Transcript Highlights:

• Reconsideration was kind of the priority because of the impacts of the judgment.
• ><00:54:27.280> the reconsideration was kind of is the reconsideration was kind of is the priority
• 28.800> the<00:54:28.960> impacts<00:54:29.440> of<00:54:29.680> the priority
• because of the impacts of the priority because of the impacts of the judgment<00:54:30.880> um
• and resources were put lot of priority and resources were put that<01:01:34.240> it<01:01:34.559

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures. SB 1602 would appropriate funds to DLNR for monitoring wells for the Koho aquifer system; DLNR and HHFDC supported it, and written testimony from several organizations and individuals was also in support. Members asked whether monitoring wells are a statewide function rather than a county function, and staff confirmed they are done statewide. The second bill was an administration measure clarifying that criminal water pollution enforcement remains with the Department of Health rather than DLNR. The Attorney General’s office said it was a cleanup clarification and that DOH has stronger enforcement powers and better testing capability; DOH and DLNR supported it, and there was no opposition noted. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1074 on environmental impact statements. The bill would let previously authorized or permitted commercial activities continue for up to one year while an agency determines whether environmental review applies after a challenge, and would allow permit renewals during that review. DLNR said it stood on written comments and suggested aligning the bill with similar House language. Supporters, including several ocean tourism and Maui business representatives, argued the bill would provide certainty and keep families and small operators working while environmental review is completed, especially in the wake of the Lahaina fires and ongoing business losses. Some supporters said the measure should be narrowed with a sunset or limited to recently renewed permits. Opponents, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could weaken HEPA/NEPA-style environmental review, especially for fisheries and other commercial activities. They said the bill could be used as a “Trojan horse” to avoid review and that DLNR could resolve the underlying disputes more quickly through settlement or existing exemption processes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess, as I listen to that, I would highly encourage that we make that a priority.
• for this amount of money that we're paying out, and I would hope that that rises to the top of the priority
• that we make would uh highly encourage that we make that<00:29:12.399> a<00:29:12.640> priority
• and I think our that a priority and I think our taxpayers<00:29:14.519> that<00:29:14.679>
• <00:29:30.399> list um up to the top of the priority list um up to the top of the priority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you can tell, I think they use a priority that we have some decision-making trees that we use
• you can tell I think they use a priority you can tell I think they use a priority that<00:31:40.519
• 01:05:09.880> a long-term um placement so uh it is a long-term um placement so uh it is a priority
• 05:12.000> and<01:05:12.520> and<01:05:12.880> you<01:05:13.000> know priority
• uh for us and and you know priority uh for us and and you know federally<01:05:13.720> to<01:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, again, here's our priorities.
• :05.959> our Administration so uh again here's our Administration so uh again here's our priorities
• a number a big one is priorities a number a big one is enhancing<00:15:09.160> the<00:15:09.320
• The governor, in meetings with business leaders, heard loud and clear this was a top priority, and so
• and so what this this was a top priority and so what this does<01:16:55.320> it<01:16:56.000>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We organize our work around four priority pillars, one of which is reducing the time to a rare disease
• <01:12:49.560> pillars our work around four priority pillars our work around four priority
• The priority is to identify conditions that need early treatment, sometimes urgently, so as to prevent
• The priority is to identify conditions that need early treatment, sometimes urgently, so as to prevent
• She said the priority is to identify conditions that need early treatment, sometimes urgently, so as

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• across the pae ʻāina that work with immigrants or immigrant communities, and this is one of our priority
• be given priority to enter the programs, and they run anywhere from two or three months up to 12 months
• be given priority to enter the programs, and they run anywhere from two or three months up to 12 months
• be given priority to enter the programs, and they run anywhere from two or three months up to 12 months
• system and the needs to be a priority system and the ones<02:51:12.479> with<02:51:12.640>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places. Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii. A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excited to go through it, and I'm sure you funded a tremendous amount of the Senate priorities.

Summary: The health care budget conference convened and the House presented its second offer on the health care budget and related projects, with changes marked in yellow on the documents. Senator Trumbull responded positively, noting that the House appeared to have funded a substantial number of Senate priorities. No members of the public or others requested to address the conference committee. With no further business before the committee, Senator Trumbull moved to adjourn, and the meeting ended without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excited to go through it, and I'm sure you funded a tremendous amount of the Senate priorities.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Excited to go through it, and I'm sure you funded a tremendous amount of the Senate priorities.

Summary: The health care budget conference convened and the House presented House Offer Number Two on the health care budget and projects, with changes marked in yellow on the left side of the pages. Senator Trumbull responded positively, noting that the House appeared to have funded a substantial number of Senate priorities and that this had been the goal. No members of the public or others came forward to address the conference committee. With no further business before the committee and the meeting being on one-hour notice, Senator Trumbull moved to adjourn. The conference adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• those are some of the pieces we wanted to highlight for you today, and then before we move into the priorities
• that, you know, middle-aged white males are at high risk of suicide and there are some specific priorities
• of suicide and there are some high risk of suicide and there are some specific<01:15:52.680> priorities
• that<01:15:53.680> we<01:15:53.840> have<01:15:54.000> focused specific priorities
• that we have focused specific priorities that we have focused on<01:15:54.640> as<01:15:54.760

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published. Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2. Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, I implore you to give higher priority to the safety of citizens and grant towns the freedom
• In closing, I implore you to give higher priority to the safety of citizens and grant towns the freedom
• In closing, I implore you to give higher priority to the safety of citizens and grant towns the freedom
• pavement during the day, and that the congestion of it at certain levels are not considered as top priority
• Not considered as top priority because it's still the responsibility of the motorists on navigating what's

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but military families already have an interstate compact that gives them priority and placement and
• <01:52:36.480> them interstate compact that gives them interstate compact that gives them priority
• and placement and moves them priority and placement and moves them seamlessly<01:52:40.320> from<
• You know, it is to give a smooth transition and priority to these children.
• You know, it is to give a smooth transition and priority to these children.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to have their highest priority making sure that the money that goes out from the state to those
• They need to have their highest priority making sure that the money that goes out from the state to those
• Here are the priorities from this roadmap."
• Here is the here are the priorities<00:53:27.599> from<00:53:27.839> this<00:53:28.079>
• So, in in priorities from this roadmap."

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Judge Tim O’Malley, Minnesota’s director of program integrity, presented a roadmap to program integrity and fraud prevention built around nine areas for improvement, including leadership and culture, stronger program controls, better coordination among agencies and prosecutors, training, technology modernization, independent oversight, stakeholder engagement, and expanded resources. He said long-standing vulnerabilities in state programs have been exploited by organized criminals, and argued the state must shift from reactive enforcement to front-end prevention, faster detection, and recovery of improper payments. He emphasized that modern data sharing and analytics are especially urgent, and said oversight and accountability are essential for lasting change. Fay Bernstein, a long-time DHS employee, testified that she experienced retaliation after raising contract compliance concerns years ago. She said she was removed from the building, barred from DHS property, investigated for months, and accused of racism and threatening leadership, which she denied. Bernstein argued DHS leadership lacks a fraud-prevention mindset and said the department’s culture punishes employees who speak up, while serious program failures have harmed vulnerable Minnesotans. She called for major leadership changes and firings at DHS. Members questioned O’Malley about whether fraud was driven more by sophisticated criminals or by weaknesses in state systems. He said the vulnerabilities have existed for a long time and organized criminal groups are taking advantage of them, especially where data sharing is weak. Members also pressed him on whistleblower protections and retaliation; O’Malley said he should have included the legislature among places employees can report concerns, and said complaints should be thoroughly investigated with accurate information and appropriate consequences for supervisors who fail to act, ranging from coaching to termination depending on the case. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our planning process, we identified that the biggest priority and need was to look at addressing range
• And we know that our rural areas are a priority for long-distance charging.
• Biggest priority and need was to look at addressing range anxiety and long-distance travel.
• And we know that our rural areas are a priority for long-distance charging.
• And we know that our rural areas are a priority for long-distance charging.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel Working Group. Commissioner Nancy Doenberger opened with introductions from members representing state agencies, legislators, utilities, local governments, industry groups, advocacy organizations, and others. The group then elected its leadership: Senator Anne Johnson Stewart was nominated and unanimously elected chair, and Representative Steve Elkins was nominated and unanimously elected vice chair. Senator Johnson Stewart said she would ensure all viewpoints are heard and asked MnDOT to continue running the meeting for practical reasons. Austin Turman of the Legislative Coordinating Commission reviewed the authorizing legislation. He explained that the working group must analyze electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, develop a roadmap with policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding consistent with the Minnesota Constitution, and study other states’ approaches to equitable fuel assessment methods for electric vehicles. The group’s report is due February 13 and will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. Turman also briefly reviewed open meeting law requirements, noting the group must operate publicly when a quorum discusses official business, though public comment is not required. Members then discussed the purpose of the group and the need to find a fair replacement or supplement for declining gas tax revenue as EVs increase. Senator Johnson Stewart emphasized balancing system funding needs with user-based fairness, including differences in vehicle weight and road use. Representative Murphy stressed the need to consider rural Minnesota, taxpayer impacts, and current science, including climate and CO2 issues. Drive Electric Minnesota said EV drivers should pay their fair share and not be overburdened, while the Department of Revenue said it wants to administer the new EV charging-station tax fairly. A trucking representative highlighted that passenger vehicles and freight vehicles have very different operating and charging needs, suggesting the group consider those differences in any fee structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Downtown's rebirth is a core priority for the city.
• especially as FEMA winds down its Joint Field Office in Pasadena and other disasters and policy priorities
• That is something that is a huge priority to them, and I've heard that from several residents that are
• Your concerns are always going to be top priority to me, and we'll continue to work with them.
• And we believe and agree with what was the Senate's priority last year, that there should be off-ramps

Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation that's coming from the previous session that might impact policies, those would need to take priority
• legislation that's coming from the previous session that might impact policies, those would need to take priority
• <00:29:06.159> take policies, those would need to take policies, those would need to take priority
• c> I<00:29:07.600> think<00:29:07.840> specifying<00:29:08.480> exactly priority
• So, I think specifying exactly priority.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions. Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a priority of the legislative majority at that time to pass this law that has now resulted in
• It was a priority of the legislative majority at that time to pass this law that has now resulted in
• It was a priority of the legislative majority at that time to pass this law that has now resulted in
• accurate and prompt is one of our is accurate and prompt is one of our highest<00:53:39.599> priorities
• <00:53:40.319> and<00:53:40.520> having<00:53:40.720> the highest priorities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair said that if members had high-priority items, they could tell them on the record.
• you've got as we go into that in fact if you've got um<01:03:01.520> high<01:03:01.799> priority
• things if you want to um high priority things if you want to just<01:03:03.359> tell<01:03:03.520
• page, before we started setting out the actual budget, we decided to work through our strategic priorities
• page, before we started setting out the actual budget, we decided to work through our strategic priorities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, HF 1277 is a high legislative priority for the Minnesota Pipe Trades Association.
• In closing, this is a legislative priority for the Minnesota Pipe Trades.
• know we are losing good programs every single day because we are not making child care a funding priority
• /c><00:57:34.000> understand<00:57:34.200> that<00:57:34.400> those funding priority
• I understand that those funding priority I understand that those who<00:57:34.760> support<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• recommendation would allow us to hire a couple of people to assist us in that work, and their main priorities
• recommendation would allow us to hire a couple of people to assist us in that work, and their main priorities
• reviewing them and may add different conditions to the funding in order to direct it in certain priorities
• reviewing them and may add different conditions to the funding in order to direct it in certain priorities
• reviewing them and may add different conditions to the funding in order to direct it in certain priorities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all