Transcript Highlights:

• They ask, please reduce these mandates.
• supplements that State uh State mandated supplements that State uh State mandated mandated<00:53
• <01:10:18.880> as again this is a a federal mandate as again this is a a federal mandate as
• I don't think they need to be mandated.
• gave president Trump a mandate gave president Trump a mandate the<02:10:22.119> system<02

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a Minnesota Department of Education presentation on federal education funding and the potential effects of federal actions on those dollars. Chair Kunesh framed the discussion around concerns about threats to the U.S. Department of Education and noted that federal funds make up about 10% of Minnesota’s education budget, or roughly $1.4 billion. Senator Lang pushed back, emphasizing that 90% of school funding comes from state and local sources and urging the committee to focus on state mandates and how to pay for them. New member Senator Clark introduced himself and said he would teach ethics or running if he were a teacher. Department staff explained that federal education dollars are divided between entitlement/formula funds and competitive/discretionary grants. They said Minnesota receives federal money through established systems and that the department is seeking clarity about how federal changes might affect the flow of funds, oversight, and program administration. They also outlined Minnesota’s legislative review process for federal funds, which includes several pathways such as the governor’s biennial budget, supplemental budget submissions, legislative advisory committee review, and expedited review processes when needed. The presentation then focused on ESEA Title funding, especially Title I. Staff said Title I is one of the largest federal education programs in Minnesota, with about $200 million in current funding, and supports 476 local education agencies. They described how funds are allocated through Minnesota’s North Star accountability system and Compass support structure, based on measures such as poverty, graduation rates, and state assessment performance. Examples of allowable supports included professional development, attendance initiatives, reading curriculum, training, and peer coaching. Senators asked whether executive action could affect these funds and whether the money flows directly to districts or through the state; staff responded that they would avoid speculation and would continue explaining the different funding streams and oversight structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This definition mandates that the board conduct their public meetings inside or within 10 miles of the
• A mandate of some of those things might actually benefit me personally, but I'm looking at more from
• If we mandate that every district must do this... But we could put the water trough in the corral.
• House Bill 391 seeks to mandate something that five people can already request under current law.
• Does the state legislature want to mandate something and be responsible for it?

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:56:26.160> on we're talking about uh mandates on we're talking about uh mandates on schools
• Like, I worry, you know, we talk a lot about mandates, and I hear in this committee mandates as a bad
• and I hear in this committee mandates and I hear in this committee mandates<01:07:44.240> as<
• I mandates as a bad thing all the time.
• mandates are protecting kids, you know. mandates are protecting kids, you know.

Bills: HF630, HF1435, HF1607

Keywords: short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2013 as amended is a bill that would largely begin to dial down some of the aesthetic mandates
• , as they are called, and the aesthetic mandate language that exists today enables cities to put things
• And the goal of the aesthetic mandate language that exists today is realistically to make cities pretty
• I've driven in enough... parking minimum mandates was in parking minimum mandates was in development<
• Cottage Grove has actually has a mandate Cottage Grove has actually has a mandate or<01:05:34.079

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're mandating them to do it now? That's correct. A mandate.
• This would be a mandate, but not giving them funding to do it.
• I have some concerns with us making this a mandate. I'm never a fan of unfunded mandates.
• I have some concerns with us making this a mandate. I'm never a fan of unfunded mandates.
• Senator from Mason: Making this a mandate. I'm never a fan of unfunded mandates.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mandate voter participation like this? You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• This bill doesn't mandate voter participation.
• If you're requesting that mandate, I think it's fair to give them the power.
• One, there is no mandate on participation. Two, we have a very fair process in place.
• Instead, it adds mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And every program and service within those buildings is mandated and also critical to public safety.
• <01:12:04.080> and best way to meet meet those mandates and best way to meet meet those mandates
• <01:12:29.920> um within these facilities are mandated um within these facilities are mandated
• <01:48:53.520> and saying we have another state mandate and saying we have another state mandate
• of examples of cities having mandates of examples of cities having mandates and<01:49:16.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This exempts affected properties from solar panel mandates under Title 24.
• be reimbursed for implementing this new mandate.
• State mandate...
• are forced to comply with state mandates using their own money.
• So all the while in the future, we'll be performing mandates and being required to perform those mandates

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused largely on housing, permitting reform, transportation governance, and local government finance. Early in the hearing, AB 24 by Assemblymember DeMaio proposed changing SANDAG board selection to give rural unincorporated areas a stronger voice; members raised concerns about the approach and local input, and the bill ultimately did not receive a second at the time it was heard. The chair later clarified that because no second was made, the bill was held rather than voted out, though the transcript also reflects confusion and later attempts to revisit the item. Several housing and permitting bills advanced with committee amendments and broad support. AB 671 by Assemblymember Wicks would streamline restaurant permitting through self-certification and faster plan review; AB 920 by Assemblymember Caloza would require a centralized online portal for housing permit tracking in larger jurisdictions; AB 1061 by Assemblymember Kirk Silva would allow SB 9 housing in historic districts with limits to protect historic character; AB 818 by Assemblymember Anamarie Farías would streamline temporary manufactured housing after disasters; AB 660 by Assemblymember Wilson would tighten timelines and remedies for post-entitlement housing permits; AB 1308 by Assemblymember Hoover would allow third-party inspections for small residential projects if local inspections are delayed; and AB 1445 by Assemblymember Haney would expand downtown revitalization financing tools for mixed-use housing. Each of these measures drew support from housing, business, and industry groups, with some local-government and special-district stakeholders seeking continued amendments on certain bills. The committee also approved AB 1156, which updates the solar use easement program to better accommodate renewable energy development on water-constrained agricultural lands, and AB 964, which would let local governments offset certain state mandate reimbursement debts against amounts the state owes them. AB 1223, by Assemblymember Wynn, would let Sacramento-area transportation authorities propose sales tax measures for portions of the county and keep revenues local; it advanced despite some transportation and taxpayer concerns. Consent items AB 36 and AB 1131 were also approved. Most bills were reported out on bipartisan votes, often with committee amendments and some members noting they would continue working on the measures in later committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are attentive to the- Risks on both sides of our mandate.
• So I just want to urge the Fed to refocus entirely on its core statutory mandates.
• So we pursue our mandate.
• You pursue your mandate. You want to make sure that it's working.
• The Fed has a mandate to maximize employment.

Bills: SB257

Keywords: supply chain resilience, critical supply chains, critical goods, manufacturing, domestic manufacturing, reshoring, nearshoring, supply chain security, supply chain shock, supply chain disruption, critical infrastructure, emerging technologies, semiconductors, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, advanced manufacturing, blockchain, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 148 does not mandate anything.
• So, those two concepts, local control and unfunded mandates.
• the idea was what unfunded mandates the idea was what unfunded mandates could<00:52:59.520> we
• That is not an appropriate role for the state to be mandating such requirements.
• mandating such requirements. mandating such requirements.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What about unfunded mandates?
• We're not able to define when an unfunded mandate is.
• , we could do that, but we can't identify what unfunded mandate items would be.
• We're not able to define when an unfunded mandate is.
• , we could do that, but we can't identify what unfunded mandate items would be.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:09:40.240> the state government, the mandates, the state government, the mandates, the
• That the mandates are lowered so that uh businesses want to be here and thrive in this state.
• That the mandates are lowered so that uh businesses want to be here and thrive in this state.
• That the mandates are lowered so that uh businesses want to be here and thrive in this state.
• That the mandates are are affordable.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So instead of the mandate of setting aside, it's more of an option.
• Correct, it just basically changes the law that 15% is not mandated for tuition set asides.
• Essentially just take the word mandate and, and it gets rid of the word mandate. OK, thank you.
• But all this does is says that it is not mandated to go to those students that can go to the college
• It is, but it's my belief that the law should not mandate tuition set-asides for low income.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. The bill sponsor said the measure was prompted by recent reporting on leachate problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations at a Bethlehem facility and deficiencies at other sites, and argued the bill is meant to improve public health protections without dictating specific treatment methods or hindering innovation. The sponsor also said the proposal was developed with input from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) and industry representatives, and that a forthcoming amendment would revise the bill’s language to better fit the permitting process. The sponsor explained that the amendment would move several requirements out of the contract section and into the planning section, change references such as “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” include landfill expansions, and remove language that could be read as requiring long-term contracts. Questions from members focused on whether the bill would create enforceable consequences if a plan is not followed, whether it would limit operators’ flexibility, and whether existing DES rules already cover the subject. The sponsor said enforcement details should be addressed by DES and emphasized that the bill would not lock operators into any particular contract or technology. The Business and Industry Association testified in opposition to the bill as introduced, saying it appeared unnecessary because DES already regulates leachate through existing rules, including Env 806.53, and has authority to update those rules as technology changes. The witness argued that putting the requirements into statute could freeze the regulatory framework, create conflicts with future rulemaking, and make it harder for DES to respond quickly to new treatment methods or operational issues. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• great discussion around just one small part that we can bring down the cost of housing: aesthetic mandates
• We don't want to mandate a level of housing development that the public infrastructure does not support
• I was also on the city council, and I saw how important and how vital having parking minimum mandates
• I was on the U Planning parking mandate I was on the U Planning Commission<00:40:36.280> for<
• <00:40:47.000> was<00:40:47.560> in parking minimum mandates was in parking minimum

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1987, the Minnesota Starter Home Act, and first adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which made minor cleanup changes, removed sections two and three, adjusted ADU language, and tweaked density language. The bill authors described the measure as a bipartisan effort to address Minnesota’s housing shortage by allowing more starter homes, duplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units, while also limiting some local zoning barriers and preserving city protections in certain sensitive areas. They emphasized that the state has a large housing gap, rising home prices, and that the bill is intended as one part of a broader housing package. Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Housing First Minnesota, Habitat for Humanity, AARP Minnesota, and Americans for Prosperity. These witnesses argued that workforce and starter-home shortages are hurting families, employers, and economic growth; that restrictive zoning and lengthy approval processes raise costs; and that more middle housing and ADUs would expand options for older adults, caregivers, working families, and people seeking homeownership. Several supporters said the bill would reduce regulatory barriers, lower development costs, and help communities add needed housing supply. Opposition or cautionary testimony came from city and municipal representatives, including officials from Cambridge, Eagan, and Mankato, as well as the League of Minnesota Cities and related groups. They argued that local governments already are approving substantial housing growth and need flexibility to manage zoning, parking, infrastructure, stormwater, and community input. They warned the bill could weaken local control, remove practical standards, and create unintended impacts such as more rental conversion in some neighborhoods or development without adequate infrastructure. No final vote on the bill itself was shown in the transcript beyond adoption of the A1 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And only in Minnesota would we mandate that a driver be required in a driverless vehicle.
• And only in Minnesota would<00:05:13.120> we<00:05:13.280> mandate<00:05:13.600> that
• <00:05:13.840> a<00:05:14.080> driver<00:05:14.960> be would we mandate that
• a driver be would we mandate that a driver be required<00:05:15.840> in<00:05:16.080> a
• <00:14:36.399> for<00:14:36.639> a bills, I I don't see a mandate for a bills, I I

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republicans held a Transportation Committee press event to promote several bills they said would make driving cheaper and transportation more innovative. The main measures discussed were House File 3526, which would reduce vehicle tab fees; House File 3513, which would legalize automated driverless vehicles with regulatory guardrails; and a bill to consolidate metro-area bus operations and reduce administrative overhead and subsidies. They also said other transportation-related bills, including a school bus stop-arm clarification and a distracted-driving bill, were scheduled for the House floor on Monday. Representative Patti Anderson argued that Minnesota vehicle registration fees have become unaffordable, citing examples of high costs for newer and older vehicles, and said the state should roll fees back to pre-2023/2024 levels. On automated vehicles, Republicans said the bill had been revised after concerns from committee members, MnDOT, and stakeholders, adding a weight limit to avoid autonomous trucking, accessibility provisions for wheelchair users, a U.S.-based support person requirement, a labor/economic/congestion study, and tighter permitting. They said the bill should advance to the next committee and rejected delaying implementation for further study. On transit, Republicans said the metro has too many separate bus systems and that consolidation would save taxpayer money by cutting redundant service and administrative costs. They cited high per-ride subsidies and claimed combined reserve funds and reduced waste could save tens of millions of dollars. In questions, they defended using general-fund dollars for transportation, said the system benefits all residents, and argued that autonomous vehicles and related industries would create new opportunities even if some driving jobs are displaced. No formal votes were taken in the press event, though the speakers said they expected committee action on the automated-vehicle bill and that other bills would move to the floor or other committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two-thirds of elementary school employees do not think that the mandated assessments accurately reflect
• Sixty-seven percent agree that mandated assessments increase their workload.
• So if we could mandate parental involvement for every student, it would be an easy task for teachers
• For every mandate that came across, you know, sometimes we'd have to scramble for the money.
• For every mandate that came across, you know, sometimes we'd have to scramble for the money.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the mandate is different in OHE, and I'll give you one other example.
• Um, the mandate is different in OHE, and I'll give you one other example.
• Um, the mandate is different in OHE, and I'll give you one other example.
• Um, the mandate is different in OHE, and I'll give you one other example.
• is different in OE and I Um the mandate is different in OE and I and<00:15:50.639> I'll<00:15

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on a House counteroffer to a higher education budget and policy agreement, with Ken Savory walking members through spreadsheet changes and Mr. Hopkins reviewing policy items. On the budget side, the House adjusted several appropriations and savings targets, including state grants, child care grants, student teacher and shortage area grants, student parent support, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research grants, dual training grants for legal cannabis employers, and University of Minnesota cannabis research. The House also noted no change to Minnesota State, alignment with the Senate on the summer academic enrichment program, and that remaining state grant parameters would continue to be negotiated. On policy, the House said some items were agreed to and grayed out, including campus sexual misconduct policy and treatment of appropriations. The House kept its original position on the NN Mayo Clinic Partnership and did not include K-12 direct admissions or the College Financing Literacy Act. It also proposed adjusting OHEI appropriations for competitively and legislatively named grant programs so administrative cost reserves would conform to 10% and 5% parameters when current law is below those levels. The committee then heard testimony in support of continuing the spinal cord injury/traumatic brain injury grant program at its current level. Joey Carlson described his spinal cord injury, his career path, and how the program helped advance research and industry connections, while Matthew Broadick argued the program has produced clinical trials, FDA approval-related progress, jobs, and strong return on investment. He also said the program belongs at the Office of Higher Education rather than the Department of Health because its mission better fits research and innovation. Members asked about the program’s long-term home, and the witnesses defended OHE’s role. No votes were taken; the chair thanked the House for the offer, said it would be reviewed, and recessed the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems that we count on, a rise in property taxes, county costs that they can't bear under the mandates
• systems that we count on, a rise in property taxes, county costs that they can't bear under the mandates
• It's just a matter of like may versus must, a mandate or not a mandate.
• It's just a matter of like may versus must, a mandate or not a mandate.
• It's just a matter of like may versus must, a mandate or not a mandate.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: A Senate DFL leader discussed the upcoming supplemental budget and said nearly half of it is being shaped by the federal budget bill passed last July, which he argued is driving hospital distress, higher county costs, and pressure on family budgets. He said the budget will focus on affordability, health care, and responding to federal actions, including an uncompensated care fund for hospitals in distress and possible one-time county technology upgrades to handle new Medicaid-related requirements. He estimated Senator Wiklund’s health and human services proposal includes about $50 million for those upgrades and said that item would likely be handled in an appropriation bill rather than a bonding bill. The leader also said bonding is a top priority this year and that public asset maintenance remains important, including projects tied to sports and civic facilities. On HCMC and broader hospital funding, he said he is confident the Legislature will act, but wants to address the hospital within the context of the statewide hospital delivery system. He also said the Senate has not yet taken a position on a proposed tax related to fraud restitution, but emphasized support for fraud prevention, an independent inspector general, and more resources for the Attorney General. School safety was another major topic. He said Senate Democrats plan to bring a comprehensive package to the floor that includes school safety funding, mental health care, and measures addressing weapons of war, and he expressed hope that some Republicans will support it. He said the Senate education finance bill already includes more school safety funding than the House GOP version, less funding for private school safety, and no weapons-of-war language, but that a broader package will come through the Finance Committee soon. He also said the Senate expects to take up a stand-alone building security package to cover ongoing screening and staffing costs, and he supported creating a special security response unit for threats against lawmakers. Other issues mentioned included support for banning NDAs for local governments, continued attention to public safety and accountability in response to federal immigration enforcement actions, and interest in a bill affecting Minneapolis sports-related taxes and PGA funding, though he said those proposals are still being worked on and may not pass this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• mandating. Um, has that changed? mandating. Um, has that changed?
• In other words, if are these mandated?
• Are the mandates that are their school.
• It's one thing mandate, but available?
• mandates mandates in<00:19:27.520> terms<00:19:27.760> of<00:19:27.919> funding.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. It then received an update from DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver on the department’s rural health transformation grant submission. Weaver said the grant was submitted ahead of the deadline, reflected input from communities and providers statewide, and would now enter a CMS review and negotiation phase. She explained that the governor’s office will oversee the grant with DHHS, that some proposals may be limited by federal parameters, and that the department may need to hire some staff to administer the grant, within the grant’s administrative cap. Members also discussed DHHS budget pressures and staffing. The department’s CFO, Nathan White, reviewed the agency’s budget mix, noting that DHHS accounts for a large share of the state’s operating and general fund budgets, and explained projected general fund lapse estimates, which he said are currently just under $20 million for the department. He also described why lapse projections are difficult to predict in DHHS because many costs are driven by utilization and because some funds are statutorily non-lapsing. White reported that vacancy rates have risen, citing about 400 unfunded positions in the current biennium and the department’s hiring freeze, while emphasizing that direct-care positions are being prioritized. Committee members raised concerns that back-of-the-budget cuts and weak revenue collections could affect the department’s ability to manage lapse projections. The committee then heard from Division of Public Health Director Ian Watt on vaccine policy and federal changes. Watt said New Hampshire continues to support access to safe and effective vaccines, including through the universal purchase program and seasonal respiratory virus guidance. He explained a recent CDC change regarding the MMRV vaccine, which now discourages the combined shot for the first dose in children under four because of febrile seizure risk, while still allowing it for the second dose. Watt said New Hampshire’s school and child care vaccine mandates remain stable, with nine vaccines required for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, and that the state continues to review federal recommendations cautiously. He also said there have been no supply or funding disruptions affecting vaccine access, and that childhood vaccine funding through commercial insurers remains intact. Finally, the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias presented its annual report. The subcommittee said it met about six times, heard presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and began work on updating the state’s Alzheimer’s plan, which had last been updated in 2015-2016. To gather more direct input, the subcommittee formed a needs-assessment work group to develop a survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers. It recommended integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease, aging, and public health outreach; embedding cognitive health into systems of care and the state health improvement plan; adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS; and continuing partnerships with aging and advocacy organizations. Members praised the report and suggested it should clearly identify the subcommittee and include page numbers in future versions.