Transcript Highlights:

• OPAGA study requirement on the effects of such local government actions.
• It doesn't address anything to do with building code updates.
• It doesn't address anything to do with building code updates.
• So local governments, you know, again, how. ...planning and training and things like that.
• So local governments, you know, again, have an idea what to do after a natural disaster.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into a series of special-order bills and House messages. Early floor action included passage of a claim bill for Mandy Penny Lemon (HB 6503) and bills on sewer collection systems (HB 1123) and farm products (HB 211), all passing unanimously. The chamber also took up an ad valorem tax exemption resolution for agricultural tangible personal property (CS/HJR 1215), which passed 37-0. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the Senate recessed and later returned to House messages and additional special orders. The Senate then addressed multiple House amendments and conference-style motions. It concurred in amended versions of SB 994 on driver safety, SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, and HB 1609 on waste incineration/auxiliary containers after extended debate over hurricane recovery rules, local government restrictions, and plastic container preemption. The chamber also concurred in CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiative petitions, increasing the number of petitions a volunteer may carry from 2 to 25, and in CS/HB 733 on Brownfields. Other House amendments were rejected or sent back, including SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, SB 116 on veterans policy, SB 168 on mental health, and HB 1101 on out-of-network provider referrals. Later, the Senate approved CS/HB 1255 on education and CS/HB 875 on educator preparation, with discussion focused on school readiness, teacher training, and changes to certification and testing requirements. It also concurred in CS/HB 1427, a broad health care bill, after the House added a major nursing education amendment that tightened Board of Nursing oversight, required standardized evaluation and remediation, and imposed accountability measures tied to NCLEX pass rates and program performance. Several members raised concerns or praised negotiated compromises throughout the day, but the recorded actions were mainly concurrence motions, refusals to concur, and final passage votes on the bills considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• We adopt the federal food code, and the majority of the definitions and codes that are here are in rule
• HP2300 we adopt the federal food code HP2300 we adopt the federal food code and<00:23:17.919> the<
• Erica mentioned um the FDA food code. Erica mentioned um the FDA food code.
• Uh the government for itself.
• That didn't clear the codes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:16.440> Finance State and Local Government Finance State and Local Government Finance
• We go out of our way in our government.
• And doing with the needs of governing.
• ,<00:13:32.640> and to local local units of government, and to local local units of government
• Like that's not how government works, and that's not what we're proposing that government does work.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Lawmakers held a bipartisan press availability on a bill to prohibit local governments and their officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities. Supporters said the measure is intended to protect transparency, public participation, and Minnesotans’ right to know about local decisions involving land use, public financing, and economic development, especially in cases involving data centers and other large projects. Representatives and senators from both parties described the bill as a response to examples in cities such as Rosemount, Farmington, Hermantown, North Mankato, Monticello, Pine Island, and others, where they said NDAs kept communities from learning about projects until decisions were effectively already made. The authors argued that the bill is not anti-development or limited to data centers, but instead prevents corporations from using private contracts to circumvent Minnesota’s open meeting and data practices laws. They said Chapter 13 already addresses trade secrets and other confidential information, and that the bill is meant to stop NDAs from creating secrecy around government decision-making. They also said they had heard little organized opposition so far, though they acknowledged questions about how the bill would affect early-stage business recruitment conversations and how local governments, especially smaller ones, would implement the change. Members also discussed the bill’s legislative path. They said it had previously received unanimous support in committee and was sent to the general register, then moved to the Judiciary Committee at the request of Chair Scott, who wanted a hearing. The authors said they did not believe the bill raised Chapter 13 issues requiring judiciary review, but agreed to the referral as a courtesy and said they were seeking a hearing. They reported that Senate consideration had previously ended in a tie vote, but said momentum was growing and expected stronger support this session. No vote was taken during the press event.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every sunset review identifies the same problems: refusal to conduct open meetings, weak governance,
• 1915 will support California's neighborhood restaurants by modernizing California's food facility code
• It removes hidden costs embedded in outdated building and health code requirements that no longer reflect
• AB 1915 is also the result of meaningful collaboration with health regulators to identify where the code
• With the support of a CalCompetes award from GO-Biz and strong local government partnership, Heron's

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the map color-coded that you received?
• I think we could govern better.
• And when we combine these things collectively, the government—federal government, These things collectively
• The government—federal government, state government, local government.
• It's just the government.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D, later substituted with House Bill 1D, both establishing Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Senator Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a proposed redistricting plan on short notice and argued that mid-decade congressional redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based provisions in the Fair Districts Amendment are unconstitutional. He repeatedly said the Legislature was not being asked to prove the Governor’s legal theory, only to consider the proposal, and noted that no amendments were offered. A lengthy question-and-answer period followed, with senators raising concerns about the rushed process, lack of statewide public hearings, and the map’s effects on minority communities, compactness, communities of interest, and partisan fairness. Senators questioned whether the map cracked Latino and Black communities, whether partisan data was used, whether the Governor’s office had outside consultants, and whether the plan complied with the Florida Constitution, the Fair Districts Amendment, and the Voting Rights Act. Gates generally deferred on legal conclusions, said the Governor’s representatives had testified the map was race-neutral and used political data only as one factor, and emphasized that any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. After a motion to temporarily postpone failed by a recorded vote of 12 yeas to 23 nays, the Senate continued debate. Senators Rouson, Bernard, and others spoke in opposition, arguing the proposal was rushed, partisan, and harmful to communities of interest and minority voting power. Gates maintained that the Governor had a constitutional prerogative to propose the map and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The House companion bill was then substituted for the Senate bill, read a third time, and the chamber moved into final debate on the congressional redistricting plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supporters often point to California Public Contracts Code 2500 and say PLAs don't discriminate.
• And if it's not clear, that's extra cost to the counties and local governments.
• They don't have the capacity to do this kind of code enforcement.
• This is not code enforcement. Okay, sorry, not code enforcement—certification.
• That's very, very different than mandatory code enforcement.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House repeals these provisions code.
• <00:54:32.319> The county or other government entity.
• The county or other government entity.
• <01:08:33.279> And predating state fire code repealed.
• And predating state fire code repealed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 327 will put into code the public advocate's authority to discover information and review investor-owned
• I also have Annabelle Hopkins, Deputy Director of Government Affairs of the Public Advocates Office,
• The federal government, unfortunately, has canceled credits... And this is one way to get there.
• The federal government, unfortunately, has canceled credits for clean energy projects and has canceled
• , which is very important to the unions, as well as the National Electric Code.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility affordability, transparency, clean energy, and consumer access. SB 327 would bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility books; supporters framed it as a ratepayer protection and accountability measure, while utilities and industry groups raised concerns about municipalization language and data-request procedures. After discussion about the scope of the bill and existing guardrails from prior legislation, the committee voted SB 327 out on a due pass as amended basis to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later updated to 12-2. SB 1350, a hydrogen bill, would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen in turbines. The author and supporters said it would help California meet clean energy goals, support the Lancaster hydrogen project, and create jobs, while opponents, especially environmental groups, warned about NOx emissions, the risk of paper transactions, and the need for stronger safeguards on feedstocks and delivery. Members discussed amendments already taken and the need for continued work on environmental protections; the committee passed the bill 14-0 to Natural Resources. SB 868 would create a framework for plug-in or balcony solar devices for renters and others without rooftop solar, with safety standards and a cap on system size. Supporters said it would lower bills and expand access to solar, while utilities and some others raised safety and backfeed concerns and asked for more review through existing interconnection processes. The author and witnesses said the devices are small, non-exporting, and covered by safety certifications; the committee approved the bill 17-0, later updated to 18-0, and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1233 would require additional disclosure about utility cash on hand, capital structure, and related information in existing reports to help inform rates and affordability. Utilities opposed the measure as duplicative of existing proceedings and potentially delay-inducing, while supporters said it would improve transparency for ratepayers. The committee passed SB 1233 10-3 to Appropriations. The committee also dispensed with the consent calendar, passing the remaining consent items, including SB 925, SB 667, SB 952, SB 742, SB 929, SB 943, and SB 1138, and noted that SB 905 had been pulled from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess we're going to start doing that too because there's something in the code that says TR can make
• ... ...we were getting the government assistance handed to us.
• A lot of times, even under the Medicare rate, there are certain codes that we pay more on the Medicaid
• So it's a balance on how to do that, but there are certainly codes and rates that could make an... ..
• In some states, we're higher on certain codes. It's a very complex situation. You're welcome.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government has little interest in protecting public health these days, so we need state government
• Code, and Title V, but also lesser-known codes and minimum standards covering recreational camps, bathing
• Code, and Title V, but also lesser-known codes and minimum standards covering recreational camps, bathing
• with the Massachusetts of 1621 is actually one of the foundational documents when we think about government-to-government
• We know that we have good government here.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a broad set of environmental and water-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on blue economy and circular economy proposals, drought management, drinking water safety, flood resilience, and water infrastructure funding. Supporters of bills such as H. 987 and H. 988 described grant programs for blue economy workforce development, research, small businesses, and public education about a circular economy. Other speakers backed measures on coastal erosion research, recreational boating dredging, cranberry water-right transfers, sand mining oversight, and a voucher program for home water filtration in PFAS-impacted communities. Several elected officials and advocates also urged passage of bills to require private well testing, improve school drinking water safety, and address sand mining pollution and PFAS contamination. Water supply and drought issues drew extensive testimony. Senator Eldridge and others supported legislation to let the state, through DEP and the drought management task force, impose regional water-use restrictions during droughts and make the task force permanent in statute. Advocates from watershed groups, farms, and environmental organizations said the current town-by-town approach is inconsistent and ineffective, and they described drought impacts on rivers, farms, private wells, and wildfire risk. A related bill on private wells was supported as a way to help homeowners test and remediate contaminated wells, especially in rural areas without public water. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to allow the Lynnfield Water District to join the MWRA, with local officials saying the move would help address PFAS and other contamination and improve supply reliability. Another major panel supported a water infrastructure funding bill, arguing that aging drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems need major new investment, including support for PFAS treatment, sewer rate relief, biosolids research, and regional interconnections. Members asked about costs, funding sources, and the relationship to existing revolving loan funds; witnesses said the bill would need to be paired with future bond funding and new revenue ideas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly invited written testimony and noted the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And other forms of evidence, is that an MPO is a government edict, and when the government declares that
• It was not the intent of my bill to change existing law and other parts of the code.
• So I just want to ...existing law and other parts of the code.
• Many departments in state government are at 30% vacancy rates. And this isn’t isolated.
• Many departments in state government are at 30% vacancy rates. And this isn't isolated.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh they do have to reapply for aid both from the federal government and the state government every single
• Uh they do have to reapply for aid both from the federal government and the state government every single
• Uh they do have to reapply for aid both from the federal government and the state government every single
• To reapply for aid both from the federal government and the state government every single year.
• . government. government.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and Administrative Code.
• And then are you governed or appointed by another state employee?
• You governed or appointed by another state employee or by a board?
• , the Restatement of Contracts, the Model Penal Code, the model codes that states should follow, they
• The Restatement of Contracts, the Model Penal Code, the model codes that states should follow.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• that reflect our values and the needs of our communities, not simply track whatever the federal government
• Independent mortgage companies now originate the vast majority of government-backed home loans in California
• This is occurring at the same time that the federal government is rapidly gutting fair lending enforcement
• It fills a federal gap by adding nondiscrimination chapters to three Financial Code divisions covering
• It fills a federal gap by adding nondiscrimination chapters to three financial code divisions covering

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• COUNTRY STATES ARE MOVING QUICKLY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT AI MEANS FOR INSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION, DATA GOVERNANCE
• WE ALSO HAVE AN AI GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE WE ARE ON VERSION 5.0 ON OUR IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE.
• WE DID MATCH OUR AI POLICY TO OUR STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT. IT'S PART OF THAT CONDUCT AS MR.
• WE GO THROUGH THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND IS VERY IN LINE AND THEY UNDERSTAND IT.
• WE HAVE A CODE OF CONDUCT AND THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. IT DOES CHANGE PER INSTRUCTOR.

Transcript Highlights:

• You folks spend a lot of time reviewing building codes, approving them, and moving them forward.
• Why shouldn't a builder know the codes we're building towards?
• <00:21:11.919> But<00:21:12.080> you about those building codes.
• My question is, why does the government need to help with this?
• Why use government to put everybody on the same level?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, if you go down to line number 9, we added the governing body of a non-public school also there
• In the House, we didn't believe that this needed to be in Century Code.
• We embedded in Century Code.
• We thought that the organizations, whether it be whatever organization, Code, we thought that the organizations
• Whenever a lot of things—it's like the U.S. government buying things.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate conference committee on Senate Bill 2330 met to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, which concerns human trafficking and exploitation prevention and awareness education in schools. House members explained their amendments, including adding non-public schools, narrowing some statutory language, removing the appropriation section because funding had been moved into the Attorney General’s budget, and changing the bill’s structure to reduce what they viewed as an overly broad mandate. Senators and House members then debated whether the education should be required for all grades or limited to specific grades, and whether it should be delivered every year or every other year. Testimony from Amy Boyd-Bomey of YouthWorks and Stacey Schaefer of the 31A Project supported focusing the program on grades 6 and 10, with later discussion adding grade 12. They said sixth grade is a key entry point into junior high and social media exposure, tenth grade is important because of dropout risk, and twelfth grade would be the last opportunity to reach students before adulthood. They also said repeating the same material every year could dilute the message, that the curriculum should be thoughtful and trauma-informed, and that “best practices” may be preferable to the bill’s “evidence-based” language because of cost and feasibility. They emphasized that presenters must be prepared for disclosures from students after the training. Committee members also discussed logistics and funding. The witnesses said the Attorney General’s budget line for the program would fund third-party organizations through a grant process, with reporting requirements, and that the proposed amount was based on their cost estimates. Members raised concerns about whether the funding would cover all schools and grades, especially if non-public schools were included. Several members argued against mandating the program in non-public schools at this time, citing uncertainty about related legislation and the need to maximize available funds, while others said private school students also face trafficking risks and should not be excluded. The committee did not take final action on the bill; instead, members agreed to continue working on amendments, including grade levels, annual versus biennial implementation, the “may include” language, the “evidence-based” standard, and the non-public school issue, and to reconvene at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not just coding; this is computer science related. In fact, one of the definitions...
• I have a copy of that code. I asked LSA... ...I have a copy of that code.
• I have a copy of the code here if you need to see it.
• And so although it may be somewhat of a quasi-like government entity, I recognize that it is viewed as
• At the forefront, they are making decisions, but the school boards are really more the governing body

Bills: HB298, HB342, HB332, HB344

Keywords: athletic classification, public high schools, English language learners, state education policy, athletic associations, religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, educational intervention, State Superintendent, local boards of education, subpoena, accountability, state control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:01:00.799> Relations co-chair of the government Relations co-chair of the government Relations
• was initiated because of a government mistake.
• was initiated because of a government mistake.
• uh entities in our code that I'm kind of uh entities in our code that I'm kind of just<01:14:29.320><
• It says, 'A penny saved is a government oversight.'

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded DE3. I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative Noor.
• ><00:04:50.680> amendment<00:04:50.960> is coded The amendment to amendment is coded The
• amendment to amendment is coded<00:04:51.600> A8.
• coded A8. coded A8.
• coded A13. coded A13.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 476, the human services policy bill on continuity of care, assisted living safety, vulnerable adult protections, and program integrity. Representative Noor, the bill’s author, described it as a broad policy package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, maltreatment of vulnerable adults, continuity of care, and miscellaneous changes. Representative Schumacher also supported the bill, saying the final language reflected extensive stakeholder work and compromise, especially in aging and long-term care, while also adding guardrails around fraud-related processes and other DHS policy decisions. Several amendments were considered. A DE3 amendment was offered and adopted, and an A8 amendment to the amendment was initially discussed as a way to create a legislative working group and bring more community input into human services program changes, but Representative Curran withdrew it. Curran then offered A11, which would have changed billing limits for individualized home supports with training, but withdrew that as well after noting DHS concerns about possible costs. The House then suspended the rules to allow Noor’s A13 technical amendment, which was adopted. On third reading, Representative Frederick praised the bipartisan work and highlighted provisions addressing intimidation of staff in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, extending voluntary return time for certain civilly committed individuals, and allowing some DCT staff to move from unclassified to classified positions. Noor thanked staff and reiterated that the bill protects vulnerable people while preserving program integrity and taxpayer dollars. The bill passed as amended by a vote of 93 ayes to 39 nays, and its title was agreed to.