Transcript Highlights:

• County, District 39, home school; Winchester County, District 38C, See, Steven Vicada High School.
• ,<00:40:41.839> the brand new Meritus Medical School, the brand new Meritus Medical School
• , 45, Mercy High School, 45, Mercy High School, Mark<00:42:00.240> Anthony,<00:42:01.359><
• , DISTRICT 24, Buie High School, DISTRICT 24, Buie High School, Allison, Allison, Allison, >>
• Stun High School. Stun High School.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, February 2, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House took up House Bill 444, Public Safety, Immigration Enforcement Agreements Prohibition, which would end 287(g) agreements and related formal understandings with federal immigration authorities. The main debate centered on whether the bill would interfere with the transfer of detainees to ICE and whether counties should be required to give advance notice before release. The sponsor argued the bill should be amended to require 48-hour notice and transfer of convicted detainees, saying it would protect public safety while respecting detainee rights. Opponents said the amendment was unnecessary because notice is already given in practice and that the bill would not allow holding anyone beyond a court-ordered release time. Members discussed a recent news story about a Prince George’s County detainee who was released after serving time and later picked up by ICE, using it as an example of why clearer procedures were needed. The floor leader and other opponents responded that the person had been released by court order and that the proposed amendment would not have changed that outcome. A delegate from Prince George’s County said the county followed standard correctional procedures, checked for detainers, notified ICE, and could not lawfully hold the person once the judge ordered release. A delegate from Baltimore County argued that formal agreements and MOUs with ICE are necessary because informal arrangements are inconsistent and detainers are often ignored; another member cited Baltimore County detainer statistics to support that point. The first amendment to HB 444 was put to a roll call vote and failed, with 36 votes in the negative. After that, a second amendment was offered that would ban arrest quotas, drone use in law enforcement, warrantless unmanned aerial surveillance, and no-knock warrants. The sponsor described it as a civil-liberties measure aimed at preventing quota-driven policing and intrusive surveillance. The transcript ends while that second amendment is being introduced and explained, before any final action on it is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• , your school, right?
• <00:36:54.480> with way down to a taxiderermy school with way down to a taxiderermy school
• school<00:37:12.240> one<00:37:12.480> school<00:37:12.800> right<00:37:13.119>
• two<00:37:13.440> two<00:37:13.680> it<00:37:13.839> is school one school
• right two two it is school one school right two two it is two<00:37:14.240> okay<00:37:14.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How are the schools going to verify, like little private schools and stuff?
• How are the schools going to verify, like little private schools and stuff?
• It's going to be that one private school or that one high school that's going to have a situation at
• So I'm hoping that the school boards will weigh in, and the small private schools will weigh in, about
• It's going to be that one private school or that one high school that's going to have a situation at

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard a series of bills, beginning with HB 759, which would lower Florida’s minimum age to purchase or transfer firearms from 21 to 18. The bill drew strong opposition from gun-violence prevention groups, Parkland survivors and families, and several members who argued the current law was enacted after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting and should not be reversed. Supporters, including gun-rights advocates and some members, argued 18-year-olds are legal adults who serve in the military, vote, and should have full Second Amendment rights. After debate, the committee voted 13-5 to report HB 759 favorably. The committee then unanimously approved HB 431, extending Level 2 background screening requirements for youth athletic coaches through July 1, 2026, and HB 231, which keeps certain medical examiner information confidential, both with little opposition. It also approved HB 663, increasing penalties for unlawfully using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of dangerous crimes, after adopting a technical amendment, and HB 845, which clarifies the intake process for Veterans Treatment Court and removes Veterans Hall of Fame language from the bill. Each of those measures passed without recorded opposition. Members also approved PCS for HB 255, known as Dexter’s Law, which creates a sentencing multiplier for aggravated animal cruelty cases. The bill was presented as a response to a high-profile dog abuse case and was supported by animal welfare and law enforcement groups; members cited animal cruelty as a predictor of broader violence. The committee then approved HB 1021, allowing active law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons at sporting events, after debate over identification, venue procedures, and whether the bill should extend more broadly; it passed 16-1. Finally, HB 653, adding aggravating factors for capital felonies involving the assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, was reported favorably after brief discussion about federal penalties and deterrence. The transcript ends as the committee begins hearing HB 6025, a repeal bill related to emergency restrictions on firearms during local states of emergency, but the discussion is cut off before action is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Providing school districts the option to replace school buses with electric or zero-emission alternative
• fuel school buses.
• Allowing school districts to enter into agreements for the use of their electric school buses as electric
• energy storage for providing grid services or for use by schools.
• every high school to install an automated external defibrillator and requiring all high school employees

Transcript Highlights:

• School of Dentistry in the state.
• Um again, I'm Keith Mays, Dean of School Um again, I'm Keith Mays, Dean of School of<00:09:51.240
• . school. school.
• We are the only dental school in Minnesota, as has been stated, but we are also the only dental school
• graduates who graduate from our school graduates who graduate from our school and<00:10:35.480><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and a private school that does not have a specific sport that a public school has, that public school
• <00:28:02.399> is school district providing services is school district providing services
• charter school and a private<00:28:19.360> school<00:28:19.520> that<00:28:19.840>
• > has specific sport that a public school has specific sport that a public school has that<00:
• our schools about 40 million to go back. our schools about 40 million to go back.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• we<00:13:58.560> are Marshall County uh, schools and we are Marshall County uh, schools and
• <00:14:11.920> across coaches serving 209 schools across coaches serving 209 schools across
• > K12<00:19:21.840> specifically where our schools K12 specifically where our schools K12
• uh she didn't graduate from high school. uh she didn't graduate from high school.
• without a um a diploma, high school without a um a diploma, high school diploma,<00:45:44.240>

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 14 January, 2026: 3:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: MDES presented its FY27 budget request, describing the agency as a special fund workforce agency focused on helping Mississippians get jobs through employment services, labor market information, and unemployment insurance. Executive Director Bill Ashley said the revised request seeks level spending authority similar to FY26, with line-item changes driven mainly by higher salaries and fringe benefits and lower contractual services. He said MDES currently has 406 employees, 28 active recruitments, and six additional planned positions, for a requested total of 440 positions, down from 453 authorized last year. The request also includes $1.4 million for the State Longitudinal Data System and $400,000 for Accelerate Mississippi fiscal support. Committee members asked about the SLDS pass-through funding, whether it is recurring, and the staffing/pin changes; MDES explained the SLDS is a recurring annual pass-through and that the staffing request reflects turnover and recruitment needs rather than a net expansion. Accelerate Mississippi then outlined its FY27 request and program updates. Officials said the office is requesting level funding overall, with some salary adjustments tied to benefits and two new positions, including one for Talent Solutions and one systems administrator. They described workforce initiatives such as Encore, a recruiter/instructor program; Facet, a partnership with Northwest Mississippi Community College to strengthen instructor preparation; Power Path, a K-12 advanced manufacturing credential model; and expanded career coach activity, reporting 204 coaches serving 209 schools and more than 22,000 unique student interactions. They also reviewed funding streams for workforce enhancement training, Mississippi Works, Equip Mississippi, and ARPA, saying ARPA funds are on track to be fully spent by the September 30 reimbursement deadline and that monthly check-ins are being used to ensure funds are drawn down. Members asked about the budget changes, the use of contractual services, and the career coach program; the office said it was shifting some audit and monitoring costs to the funds being monitored and was not requesting an increase for career coach funding. The Mississippi community college presidents and the Community College Board also presented their budget priorities. They reported that Mississippi community colleges served 88,600 students in academic year 2023 and said the system’s graduation rate is about 42 percent, with a goal of reaching 55 percent. Their FY27 request includes a 6 percent salary increase for employees, increased basic operations funding, and continued support for CTE Advantage programs, totaling $61.5 million in general support. On facilities, they requested $150 million after receiving no facilities funding last year, citing roughly $413 million in identified needs across capital improvements, repairs and renovations, and pre-planning. The Community College Board requested restoration of $310,000 in general fund cuts and a new $2 million appropriation for adult education, noting that an estimated 300,000 to 330,000 Mississippians lack a high school diploma. No votes were taken during the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you're determining adequate education, charter schools, school building aid, all those things
• So when you're determining adequate education, charter schools, school building aid, all those things
• So when you're determining adequate education, charter schools, school building aid, all those things
• So when you're determining adequate education, charter schools, school building aid, all those things
• <00:23:00.200> adequacy<00:23:00.679> School between Charter Schools adequacy School

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory House Finance Division Two session focused on committee procedures, staffing, and the upcoming budget process. Mickey Landrian, the division analyst, introduced himself and explained that the subcommittee operates more informally than the full committee, does not hold executive sessions or public hearings itself, and makes recommendations back to House Finance. Members were told that public hearings on legislation occur in the full committee, while Division Two will hold work sessions and vote on recommendations such as ought to pass, retain, or ITL. The chair also welcomed new members and a new clerk, and noted that meetings will be recorded and streamed, with microphones required for audio capture. A substantial portion of the meeting covered the division’s workload and schedule. Landrian outlined the agencies assigned to Division Two, including Safety, Fish and Game, Transportation, Education, the Lottery Commission, Police Standards and Training, the University System, and the Community College System. He explained the different fund types the division will handle, especially Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund, and reviewed reference materials distributed to members, including agency budget requests, prior recommendation tracking sheets, and surplus statements. He emphasized that the agency budget requests and related handouts are available online and useful for members to review before budget work begins. Members discussed the compressed timeline for the session, with a target date of March 26 for completing Division Two recommendations. Landrian said only a few bills had been referred to Finance so far, none yet to Division Two, but that more bills and amendments were expected, including many amendments to House Bill 2. He noted that the committee would need to move efficiently and frontload meetings. Representative Papich added that Fish and Game may require closer scrutiny than in prior years because of its push for direct general fund appropriations, and members also discussed the importance of getting preliminary budget documents before the governor’s budget is finalized. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond the procedural overview and distribution of materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• something to protect uh local school something to protect uh local school districts<00:34:06.960
• It's whether the state's going to step up to the role and protect school districts or school districts
• The most important thing for school boards, the most important thing for school districts and voters,
• That is I have as a school as well.
• a at a school. a at a school.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They didn't graduate from high school.
• Parents, a nonprofit supporting local schools, served as president of the Santa Clara County School
• Parents, a nonprofit supporting local schools, served as president of the Santa Clara County School
• , Temple Emmanuel Academy Day School, and E-CAR.
• Higher rates of suicide ideation in our schools.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the schools, to help get students to school, if they are lower income, which is determined by the
• children to school.
• So we don't provide any school tripper at all.
• So we don't provide any school tripper at all. It is all contracted by the schools through Harlows.
• And we do have two part-time people that we use for our school trip routes that we do during the school

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee met to review fixed-route transit systems and related funding needs. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the committee heard presentations from Cities Area Transit in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, Bisman Transit in Bismarck-Mandan, and MATBUS/Fargo, along with comments from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy. The transit agencies described their routes, paratransit services, ridership trends, fare structures, fleet replacement needs, and rising operating costs, emphasizing that transit supports access to work, school, medical care, and other essential services. Testimony also noted that ridership fell during the pandemic and has been recovering, while vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Grand Forks transit reported 17 routes, a recent fare increase, and operating costs that exceed fare revenue, with paratransit service extending beyond the federal minimum service area. Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions, local mill levies, sales tax support, and federal grant structure, and said it is seeking more stable funding and flexibility beyond paratransit-only support. Minot’s transit superintendent explained the state’s existing transit aid formula, the use of refurbished buses, and the challenges of driver recruitment and electric bus infrastructure. Fargo asked for additional state support for fixed-route urban transit. Committee members discussed whether ride-share services could replace transit, the cost per trip, local match requirements, and whether a separate state funding source should be recommended for the four urban fixed-route systems. The subcommittee ultimately approved a motion to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of its activities for inclusion in the full Government Finance Committee report, and members indicated they would seek more detailed funding figures from the transit agencies before making any specific recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you all know how many local school districts currently have a policy on this?
• Do you all know how many local school districts currently have a policy on this?
• Do you all know how many local school districts currently have a policy on this?
• won't be a lot of changes for school won't be a lot of changes for school districts<00:20:16.000
• <00:25:45.120> or that we can have come to our schools or that we can have come to our schools

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education met for its first meeting of the session, reviewed basic committee rules, and took attendance before considering two bills. The chair emphasized civility, no signs in the room, and deadlines for committee substitutes and amendments. House Bill 416, sponsored by Representative Clines, would change teacher-preparation admissions by replacing an entrance test score requirement with a formative assessment approach while retaining exit examinations for teacher certification. KDE witnesses said the bill would reduce barriers, provide programs with data to support students, and not lower standards. Members asked about content-specific preparation, whether the bill would water down standards, and available data on current entry-test barriers. Several members spoke in support, citing the teacher shortage and the value of giving more candidates a path into education. The committee approved HB 416 unanimously and sent it to the House floor with a favorable expression of opinion. House Bill 389, sponsored by Representative Hein, would define dysgraphia, require KDE to annually update the dyslexia toolkit, support district professional development and coaching, require local boards to develop screener/diagnostic processes, and require postsecondary teacher programs to include dyslexia instruction. A committee substitute made technical changes, including an IDEA citation and removal of specific three-cueing language in favor of evidence-based practices. Testimony stressed that dyslexia is not the same as special education eligibility and that early identification and intervention are needed. Members discussed the low number of districts with related policies, the quality of approved screeners, and the need for more local and regional support services. The committee approved HB 389 with the committee substitute attached and sent it to the House floor with a favorable expression of opinion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We last had items reported through their fiscal agents: three school districts and one Board of Education
• Two school districts did not need an additional tax levy to pay debt service reported in an upcoming
• Again, I have four new Mone issuances for local schools seeking approval.
• renovate East Heights Elementary School renovate East Heights Elementary School the<00:25:10.360
• Renovations at Northern Middle School Renovations at Northern Middle School the<00:25:28.840>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the January minutes and then received several informational reports on school district tax levies, revenue bonds, lease advertisements, and previously rejected lease transactions. Members were told that one rejected lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Hardin County would be canceled and rebid, while a Perry County lease modification for the Energy and Environment Cabinet would proceed. The Kentucky Communications Network Authority also submitted its quarterly capital projects report, and Eastern Kentucky University reported revisions to asset preservation projects. Janice Thomas, Deputy State Budget Director, presented four capital project action items. These included a Kentucky State University Betty White Building renovation funded by USDA grant money, a Department of Education state schools dormitory and cottage renovation appropriation increase because bids exceeded estimates, a restricted-funds scope increase for the Elizabethtown CTC science building expansion, and a pool project report for the Department of Corrections’ KCIW kitchen drain line repair and replacement. Representative Petrie asked about how often the statutory authority for midstream project increases is used and whether bids are typically competitive; Thomas said the increases are used often when bids come in above estimates and that bids are generally competitive, though construction costs have been difficult to gauge. The committee unanimously approved the first three action items, and the KCIW project was reported with no action required. H. Sandy Williams of the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and one emergency grant. The items included loans for Frankfort’s East Frankfort Interceptor wet weather facility project, Sturgis wastewater improvements, Scottsville inflow and infiltration work, Morganfield wastewater treatment plant planning and design, Western Pulaski County Water District transmission improvements, and Springfield water system planning and replacement work, plus an emergency Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville following a sewer treatment plant failure and local emergency declarations. After no questions, the committee unanimously approved the seven KIA transactions. Chelsea Couch then presented a Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for $38.4 million to finance a multifamily rental project in Jefferson County; members asked how the committee participates and were told it was a conduit issuance rather than state debt. The committee approved that item. Finally, the committee heard an informational Turnpike Authority refunding issuance of about $53 million for present value savings, then approved four SFCC debt issues for Henderson, Pulaski, Scott, and Trimble counties to finance school renovations and construction. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and location.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will give extra money to address learning needs that these schools need to provide.
• They're flexible dollars, but they're needed to address school capital. We've included that.
• The school meal program. We're providing We're providing the cost.
• buildings and grounds by the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
• to be doing: monitoring the progress of school districts and charter schools toward improved academic

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A cool thing about Kalinga, where Samantha is from, is that their high school has a community student
• So what does Samantha do as a sophomore in high school once she learns about this?
• She started this only as a sophomore in high school.
• He graduated earlier this year from Atwater High School, as I mentioned, to attend Stanford.
• After attending Orange Glen High School in Escondido, he joined the Navy.

Summary: The Assembly met with a quorum present after a roll call and prayer, then proceeded through routine journal, procedural, and guest-introduction business. Members recognized several guests, including local district officials, Japanese business leaders, and students/interns, and the chamber also observed remarks about the Texas flooding tragedy during the prayer. The body then moved through the daily file, including second-reading items and concurrence votes on AB 390, which expands the slow-down/move-over law to stationary vehicles, and AB 1478, which allows retailers to absorb mattress recycling fees; both measures had Senate amendments concurred in by recorded vote. The Assembly adopted AJR 12, a bipartisan resolution recognizing Head Start Month and urging Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding. Multiple members spoke in support, emphasizing the program’s role in early education, health, nutrition, and family support, especially in rural and low-income communities; the resolution received 70 ayes and no noes after 69 co-authors were added. The chamber also adopted ACR 96, designating a portion of Highway 101 in Humboldt County as the Patty Berg Memorial Highway, and SCR 50, which calls for state review of climate adaptation and maladaptation criteria to improve climate resilience planning; both measures passed without opposition. On the consent calendar, the Assembly added co-authors to ACR 81 and adopted the second-day consent calendar and remaining consent items, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body also approved a motion to return AB 529 from engrossing and enrolling to the Senate for further action. The session concluded with numerous adjournment-in-memory tributes, most notably for Rincon Tribal Council Chairman Bo Mazzetti and former legislative secretary George Steffes, followed by a moment of silence for each and adjournment until Monday, July 14 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires public elementary schools rather than the State Board of Education to prepare an academic
• to place underperforming districts or charter school sponsors on probation in certain circumstances.
• It requires the Commission on School Funding, rather than the Legislative Auditor, to perform certain
• Parents are wondering whether or not there is accountability in our school systems, and I think that
• Parents are wondering about whether or not there is accountability in our school systems, and I think

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a particular Center within the school a particular Center within the school for<00:10:03.800>
• and in our school of dentistry.
• and in our school of dentistry.
• across middle schools and high schools across middle schools and high schools across the<00:55:30.039
• > school<01:12:16.120> students number of high school students number of high school students

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and high school students.
• <00:42:54.640> This<00:42:54.800> is school and high school students.
• This is school and high school students.
• a medical school campus in St.
• a medical school campus in St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to point out that the scheme here did not involve our school nutrition programs or school
• > staff<00:03:10.840> I programs or School nutrition staff I programs or School nutrition
• months when students are not in school months when students are not in school or<00:08:18.199>
• > during<00:08:18.639> unexpected<00:08:19.280> school or during unexpected school
• a a program expert in after school a a program expert in after school programming<01:15:54.679><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings. The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies. Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question one: Should school districts be permanently allowed to start classes before Labor Day?
• Supporters of the idea to allow the school year to start before Labor Day say it gives school districts
• flexibility to be able to fit all their needs into the school calendar.
• A law passed in 2023 allows hourly school workers like school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and teachers
• School districts began providing year?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The segment presented the results of the 2025 Minnesota House legislative opinion poll, which asked fairgoers about a range of policy issues tied to recent or possible future legislative action. Topics included school calendar flexibility before Labor Day, state funding for sports stadiums and arenas, undocumented immigrants’ access to state programs, unemployment benefits for hourly school workers in the summer, banning guns in the Capitol, budget-balancing options for a projected 2028-29 deficit, removing party labels from legislative ballots, limiting free school meals by income, free fishing licenses for residents age 65 and older, local control over cannabis businesses, a post-employment lobbying ban for legislators, and a higher income tax rate for the highest earners. For several questions, the segment noted the underlying legislative context. It referenced the 2023 law making undocumented immigrants eligible for MinnesotaCare and the 2025 law ending adult eligibility at year’s end, the school meals program’s higher-than-expected costs, and a 2025 proposal to remove party designations from legislative ballots that did not receive a committee hearing. It also mentioned the projected nearly $6 billion budget shortfall for the 2028-29 biennium, the Xcel Energy Center renovation funding request, and the recent killings of House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and the shooting of Senator John Hoffman and his wife as part of the discussion about Capitol gun restrictions. The poll itself was presented as a public opinion survey rather than a legislative vote, so no formal committee action or roll call occurred. The segment closed by thanking participants and saying the poll would return next year at the fair.