Transcript Highlights:

• , give us your two minutes of testimony, give us your two minutes of testimony, that'd<01:22:52.239
• give us your two minutes of testimony. give us your two minutes of testimony.
• Provides your two minutes of testimony. Provides your two minutes of testimony.
• testimony, and we just press for time. testimony, and we just press for time.
• Any questions much for your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To be clear, I am here to provide testimony.
• pets thank you for your testimony pets thank you for your testimony absolutely<00:25:08.840>
• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.
• Hey, thank you so much for your testimony.
• <02:06:44.639> that sounding like it by the testimony that sounding like it by the testimony

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• record and then begin your testimony record and then begin your testimony thanks<00:02:58.599>
• Please state your name and begin your testimony.
• and this does conclude my testimony and this does conclude my testimony thank<00:40:59.560> you
• you're with and begin your testimony you're with and begin your testimony chair<00:52:53.480>
• you're with and uh begin your testimony you're with and uh begin your testimony Madam<01:08:43.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Policy Committee met under a co-chair arrangement and heard opening remarks emphasizing civility, direct testimony from school leaders, and a focus on whether state policy is meeting student needs in the least intrusive and most cost-effective way. Chair Coleman asked testifiers to keep remarks brief and policy-focused, and the committee began with a series of superintendents describing local budget pressures and the cumulative impact of state mandates. Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Corey McIntyre said the district, the state’s largest, is serving about 37,000 students and faces a roughly $26 million deficit even after major reductions, including cutting about $44 million and roughly 250 central office jobs. He cited rising costs tied to compensation, special education and multilingual cross-subsidies, unemployment, paid leave, READ Act implementation, student/staff safety and K-3 discipline requirements, and transportation, saying the district still faces about $50 million in mandate-related shortfalls and may need to reduce class size and student supports. Senator Kunesh responded that summer unemployment claims are paid from a separate state budget line, not the district general fund, and asked about paid leave costs; McIntyre and the chair clarified the district’s concern was the possibility of future costs if state funding ends. Prior Lake-Savage Superintendent Michael Thomas said district revenues are rising only about 2.5% to 3% while expenses are growing 5% or more, driven by inflation and vendor costs. He argued that the state’s inflationary funding tie should be maintained, and asked for an increase in local optional aid of $250 per pupil and more flexibility for districts that struggle to pass local levies. Minnetonka Superintendent David Law argued that schools are being asked to absorb broader community burdens, including food and mental health needs, while still being judged on academics and graduation; he said REACT funding fell short, forcing the district to shift reading funds to staff development, and urged the committee not to roll mandates forward without funding. Fergus Falls Superintendent Jeff Drake said expanded unemployment, earned sick and safe time, and paid family leave are creating staffing and budget challenges for rural districts, estimating unemployment costs could reach $240,000 annually and sick and safe time about $25,000, with added difficulty recruiting support staff and substitutes. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have written testimony. Thank you. I'm Dr.
• <00:24:12.240> Deborah testimony. Thank you. I'm Dr. Deborah testimony. Thank you.
• I<00:37:13.040> have<00:37:13.440> testimony.
• I don't know copies of my testimony.
• Watson um did actually provide testimony Watson um did actually provide testimony on<01:18:14.560

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• answered to me by any of the testimony answered to me by any of the testimony that<00:13:23.839>
• You could make your testimony for both bills.
• Thank you, Chair Green and members of the committee, for hearing my testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• thank you thank you for your testimony thank you thank you for your testimony and<01:51:13.719><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Energy Committee heard Senate File 426, authored by Senator Icorn, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap on hydropower for purposes of qualifying as an eligible energy technology under Minnesota law. Supporters said hydropower is carbon-free, reliable, flexible baseload power that can help Minnesota meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040. Testifiers from Missouri River Energy Services and Minnesota Power described existing hydropower resources, including allocations from federal Missouri River dams, Minnesota hydro stations, and Manitoba Hydro, and argued that the bill would preserve and expand options for clean energy development. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s purpose and potential environmental impacts. Senator McEwen questioned why the size limit should be removed without specific proposed projects or more information about the need for larger dams, citing concerns about fisheries, water resources, and land use. Senator Port and others asked about costs, environmental effects, and where new projects might be built. In response, supporters said the bill is intended to open the door to future projects and allow agencies to review proposals through existing permitting and environmental processes, rather than approving any specific dam. Committee members offered mixed reactions. Senator Frentz said he supported the concept but recommended laying the bill over for further discussion and possibly sending it to the Environment Committee, noting environmental concerns and the need for more conversation. Senator Gruenhagen strongly supported the bill, arguing that it merely lifts a cap while leaving permitting and review requirements in place. Senator Hoffman also supported the bill, saying current policy blocks consideration of new projects and that the change would allow regulators to evaluate proposals on their merits. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left open for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:16.360> when record and commence your testimony when record and commence your testimony
• :32:35.840> for<00:32:36.160> your your testimony, but also for your your testimony, but
• We're looking at two to three testimony.
• Senator Maye Quade or her testimony? Senator Maye Quade or her testimony?
• <01:29:46.960> when<01:29:47.160> you're commence testimony when you're commence testimony

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:13.200> and You can hand your written testimony and You can hand your written testimony
• So that's it in a nutshell, and I have not read my testimony.
• I'll end my testimony there and take any questions.
• I'll end my testimony there and take any questions.
• ,<01:18:56.159> but And um I'm not reading my testimony, but And um I'm not reading my testimony

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mayor Wasi, please introduce yourself and go ahead with your testimony.
• Please go ahead with your testimony, or describe your bill.
• Any further testimony? No? Okay, thank you. Are there any questions from the committee?
• Stark, please introduce yourself and go ahead with your testimony. Yes, thank you.
• Thank you very much for your testimony. Uh, Miss Barton, moving now to member discussion.

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:

• Thank and proceed with your testimony.
• Well, thank you so much for your testimony, Director Ferguson.
• ,<00:27:35.600> Director you so much for your testimony, Director you so much for your testimony
• My name is Emily your testimony. Sure.
• I find this testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony.
• Espia, are those testimonies the continuity?
• So when we testimonies the continuency.
• <01:43:24.000> Obvious proceed with your testimony. Obvious proceed with your testimony.
• Um, so thank you for your testimony, but we want to get to that testimony.

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:

• The purpose of the sworn testimony is not an accusation, nor is it there to intimidate.
• When testimony is given under oath, it reinforces the seriousness of the subject of this committee and
• And the date mentioned with the previous testimony established a pattern that I sent the document to
• That's my testimony. Ms. Vice Chair, I don't recall receiving the information, so I do apologize.
• And we will take testimonies on that bill, those bills, okay.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your testimony actually cleared it up for me. It actually makes sense to me. Thank you, Ms. Jones.
• So I think it would probably require either government or expert testimony to determine whether that
• Thank you, Chairman, and committee members, for listening to my testimony today in support of SB 1278
• Thank you, Chairman, and committee members, for listening to my testimony today in support of SB 1278
• That concludes my testimony. I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you, Mr. Jackson.

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence met with a quorum and heard a series of Senate bills, generally receiving sponsor explanations and, in most cases, no public testimony. SB 2595 would create a Class B misdemeanor for harassing, threatening, or intimidating someone while intentionally concealing identity with a mask, with broad affirmative defenses for legitimate mask use; SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers and add related presumptions and interference protections; and SB 1896 would require magistrates to issue emergency protective orders in certain family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and aggravated cases, with law enforcement required to provide needed information. All three were left pending. The committee also heard SB 955, which increases trafficking of persons from a second-degree to a first-degree felony when the victim was recruited from a correctional facility, and SB 614, which would let the Texas Forensic Science Commission refer dismissed complaints to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs when they reference a prior FSC report; both were left pending. Members then heard several forensic and criminal procedure bills. SB 1372 would resolve a discovery/access conflict involving the DPS crime lab portal by limiting portal access to defense attorneys rather than defendants directly, prompting questions from members about access for pro se defendants; DPS’s chief crime lab witness testified neutrally. SB 1936 would change the LSD “abuse unit” definition for unmarked/unperforated paper from a square-measurement method to a 10-milligram weight standard, and SB 1937 would require a subject matter expert from the testing lab to participate in pretrial meetings in capital cases involving biological evidence to help identify viable testing and conserve resources. SB 2580 would lower the population threshold for sheriff’s departments to independently use tracking equipment and access certain communications from 3.3 million to 500,000, expanding the authority beyond Harris County; it was described as a public safety and emergency response measure and left pending. The committee also considered SB 2798, which would extend the statute of limitations for certain financial crimes from three years to seven years, with testimony from a Montgomery County assistant district attorney supporting the change because fraud is often discovered late. SB 1099 would increase penalties for felony offenses committed by undocumented or unauthorized aliens, but drew strong opposition from the Texas Civil Rights Project, which argued immigration is a federal matter and that the bill would create difficult and potentially unfair status determinations for local courts; members raised concerns about the lack of an expert-testimony requirement. SB 1278 would create an affirmative defense to prostitution prosecution for trafficking victims compelled by their traffickers to commit the conduct, and testimony from advocates and a member’s personal account emphasized the coercive, traumatic nature of trafficking; members discussed whether the defense should be narrower or framed as mitigation, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 127 would extend the statute of limitations for failure to report or conceal child abuse, with members discussing mandatory reporting duties and the need to allow more time for delayed discovery of cover-ups; it too was left pending before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testimony again will be limited to two minutes, and I will be strict on that.
• All righty, thank you for your testimony. The Chair calls Michael Hines.
• Okay, go ahead with your testimony, Nicholas.
• We appreciate your testimony. Thank you, Chair. This calls Eamon Blair. We got one.
• We just heard some testimony, you know... I'm a pretty simple guy.

Bills: SB 36, HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax, employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as far as the testimony is all the... Testimony is given through an administrative law judge.
• Let's say you subpoena someone, you have a hearing, you have all this testimony come through there.
• We're actually talking about the ability to compel people—not just testimony but also compel records,
• You may be subpoenaing sending a subpoena on ST for records or the testimony or the witness statement
• For those of you that are here, certainly we're going to have testimony.

Bills: SB324, HB395, HB222, HB310, HB285, HB144, HB251, HB380

Keywords: Morgan County, judge of probate, legal qualifications, equity jurisdiction, constitutional amendment, campaign finance, electronic notifications, civil penalties, Fair Campaign Practices Act, Secretary of State, sex offenders, treatment programs, electronic media, post office box restrictions, Class C felony, parole, probation, human cloning, criminal penalties, embryo

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, well, let's get straight into testimony. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• We want to take testimony at this time. The chair calls Miss...
• Thank you for hearing my testimony, and I welcome any questions you may have. Any questions?
• Is the testimony for or against House Bill 1211? All right.

Bills: HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• Allen, as well as testimony from Daniel Richard, discussion points that were discussed the other day
• <00:13:28.920> from<00:13:29.240> from Allen as well as uh testimony from from Allen
• as well as uh testimony from from Daniel Daniel Daniel Richard<00:13:32.959> uh<00:13:33.199>
• <00:18:22.320> the facilities and as we heard testimony the facilities and as we heard testimony
• , more extended testimony as well.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Subcommittee met to review its report and vote on eight bills concerning voter registration, absentee voting, domicile qualifications, photographic identification, and related election procedures. The chair explained that the subcommittee’s mission was to consolidate and reconcile the bills, review constitutional and federal-law issues, and issue recommendations. Members thanked the chair, legislative staff, and outside contributors for the report and supporting materials, including research memos and testimony. The report was expected to be formally issued later in the week, with the bill recommendations finalized at the meeting. The subcommittee first voted on House Bill 27, relative to absentee ballots, where members discussed a proposed bipartisan follow-up bill to clarify language for voters in jail and correctional facilities. The bill was recommended ought to pass by a 3-2 vote. House Bill 289, on domicile qualifications for voting, and House Bill 323, requiring government-issued photographic identification to vote, were both retained by unanimous 5-0 votes. House Bill 385, concerning a prior voting law, was recommended inexpedient to legislate by a 3-2 vote after members cited constitutional concerns and cost. House Bills 418, 618, and 684 were each recommended inexpedient to legislate unanimously, with members saying the subcommittee was consolidating overlapping bills into one measure per topic. The final bill, House Bill 686, requiring identification when requesting an absentee ballot, was retained unanimously for further work over the summer and review by the full Election Law Committee in November. After completing all eight votes, members said the process helped them better understand the issues and that there was substantial bipartisan agreement on many principles, even where they differed on implementation. The meeting concluded with thanks and no further action beyond the subcommittee recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• , >> Thank you very much for your testimony, >> Thank you very much for your testimony
• , >> Thank you very much for your testimony, >> Thank you very much for your testimony
• >> Thank you so much for your testimony. >> Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Appreciate your<00:56:51.680> testimony. your testimony. your testimony.
• for your testimony.

Bills: HF4841, HF4234, HF3697

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, 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

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much for your testimony.
• I don't think here lined up testimony.
• testimony today. testimony today.
• Sanford, for your testimony.
• So We as, as you mentioned, did take testimony on February 25th, and any additional audience testimony

Bills: HF2136, HF4195, HF4548, HF4432, HF4174, HF3024, HF4389, HF3773

Keywords: youth intervention, grants, community support, early intervention services, nonprofit, Minnesota human services, forecast adjustment, budget forecast, appropriations, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, Health Care Access Fund, general fund, behavioral health, housing support, General Assistance, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, MFIP, DWP, child care assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• proceed with your testimony. proceed with your testimony.
• your testimony. your testimony. >> Thank<00:14:24.079> you,<00:14:24.320> Mr.
• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• your testimony. your testimony.
• , wanted to hear the testimony, wanted to hear the testimony, particularly<01:06:46.640> about

Bills: HF4362, HF4252, HF4440

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun rights, gun control, campus safety, public college, university, postsecondary institution, higher education, visitor carry, concealed carry, open carry, campus policy, Minnesota Statutes 624.714, petty misdemeanor, parking lot carry, firearm possession, public safety, college campus, student carry

Transcript Highlights:

• with your testimony. with your testimony. Thank<00:01:05.720> you.
• We will now proceed to public testimony. Welcome to the committee.
• with your testimony. with your testimony.
• I have submitted some written testimony I have submitted some written testimony that<01:23:29.680
• <01:27:35.800> Uh your testimony, please. Thank you. Uh your testimony, please.

Bills: HF3794, HF3408

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, consumer protection, price setting, biometric data, retail, privacy, 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from March 3, 2026, and then received a presentation from the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General on the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act. Assistant Attorney General Caitlin Miko and Deputy Attorney General Jessica Whitney reviewed the law’s scope, consumer rights, business obligations, and enforcement history. They said the law took effect July 31, 2025, gives Minnesotans rights to access, delete, and opt out of sale, profiling, and targeted advertising, and is enforced by the Attorney General with penalties up to $7,500 per violation. They reported more than 200 complaints in the first six months, many warning letters, and a shift from education to active enforcement now that the initial warning-letter period has expired. Committee members asked about how the universal opt-out works, what happens when companies deny deletion or editing requests, how the office determines willful noncompliance, and whether the law could burden small businesses. The AG’s office said the opt-out can be set through privacy-protective browsers or extensions, companies must respond to consumer requests within 45 days, small businesses are exempt as defined by the SBA, and investigations look for patterns and evidence of willful conduct rather than minor technical violations. The office also said it needs additional funding to fully staff enforcement efforts and noted that it has already issued subpoenas and civil investigative demands. The committee then took up House File 3408, the Stop Grocery Surveillance Price Gouging Act. The author explained that the bill would prohibit retail grocers, physical and online, from setting individualized prices based on consumer information, would limit certain uses of facial recognition and electronic shelf labels, and would preserve narrow exceptions for discounts and loyalty programs. Public testimony followed from the Minnesota Farmers Union in support, arguing that grocery consolidation and surveillance pricing could worsen already high food costs and harm fair competition. The Minnesota Grocers Association opposed the premise that grocery stores use surveillance pricing, said shelf prices are generally uniform and set from a single storewide database, and argued electronic shelf labels are efficient and not nefarious. A technology company representative similarly said ESLs do not use personal data or facial recognition, prices are uniform, and a 2025 study found no meaningful price increases after ESL adoption. The bill was laid over for possible further discussion after the testimony.