Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to thank you for the electrical engineers that came down and did the inspections and got our
• for the I do want to uh thank you uh for the electrical<00:22:06.320> um<00:22:06.559> engineers
• <00:22:07.039> that<00:22:07.280> came<00:22:07.440> down electrical um engineers
• that came down electrical um engineers that came down and<00:22:08.080> did<00:22:08.240>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 Recognition of New Members: 00:01:17 Disaster Response: 00:01:41 Pretrial Discussion: 00:31:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 7, 2024 meeting, and then heard an update on disaster response and courthouse recovery efforts after the April flooding. Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Franklin County Circuit and District Court Clerk’s office, and the Franklin Circuit Court described damage in Perry, Hardin, and especially Franklin counties. Perry County had limited roof and water infiltration issues with no operational impact. Hardin County’s justice center basement took about 18 inches of water, affecting court records and mechanical/electrical equipment, and court operations were briefly suspended. Franklin County’s courthouse was far more severely damaged, with about four feet of water on the first floor, forcing relocation of court operations to temporary sites, including AOC space and the regional jail for custody proceedings. Witnesses said damaged files from Hardin and Franklin counties were removed, sent to an out-of-state vendor for drying and remediation, and would be returned or destroyed as appropriate. They estimated combined costs for file restoration, building repair, and remediation at about $11 million, with insurance through KCOJ/KO expected to cover only part of the losses and FEMA reimbursement still pending a federal disaster declaration. They also said the Franklin County courthouse’s first floor remains gutted, electrical panels and HVAC systems need major replacement, and the second and third floors may be used temporarily once power and data are restored. Members asked about roof damage in Hardin County, the status of FEMA applications, digitization of court records, and whether Senate Bill 25 restricted funds could be used to cover the funding gap; staff said the funds cannot be spent without General Assembly authorization. The committee also discussed broader record-retention and e-filing issues, with members noting the limits of paper filing and the need for better digitization as a backup in emergencies. AOC staff said they are working with the Supreme Court and state law librarian on what records can be digitized and how long hard copies must still be retained. After the disaster-response presentation, the committee moved on to a separate informational presentation on pre-trial services, with introductions from the executive officer of pre-trial services, the president of the Kentucky District Judges Association, a circuit judge, and the manager of pre-trial services, who began explaining how the pre-trial system works for newer committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army Corps of Engineers. They're the ones who set out mitigation payment requirements.
• 41.920> of agreement with Army the US Army Corps of agreement with Army the US Army Corps of Engineers
• 13:43.440> ones<01:13:43.679> who<01:13:44.480> set<01:13:44.719> out Engineers
• They're the ones who set out Engineers.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review the House budget provision that would impose a 5% administrative charge on a broad list of dedicated funds, with some exemptions. Members discussed the House approach versus the Senate’s more general approach of leaving the governor discretion over which funds could be charged. The chair explained the committee was hearing from agencies about any legal, contractual, or practical reasons their funds should be exempt, and the agenda was expanded to include several departments and written submissions from others. The Department of Education testified first, identifying several funds it said should be exempt: a printing revolving fund that is funded by transfers rather than fees; teacher certification, which is self-funded by educator licensing fees and would require an immediate fee increase if charged; a vending stand set-aside tied to the federal Randolph-Sheppard program and subject to federal approval and vendor committee procedures; and a public school infrastructure/safety account, where most revenue is transferred from the education trust fund or general fund rather than generated by fees. Members questioned the department about the effect on school safety projects and whether the fee would simply reduce the number of projects completed each year. The Veterans Home asked for exemptions for three funds: a donation benefit account used for recreational activities and quality-of-life expenses for residents, a small memorial trust fund whose interest supports veteran activities, and a resident member account that holds veterans’ personal income such as Social Security and pensions. The department argued the charge would reduce donations, cut services, and effectively function like an income tax on vulnerable veterans. The Banking Department also requested exemption for its consumer credit administration license fund, saying it is used to keep exam fees low and is expressly intended by statute to reduce costs on regulated businesses; it said the 5% charge would undermine that framework and could eventually force higher fees. The Department of Justice began testimony on its dedicated funds, starting with the medical legal investigative fund, which pays for death investigations and related services under statute and without general fund support. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and asked questions about the practical and legal effects of applying the administrative charge.

Transcript Highlights:

• failures specifically in the onboard diagnostic sensor aspect of the inspection process, the those check engine
• 01:36:22.480> check inspection process, the those check inspection process, the those check engine
• 23.360> that<01:36:23.679> can<01:36:23.840> cost<01:36:24.159> thousands engine
• lights that can cost thousands engine lights that can cost thousands and<01:36:24.880> thousands<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the Board of Accountancy, a $43,000 operating adjustment for the Board of Architecture and Engineering
• $43,000 for the Board of Architecture $43,000 for the Board of Architecture and<00:32:38.640> Engineering
• <00:32:40.159> the<00:32:40.559> $21,000 and Engineering, etc. the $21,000 and Engineering

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there's the College of Science and Engineering state special on line 208, which is $202,280,000
• And then there's the college of science<00:20:57.760> and<00:20:58.080> engineering<00:
• 20:58.640> state<00:20:58.880> special<00:20:59.120> on science and engineering
• state special on science and engineering state special on line<00:20:59.520> 208<00:21:00.320>

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:

• for standing up to school bullies and always did the right thing. on a full-ride scholarship, an engineering
• I had just landed a field engineering job with the respective construction company. in Houston.
• My name is Carol Baker and I have a in chemical engineering and have experience in manufacturing and
• I have a background in engineering, chemistry, and I've been writing and doing math comp for five years

Bills: HB 28, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process

Summary: The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• of flexibility is critical, and without it we risk stagnation in areas that could instead become engines
• of flexibility is critical, and without it we risk stagnation in areas that could instead become engines
• of flexibility is critical, and without it we risk stagnation in areas that could instead become engines
• of flexibility is critical, and without it we risk stagnation in areas that could instead become engines

Bills: HF1746, HF2585, HF1159, HF2574, HF2839, HF157, HF158, HF160, HF338, HF512

Keywords: Oakdale, tax increment financing, local government, funding, urban development, tax increment, St. Paul, redevelopment, housing authority, housing trust fund, low-income housing, property taxation, Minnesota statutes, vacant property, housing, commercial to residential conversion, Minneapolis, urban redevelopment, public parks, tax capacity

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to ink pens, mechanical pencils, specifically high-end mechanical pencils used by architects, engineers
• by uh high-end mechanical pencils used by uh architects<01:30:38.480> and<01:30:38.800> engineers
• architects and engineers and draftsmen. architects and engineers and draftsmen.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, if it was an engineering lab or something, for example, and there's a need in the community
• if<01:15:52.400> it<01:15:52.560> was<01:15:52.640> an<01:15:52.880> engineering
• <01:15:53.360> lab<01:15:53.679> or know, if it was an engineering lab or know, if
• it was an engineering lab or something,<01:15:54.239> for<01:15:54.320> example,<01:15:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies like ours throughout the state are the economic engines that drive our state's manufacturing
• 32.720> economic throughout the state are the economic throughout the state are the economic engines
• 33.839> that<00:40:34.000> drive<00:40:34.280> our<00:40:34.440> state's engines
• that drive our state's engines that drive our state's manufacturing<00:40:35.760> sector<00:40

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I work at Austin Scientific as a quality assurance engineer.
• I'm a hardworking engineer, but above all that, I am a father. My girls are everything to me.
• Raising my daughters to be kind humans is my principal goal in life and a hardworking engineer, but above
• all a hardworking engineer, but above all that,<01:10:28.719> I<01:10:28.880> am<01:10

Bills: HF2135, HF776, HF1581, HF1158, HF2226

Keywords: child welfare, fiscal analysis, third-party consultant, program evaluation, Minnesota, HF776, Minnesota Family Assets for Independence Initiative, family assets for independence, FAI, asset-building, matched savings, financial literacy, family savings, economic mobility, children youth and families, general fund appropriation, family support, low-income families, financial stability, budget bill

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, our Department of Engineering costed how much it would take to acquire just Hawaii Island
• um prohibitive for example our um prohibitive for example our um Department<00:56:26.400> engineering
• <00:56:27.400> costed<00:56:27.920> how<00:56:28.039> much Department engineering
• costed how much Department engineering costed how much it<00:56:28.319> would<00:56:28.440>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: At the joint hearing on SB 951 SD2, the committees heard testimony on a child protection measure requiring mandatory child abuse and neglect reports to include military status and to improve communication between DHS and the Department of Defense. The U.S. Department of Defense testified in support and described its coordinated community response process for abuse reports, saying the bill would help ensure child safety and better coordination with DHS. DHS was initially absent, later appeared, and said it supported the measure but was still working with DOD on implementation details and staff training. Members asked about how DHS becomes involved and whether there were gaps in the current process. The chair recommended passage with technical amendments, including changing the effective date to 7/1/25 and conforming related language, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The Public Safety committee then heard SB 1377 SD2, which would create a Veterans Cemeteries Board within the Office of Veterans Services in the Department of Defense to provide guidance, education, and technical assistance to state veteran cemeteries. DOD supported the bill and explained that county-run cemeteries must meet National Cemetery Administration standards to remain eligible for federal reimbursements and grants; witnesses described past compliance problems at several cemeteries, including one still not compliant in Hilo, and said the board would help counties prepare for future site visits and improve oversight without taking over operations. Members asked about costs, reimbursement amounts, and whether the state would assume cemetery operations; DOD said the current reimbursement process runs through the state to the counties and that direct takeover would be costly. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The committee also heard SB 1382, which would make intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a National Guard member performing duty a class C felony. The Hawaii National Guard and HPD supported the bill, citing incidents during the Maui response where Guard members encountered noncompliant and sometimes physically confrontational individuals while assisting police and protecting impacted areas. Testimony emphasized that Guard members are often unarmed and should receive protections similar to first responders. One witness opposed the bill, but the committee moved forward and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments. Finally, the committee took up SB 1379 SD2 on emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers. Hawaii Emergency Management supported the bill, and supporters said it would create a statewide framework for resilience hubs that can provide supplies, action plans, and refuge during disasters. Testimony highlighted recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other hazards, and argued the measure would complement existing county efforts rather than replace them. County of Hawaii testimony opposed the bill, raising concerns about overlap and cost, while members asked about estimated expenses and implementation. The discussion ended with questions about planning and whether the bill would enhance existing programs; no final vote was captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without relief, we face the difficult choice to value engineer key improvements or postpone necessary
• we Face the difficult choices to relief we Face the difficult choices to Value<01:15:02.600> engineer
• <01:15:03.600> key<01:15:03.920> improvements<01:15:04.679> or Value engineer
• key improvements or Value engineer key improvements or postponing<01:15:05.560> necessary<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• deployed over 40 investigators alongside the Coast Guard, FBI dive teams, and the Army Corps of Engineers
• FBI dive teams and the Army<04:30:44.640> Corps<04:30:44.880> of<04:30:45.000> Engineers
• > to<04:30:45.880> Aid<04:30:46.080> in<04:30:46.199> the Army Corps of Engineers
• to Aid in the Army Corps of Engineers to Aid in the recovery<04:30:46.800> and<04:30:47.359><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• company is in the business of construction and communications plant maintenance, repair, broadband engineering
• Communications plant maintenance<00:18:23.480> repair<00:18:24.000> Broadband<00:18:24.840> engineering
• maintenance repair Broadband engineering maintenance repair Broadband engineering and<00:18:26.080

Bills: HF47, HF335

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads

Transcript Highlights:

• Think about it: if you're going to try to use a search engine to find some information, how many options
• try to<00:47:05.520> use<00:47:05.680> a<00:47:05.839> search<00:47:06.119> engine
• <00:47:06.440> to<00:47:06.599> find<00:47:06.839> some to use a search engine
• to find some to use a search engine to find some information<00:47:08.480> how<00:47:08.599><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which I think is one of the most important programs in Greater Minnesota that really is an economic engine
• > economic Minnesota uh that really is an economic Minnesota uh that really is an economic engine
• > industry<00:20:20.200> across<00:20:20.600> the<00:20:20.799> state engine
• for our industry across the state engine for our industry across the state um<00:20:22.200> the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we have shortages, you know, like we can't find medical professionals, vets, I mean even our own engineers
• we have shortages, you know, like we can't find medical professionals, vets, I mean even our own engineers
• we have shortages, you know, like we can't find medical professionals, vets, I mean even our own engineers
• we have shortages, you know, like we can't find medical professionals, vets, I mean even our own engineers

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the top majors are business, health professions, psychology, biology, communications, and engineering
• psychology biology Communications<01:18:10.080> and Communications and Communications and Engineering
• 13.199> on<01:18:13.400> Slide<01:18:13.880> Five<01:18:14.639> where Engineering
• okay so on Slide Five where Engineering okay so on Slide Five where does<01:18:15.199> the<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of a newly created House Education Funding Committee, which also handles career technical education and higher education legislation. The chair explained that the committee was split off from the larger education committee because of the high volume of bills in the prior biennium, and said its focus would be on education funding policy and related fiscal issues. He noted that the committee had already reviewed major topics with the Department of Education, including the foundation formula, building aid, career technical education, special education aid, catastrophic aid, and higher education funding, and that chancellors from the university and community college systems were scheduled to appear later that morning. The bulk of the meeting was an orientation on committee procedures and decorum. The chair reviewed attendance and replacement rules, hearing procedures, time limits for testimony, and how the committee would handle crowded hearings, early bills, and fiscal notes. He emphasized that hearings are not debates, that sponsors and co-sponsors may present but should not use their position to dominate questioning, and that the chair controls whether additional technical questions are asked of witnesses. He also stressed neutrality, saying members should not display buttons or placards or engage in running debates with testifiers, and that the committee should treat all testimony respectfully regardless of party or viewpoint. Additional housekeeping guidance covered security procedures, use of cell phones and computers during hearings, breaks and hydration in the dry hearing rooms, and courtesy toward the clerk and other staff. The chair also asked members to notify leadership in advance of absences and explained that some bills may require larger rooms or overflow arrangements. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said it may be funny to Representative Engin, but there is a bill and it is three sentences.
• She said it may be funny to Representative Engin, but there is a bill and it is three sentences.
• She said it may be funny to Representative Engin, but there is a bill and it is three sentences.
• She said it may be funny to Representative Engin, but there is a bill and it is three sentences.
• She said it may be funny to Representative Engin, but there is a bill and it is three sentences.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4240, an elections administration bill, was introduced as a package of updates to absentee voting, statewide voter registration system use, early voting procedures, recordkeeping, removal of outdated statutory language, and reimbursement for municipalities and counties that administer certain special elections. The author, Rep. Freiberg, described the bill as a modernization and efficiency measure that would clarify procedures while maintaining election security. Several amendments were adopted. The A4 amendment, offered by Rep. Freiberg, was described as aligning language with the Senate and passed without objection. The A6 amendment, offered by Rep. Cosnik, would give school districts more direction on polling locations for special elections in multi-county districts; Rep. Lee raised concerns that it could affect many districts statewide and questioned whether it applied to early voting, while Rep. Cosnik said it was narrowly tailored and intended to prevent disenfranchisement. Rep. Freiberg and Rep. Lee both said they would support it as a voter-access measure despite possible costs, and it was adopted. The A5 amendment, offered by Rep. Schultz, would require the Secretary of State to provide voter information to the U.S. Department of Justice upon request for civil-rights and federal voting-law enforcement; it was debated at length, with supporters framing it as election integrity and opponents arguing it would jeopardize voter privacy and could be used by the Trump administration to pressure Minnesota. The amendment was adopted after a roll call request. The debate on A5 was especially contentious, with Republicans arguing the state should cooperate with federal efforts to clean voter rolls and Democrats arguing the DOJ had overreached, mishandled civil-rights investigations, and sought voter data without a lawful need. Members on both sides cited voter fraud, privacy, and federal-state election authority, and several speakers referenced recent DOJ actions and court disputes. The transcript ends during further discussion of the federal role in elections, with no final disposition on the underlying bill shown in the excerpt.