Transcript Highlights:

• That's to me what you have this vice chair structure for, in the absence of the chair.
• <00:44:48.000> for have that structure for have that structure for in<00:44:50.079> the
• <01:22:56.400> It's<01:22:56.639> just structural engineer out there.
• It's just structural engineer out there.
• So if it's a structure that has a roof, uh, sides, and the floor, that would be adequate.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you're telling me now that we're removing those structural guard rails that the Department of
• And if you're telling me now that we're removing those structural guard rails that the Department of
• And if you're telling me now that we're removing those structural guard rails that the Department of
• guard rails that the structural guard rails that the Department<01:25:30.639> of<01:25:30.800
• Uh, so it appears that there's quite a structure here in place that is built around this RSA.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Charitable Gaming Chief Compliance Officer Kulie Aoyo to review proposed changes in HB 2 and related amendments affecting video lottery terminals, historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and scratch tickets. McIntyre said the late-arriving amendment made revenue estimates difficult, especially because the bill would allow operators to decide when to convert from HHR to VLTs and would change the floor-space rules. He explained that the existing 70/30 floor-space split between machines and table games was negotiated to protect charity revenue, and warned that moving to a 90/10 split could reduce charity revenue, potentially by as much as $17 million, while also changing the character of the facilities. Committee members discussed whether to keep the 70/30 split, and McIntyre said he could provide updated estimates later that day, including net impacts after any offsetting gains or losses under current law. Members also asked about the governor’s proposed operator share versus the Sweeney amendment’s higher operator share. McIntyre said the governor’s 45% figure was based on his own estimate and on comparable rates in other states, and he supported it as a way to maximize revenue for the state and charities. He also described a change to high-stakes tournaments: after speaking with Rep. Sweeney, he said the amendment was clarified to apply only to those tournaments and would lower the house take from 10% to 5% to encourage participation in rare, high-buy-in events. The committee also discussed a separate proposal to raise the maximum scratch ticket price from $30 to $50; McIntyre said the change would take time to implement, would likely increase net state revenue by about $1 million in year two, and was consistent with pricing in neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut. Additional questions covered sports betting and a separate Kino-related estimate. McIntyre said March Madness is the busiest period for sports betting and that the state’s sports betting revenue has exceeded initial expectations. He also said he had estimated that removing a municipal-vote restriction for Kino could cost about $12 million total, with $2 million in the first year and $10 million thereafter. No formal votes were taken during the discussion; the chair indicated the committee would revisit the VLT amendment and other sections later, and McIntyre agreed to send updated revenue estimates to committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, while English-medium education benefits from established leadership structures and systemic
• from established leadership structures from established leadership structures and<01:10:17.080><
• We strongly urge the committee to pass HB 1496, which will provide the necessary structural support to
• So that's the way that it's currently structured.
• is currently structured it doesn't technically<01:51:02.960> need<01:51:03.239> one<01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Structure.
• So you're talking two entirely different structures between the 46B and the criminal case interaction
• I know specifically for us, we have structured these levels of care to try and map to what the acuity
• A high-functioning regional crisis network requires a structured system-wide approach.
• This here on slide two is the consortium structure.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The fund is administered by Commonwealth Corporation, LWD's quasi-public agency, and requires structured
• The fund is administered by Commonwealth Corporation LWD's quasi-public agency and requires structured
• And it is challenging with the cost structure. Thank you. Thanks for the great questions.
• If we could look into some regulatory structure where there's some sort of equity that is required of
• We have to work with the cities and towns to set up a regulatory guidance structure.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, yet the zoo does have a structural operating gap.
• /c><00:30:06.360> does<00:30:06.600> have<00:30:06.720> a<00:30:06.800> structural
• <00:30:07.280> operating the zoo does have a structural operating the zoo does have a structural
• And three, we need a structured evidence-based approach going forward to study what impact foraging really
• We don't need to invent all kinds of rules and structures to teach us how to forage.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• modifying and modifying over time without taking a step back and thinking about how we would really structure
• Our proposal also has several savings proposals due to the fact that we continue to have a structural
• Our proposal also has several savings proposals due to the fact that we continue to have a structural
• Waiver Reimagine is one of the most consequential structural changes in disability services in decades
• structural changes in disability<01:13:09.080> services<01:13:09.600> in<01:13:10.000>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• eight is a one-time revenue reduction for the Renewable Development Account, and the way this is structured
• eight is a one-time revenue reduction for the Renewable Development Account, and the way this is structured
• eight is a one-time revenue reduction for the Renewable Development Account, and the way this is structured
• eight is a one-time revenue reduction for the Renewable Development Account, and the way this is structured
• <01:23:34.640> deficit, we're facing a structural deficit, we're facing a structural deficit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the Pesticide Control Board, which I tend to agree with you, we have a pretty good regulatory structure
• with you, we have a pretty good agree with you, we have a pretty good regulatory<00:56:47.440> structure
• c> in<00:56:48.000> place<00:56:48.160> in<00:56:48.400> our regulatory structure
• in place in our regulatory structure in place in our state.<00:56:49.520> Would<00:56:49.760>
• homeowner to address creates increased costs because rodents cause lots of damage to homes, including structural

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't actually have a Commerce regulatory structure right now.
• This is continuing the conversation about how we structure grants.
• <01:30:28.800> I'll about how we structure uh grants.
• I'll about how we structure uh grants.
• facilities and incidental structures facilities and incidental structures which<01:38:39.520>

Bills: HF3878, HF4131, HF3796, HF4097

Keywords: airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, consumer rights, automated decision systems, Minnesota Statutes, suitable seating, employee seating, workplace seating, occupational safety, workplace safety, labor standards, employer requirements, chair, stool

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed bill changes that structure as outlined earlier.
• It's about maintaining neutrality and honoring the structure under which the benefits were earned.
• The proposed bill changes that structure as outlined earlier.
• It's about maintaining neutrality and honoring the structure under which the benefits were earned.
• neutrality and honoring the structure neutrality and honoring the structure under<01:20:44.880><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Means, but might be a little bit outside the scope of this bill: could you talk uh about the structure
• , the impacts of the state bond rating, having a structural deficit, but then more to the bill, what
• the impacts of the state bond structure the impacts of the state bond rating<00:48:01.599> having
• <00:48:01.920> a<00:48:02.079> structural<00:48:02.560> deficit<00:48:03.359
• > but rating having a structural deficit but rating having a structural deficit but then<00:48

Bills: HF3676, HF3683, HF3395

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 19 and February 26, while skipping the February 24 minutes because of a drafting error that would be corrected later. It then took up House File 3676, a Safe at Home program bill described by Rep. Nash as arising from a constituent’s dangerous identity exposure and intended to tighten protections for participants, including allowing emancipated minors to enroll. Testimony from the Secretary of State’s office explained that the bill would clarify who may apply for a minor, require proof of guardianship, strengthen court findings before a participant’s physical address can be disclosed, increase penalties for harmful disclosure, prohibit discrimination based on participation, require state agencies to designate a Safe at Home contact person, allow use of the Safe at Home card as proof of residence for certain ID purposes, and require judge training. Members raised concerns about federal compatibility, constitutionality of court-related provisions, and the need for a fiscal note on the felony penalty. Several sections were noted as being removed or modified in a later engrossment, and the committee voted to re-refer HF 3676 to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The committee then heard House File 3683, which would direct the state budget forecast to include the estimated cost of fraud. Rep. Nash argued that fraud is a significant but unquantified drain on state resources and said the bill would adapt existing forecast language used for inflation to track fraud costs. Minnesota Management and Budget Deputy Commissioner Anna Mingi testified that fraud is unacceptable and that the agency works to prevent and detect it, but said the twice-yearly forecast is not the right tool for this kind of retrospective analysis. She explained that if fraud is identified, the forecast would reflect reduced spending through program integrity actions rather than a separate fraud-cost line item. The bill was moved and referred to the general register after a roll call was requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, that will differ depending on how this act is structured.
• When it comes to those big institutional deals, the same fee structure applies on a blockchain.
• When it comes to those big institutional deals, the same fee structure applies on a blockchain.
• When it comes to those big institutional deals, the same fee structure applies on a blockchain.
• <01:44:24.719> that<01:44:24.880> are lines or the structures that are lines or the

Bills: SF0102, SF0123, SF0021, SF0099

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, energy, funding, grants, loans, coal, natural gas, mineral processing, economic development, stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but the structure of utility regulation, which guarantees a rate of return, creates an incentive
• Um, so I'll leave the legal but it would be my hope that we could structure such a ban that, you know
• Um, so I'll leave the legal but it would be my hope that we could structure such a ban that, you know
• Um, so I'll leave the legal but it would be my hope that we could structure such a ban that, you know
• such a ban hope that we could structure such a ban that<00:10:11.279> that<00:10:12.080> you

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We think that the way this language is structured actually leaves us and the clients that we're seeking
• We think that the way that this language is structured, it actually leaves us, I think that the way that
• this language is structured, it actually leaves us and the clients that we're seeking to serve more
• That's the structure of the bill.
• The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is intent on turning systemic failure into structural reform

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• The structure of the program is just like the compensation support program.
• conversation yesterday on Chair West's bill, and utilizing and improving the existing system and structure
• to be a monthly subsidy structured to be a monthly subsidy payment<01:05:21.920> that<01:05:22.000
• that children if we support the policies that allow<01:30:47.360> these<01:30:47.560> structures
• <01:30:48.400> of<01:30:48.520> our<01:30:48.679> child allow these structures

Bills: HF1367, HF2732, HF1897, HF1424, HF1383, HF2728, HF2863, HF1685, HF2929

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• We feel it's critical to understand that Mayo Clinic structure cannot do higher ed or clinical ed alone
• 53.280> we're of Medicine and Science and how we're of Medicine and Science and how we're structured
• 01:55.320> you<00:01:55.439> a<00:01:55.640> sense<00:01:56.079> we structured
• the map gives you a sense we structured the map gives you a sense we have<00:01:56.479> three
• The Graduate School supports... clinic structure cannot do higher ad or clinic structure cannot do higher

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides more structure for campus sexual misconduct policies and procedures so that they ensure
• It structures cross-examination and hearings and implements a preponderance of the evidence standard
• <00:19:28.880> cross-examination advisers it structures cross-examination advisers it structures
• student development focus and structured student development focus and structured to<00:19:54.360
• We are simplifying the academic tier structure.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, and perhaps most practically for the present moment, establishing a governance structure capable
• Second, and perhaps most practically for the present moment, establishing a governance structure capable
• Second, and perhaps most practically for the present moment, establishing a governance structure capable
• Second, and perhaps most practically for the present moment, establishing a governance structure capable
• Second, and perhaps most practically for the present moment, establishing a governance structure capable

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• co-payment for half-day care, aligning family co-payments with the state's existing reimbursement structure
• co-payment for half-day care, aligning family co-payments with the state existing reimbursement structure

Bills: SB219, SB9

Keywords: military pension, military retirement pay, veterans, retiree tax relief, income tax exemption, pension exclusion, Delaware income tax, retirement income, state tax subtraction, armed forces retirement, National Guard, Space Force, Coast Guard, NOAA, Public Health Service, taxable income, Title 30, Section 1106, wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met to hear several bills, with members repeatedly reminded to focus on fiscal impacts rather than policy merits. The committee first considered SB 9 on freshwater wetlands, which would combine tidal and non-tidal wetlands programs into one permitting framework; supporters said the bill resulted from a two-year consensus process and that the governor’s office and DENREC would absorb a significant share of the cost. Public testimony was largely supportive, emphasizing flood control and ecosystem services, though one speaker opposed the spending. The committee voted to release SB 9. The committee then heard SB 278 on child care assistance, which would preauthorize summer camp for eligible school-age children and create a separate lower co-payment for half-day care. The sponsor and the YMCA of Delaware said the change would better align family co-pays with provider reimbursement and make before- and after-school care more affordable for working families. The committee also released SB 278, SB 168 on alcohol delivery for package stores, SB 120 on health insurance coverage for certain testing and treatment, and HB 4, a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools; HB 4 was described as having a near-$3 million fiscal note and a one-year implementation delay because it was not funded in the budget. Later, the committee approved SB 219, which gradually increases the military pension income tax exclusion from $12,500 to $25,000 over three years and includes related joint-filing and residency changes. Supporters argued it would help attract and retain military retirees and bring federal dollars into the state. The committee also released SB 1, a major primary care reform bill that would increase primary care spending and implement hospital payment reforms, with projected long-term savings to the state employee health plan, and SB 325, which expands background checks and wrap-back monitoring for fire service personnel and adds an investigator position for the Fire Prevention Commission. In each case, public commenters and committee members generally supported the bills, and all were released from committee by recorded vote.