Transcript Highlights:

• There are some exceptions, but one of the exceptions that isn't there. Think about this.
• There are some exceptions, but one of the exceptions that isn't there. Think about this.
• There are some exceptions, but one of the exceptions that isn't there. Think about this.
• There are some exceptions, but one of the exceptions that isn't there. Think about this.
• There are some exceptions, but one of the exceptions that isn't there. Think about this.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House adopted the conference committee report on House File 1141, the housing bill, and repassed the bill as amended by conference. Representative Howard said the compromise bill would help build thousands of homes, keep Minnesotans housed, and improve transparency and collaboration with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, while remaining budget-neutral by using MHFA interest earnings and fund transfers. He highlighted investments in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured housing, FHPAP, supportive housing, and added transparency for MHFA board meetings, while noting that some Senate provisions such as a manufactured housing bill of rights and a ban on private equity home purchases were not included. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing housing as a basic need and linking the bill to homelessness, workforce shortages, and health outcomes. Supporters praised the bill’s funding for supportive housing, first-generation homebuyer assistance, tenant hotline services, and manufactured housing, and said the bipartisan conference process improved the measure. Representative Kosowski and others argued the bill would help people stay housed, reduce pressure on schools, hospitals, and emergency rooms, and support communities across all 87 counties and tribal nations. Republican members raised concerns about spending and government growth, arguing the state should prioritize taxpayer relief, school safety, fraud prevention, and asset preservation instead of housing investments. Representative McDonald questioned the growth in MHFA staffing over the past decade, and Representative Howard responded that the agency had taken on many new responsibilities since the state’s larger housing investments and needed staff to administer programs effectively. After the motion to adopt the conference report prevailed, the bill moved to third reading, where further discussion continued in a generally supportive but divided debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, which is really the exception.
• Um, which is really the exception.
• Uh, and this has limited exceptions.
• There are exceptions in this bill. There are exceptions I live with.
• It's for records because of exception A.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill provides numerous exceptions.
• To claim now that the exceptions in the bill is an indication of...
• many of those exceptions were requested by people sitting in the back rows.
• Not to change it or make any exceptions. Is to actually TP this bill, okay?
• Not to change it or make any exceptions.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum and journal business before taking up the special order calendar. Several bills were explained and moved through amendment and final passage, including CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for mandatory reporters’ child-abuse reporting violations, which was clarified on the floor to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. CS/SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to align with the House version and passed 111-0. The chamber also recognized Spina Bifida Week and guests in the gallery before considering additional measures. Members then passed CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), described as preserving the program’s actuarial soundness, by a 112-0 vote; CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund, expanded to support broader health science education programs and non-health-care partner contributions, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care facility standards by 111-0; CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, including transfer-of-ownership and MAT-related provisions, by 168-0; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, allowing limited coach support for student welfare with parental consent and other guardrails, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts, limiting use of ADS-B data for airport billing, by 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, modernizing licensure and exclusivity rules, by 111-0. The House also took up CS/SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related restrictions. The sponsor argued the bill would prohibit counties and municipalities from official DEI actions and related funding while preserving numerous exceptions for holidays, observances, public safety, and other activities. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect local programs, events, and offices, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition by removing two prongs; debate centered on vagueness, enforcement, and local-government impacts. The transcript cuts off during consideration of that amendment, so no final action on the bill is shown. The session also included lengthy farewell remarks from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf, reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in your bill, you have two exceptions. Can you tell the body what those exceptions are?
• What are the exceptions?
• And what I'll ask you is, there is no exception.
• You have an exception in this bill for shooting a law officer or mass shootings, and there's no exception
• We're creating an exception that could create...

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721. The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more. Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ballot proposal, by contrast, would require all cities and towns in Massachusetts, except Boston,
• The ballot proposal, by contrast, would require all cities and towns in Massachusetts, except Boston,
• The exception is Section 3, which limits local zoning on certain matters.
• However, from my perspective, they do not require a new exception to Section 3.
• However, from my perspective, they do not require a new exception to Section 3.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-03, House Bill 5000, which would allow single-family homes on small lots in areas with adequate infrastructure. Committee chairs outlined the Article 48 process and the hearing format, then heard first from two subject-matter experts. Under Secretary Chris Clutchman of Housing and Livable Communities explained that the proposal would amend Chapter 40A’s Section 3 (the Dover Amendment) to require most municipalities, except Boston, to allow single-family homes on residentially zoned lots of at least 5,000 square feet with 50 feet of frontage and access to public water and sewer, while still allowing reasonable local regulations on setbacks, height, bulk, and short-term rentals. He distinguished the proposal from Chapter 40Y starter-home zoning, said implementation would likely require regulations to address issues such as wetlands, infrastructure capacity, and nonconforming lots, and answered committee questions about lot subdivision, MBTA Communities, and the relationship to existing zoning tools. Attorney Susan Murphy testified that the petition would significantly override local zoning and could create conflicts with existing statutes, including Chapter 40A Section 6 protections for certain nonconforming lots, subdivision control law, and other residential zoning districts. She raised concerns about how “access” to water and sewer would be defined, whether the measure could apply in business or industrial districts where residential uses are allowed, and whether the proposal could allow large homes on small lots without any affordability limits. She also warned that the measure could have significant infrastructure impacts and argued that the Legislature should consider broader, more comprehensive housing legislation rather than expanding exceptions to the zoning framework. Committee members asked both experts about frontage, lot size, infrastructure capacity, and how the proposal would interact with 40Y and MBTA Communities. The proponents, led by Andrew McCulla of the Legalized Starter Homes Coalition, argued that Massachusetts faces a severe housing shortage and affordability crisis, citing high home prices, high rents, declining listings, and outmigration of younger residents. They said the measure would legalize modest single-family homes on smaller lots, increase housing supply, and help first-time buyers and downsizing seniors, while leaving most other local rules in place. Other proponents, including representatives from Abundant Housing Massachusetts, the Charles River Regional Chamber, and individual residents, emphasized workforce retention, the need for more starter homes, and the view that large minimum lot sizes are a major barrier to production. Committee members pressed the panel on the lack of any home-size or affordability requirement, possible effects on 40B compliance, the number of new lots and homes that might result, and the fact that the ballot initiative would not be amendable by the Legislature. The hearing then turned to opponents from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, who urged the committee to take no action. MMA leaders said zoning should remain a local decision made by residents and elected local officials, and argued that the proposal would preempt local control with a one-size-fits-all mandate. They also said the measure is impractical because many communities with water and sewer are already at or near capacity, so infrastructure availability does not necessarily mean development capacity. The hearing ended during the MMA’s testimony, with no vote or final committee action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• now there are new exceptions, is not the same coverage.
• new exceptions, is not the same coverage.
• They granted exceptions, which to me means they followed the law.
• Fantastic idea, everything you've heard here, except we have collective bargaining units.
• except except we<01:03:13.200> have<01:03:13.360> collective<01:03:13.720> bargaining

Bills: HF3794, HF4472, HF4410, HF4347, HF4412, HF4398, HF4397, HF4201, HF4199, HF4203, HF3706, HF4071, HF4120, HF4175, HF4188

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:16:38.880> one without intervening motion except one without intervening motion except
• In short, it will fund everything except ICE and CBP.
• In short, it will fund everything except ICE and CBP.
• In short, it will fund everything except ICE and CBP.
• I'm tired everything except ICE and CBP.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment provides an exception right now in the bill. There's some broadness.
• Members, this amendment adds a necessary exception to this bill language and reads, except regarding
• This exception ensures that educators are...
• No, I don't think there should be no exceptions.
• In fact, there's a handful of exceptions already in Representative Leach's bill.

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, heard an invocation and pledges, and approved several routine motions, including excuses for absent members, permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, and postponements of some bills. The chamber also received a Senate message listing measures passed by the Senate and adopted a memorial resolution honoring the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, with remarks entered into the House Journal after a moment of silence. The House then took up a long third-reading calendar and passed a series of Senate bills on topics including criminal justice and corrections sunset provisions (SB 2405, 2406, 2407), election equipment testing (SB 2166), electric grid reliability and attack-preparedness exercises (SB 2148), firefighter collective bargaining (SB 777), DFPS and foster care procedures (SB 1141 and SB 1398), Medicare durable medical equipment billing (SB 1330), property tax administration (SB 1453), probate cleanup and record transfers (SB 1448 and SB 1839), mental health filing procedures (SB 53), school residency for children in safety placements (SB 226), diabetes-related amputation study (SB 1677), rapid DNA analysis (SB 1723), utility rate transparency and capacity cost recovery (SB 1664 and SB 1856), community supervision eligibility (SB 552 postponed), and other measures. Several bills passed with broad support, while others drew notable opposition and narrower margins, including SB 777, SB 2137, SB 2111, SB 1677, SB 1936, SB 1453, and SB 38. Two bills drew especially extensive debate. SB 2148, dealing with electricity supply chain reliability and tabletop exercises for critical facilities, was discussed as a grid-security measure aimed at coordinating utilities, law enforcement, ERCOT, and the PUC in the event of physical attacks; it passed unanimously. SB 1936, changing how LSD is measured for criminal prosecution from dosage-based to weight-based calculations, prompted extended discussion about lab consistency, carrier mediums, and fairness in charging, with supporters saying it would help crime labs and law enforcement and opponents warning it could distort penalties depending on the medium used; it passed 108-26. The House also passed SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, after questions about overlap with TDEM and the cost of adding personnel. Late in the day, the House debated SB 38 on eviction procedures, with supporters saying it targeted squatters and streamlined removal of unauthorized occupants, and opponents arguing it would make evictions too easy and worsen homelessness; it passed 85-44. The chamber also began debate on SB 37, a major higher-education governance bill that would expand governing-board oversight of curriculum, hiring, and faculty senates; members raised concerns about academic freedom, faculty governance, and the impact on humanities programs, and debate was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• aren't central to New Hampshire or southern New Hampshire, a little bit more northern, with the exception
• <00:13:57.040> of<00:13:57.199> Dover with the exception of Dover with the exception
• He then noted that next Tuesday they would likely have all bills passed except House Bill 2026, the 10
• > uh, I think we've got all our bills uh, I think we've got all our bills passed<01:53:36.960> except
• <01:53:39.679> uh, passed except and acted on except uh, passed except and acted on except

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, there is nothing extreme here except the fear-mongering we have heard.
• Finally, there is nothing extreme here except the fear-mongering we have heard.
• Finally, there is nothing extreme here except the fear-mongering we have heard.
• Finally, there is nothing extreme here except the fear-mongering we have heard.
• Finally, there is nothing extreme here except the fear-mongering we have heard.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of grao but other with the exception of grao but other than<00:08:11.000> that<00:08:11.319><
• All positions have been filled at that time, with the exception of two.
• All positions have been filled at that time, with the exception of two.
• of two we um uh time with the exception of two we um uh are<00:18:31.240> still<00:18:31.480>
• But, um, with the exception of a few staff and, um, a few minor programs, nothing of substance.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Passing with amendments, with all members present except for Senator Moriwaki.
• amendments with all all<00:02:41.040> members<00:02:41.360> present<00:02:41.680> except
• <00:02:42.000> for<00:02:42.319> Senator all members present except for Senator all
• members present except for Senator Morwaukee.
• that will swallow create an exception that will swallow the<00:31:53.279> rule.

Bills: HB1577, HB1870

Keywords: Smart911, 911, 911 Board, emergency response, public safety answering point, PSAP, next-generation 911, NG911, dispatch, dispatcher, emergency profile, safety profile, medical information, disability access, access needs, functional needs, kupuna, aging, developmental disabilities, communication access

Summary: The committee reconvened on March 19, 2026, for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week. It first took up HB 812 on agriculture, agreeing to move it forward with amendments and a Senate draft, and then HB 2388 on public notice, which was also passed with amendments after concerns about transparency and the need for local newspaper notice on Maui were discussed. HB 1414 on procurement and HB 2469 on a regular session review working group were both deferred to March 24 for further work with the author, while HB 322 on voter registration was deferred indefinitely in favor of a Senate vehicle. The committee then heard HB 1577, which would create a statewide emergency safety profile system pilot program and working group for 911. Testimony from disability advocates, emergency medical services, and others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing benefits for people without smartphones, better sharing of medical and emergency information, and improved response in the field. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the 911 Board already had the authority to implement the system without legislation, and the bill was not immediately acted on in the portion of the transcript provided. The final major item was HB 1870 on protected community locations. Testimony in support came from the University of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, immigrant-rights groups, public health advocates, and many individuals, while the Department of Education supported the measure but requested clarity on federal compliance and raised concerns about a 1,000-foot perimeter beyond campus. Supporters said the bill would protect sensitive locations and help immigrant families feel safe accessing schools, health care, and other services. No final vote on HB 1870 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any exceptions? Like religious businesses? Commissioner. Thank you, um, Chair.
• Um, there's no exception, for instance, for, you know, race discrimination.
• Is there any exceptions? post this? Is there any exceptions?
• Um, there's no exception, for Act.
• Where there are exceptions Rights Act.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Except not all fuel is for vehicles that are driven on the roads: farm equipment, construction equipment
• So then, but they said there had been exceptions made, and so, you know, the road toll bureau were very
• So we appealed to the hearings officer, you know, who we had explained there had been exceptions for
• There had been an exception for somebody.
• <00:56:21.760> that<00:56:22.079> applies exception that applies exception that applies

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have questions about these exceptions that are included in the bill. I'm sorry.
• Those exceptions to the applicability of the statute are outlined in the bill.
• You lie and say that there are exceptions for the health of the mother, like in SB30.
• The existence of exceptions proves that anti-abortion politicians and disinformants...
• I understand that there's rumblings that a rape exception might be introduced.

Bills: HB7, SB 8, HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, with the exception<00:15:19.600> of<00:15:19.839> one<00:15:20.160> bill,<00
• one that exception of one bill, albeit one that has<00:15:22.079> a<00:15:22.240> large
• It's her bill which provides<00:16:44.160> an<00:16:44.399> exception<00:16:44.880>
• These provisions provide an exception for child neglect crimes for acts committed while pregnant and
• I unofficially represent twice-exceptional people with print disabilities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• looking for a motion that does the following: approve the minutes of the June 18th, 2025 meeting, except
• the minutes of the June 18th, 2025 the minutes of the June 18th, 2025 meeting,<00:01:08.000> except
• indicated<00:01:09.920> in<00:01:10.320> items<00:01:10.880> A meeting, except
• as indicated in items A meeting, except as indicated in items A through<00:01:11.520> I<00:01

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Legislative Research Commission was called to order, a roll call established a quorum, and the commission approved a motion to adopt the June 18, 2025 minutes with specified exceptions, approve new business items A through K, and accept and refer communications items 1 through 52. The motion was seconded, a roll call vote was taken, and it passed unanimously among those present. During new business, a member provided a brief update on planning for the upcoming SLC conference in Lexington, noting that the schedule is still preliminary and that contracts are being signed. The member said the host committee is still raising funds, with about $2.25 million remaining to be raised by next summer, and thanked President Stivers and Speaker Osborne for their efforts. No questions were raised about the conference update, no additional new business or communications were offered, and the commission then moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned without objection after a second was noted on the motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• page 3 next, page 4 really on line 17 and 18 basically says you can do all your public health stuff except
• page 3 next, page 4 really on line 17 and 18 basically says you can do all your public health stuff except
• page 3 next, page 4 really on line 17 and 18 basically says you can do all your public health stuff except
• So on page 7, line 3, it says a license may not be revoked or suspended except after a hearing.
• not got really any conference committee notices back from the Senate on our work on Senate bills, except

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 2276, which addresses water projects that cross county lines. Senator Larry Luick and Danny Quissel of the North Dakota Water Resource Districts Association explained that the bill would require joint boards for multi-county projects, with equal representation from each county, and would add a dispute-resolution process: mediation through the Agriculture Department, then appeal to the Department of Water Resources, and finally court if needed. An additional cleanup amendment was adopted to clarify that a district could proceed if a joint board or district refused to participate. Members raised concerns about possible county-versus-county litigation, but the committee approved the amendment and then passed SB 2276 as amended on an 11-0-2 roll call. The committee then heard the final bill of the day, Senate Bill 2267, on on-site wastewater treatment systems. DEQ Director Dave Glott presented a revised amendment reflecting prior discussion and input from local public health units and installers. The proposal would give the Department of Environmental Quality exclusive rulemaking authority, require public health units to inspect systems within 24 hours, allow MOUs with neighboring counties or health units, prohibit local rules that conflict with state standards, and create a state licensing system for installers while exempting homeowners working on their own property. It also set up permitting and appeals procedures, civil penalties for violations, and a $99,000 appropriation, with the department saying it would also rely on fee revenue and report back later on whether the program is working. Members asked about homeowner installation, local permitting, technical assistance, and whether the $99,000 appropriation and expected fees would be sufficient. Glott said homeowners could still consult with local health units and would likely still need permits, and estimated fees might be around $200 per year for installers, generating roughly $50,000 annually. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 2267 as amended on a due-pass motion, with one no vote recorded. The chair then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are known for our exceptional undergraduate engineering program. which ranks among the best in the
• Lamar has specific exceptional item requests for your consideration, three of which I want to highlight
• Aspiration of our institutional enhancement exceptional item funding in the amount of $10.2 million.
• normal inflationary pressure. but dramatically affected by our geographic isolation. the following exceptional
• Now we have two additional exception items.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, there are exceptions that they consider on a case-by-case basis.
• Now, there are exceptions that they consider on a case-by-case basis.
• Now, there are exceptions that they consider on a case-by-case basis.
• Now, there are exceptions that they consider on a case-by-case basis.
• Now, there are exceptions that they consider on a case-by-case basis.

Keywords: Education - Room 216, January 6, 2026; 12:45 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee welcomed three new members and elected Senator Brian Rhodes as committee secretary by acclamation. It then took up three education bills. Senate Bill 2001, a $2,000 across-the-board pay raise for teachers, teacher assistants, and certain higher education instructors, was explained as a partial step that could be increased later if more funds become available. The bill also included language to prevent school districts from offsetting state raises for teacher assistants by reducing local supplements. After no questions, the committee adopted a motion that the bill be reported. Senate Bill 2003, which expands the program allowing retired individuals to return to teach, drew the most discussion. The bill broadens eligibility beyond retired educators, raises the retirement-pay percentage from 50% to 65%, shortens the required break in service from 90 days to 45 days in most cases, removes the critical-shortage-area limitation, and allows retirees to teach in any district. Senator Hill offered and the committee adopted an amendment to clarify that the retiree must be receiving a PERS retirement allowance. Members debated possible effects on the retirement system, but the bill was ultimately reported. Senate Bill 2002, dealing with public school district transfers, would remove the sending district’s ability to veto a student’s transfer to another public district. Senator Hopson offered a single amendment, adopted by the committee, to allow receiving districts to charge a reasonable fee, require transfer notice by March 15 absent good cause, and preserve MHSAA’s authority over extracurricular eligibility. Members discussed transportation, equity, and athletic recruiting concerns, and the amendment was clarified to leave the fee amount to the receiving district’s board. After the amendment, the bill was reported.