Transcript Highlights:

• We encourage the public to provide written testimony by visiting the committee website.
• I believe we have opposition witness testimony. Good afternoon.
• There has been opposition registered for testimony on this bill. You may come forward.
• But if I may, on our expert testimony, if you may speak to some of the— Our expert testimony, if you
• We do have opposition witness testimony. Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met first as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later obtained a quorum and took up several bills. The committee heard SB 1064, which would reduce the frequency of Clean Truck Check testing for low-use heavy-duty vehicles; supporters said it would ease burdens on rural agricultural businesses, while clean air advocates opposed it as weakening an important emissions program. The bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1174, which would give Caltrans bid preferences to construction firms with employee stock ownership plans; supporters argued it would build worker wealth and improve project quality, while contractor groups opposed it as likely to raise costs and reduce competition. That bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The consent calendar items SB 607, SB 962, and SB 990 were also approved. The committee then heard SB 1279, which would allow Long Beach to place additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach officials and several safety and advocacy groups supported the bill, citing high fatality rates and repeated pedestrian crashes on that corridor, while some members raised concerns about fines, affordability, and whether cameras would address pedestrian-related collisions. The bill passed as amended to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transportation Act, would require more price transparency for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission truck incentives and direct agencies to explore alternative financing tools; supporters said it would improve affordability and competition, while one manufacturer and the trucking association raised implementation concerns. It passed to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader use by limiting retention to 30 days, requiring audits and training, and restricting access and hot list use. Privacy advocates supported the bill as overdue accountability, while law enforcement groups argued the retention limit would hinder investigations and that some technical definitions needed work. The bill passed to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1315, dealing with advanced driver assistance systems, would prevent automakers from disabling a consumer’s ability to drive their own vehicle through software updates and would encourage DMV testing questions about ADAS responsibilities; after amendments, industry opposition softened and the bill passed to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Finally, SB 1246, on autonomous vehicle emergency response, would require U.S.-based remote drivers, quicker on-scene response, and better coordination with local agencies; first responders and labor groups supported it, while AV industry groups remained opposed unless amended. The bill passed to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee. The transcript ended as the committee began hearing SB 1250, a planning bill to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation asset management, with the sponsor and supporters explaining it would improve safety and habitat planning without mandating specific projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give testimony, please fill out a witness card completely and legibly.
• Your signature is an affirmation that the testimony you give is true. Please be aware.
• To our Sergeant-at-Arms, your signature is an affirmation that the testimony you give is true.
• We heard testimony on this last year, last year, last year. House Bill 190.
• The amendment also expressly requires expert testimony.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary A Committee met on May 5, 2026, with five members present and adopted the April 28 minutes. The committee then heard and favorably reported several measures, including HCR 31, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to study replacing or clarifying the term “foreign” in state law; HB 263, allowing the 14th JDC magistrate judge to handle certain specialty court felony matters; HB 299, clarifying paper filing rules for jury bonds and related payment issues; HB 535, simplifying hospital-based acknowledgments of paternity by removing the two-witness requirement while keeping notarization; HB 571, codifying the 19th JDC’s complex litigation section program; and HB 538, increasing the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court fee cap from $15 to $75 to help offset court costs. The committee also reported HB 215, raising the small succession affidavit threshold from $125,000 to $200,000, and HB 226, adding a 10.1 conference requirement before requests for admissions are deemed admitted, with discussion about discovery fairness and default judgment exceptions. The committee also took up HB 324, which makes judicial stipend increases permanent and adds a 2.7% salary increase for judges effective July 1, 2027; an amendment restoring the second year of the COLA was adopted, and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 1043, raising the jurisdictional amount in Jefferson Parish first and second parish courts, was amended to increase the amount from $35,000 to $50,000 and then reported with amendments. HCR 6, directing the Law Institute to study forced heirship and disinherison issues, was amended to add reporting language and related Civil Code references and then reported with amendments. HB 1006, changing summary judgment deadlines to give opponents more time to respond, was amended and reported by a 3-2 vote after roll call. Two more substantive bills drew extended debate. HB 1239 would strengthen the presumption that parents share physical custody equally unless a court finds that arrangement infeasible or not in the child’s best interest; supporters framed it as a parental-rights measure, while an attorney in opposition warned it would increase litigation, reduce stability for children, and be used as leverage in child support disputes. Despite the opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 190, as amended, would create a duty of reasonable care for certain software/app providers toward minors and require expert testimony, while excluding manufacturers; supporters said it was aimed at protecting children from harmful platform design, but opponents argued the proposal was unnecessary because existing tort law already covers negligence and warned it could create new causes of action and uncertainty over whether software is a “product.” The committee heard testimony from the Louisiana State Law Institute, the sponsor, and outside witnesses, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 190 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• If you would just state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• Please stand in for the record and proceed with the testimony.
• Chair, I think you go ahead with your testimony.
• I had a prearranged testimony in your packet.

Bills: HF4881, HF4867, HF4422, HF4223

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, regulation, financial institutions, prescription drug affordability, consumer protection, restitution account, financial compensation, attorney general, distributions, property insurance, homeowners insurance, fire and allied lines, hail insurance, appraisal clause, loss adjustment, alternative dispute resolution, insurance claims, claim valuation, actual cash value

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we are going to move on to testimony next. Our first testifier is joining us remotely.
• Um, we are going to move on to<00:03:12.400> testimony<00:03:13.040> next.
• Our first testifier to testimony next.
• Thank you. >> Thank you for your testimony. Next on my list is Kimberly Zitic.
• >> Thank you so much for your testimony. >> Thank you so much for your testimony.

Bills: HF60, HF3067, HF3730, HF3638, HF3401

Keywords: interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're probably going to keep public testimony to about 5 minutes.
• <00:14:28.560> So, public testimony to about 5 minutes.
• So, public testimony to about 5 minutes.
• We really Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, please limit your testimony to three minutes and avoid repeating any testimony that has already
• I appreciate you traveling here and your testimony today, sir. Thank you all very much.
• Thank you for your testimony, sir.
• We registered in support of the bill without testimony, but I'm here to clarify some questions.
• To hearing testimony as well from those who are here to support this bill.

Bills: HB 1039, HB2289, HB2370, HB2404, HB3066, HB3076, HB3117, HB3118, HB3169, HB3178, HB3179, HB3182, HB3196, HB3241, HB3377, HB3500, HB3567, HB3715, HB3954, HB4098, HB4109, HB4222, HB4226, HB4412, HB4659, HB4682, HB4683, HB4755, HB4926, HB5165, HB5562, HB5596

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax authority, border counties, tax legislation, municipalities, hotel tax revenue, convention centers, economic development, local government authority, HB 2370, HOT tax, venue projects, convention center, municipal finance, local government code, Section 334.0082, tourism tax, debt financing, bond repayment

Transcript Highlights:

• You may begin your testimony.
• Thanks to our witnesses for your testimony. on this very important topic.
• And I thought, in fact, your testimony, I thought, approaches with a sense of humility.
• Well, first of all, thank you for all three of you coming and your testimony.
• I just want to thank the three of you for your excellent testimony.

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we did hear some testimony that was concerning.
• But we did hear some testimony that was concerning.
• I don't see anything submitted, but was there any testimony? Mr.
• And then there's no testimony in the hearing on the concept. So I don't know.
• And then there's no testimony in the hearing on the concept. So I don't know.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate your testimony.
• That concludes public testimony on this bill.
• Appreciate your testimony. Next up, we have Dr.
• That, members, is our final member of public testimony.
• testimony that one in... on the whole genome sequencing piece.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have three items on the agenda, strictly for decision making, so there'll be no testimony today.
• testifiers, we appreciate your understanding, and if anyone is interested in reading the public testimony
• anyone is interested in reading the anyone is interested in reading the public<00:01:01.280> testimony
• 01.840> please<00:01:02.039> go<00:01:02.160> to<00:01:02.320> the public testimony
• please go to the public testimony please go to the website<00:01:03.359> and<00:01:03.519>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met for a decision-making-only agenda with no public testimony. The chair noted the meeting was being streamed live and that public testimony could be reviewed on the status page if needed. The committee first considered SB 834, and the chair recommended deferring the measure because of the complexity of the issues and concerns for both sellers and buyers. No vote was taken because the measure was deferred. The committee then took up SB 759, for which the chair recommended passage without amendment. The motion was adopted on a vote of the chair, vice chair, and Senator Ehar in favor, Senator De Court opposed, and Senator K excused. Finally, the committee considered SB 152, and the chair recommended passage with technical amendments. With no objections or reservations raised, the recommendation was adopted; Senator Ihar was noted as excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you for your testimony. We appreciate you coming in today.
• <01:01:32.440> we thank you for your testimony we thank you for your testimony we appreciate
• Senator Gannon: "Thank you for your testimony.
• submit these written pieces of testimony submit these written pieces of testimony for<01:27:47.639
• thank you thank you for your testimony thank you thank you for your testimony do<01:50:26.159>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to clear that up today before we get to testimony and discussion.
• Thank you very much for the testimony, Ms. Stein. Uh, next up, Dr. Chandra C.
• Thank you for your testimony, Dr. Thank you for your testimony, Dr. Shenoy. Shenoy. Shenoy.
• . testimony. testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Any other members of the public wishing to testify?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 4609, the Minnesota Building Families Act, and laid it over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The bill would require insurance coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF-related care, and the author emphasized that it would not change Minnesota’s current surrogacy laws. She also noted the bill already contains a religious exemption and clarified that it had been referred through commerce but came to health first because of reviser delays. Supporters testified that infertility is common and financially devastating, describing personal experiences with miscarriages, cancer-related fertility loss, and large out-of-pocket costs such as second mortgages, retirement withdrawals, and fundraising. A physician testified that infertility is a disease, that delays in care can worsen outcomes, and that insurance coverage can improve health outcomes and reduce multiple births and costs. Supporters also argued that fertility coverage is already offered by some large employers and in other states without major premium increases. Opponents, including representatives of the Minnesota Catholic Conference and Minnesota Family Council, argued the bill would subsidize IVF and potentially surrogacy, which they said raises ethical concerns about embryos, commodification, and exploitation of women. They urged the committee to vote no and instead support restorative reproductive medicine or other approaches that address underlying causes of infertility. In member discussion, some legislators expressed sympathy for families affected by infertility and miscarriage but raised concerns about insurance costs, success rates, and the need for guardrails; others noted adoption as another way families are built. No vote was taken beyond laying the bill over.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name and proceed with your testimony.
• Thank you for listening to them. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for listening to them. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Uh, please proceed with your testimony. testimony. testimony.
• . >> Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, thank you, committee, for hearing my testimony on Senate Bill 161.
• I want to thank you for your testimony. Thank you very much.
• <00:26:13.600> thank to thank you for your testimony thank to thank you for your testimony
• Lowering it would do, but that's not what any of the testimony was.
• any of the testimony was the testimony<00:52:43.559> was<00:52:43.799> was<00:52:44.599

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• senator wesland is aware that testimony senator wesland is aware that I<00:19:30.480> have<00
• testimony very good thank<00:25:49.000> you<00:25:49.120> madam<00:25:49.320> chair
• As stated, I won't go into the full testimony that I prepared today, but we have aging facilities and
• <00:42:58.480> that'd<00:42:58.680> be words of testimony that'd be words of testimony
• We testified last year, and I believe that all that testimony is still true today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those providing testimony will be given specific time limits, which must be strictly observed.
• Next, we will proceed to testimony about, again, we are taking testimony on the R13A resolution.
• legislative testimony further State legislative testimony further stated,<00:46:42.520> "Walls
• If you could wrap up your testimony. Thank you. So, this did not end. It continues.
• I was listening to your testimony closely.

Bills: HF3900, HF1849

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask you, if you've got written testimony, not to read the testimony, but to summarize it so that we
• We ask you, if you've got written testimony, not to read the testimony, but to summarize it so that we
• That's the testimony.
• That's the testimony.
• That's the testimony. And the >> All right. That's the testimony.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair and committee, for your time for our testimony.
• yourself and proceed with your testimony yourself and proceed with your testimony hello<00:37:10.480
• through all of our testimony through all of our testimony today<00:52:48.000> uh<00:52:48.240
• Please identify yourself and proceed with your testimony. Thank you, uh, thank you.
• <01:29:48.880> uh uh proceed with your testimony uh uh proceed with your testimony uh greetings

Bills: HF1936, HF849, HF989, HF1130, HF1223, HF1907, HF1847, HF1957

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, career guidance, education, job skills, Duluth Promise, education funding, career training, employment support, youth apprenticeship, economic development, minority support, internship program, Bloomington, funding, youth mentorship, job training, disadvantaged youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youthprise

Transcript Highlights:

• know if you need any further testimony know if you need any further testimony uh<00:45:23.520>
• Please introduce yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• We've done most testimony for everything.
• <01:26:00.320> good proceed with your testimony good proceed with your testimony good afternoon
• Pano, please state your name and proceed with your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also heard extensive testimony from the representatives of the following organizations: Association
• B3, especially with regard—I listened as you talked about who provided testimony.
• So could I get a sense of who provided testimony specific to subsection B3? >> Yes.
• Madam Speaker, we did not receive specific testimony to that.
• <00:50:31.200> from military f affairs heard testimony from military f affairs heard testimony

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal swearing-in and seating of newly appointed Representative Jack Bighgam of St. Albans Town, who was also assigned to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. The chamber then introduced House bills 911 and 912 and referred them to the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee and the Judiciary Committee, respectively. Several other bills were referred to money committees under House rules, including H.558 and H.775 to Ways and Means and H.632 and H.778 to Appropriations. Members also made announcements recognizing visiting groups, including fire and rescue personnel, community action agencies, 4-H participants, and other guests, along with caucus meeting notices. The House then took up H.907, a Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee bill to review and repeal outdated reporting requirements. The committee explained that the bill categorizes reports into those repealed, those to be reviewed again in four years, and those retained permanently, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. The committee reported unanimous support, and the House ordered the bill to third reading after agreeing to the committee recommendation. Next, the House considered H.205, dealing with agreements not to compete and stay-or-pay provisions. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee described the bill as generally prohibiting non-compete agreements, especially for lower-wage workers, while allowing narrow exceptions, and limiting stay-or-pay provisions to voluntary, reasonable, and clearly disclosed arrangements. During questioning, a member raised concern about a specific carveout for teacher contracts, arguing it could be used to restrict teacher mobility; the presenter said the language was intended to clarify that the bill did not conflict with existing teacher-contract law. The House adopted the committee amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. The House then began second reading of H.639 on genetic data privacy. The committee described the bill as creating strong protections for consumers’ genetic information, requiring express opt-in consent for collection, use, disclosure, transfer, retention, and marketing uses; allowing revocation of consent; requiring deletion of data and biological samples upon request; restricting storage and transfer outside the United States; and prohibiting disclosure to insurers, employers, and most government access without a warrant. The committee also said the bill would impose security requirements and anti-discrimination protections, and the detailed presentation continued as the transcript ended.