Transcript Highlights:

• Next week, or later this week, we will have the updated forecast, so part of the reason why we wanted
• so um part of the updated forecast so um part of the reason<01:10:47.199> why<01:10:47.320>
• In November 2024, Minnesota Management and Budget forecast a state government budget deficit of $3.5
• In November 2024, Minnesota Management and Budget forecast a state government budget deficit of $3.5
• In November 2024, Minnesota Management and Budget forecast a state government budget deficit of $3.5

Bills: HF192, HF268, HF1214, HF494

Keywords: Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation

Transcript Highlights:

• that it might add about ISO forecast that it might add about $140<01:11:06.160> million $140
• The results of these spot market forecasts are predictable.
• <01:15:54.480> Customers<01:15:55.080> are forecasts are predictable.
• Customers are forecasts are predictable.
• . forecasting. forecasting.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's budget, we also presented to this body that we were in a position... experiencing higher than forecast
• programs, and we are looking at several programs that are also increasing in their costs beyond our forecast
• There was a lot of movement; a lot of things were occurring that made forecasting caseload, understanding
• Finance said, which I think contributed to both of our offices having some challenges this year with forecasting
• And as the LAO said, it's not uncommon; this has happened, as I understand it, over the years that forecasts

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This means budget and economic forecast.
• Previously, the budget forecast fund.
• Fine. future bonding bills from the forecast future bonding bills from the forecast >> and<00:25
• of held in the forecast and assumed in<00:26:10.320> the<00:26:10.400> forecast<00:26:
• So it does bonding bill in the forecast.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• those past past forecasts from those past assessments.<00:46:28.480> And,<00:46:29.200> um
• Prior to that, you were seeing forecast.
• The witness explains that data centers introduce uncertainty into load forecasts, and that they take
• , so they do not count speculative load as part of the demand forecast.
• <01:23:46.080> um forecasts that we are very aware of. um forecasts that we are very aware

Bills: HF3296, HF3802

Keywords: energy conservation, data centers, electric sales, energy optimization, utility regulations, energy regulation, certificate of need, renewable energy, power production, energy efficiency, Minnesota statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you'll see columns C through J speak to the forecasts in February.
• per the forecast. per the forecast.
• Madam Chair, if you could please tell us on line 209: the February forecast was $18 million, and then
• was 18 million 209 the February forecast was 18 million 362<00:21:42.480> and<00:21:42.720>
• On page two, beginning at 2.4, that paragraph B, this Changes relative to the February forecast, and

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:29:52.080> which that into kind of a load forecast, which that into kind of a load forecast
• We see from many of the forecasts we've seen from our companies, Goldman Sachs, and others, that the
• We see from many of the forecasts we've seen from our companies, Goldman Sachs, and others, that the
• Um, and if you see the forecast, we're still probably, you know, only halfway through the initial phase
• Um, and if you see the forecast, we're still probably, you know, only halfway through the initial phase

Keywords: Meeting Start - 00:00 Roll Call – 00:15 Approval of Minutes of the July 15, 2025, Meeting 00:55 Helping Power Kentucky’s Growth – 01:25 Powering and Deploying AI – 41:00 Fueling America’s Intelligence – 56:12 Adjournment – 01:10:37, 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum, adopted prior meeting minutes, and then focused on energy policy and economic development as they relate to AI and data centers. John Bevington of LG&E and KU, introduced by Caroline Clark of LG&E/KU and PPL, described the utility’s Kentucky-only service territory, vertically integrated system, 1.3 million customers, and about 7.5 gigawatts of generating capacity. He said the company has supported 76 Kentucky projects in 2024 totaling about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, with a large share of statewide announcements occurring in its service area. Bevington said LG&E and KU’s current project pipeline is unusually strong, totaling about 170 projects and 8.5 gigawatts of requested power, with data centers accounting for about two-thirds of that demand. He broke the pipeline into existing customer expansions, new-to-Kentucky projects, and 20 data center projects representing about 5.6 gigawatts of potential load. He highlighted a Louisville data center project by PO Development Company and Powerhouse Data Centers that has announced a 400-megawatt facility and may expand to 525 megawatts, estimating that such a project could represent about $4 billion in investment. He also explained that large data centers generally must locate near transmission lines and that utilities must conduct studies, order long-lead equipment, and secure reimbursement commitments before proceeding so other customers are not harmed. Members asked about how Kentucky compares with other states, the size of data center projects, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects reflect current Kentucky interest, which he attributed in part to the state’s sales tax exemption for data centers, and noted that states like Ohio have had similar incentives for years. In response to questions from Senator Thomas, he confirmed that data centers can vary in size and said the state should have a regulatory environment that supports economic development, while emphasizing that the benefits would flow to the state, local communities, and schools rather than just the utility. He also cited national and regional data suggesting data centers generate indirect jobs and tax revenue, and said LG&E and KU are investing in transmission, reliability, solar, and gas generation projects, including proposed additional 645-megawatt natural gas units and other system upgrades, to meet expected demand.

Transcript Highlights:

• :24.720> February delivered by MMB with each February delivered by MMB with each February forecast
• . forecast. forecast.
• . forecast. forecast.
• for this committee general fund forecast for this committee and<00:14:51.200> the<00:14:51.320
• . forecast. forecast.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:34:41.200> our we see the need for more as as our we see the need for more as as our forecasts
• <00:34:42.960> We<00:34:43.119> need forecasts indicate right now.
• We need forecasts indicate right now.
• We see from many of the forecasts we've seen from our companies, Goldman Sachs, and others, that the
• <00:43:42.960> we've We see from many of the forecasts we've We see from many of the forecasts

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force held its third meeting and adopted the prior minutes after a motion and second. The main presentation came from John Bevington of LG&E and KU, who described the utility’s Kentucky service territory, its vertically integrated operations, and its role in economic development. He said the company supported 76 projects in 2024, representing about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, and noted that about 45% of statewide investment announcements were in its service area. He also outlined a large project pipeline of about 8.5 gigawatts, with data centers making up roughly two-thirds of that interest. Bevington explained that data center siting differs from traditional manufacturing site selection because it is driven primarily by transmission access and grid capacity rather than a process of eliminating locations. He said large data centers must locate near transmission lines, that utilities must conduct formal studies to ensure existing customers are not harmed, and that the buildout timeline for utility infrastructure is much longer than for data centers. He cited a Deloitte study and other industry data to argue that power constraints and timeline mismatches are the biggest challenges, while also emphasizing that data centers can generate significant construction activity, indirect jobs, and tax revenue. He said Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers was a key enabler that increased interest in the state. Members asked about the number and size of potential data center projects, how Kentucky compares with other states, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects in Kentucky reflect current interest, that other states such as Ohio have had similar incentives for years, and that Kentucky is still early in the market. He also said data centers can vary in size, from 200 to 600 megawatts or more, and that they can be located anywhere with sufficient transmission capacity and, in some cases, access to workforce and roads. In response to concerns about energy supply, he said LG&E and KU are pursuing an “all of the above” strategy, including solar, batteries, and new natural gas combined-cycle units, and noted ongoing and proposed projects totaling additional capacity if approved by the Public Service Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now moving to Item 5, Forecast Client Service Programs.
• Recommendations for all forecasted programs total 0.9.
• We would like to note that currently neither the DFPS nor LBB forecasts are in effect. includes cost
• So, it is difficult to forecast that. The second item is the. Fourth bullet under foster care.
• But again, that is impossible to forecast at this time.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is a change because in the past that debt was just absorbed, what we call was absorbed into the forecast
• because we didn't think that we had actually given MMB the legal authorization to put it in the forecast
• absorbed just absorbed, what we call was absorbed into<00:08:31.840> the<00:08:32.000> forecast
• So it was kind of into the forecast.
• and we thought it was just the forecast and we thought it was just more<00:08:50.160> upfront

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you're looking for a man in finance to help make sense of the state's current and future forecasts
• So what we've seen in the Management and Budget forecast reiterates what we saw in November: we have
• And I was going to ask, you know, was this avoidable considering we had this forecast in November?
• Senator, during its latest budget forecast presentation, MMB said there's a lot of uncertainty at the
• You know, now that we've got the February forecast, we're looking at all of that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:13:38.800> a a baseline of 15% into their forecast, a a baseline of 15% into their forecast
• So forecasted, not real, but forecasted.
• So we don't forecasted recessionary.
• It's not forecasted to calendar year.
• Uh, forecasted to continue to be now.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of the budget forecast, the current federal provisions that do expire in 2025, unless there
• So if a provision expires and it goes away, that's how the forecast is currently accounting it.
• <01:32:23.040> the<01:32:23.400> current forecast the current forecast the current Federal
• is um uh presented before the forecast is um uh presented the<01:32:40.159> end<01:32:40.320>
• <01:33:40.600> for any impact on the budget forecast for any impact on the budget forecast

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forecast-based rate-making has the advantage of making the utility exercise greater cost control.
• For those instances where costs truly cannot be forecast... ...for those instances where costs truly
• cannot be forecast.
• It simply requires that they be for exceptional purposes and, whenever possible, that we forecast our
• In its 2025 report to the Legislature, the Public Utilities Commission forecasted annual average rate

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 919, SB 931, SB 1215, SB 1359, SB 1125, and SB 1098, with authors and witnesses presenting each measure and the committee taking up amendments on several bills. SB 919 would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and encourage CPUC action on reducing renewable natural gas interconnection costs; supporters said it would help methane reduction and RNG development, while opponents warned about ratepayer costs and the use of public funds. The author said the amended bill removed the rate-basing direction and instead urged CPUC action. SB 931 would extend Diablo Canyon’s Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030; supporters said local communities and schools rely on the funding, while opponents argued it would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E revenues. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was tied to a broader Diablo Canyon extension package, and the author said it was intended to cover the five-year extension period already enacted. The committee also heard SB 1215, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. The author and supporters said renters are largely shut out of home charging and that existing utility pilots have been successful but insufficient; the bill’s amendments would require consideration of ratepayer benefits, non-ratepayer funding, and system constraints. SB 1359 would require utilities to more carefully justify new gas infrastructure investments and consider electrification and non-pipeline alternatives first; supporters framed it as a guardrail against stranded gas assets, while gas utilities and other opponents said it could undermine safety, the obligation to serve, and ongoing CPUC proceedings. SB 1125 would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation; supporters emphasized widespread household water debt and the lack of statewide aid, while one member raised concerns about the lack of a funding source and the limits of Proposition 218. The bill was moved and the roll was opened, with several ayes and at least one no recorded. Finally, SB 1098 would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, more commission review, cost-sharing or lower returns, and sunset dates. Supporters said these accounts have proliferated and allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little oversight, while utilities and business groups argued the accounts are needed for hard-to-forecast costs such as wildfire mitigation and emergencies, and that the CPUC already reviews them. The committee also heard brief introductory remarks on SB 1295, which would promote more targeted use of distributed batteries on the distribution grid to save money and improve reliability, with utilities and environmental groups expressing support and saying they would continue working on the details.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been flat the last three years, and it's forecast to be flat for the next three years.
• It's been flat the last three years, and it's forecast to be flat for the next three years.
• It's been flat the last three years, and it's forecast to be flat for the next three years.
• Because right now... ...the last three years and it's forecast to be flat for the next three years.
• So we had to begin forecasting and doing all that research.

Summary: The Committee on Transportation received a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on Florida’s camera-based traffic enforcement programs: red light cameras, school bus stop-arm cameras, and school zone speed cameras. The department explained how each program works, the distinction between a civil notice of violation and a uniform traffic citation, and the fee distribution for each type of violation. It also reported preliminary data showing 42 jurisdictions operating red light cameras, with 496 cameras at 302 intersections and 923,133 notices of violation in fiscal year 2024-2025; for the newer school bus and school zone programs, the department said preliminary figures showed five active school bus programs and 40 active school zone programs, with prior-year totals of 61,150 school bus notices and 26,300 school zone notices. Senators asked about camera placement, school zone requirements, review procedures, and whether law enforcement or third parties are involved in reviewing violations. The committee then received an update from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, which used $4 billion in general revenue to advance a $7 billion package of 20 major congestion-relief projects. He said the department has used innovative delivery methods, including modified phased design-build, voluntary acceleration, and structured acceleration, to move projects forward faster and control costs. He highlighted progress on projects including I-4 congestion relief lanes, the Golden Glades Interchange, I-95 at US-1, I-75 auxiliary lanes, I-75 at Pine Ridge Road, and I-275 in Tampa, and said 80% of the plan is expected to be underway by the end of 2026, with four projects remaining in 2027. Members asked about temporary traffic patterns at Golden Glades, subcontractor opportunities, public transportation planning, contractor safety and OSHA issues, bridge strikes, logistics hubs near airports and seaports, aggregate and material supply, local government coordination, and federal transportation funding. Secretary Perdue said FDOT continuously reevaluates traffic management plans, works with small businesses and local subs, and monitors contractor safety closely, including corrective action plans after incidents. He emphasized that Florida’s transportation revenues are flat, that the state remains largely state-funded, and that additional resources are the main thing the Legislature can provide to support future infrastructure delivery. The committee adjourned after the chair requested FDOT staff provide senators with district-specific project updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page one, the general fund revenues have been updated to reflect the forecast adopted at the Revenue
• summary, the revenues in the top section of the page have also been updated to reflect the most recent forecast
• The most recent forecast reduced revenues in all years shown on the five-year forecast.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee received the May fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget, which reflected the updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecast. The revised forecast reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million and lowered projected revenues across the five-year baseline, including a drop in FY27 available funds and larger out-year imbalances. The statement was approved without objection. Members then considered several Facility Planning and Control items and approved them without objection: a $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans project to build out space in the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation; a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home warehouse in Jackson; and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Lenoir Law Center addition. The committee also received, for information only, five change orders over $50,000 but under $250,000. The committee approved contract extensions and funding actions for several agencies. Louisiana Economic Development received approval for one-year extensions and increases for marketing contracts with Zender Communications and Graham Group. The Department of Education’s contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey was reported favorably after questions about the procurement process and how the contract amount relates to student enrollment. The Sabine River Authority’s $9.5 million operating budget increase and its 2026–2027 budget were approved favorably, with members discussing the planned takeover of Cypress Bend Resort operations. The Department of Health’s HERO Fund round of 15 grant awards, totaling about $4.6 million and projected to create 541 new health care credentials, was also approved favorably. Finally, the Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were adopted, including an additional $619,850 for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and $1.5 million in emergency subfund assistance for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. The committee also reviewed a cooperative agreement between the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and its facilities corporation related to Act 35 projects, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page one, the general fund revenues have been updated to reflect the forecast adopted at the Revenue
• summary, the revenues in the top section of the page have also been updated to reflect the most recent forecast
• The most recent forecast reduced revenues in all years shown on the five-year forecast.

Summary: The committee first heard a fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget showing that updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecasts reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million, with lower revenues across the five-year baseline and larger out-year imbalances. With no questions, the statement was approved. Members then reviewed several Facility Planning and Control items, including approval of a new $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center project in New Orleans funded by self-generated revenues, a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson, and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Leno Law Center addition. The committee also received informational change-order reports and approved Louisiana Economic Development contract extensions for Zender Communications and Graham Group, as well as a Department of Education contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey after questions about the contract’s up-to amount and procurement process. The Sabine River Authority sought approval for a $9.5 million increase to its operating budget and its 2026-2027 budget, explaining the increase was tied to taking over the Cypress Bend Resort hotel and related property; members asked about long-term self-sufficiency and local support, and the items were approved favorably. The Louisiana Department of Health received approval for 15 HERO Fund grant awards totaling about $4.6 million to support 541 new health care credentials statewide. The Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were also approved, including $619,850 more for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and emergency subfund support for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. Finally, members reviewed an agreement between the LCTCS Board and its Facilities Corporation under Act 35, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hearing about our updated state financial forecast today, and the local economic implications from
• about our um updated<00:02:13.040> State<00:02:13.560> financial<00:02:14.040> forecast
• <00:02:14.879> today updated State financial forecast today updated State financial forecast

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1066, a Soil and Water Conservation District funding bill. An author’s amendment, 66A1, was offered and adopted by voice vote, putting the bill in the form preferred by the author. The amendment and bill discussion centered on changing the state aid level for SWCDs, with the bill as amended described as eliminating a scheduled reduction in funding and instead increasing the annual appropriation to $22 million. Representative Ryer explained that SWCDs are long-standing, locally elected conservation entities that help preserve soil and water quality, support farmers and homeowners, and do not have levy authority. He said the funding level was based on a bottom-up assessment of district needs and was intended to help districts maintain staffing and address local problems early. Sheila Vany of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts testified in support, saying the aid has been a major improvement in SWCD funding and describing district work such as lakeshore stabilization, cover crops, nutrient management, lake monitoring, rain gardens, and irrigation guidance. The chair noted the voluntary nature of SWCD work with willing landowners and expressed support for the bill. No opposition testimony was presented, and no department testimony was offered. The committee then laid House File 1066, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• the hearings that we need to do to understand where we want to head as we wait for that February forecast
• while you're waiting on the February while you're waiting on the February budget<00:01:45.479> forecast
• > come<00:01:46.240> out<00:01:46.479> what<00:01:46.600> should budget forecast
• to come out what should budget forecast to come out what should the<00:01:46.840> Senate's<00
• 00:02:08.360> Fe<00:02:08.720> that<00:02:08.840> February<00:02:09.239> forecast

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Bobby Champion spoke after the Minnesota Senate’s opening day, emphasizing that the chamber was organized and ready to begin work for Minnesotans. He said the Senate had reached a good-faith power-sharing agreement with Republicans, describing the negotiations as respectful and focused on finding a workable outcome. He also noted that the Senate is in a temporary tie and that the chamber intends to use the early weeks of the session to prepare for the budget process ahead of the February forecast. Champion said the Senate will hear from state agencies about their budget priorities, listen to the governor’s priorities, and hold committee hearings as part of the budget session. Under the agreement, leadership and committees will be power-shared, with co-chairs and evenly split committees requiring bipartisan agreement to move bills forward. He said the Senate’s goal is to represent Minnesotans and work on “bread-and-butter” issues, while acknowledging that the House is dealing with its own separate disputes. He also discussed the Senate’s response to the death of Carrie Dick, saying members deeply felt her loss and that her legacy of courage and respect would guide the chamber moving forward. Champion contrasted the Senate’s agreement with the more contentious situation in the House, and said that if the House is properly constituted and passes bills by the required vote threshold, the Senate will work with it as required by law.