Transcript Highlights:

• Convention Center events have the potential to generate close to $587 million, making their relocation
• Tourism spending in the Bay Area generally hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels, hotel revenue is down
• An existing law limits the number of on-sale general licenses that may be issued in a county based on
• An existing law limits the number of on-sale general licenses that may be issued in a county based on
• Hello, Eliza Tong, general internal medicine physician, and strong support.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 129 is for the Next Generation System-wide Technology, or ISRS.
• It's $2,668,000 for the Mayo Foundation total general fund appropriation.
• I would just point out, Chair and members, two non-general fund revenue items.
• Investing in student parents is actually a two-generation solution.
• In general. In general. Unless you have something specific for the Commissioners and teams.

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• to the General Fund.
• It was just that instead of 100 percent going to the General Fund, over time, 5.45%...
• Basis from the General Fund into the Legacy Fund. We identified and quantified this in February.
• So this fund needs to pay back $31 million to the General Fund.
• We shifted the funds back from the Legacy Fund into the General Fund as of last Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Simon and Senator Burton for your generous and kind words. Thank you.
• I'm a proud son of rural Florida, Florida's Heartland, six generations deep.
• after generation after generation.
• Deeply cherished for generation after generation after generation.
• I brought the consul general of Israel. And you gave him time and respect.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened for its organizational session with prayer, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence for the mother of Senator Fine. The chamber then received special guests and administered oaths to newly elected senators after reading certificates of election from the Secretary of State. Tracy Campbell Cantella was nominated and unanimously elected Secretary of the Senate, then sworn in. Ben Albritton was nominated, seconded, and elected as President of the Senate for the 2024–2026 term, and Jason Brodeur was later nominated, seconded, and elected President Pro Tempore. Both leaders were sworn in and delivered extended remarks about faith, service, Florida’s economy and education, hurricane recovery, insurance, rural communities, agriculture, water quality, Israel, veterans, and the need for data-driven, accountable government. After the leadership elections, the Senate adopted its rules for the new term and authorized the Secretary to make technical and conforming changes. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 2-O-RG, which establishes the joint rules of the Florida Legislature for 2024–26. A committee was appointed to notify the House that the Senate had convened for organization, and the committee later reported back that the House had been informed. The Senate then received a communication from the Democratic caucus certifying that Senator Jason Pizzo was elected Democratic leader and Senator Tracie Davis Democratic leader pro tempore for the term. The session included additional remarks recognizing Senate staff and security personnel, as well as tributes to the late John Pasidomo and a moment of silence for him. The meeting concluded with a performance of “Amazing Grace,” brief closing comments, and an attempted motion to adjourn sine die that was briefly tabled until the House confirmed it was convened and ready to transact business. The Senate then adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> including a direct attack on the general including a direct attack on the general duty<00:59:40.319
• Um, in general, that's violates law.
• </c> of the general assembly. of the general assembly.
• c> killing</c><02:59:09.760><c> people</c> The general assembly is killing people The general assembly
• </c> generally having only three choices. generally having only three choices.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:56.240><c> fund</c> city and here's my question general fund city and here's my question general
• The impetus of the general fund budget.
• I'm wondering, is the general fund one thing, the general fund budget one thing, and then general fund
• I'm wondering, is the general fund one thing, the general fund budget one thing, and then general fund
• </c> Attorney General to the General Assembly Attorney General to the General Assembly regarding<01:39

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to generally speaking know.
• Al, that's not the only category of revenue that they generate. Oh, okay.
• </c> category of Revenue that they generate category of Revenue that they generate oh<00:06:55.800><c
• </c> judicial council is facing in general judicial council is facing in general any<00:42:57.280><c>
• The actuaries will have detailed numbers, but generally that's kind of how it works.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a proposed increase to the annual elevator certificate fee in the Department of Labor. The commissioner said the fee had been $50 for years and generated just under $300,000 annually, while the Inspection Division’s broader revenue far exceeded its expenses. Members noted the fee only covered the certificate, not the inspection itself, which is billed separately at $100 per hour. After comparing the fee to neighboring states and discussing the department’s revenue and staffing, the committee agreed to rewrite the language to set the fee at $75 and to vote on an amendment later. The committee then took up Section 139, which would expand the list of labor-law violations that can be penalized without first issuing a warning. The Department explained the change was meant to align House Bill 157 with other chapters, including youth employment and workers’ compensation provisions, where immediate civil penalties are already allowed. The section was accepted unanimously. A longer discussion followed on the Second Injury Fund. The commissioner explained that the fund reimburses insurers for certain workers’ compensation costs tied to claims involving pre-existing conditions, is financed by assessments on insurers, and requires notice within 100 weeks of injury plus a $10,000 deductible before reimbursement. He said the fund currently holds roughly $16 million to $22 million, one full-time employee administers it, and total staff involvement is about five to six people. Members questioned whether the fund should be sunset, but the department said the current House Bill 2 language does not propose a sunset; instead, it addresses increased hearing and litigation burdens after a recent Supreme Court decision. Sections 140 and 141, dealing with hearings, were then accepted unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed fines for late insurance coverage reporting, with the department noting the current rubric allows up to $50 per day but uses $112 per day, and members suggesting a lower amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can be paid out of the savings that we generate.
• And I just want to, it was for the general. Yes, sir.
• We did attempt to work with the generic manufacturing association.
• We cover six times more generics and biosimilars than brands.
• Generic drugs are getting down to 90% lower.

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 1 with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 938 by Rep. Turner, which would overhaul pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation by setting a flat administration fee, requiring dispensing fees and NADAC-based reimbursement, mandating rebate pass-through, giving the Department of Insurance access to PBM data, and creating a reverse-auction process for PBM procurement. Turner said the bill is intended to level the playing field for independent pharmacies, improve transparency, and reduce hidden PBM practices. The committee adopted amendment set 1444 without objection, and Turner said additional conceptual amendments were still being worked on. Supporters included independent pharmacies and the PBM Accountability Project; opponents included union plan representatives, benefits consultants, and PBM/insurance industry witnesses who warned of higher costs, ERISA preemption problems, and likely litigation. After extended questioning on cost, preemption, and vertical integration, the committee reported HB 938 with amendments. The committee then considered House Bill 870, also by Rep. Turner, dealing with formulary placement and cost-sharing for generic drugs and biosimilars and limiting certain utilization management practices. Amendment set 1540 was adopted, revising and tightening technical definitions. Turner and a representative of the Association for Accessible Medicines argued the bill would help lower-cost generics and biosimilars gain market share and reduce patient costs, citing examples such as insulin and Humira biosimilars. Opponents from Louisiana Blue said the bill would force coverage based on wholesale acquisition cost rather than net cost, would raise premiums for fully insured members, and would mandate coverage of drugs that are not always the lowest net-cost option. Rep. Jordan again raised ERISA and preemption concerns, and committee members discussed whether the bill would interfere with tiering and plan design. After closing comments and a motion by Rep. Glorioso, HB 870 was reported with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the bill's been read the first time and is referred to the Committee on General and Housing.
• Charles Lao of the Taipei General Charles Lao of the Taipei Economic<00:13:31.000><c> and</c><00:13:
• ><c> forward</c><00:13:42.760><c> to</c> Director General Lao looks forward to Director General Lao looks
• </c> long been both the intent of the General long been both the intent of the General Assembly<00:26
• </c><00:31:51.840><c> may</c> intent that municipalities generally may intent that municipalities generally

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to earmark money that’s going into general revenue.
• And so, yes, it’s taking money that will be out of general revenue in the future.
• So I can see maybe if it's going to general revenue that they...
• If more is spent on the arts in general. Yep.
• The A&E tax has generated $26,531,976 from July 1 last year to February 28 of this year.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am not aware that it's still being litigated; the Attorney General ruled on it in the fall.
• Was ruled on by the Attorney General in the fall. Follow up: Mr.
• We really want to welcome our next generation of community leaders and thank them for coming.
• No, much of it goes into general revenue. General revenue. Thank you.
• Yes, a lot of it goes into the general fund as well.

Bills: HB1427, SB1403, SB1448, SB1489, SB1546, SB1557, SB1614, SB1377, SB1990, SB1439, SB1630, SB1632, SB1696, SB1796, SB1824, SB1362, SB1849, SB2066, SB2071, SB2104, SB933, SB1633, SB1224, SB1246, SB1280, SB1303, SB1346

Keywords: tax credit, clean-burning fuel, hydrogen fuel cells, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, environmental impact, vehicle modification, renewable energy, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, deceptive practices, exemptions, statutory exemptions, Corporation Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, you keep referring to 60 plus generics.
• Okay, so to be clear, is RxPass restricted to just generics or non-generics?
• It's generic medications. So that's it today.
• But that's probably by, is that by federal or state rule regarding generic versus non-generic?
• and my generation in these provider groups.

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the first meeting of the Budget Subcommittee on General Government and Local Assistance.
• Services, General State Charges, the Office of Inspector General, Department of State, the Department
• Statewide Financial Systems, State Board of Elections, Alcohol Beverage Control, and Miscellaneous General
• SERVICE, GENERAL STATE As you can hear, we have our work cut out for us here on this subcommittee.
• FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL, AND MISCELLANEOUS GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on General Government and Local Assistance held its first meeting on the 2026/2027 state budget, with opening remarks from Senate Co-Chair Senator James Skoufis and Assembly Co-Chair Assembly Member Michaelle Solages. They introduced members, designated secretaries, and identified the agencies and budget areas under the subcommittee’s purview, including tax and finance, the Division of Budget, ethics and lobbying, financial services, general services, state charges, inspector general, state, audit and control, tax appeals, IT services, aid to localities, statewide financial systems, the Board of Elections, alcohol beverage control, and miscellaneous general government. Discussion focused on affordability, local government aid, and the strain on municipalities from rising costs, aging infrastructure, and state mandates. Senator Walczyk emphasized lowering taxes, reducing regulations, and increasing support for local governments, including AIM and CHIPS funding, while criticizing high housing, energy, and insurance costs. Assembly Minority members echoed concerns about the 2 percent property tax cap, utility bills, mandated costs, and the need for more permanent aid rather than temporary assistance. Assembly Member Ari Brown argued that the proposals did not provide enough long-term certainty, noting differences among the Governor’s, Assembly’s, and Senate’s funding levels for municipal aid and related programs. Assembly Member Burdick also supported stronger funding for municipalities, drawing on his local government experience. The co-chairs noted that no table target had yet been received and that negotiations would continue on open issues in general government. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after brief closing remarks about ongoing budget talks among the Senate, Assembly, and Governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the general business law in relation to arbitration organizations.
• An act to amend the general business law in relation to labeling requirements for gas stoves.
• An act to amend the general business law... 2539A by Senator Myrie.
• An act to amend the general business law in relation to credit monitoring services.
• An act to amend the General Business Law in relation to ...

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection met for its second meeting of 2026, with Chair Rachel May noting National Consumer Protection Week and mentioning upcoming consumer fraud outreach and new online fraud-reporting tools from the Attorney General. The committee considered eight bills focused on consumer issues, including junk fees, arbitration transparency, gas stove labeling, retailer biometric tracking notices, credit monitoring services, and youth sports recording rights. Several bills were advanced with little or no opposition. S.363A on clear and conspicuous pricing for mandatory junk fees was reported to first reading. S.926 on arbitration organizations drew support for its transparency goals, but Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick raised concerns about confidentiality and a private right of action; it was still moved forward. S.1280B on gas stove health-risk labeling also advanced despite opposition from Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Weber. S.2539A, requiring retailers to warn customers about electronic tracking and biometric data collection, was supported by Senator Myrie, who described it as a notice-only measure. The committee also advanced S.3078 on credit monitoring services and S.2517, though the transcript of the discussion on S.2517 was largely garbled. Chair May’s S.8666, which would prevent youth sports operators from barring parents from taking in-person photos or recordings of their children, prompted concerns from Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick about privacy, liability, and recordings by other parents; the chair responded that the bill includes limits for safety, court orders, privacy protections, and restricted areas. The meeting concluded after the bills were moved and voted on, with several reported to first reading or to another committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our Office of Inspector General chief here, Daniel Goharto.
• All right, and we will move on to General Selzer. All right, and we will move on to General Selzer.
• I'm Major General Tom Selzer, the Adjutant General of the Texas Military Department.
• Thank you, General. I have a couple of questions.
• I have three tiny requests from the Office of the Attorney General budget.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard the Legislative Budget Board’s overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2026-27 budget, followed by extensive testimony from DPS leadership. The LBB presentation covered funding and staffing changes across driver license services, facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, and border security. The recommendations included added support for customer service staffing and trooper hiring, but did not include several DPS exceptional items such as major driver license staffing and technology requests, new regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio, and other capital projects. Members also discussed proposed rider changes, including a new rider to lapse unused trooper funding and require reporting after recruit schools. Much of the committee’s questioning focused on driver license operations, where senators criticized long call wait times, low call-answer rates, appointment delays, and what they viewed as an overreliance on adding staff rather than improving processes. DPS and LBB witnesses said the agency is pursuing some technology upgrades, including automation, online pre-population of applications, and appointment-system improvements, but acknowledged that the driver license division remains a major problem area. Senators also raised concerns about whether the 2019 efficiency study led to meaningful changes and whether the agency should consider broader process redesign or even a different administrative structure. Colonel Freeman and other DPS officials then defended the agency’s broader law enforcement and border-security work, emphasizing the need for the Williamson County training academy, the 500 additional troopers funded in prior sessions, and continued support for Operation Lone Star. They described DPS’s role in border interdiction, threat-to-life investigations, oilfield theft cases, Capitol and Alamo security, and highway safety, and said the agency is stretched thin by deployments and overtime. Members asked about border reimbursement possibilities, regional staffing differences, pursuit safety, fleet and aircraft replacement needs, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame museum. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the general fund is that revenue to the general fund is being<00:36:54.640><c> used</c><00:36:54.960
• </c> The first uh article is general The first uh article is general education.<00:52:44.440><c> There
• </c> component of general education revenue. component of general education revenue.
• Other districts may generate more money year over year.
• <01:17:45.760><c> less</c><01:17:46.120><c> money</c> generate less money generate less money in<01:17

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Attorney General to absorb those costs. Attorney General to absorb those costs.
• And so total net General Fund spending for MDA, it comes out to net zero from the General Fund on line
• </c> in the General Fund on lines 20 and 21. in the General Fund on lines 20 and 21.
• </c> General Fund on line 24. General Fund on line 24.
• </c> The total net General Fund impact is $80,000 from the General Fund.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just comes out of the general fund.
• Just comes out of the general fund.
• Zero FTP, zero general fund.
• and $9,872,200 dedicated fund and zero general funds.
• There's zero FTPs, zero general fund, and $9,872,200 dedicated fund and zero general funds.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the journal, and moved through messages and committee reports before taking up several bills on third reading. Early actions included transmitting enrolled bills to the House, filing gubernatorial and House messages, and introducing new appropriation bills. The chamber then debated and passed Senate Bill 1420, which creates a long-term funding source for medical education by dedicating 1% of certain insurance premium tax revenue beginning in 2028; the bill passed 18-16. Senate Bill 1430, revising firearms preemption enforcement and adding penalties and remedies against local laws, rules, executive orders, or policies that conflict with state firearms law, also passed, 31-3. Senate Bill 1432, the Health and Welfare indirect support budget, passed 23-11, and Senate Bill 1433, the Medicaid enhancement budget, passed 20-15 after extensive debate over rising costs, federal-state funding shares, and the effects of House Bill 345 and federal policy changes. Senate Bill 1434, the Welfare division budget, passed 24-10, and Senate Bill 1437, an appropriation for Idaho State Police tied to DNA collection for sexual battery and domestic violence offenses, passed as well. Senate Bill 1439, which delays a school facilities model report deadline to 2027, passed unanimously. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1264 as amended, creating a rural health transformation account and oversight committee for federal rural health funds, after debate over legislative control versus executive administration of the funds; it passed 25-10. The latter part of the meeting focused heavily on Senate Bill 1418, the Kratom Consumer Protection and Safety Act. Supporters described kratom as a legal botanical product that needs consumer protections, age limits, labeling, manufacturing standards, and restrictions on synthetic or highly concentrated 7-OH products, citing concerns from physicians, law enforcement, and addiction specialists. Opponents argued the bill could amount to de facto legalization, questioned the lack of input from the State Board of Pharmacy, raised concerns about warrantless inspections, and urged either a full ban or further study. The debate remained ongoing in the transcript, with multiple senators asking questions and offering contrasting views on regulation versus prohibition.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill talks about separating the transmission grid from the generation grid.
• Base load generation has limited competitive market.
• </c> the generation grid. the generation grid.
• </c> electric system um separating generation electric system um separating generation from<00:14:17.840
• This is how we keep the generation-related costs low. Right?

Bills: SB3326

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, uh, I would move House File 269 to the general register, and then I'll have more testimony.
• So your motion is to move House File 269 to the general register? That is my motion, Mr. Chair.
• I would renew my motion for House File 269 to the General Register.
• </c> motion for house file 269 to the general motion for house file 269 to the general register<01:12
• </c><01:12:44.080><c> register</c> 269 to be placed on the general register 269 to be placed on the general

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.