Transcript Highlights:

• We know that jails are not a replacement for mental health hospitals or secure treatment facilities.
• <01:02:41.559> for the jails are not a replacement for the jails are not a replacement for
• And so NOA County wants to build 500 freaking beds to replace 250 or so.
• 250<01:20:12.600> or<01:20:12.960> so<01:20:13.960> um freaking beds to replace
• 250 or so um freaking beds to replace 250 or so um you<01:20:14.639> great<01:20:14.880> count

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so my question is maybe for you or maybe for some others: what are you proposing to replace that
• Are we just going to have less solar, or what are we going to replace that with? Mr.
• what are you um some others is what what are you proposing<01:27:38.159> to<01:27:38.400> replace
• <01:27:38.880> that proposing to replace that proposing to replace that with<01:27:41.080>
• <01:27:45.560> that what what are we going to replace that what what are we going to replace

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164

Transcript Highlights:

• for food systems, both in the trucking world and at commercial food sites, as well as vehicle replacements
• and equipment for farmers and food system vehicle and equipment replacement grants.
• :48:29.960> types<01:48:30.199> of<01:48:30.760> vehicle<01:48:31.320> Replacements
• as um the types of vehicle Replacements as um the types of vehicle Replacements not<01:48:32.520
• <01:48:43.920> grants vehicle and Equipment replacement grants vehicle and Equipment replacement

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This emphasizes our need to support agriculture, to focus on import replacement.
• on<00:58:38.960> import agriculture to focus on import agriculture to focus on import replacement
• can you imagine if there's replacement can you imagine if there's another<00:58:42.480> uh another
• So subsection F: delete 'approved' and replace with 'licensed.'
• <02:22:16.960> with delete approved and replace with delete approved and replace with licensed

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paid leave, when it launches on January 1, 2026, will provide job protections and partial wage replacement
• Paid leave, when it launches on January 1, 2026, will provide job protections and partial wage replacement
• Paid leave, when it launches on January 1, 2026, will provide job protections and partial wage replacement
• Paid leave, when it launches on January 1, 2026, will provide job protections and partial wage replacement
• , there is only so much we have control over, but we also are a state budget that obviously can't replace

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee held an introductory organizational meeting for the newly named Workforce and Economic Development Committee, with Chair Dave Baker noting a quorum and that no votes or formal actions were scheduled. Members and staff introduced themselves and described their districts, backgrounds, and priorities. Several members emphasized worker protections, labor experience, small business concerns, rural economic issues, and the importance of balancing employer and employee interests. Others highlighted education-to-workforce pathways, affordability, support for seniors, and opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities. Chair Baker said he wants the committee to find a balance between protecting labor and ensuring a strong employment base, fair rules, and fair taxes, while also acknowledging concerns about recent policy trends and the need to get proposals right before they leave the committee. Members from both parties echoed themes of collaboration and economic opportunity, though some Republicans criticized past rules and regulations as burdensome on small businesses. The committee also welcomed nonpartisan staff and DFL/GOP staff, including the committee administrator, legislative assistant, House Research, and fiscal analysis staff. The committee then received an overview from DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek and deputy commissioners. Varilek described DEED’s mission as empowering growth of the Minnesota economy for everyone, increasing prosperity and extending it broadly, and coordinating with other agencies such as Labor and Industry to avoid duplication and use taxpayer dollars efficiently. He said DEED focuses on business attraction, retention, and expansion, workforce development, and helping Minnesotans—including people with disabilities—prepare for jobs and independent living. A deputy commissioner began outlining the economic development division’s structure and operations, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current wording of this bill may conflict with section 89-92A, HRS, so replacing the term educator
• I wanted to preface that in our comments we recommend replacing the text of HB 620 with SB 530, and I
• One is that the amount of $15,000 should be replaced with $10,000 on page two, line 18, to correctly
• One is that the amount of $15,000 should be replaced with $10,000 on page two, line 18, to correctly
• <02:02:20.040> with amount of 15,000 should be replaced with amount of 15,000 should be replaced

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> That we would take this statute where you had the pregnancy and we would replace it with, by the way
• In this case, it replaces<03:42:16.720> the<03:42:16.960> penalties<03:42:18.000> um
• um for a maximum replaces the penalties um for a maximum of<03:42:19.279> of<03:42:19.760>
• So we're just asking to replace what has been removed to keep it in there.
• So we're just asking to replace what has been removed to keep it in there.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Which includes um replacing the turf. >> Which includes um replacing the turf.
• >> The Snyder Replacement Building. >> Snider Replacement. Yes. >> Okay.
• >> The Snyder Replacement Building. >> The Snyder Replacement Building.
• >> Snider<03:14:32.960> Replacement.<03:14:33.520> Yes.
• >> Snider Replacement. Yes. >> Snider Replacement. Yes.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuana Scanland: These are thriving wage jobs that cannot be replaced by any other industry, and in the
• Tuana Scanland: These are thriving wage jobs that cannot be replaced by any other industry, and in the
• the public land trust that would replace the public land trust working<03:57:29.159> group<03
• We'll replace it with the county application permit, uh, fee waiver from SD2, so we're going to put that
• To be deleting the film credit and media production investment, but we're going to replace it with the

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:29:19.960> power<01:29:20.920> I well as for buying replacement power I well as
• A lot of it is replacing old wooden poles with steel poles.
• old wooden poles with steel replacing old wooden poles with steel poles<01:33:20.320> I'm<01:
• We replace that with the phrase 'have unknown effects to human health and safety,' and the rest reads
• Yes, so it's replacing that section, right? Replacing it. And what are those numbers based on?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill replaces those terms with modern person-first language.
• This bill replaces those terms with modern person-first language that centers respect, humanity, and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two resolutions recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the nation’s 250th anniversary and congratulating Zachary Erich on becoming an Eagle Scout, and then took up several committee reports and extension orders. The chamber suspended rules multiple times to act immediately on committee extensions for Financial Services and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and it referred a House petition on cleft lip and cleft palate treatment to Financial Services. Members also adopted an order extending the Financial Services committee’s reporting deadline on credit union and mortgage financing matters. The Senate then considered and passed House No. 4361, a bill on teacher retirement benefits, after extensive debate in support of a one-time window for certain teachers who were excluded from Retirement Plus due to administrative errors. Senators described the measure as a long-overdue fix for more than 8,500 educators, noting that eligible teachers would have to pay the difference in contributions. The bill was ordered to a third reading, passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call, and sent on for further action. The chamber also passed Senate No. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and Senate No. 3107 on commercial interior design licensure, both after supportive remarks about patient safety and professional regulation. A major item was the conference committee report on H. 5280, the FY26 fair share supplemental budget. Supporters highlighted funding for municipal winter relief, MBTA operations and capital needs, education initiatives, housing incentives, home heating assistance, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents raised concerns about MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax policy implications. After roll call, the report was approved by a 37-3 vote. The Senate also adopted the emergency preamble and passed H. 5470, the FY26 supplemental appropriations bill, and later enacted local bills including Berkeley recall authority, a Milton school deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate recognized guests from the Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, who spoke about Caribbean American Heritage Month and partnership agreements with Massachusetts. The chamber then concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563, a bill updating disability-related terminology in the general laws, with senators emphasizing the importance of person-first language and dignity for people with disabilities. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and enacted the bill. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday and with adjournment in memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• majority party in the House, and the House majority is entitled to And the House majority is entitled to replace
• And I think they are proposing that Representative Berg be replaced with Representative Berg.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• majority party in the House, and the House majority is entitled to And the House majority is entitled to replace
• And I think they are proposing that Representative Berg be replaced with Representative Berg.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• majority party in the House, and the House majority is entitled to And the House majority is entitled to replace
• And I think they are proposing that Representative Berg be replaced with Representative Berg.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• depriving the district and the students and families we serve of critical skills that cannot be easily replaced
• These certifications are essential to establishing or maintaining eligibility for wage replacement during

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• current Board of Parole Hearings is clearly not doing a good job protecting children and should be replaced
• current Board of Parole hearings is clearly not doing a good job protecting children and should be replaced

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the amendment that I'm offering would actually replace the damaging mandate for electric school buses
• Is time for us to repeal the EV bus mandate, which is what my amendment will do, and replace it with

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing individuals, communities, and state traditions. The chamber honored Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis posthumously after his Medal of Honor recognition, with remarks from Senator Scarcella-Spanton and others praising his sacrifice and welcoming his parents. Senators also celebrated New York maple producers and Maple Weekends, Bangladesh Independence Day and the contributions of Bangladeshi New Yorkers, York Middle/High School girls varsity volleyball for winning a state championship, Pavilion/York Air Rifle for winning the state invitational championship, and Tartan Day. These resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors opened them for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the regular calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures on environmental conservation, personal property, agriculture and markets, insurance, state law, executive law, workers’ compensation, election law, correction law, public health, and parks/historic preservation. Most passed with broad support, though some drew a handful of negative votes. One bill on election law, allowing certain 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election, prompted supportive floor debate from several senators and passed 43-17. Another bill on correction law also passed after debate. A notable controversy arose over Calendar 227, a Public Authorities Law bill related to school energy planning and electric buses. Senator Borrello challenged an amendment as nongermane, the Chair ruled against it, and the Senate voted 22-0 to sustain the ruling. The underlying bill then passed, despite criticism from senators who argued the state should repeal the electric bus mandate and instead study safer, more practical alternatives for school districts. The Senate then completed its business and adjourned until March 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in between, there are adjustments and changes and sometimes replacing different parts as they grow
• see that especially when you have a growing child who would also need those activity prosthetics replaced

Bills: S0162, S0254, S0688, S0794, S1110, S1574

Keywords: surgical smoke, health standards, hospital safety, patient protection, medical regulations, nursing education, licensure, remedial courses, temporary license, graduate nursing preceptorship, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, background screening, support coordination services, developmental disabilities, Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, public hearings, orthotics, prosthetics, healthcare, Medicaid

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• A street named after them to replace the slave owner's name.
• appointees to the Medical Examiner Commission remain active until resignation, disqualification, or replacement

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because this reminds us what happens when fear replaces law, when government power goes unchecked, and
• Because this reminds us what happens when fear replaces law, when government power goes unchecked, and

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and pledge that reflected on Japanese American incarceration during World War II and recent storm-related losses in California. The chamber then handled routine procedural matters, guest introductions, and several consent and file items before moving to floor debate on a series of resolutions and budget measures. The main policy item was HR 82, declaring February 19, 2026, a day of remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the importance of remembering civil liberties failures, and the need to guard against similar abuses today. The resolution drew some criticism of its rhetoric toward federal law enforcement, but after debate the Assembly added 72 coauthors and adopted HR 82 by voice vote. The chamber also adopted ACR 128, a resolution recognizing solidarity with Ukraine, and later passed ACA 7, a constitutional amendment related to government preferences, after a partisan debate over whether it would restore or prohibit discrimination. The Assembly also took up two budget-related concurrence items. AB 107, described as technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and adjustments related to Proposition 4 projects, passed concurrence 59-3 and was sent immediately to the Governor. AB 117 authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to borrow up to $590 million from already awarded transit capital funds to support operating costs for BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; supporters called it a bridge loan to stabilize transit, while opponents called it a bailout lacking accountability. The measure passed concurrence 52-16 and was also transmitted to the Governor. The session ended with adjournments in memory of former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, with members praising his leadership in city government, energy policy, and clean energy development. The Speaker then announced the bill introduction deadline and the next floor session date before adjourning the Assembly until Monday, February 23, 2026.