LB933, LB304, LB304A, LB1096, LB1096A, LB1165, LB1165A, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787

Keywords: LB815A, LB815, appropriation, appropriations bill, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement and Collection Cash Fund, motor fuel tax, gas tax, fuel tax, tax enforcement, tax collection, cash fund, budget, state spending, per diem, salaries, fiscal year, enrollment and review, final reading, Nebraska

Transcript Highlights:

• right 11 is There's an itemization of money that can only be spent one particular way on student testing
• I can find out what the campus number is, I just, that doesn't pass my, sort of, quick smell. test on
• My son can bubble bubbles on a test like nobody's business. business.
• So as a result, no one has passed any tests at the end of the year. But.
• And so after the opening of Yes Prep, Wheatley was never again. able to meet standards that it had once

Keywords: 1184, house, all