Transcript Highlights:

• All of these guides include basic information on voting, who is eligible to vote, where they can vote
• , who is eligible information on voting, who is eligible to<01:18:47.440> vote,<01:18:48.239><
• > and<01:18:49.280> when to vote, where they can vote, and when to vote, where they can
• um are part of the activity for voting. um are part of the activity for voting.
• Vote, when to vote, and details about what offices might appear on an individual's ballot.

Bills: HF4348, HF4186, HF4202, HF4455, HF3884, HF3883, HF3882, HF3881, HF2688, HF3295, HF3862, HF3362, HF4242, HF3798

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go ahead and take the vote.
• So respectfully, I ask for your aye vote.
• There have been no votes in the process.
• There have been no votes. No, no votes in the process.
• Not voting. Tangipa. Not voting. Looks like that'll get out.

Summary: The committee heard several water- and environment-related bills. SB 72, by Senator Caballero, would modernize the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040. Supporters from water districts, local governments, business groups, and agricultural interests argued the bill is needed to address climate-driven shortages, protect the economy, and improve planning for droughts, flooding, recharge, recycling, storage, and conveyance. Opponents, including environmental and conservation groups, argued the bill could overstate demand, increase costs, and make it harder to protect instream flows and ecosystems. The committee discussed the science behind the 9 million acre-feet target and the need to balance water supply planning with fish and ecological needs. SB 72 passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369, by Senator Padilla, would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to hazardous conditions at the Salton Sea, create good local jobs in Imperial County, and ensure long-term workforce standards for publicly funded restoration projects. Support came from labor organizations, contractors, and other regional stakeholders; no opposition testified. Members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and the importance of workforce development. The bill passed on a do-pass motion to Labor and Employment. SB 697, by Senator Laird, would update the stream system adjudication process by allowing the State Water Board to use modern technology, such as stream gauges and digitized records, when investigating water rights claims, while still allowing field investigations when needed. The author said the process has not been updated since 1976 and should be streamlined. After amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, there was no opposition testimony. The committee asked whether the bill would affect pre-1914 water rights, and the author said it would not. SB 697 passed as amended to Judiciary. The committee also approved consent calendar items SB 599, SB 609, and SB 765 earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are the major pieces of where our budget goes to.
• On slide 5, you can see one of the major drivers for this decrease.
• Use that for major construction priorities," right?
• one dissenting vote.
• In committee, I voted for it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Balman voted aye. Representative Bray voted aye. Representative Brown voted yes.
• Representative Imes voted yes. Representative Lewis voted yes. Representative Maddox voted yes.
• Representative Stalker voted yes. Representative Whitten voted yes. Chair Flannery voted yes.
• Representative Stalker voted yes. Representative Whitten voted yes. Chair Flannery voted yes.
• ready for a vote all those in favor vote ready for a vote all those in favor vote I<00:13:18.240

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:15 Roll Call 00:25 HB 403 Discussion 02:11 HB 403 Vote 03:08 HB 555 Discussion 04:55 HB 555 Vote 08:42 HB 321 Discussion 10:55 HB 321 Vote 13:22 HB 18 Discussion 15:21 HB 18 Vote 35:10 HB 85 Discussion 39:08 HB 85 Vote 46:40 HB 371 Discussion 49:22 HB 371 Vote 52:03 Adjournment 53:48, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly focused on local planning, zoning, and municipal administration. House Bill 403, a simple measure giving coroners a six-month grace period to complete continuing education, was presented by Rep. Deanna Gordon with testimony from Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelson and received unanimous support. House Bill 555, a technical bill affecting audit deadlines and flexibility for small cities and certain expo center audit arrangements, was explained by JD Cheney of the Kentucky League of Cities; he said it would help about 97 cities comply with audit requirements and allow more flexibility when municipalities are making good-faith efforts. The committee approved HB 555 on a roll call vote, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee and others in favor, and reported it favorably to the House floor. House Bill 321, also presented with JD Cheney and Rep. DJ Johnson, would expand the time for planning commission and board of adjustment members to complete orientation and continuing education, with a focus on housing supply and accessibility. Supporters said it would help recruit more members and concentrate training on land-use impacts on housing; Rep. Roarx and others discussed Louisville Metro’s planning process, while Rep. Brown and Rep. Fleming raised concerns about infrastructure and long-range planning. The committee passed HB 321 favorably after roll call, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee. House Bill 18 drew the most extended debate. Sponsor Rep. John Hodgson said the committee substitute would create incentives for infill development in urban areas and extend a moratorium on zoning district classification changes for two more years, arguing that local elected officials should have more control over major density changes and that unelected boards were approving projects without adequate infrastructure review. Opponents, including Liam Gallagher of Americans for Prosperity Kentucky and several members, argued the bill would restrict housing development, interfere with property rights, and limit Louisville Metro’s ability to update its Land Development Code; supporters countered that the bill would not stop development but would require elected officials to weigh in and address traffic and infrastructure concerns. After discussion, the committee approved HB 18 as amended by the substitute and reported it favorably to the House floor, with several members explaining their votes and some opposing the moratorium on local zoning changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gander votes aye. Hicks. Hicks votes no. McDonald. McDonald votes aye.
• Gander votes I. Gander votes I. Hicks. Gander votes I. Gander votes I. Hicks.
• yes vote. yes vote.
• Gander votes aye. Hicks votes yes.
• Gander votes I. Gander votes I. Hicks. Gander votes I. Gander votes I. Hicks.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If I could respond, on a narrow vote. Just as you've stated, I think so.
• If I could respond, on a narrow vote, the board did approve that.
• But I do know that it was contentious and on a very close vote.
• if we make major changes to the present formula, and it's only 70% and all that.
• not going to take a vote on it.

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review how North Dakota might identify and address low-producing academic programs and to discuss draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the NDUS explained that the State Board of Higher Education is already developing a system-wide policy, using models from other states such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, and Connecticut. She described how low-producing programs are typically flagged by multi-year enrollment or completion thresholds, then reviewed for workforce demand, mission fit, cost, accreditation, and regional need before any action is taken. Committee members asked about what counts as a program, how costs are analyzed, whether certificates are included, how exemptions work for mission-critical or high-demand fields, and whether the board or legislature should set the rules. Johnson said the board is the appropriate body to lead the process, but legislators could use funding leverage if they wanted to encourage action; the chair asked the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal uses fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder undergraduate rate of $7,000 per FTE and a graduate/professional rate of $10,500, plus incentives for completions in in-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council walked through the projected funding effects, noting that the model would increase funding for NDSU and reduce it for UND in the current biennium, with different results in the next biennium as enrollment changes are recognized. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the definition of in-demand programs, the treatment of research funding, and the exclusion of state-appropriated dollars from the external grants calculation. The chair emphasized that the numbers were illustrative and that appropriators would set the actual dollar amounts later. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. That model uses fall census FTE without a weighted economic factor, applies a higher undergraduate rate, and adds completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other completions. Members noted that the formula would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and discussed whether the nine institutions should be treated more uniformly or split into smaller groups because of their different missions and sizes. Committee members and staff repeatedly stressed that the formulas are still being refined and that some institutions would likely need hold-harmless adjustments or other transition measures. The meeting ended with the chair directing the committee to continue the discussion later and to expect further work on both the low-producing program policy and the funding formulas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Castillo, not voting. Vanta. Aye. Salace, aye. Castillo, not voting. Bonta. Patel. Petrie-Norris.
• And with that, respectfully, ask for an aye vote. Thank you, Senatorwoman.
• So, you know, because of that, I'm going to not be voting on this bill. Okay.
• Petri Norris, not voting. Petri Norris not voting. Stephanie. Soria? Sawia, aye. Aye. Wallace, aye.
• Okay, so the vote is 8-0. This bill is out of committee. The vote is 8-0.

Summary: The Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee met in person and established quorum after beginning briefly as a subcommittee. The committee adopted its rules and then heard several bills focused on economic recovery, housing, technology, retail theft, and utility infrastructure. AB 265 (Caloza) would create a $100 million state-funded small business and nonprofit recovery program for organizations affected by declared emergencies; it drew broad support from small business, nonprofit, chamber, city, and community groups, with no opposition voiced. AB 797 (Harabedian) proposed a zero-cost state financing structure using CRA-backed securities to help community nonprofits buy wildfire-damaged properties at fair market value and prevent predatory investor purchases; it was presented as a community stabilization tool and received support from the California Community Foundation, with no opposition. AB 940 (Wicks/Ellis) would establish quantum innovation zones to strengthen California’s quantum computing economy, and AB 949 (Shiavo) would create a retail theft grant program for small businesses to fund security improvements and theft prevention measures; both bills were supported by business and university witnesses, though one member said they would not vote for AB 949 due to concerns about broader crime policy. AB 1347 (Carrillo) proposed a pilot program to speed utility interconnections in priority growth regions, including allowing developers to trade expedited connections for upfront infrastructure cost recovery and use microgrids in some cases; it had no opposition in the hearing. Committee members generally expressed support for the bills, especially those aimed at disaster recovery and small business resilience. Questions on AB 940 focused on where quantum innovation zones might be located and how local governments and universities would coordinate; the author and witnesses said the zones should be open statewide and could build on existing research centers such as Berkeley, Stanford, Caltech, UCSB, UCLA, and UCSC. On AB 797, members discussed the need to protect homeowners from below-market offers after wildfires. On AB 949, the author emphasized that modest grants could help small businesses make security upgrades and prevent repeated theft losses. The committee voted to send AB 265, AB 797, AB 940, AB 949, and AB 1347 forward, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with the bills reported out of committee and placed on call as needed. The consent calendar, including AB 254, AB 415, AB 655, AB 1232, AB 1254, AB 1477, and HR 27, was also approved. The hearing adjourned at 10:33 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• > members Both majority minority caucus members Both majority minority caucus members held<01:
• Majority Leader Shan Quinlan. Majority Caucus Leader Kirstin Kahaloa. Majority Floor Leader D.
• Assistant Majority Floor Leader Trish La Chica. Majority Whip Lisa Kitagawa.
• Majority Whip Amy Perruso. Majority Whip Tyson Miyake.
• <01:33:57.040> Moricawa, Majority Floor Leader D. Moricawa, Majority Floor Leader D.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be a yes vote on the bill too. I'll be a yes vote on the bill too.
• a no vote on this amendment. Mr. Chair, a no vote on this amendment. Mr.
• Chair, I encourage a yes vote.
• Chair, I encourage a yes vote.
• Chair, I encourage a yes vote.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No matter what you're a Democratic or Republican We vote for you. We vote for you to defend us.
• Because if it goes down to a vote, the majority party is always going to win.
• The right to vote. Those individuals that have come in have had rights to vote.
• Did we have the opportunity to vote early? Did we have an opportunity to vote somewhere else?
• So that's our major concern.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair I urge an aye vote. Thank you. Thank you.
• We urge you to vote no on SB 414. Thank you. Thank you.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
• you want to let's do votes first Okay, starting with the consent calendar.
• I will call the vote. Thank you. Thank you. Lowenthal aye. Patel aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:47:09.520> majority surveys a substantial major majority surveys a substantial major majority
• Representative Perusso votes aye. Representative Takayama votes aye. Representative Todd votes aye.
• members if not Vice chair for the vote members if not Vice chair for the vote voting<02:14:41.559
• vote voting on House Vice chair for the vote voting on House Bill<02:15:10.000> 1277<02:15:10.719
• If not, Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on House Bill 111 as is.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 302, which would repeal the requirement that a provider-patient relationship for medical cannabis certification be established in person first. The Department of Health said it supported the House Draft 2 version as a way to expand patient access, and several testifiers from the medical cannabis community and dispensary industry supported the bill, especially for patients on outer islands or those unable to travel. One witness asked that earlier language removed in committee be restored to further improve access. Representative Shimizu asked whether follow-up in-person visits would still occur, and DOH responded that this varies by provider, with some continuing in-person care and others moving to telehealth for chronic conditions. The committee then took up House Bill 712, relating to the federal 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacies. The Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office both said they supported the bill’s purpose but wanted it clarified and possibly moved into a standalone chapter rather than chapter 481B. Supporters, including Hawaii Pacific Health and the Queen’s Health Systems, said the bill is needed to protect safety-net funding and access to discounted drugs, citing large financial benefits from 340B and losses caused by manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies. PhRMA opposed the bill, arguing the issue is not access to discounts but accountability and transparency in how contract pharmacies distribute benefits, and said it was willing to discuss amendments. Members asked follow-up questions about whether there was data showing misuse; PhRMA said it did not have numbers, while hospital witnesses said the program is federally audited and used appropriately in Hawaii. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1482, HD1, which would tighten hemp and controlled-substance definitions to exclude Schedule I cannabinoids from manufactured hemp products and clarify the treatment of artificially derived cannabis. The Department of Health supported the measure, saying it adds clarity to existing prohibitions. Kūre Hawaii and other supporters said it would close loopholes involving Delta-8 and similar products. An individual testifier urged stronger language to also cover compounds such as HHC, THCA, THCP, and THCO. In response to questions about enforcement against mislabeled hemp products, DOH explained that THC percentages are relative to product weight, that some products can remain under the hemp threshold while still containing significant THC, and that hemp flower is already prohibited from direct retail sale, though enforcement can be complicated and involves both administrative and criminal authorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• > and majority of our buildings and majority of our buildings and infrastructure<00:04:04.799>
• with a with a straight majority? with a with a straight majority?
• <01:04:21.200> because subject to supermajority vote because subject to supermajority vote
• That's been the supermajority vote.
• supermajority vote. supermajority vote. >> Chair<01:04:58.000> Hansen.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll vote I. If you're amendment. You'll vote I.
• And uh so I really feel like this is going to be a major, major, major step forward in helping to regulate
• vote. 148, no days. HB475 passes. vote. 148, no days. HB475 passes.
• Speeding is the major issue. Speeding is the major issue.
• The members will vote. All the members voted. Clerk, lock the machine.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And encourage you to vote ought to pass.
• >> You got a vote on the amendment. >> Oh, I thought we already voted on it. >> Uh, all in favor of the
• So uh a major storm happens uh in there.
• All in favor voted aye; there were no opposed.
• <02:24:31.680> Vote. >> I think that's what he meant. Vote.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:49.040> of half of the clear majority of half of the clear majority of Minnesotans<
• majority of my constituents. majority of my constituents.
• And they said, "Don't worry, we voted for you already.
• And they said, "Don't worry, we voted for you already.
• And they said, "Don't worry, we voted for you already.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• vote.
• It's my intention means a majority vote.
• So, and I don't think that the committee would likely be able to get majority votes for either way on
• <00:58:58.640> votes<00:58:59.040> for<00:58:59.440> either able to get um majority
• votes for either able to get um majority votes for either way<00:59:00.079> on<00:59:00.400><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we'll be voting on vote. Okay. Again, we'll be voting on the<00:05:22.120> CD.
• take the vote? Yes. take the vote? Yes.
• I have a bill. vote I rep. Lee vote I rep.
• vote?
• For the House, I vote vote? Yes. Okay. For the House, I vote I.<00:17:00.880> Rep.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committees reconvened on April 25, 2025, and worked through a series of measures, mostly public employment cost items, appropriations, workers’ compensation, data sharing, and retirement-related bills. Several bills were briefly held for later action because Finance/FIN-WAM or related release had not yet been received, including SB 382, HB 423, HB 480, HB 214, HB 828, HB 717, HB 1065, and HB 1036, with some of those rolled over to a 2:30 p.m. meeting in Conference Room 16. HB 1424, relating to appropriations, was described as requiring the Director of Finance to report on transfers between position funding and operating expenses; the conferees agreed to a CD1 and voted to pass it. HB 430, relating to internships, was also agreed to in CD1 with technical amendments removing certain appropriation language and was passed after clarification that the funding covered both years and included the Helima program. The committees then moved through a block of public employment cost items. HB 1026, HB 1027, HB 1028, HB 1029, HB 1030, HB 1032, HB 1034, and HB 1035 were each reported as having CD1 agreement and Finance/WAM release, with appropriations tied to various bargaining units and governor’s messages; each was voted out. HB 1036 and HB 1037 were held over due to release issues, while HB 1038 was noted as having CD1 and Finance/WAM release and was passed for bargaining unit 13. HB 1039 was also rolled over for lack of release. Later, SB 336 on defense of state employees was agreed to with technical cleanup and passed as a CD, and SB 1491 on departmental data sharing was amended to add agencies to the state longitudinal data system and require aggregation/anonymization of certain data before being passed as a CD. Additional measures were also resolved. SB 935, relating to government, was amended to reduce the ERS multiplier for judges beginning in 2031, remove sheriff and deputy sheriff language, and require a DHR study on changing vesting from 10 to 5 years; it passed as a CD with no appropriation. SB 1567 required DERT to complete a comprehensive review of classification and compensation systems by October 31, 2026, allowed a third-party contractor, required legislative reports, and included $1.75 million in the budget; it passed as a CD. SB 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, clarified covered employers, required automatic enrollment unless employees opt out, repealed a fee cap, and added funding for FY26 and FY27; it passed as a CD. SB 743 established a data sharing governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and required a legislative report; after a brief recess it was passed as a CD. SB 717 and SB 1065 were both continued to the later 2:30 p.m. meeting because release was still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• people were pretty proud to vote for. people were pretty proud to vote for.
• <00:07:31.480> on also many party-line votes on also many party-line votes on high-profile
• And at the end there just wasn't the votes in both bodies to pass some of those things.
• You said the session would have played out differently if your caucus had been in the majority.
• So tell me about some in the majority. So tell me about some of<00:08:39.039> that.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The interview reviewed the Minnesota Senate session with a focus on bipartisan accomplishments and the challenges of a divided chamber. The senator highlighted the creation of an independent Office of the Inspector General as a major fraud-fighting win, along with the “Take It Back Act,” which would require fraudsters to forfeit 100% of stolen proceeds. He said lawmakers also refined fraud-response measures so legitimate service providers, including those serving Minnesotans with disabilities, would not be unnecessarily cut off while investigations proceed. Another bipartisan measure discussed was a consumer protection bill for homeowners associations and common interest communities, intended to give property owners more protection against overzealous enforcement while preserving community rules. The senator said these bills reflected growing working relationships across the aisle and noted the importance of trust-building, especially with many retirements ahead in the Senate. The conversation also covered affordability and tax relief. The senator said the caucus helped secure a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, worth about $254 million to taxpayers, alongside a $1.2 billion bonding bill, and also backed other tax relief items such as pass-through entity tax changes, Section 179-related business tax relief, and property tax relief. He said these were negotiated at the end of session and did not reduce funding for roads and bridges. On contentious issues like gun violence prevention and immigration enforcement, he said some broad packages contained useful bipartisan elements but were derailed by controversial provisions and party-line politics. He described the session overall as “50/50,” saying Republicans wanted more emphasis on taxpayers, education, public safety, and economic growth, and argued that Minnesota’s education performance needs urgent improvement. He closed by stressing that the main lesson of the session was the value of relationships and service, and he encouraged incoming senators to focus on constituents rather than themselves.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mercer is a very large major survey source. It is a national survey.
• The majority of those job openings pay between $20 and $24.99 per hour.
• I cannot vote on it unless I have that cost-benefit analysis.
• So there will be a voice vote after each bill draft is reviewed.
• Any further questions before we vote on the motion?

Keywords: 908, all