Transcript Highlights:

• We will be starting off this morning with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency budget overview.
• We're happy to present the governor's budget proposal.
• The permitting efficiency proposal is a package of policy and budget ideas.
• Do you think that's going to impact your budget? Director Johnson. Mr.
• But I just kind of wanted to overlay this with the larger concern for our state's budget.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we navigate this budget season, we ask for wisdom, guidance, and clarity of thought in advocating
• We often say the budget is a reflection of values. If that's true, then a budget that...
• If we pass another budget without raising the minimum wage, If we pass another budget without raising
• to get the state budget done, that is something that we can do.
• As it relates to the budget, I will again use Diamond Rio and “Meet in the Middle.”

Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:34.640><c> that's</c> there's a line in the budget that's there's a line in the budget that's
• So, um, your explanation of the item is that at the time you developed the budget, you were expecting
• And no, we did not put it into the 2026-2027 budget. We took it out.
• ,</c><00:14:52.160><c> you</c><00:14:52.399><c> were</c> time you developed the budget, you were time
• And no, we did not put it into the the the 2627<00:15:21.839><c> budget.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on May 16, 2025, and first adopted a rules-and-procedures change extending online audit approval timelines for American Rescue Plan items through December 2026 and bipartisan infrastructure law items through June 30, 2027. The committee then approved the April 18 minutes and adopted the consent calendar with several items removed for separate discussion, including items from Tabs 4, 6, and 7. On Tab 4 item 2511, members questioned why the state was paying utility costs for the Laconia property while it is being sold. Commissioner Charlie Arlinghaus explained the budget line covered utilities generally, not just heat, that some buildings still require minimal heating, and that the main increase was tied to the Winnipesaukee River Basin Project wastewater charges. He said the charges had risen sharply, the property sale would eventually trigger a utility true-up at closing, and he would provide additional analysis. The committee then adopted the item. On Tab 4 item 25115, the Department of Justice said funding for a temporary fourth pathologist was removed from the 2026-2027 budget because it was no longer needed, and the committee adopted the item. On Tab 6 item 25126, Department of Health and Human Services officials explained the Medicaid managed care “withhold” as a performance incentive: about 2% of capitation payments are held back, then redistributed based on quality and operational metrics, with unearned amounts staying with the state until the end of the program and subject to actuarial requirements. They said the approach has improved performance and helped with Medicaid unwinding outreach, reducing enrollment by about 11,000 people in the past year. The committee adopted the item. On Tab 7 item 25139, the Department of Energy said it no longer needed an additional position because existing staff could handle the work, and the item was adopted. The committee also adopted regular-calendar items 25114 and 25131, noted that one regular-calendar item had been withdrawn, set the next meeting for June 20 at 11:00 a.m. in Room 100 of the State House, and adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so you mentioned about the budget and you deferred to the governor's budget, but this would be a
• supplemental budget, I believe?
• Their budget is much larger. Okay, what is the in-facility budget?
• Their budget is much larger. Okay, what is the in-facility budget?
• Provide you with the RCO budget and the Corrections Program Services Division budget. Okay.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we talked about how much our budget is going to be cut.
• About how much our budget is going to be cut.
• This money would not come out of the budget whatsoever.
• and pass the budget.
• and pass the budget.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But once again, this is a budget problem.
• One is, again, budget.
• Some money in the budget.
• They are just a drain on our budget.
• They are just a drain on our budget.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and received routine communications from the governor and House. The body then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2369 on photo-enforcement traffic citations, HB 2423 on advanced math course enrollment, HB 2481 on school district financial records, HB 2621 on access to special education in public schools, and HB 2756 on public utilities and high-load factor customers. Each of these bills received amendments and were advanced with do pass recommendations. Members discussed HB 2423 at length, with supporters saying it would better identify high-achieving students for advanced math while critics argued the larger issue was funding and teacher shortages. HB 2756 also drew debate over data centers, utility reporting, and ratepayer impacts, but was amended and advanced. The Committee of the Whole then rose and reported its recommendations, which the Senate adopted. The Senate also adopted a proclamation supporting stronger Arizona and U.S. relations with Taiwan, and welcomed Taiwan’s Director General Jason Poyon Ma. The chamber calendared HB 2192 for additional Committee of the Whole consideration, adopted a Bolick amendment clarifying that telecom and broadband providers are not included in the definition of online hosting platform, and advanced the bill as amended. Later, the Senate took up third-reading votes on multiple measures, including HB 2249, HB 2482, HB 2641, HB 2661, HB 2662, HB 2673, HB 2745, HB 2752, HB 2895, HB 2923, and several House concurrent memorials on foreign ownership, endangered species, and related federal policy. Most passed, though several senators explained no votes on grounds such as budget concerns, policy objections, or opposition to limiting testimony or subpoena enforcement authority. At the end of the session, the Senate also passed HB 2369, HB 2423, HB 2481, HB 2621, HB 2756, HB 2192, and other listed bills by recorded roll call, with final vote totals announced for each. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, bills were properly assigned, and committee announcements were made for the following Monday. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026 at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this coming just out of education and schools, or is this coming just out of the budget?
• Well, that is a great question, considering we're experiencing a budget deficit, and I think our budget
• I think some of our testifiers can give some input on what their ideas are, but in a tough budget year
• And I know that right now in this budget year it's a tough one, but I think it's still important that
• , the governor's budget or in the DCYF budget, that calls out the group that's been working together

Bills: SB6007, SB6186, SB6212

Keywords: assessment practices, public policy, children, youth, families, evaluation, outcomes, SNAP, nutrition, public health, food access, unhealthy foods, benefit program, assistance, pilot program, state support, public welfare, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is one of the enduring values that will help us navigate the budget pressures before us.
• A balanced budget isn't just required by the Idaho Constitution; it's the A balanced budget isn't just
• However, Idaho's approach to balancing the budget...
• Unlike Washington, Idaho won't raise taxes to balance the state budget.
• Folks, some of these budget decisions are tough, but we will emerge stronger.

Summary: The Idaho House convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature, with ceremonial opening proceedings including the color guard, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance. The House received and filed several gubernatorial certificates appointing members to fill House vacancies, including Ann Henderson-Haws (District 16), Michael Veile (District 35), Donald Hall (District 25), and Aaron Bingham (District 32), and the Secretary of State’s certificate listing all House members for the session was also filed. The chamber then adopted House Concurrent Resolution 20, which authorizes a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s message, after suspending the rules by a 69-aye vote. The House also approved standing committee assignments for the session and filed a letter appointing an acting chief clerk. Committees were appointed to notify the governor and the Senate that the House was organized, and later to escort the Senate to the House chamber for the joint session. No substantive legislation was debated beyond HCR 20, and the House moved through organizational business only. In the joint session, Governor Brad Little delivered the State of the State and budget address, outlining his “Enduring Idaho Plan.” He emphasized continued tax cuts, reduced regulation, a balanced budget, protection of K-12 funding, support for Idaho LAUNCH, rural health care investments, water infrastructure, and maintaining the state’s AAA credit rating. He also highlighted public safety efforts, alignment with President Trump’s agenda, and Idaho’s defense of its women’s sports law. After the address, the Legislature voted to print the governor’s message in the House and Senate journals, dissolved the joint session, and the House adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is one of the enduring values that will help us navigate the budget pressures before us.
• A balanced budget isn't just required by the Idaho Constitution; it's the A balanced budget isn't just
• However, Idaho's approach to balancing the budget to that pressure.
• Unlike Washington, Unlike Washington, Idaho won't raise taxes to balance the state budget.
• Folks, some of these budget decisions are tough, but we will emerge stronger.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Idaho House convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature, confirmed a quorum, and conducted prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and ceremonial recognition of the Idaho state flag. The chamber also received certificates of appointment and election for several members, including Ann Henderson-Haws, Michael Veile, and Donald Hall, and the Secretary of State’s certification of House membership was filed. House Concurrent Resolution 20, which provided for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s message, was introduced, suspended from normal rules by a 69-0 vote with one absent and excused, and then passed by voice vote. The House also appointed committees to notify the governor and Senate, and later to escort the Senate and governor to the joint session. The joint session was then convened with a quorum of both chambers, along with the Supreme Court, appellate judges, elected officials, and the governor. Governor Brad Little delivered the State of the State and budget address, emphasizing Idaho’s values, support for the Trump administration, public safety, immigration enforcement, workforce training through Idaho Launch, energy development, rural health care, and continued investment in education while keeping schools whole despite tighter revenues. He also outlined his “Enduring Idaho Plan,” which called for spending restraint, red tape reduction, no new taxes, protection of the AAA credit rating, and budget adjustments including online school funding accountability. The governor’s message and budget address were ordered printed in the House and Senate journals, and the joint session was dissolved. After the joint session, the House adopted committee assignments for the session, appointed Mr. Vore as Acting Chief Clerk, and later heard announcements that several committees would not meet the next day while Appropriations would meet jointly with Senate Finance. No substantive floor votes beyond HCR 20 and the journal motion were taken, and the House adjourned until Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we'll bring that back to you all when we start the budget process later in the interim.
• Cash balances this year, 32% on a $3.5 billion dollar budget.
• And I would guess that's the majority of that 15% of the budget are within those things.
• How much of a, of a hit to, to the E budget is that, Mr. Chairman, uh, Senator, Mr. Chairman.
• Is that talking about school meals and how much is that part of the budget?

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that this is a budget committee before bills go to Ways and Means, and the budget committee
• He said the committee is a budget committee before bills go to Ways and Means, and the budget committee
• He added that this is a budget committee before bills go to Ways and Means, and the budget committee
• Devon Bowry, Government Relations Director at DEED. a budget committee chair heinsman chair a budget
• </c> go to Ways and Means the budget go to Ways and Means the budget committee<00:39:47.160><c> decides

Bills: HF8, HF1416

Keywords: wetlands, environmental review, permitting efficiency, Pollution Control Agency, construction permits, environmental impact statements, local government, business regulation, environmental assessments, HF1416, relocation grants, economic development, business relocation, site selection, business incentives, grant extension, appropriation extension, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, request for proposals

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a coalition of labor and community groups united in support of a fair tax code and a budget sufficient
• This makes our budget less stable and robust.
• This makes our budget property taxes.
• ><c> by</c><00:04:22.919><c> cutting</c> strengthen our budget by cutting strengthen our budget by cutting
• A budget is a moral document. It shows where our priorities are.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a press-style discussion in support of House File 4343, which would end Minnesota’s sales tax exemption for digital advertising services and physical advertising space such as billboards. Supporters said the bill would raise more than $300 million in revenue and allow the state sales tax rate to be reduced, while also modernizing the tax code to reflect a digital, service-based economy. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the current sales tax base is outdated, too narrow, and unfairly shifts burden onto Minnesota businesses, workers, and property taxpayers. Representative Lislegard said the bill would help fund schools, health care, infrastructure, child care, and local government, and framed it as a response to structural budget gaps and rising property taxes. She said large corporations are not paying their fair share and that the state should cut exemptions rather than reduce public services. Several speakers from labor, education, health care, and the arts backed the proposal, including a working parent who cited high child care costs, an AFSCME representative from Hennepin County Medical Center who said the revenue is needed to support the safety-net hospital, a musician who said streaming and ad-driven platforms profit from artists’ labor, and an educator who criticized social media companies’ impact on youth. The speakers repeatedly argued that major tech and advertising companies such as Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, TikTok, and Spotify should contribute more to public services, while ordinary Minnesotans already pay too much. Representative White closed by acknowledging the bill faces a difficult path but said supporters would keep fighting for it. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the portion provided, and the event ended with one question from the audience.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's the way we should do budgeting in Idaho: set the revenue before we ever set a budget.
• Just because we set the forecast number here doesn't mean that we have to budget at that level.
• So I am going to be voting for this because we need to start working on our budgets tomorrow.
• On our budgets tomorrow. Well said, thank you. Representative Bruce. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• We don't know how the big beautiful bill is going to affect our budget and our revenues.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee’s report on Idaho’s general fund revenue projections for FY 2026, FY 2027, and FY 2028. The report recommended revenues of about $5.665 billion for FY 2026 and $5.8166 billion for FY 2027, both above Governor Little’s projections, with committee members describing the outlook as generally conservative but supported by recent revenue collections and expert testimony. Members also noted a correction to the FY 2027 percentage increase in the report, changing it from 2.8% to 2.4%. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on parliamentary procedure and the difference between “accepting” the report and “adopting” it. Staff explained that accepting the report would acknowledge the committee’s work, while adopting it would set the revenue number for JFAC. After motions were withdrawn and clarified, members debated the implications of the revenue level for future budgeting, including possible impacts on Medicaid, state employee compensation, education, transportation, fire funding, and conformity to federal tax changes. Several members said the recommendation was a prudent middle ground, while others emphasized caution and the need to preserve services or consider tax policy changes. In the end, JFAC voted to adopt the Economic Outlook report with the FY 2027 percentage corrected to 2.4%. The motion passed unanimously, 10-0 in both the House and Senate votes. The committee then adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also authorizes the board to amend the portion of the proposed budget related to the clerk's
• the Board of County Commissioners conducts the same oversight of the clerk of the circuit court's budget
• clerk of the circuit court or the supervisors of elections to appeal those changes in his or her budget
• the Board of County Commissioner, conducts the same oversight of the clerk of the circuit court's budget
• So right now, the property appraiser and the tax collector submit their budgets to the Department of

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard and voted on several local and statewide bills. HB 69, by Rep. Andrade, preempted local zoning and land-use authority to the state for presidential libraries; after an amendment clarifying the scope of preemption, it passed 13-2. HB 63, by Reps. Gerwig and Cassel, created a public-records exemption for city and county administrators and their deputies, citing threats and harassment against local administrators; it included a 10-year sunset and passed 15-0. HB 4045, by Rep. Alvarez, updated the City of Tampa firefighters’ and police officers’ pension plan, including extending the DROP period by three years; it passed 14-0 with a committee substitute. HB 4023, by Rep. Hunschofsky, tightened conflict-of-interest rules for officers and employees of the North Springs Improvement District after prior audit concerns; it passed 16-0. HB 4017, by Rep. Oliver, codified the Bermont Drainage District’s charter and corrected a statutory cross-reference via amendment; it passed 16-0 with committee substitute. HB 4009, by Rep. Kendall, renamed the St. Johns County regional airport to the St. Augustine Airport and passed 16-0. The committee also considered PCB IAS 25-01, by Vice Chair Griffiths, which would standardize county constitutional officers’ budget procedures and create an appeal process for clerks of court and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs; after testimony from the clerks and supervisors’ associations, it passed 16-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• collections in 2023-2024, and then there are two columns that form the forecast for the next two budget
• Of budget years to come, we are in a very good and a comfortable position, given how our revenues are
• That we budget off of, and so the way I think about tax revenue is, well, it's people that are engaging
• We just started a new revenue estimating conference cycle for the budget, so some of the numbers— We
• just started a new revenue estimating conference cycle for the budget, so some of the numbers I'll talk

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax convened with a quorum present, heard an introductory presentation of committee staff, and then received a staff briefing from Azar Khan on Florida’s state tax structure and revenue outlook. The presentation covered fiscal year 2023-2024 revenues, noting more than $127 billion in total state revenue, with general revenue exceeding $48 billion and sales and use tax making up the largest share. It also compared Florida’s tax burden to other states, highlighted Florida’s low per-capita revenue ranking and strong business formation numbers, and reviewed major and minor revenue sources, tax rates, and the revenue estimating conference process. Members asked about what drives revenue growth, including population, tourism, construction, and auto sales, and about Florida’s regressivity, corporate income tax participation, and investment earnings on state balances. Khan said the state’s revenue picture remains positive and stable, but that future growth is slower than during the COVID-era spike; he also explained that some negative forecast changes were tied to legislative actions such as the insurance premium tax credit, while others reflected lower tobacco consumption and severance activity. He noted that revenue and spending forecasts are separate and that budget-side growth is driving concerns raised in other state economic projections. The committee also discussed possible tax package ideas for the upcoming session, including tax holidays and homeowner relief, but no specific proposals were acted on. The chair announced the committee would not meet the following week and that the next meeting would be in week three of February. The meeting concluded with no objections to a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• revision to our offer on transportation, tourism, economic development, infrastructure, and tourism, the budgets
• accepts the Senate's offers for the following: the House will accept the Senate Pre-K-12 education budget
• The House will accept the Senate Pre-K-12 education budget and projects offer with the following changes
• House accepts the Senate's administered funds budget offer. Thank you, Representative McClure.
• Most of the PICO proviso is tied to budget decisions that are now closed.

Summary: The appropriations chairs’ conference committee met to exchange and accept budget offers on several issues. The Senate accepted the House’s revised offer on transportation, tourism, economic development, infrastructure, and related projects. The House accepted the Senate’s Pre-K-12 education budget and projects offer with four project-level changes: adding $200,000 for Workforce Development and High School Classrooms, reducing the Crockett Foundation by $250,000, adding $350,000 for the North Florida after-school agriculture and arts project, and eliminating funding for Roosevelt Elementary School Program Enhancements. The House also accepted the Senate’s administered funds budget offer. The House then presented offers on Pre-K-12 education (SB 2510) and Health and Human Services/Health Care (SB 2514). For Pre-K-12, the House said some rows were closed, some Senate positions were accepted, some were modified, some House positions were maintained, and new positions were offered on rows 12 through 16. For Health and Human Services, the House moved to the Senate position on several lines, including a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, kept its position on some lines, and proposed new language on Medicaid redeterminations, PACE, Medicaid premium assistance, adult day training reimbursement, behavioral health teaching hospitals, and dental hygienists. The Senate then presented offers on Pre-K-12 education proviso and back-of-bill language, education capital outlay proviso and back-of-bill language, and Health and Human Services/Health Care budget projects and back-of-bill language. The Senate explained that its bump offers were reflected in spreadsheet columns, with some items closed and others marked with highlighted changes; for education capital outlay, the Senate accepted two House positions on rows 48 and 49 and proposed a new issue on row 50. No public testimony was offered on any of the items. The chairs indicated they would continue meeting later that day or evening, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um during the 2024 budget years.
• The way the budget bill was written, we had to spread that out over two budget cycles.
• . budget. budget.
• It is that it is that budget year.
• The last two the two two budget years.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Energy and Environment, and Tourism met for its fourth meeting and approved the February 10 minutes. The committee then heard a presentation from the Cabinet for Economic Development, led by Secretary Jeff Noel, with staff from the cabinet and Kentucky Innovation. The presentation focused on the cabinet’s strategy, including workforce, entrepreneurship, innovation, infrastructure, and placemaking, and emphasized a goal of supporting higher-wage jobs while tailoring programs to urban, non-urban, and rural “heritage communities.” The cabinet reviewed several funding tools and programs, including economic development bond funds, EDF funds, KBI, the Kentucky Innovation Pool, KSTC-related startup and commercialization programs, veteran workforce programs, and Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training funds. Officials said many projects take years to close and that funds are often committed before they are actually disbursed because reimbursements occur after project completion. They also said Kentucky is less competitive than before because of changes in tax policy and that EDF funds are increasingly important to remain competitive with other states. Members asked about whether previously allocated money remained available, whether some funds could be clawed back, and the status of the Blue Oval project. The cabinet said it is oversubscribed, with some committed dollars likely to go unused and be reoffered to other projects. On Blue Oval, officials said progress had been made and described negotiations tied to repayment and job creation requirements. They also discussed the Ford/SK loan structure, saying the companies may assume the full $250 million obligation and that repayments would be required if job targets are not met. The presentation closed with discussion of workforce coordination and the need to connect economic development projects with training and support systems, including possible ripple effects for rural suppliers and related businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the budget hearing for Emergency Management for General Government appropriations and the budget
• If you are ready, you're welcome to present your budget. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• Our FY26 budgeted full-time FTEs, we have 61 budgeted, but as you can see, 16% are... FTEs.
• We have 61 budgeted, but as you can see, 16% are unfilled.
• And as always, this process of budget hearings will continue on. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from Emergency Management Director Annie Verst for the General Government appropriations budget. She described the agency’s core role as coordinating disaster response, recovery, preparedness, and mitigation, emphasizing that local governments lead initial response while the state supports recovery and resource coordination. Verst highlighted recent activity including wildfire-related declarations, $83 million in public assistance payouts, use of the new state disaster revolving fund, implementation of an Oklahoma resilient recovery strategy, and restructuring efforts that repurposed positions toward regional coordination and reduced administrative overhead. A major focus of the presentation was uncertainty around federal funding. Verst said FEMA programs and obligations have been delayed or canceled in some cases, including hazard mitigation assistance and disaster case management, and that the agency is seeking state support to cover possible gaps. She outlined requests for a $3.7 million federal funding loss contingency, $1 million for updating the state hazard mitigation plan, $3.8 million for the state emergency fund and 12.5% public assistance obligations, and $800,000 for anticipated other needs/temporary sheltering cost share. She also explained that most of the agency’s large revolving and pass-through balances cannot be used for operating costs. Members questioned her about Oklahoma Task Force One, including whether it is funded by OEM and whether the agency is shifting toward response rather than mitigation. Verst said Task Force One is used when local capacity is exceeded, that out-of-state deployments are reimbursed, and that the agency sees its role as coordination and recovery rather than replacing local response. She also explained the revolving fund for disaster advances, the timing of reimbursements, and the purpose of the hazard mitigation plan update. No votes or formal actions were taken, and the hearing concluded with thanks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This<00:03:04.560><c> budget</c><00:03:04.960><c> budget</c><00:03:05.280><c> does</c><00:03:05.440><
• c> not</c><00:03:05.760><c> just</c><00:03:06.080><c> meet</c> This budget budget does not just meet
• This budget budget does not just meet spending<00:03:06.640><c> affordability</c> We've left the cash
• /c><00:03:25.680><c> is</c> contingencies after the budget is contingencies after the budget is passed
• The committee reprinted the budget bill reflects the committee's amendments to the budget.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is more than a line item in a budget. is more than a line item in a budget.
• </c> deeply important uh that this budget deeply important uh that this budget does<01:32:10.480><c>
• </c><01:35:57.040><c> here</c> because we are passing a budget here because we are passing a budget here
• At the same time that our budget is.
• We didn't have the money to double their budget. We didn't have the money to double their budget.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2312 and first adopted the DE1 amendment, after which the amended bill was discussed. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the spreadsheet and explained the bill’s higher education budget changes, including increases for state grants and tribal college assistance, unchanged funding for several existing programs, and reductions or eliminations for items such as state work study, summer academic enrichment, student loan counseling, concurrent enrollment, and the student parent support initiative. Staff also noted transfers to special revenue funds, the cancellation and reappropriation of ALS research funding, and a new licensing/registration revenue item. The committee was told the bill met the committee’s zero target overall, with a net general fund change of zero relative to the February forecast, while also adding some non-general fund expenditures for program licensing and registration. Members asked several questions about the transfers and specific line items, including whether any new special revenue accounts were being created, the foster care wraparound services line, and the treatment of the University of Minnesota and Centric Care partnership. Staff explained that the transfers generally did not create new accounts, that some items were not in the base, and that the U of M/Centric Care partnership was a one-time appropriation in the prior bill but was now being built into the base at a different amount. The University of Minnesota section also included new or continued funding for medical school development, health training restoration, emergency assistance grants, ALS research, and a weather resiliency program, while the Mayo Foundation section eliminated funding for Mayo Medical School and the Mayo family medicine residency program. The policy portion of the DE1 was then introduced. It included a maximum tuition and fee amount for state grants, direct appropriation of emergency assistance grants to Minnesota State, a juvenile justice appropriation for Metropolitan State University, and the ALS research reappropriation to the University of Minnesota. It also contained repealers for unfunded programs, including a delayed repealer for the student parent support initiative. In the higher education policy article, the bill would allow Minnesota State to offer applied doctoral degrees in cybersecurity, make technical changes to hunger-free campus and sexual misconduct procedures, extend pregnant and parenting student protections to private institutions, allow OHE to retain up to 10% of certain competitive grants for administration, consolidate reports, change the state grant formula so negative FAFSA contributions count as zero, and reduce the state grant lifetime credit cap from 180 to 120 credits. The Northstar Promise provisions would limit tuition and fees to resident rates and require MnState, and request the University of Minnesota, to ensure eligible students receive the benefit.