Transcript Highlights:

• They can still do it the old-fashioned way, but this is an alternative.
• They can still do it the old-fashioned way, but this is an alternative.
• There's also but this is an alternative.
• You can do it on your phone, but this gives you another alternative to do that.
• but this gives you another alternative but this gives you another alternative to<00:09:40.800>

Bills: HB393, HB61, SB234, SB234

Keywords: entertainment district, alcohol consumption, local governance, city council, public spaces, home school, career and technical education, public schools, K-12 education, enrollment policy, Cherokee County, off-road vehicle park, ORV park, ATV, all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike, off-highway vehicle, recreational vehicle, county permit, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• WE RECEIVED FOR LOWER-COST REGULATORY ALTERNATIVES IN THE RULE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, RESPONDED TO THOSE
• OUR ESTIMATE AGAIN CAME DOWN TO 2600 AFTER THE LOWER-COST REGULATORY ALTERNATIVES WERE IMPLEMENTED.
• Conerly: WITH REGARD TO THE ALTERNATIVES, UNDERSTANDING THAT LAND WASN'T NECESSARILY A CONSIDERATION
• Overdorf: YES SIR. >> WE DO NOT AT THE TIME THE REGULATORY ALTERNATIVES THAT WERE PROVIDED THAT WAS NOT
• I THINK IT WAS AFTER I SERVED AS ALTERNATING CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE BEFORE THAT I REALIZED WE COULD

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, I know we all want, and I include AT&T here, to get to a time when we have alternatives to
• So to areas that have less than three alternative providers, including a wireline provider, there has
• And also that there must be a comparatively priced alternative.
• Is the comment about the fiber, yeah, the alternative technologies available?
• That we define what alternative basic service was. So if you don't define it, you can't measure it.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 470, which would change California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules and allow a phased transition away from copper landlines in areas deemed well served by alternative phone options. The author and AT&T argued the bill would protect consumers, preserve 911 access, require public notice and CPUC review, and direct investment toward modern fiber and emergency communications. Supporters included a wide range of business, civic, tribal, and community groups, while opponents from TURN, rural counties, labor, digital equity organizations, and local governments warned the bill could let AT&T shed service obligations too quickly, weaken protections for rural and underserved households, and harm workers. After extensive member discussion about CPUC authority, rural carveouts, labor impacts, and reinvestment, AB 470 was passed do pass as amended to Appropriations, with one no vote and one not voting, and the roll left open. The committee then took up AB 1532, a committee omnibus bill extending funding and surcharge authority for the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program and the TNC Access for All program, while also adding CPUC accountability provisions. Chair Boerner Horvath explained the bill would not raise consumer costs and would require the CPUC to appear at hearings when requested and adopt rules for commissioner attendance. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was moved do pass and re-refer to Utilities and Energy, though the roll was left open because it had not yet reached the threshold for immediate transmission. Finally, the committee heard AB 353, the Affordable Home Internet Act of 2025, which would establish an affordability floor for home broadband for low-income Californians after the expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Supporters said broadband costs remain too high and that families, students, and vulnerable communities need a state solution now; opponents from the wireless industry and rural county representatives argued the bill would amount to an artificial price mandate and could complicate existing rural broadband buildouts. Members generally supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on small ISPs and rural areas, and the bill was moved forward with a motion and second while discussion continued about possible exemptions and amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the district is trying to get this information on this thing, and it's going to go through this pathway
• of the district is trying to get this information on this thing, and it's going to go through this pathway
• to<02:00:57.840> go<02:00:58.000> through<02:00:58.239> this<02:00:58.480> pathway
• <02:00:59.040> They<02:00:59.280> didn't to go through this pathway.
• They didn't to go through this pathway.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our Pathways emergency shelter housing program.
• This<00:37:50.440> is<00:37:50.600> our<00:37:50.720> Pathways<00:37:51.320>
• emergency<00:37:52.000> shelter This is our Pathways emergency shelter This is our Pathways
• We know this is not enough, but are still grateful to have Pathways shelter and housing program.

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So within our civil servant uh working uh with Senator Del Cruz is always talking about pathways and
• is always uh with Senator Del Cruz is always talking<00:10:17.920> about<00:10:18.720> pathways
• <00:10:19.440> and<00:10:19.839> ways<00:10:20.160> of talking about pathways
• and ways of talking about pathways and ways of moving<00:10:20.640> up.
• would give them delegation, uh, or something like that, so that departments can see that there is a pathway

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it creates one expedited licensure pathway, and we're also, from my understanding, the boards are
• Um it creates one an expedited uh<01:01:10.480> lensure<01:01:11.040> pathway<01:01:12.160
• and<01:01:12.640> we're<01:01:12.960> also<01:01:13.760> from uh lensure pathway
• and we're also from uh lensure pathway and we're also from my<01:01:14.160> understanding<01:
• explanation of the bill, but the main purpose is again to offer an expedited licensure process or pathway

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up several bills described as vehicles to keep options open for pending rural health issues, especially the rural health transformation fund and the Greenwood Hospital situation. The chair explained that Greenwood Hospital is struggling financially and operationally, including a Medicaid overpayment dispute in which Medicaid planned to recoup $2 million from a December payment, threatening payroll and continued operation. The committee discussed a proposed committee substitute that would delay recoupment until May 1 and preserve legislative flexibility to help Greenwood if a workable plan emerges. The committee adopted motions for title sufficiency and due pass on the block of bills, including the committee substitute and reverse repealer provisions. The committee then turned to two certificate-of-need bills. One bill, 2474, was presented as a rural hospitals measure that would let certain rural hospitals obtain certificates of need for services such as outpatient dialysis units, ambulatory surgical facilities, and geriatric psychiatric units, with definitions aimed largely at Delta and other rural counties. The chair also included a provision making the state health officer’s licensing decision final and not subject to judicial review, with only a short reconsideration process available. Senator Hill objected, arguing the bill concentrated too much power in the health department, eliminated meaningful court review, and unfairly picked winners and losers instead of letting the market work. The chair responded that the goal was to reduce costly, repetitive litigation and preserve access to care in areas where hospitals struggle financially. The committee then considered Senator Blackwell’s broader CO bill, which would address appeals and litigation more generally by shifting costs to the losing party in CO disputes. A reverse repealer was adopted first, and the chair explained that the bill was intended to reduce endless and expensive appeals while still allowing a limited opportunity for reconsideration. Senators Hill and others raised concerns about limiting judicial review and expanding health department power, while the chair said many states have no judicial review in this area and that the committee was exploring the issue further. The chair said he had asked several members to study the matter and contact the National Council of State Legislatures. The committee ultimately adopted the motions on the bills and amendments by voice vote, with the ayes prevailing each time.

Transcript Highlights:

• mission in mind: to meet people where they are, offer them immediate support, and provide long-term pathways
• taught in our communities that you leave something better than you found it, and I think we can find a pathway
• we<01:05:22.960> can<01:05:23.119> find<01:05:23.200> a<01:05:23.440> pathway
• /c><01:05:23.680> to<01:05:23.839> do<01:05:24.000> that think we can find a pathway
• to do that think we can find a pathway to do that with<01:05:24.319> this<01:05:24.480> and

Bills: HF474, HF218, HF210, HF441, HF691, HF720, HF1068, HF1314, HF1465, HF1860, HF2046, HF1389, HF2404, HF2854, HF2985, HF3128, HF3103, HF778, HF3125

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Creating a clear pathway to PCA certification will enhance the professionalism, performance, and quality
• outstanding opportunity for us to work together to meet an acute need in our communities while creating the pathway
• need in our communities while creating need in our communities while creating the<00:15:33.240> pathway
• to<00:15:34.000> gainful<00:15:34.519> employment<00:15:35.519> the the pathway
• to gainful employment the the pathway to gainful employment the three-year<00:15:36.120> pilot

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• if there is a green waste or potential knowledge of something at the port or at the docks in any pathway
• if there is a green waste or potential knowledge of something at the port or at the docks in any pathway
• <01:40:54.520> docks<01:40:55.280> in<01:40:55.560> any<01:40:55.920> pathway
• <01:40:56.480> that<01:40:57.199> we at the docks in any pathway that we at the docks
• in any pathway that we strengthen<01:40:57.880> the<01:40:58.040> language<01:40:58.400

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the goal and the pathway to the 30 by 3, I think?
• Bowan mentioned, if schools do want to innovate and they do want to create their own pathways with the
• to you know be create their<00:44:06.400> own<00:44:06.680> like<00:44:06.960> Pathways
• <00:44:07.640> with<00:44:07.800> the their own like Pathways with the their own like
• Pathways with the approval<00:44:08.280> of<00:44:08.400> the<00:44:08.480> superintendent

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:40:31.000> methods was that there are alternative methods was that there are alternative
• <03:42:35.279> to we're talking about um alternatives to we're talking about um alternatives
• What are some of the alternate means, and why would we, uh, in line 15...
• part is um evidence-based Alternatives part is um evidence-based Alternatives shall<04:11:51.680
• He writes on Substack, which is an alternate news source.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with House Bill 184, which would create a committee to study changing school start times. Members discussed Amendment 0394, which made the study committee’s duties more investigative and adjusted reporting recipients, including the Governor. Several members raised questions about whether the committee should review evidence-based studies, local district decisions, and existing district reports; supporters said the amendment would better allow the committee to gather information and recognize local control. The amendment passed 17-0, and the bill as amended also passed 17-0. Representative Litchfield noted that no one had testified in opposition and encouraged the future study committee to review an Oyster River School District report on school start times. The committee then took up House Bill 394, concerning cooperative school district budget committees and board member representatives. Amendment 0476 was adopted 17-0 after discussion that it clarified the bill’s language and reflected work with the School Boards Association. The committee then voted OTPA on the bill, which also passed 17-0. House Bill 738, requiring background checks for employees and volunteers at certain non-public schools or education service providers receiving public funds, was moved inexpedient to legislate. Supporters said the bill would create practical and legal problems for private citizens and homeschooling families, and the motion passed 15-2 with no minority report, placing the bill on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 235, which would amend the educator code of ethics and conduct to add responsibilities to parents. Supporters argued parents should be explicitly included in the code, while opponents said parents were already covered in existing ethics language and statute. The bill passed narrowly, 9-8. The committee then returned to House Bill 532 on alternate dispute resolution and individualized education plan team meeting facilitation. Amendment 0480H clarified that different rules would apply separately to neutral conference, mediation, and IEP facilitation; it passed 17-0, and the bill as amended also passed 17-0. Finally, the committee moved to House Bill 564, concerning adoption of school administrative unit budgets, and voted to retain the bill for further review because members said there was still confusion about how it would apply to single-district and multi-district SAUs.

Transcript Highlights:

• and defines how to measure greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled, and the impacts and the alternatives
• Engineers are looking at me. ...vehicle miles traveled and the impacts and the alternatives and cost
• Many of the assets cannot and should not be paid for with trunk highway funds, so alternative revenue
• So alternative revenue sources will be needed, providing additional mitigation options can also give
• The alternative can't be to give them no flexibility.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 748, a bill revising Minnesota’s transportation greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) impact assessment requirements for trunk highway projects. The chair first moved and adopted the A2 author’s amendment and then the A3 amendment, which was described as adding implementation time and project exemptions when federal dollars are available. The bill author explained that the measure responds to concerns from stakeholders that the current law can force costly mitigation, delay or stop safety and capacity projects, and create uncertainty because key implementation details are still being developed by a technical advisory committee. Testimony was split. County and city engineers, county commissioners, the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities generally supported the bill, arguing that the current requirements can add 20% to 40% or more to project costs, are difficult to administer, and could jeopardize critical safety improvements, congestion relief, and federal funding. They cited examples such as Scott County and Trunk Highway 65, and said VMT mitigation is especially hard to quantify and fund. Opponents, including Move Minnesota and Sierra Club, argued that safety and climate goals are not in conflict, that reducing driving can save lives and reduce pollution, and that the bill would weaken an important tool for cutting transportation emissions. Members also asked about how GHG and VMT are measured, whether the required assessment was ready, and who would be responsible for mitigation assets and costs. After discussion, the committee held a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, passed 8-7 and was moved to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:40.000> that Project or is there an alternative that Project or is there an alternative
• The Met Council already studied bus rapid transit route alternatives for this corridor in the alternatives
• The Met Council already studied bus rapid transit route alternatives for this corridor in the alternatives
• The Met Council already studied bus rapid transit route alternatives for this corridor in the alternatives
• The Met Council already studied bus rapid transit route alternatives for this corridor in the alternatives

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternative grants in 2005. Do you know what the vote was in this House chamber? 112 to 17.
• But we knew then that no one would ever get rid of positive alternatives.
• But if we're going to give money to Planned Parenthood, we should provide the positive alternatives.
• True choice means offering women real alternatives, not funneling them. into one path when Democrats
• It is about the alternative options for women. That's the truth.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was historic funding for the positive alternative grants program prior to 2023.
• The positive alternative grants ran prior to 2023.
• And this Positive Alternatives was voted on. I... everybody, so that women had a choice.
• Is this new, or is this something that was funded as part of Positive Alternatives?
• <00:41:53.400> representative of positive alternative representative of positive alternative

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um Autin alternative aviation fuels.
• Um I will use the term alternative Um I will use the term alternative aviation<00:03:17.200>
• gallons of of alternative aviation fuel. gallons of of alternative aviation fuel.
• equivalent to a gallon of alternative equivalent to a gallon of alternative aviation<00:05:09.440
• been extended to alternative aviation fuel.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force approved the October 14, 2025 meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from Austin Kaylor of WSP on alternative aviation fuels. Kaylor described an ongoing feasibility study focused on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the other four commercial airports in Kentucky, with an eye toward both near-term use of alternative aviation fuel in existing supply chains and longer-term in-state production using local feedstocks. He said Kentucky’s current jet fuel use at the five airports is about 609 million gallons annually and could approach 1 billion gallons by 2050, and he outlined potential feedstocks such as soybeans, corn, and waste oils, along with existing logistics assets like river terminals, trucking, rail, and some pipelines. He also discussed federal and state policy support, including renewable fuel credits and the recent 45Z tax credit extension, and said the study suggests significant economic-development potential if Kentucky can leverage existing infrastructure and incentives. Members asked about the cost of sustainable aviation fuel, whether taxpayers would be subsidizing it, and whether food crops would be diverted from food use. Kaylor responded that the market is increasingly using second-generation and waste-based feedstocks, that federal incentives can cover much of the price differential, and that SAF is a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel with some efficiency benefits. He said demand comes from both U.S. and foreign carriers, including major U.S. airlines that have made emissions-reduction commitments. Members also raised the possibility of locating production in Appalachia to create jobs closer to feedstock sources; Kaylor said that approach has worked in other states and could fit Kentucky’s logistics network. The committee then heard from Leif Elder of the Utah Department of Transportation, who introduced himself and said he would discuss advanced air mobility legislation in Utah. The transcript cuts off before his substantive presentation, and no further votes or actions were recorded after the question-and-answer discussion on alternative aviation fuels.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would also note that the alternative, pass-through pricing, the administrative charges are higher for
• So this is an existing pathway already can happen.
• So this is an existing pathway postoc.
• So this is an existing pathway already<04:13:44.399> can<04:13:44.640> happen.
• <04:14:40.080> or doesn't disrupt the existing pathways or doesn't disrupt the existing pathways

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Serrano, and we have Senator Martins as the committee ranker and Senator Helming as the alternate
• SENATOR SERRANO AND WE HAVE SENATOR MARTINS AS THE COMMITTEE RANKER AND SENATOR HELMING AS THE ALTERNATE
• And we have as alternates, Assembly Member Brian Cunningham and Assembly Member Jonathan Jacobson.
• On the other side of the aisle, we have Assembly Member Chris Tague and the alternate Assembly Member
• And with that, we will begin going back and alternating with the Senate on making opening >> Thank you

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing opened budget negotiations for the 2026-2027 enacted budget, with Senate and Assembly leaders outlining their one-house proposals and committee members giving brief remarks. The discussion covered environment, agriculture, housing, parks, and energy, with repeated emphasis on affordability, climate resilience, and support for rural and urban communities. Senate and Assembly chairs described the process and noted the agencies present, while minority members criticized the overall size of the budgets and urged more attention to housing affordability, building stakeholders, and energy costs. On the environment and energy side, the Senate highlighted proposals for $138 million in additional clean water infrastructure funding, a $75 million increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, $95 million in restored parks capital, $200 million for the Energy Affordability Program, and $1 billion for Sustainable Futures 2.0, including a proposed revival of the NY STUN program. The Assembly said it increased the EPF to $500 million, raised clean water infrastructure funding to $800 million, and included targeted amounts for cities, rural housing-related water projects, Cornell Ag Tech, and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management. Democrats argued that high utility bills are driven by natural gas costs rather than clean energy, while Senate and Assembly Republicans said the CLCPA and other energy mandates are increasing costs and should be reconsidered. Agriculture remarks focused on research, farm support, and resilience. Senator Hinchey described funding for Cornell’s COWS program, Farm to School amendments, $7 million for farm worker housing, and a new $20 million Farm Weather Resiliency Grant Program. Chair Lupardo said the Assembly added $16 million over the Governor’s proposal for educational research and outreach, restored support for beginning and disadvantaged farmers, and backed dairy, livestock, hemp fiber, and natural fibers initiatives, while also accepting $30 million in farmer tariff relief if guidelines are set. Minority Assembly Member Tague supported dairy infrastructure funding but criticized the farm labor overtime phase-down and the CLCPA’s impacts on farms. Housing discussion centered on major capital and assistance programs. The Assembly proposed $200 million more for the Housing Access Voucher Program, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and NYCHA, $50 million for down payment assistance, $4 million for fair housing testing, land banks, and $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program. The Senate outlined similar priorities, including $500 million for NYCHA, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama preservation, $250 million total for HAVP, and additional funding for mixed-income rental development, vacant rentals, senior housing, and block-by-block infill. Chair Rosenthal said rent stabilization was not being changed in the budget, while Republican members argued that affordability requires lower taxes, lower utility costs, and fewer regulatory burdens. No votes were taken; the meeting was an opening round of budget negotiations and ended with closing remarks from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• This initiative would permit each appointing authority to designate alternates to conserve vote. receive
• that the continuity of decision-making while maintaining tightening rigorous qualifications for alternates
• This is pertinent because of the inability to appoint alternate members has created some challenges for
• This provision ensures that no vacancies disrupt board proceedings, allows alternates to step in as needed
• And perhaps an alternative way to address this issue through future legislation. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all