Transcript Highlights:

• A quorum is present, and the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee will now come to order.
• Today, I would like to send Senate File 4282 to the Committee on Finance.
• And so, um to the Committee on Finance.
• <01:37:32.400> All refer to the Finance Committee. All refer to the Finance Committee.
• The bill's been moved to the Finance Committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy to order.
• Um Chair Pinto, would you like to move to re-refer House File 3407 to the Judiciary Finance and Civil
• /c><00:01:49.280> and<00:01:49.400> Civil<00:01:49.680> Law to the Judiciary Finance
• and Civil Law to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee?
• to the Judiciary Civil Law and Finance to the Judiciary Civil Law and Finance Committee.

Bills: HF2354, HF3407, HF4359, HF4192, HF3356, HF3695, HF1597, HF3155, HF3871, HF4437, HF4446, HF3990

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Transcript Highlights:

• After activities of digital finance<00:38:35.240> assets<00:38:35.720> transaction<00:38
• I've spent a decade working in campaign finance law, and specifically I've been up to my eyeballs in
• And that bill has been advanced as of March 2nd to the committees on banking and finance and judiciary
• banking and finance and judiciary. banking and finance and judiciary.
• laws, but I would think just financing laws, but I would think just as<01:12:05.440> matter<01

Bills: SB1166, SB888, SB2387, SB2471

Keywords: insurance, climate change, responsible parties, damages, Hawaii Property Insurance Association, Hurricane Relief Fund, civil action, climate disasters, extreme weather, SB888, Hawaii, consumer protection, smart home security, smart household security device, home security camera, video doorbell, Ring, Nest, connected devices, internet of things

Summary: The committee heard SB 1166 SD2, a bill on insurance and climate-related damages that would authorize the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and, in amended versions discussed during testimony, other public and private entities to pursue civil actions to recover losses tied to climate disasters and extreme weather. DCCA’s Insurance Division and the Department of the Attorney General raised legal concerns, saying the bill’s scope may not fit the insurance code section being amended, that it could create subject-matter and title issues, and that some subrogation language may be duplicative of existing rate-filing practice. Lawyers for Justice opposed the measure, arguing it conflicts with existing subrogation law and recent Hawaii Supreme Court rulings that treat the judicial lien process as the exclusive remedy. The American Petroleum Institute also opposed, warning the bill would add liability and litigation risk for companies operating under existing permits and could undermine energy reliability and investment. Supporters said the bill would help shift climate-related insurance costs away from residents and onto fossil fuel companies and other responsible parties. Testimony in support came from the Polluters Pay Hawaii Coalition, Center for Climate Integrity, Hawaii Island Council, Our Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, who described recent flooding, storm damage, rising premiums, non-renewals, and underinsurance as evidence of a worsening climate-driven insurance crisis. Several supporters urged amendments to give the Attorney General explicit authority to recover insurance-related losses for the Hurricane Relief Fund, HPIA, and private insurers, and to ensure recovered amounts benefit policyholders. Committee members questioned whether HPIA is a private entity, whether the Attorney General could represent it, whether the bill could create double recovery or affect pending climate litigation, and whether insurers would have standing or damages if they are only paying contractual claims. The committee then took up SB 888 SD2, a consumer protection bill that would restrict smart household security device operators from sharing user data with law enforcement without consent or a judicial order, and would bar conditioning device use on such consent. The Office of Consumer Protection testified in support and said an Illinois law could serve as a useful template for exceptions to the warrant requirement. An individual supporter said the measure would protect immigrant communities, judges, and others from surveillance and misuse of private data. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair noted additional written testimony submitted in support of SB 1166.

Transcript Highlights:

• [laughter] Welcome back to the Education Finance Committee.
• activity was disruptive, and we are obligated to measure the disruption and consider the education finance
• ,<00:10:37.519> and<00:10:37.760> safety<00:10:38.000> in education, finance
• , and safety in education, finance, and safety in Minnesota.<00:10:39.519> Thank<00:10:39.760>
• <01:15:01.440> but committee is education finance but committee is education finance but families

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, extended<00:44:25.839> benefits<00:44:26.240> are<00:44:26.560> financed
• extended benefits are financed 50/50. extended benefits are financed 50/50.
• Employers have<00:44:48.400> financed<00:44:48.800> that<00:44:49.440> um<00:44:
• their FUDA have financed that um through their FUDA payments,<00:44:51.119> but<00:44:51.839>
• eligibility for the federally financed eligibility for the federally financed recessionary<00:55

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• things right now, particularly in health care policy, it could be a big problem for us in terms of financing
• things right now, particularly in health care policy, it could be a big problem for us in terms of financing
• things right now, particularly in health care policy, it could be a big problem for us in terms of financing
• <00:21:41.039> in<00:21:41.159> terms<00:21:41.400> of<00:21:41.640> financing
• <00:21:42.440> uh problem for us in terms of financing uh problem for us in terms of financing

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e e e e It's 10:02 on my clock, so I'm going to convene this hearing of Division 3 Finance.
• Today's subject is Division 3 Finance.
• probably going to be less optimistic than what we might want, and it is our deep obligation as a finance
• committee to deliver a budget finance committee to deliver a budget that<00:05:39.160> stays<
• <00:10:51.279> which two which the division for finance which two which the division for finance

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report that we have today with findings is the Department of Finance and Administration FY24 report
• Chair, that concludes the finance for DFA. Thank you, sir.

Summary: The State Agencies Joint Audit Committee met to open the meeting with prayer, recognize interns, and approve the minutes from the March 12 meeting. The committee also agreed to defer a special report from the Health Department until its August meeting. Staff then reviewed audit reports, including 12 reports without findings that were filed without objection. The main report discussed was the Department of Finance and Administration FY24 audit, which contained three findings: a stolen taser from the Alcohol Beverage Control Enforcement Division valued at about $1,300 and referred to the Attorney General; improper federal grant expenditures identified by the Office of Intergovernmental Services, with about $5,500 later reimbursed; and nine unauthorized bank debits totaling more than $5,600, most of which were refunded. Members asked no questions on the DFA report, and it was filed. The committee announced its next meeting for August 13 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report that we have today with findings is the Department of Finance and Administration FY 24 report
• Chair, that concludes the finance for DFA. Thank you, sir.

Summary: The State Agencies Joint Audit committee met, opened with prayer, recognized interns, and approved the minutes from the March 12 meeting. Members also agreed to defer the special report from the Health Department until the August meeting. The committee then received audit staff’s review of reports, including 12 reports without findings that were filed without objection. The main item discussed was the Department of Finance and Administration FY24 report, which contained three findings. These involved a stolen taser from the Alcohol Beverage Control Enforcement Division valued at about $1,300 and referred to the project attorney and Attorney General; disallowed federal grant expenditures identified in the Family Services Agency, with nearly $5,500 reimbursed after adjustments; and unauthorized debits from a DFA Revenue bank account totaling more than $5,600, most of which was refunded with about $200 still outstanding. Members did not raise questions on the DFA report, and it was filed. The committee announced its next meeting for August 13 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill is going to be reported to finance. Up next is S. 3866B by Senator Hinchey.
• And this bill will also be reported to finance. Our second-to-last bill on our agenda is S. 4692.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Women’s Issues Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 legislative session on January 29, with a quorum present and Senator Baskin excused. Senator Webb opened the meeting, welcomed members, and invited remarks from ranking member Senator Weik, who said she looked forward to working on important issues during the session. The committee considered four bills. S.1683, relating to the Public University Emergency Contraception Education Act, was reported to finance; Senators Weik and Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick were without recommendation. S.3866B, which would require access to menstrual products and toilet facilities in certain state public buildings, was also reported to finance, with Senator Weik without recommendation. The committee then approved S.4692, which would require free menstrual products in restrooms at private colleges and universities, and S.6227, which would add menstrual disorders to the public school health education curriculum. Both of those bills were reported to first reading. The meeting concluded with thanks to members and staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Finance Committee approved of it, and on April 7th this year, town meeting voted 379 to 4 to overwhelmingly
• The Library Trustees worked with the town's Trust Fund Commission and were assisted by the town's Finance
• The Carver Select Board and Finance Committee also have unanimously supported dissolving the North Carver
• The Carver Select Board and Finance Committee also have unanimously supported dissolving the North Carver
• The Carver Select Board and Finance Committee also have unanimously supported dissolving the North Carver

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hybrid hearing of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, with testimony spanning local board training, animal welfare and enforcement, municipal charters, water district dissolution, and other home rule matters. Chairs Rausch and Lewis set strict time limits because of the large number of speakers and explained that written testimony would also be accepted. Members heard from local officials, advocates, municipal employees, and residents, with many bills receiving broad support from municipal and advocacy witnesses. Several speakers supported bills requiring or expanding training for local boards and commissions, including pre-service training for planning, zoning, and other land use boards. Supporters said training would help volunteers understand complex laws, improve consistency, reduce legal challenges, and speed up housing and development decisions. Related testimony also backed a bill to modernize historic district commissions and another to allow associate planning board members to serve more broadly when needed to maintain quorums. A major portion of the hearing focused on animal legislation. Witnesses supported bills to expand citations for cruel conditions beyond dogs, update dangerous dog procedures, improve animal health inspections and breeder oversight, strengthen tethering rules, and protect pet consumers. Animal control officers, humane organizations, and some victims of dog attacks described enforcement gaps and the need for clearer standards, while several dog trainers and the American Kennel Club opposed parts of the dangerous dog bill and tethering restrictions, arguing they would limit humane training tools and professional discretion. The committee also heard strong support for a bill to create a statewide pet shop and consumer protection framework. The committee also heard testimony on several local home rule petitions. Medford officials and residents strongly supported a new city charter that would replace the current at-large council with ward-based representation and periodic charter review. Wayland representatives supported a bill to preserve the library’s Millennium Fund as intended, Cambridge officials backed creation of an employment and job training trust, and Carver officials supported dissolving the North Carver Water District due to compliance and financial problems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• Referred to Finance.
• Rick Edmonds, Chair, reported for the Committee on Finance. Report of the Committee on Finance.
• House Bill 1036 by Representative Bowie is an act to amend Title 18 relative to the Campaign Finance
• House Bill 1200 by Representative Butler is an act to amend Title 39 relative to funding and financing
• safety to require exterior master key boxes to be installed in public schools, from the Committee on Finance

Bills: SCR63, SCR12, HB89, HB451, HB595, HB617, HB621, HB730, HB1064, HB1125, HB221, HCR58, SB106, SB206, SB248, SB441, SB104, SB122, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476, SCR9, SCR30, SB57, SB414, SB525, SB35, SB65, SB135, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB276, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB501, SB513, HCR31, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB691, HB712, HB720, HB723, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1091, HB1117, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB23, HB136, HB17, HB21, HB51, HB55, HB74, HB106, HB108, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB168, HB215, HB226, HB263, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1033, HB1034, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1237, HB1239, HB36, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB677, HB726, HB789, HB850, HB956, HB966, SB149, SB382

Keywords: fiscal notes, legislation, legislative auditor, state policy, conflict of interest, logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB89, Act 615, district attorney, assistant district attorney, retiree health insurance, group health insurance, retirement benefits, public employee benefits, Third Judicial District, Thirtieth Judicial District

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I will move House File 3874 to be laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. >> Thank you
• Good morning, co-chairs Scott and Lee, and members of the judiciary finance and civil law committee.
• <00:09:38.000> the<00:09:38.160> judiciary<00:09:39.120> uh<00:09:39.279> finance
• <00:09:39.680> and members of the judiciary uh finance and members of the judiciary uh finance
• vindictive in nature because the decisions we make commonly impact on a person's freedom, family, and/or finances

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3874 and laid it over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. The Minnesota Judicial Branch, represented by State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz, presented a supplemental funding request focused on two main areas: judicial safety and security, and the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch was grateful for prior budget support but noted it did not receive salary increases for staff or judges and did not get funding for juror per diem. He explained that the branch is seeking funding for personal data protection, home security, two additional judicial security positions, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program. Much of the testimony centered on rising threats against judges and court staff. Shorba and Fritz described increases in incidents, threats, and disturbances, and Fritz gave several examples of threatening behavior involving judges’ homes, personal information, and online doxxing. They argued that the branch needs better threat assessment, coordination with local law enforcement, and security measures at homes, courthouses, and online. Members expressed support for the concerns and asked questions about how threats are currently handled and whether state patrol officers assigned to security duties would need additional training. The second major topic was the judicial branch’s request for funding to cover its employer contribution to Minnesota Paid Leave, which took effect in January 2026. Shorba said the branch followed MMB’s calculations and expected the cost to be addressed through broader state government funding, but the branch did not receive an operational adjustment. He said the branch is now having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. Members questioned why the request was not included in the earlier budget process, and Shorba responded that the branch believed the issue would be handled centrally and later learned it had not been funded for the judiciary. No vote on the funding requests was taken in the discussion shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Uh, this is a bill working with our Department of Finance, striving to take better care of those
• Department of Finance, striving to take better care of those that are required to have public official
• It would allow the Department of Finance Division Risk Management Bond Program to satisfy the requirements
• 05:26.800> allow<00:05:26.960> the<00:05:27.120> department<00:05:27.520> finance
• It would allow the department finance It would allow the department finance division<00:05:28.400

Bills: SB294, HB296, HB300, SB269

Keywords: public officers, bonding, risk management, notification, delinquency, consumer protection, rental home, marketplace guarantees, insurance, commissioner of insurance, healthcare, breast cancer screening, insurance coverage, deductible, copayment, emergency medical services, ambulance reimbursement, health care insurers, balance billing, provider networks

Transcript Highlights:

• The people that should be doing this should be actuaries, insurance people, and finance people, and we
• For example, Troy Clark has a background in finance, so we rely a lot on him to help us with those issues
• We're really in finance, risk, and insurance areas that we're ill-prepared for.
• would have the authority to manage this the way we do our other funds and things like our state finances
• I've been throughout this process in a lot of communication with the chair of the Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, finance. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.
• Carrie Schaw for the Department of Finance, Division of Risk Management.
• Members, >> finance. Good<00:27:25.520> morning,<00:27:25.760> Mr.
• Carrie Schaw for the Department<00:27:28.640> of<00:27:28.880> Finance,<00:27:29.360>
• Department of Finance, Division of Risk Management.<00:27:31.120> We<00:27:31.360> have

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This team leads every decision of our district, from teaching and learning to finance, operations, technology
• currently at a presentation with our local real estate organization, is our Deputy Superintendent of Finance
• It continues to earn state and national recognition for excellence in finance and procurement, ensuring
• I want to echo the other statement: it is about financing.
• So I think that's important to let you all know about how finances work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve on the Finance and Transportation Committee and Council Services, so thank you very much.
• And also the Mortgage Finance Authority on how we can all work together in having a fluent and smooth
• developer can do, and how they can ease entry into those homes will be a lot of factors in being able to finance
• I'm a fiscal analyst for the Legislative Finance Committee. Finance Committee.
• be a presentation by the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group tomorrow in front of the Legislative Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• As the Minnesota House of Representatives, through the work of the Legacy and Finance Committee, we are
• 23:49.760> advancement<00:23:50.400> of<00:23:50.640> legacy<00:23:51.280> finance
• motan, the advancement of legacy finance motan, the advancement of legacy finance committee, committee
• A really big issue for me in the clean water fund is that it gets $16 million for PFA, the Public Finance
• A really big issue for me in the clean water fund is that it gets $16 million for PFA, the Public Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam President, this amendment to House Bill 1482 comes from your Senate Finance and Tax Committee.
• Madam President, this amendment to House Bill 1482 comes from your Senate Finance and Tax Committee.
• Madam President, the Senate Finance and Tax Committee supported this amendment unanimously, and we ask
• Madam President, the Senate Finance and Tax Committee voted 6-0 on a due pass recommendation.
• Madam President, the Senate Finance and Tax Committee voted 6-0 on a due pass recommendation.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge, a quorum call, and approval of journal corrections. It then handled several House messages, appointing conference committees on Senate Bills 2004 and 2006 and House Bills 1018, 1019, and 1363, and re-referring House Bill 1216 to Appropriations. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bill 1601, which would have expanded special assistant attorney general authority for certain offices, but the bill failed on final passage after strong opposition centered on preserving the Attorney General’s control and avoiding a solution in search of a problem. A major portion of the day focused on education funding. House Bill 1369 was amended to raise per-pupil aid from 2% and 2% to 3% and 3% and to increase the school construction loan transfer from $75 million to $100 million; supporters said this would help local schools and military base projects, while opponents raised questions about special education placement language and state coordination. The bill passed 44-3. House Bill 1013, the DPI budget, was also amended extensively to adjust staffing, funding sources, grants, meal assistance, teacher training, and other education programs; it passed 45-2. House Bill 2234, dealing with Choice Ready grants, was amended to shift funding away from general funds and toward federal or other sources, but then failed on final passage after the sponsor urged a red vote. The Senate also approved House Bill 1482, restricting bond and indebtedness elections for counties, cities, school districts, and park districts to primary or general election days, and House Bill 1332, creating a value-added agriculture facility incentive program with an emergency clause. House Bill 1010, the Insurance Department budget, passed unanimously after amendments reflecting the merger of the Securities Department into Insurance and adding staff and fee changes, while House Bill 1011, the separate Securities Department budget, failed because its funding was already included in HB 1010. House Bill 1584, a major pharmacy benefit manager reform bill, passed with an enforcement fund and new licensing/enforcement structure despite debate over ERISA and market transparency. In other action, the Senate concurred in House amendments and passed Senate Bills 2226, 2230, 2069, 2082, 2387, 2385, and 2186, with SB 2186 on parenting time interference and a child custody task force passing 27-20 after debate over whether the issue should be left to the courts. Senate Bill 2234, on Choice Ready grants, and Senate Bill 2243, on driver’s license points and traffic penalties, both failed after concurrence motions were adopted but final passage votes were overwhelmingly negative. The chamber also advanced Senate Bill 2291 to conference committee consideration near the end of the transcript.