Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think that this strikes a balance between protecting the right to a hearing within a reasonable
• They are an important check and balance in order to make sure law enforcement is not conducting surveillance
• They are an important check and balance in order to make sure law enforcement is not conducting surveillance
• They are an important check and balance in order to make sure law enforcement is not conducting surveillance
• They are an important check and balance in order to make sure law enforcement is not conducting surveillance

Bills: AB275, SB371, SB457

Keywords: criminal procedure, wiretap, law enforcement, child protection, sexual offenses, SB371, Nevada, trespass, criminal trespass, NRS 207.200, property rights, misdemeanor, warning period, 24 months, 36 months, no trespassing, posted signs, fencing, private property, public property

Transcript Highlights:

• reports and public outcry over the proper handling of unclaimed remains, seeks to strike an essential balance
• charge-reflecting patterns. of misconduct among bad actors, which we believe should help guide a more balanced
• opportunity to provide comments today and look forward to working with the legislature to find a balanced
• As Senator Parker highlighted in previous testimony, we must balance addressing the bad actors with supporting
• You know, I want to seek to strive at an essential balance here between supporting legitimate medical

Bills: SB2024, SB227, SB268, SB1467, SB1580, HB5537, SB1313, SB1677, SB918, SB331, SB2207, SB2721

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• range of preventive health care services present in the This compromise legislation strikes a fine balance
• This balanced solution strengthens the circle of care around every child in Texas, ensuring no family
• We want to make sure or that we are striking an appropriate balance between practicality and convenience
• do better as a society. to accurately figure out how to deal with mental health, but I've got to balance
• How does NAMI balance constitutional rights, or lack thereof, or refusal to recognize thereof, with this

Bills: HB 3772, HB 1656, HB 4504, HB 1896, HB 4420, HB 4421, HB 4076, HB 3708, HB 2806, HB 3540, HB 1586, HB 5459, HB 4553, HB 4535, HB 3811, HB 3749, HB 4255, HB 4051, HB 5098, HB 3554, HB 4539, HB 5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• And another thing to weigh as we're balancing other budget priorities as well.
• proven not only viable but often more effective, offering increased productivity, improved work-life balance
• proven not only viable but often more effective, offering increased productivity, improved work-life balance
• proven not only viable but often more effective, offering increased productivity, improved work life balance
• , and significant cost savings. offering increased productivity, improved work-life balance, and significant

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, you will hear witnesses with varying points of view about the balance between property development
• This body is charged by the people with finding the balance between those competing interests, and I
• HB 1322 recognizes that challenge and responds with a balanced, pragmatic solution.
• So we define that balance between the person who's going to authorize future debt by voting once on 1
• It's a balance, sir, and I fully agree with that. Chairman: Members, Chairman: any other questions?

Transcript Highlights:

• Far from ensuring equality under this language, the delicate balance of civil rights would be lost, along
• Far from ensuring equality under this language, the delicate balance of civil rights would be lost, along
• equality under this language<00:08:56.720><c> the</c><00:08:56.959><c> delicate</c><00:08:57.440><c> balance
• </c><00:08:57.920><c> of</c><00:08:58.120><c> civil</c> language the delicate balance of civil language
• the delicate balance of civil rights<00:08:58.760><c> would</c><00:08:58.920><c> be</c><00:08:59.040

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• more of an air suspension system, and there's orifices that open and close, large or small, that balance
• Close, large or small, that balance all of that suspension so that when you pull that truck up on the
• scale, it takes time for that system to balance out.
• And if you don't allow it time to balance out, then you get false...
• Balance it out, then you get false readings. You get false high readings.

Bills: SJR 12, SJR 37, SB 7, SB 8, SB 16, SB 27, SB 108, SB 125, SB 207, SB 251, SB 318, SB 371, SB 379, SB 396, SB 406, SB 472, SB 503, SB 533, SB 578, SB 599, SB 608, SB 617, SB 621, SB 689, SB 707, SB 763, SB 836, SB 854, SB 856, SB 857, SB 875, SB 878, SB 906, SB 922, SB 942, SB 965, SB 985, SB 988, SB 1021, SB 1059, SB 1084, SB 1098, SB 1185, SB 1188, SB 1202, SB 1207, SB 1307, SB 1321, SB 1330, SB 1366, SB 1388, SB 1396, SB 1453, SB 1484, SB 1497, SB 1498, SB 1535, SB 1563, SB 1596, SB 1610, SB 1619, SB 1737, SB 1738, SB 1741, SB 1816, SB 1822, SB 1841, SB 1939, SB 2188, SJR 36, SJR 12, SJR 37, SJR 81, SJR 50, SCR 22, SCR 12, SCR 39, SB 875, SB 318, SB 707, SB 765, SB 62, SB 666, SB 888, SB 687, SB 847, SB 1248, SB 504, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 1497, SB 1498, SB 241, SB 304, SB 621, SB 1023, SB 371, SB 204, SB 609, SB 670, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 1539, SB 447, SB 406, SB 985, SB 965, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 1215, SB 1302, SB 856, SB 583, SB 673, SB 681, SB 1172, SB 608, SB 955, SB 957, SB 1021, SB 1120, SB 251, SB 541, SB 1737, SB 266, SB 1415, SB 125, SB 599, SB 1330, SB 53, SB 1352, SB 785, SB 472, SB 1450, SB 1502, SB 1566, SB 414, SB 1062, SB 578, SB 711, SB 746, SB 942, SB 1404, SB 1448, SB 1738, SB 108, SB 8, SB 507, SB 533, SB 689, SB 1026, SB 1349, SB 1355, SB 1433, SB 1434, SB 1596, SB 1403, SB 763, SB 667, SB 1059, SB 617, SB 1567, SB 503, SB 16, SB 310, SB 311, SB 396, SB 505, SB 1209, SB 1210, SB 1470, SB 264, SB 1029, SB 1185, SB 1358, SB 1364, SB 1569, SB 1376, SB 1228, SB 519, SB 878, SB 1350, SB 462, SB 1535, SB 827, SB 1585, SB 207, SB 1207, SB 1619, SB 1396, SB 920, SB 1484, SB 1273, SB 1741, SB 7, SB 927, SB 1227, SB 1229, SB 1353, SB 1366, SB 1464, SB 1709, SB 1729, SB 1733, SB 1744, SB 1772, SB 1816, SB 1841, SB 2188, SB 1147, SB 879, SB 1008, SB 1536, SB 2016, SB 1453, SB 1173, SB 1163, SB 996, SB 27, SB 568, SB 1370, SB 1321, SB 1101, SB 906, SB 860, SB 1563, SB 993, SB 693, SB 1610, SB 1537, SB 836, SB 1332, SB 1307, SB 963, SB 493, SB 922, SB 984, SB 1084, SB 619, SB 1098, SB 1122, SB 455, SB 522, SB 1057, SB 1239, SB 1254, SB 1255, SB 1259, SB 1341, SB 1664, SB 1877, SB 464, SB 1277, SB 32, SB 732, SB 660, SB 731, SB 921, SB 268, SB 1822, SB 1188, SB 1939, SB 1589, SB 397, SB 1388, SB 2230, SB 1058, SB 1036, SB 1267, SB 2112, SB 1930, SB 532, SB 1035, SB 2155, SB 508, SB 29, SB 292, SB 291, SB 901, SB 1333, SB 1436, SB 1494, SB 964, SB 779, SB 1378, SB 2312, SB 1719, SB 1386, SB 287, SB 2143, SB 1245, SB 261, SB 1247, SB 1948, SB 2406, SB 2407, SB 1882, SB 1197, SB 1814, SB 618, SB 38, SJR 37, SB 108, SB 207, SB 251, SB 472, SB 503, SB 599, SB 621, SB 856, SB 1021, SB 1185, SB 1207, SB 1330, SB 1497, SB 1535, SB 1619, SB 8, SB 16, SB 371, SB 396, SB 533, SB 965, SR 338, SR 350, SB 2076, SB 1498, SB 8, SB 16, SB 318, SB 371, SB 396, SB 533, SB 707, SB 875, SB 965, SB 2076

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, voting rights, water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments to the General Appropriations Bill must be balanced.
• Amendments cannot be balanced by drawing on reserves.
• For an amendment to be balanced, a senator must identify, within the same committee, the specific appropriation
• amendments be 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1st, and all amendments to the General Appropriations Act be balanced
• amendments be 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1st, and all amendments to the General Appropriations Act be balanced

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early measures included SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to designate certain roads for UTV use under safety restrictions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education would create a workforce credential and badge program for students with autism spectrum disorder or modified curricula, and passed 36-0 after discussion of workforce access and district costs. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow alternative service of process through the same app used by scammers, and passed 37-0. SB 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration would extend filing deadlines and remove restrictive bars to compensation, and passed 38-0. SB 158 would eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan, and passed 38-0 after testimony about early detection and access to follow-up care. The most extensive debate came on SB 234, which would revise laws on resisting law enforcement and add a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Supporters argued it was needed after the killing of Officer Jason Raynor and to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified; opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and the severity of the mandatory sentence. An amendment to restore “in good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill. The Senate then passed SB 262 on technical trust-code changes by a 36-0 vote, and later recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Additional bills passed with broad support. SB 274 designated portions of Orlando roadways as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way, honoring philanthropist Harris Rosen and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson; it passed 38-0 and drew a motion for co-sponsorship. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and shifted the issue to local districts after reporting requirements, passing 38-0. SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and passed after remarks about the Holocaust memorial and the need to confront antisemitism. Throughout the session, senators frequently framed their votes in terms of public safety, education, access to care, civil justice, and commemorating community leaders and historical events.

Transcript Highlights:

• of requirements and stuff that's being pushed onto planning staff and trying to figure out how to balance
• account for governmental constraints, and historic districts we have to account for that locally to balance
• account for governmental constraints, and historic districts we have to account for that locally to balance
• With that in mind, what our planners are trying to do is provide that balance of maintaining the historic
• What with that in mind, what our planners are trying to do is provide that balance of maintaining the

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, it restores the balance of power.
• And lastly, it restores the balance of power.
• lastly<00:03:37.159><c> it</c><00:03:37.280><c> restores</c><00:03:37.640><c> the</c><00:03:37.799><c> balance
• </c><00:03:38.040><c> of</c><00:03:38.239><c> power</c> lastly it restores the balance of power lastly
• it restores the balance of power this<00:03:39.200><c> bill</c><00:03:39.519><c> gives</c><00:03:39.840

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met with a quorum and first heard Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Senator Matt Nunn, which would bar state agencies from adopting administrative regulations with implementation and compliance costs above $500,000 over a two-year period unless an exception applies. Nunn said the bill is intended to increase legislative oversight, reduce burdensome regulation, and preserve agency authority for routine rules, with exceptions for emergency actions, loss of federal funds, express legislative authorization, and health facility/service matters. Senators asked about the definition of “major economic impact,” whether broader societal costs were considered, and how the legislature could respond quickly to year-round agency rulemaking; Nunn said the bill is meant to force those larger policy choices into the legislative process. Several members voiced concern that the threshold was too low and could tie agencies’ hands, while others supported the bill as a check on regulation. The committee voted to report SB 20 favorably, with some members voting no or passing. The committee then took up Senate Bill 127, sponsored by Senator Shelley Frommeyer, concerning real estate license reciprocity. Frommeyer and representatives from Perry Real Estate College explained that the bill would codify Kentucky’s current education and licensing standards for out-of-state real estate licensees, rather than relying on bilateral agreements that can be terminated by other states. They said the measure was prompted by the end of reciprocal agreements with states such as Ohio and West Virginia, which left students and licensees uncertain, and argued that codifying the standards would provide stability, help military spouses, and support Kentucky’s real estate industry. Senators questioned whether a compact would be better, whether the bill would disadvantage Kentucky licensees seeking to practice elsewhere, and whether it would weaken Kentucky’s leverage in future negotiations. Supporters said the bill only fixes Kentucky’s side of the process and could encourage other states to adopt similar standards; opponents worried it was unilateral and might not produce reciprocity from other states. The committee ultimately reported SB 127 favorably, with several members explaining yes, no, or pass votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• considerations in policy that are important to the voters of the Commonwealth and to this body as well in balancing
• considerations in policy that are important to the voters of the Commonwealth and to this body as well in balancing
• businessman like Jack would have an additional argument under religious freedom, but again, it's always a balancing
• businessman like Jack would have an additional argument under religious freedom, but again, it's always a balancing
• businessman like Jack would have an additional argument under religious freedom, but again, it's always a balancing

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:07 SB 60: 00:00:53 Discussion in Opposition to SB 60: 00:04:41 SB 130: 00:25:36 SB 169: 00:25:44, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 60, a Religious Freedom Restoration Act measure sponsored by Senator Steve Rawlings. Rawlings said the bill would strengthen protections for sincerely held religious exercise by requiring government burdens on religion to be justified by clear and convincing evidence of a compelling interest, expanding remedies including attorney’s fees, and waiving sovereign immunity so individuals could sue the government. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill drew testimony both in support and opposition. Supporters, including Greg Baylor of Alliance Defending Freedom, argued the bill would protect a fundamental right and that similar laws have existed federally and in many states without the feared consequences. Opponents, including Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign, Sam Markusen of the University of Louisville, and Rabbi Ben Fred, warned the bill was overly broad, could undermine local anti-discrimination laws, and might invite lawsuits or allow religious claims to be used to justify discrimination. Senator Thomas questioned whether the bill could affect vaccine requirements and public accommodations; Baylor said public health or other compelling interests could still prevail in court and that the bill would not predetermine outcomes. The committee then voted on SB 60, with several members explaining their votes, and reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 169, sponsored by Senator Danny Carroll, which would expand the Attorney General’s and Kentucky State Police’s administrative subpoena authority in child exploitation investigations to include social networking companies, mobile payment services, and cloud storage services. Attorney General’s office representatives Will Schroer and Matt Heden said the change would modernize investigative tools to help identify online child predators and obtain limited account-holder information such as usernames, IP addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Senator Thomas asked about the bill’s use of the term “reasonable cause” instead of probable cause and about the scope of the information obtained; the witnesses said the term is already in statute and that the subpoenas would not authorize searches, only basic identifying information. A motion was made and seconded, and the committee began the roll call vote on SB 169 as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• important to point out that the scope of practice defined in this bill simply allows us to float and balance
• important to point out that the scope of practice defined in this bill simply allows us to float and balance
• bill um simply allows us to<00:10:11.560><c> float</c><00:10:11.880><c> and</c><00:10:12.040><c> balance
• /c><00:10:12.360><c> mullers</c><00:10:12.680><c> and</c><00:10:12.839><c> iners</c> to float and balance
• mullers and iners to float and balance mullers and iners remove<00:10:14.240><c> caps</c><00:10:14.640

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:30 Introduction of New Members 00:53 SB 69 Discussion 01:24, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met for its first session and took up Senate Bill 69, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute was adopted by motion and vote, and the chair noted that a fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, so the bill would proceed and the fiscal note would be trailed. The bill concerns equine dental care and related chiropractic services, creating a licensing and regulatory framework for equine dental providers and allied animal health practitioners. Senator Robin Webb, the bill sponsor, said the substitute made technical corrections requested by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and the chiropractors association. She described the measure as a compromise intended to clarify scopes of practice, establish a credentialing/licensing board, and provide a legal pathway for people who have long provided equine dental services, especially in rural areas where veterinary access can be limited. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, allow providers to obtain liability insurance, and preserve referrals to veterinarians for issues outside the defined scope. Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and Board of Veterinary Examiners representatives said the bill was developed through a working group, modeled in part on Texas, and would include continuing education, grievance procedures, and due process protections. Justin Tallup, an equine dental provider, testified in favor, saying the bill would not change day-to-day practice but would legalize and formalize it. He said the scope would be limited to floating and balancing molars and incisors and removing caps and wolf teeth, with anything beyond that referred to veterinarians. He also said certification requires formal training, case submissions, testing, and annual continuing education. Senator Deneen asked about sedation, and witnesses said sedatives would still be prescribed and dispensed by a veterinarian under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, with the owner administering them. Michelle Shane of the Board of Veterinary Examiners said the board supported the bill’s disciplinary framework and would defer to federal law on controlled substances. Dr. William Rainbow, a veterinarian, testified against the bill, arguing that equine dentistry is veterinary medicine and that the proposal would allow undertrained practitioners to work without sufficient standards, including a grandfathering provision. He said practitioners should have training comparable to licensed veterinary technicians and warned that the bill could leave horses vulnerable to poor care. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided, but the chair indicated time was running short and that a vote would be needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill strikes a careful balance.
• 00:02:20.000><c> strikes</c><00:02:20.319><c> a</c><00:02:20.560><c> careful</c><00:02:21.120><c> balance
• </c><00:02:21.760><c> It</c> bill strikes a careful balance. It bill strikes a careful balance.
• Um, so I think we do have to strike<01:37:18.719><c> a</c><01:37:18.880><c> balance,</c><01:37:19.280
• I think we can uh can strike a balance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we know with anything that happens, we need to think about how do we allow for innovation but also balance
• has to be balanced and I really<00:36:40.800><c> hope</c><00:36:41.040><c> that</c><00:36:41.440><c>
• we need to implement because there has to be a balance between how do you allow this new innovation,
• There has to be a balance between how do you allow this new innovation, or the new innovation of AI,
• There has to be this unique balance that we have to walk. So, with that being said, last word, Dr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:46:30.160><c> this</c><00:46:30.400><c> bianium</c><00:46:30.880><c> to</c><00:46:31.119><c> balance
• </c> near-term action this bianium to balance near-term action this bianium to balance the<00:46:31.839
• </c> have a we have to have a balanced have a we have to have a balanced budget. budget. budget.
• Uh and then also blaming the state for trying to balance a budget while we just heard that our budget
• </c> blaming the state for trying to balance blaming the state for trying to balance a<01:54:25.040><

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability met on February 20, 2026, to hear from Minnesota Management and Budget State Budget Director Anna Mingi about federal funding changes affecting the state budget. Before testimony began, Senator Rasmusson objected to a draft committee report that had been prepared in advance of the hearing, arguing it was inappropriate to summarize testimony before it occurred. The chair responded that nonpartisan staff had prepared the draft from Mingi’s submitted presentation and could revise it after the hearing if needed. Director Mingi explained that federal dollars make up more than one-third of state spending and support about 650 federal awards totaling over $23 billion this year, with more than $15 billion supporting state entitlement programs. She said the federal funding environment had changed significantly since January 2025 through executive orders, pauses, terminations, new grant conditions, delayed awards, and the July 2025 passage of H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill. Her main focus was H.R. 1’s effects on health care and food assistance, including work requirements for some adults, changes to eligibility for legal non-citizens, limits on retroactive Medicaid coverage and directed payments, new limits on provider taxes, and SNAP changes that shift some benefit and administrative costs to the state and counties. She estimated H.R. 1 would reduce federal funds to state-administered programs by about $327 million in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next, with additional costs to hospitals, counties, and other partners beyond the budget horizon. Members asked follow-up questions about whether the estimates were relative to the forecast and whether federal Medicaid funding would still rise over time. Mingi said the estimates were based on the November forecast baseline and that Medicaid federal dollars would likely continue growing overall, though the law still creates significant losses relative to prior projections. Senator Rasmusson emphasized that point in remarks to the committee. The discussion then shifted to federal grant pauses and cancellations: MMB’s tracker showed about six awards on hold totaling roughly $491 million, 13 confirmed cancellations across areas including clean energy, education, food assistance, and public health, and additional threatened or litigated cuts not included in those totals. Mingi identified two canceled violence-prevention-related grants, including a FEMA public safety grant and a justice reinvestment grant, and noted that CDC had recently moved to cancel or seek cancellation of several Minnesota public health grants, including a $65 million public health infrastructure award.

Transcript Highlights:

• we withdrew $67 million from the rainy day fund in June, which represented about 23% of the fund balance
• at the onset, but we do know and we're seeing the signs of future economic growth that will help balance
• we withdrew $67 million from the rainy day fund in June, which represented about 23% of the fund balance
• at the onset, but we do know and we're seeing the signs of future economic growth that will help balance
• Million from the rainy day fund in June, which represented about 23% of the fund balance.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is a balance we have to strike. My mission ends up being, I’m an old baseball fan.
• It was and still is my intent to try to create a fair and balanced system.
• That's important, and we need to figure out how to strike that balance.
• There's a balance, and I know we can strike this.
• For me, the balancing act is what is in the best interest of justice.

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair: Representative Howard removes the balance of the amendment to the A5.
• Then we will move to the balance of lines 1.9 through 1.12.
• The chair: Representative Howard removes the balance of the amendment to the A5.
• Then we will move to the balance of lines 1.9 through 1.12.
• </c><00:34:01.279><c> of</c> and then we will move to the balance of and then we will move to the balance

Bills: HF1, HF2

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• as part of which is not insignificant, that would at least show, you know, demonstrate some real balance
• without... ...that would at least show, you know, demonstrate some real balance without unduly burdening

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met to consider five RS requests. The first, RS 337233 from Speaker Moyle, would create a mechanism to enforce compliance with state law by public entities, taxing districts, and other state-created bodies when laws or budget intent language are ignored because no penalty exists. Several members raised concerns that the referral process to the Attorney General was too limited and could be used in a partisan or unfair way, but the committee voted to introduce the RS with Representatives Berch and Church recorded as no votes. The committee then introduced RS 33716, also from Speaker Moyle, which would require future data centers to have non-consumptive water rights in light of drought concerns and water use by data centers. Members expressed support and the motion passed without opposition. Next, RS 33728, from Representative Bruce, was introduced as another data center-related bill addressing sales tax exemptions, water usage, and electricity usage; it also passed unanimously. Two memorial-type requests from Representative Furness were also introduced. RS 33714 would support permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, described as the only tungsten mine in the United States, and RS 33726 would move the State Historical Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Both motions passed unanimously. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• as part of which is not insignificant, that would at least show, you know, demonstrate some real balance
• That would at least show, you know, demonstrate some real balance without unduly burdening the intent

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee considered five RS introductions. The first, RS 337233 from Speaker Moyle, would create a mechanism for the Attorney General to enforce compliance with state law by public entities, taxing districts, and other bodies when laws or budget intent language are ignored. Representatives Church and Birch objected that the referral authority was too limited and potentially partisan, arguing it should be broader and more balanced; Moyle said he wanted to keep the process limited to avoid abuse. The committee voted to introduce the RS, with Birch and Church recorded as nays. The committee then introduced RS 33716, also from Moyle, which addresses future data centers and seeks to require non-consumptive water rights because of drought concerns and the water demands of data centers. Birch voiced support and the motion passed without recorded opposition. Next, RS 33728 from Representative Chris Bruce was introduced; Bruce said it was the third data center bill of the year and updates issues involving sales tax exemptions, water use, and electricity use. The motion to introduce it passed. Two memorial-related items from Representative Furness were also introduced. RS 33714 would urge federal action to move forward with permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, described as the only tungsten mine in the United States; Birch raised a drafting concern about referencing the federal Department of War rather than the Department of Defense, but no amendment was offered and the motion passed. RS 33726 would move the State Historical Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the newly combined Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination to improve efficiency; that motion also passed. The committee then adjourned.