Transcript Highlights:

• Third, it sets a reasonable cost cap so programs are priced in line with the Max Pell Grant Award.
• They also adopted a new compensation policy that removed the existing 10% compensation increase cap.
• I've significantly amended this bill from what it was originally proposed in terms of salary caps.
• I have amended this bill from what it was originally proposed in terms of salary caps.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, our retirees took 2 years of a 0% COLA, and then had that capped 1% going forward.
• So, our retirees took 2 years of a 0% COLA, and then had that capped 1% going forward.
• So, our retirees took 2 years of a 0% COLA, and then had that capped 1% going forward.
• Employee contributions also increased to 11.8%, and also capped our COLA at 1%, and increased the wait

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. It then took up Senate File 4860 / House File 4812, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association bill, which would reduce the employee contribution rate for coordinated members from 9% to 8% starting after June 30, 2026, raise the retiree COLA from 1% to 1.5% beginning January 1, 2027, and increase the state-funded employer contribution by 2.7%. Staff said the bill’s cost is just over $12 million per year over 15 years. Representative Lilly said the bill was intended to bring parity to St. Paul teachers after prior work in this area left some behind. Several St. Paul teachers testified in support, describing financial strain, burnout, and the difficulty of balancing teaching with family responsibilities. Hannah Geimer said the 1% contribution change would make a meaningful difference in her budget as a single parent. Eric Erickson said he and his wife have spent decades working extra hours and coaching, and argued that St. Paul educators pay more and receive less in retirement than other teachers. Arzoo Faroozan Yazdani, a Central High teacher, said the higher contribution rate and lower COLA make it hard to stay in the district and raise a family. Lisa Hodek said teachers are undercompensated for the demands of the job and that the pension disparity has created frustration and a sense of betrayal. Phil Tensic, the SPTRFA director, summarized the request as seeking an 8% contribution and 1.5% COLA to match TRA, and noted that the plan’s members are spread across legislative districts, not just in St. Paul. Members discussed the history behind the pension disparity. Senator Nelson questioned whether “parity” was the right term given the plan’s funding problems and the legacy of the “big red box,” referring to past underfunding. Tensic and Senator Pappas explained that the state had previously allowed St. Paul schools not to contribute for a period of years, that supplemental district and state aid began in 2018, and that the plan is projected to be amortized by 2039 and must be paid off by 2048. Members also noted that the bill and related pension proposals depend on available funding; Representative O’Driscoll and others said no final financing agreement had been reached, though leadership was continuing discussions. The committee received letters of support from Education Minnesota, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and 40 individual supporters. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It caps the home equity limit for MA eligibility for long-term care at $1 million starting in 2028.
• Um<00:16:22.240> and<00:16:22.480> it<00:16:22.720> caps<00:16:23.040> the
• home<00:16:23.440> equity<00:16:23.920> limit<00:16:24.240> for Um and it caps
• the home equity limit for Um and it caps the home equity limit for um<00:16:25.040> MA<00:16:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work. Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It caps the home equity limit for MA eligibility for long-term care at $1 million starting in 2028.
• Um,<00:25:45.840> and<00:25:46.000> it<00:25:46.120> caps<00:25:46.560> the
• c><00:25:46.680> home<00:25:46.920> equity<00:25:47.320> limit Um, and it caps the
• home equity limit Um, and it caps the home equity limit for<00:25:48.120> um,<00:25:48.440>

Bills: HF4401, HF4466

Keywords: HF4401, Minnesota Medical Assistance, dental reimbursement, dental rates, critical access dental providers, Medicaid dental, MinnesotaCare, managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, fee-for-service, oral health access, safety-net clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Indian health services, state-operated dental clinics, low-income patients, children's dental care, provider reimbursement, dental access

Transcript Highlights:

• No, there's no cap. Sorry. No, there's no cap. Sorry, I'm wrong on that.
• I think it’s something that the board might take up as maybe putting a cap on, because to what end, right
• But I think capping it at some point at the board level, just so that it’s not $50 a credit or a student

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• departments that we may be, you know, not sure exactly the absolute necessity of, this amendment would cap
• 01:19:04.600> this<01:19:04.840> amendment<01:19:05.200> would<01:19:05.400> cap
• <01:19:05.880> and um this this amendment would cap and um this this amendment would cap and

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and proceeded through a series of committee reports and floor actions, mostly on House bills. Several measures were advanced without opposition, often after brief floor explanations and unanimous adoption of committee amendments. Topics included behavioral health rate-setting modernization (HB 772), expedited Medicaid eligibility for relocated individuals with developmental disabilities (HB 1015), perinatal behavioral health screening and coverage (HB 1118), mammogram notices about breast arterial calcification (HB 1364), menopause provider training and coverage (HB 1365), cannabis licensing and training changes (HB 622), cemetery sale and transfer oversight (HB 892), travel services insurance requirements (HB 994), cash transaction rounding authorization (HB 1026), specie as legal tender (HB 1312), menstrual hygiene product ingredient labeling (HB 1357), health care quality reporting and a health centralization commission (HB 1372), special pediatric hospital transfer and review procedures (HB 1376), telehealth continuity of care for out-of-state counselors (HB 1483), and child placement protections for unlicensed settings and pediatric overstay patients (HB 1559). Most of these bills were ordered passed for third reading after the chamber adopted the committee amendments and favorable reports. The Senate also considered environmental and consumer-related measures. HB 146 would delay implementation dates for onsite wastewater system regulation and licensing requirements, while striking provisions on inspections and pumping for rental properties and sales. HB 254, a Department of Natural Resources bill, was described as facilitating community engagement in planning and development of departmental projects. HB 969 on retail electric vehicle fuel sales and charging equipment requirements was also taken up and reported favorably. In each of these cases, members noted no committee opposition and no fiscal impact, and the bills were advanced. Two bills were set aside rather than immediately acted on. HB 1037, concerning a Public Service Commission study on broadband and voice over internet protocol service, was special ordered until Friday at the request of a senator. HB 1312, the specie/legal tender bill, prompted questions about the definition of specie and was also special ordered for consideration the next morning. No roll-call votes were recorded in the excerpt; actions were taken by unanimous consent on amendments and committee reports, with multiple bills ordered to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Office of Public Defender removing the exclusion for quote crimes of violence so that the 364-day cap
• quote crimes of violence so that the for quote crimes of violence so that the 364-day<01:41:29.760> cap
• applies<01:41:30.960> uniformly<01:41:31.760> to<01:41:32.160> all 364-day cap
• applies uniformly to all 364-day cap applies uniformly to all misdemeanors.<01:41:33.880> So,

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before joining CAP, I served as senior counsel and chief of staff to former Federal Election Commission
• what he might have corporate interest in his donation because he's the CEO of a company, but does this cap
• with you on specifically, and we got to have a conversation with the campaign finance board chair too. cap
• independent expenditure spending cap independent expenditure spending from<00:47:03.839> very

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I armed myself with a full-length down coat, scarves, gloves, knit caps.
• full-length down coat, scarves, gloves, full-length down coat, scarves, gloves, knit<00:20:45.080> caps
• 46.680> how<00:20:46.880> to<00:20:47.480> walk<00:20:47.880> and knit caps
• Um I learned how to walk and knit caps.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are mostly the custodial cap group at night.
• 00:53:48.040> mostly<00:53:48.400> the<00:53:48.520> custodial<00:53:49.040> cap
• they're mostly the custodial cap they're mostly the custodial cap group<00:53:50.440> at<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're just increasing the cap payment assumptions due to the case mix being a bit higher.
• Minnesota Care um and we're just<00:36:15.200> increasing<00:36:15.680> the<00:36:16.000> cap
• <00:36:16.320> payment just increasing the cap payment just increasing the cap payment assumptions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the amendment, what it does is put a cap on that amount so it just doesn't keep adding and adding.
• In the amendment, what it does is put<00:54:54.160> a<00:54:54.640> cap<00:54:55.280>
• 56.319> amount<00:54:56.880> so<00:54:57.040> it<00:54:57.280> just put a cap
• on that amount so it just put a cap on that amount so it just doesn't<00:54:57.920> keep<00:54

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a declared quorum. The chamber excused an absent senator, approved the prior journal, received House communication that the House had passed HB 168, 185, 249, and 455 and requested concurrence, and heard committee reports advancing SB 37 and SB 214 from Agriculture, SB 157 and SB 189 with a committee substitute from Banking and Insurance, and SJR 54 with a committee substitute from Families and Children. The Senate also introduced SB 226 on pre-need burial contracts and SR 113 honoring Robert Connley Young. The main floor debate centered on SB 101, an act relating to children, which would require a mandatory 12-month expulsion for students in grades 6-12 who assault a school employee, with exceptions for certain students with disabilities under an IEP and for incidents involving provocation by a school employee. The bill also creates a mandatory reporting requirement for assaults and penalties for intentionally failing to report them. The sponsor argued the measure responds to widespread, underreported assaults on teachers, citing 25,000 reported incidents since 2021 and sharing testimony from a teacher whose career ended after repeated assaults. Supporters said the bill would improve school safety, accountability, and classroom control, while opponents argued it is too harsh for children, could permanently remove students from school, and should leave more discretion to principals and districts. After debate, the Senate adopted Senate Committee Substitute 1 for SB 101 and then proceeded to final passage. Several senators spoke for and against the bill during roll-call explanation, with supporters emphasizing teacher safety, parental responsibility, and consequences for repeat offenders, and opponents warning about lost educational opportunities and the need for second chances. The transcript cuts off during the roll call, but the chamber had already adopted the committee substitute and moved to vote on SB 101 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there room in the budget for that, or are you capped out? Mr.
• room in the budget for that or are there room in the budget for that or are you<01:22:47.760> capped
• you capped out? you capped out? >> Mr.<01:22:49.360> Miller, >> Mr.

Bills: HF2825

Keywords: expungement, criminal justice, background check, security industry, private detective, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If our goal is true affordability, we should focus on solutions that actually help patients like capping
• solutions that actually help patients solutions that actually help patients like<00:44:06.720> capping
• > out<00:44:07.359> of<00:44:07.440> pocket<00:44:07.760> costs, like capping
• out of pocket costs, like capping out of pocket costs, reforming<00:44:08.640> PBM<00:44:09.200

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's capped at $15,000, with a potential additional $10,000 for catastrophic instances.
• <00:23:37.200> It's<00:23:37.440> capped<00:23:37.679> at that's uh in statute
• It's capped at that's uh in statute.
• It's capped at 15,000<00:23:38.480> with<00:23:38.640> a<00:23:38.880> potential

Bills: HB0008, HB0009

Keywords: stalking, minors, felony, protection orders, criminal penalties, grooming, sexual offenses, child protection, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 2.1% of the amount of funding that goes to our program through mineral severance taxes, which is capped
• seance taxes our program through mineral seance taxes which<00:58:50.160> is<00:58:50.319> capped
• <00:58:51.920> I<00:58:52.160> won't which is capped at 155 million.
• I won't which is capped at 155 million.

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• Or have a cap. So I think that it's clearly preliminary.
• c> Or<00:19:55.280> or<00:19:55.600> have<00:19:56.160> a<00:19:56.559> cap
• It increases the salary cap of the executive director of HHFDC to an amount that does not exceed the
• renames the executive assistant to the deputy executive director, and increases that position salary cap

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:

• Laconia is a tax cap community, so we really have to be careful with that.
• Laconia is<01:49:22.480> a<01:49:22.560> tax<01:49:22.719> cap<01:49:23.040>
• community,<01:49:23.360> so<01:49:23.520> we<01:49:23.679> really is a tax cap
• community, so we really is a tax cap community, so we really have<01:49:23.920> to<01:49:24.080

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, we currently cap at 15 students per class and because we don't get additional funding, we can
• /c><01:09:52.880> we<01:09:53.120> we<01:09:53.440> currently<01:09:53.759> cap
• So, uh, we we currently cap your school?
• So, uh, we we currently cap at<01:09:54.320> 15<01:09:54.719> students<01:09:55.040>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September meeting minutes, and heard presentations from Carter G. Woodson Academy in Lexington and related school programs in Fayette County Public Schools. School leaders described the academy as an all-male public school option focused on culture, belonging, and opportunity, with a mission to educate, empower, and equip young men academically, socially, and morally. They emphasized culturally responsive instruction, restorative practices, mentorship, brotherhood circles, and access to advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and career pathways. Student speakers highlighted school culture, leadership opportunities, and clubs such as SGA, Beta Club, FFA, and the Bow Tie Club, along with service and community engagement. Presenters said the academy began in 2012, is housed with Frederick Douglass High School, uses an application and lottery process, and can serve up to about 350 students but is intentionally kept near 300 because of space. They reported 302 enrolled students, about 38 seniors, a 100% graduation rate, 95% average attendance, 100% postsecondary success, and $1.8 million in scholarship offers last year. They also shared demographic and achievement data, noting growth in MAP scores, strengths in reading and writing, and math as an ongoing focus area. The school said 90% of high school scholars are taking at least one dual credit class this year, and some students have earned opportunities at selective programs such as Gatton Academy and Craft Academy. Committee members praised the school’s results and asked about enrollment, funding, and whether the model could be replicated statewide. School leaders said the program is fully funded through Fayette County Public Schools, could be replicated with committed staff and training, and that teachers receive preparation through the Gearing Institute to better understand how boys learn. They also noted that Fayette County has other specialized programs, including girls’ academies and other options for underrepresented students. Members expressed interest in long-term tracking of graduates, and the school said it is preparing to study outcomes as the first graduating class approaches its 10-year anniversary.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I'm saying is, yeah, but that's the only thing we don't—you can't recycle the cap.
• Don't—you can't recycle the cap.
• So when you go with the cap, you got to take them off because when they go curbside, the city picks up
• curbside and those caps are on, they charge the city.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the Office of the Auditor’s recent audit of Hawaii’s deposit beverage container program and the Department of Health’s response. State Auditor Les Condo reviewed the program’s structure, noting it was created to increase recycling and reduce litter, but said prior audits have repeatedly found weak internal controls, reliance on self-reported data, and an “honor system” approach. He cited examples of underreporting and overpayment risks, including a Whole Foods settlement and secret-shopper testing at a redemption center where the program reimbursed more than what was actually paid to consumers. Condo said the special fund continues to grow, increasing by more than $12 million between FY24 and FY25, and that the 2024 audit found no meaningful progress in implementing earlier recommendations. He also noted that many prior recommendations were later codified in law, including risk-based audits and internal control requirements, and said the office will audit the program again in about a year. Senator Fevella said the briefing was needed because he has seen little progress over the years and emphasized the program’s goals of reducing litter and promoting recycling. He noted that Hawaii has lost a glass recycler, underscoring broader challenges in the system. Department of Health Deputy Director Kathleen Hoe said the department is committed to addressing longstanding problems and said the director’s office meets with the program twice a month. Program staff outlined steps being taken to respond to the audit, including revising accounting and inspection/enforcement manuals, retaining third-party services, and implementing risk-based audits of distributors and redemption centers. They said internal control process documents from distributors were due June 30, with about 200 received and roughly 100 still outstanding, and that enforcement letters are being sent. The department also described plans for electronic reporting to reduce manual entry and improve accuracy, as well as a broader legislative proposal for a tiered audit system. Under that proposal, larger distributors would remain subject to the current every-other-year audit requirement, middle-tier distributors would be audited every five years, and smaller distributors would be exempt. Officials said the governor had temporarily waived enforcement of the 2025 independent audit requirement because of cost concerns for smaller distributors, while the department reviews submitted audits and considers a longer-term fix. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.