Transcript Highlights:

• Those providing testimony will be given specific time limits, which must be strictly observed.
• Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony, former Representative Banyan.
• Thank you for your testimony. And >> Yep. Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our committee has received testimony, and I've received many emails and have had conversations with a
• , and for the committee to form testimony, and for the committee to form a<00:14:58.000> conclusion
• <00:15:51.040> and Our committee has received testimony and Our committee has received testimony
• One piece of written testimony in particular struck me in this process.
• After a deep dive into her record, reviewing the testimony and conducting two interviews with her, I

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll proceed to testimony. Thank you. Thank you. The chair calls Brenda Barrio.
• Thank you for your testimony. Is there anyone else who wishes to testify?
• We'll proceed to testimony and reserve your right to close. Yes. The chair calls Dr.
• Okay, if there's no further questions, we will proceed to testimony. Thank you. Dr.
• No further questions, we'll proceed to testimony. The chair calls Tim McDonald.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no questions, do we have testimony? Mooney. Thank you.
• Seeing no questions, do we have testimony? Seeing no testimony? Is there debate? Is there debate?
• We do have some other testimony, but they are to the General Board of Trustees.
• We do have some other testimony, but they are to the General Board of Trustees.
• Do we have any testimony? No. Thank you so very much.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• I thank you and I look forward to your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• General Kane, we will now hear your testimony. You're recognized.
• Will those witnesses and briefers be protected from reprisal for their testimony or briefings?
• Testimony that we've had at numerous hearings is it's inadequate.
• Thank you for your work and I yield back. witness for his testimony.

Keywords: national security, military readiness, Kane nomination, defense budget, China threats, Russia, collaboration, modernization

Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of retired Lieutenant General Dan Kane for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delving into various security concerns and the strategic environment facing the U.S. today. Testimonies highlighted the growing threats from adversaries such as China and Russia, with discussions around the necessity of maintaining and modernizing military capabilities to address these challenges. The need for agility in military operations and enhancing collaboration among various defense agencies was underscored. Further, concerns were raised regarding the defense budget and the importance of a strong national defense strategy were prevalent throughout the discussions. The committee members collectively emphasized the need for superior readiness and modernization to keep pace with global threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• The public testimony that we had was very good for some of us to be able to have, and we talked about
• The subcommittee heard testimony from the Arkansas State Crime Lab regarding construction and the timeline
• The subcommittee also heard testimony regarding rapid DNA testing, the new CODA system that's in place
• The Hospital, Medicaid, and Developmental Disabilities Study Subcommittee met on Monday to hear testimony
• The subcommittee heard testimony on the Arkansas Lottery fiscal year 2027 proposed budget and director's

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call, prayer, and approval of the previous minutes. Members then adopted a resolution honoring Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service, with remarks praising her legislative work, constituent services, leadership, and emergency response roles. McDonald thanked the committee, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, flag, and commemorative coin. The committee received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and a projected surplus of $585.8 million. The executive subcommittee report was adopted, covering emergency rules for DHS and the Department of Education, school district waiver requests, committee fund allocations, cancellation of the July ALC meeting, and authorization for subcommittees to meet in July on urgent matters. The administrative rules report was also adopted after members noted that most rules were approved, with a few pulled by agencies or held. Members then heard a lengthy exchange on the Arkansas Education Department’s ClassWallet contract and delays in expense review for education savings account payments. Department officials said they were meeting regularly with ClassWallet, enforcing contract standards, keeping some reviews in-house, and adding staff and technology improvements to speed processing while maintaining oversight. The committee also adopted reports from Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel, including a Department of Commerce reallocation tied to a broader shared-services realignment. Under review of communications, members filed several retirement system investment items as reviewed, approved rural community grant funding, gave favorable advice for state park additions, approved special maintenance funding for state parks, and filed Office of State Technology service-rate changes as reviewed. The meeting concluded with no new business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I might be trying for the shortest testimony this morning in respect of time.
• Seeing none, we'll close down public testimony, committee. What's your pleasure?
• would have traveled to town to testify on the voluntary water program that you could at least take testimony
• I appreciate your testimony today. Thank you very much. Yes, Clayton. Anyone else online?
• guess the plan will be, and correct me if I'm wrong, if anybody sees it differently, we got the testimony

Bills: SF0050, SF0068, SF0084, HB0087, HB0029, HB0061, HB0090

Keywords: groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, irrigation, water management, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, water development

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we are going to limit testimony today to 3 minutes, uh, and, uh, there will be a time limit.
• So during the public testimony period, we will ask you to try to keep your remarks, uh, fairly, uh, fairly
• This time we'll proceed on to public testimony. Chair calls up James Quintero.
• Parker, uh, you and your, your testimony in your letter here. Said that, uh, referred to.
• from El Paso, but we appreciate you being here on a Monday morning early, and we appreciate your testimony

Transcript Highlights:

• record and proceed with your testimony. record and proceed with your testimony.
• add<00:17:37.360> to<00:17:37.440> your testimony or just add to your testimony
• Uh, this is a difficult testimony for me to give.
• Keys for the testimony.
• My question was on page the testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, state your full name for the record and commence your testimony when you're ready.
• your testimony when you're ready.
• your testimony when you're ready. your testimony when you're ready.
• Thanks. some testimony uh with some fraud uh some testimony uh with some fraud uh action.<00:57:13.920
• <01:03:10.480> when record and commence your testimony when record and commence your testimony

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony, Miss Hall.
• Thank you for your testimony, Miss Hall.
• Thank you for your testimony, Miss Hall.
• Please state your name and begin your testimony.
• Please state your name and begin your testimony. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• > the<00:32:09.200> corporate testimony will focus on the corporate testimony will focus
• Well, that concludes our our testimony.
• <01:09:54.640> letters think important le testimonial letters think important le testimonial
• <01:17:39.360> as um to share a little bit of testimony as um to share a little bit of testimony

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard testimony from the home builders of the games that are played.
• We heard testimony regarding this bill.
• Yes, so my testimony will be very brief today.
• calendar um there was a lot of testimony calendar um there was a lot of testimony including<01:35
• Seeing none, we appreciate your testimony.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She then asked him to state his name for the record and continue with his testimony.
• And so if there is no other public testimony, do we have any other more public testimony here today?
• All right, no more public testimony.
• do we have any other more testimony do we have any other more public<01:37:04.960> testimony<
• <01:37:09.600> if more public testimony all right well if more public testimony all right

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Capital Investment Committee met on January 23 and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The main presentation was from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of Minnesota’s Sustainable Building guidelines, also referred to as B3. The auditors said the guidelines apply to certain new buildings and major renovations funded with general obligation bonds and are intended to improve energy efficiency, occupant health, and environmental quality. They described the program as involving the Departments of Administration and Commerce, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research, and project teams, but found widespread confusion over who is responsible for administering and enforcing the program. The auditors reported that oversight and accountability are limited, compliance is not clearly tracked, and there is no agency assigned to ensure projects follow the guidelines or to require compliance data. They said many projects in a review of 2020 bonding projects had not begun tracking compliance, and that up-to-date data were often missing. They also found the law’s stated program objectives are outdated because the referenced energy-code provision was repealed in 2009, and that measurable goals have not been established for most of the guideline categories. The office recommended that the legislature designate a responsible agency, clarify duties in statute, require compliance monitoring and data collection, update the program’s stated goals, and direct systematic evaluation of cost and sustainability outcomes. Members asked about consequences for noncompliance, funding, and whether cost impacts should be studied first. The auditor said the requirements are legal obligations, but no real enforcement consequences have been used so far, and any consequences discussed have been mostly theoretical. She said the Departments of Administration and Commerce were receiving about $1 million combined to support the contract with the Center for Sustainable Building Research, while other state agencies were not receiving dedicated funding for oversight. In response to questions about costs, she said the overall effect of the guidelines on project costs and sustainability is still unknown, but that the legislature could direct an analysis of cost impacts before taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you both for your testimony. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr.
• I want to thank you so much both of you for your magnificent testimony.
• Chairman, I appreciate y'all being here and your testimony.
• Thompson: Thank you for your testimony.
• T: Thank you for your testimony. Let me ask you a question.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:30.960> table come up up here to the testimony table come up up here to the testimony
• Darly is on the list for testimony as well. Do come forward.
• your testimony. your testimony. >> Thank<00:37:13.280> you,<00:37:13.440> Mr.
• Well, thank you for the testimony here.
• Well, thank you for the testimony >> Okay.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just heard both testimony from the author. We haven't even heard all the testimonies.
• It's my testimony. Okay. We have a motion to recess. We'll, again, yes.
• I meant it more toward the testimony was wrong; it was incorrect.
• That's what the testimony was. If you don't mind, there were some changes.
• We're very thankful to the witnesses and the testimony and support.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on August 19, 2025, to consider ACA 8, SB 280, and an informational hearing on AB 604. The meeting began with several failed motions to adjourn, to read public comments into the record, and to recess so members could review the roughly 16,000 public comments submitted through the committee portal. The chair emphasized the hearing’s expedited format, transparency measures, and rules limiting witness testimony, and noted a letter from Speaker Rivas authorizing Assemblymember Berman to present ACA 8. ACA 8, described by supporters as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” would place before voters a temporary congressional redistricting plan tied to AB 604 and triggered only if another state, especially Texas, adopts a partisan mid-decade redistricting. Supporters, including Assemblymember Berman, labor groups, CTA, Planned Parenthood affiliates, SEIU, and other allied organizations, argued the measure was a response to partisan gerrymandering elsewhere and a defense of democracy, with voters having the final say in a November 4, 2025 special election. Opponents, including current and former redistricting commissioners, good-government groups, business and taxpayer organizations, and many members of the public, argued the proposal undermines California’s independent redistricting model, was rushed without adequate public review, could cost roughly $200 million or more, and would invite litigation and partisan manipulation. The committee also debated a proposed amendment that would bar legislators who voted for ACA 8 from later running for Congress in districts adopted under the measure. After extended procedural disputes, the committee voted to lay the amendment on the table. The hearing then continued with extensive public testimony, overwhelmingly divided between strong support and strong opposition, but the transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on ACA 8 or SB 280 before the excerpt ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the testimony. Do any members of the public wish to testify on this bill?
• Swanson, please identify yourself for the record and begin your testimony.
• If you can identify yourself for the record and begin your testimony.
• That's their testimony today, and I think that it's important that that's there for the record, that
• That's their testimony today, and I think that it's important that that's there for the record, that

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Thank you for your testimony. >> Thank you for your testimony.
• We'll turn to testimony now.
• Thank you for your testimony. >> All right. Thank you for your testimony.
• Appreciate your<02:04:25.280> testimony your testimony your testimony and<02:04:27.280> the
• we'll take testimony. we'll take testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We met on Monday to go through a list of proposals, hear some testimony from the public, those affected
• We had testimony on Monday about what that center is, what they do.
• Uh we had testimony on center funding.
• I'm also thinking back to the testimony I'm also thinking back to the testimony that<02:35:32.160
• Did their testimony change your mind at all on the issue?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all