Transcript Highlights:

• When you're ready, if you'll state your name for the record and begin your testimony, please.
• Uh Chair Klevorn, testimony, please.
• So, thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony. And now we will have Laura Ziegler.
• Thank you very much for your testimony. Next, we'll move to member discussion.

Bills: HF4364, HF4821, HF4543, HF3945

Keywords: Central and Eastern European Affairs, ethnic council, advisory council, Minnesota state government, immigrant communities, refugees, humanitarian parolees, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Russia

Summary: The committee first approved the April 7, 2026 minutes and then held an informal hearing on House File 4364, which would establish a Central and Eastern European Ethnic Council in Minnesota. Representative Jordan and testifiers Mykola Mager and Julia Miller described the large Central and Eastern European community in Minnesota, its contributions to the state, and the need for a formal advisory body to help address barriers to government services, support refugees, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and cultural understanding. Members expressed general support and noted the bill’s importance, but no formal action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then took up House File 4543, a bill to create a centralized payroll reporting portal for prevailing wage projects. Representative Frazier said the bill would reduce administrative burden on project owners, improve transparency and accountability, and help prevent wage theft, misclassification, tax fraud, and insurance fraud. Testifiers from county, city, and contractor groups largely supported the idea of streamlining reporting, but contractor representatives raised concerns about employee data privacy, public access to sensitive payroll information, duplication of existing systems, interoperability with contractor software, and the need for stakeholder engagement. Members echoed both support and caution, and the bill was laid over as amended rather than advanced. Finally, the committee considered House File 4821, described by Chair Klevorn as addressing the “penny problem” and a related change to high-deductible insurance plans. The bill would authorize state agencies to round cash transactions because of the penny shortage and would change MMB’s obligation to offer certain high-deductible health plans from “must” to “may,” producing modest administrative savings. Members questioned the drafting of the rounding language and asked about cash transactions at state agencies and the handling of cannabis tax payments. The chair noted the bill had missed the deadline and would be caught by the chief clerk’s office; the discussion ended with the bill being laid over as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony. >> All right. Thank you for your testimony.
• >> All right, thank you for your testimony.
• >> All right, thank you for your testimony.
• . >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Um, but the testimony and the work.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media practices for minors by requiring verifiable parental consent for accounts and restricting addictive features and targeted advertising for youth users. Chair Scott offered an A2 amendment, with an oral clarification striking specific language and two commas; the committee adopted the amended A2, and the bill was then discussed as amended. The bill author described social media as addictive by design and said the measure would use age-estimation technology to identify users 15 and under, require parental consent, and provide a different, less addictive experience for youth. Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, parents Jerry and Giana Cox, and a Minnesota high school student, all arguing that social media harms youth mental health, encourages excessive use, and exposes children to manipulation, cyberbullying, and addictive design features like infinite scroll and autoplay. They said the bill would help parents, protect children, and reduce exploitation of minors’ data. Several committee members also spoke in favor, saying the bill addresses corporate negligence, youth mental health, and the need to act even if the proposal needs more work. Opposition testimony came from industry groups including the Computer and Communications Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, and NetChoice. They argued the bill is vague and narrow in scope, could create uneven coverage, and may push platforms toward intrusive age-verification or digital-ID-like systems that raise privacy and data-breach concerns. They also said restrictions on personalized or algorithmic features could weaken safety tools and make it harder to protect young users. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the excerpt, but the amended A2 was adopted and the bill remained under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• All testimony comments are limited to the bill at hand.
• Are there any others in the hearing room who would like to offer testimony in opposition?
• So I appreciate the testimony, the providers who have to deal with this every day.
• I think, you know, I personally wish the testimony would have focused.
• So I want to be very clear about that, especially with the testimony that we heard.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, oversight, and affordability. The first major item was SB 306 by Senator Becker, a prior authorization reform bill. Becker and supporters, including the California Medical Association and California Hospital Association, argued that prior authorization delays care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to serious patient harm. The bill was substantially amended late in the process to have DMHC and CDI identify services and drugs to exempt from prior authorization based on utilization data, with safeguards for fraud, waste, abuse, and patient safety. Health plans and insurers opposed the measure as written, saying prior authorization remains an important utilization-management tool and raising concerns about the 90% threshold, drug inclusion, and how modifications are counted. The committee also heard SB 35 by Senator Umberg, which would let cities or counties inspect unlicensed sober living homes if DHCS does not act promptly on complaints. Supporters said the bill would address weak enforcement and protect residents, while one behavioral health directors group opposed it unless amended. Members generally supported the measure, citing problems with unlicensed facilities and the need for local enforcement backup. The committee then heard SB 62, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark if approved by the federal government. Senator Wiener said the package would add hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and infertility treatment including IVF, acknowledging that premiums could rise but arguing the benefits were worth it. Health Access California and other advocates supported the bill, while the California Family Council opposed it. The committee also took up SB 596 by Senator Menjivar, which would tighten the rules for hospitals claiming an on-call list as a defense to nurse staffing ratio penalties. Supporters, including nurses and SEIU, said hospitals have used vague or ineffective on-call practices to avoid accountability and that the bill would improve enforcement and patient safety. Hospital groups opposed it, arguing that staffing is highly dynamic, that hospitals need flexibility to manage acuity and emergencies, and that the bill could increase costs and interfere with collective bargaining arrangements. Finally, the committee heard SB 40 by Senator Wiener, the Insulin Affordability Act, which would cap insulin copays at $35 for a 30-day supply and restrict step therapy unless a plan covers at least one insulin in each drug type. Supporters, including physicians, diabetes advocates, nurses, students, and patient groups, said insulin is life-saving and too often unaffordable, forcing patients to ration or choose between medication and basic needs. There was no formal opposition testimony, though one member questioned why insulin remains so expensive. The committee also began discussion of SB 363, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full presentation or any action on the measures. No votes are recorded in the portion provided, and several bills were noted as consent items earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please begin your testimony. Uh, thank you. Thank you to the committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Tim Engstrom, please state your name and begin your testimony. Thank you, Chairman.
• Please come to the table and state your name for the record and begin your testimony.
• Please state your name with the proper pronunciation and begin your testimony.
• Rinsky: Thank you for your testimony. I appreciate it.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 733, which would restore electronic pull-tab features such as open-all, free play, bonus games, and similar functions that were restricted in 2023. The bill’s supporters, including representatives of Allied Charities of Minnesota, the American Legion, and a Bloomington school activities foundation, argued that the 2023 changes reduced revenue for charitable gambling operations and, in turn, cut funding for veterans programs, youth sports, food shelves, school needs, and other local community services. Several supporters cited early revenue declines since the new rules took effect, including double-digit drops and one example of a Bloomington site reporting a 29% year-over-year decline overall and a 44% drop in e-tab revenue. They also argued that restoring the features would help charities without meaningfully increasing casino play. Opponents, including Citizens Against Gambling Expansion and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, said the bill would expand slot-machine-like gambling in neighborhood bars and restaurants and increase problem gambling and related social harms. They argued the features in question mimic slot machines, are especially concerning in non-age-restricted locations, and would amount to a major expansion of gambling. The tribal representative also said the 2023 clarification was appropriate, that charitable gambling revenues do not translate efficiently into mission funding, and that tax relief or other policy changes would be better ways to help charities than restoring the disputed features. The chair reminded testifiers to keep comments neutral and not partisan. After testimony, a member discussion began, with Representative Ray Rower thanking the testifiers and expressing support for their work. The transcript excerpt does not show a final vote or disposition beyond the bill being recommended to be re-referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony. We'll continue on here. testimony. We'll continue on here.
• And testimony to that during committee.
• <00:59:52.480> was pathway and we also as as testimony was pathway and we also as as testimony
• One person says in the testimony today.
• <01:04:06.960> Any testimony for Miss Peters? Any testimony for Miss Peters?

Bills: HB0015, HB0017, HB0019

Keywords: right to repair, digital electronics, consumer protection, embedded software, manufacturers, repair providers, tools and documentation, anti-theft measures, blockchain, financial technology, digital innovation, economic development, select committee, trespass, hunting, land use, public access, wildlife, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, in that case, we'll go back to Miss Bears for your testimony. Mr.
• Please introduce yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• Thank you, Mara Deir, for sharing your testimony.
• Thank you. testimony my name is Barbara Bennett I testimony my name is Barbara Bennett I am<00:35:59.640
• Please introduce yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you also to Senator Farnsworth for helping us secure this testimony.
• Board, after holding a meeting and allowing public testimony on the proposed renewal.
• <01:14:15.480> on meeting and allowing public testimony on meeting and allowing public testimony
• But with that, and in your own testimony, shouldn't such expenses then... clarification so in your testimony
• shouldn't and and in your own testimony shouldn't and and in your own testimony I<01:17:10.960><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You may begin your testimony. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• testimony and you just came in support.
• committee and begin your testimony committee and begin your testimony unless<00:43:11.559> you
• Bergman's testimony. Can you give her a full name? Certainly. Mr.
• <01:16:28.120> um I I'll read um M bergman's testimony um I I'll read um M bergman's testimony

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• regulations and for soliciting testimony regulations and for soliciting testimony from<00:03:41.799
• Okay, thank you for your testimony.
• I appreciate your testimony. Thank you.
• <01:16:37.480> but moment all of the written testimony but moment all of the written testimony
• <01:23:53.960> yesterday written testimony yesterday written testimony yesterday I<01:23:55.199

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does anyone else want to give testimony before the committee on HB 374?
• The committee will come to order, and we’re going to take testimony on HB 138.
• with that I'll uh conclude my testimony with that I'll uh conclude my testimony I<04:14:39.600><
• Thank you for taking my testimony this afternoon. Thank you for taking my testimony this afternoon.
• you take the seat to provide testimony you take the seat to provide testimony please<06:47:45.718

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no questions, do we have any public testimony? No public testimony.
• Do we have any public testimony? No public testimony. Members, any debate? Thank you.
• Question and then we want to leave time for public testimony and debate. You're recognized.
• We're going to move into public testimony. Our first speaker is Areli Colon...
• Is there any public testimony? No public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your testimony. The Chair calls Elizabeth Miller.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. The chair calls Richard Fallon. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony. The chair calls Phil Claiborne.
• All right, thank you for your testimony. And Kevin Gein, come on up.

Bills: HB2814, HB4477, HB5084, HB5108, HB5127, HB5383, HB5611, HB5663, HB5664, SB1563, HB2668, HB3841, HB4114

Keywords: juvenile justice, release documents, children, identification, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, civil service, staffing requirements, local government, positions exemption, Texas legislation, fireworks, Lunar New Year, retail permits, public safety, Texas law, holiday sales, HB 5108, deaths in custody, custodial death, jail death

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Next up, we have Ashley Hightower.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank everyone for their testimony today.

Bills: HF1966, HF54, HF2043, HF1171, HF2741

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.
• >> Thank you for your testimony. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Lisa none. Thank you for your testimony. Lisa Henderson.
• Thank you for your testimony. questions. Thank you for your testimony.
• <06:12:19.440> We testimony that you are. We testimony that you are.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:06:41.560> from the record the um, the testimony from the record the um, the testimony
• is multiple um opposing testimonies is multiple um opposing testimonies during<04:13:10.600>
• > the<04:24:14.280> Department In testimony provided by the Department In testimony provided
• I With that I want to quote testimony I With that I want to quote testimony from<05:45:05.160>
• > Kahakai'o This testimony comes from Kahakai'o This testimony comes from Kahakai'o Ravenscraft

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much for your testimony. Do we have anyone else? Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Uh thank you so much for your testimony. Uh thank you so much for your testimony.
• Brown for your testimony.
• Brown for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HF1767, HF2068, HF4725, HF4637, HF4638

Keywords: human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance

Summary: The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 1767, as amended by the DE4 amendment. Representative Garande explained that the bill, originally intended to codify Integrated Community Supports (ICS), was being redirected because of concerns about fraud vulnerability and program integrity. The DE4 would create a smaller legislative study group to redesign ICS, pause DHS changes for about six months while the group develops a transition plan, continue DHS fraud investigations and enforcement, and ultimately terminate ICS as currently structured. Testimony in support came from Mr. Buck and Zania Harut of the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, both of whom argued that ICS is unstable, inconsistently implemented, and in need of a new statutory foundation. They said the current system mixes different service models under one rate framework, lacks clear codification, and has shifting policy guidance that creates compliance problems for providers and risks to people receiving services. They emphasized that the bill would preserve oversight and enforcement while allowing time to build a replacement service with clearer rules, documentation standards, and guardrails. Members asked about effects on counties, providers, data, audits, and fraud enforcement. Representative Curran and Mr. Berg said the bill would not change funding structures or DHS’s existing authority to audit, request documentation, investigate fraud, or sanction bad actors, and that the study group would use existing data to identify where problems are concentrated. Vice Chair Gillman supported the study-group approach as a bipartisan, public process and raised concerns about whether the bill would prevent DHS from acting on known fraud; Curran responded that the language was intended to preserve those enforcement actions. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the DE4 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we did submit our testimony.
• It's summarized in my testimony.
• >> two of the testimony >> two of the testimony >> you<01:47:57.840> have
• <01:50:23.520> which contradictive to your testimony which contradictive to your testimony
• Page two of your testimony different.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:41.320> then like to do is take public testimony then like to do is take public testimony
• <00:10:31.440> representative close public testimony representative close public testimony
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HF1, HF98

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you begin your testimony, please state your name for the record and then please keep your testimony
• If your testimony veers off subject, I will respectfully ask you to bring your... your testimony, please
• All testimony related to purview.
• However, we will not entertain testimony However, we will not entertain testimony on<00:48:49.680
• :48:53.599> I<00:48:53.760> will testimony veers off subject, I will testimony veers off

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move in the testimony.
• So, uh, I We'll move in the testimony.
• <00:02:06.799> Thank the testimony. Thank you. Yeah. Thank the testimony. Thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• I will try and keep my testimony today.

Keywords: 1183, house