Transcript Highlights:

• Members, these bills, House Bill 1610, House Bill House Bill 1615 and House Bill 1620 have been prepared
• House Bill 2960 is finally passed. House Bill 3163. Clerk, read the bill.
• House Bill 2851. Clerk, read the bill.
• House Bill 2970. Clerk, read the bill.
• House Bill 2851. Clerk, read the bill.

Bills: HB1500 , HJR7 , HJR112 , HB34 , HB133 , HB 112 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB271 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1819 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2043 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB5265 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2349 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB2520 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3529 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB1804 , HB1926 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB1964 , HB2679 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HCR77 , HB3354 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB333 , HB405 , HB519 , HB569 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1006 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2626 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB2914 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3129 , HB3248 , HB3251 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3701 , HB3724 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB3832 , HB3887 , HB4127 , HB4129 , HB4130 , HB4131 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4229 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HJR5 , HJR2 , HB1399 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB1445 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2558 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB33 , HB144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB148 , HB3809 , HB2217 , HB220 , HB2421 , HB2363 , HB421 , HB2455 , HB3711 , HB2559 , HB2775 , HB3126 , HB3666 , HB3595 , HB3260 , HB3376 , HB3826 , HB3770 , HB1831 , HB2614 , HB3113 , HB322 , HB431 , HB869 , HB 1203 , HB 1244 , HB1875 , HB1950 , HB2152 , HB2341 , HB2809 , HB2856 , HB3012 , SB1415 , SB1058 , SB487 , SB1499 , SB513 , SB1697 , SB1197 , SB1437 , SB1809 , SB836 , SB1879 , SB1145 , SB963 , SB1038 , SB1147 , SB914 , SB711 , SB1409 , HB3707 , HB589 , HB1360 , HB2337 , HB2391 , HB718 , HB23 , HB2436 , HB1500 , HJR7 , HJR112 , HB34 , HB133 , HB 112 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB271 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1819 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2043 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB5265 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2349 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB2520 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3529 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB1804 , HB1926 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB1964 , HB2679 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3354 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB333 , HB405 , HB519 , HB569 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1006 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2626 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB2914 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3129 , HB3248 , HB3251 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3701 , HB3724 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB3832 , HB3887 , HB4127 , HB4129 , HB4130 , HB4131 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4229 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HCR77

Keywords: Information Resources, Department governance, cybersecurity, state assistance, procurement training, technology resources, advisory committees, water fund, Texas water supply, constitutional amendment, state revenue, infrastructure, parental rights, child upbringing, government interference, Texas legislation, science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• Spending from outside groups into individual candidate races was almost double the actual spending by
• spending amount.
• </c> six times the candidate spending six times the candidate spending amount<00:03:26.640><c> this</
• works for all motans for voters the bill works for all motans for voters the bill<00:05:46.560><c> makes
• spending.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the November forecast and spending the November forecast and spending projections<00:05:04.160><
• </c> income and spending would likely fall. income and spending would likely fall.
• </c> The first line, E12 education spending The first line, E12 education spending is<00:20:23.280><c
• </c> ed spending from 2020 through 2029. ed spending from 2020 through 2029.
• DHS estimates about 4% lower spending in these 14 services as a result of providers simply billing less

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget officials presented the February 2026 budget and economic forecast, saying the state remains in a strong financial position but faces continued structural imbalance and significant uncertainty. Commissioner Aaron Campbell said the FY 2026-27 balance is now projected at more than $3.7 billion, up about $1.3 billion from November, and the FY 2028-29 planning period is projected to end with a $377 million positive balance. He emphasized that the improvement comes largely from higher projected revenues, especially individual income and corporate franchise taxes, but warned that the state is increasingly reliant on more volatile sources such as capital gains, interest income, and corporate profits. State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker said the national outlook improved slightly, with stronger projected GDP, consumer spending, and investment, but weaker payroll growth and ongoing trade-policy uncertainty. He noted that the forecast was complicated by missing federal data because of the federal shutdown, and that tariffs, immigration policy, equity markets, and possible AI-related shifts all present risks. Revenue projections were raised for the current biennium, including individual income tax receipts, sales tax revenue, corporate franchise tax revenue, and other revenues, while Becker stressed that federal funding threats, especially involving Medicaid and other entitlement programs, could materially alter the outlook. State Budget Director Anna Mingi said general fund spending in the current biennium is projected to be $68 million lower than previously estimated, but planning-year spending is up $152 million. The biggest spending changes came from education, where special education costs rose sharply after updated local spending data, and from human services, where a new prepayment review process for certain Medicaid benefits reduced projected spending by $133 million this biennium and $105 million in the next. She also said discretionary inflation is now estimated at $1.04 billion, up $104 million from November. Campbell closed by saying the state’s reserve remains at a record $3.8 billion and that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy help protect against downturns. He cautioned, however, that the long-term structural imbalance remains about $3.4 billion in the planning years, or $2.3 billion excluding discretionary inflation, and urged policymakers to offset any new spending with reductions. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session on the forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> November forecast and spending November forecast and spending projections<00:05:06.000><c> are</
• Becker to cover our economic and revenue outlook. spending will exceed revenues generated spending will
• Turning to real consumer spending, or real personal consumption expenditures, real consumer spending
• </c> driven revisions in the state spending driven revisions in the state spending forecast. forecast
• </c> result of providers billing less. result of providers billing less.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> approved now then back to your bill approved now then back to your bill representative<00:01:58.799
• </c> the state will necessarily then spend the state will necessarily then spend more<00:23:01.200><c
• So the calculation of the inflation, it keys off of the spending amount, so as spending changes, the
• , so you would be spending less.
• </c><00:46:57.920><c> less</c> spending so you would be spending less spending so you would be spending

Bills: HF3

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• Today again, we have House Bill 634, which is the exact same bill we ran last year and got through the
• They spend $20 to get new computers.
• So I'm wondering why we need a statute that says spend the money the way we say to spend the money, but
• And I think that's what this bill is all about. So I support the bill. Do you turn your light on?
• So what this bill does, or what this bill would do, is solve that problem, along with a few others, which

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• However, when spending on these items from all fund sources is considered, spending surpasses the foundation
• showed no change in spending.
• So with the matrix spending wrapped up, we're going to move into spending on non-matrix items.
• So when looking at spending on non-matrix resources, these are the top So when looking at spending on
• I remember that bill. It was a long bill, thick bill. A lot of us didn't understand it.

Transcript Highlights:

• , spending, spending, are<00:08:52.800><c> a</c><00:08:53.120><c> primary</c><00:08:53.600><c> driver
• spending in forecasts.
• </c> projected health care bills coming up. projected health care bills coming up.
• Uh, spending is up and we still have a structural spending problem.
• </c> bill is a panacea to stop fraud. Okay? bill is a panacea to stop fraud. Okay?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Thursday, we will begin hearing bills Thursday, we will begin hearing bills relating<00:01:36.040
• ,</c> in reaction to that bill, in reaction to that bill, federal<00:04:13.040><c> bill</c><00:04:13.400
• And extension in next year's tax bill.
• I'm cheering for a tax bill in 2026.
• I'm cheering for a tax bill in 2026.

Bills: HF3396

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: property tax, task force, assessment, state revenue, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Your desire to continue spending and demanding—that's not what this bill is designed for.
• Your desire to continue spending and demanding—that's not what this bill is designed for.
• Your desire to continue spending and demanding—that's not what this bill is designed for.
• It is clear that this bill would require the legislature to really prioritize spending so that we're
• </c><00:47:20.240><c> an</c> spending so that we're not spending an spending so that we're not spending

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• We kept hearing lies that we needed a bill. No, we didn't need a bill.
• So what's this bill about?
• I don't care whether we do one bill or two bills. I can teach it round or flat.
• Any spending increases will be accompanied by corresponding spending decreases. Spending decreases.
• against the fuel bill and the fuel bill against the health care costs.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the bill now so many of your committee that the bill do pass.
• The bill is about requiring that schools spend their money on teacher pay and in the classroom, and it
• The senator from District 12 says that this bill cuts education spending.
• And spend the money on everything else that they didn't say they would spend it on.
• at least 60% of operational spending, The district must spend at least 60% of operational spending on

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Becker's bill, SB 254, which tackled a major recent driver of costs on electricity bills, which
• One of the provisions of the bill said that these costs are One of the provisions of the bill said that
• Bills and some don't.
• This is a big piece of spending.
• Where would you be spending most of your time? The number one driver is spending.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, wildfire costs, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s role. Chair and members framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while maintaining reliability and keeping bills affordable. The hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, with testimony from Professor Severin Borenstein and CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds. Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining that generation is largely deregulated while transmission and distribution remain regulated, and that most rate-setting follows cost-of-service regulation. He emphasized that the hardest issue is setting the allowed return on equity: too high can raise bills and encourage capital-heavy spending, while too low can deter investment and harm reliability. He argued there is no silver bullet, said performance-based regulation and price caps have limits, and suggested some costs now charged through electric bills—such as climate programs, low-income subsidies, and wildfire-related public policy costs—might more appropriately be paid through the state budget. Reynolds described the CPUC’s oversight role, saying the commission reviews utility spending through general rate cases, balancing accounts, and other proceedings, and that affordability is addressed through front-end scrutiny, post-spend accountability, and legislative direction. She highlighted wildfire mitigation as a major driver of rate increases, noted recent progress on clean energy procurement and battery storage, and said the CPUC is working on return-on-equity decisions, FERC advocacy on transmission costs, and implementation of SB 254 and other statutes. Members pressed on a range of issues, including wildfire securitization, load growth from EVs and data centers, gas-system stranded assets, balancing accounts, and a water-service dispute in Keene involving Union Pacific. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up commitments from the CPUC to provide data and updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
• Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
• Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
• Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
• Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.

Summary: Republican legislative leaders in Minnesota held a budget-focused press availability after the November forecast, thanking Minnesota Management and Budget staff while arguing the updated numbers show a much worse deficit outlook than expected. They said the state faces a structural spending problem, cited projected gaps in the 2028-29 biennium and over the four-year outlook, and blamed recent deficits on higher spending, tax increases, mandates, and what they described as fraud in state programs. They also criticized Governor Walz for focusing on federal issues and for not doing enough to control spending or address fraud. Speaker Lisa Demuth, House Republican Leader Harry Niska, and Senate Finance lead Eric Pratt all said the forecast underscores the need for spending restraint, pro-growth policies, and stronger fraud prevention. They pointed to health care, long-term care, Medicaid-related programs, and local government mandates as major cost drivers, and said the legislature should examine those areas in the upcoming session. Demuth said the state should not ignore fraud and noted that the legislature had added staff to the Office of the Legislative Auditor and whistleblower protections, but had not passed an independent inspector general office. A substantial portion of the exchange centered on fraud investigations and comments by President Trump about Somali Minnesotans. The Republican leaders said they disagreed with condemning any community as a whole, but also said they shared frustration over fraud and corruption and wanted accountability for those responsible. They said the state’s fraud problem is not about any one community, but about failures in administration and oversight. The lawmakers said they would return to session on February 17 and continue working on budget and fraud-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Becker's bill, SB 254, which tackled a major recent driver of costs on electricity bills, which
• One of the provisions of the bill said that these costs are One of the provisions of the bill said that
• Spending is tested and challenged.
• Bills and some don't.
• This is a big piece of spending.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:48.560><c> created</c> Um section six of the bill created Um section six of the bill created
• </c> Act 73 for some extra local spending. Act 73 for some extra local spending.
• So, let's jump to the supplemental district spending. This is that local spend.
• This is that local district spending. This is that local spend. spend. spend.
• Is that to cover what we think of today as education spending or total school spending?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> income and spending would likely fall. income and spending would likely fall.
• Spending.
• DHS estimates about 4% lower spending in these 14 services as a result of providers simply billing less
• . spending. spending.
• We still have a spending problem. years. We still have a spending problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget bills.
• </c> of $25 million over that plan spending of $25 million over that plan spending amount<00:02:32.640
• </c><00:04:41.120><c> that</c> bills.
• And that would fund um bills that bills.
• And then we al always budget bills.

Bills: HF601

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the House and the Senate bill. the House and the Senate bill.
• So the total spending in the bill and authorized for the agencies, including all funds, for the 2026-
• The total spending from the LCCMR bill is on page 12 of the spreadsheet.
• </c> carried in the Senate bill. carried in the Senate bill.
• The<00:25:55.600><c> total</c><00:25:55.960><c> spending</c> The total spending The total spending from

Transcript Highlights:

• We will start with House Bill 949, which is an act relating to property… House Bill 949, which is an
• tax bill, and then we will move to Senate Bill 208 and then we will move to House Bill 951.
• And I can't support this yield bill. I can't support this yield bill.
• The reduced excess spending threshold in this bill compounds existing pressures on school Legislative
• The reduced excess spending threshold in this bill compounds existing pressures on school districts,